tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37369151475132168692024-03-05T12:42:36.375-06:00Más 1Mike and I are a couple of school teachers trying to start a family. Our planned course is adoption from Honduras. As we navigate the hoops and hurdles, we hope share the experience with family and friends, as well as others who may benefit from our learning along the way. Also, I am including sections in Spanish especially for our little one-- maybe (s)he will read it one day and appreciate how very much (s)he was wanted or loved even before we were all united under one roof.Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-64595535060400073822017-11-27T16:29:00.000-06:002017-11-27T16:35:26.061-06:00Getting ready for our yearly St. Jude Run<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Looking back at where we have been, Tesorito! You have been the pearl in my heart since before you were born. These years of spring were worth waiting for and I am grateful to be able to live them to their fullest with you! Valuing what matters- cuddling, inventing games, make believe, silliness, story time, and secret missions.... Te amo mi cielo venga lo que venga. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">This</span><span style="background-color: black;"> weekend we will go back to Memphis and I will run that same race that I ran so many times before I even saw your face. We will visit that same table where we received that life-changing phone call and reminisce about what an amazing journey we are on. <i>Cada día le doy gracias a Dios otra vez por tu presencia en mi vida. Con todo mi corazón te amo......</i></span></span></span></div>
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Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-24810860272054641252017-11-27T16:10:00.002-06:002017-11-27T16:10:32.471-06:00The final leg of our journey.... and here is the other part of waiting, the part I can't publish until all the family knows....It is 11:25 pm on 5/20..... as I type this, I am on hold with Delta thinking of HANDSOME LITTLE HIM again..... Yes, Delta. ALAS! We are booking our flight!!!!! I can't believe it! We are in the last .2 of our marathon..... We are ALMOST a COMPLETE family! I knew this day would come, but I could never imagine it! As I was leaving school today on the way to yoga we got THE CALL! I never expected to receive it so soon and with such short notice. We will be seeing our son in just 1 week! Then we will sign the paperwork that will start the paperwork we need to get him home so he can meet and play with you all!!!!!! YIPPEE!!!!Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-32878887525558938562015-05-20T23:14:00.000-05:002015-05-20T23:18:09.178-05:00Some more waiting....The last day of school is tomorrow. Mother's Day is past. Our little boy is looking bigger in pictures..... I think about him constantly..... on my runs, when I am frustrated with my students or touched by their kindness, before I go to bed, as soon as I wake up, during my drive in to work, in the pauses between work.Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-66683369928659145182015-02-12T16:10:00.002-06:002015-02-12T16:10:55.849-06:00Short and sweetSome people say that I am a short and sweet person, so I guess I will have no trouble being short and sweet in this post. Everything has been a whirlwind since Thursday of last week. During my first block plan period at school on January 8, my phone rang-- that Texas number again! I rarely have time to look at my phone at work, but by chance I had an extra moment and saw it light up. Neither I nor the Honduras program coordinator in Texas had much time to talk, but quickly she told me that we received our first appointment! January 29, at 9:30 am, we have an appointment with DINAF for testing and we are not sure what else. Then, more importantly, on January 30, we will get to see our little boy for the first time! Even now, just typing it, it makes me emotional! I can't wait! How I have imagined the moment a million times and it makes me heart flutter every time! I feel excited, nervous, surprised, scared, OVERJOYED, relieved, and panicked! I don't even know what to think or how to plan, but I am just making lists and checking things off one at a time. First, I bought our airfare-- we will stay in Honduras from January 28 until February 4. Then, there is the business or notifying our employers and following the correct protocol. We are still working on names, acquiring necessities, organizing paperwork, getting the final apostilles, making hotel reservations, and myriad of other final details. Each little task is joyful because it leads us closer to our little one and towards becoming a forever family! Little by little, it all becomes more real. After the first call back at the beginning of December, it has taken a while to wrap our minds around the changes that lie ahead. First, on December 21, we hosted a Christmas party for our immediate family. Dinner was magnificent! Smoked salmon prepared by <i>Papi </i>and a dozen sides were our feast, followed by my specialty-- dessert! I have earned the nickname "Aunt Sugar" largely due to my sweet skills with baked goods, and so it was my pleasure to bake mini creme brulees-- one for each guest. On top of each creme brulee, I put an tiny envelope containing a different fact about our little one. When it came time for dessert, I called everyone in, with the rather unusual excuse that I needed help decorating the desserts. With everyone gathered around the island, I proceeded to unveil the big news. "We have received an assignment! But, in order to find out the details, you will have to open the envelope on top of your desserts and share your fact." Oh how everyone cheered! ¡<i>Fue un momento inolvidable! </i>What an excited buzz it was as everyone shared their little bit of news. "It's a boy!" "Sleeps through the night!" ""Likes fruit!" Granny said that I was absolutely glowing as we shared the anticipation of our little one's arrival! I am sure that it is true, because my heart felt so light and happy. Since then, there have been other reveals too-- each one special and memorable! We treasure each one! Aunt Aimee and Uncle Loreto, Uncle Dave and Aunt Amy, and all the aunts and uncles that are our adopted extended family. <i>Todos no pueden esperar conocerte. Pues, la realidad es que todas las emociones y todas las experiencias no caben aquí, pero espero que puedas aceptar que guardamos cada momento precioso en nuestros corazones y contamos los días y las horas hasta verte.... y FINALMENTE ABRAZARTE..... ¡MUAH! Tengo una foto de ti que siempre está conmigo, pero muy pronto, podré verte de otras perspectivas. Podré oír tu voz. Podemos empezar a conocernos de verdad. Quiero ser la mami que mereces y espero que crezcas sabiendo que te amo mucho..... bueno.... mil besitos hijito...... besitos como estrellas...... Te amamos.....</i><br />
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Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-40857174264190452272015-02-12T16:10:00.001-06:002015-02-12T16:10:37.656-06:00No one has ever been SO HAPPY with 0!A week ago, at about this time, we saw <i>his</i> face for the first time! Just an image on a cell phone screen, but it was the most AMAZING DAY ever! Last week was THE CALL!!! Of course, I have been told many times that the referral would come at the least expected moment,<i> así es Dios</i>, but I could not see how this could possibly be true since I had been clinging to my phone for weeks waiting for the call that from all accounts should have been coming at any moment.... really.... I had imagined every scenario! In my dreams-- it could happen in the middle of class while teaching (would I break into tears and have to explain to my class?). Maybe I would be driving home when the phone would ring and I would recognize the number knowing what words to expect. (Would I run off the road with excitement?) If I was lucky, maybe it would happen while Mike was around so we could share the call. I have to admit, that the exact timing of THE CALL was NOT one I anticipated. Yet, it WAS the PERFECT moment to end the first part of our waiting. It was the ONLY moment, I had stopped thinking about the call that we were waiting for since I had heard that we were the #1 family. Driving down Friday afternoon to Memphis for my yearly St. Jude run (the half marathon this year, after completing my only full marathon just 2 years ago), I was still thinking that maybe the phone would ring. Then I would have the BEST motivation to run my race.... but..... no such luck. So, on the morning of December 6, 2014, I got up early, like always, to deal with morning nerves, pick the perfect ensemble, and fuel the run ahead. Everything felt normal. It was a cool and muggy morning, and happily our little room at the Vista Inn was perfectly placed at corral 15 of the starting line. Mike and Celeste gave me good luck kisses on the way out the door(yes, the whole family came, even our kitten). Then, I met some friends, and settled into a spot at corral 4. I was focused. My goals were not impossible, a sub 2 hour half, and no injuries-- then to be rewarded with the traditional post race lunch at the Rendezvous-- motivation! At 8:00, the running started.<i> </i> One foot in front of the other.... left then right.... the familiar pounding of feet with so much bustle in the background. <i>Hay demasiados detalles preciosos que recuerdo de este día-- una conversación genial con una mujer mayor empezando la carrera conmigo, el sentido de las brisas glaciales contra mi piel sudadosa, viendo los niños de St. Jude animando y sus familias en sonrisas-- y la presencia de tu papá que vino a verme. Sabía que él tuvo tanto orgullo de mí. </i>I ran. I ran. I ran some more-- knowing, as I was keeping up with one of the faster pacers, that I was setting myself up to meet my goal, and even beat my goal by a lot!!!! Steady, I paced myself. I thought of my friends and family supporting me. Those who were cheering me on from miles away, and those who helped make me who I am. <i>Y pensé en ti-- en Honduras-- en nuestro futuro.... La familia que seremos. </i>Mile after mile. I ticked them off in my mind and did the math to try to estimate my finish time. It was a long race and I was feeling the wind, but with each mile completed, there was one less to do. So, at mile 13, where the race separates the marathoners from the half marathoners, I nostalgically reminisced back to 2012, with gratitude for my last big race in Memphis and the countless miles I have traversed. I knew, as I was rounding the corner, that we were at number 1 on the adoption list. This was it! THE LAST MILE!!!! I felt content that this was progress. In no time, the finish line came into sight. The runners around me were accelerating towards the end, but I found it within me to push even harder. Certainly, I have never finished another race with such speed.... and as I crossed the finish line, I felt such a HAPPINESS I can not explain. I knew that I was glowing, inside and out! It was a moment of elation....followed by complete disbelief. I had finished my half marathon faster than I had ever completed one before.... by 4 minutes! (In running, that is A LOT!) I paused to breathe and made my way into the stands... up to the chocolate milk, where I knew Mike would be looking for me. Behind the main gates, there he was, HANDSOME and waiting for me, and of course I gave him every detail of the race that I could think of as quickly as humanly possible. It meant so much to me that he shared my HAPPINESS too! So we went back to the hotel. I stretched, took a hot shower, and changed for lunch. No hobbling, no exhaustion.... we were out the door. Destination- Rendezvous. I will never experience that restaurant in the same way. We were beyond satiated as we finished our barbecue. Beans and rice. Chicken sandwich. So much food! We were still reliving memories of the race and our trip down, rehashing plans for Christmas, and just catching up-- when the phone rang. An out of state number I recognized very well. "Jeanette, is this a good time? Is Mike there?" Who would say no to that question!?!?!?!!? I was trembling! And at the MOST unanticipated moment-- our lives are transformed! No sweeter dessert in the world could exist-- and THE CALL (OUR REFERRAL!) was so much better than I had ever imagined it! <i>Tu papá y yo nos quedamos perfectamente boquiabiertos-- nuestros corazones pararon-- ¡no pudimos pensar! Escuchamos algunos detalles de tu vida por teléfono y no pudimos formar ni una pregunta. ¡Fue una sorpresa total!Ahora, yo guardo tu foto en mi teléfono y con unos papeles importantes que siempre están conmigo. A veces, en mi trabajo, pongo tu foto en mi escritorio y te veo mientras trabajo en la computadora. Por la noche, duermo con tu foto debajo de mi almohada. Trato de imaginar lo que estás haciendo y le pido a Dios que no sufras demasiado con la separación de tu vida conocida en Honduras. Sabemos que tantos cambios te esperan y aunque serán duros, te prometemos estar siempre a tu lado con mucho amor y mucho cariño. Te hemos querido desde antes de tu nacimiento y seguiremos amándote para siempre. </i>Of course, after this kind of news, there is nothing left to do but celebrate! We ate like royalty for two days! Good hot tea from a corner coffee shop! Cinnamon ice cream from the fancy Peabody Hotel. A breakfast for champions (the Elvis waffles for me) at Automatic Slims. It seemed that even our kitten Celeste understood understood the news as she darted about the tiny hotel room with uncontainable energy. We were living in a dream! Truly magical. Laughing. Happiness. Pure unexpected JOY! Of course, there is much that can not be shared at this point regarding our little boy, but we treasure every precious detail in the preliminary reports that we have received. Even the littlest things-- such as his preference for fruits and his first words provide an additional picture of him in our minds. We feel freer to dream at this point, and we are so EXCITED to share the news with friends and family. They have been waiting so patiently too. While there is always the question of "what number are you?", our loved ones have been content with the vague uncertainties that we have learned to accept. Hopefully, this news will grow in them the PEACE, LOVE and JOY that is inherent in the season. I can say with certainty, that although Christmas has never been my favorite time of year because of all the rushing and commercialism, seeing our son's face has made this season of Advent special for me in a way that it has never been before. Waiting has given way to HOPE and this year Christmas HAS been the BEST season of 2014~ and my life! Who can imagine what lies ahead!?!?!?!?!!!!!! <i>Esta noche, voy a correr con unas amigas en la ciudad para ver las luces navideñas. Espero que sepas que en todo, pensamos en ti hijito. Te amamos. BESOS BESOS BESOS BESOS-- ¡no hay suficientes BESOS en el mundo para mostrarte el amor que tenemos por ti.</i><br />
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<i> por ti!</i>Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-86294439792359776522015-02-12T16:10:00.000-06:002015-02-12T16:10:14.621-06:00WE ARE #1!!!!!Es un secreto-- no les digo a casi nadie, pero somos 1--- ONLY 0 REMAINS-- I want to shout it to the world, but I know in my heart that I must wait. Estamos tan cerca de conocerte.... we are so close to knowing our child, to being able to say "his"or "her" correctly..... to imagining a face when we talk about our little one. We are close to being a complete family, and it is so many emotions all at once. Really, it is hard to think at times, porque entras cada pensamiento y no quiero que te vayas de estos pensamientos. I have to admit that I sometimes dream of how I will react when we get the call, and then my eyes start to water and I try not to get too attached to the dream, because I know that however it will happen... the moment will be perfect, and however it all unfolds is how it was meant to be. <br />
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Right now, we have been notified that we need to get our paperwork in order. Some of the paperwork needs to be done so that they can present us to the committee that is supposed to meet in late November. The continuing education coursework (14.5 CEU credits) need to be completed so that we can accept a referral. I don't think people understand how much all of this requires, I write a report on each class completed as well as take a test to earn a certificate. Tomorrow, I will drive downtown to get our most recent homestudy with addendums and approval from the US government (I-171H) apostilled. So, the US government will certify the validity of notarized paperwork that they need to have in Honduras to move forward with our case. I am balancing and juggling this with a lot of other responsibilities at school. In addition to teaching full time, I am tutoring on the side, preparing a schoolwide celebration of our school's diversity (complete with national speaker), working on my National Board Certification, and preparing to run the St. Jude Half Marathon. Ninguna de estas actividades es tan importante como tú y me da cuenta de los muchos cambios que tienen que ocurrir antes de tu llegada. <br />
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It might seem like I should be OVERWHELMED-- but really, although I am busy, I am most OVERWHELMED by a sense of feeling BLESSED in everything. We have a comfortable home. I have a loving husband whose sense of silliness matches my own playful spirit. I know that I am giving everything my best effort, and when the time is right, necessary things will change. So many beautiful twists and turns in this journey make me appreciate that we are on the right path. Yesterday, I went to a celebratory brunch for a friend who will soon be bringing her little boy home from Honduras. She spoke of how God has shown himself in every detail and I feel that way too. Today at church, unbeknownst to me that it would happen, the priest did a special blessing for expecting and adopting parents. For the first time, I got to go forward and be a mama as he gave us his blessing. Así ya tienes bendiciones encima de bendiciones. It meant so much to me to be in that space and know that I don't have to worry about how things will unfold. <br />
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So, I am writing this quickly and saving it to be revealed later-- family does not know that we are this close-- not because we are trying to be sneaky and secretive, but because we want to relish giving them the biggest surprise! A pesar de mi gran ilusión y mi gran deseo de conocerte, quiero que sepas también que yo sé que hay mucho que estás perdiendo. Te estamos llevando a un lugar donde hay mucho frío. Las personas que has conocido-- los vas a dejar. Los sonidos, los sabores y los olores familiares van a disminuir en tu mente y vas a aprender un idioma diferente. Hay muchos cambios que te esperan. Y me da pena que tengas que pasar por estas dificultades.... pero te prometemos el calor de una familia para siempre. Te prometemos una mamá y un papá que te van a cuidar, proteger y amar con todo nuestro corazón.... y voy a intentar, el máximo posible, guardar tu cultura e idioma. Respetamos mucho la cultura de que vienes y queremos que veas esto. <br />
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Well, I am off for my run... still running towards Honduras... and hoping that the next you hear from me, it will be with happy heart and exciting news! ALAS.... One is a WONDERFUL number, but ZERO is the one we are shooting for!<br />
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Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-37550583788410498142013-03-06T21:58:00.003-06:002013-03-06T22:16:01.964-06:00The last 26....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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-- This is where we are.... How appropriate! After finishing my first marathon in December, I know exactly what it is to be 26 away.... and although it seems far, now I know that 26 IS a manageable distance. I remember standing at the starting line of my race-- bouncing up and down to generate a little warmth and calm my nerves-- a silent inventory flitting through my mind (gu's, tunes, spare band aids, GPS watch, handkerchief, talismans, names of all my supporters written on an already wrinkled card). Yes, this would be the farthest I had ever gone, but I kept telling myself that it was going to be a nice leisurely run. It was still a bit intimidating to consider-- after all, 9 years had passed since I began running races and I had only first gained the courage to actually commit to completing 26. I knew that finishing the course would not be without pain. My legs had so much multicolored tape on them, that it looked like the tape might be holding my legs on..... Did I mention that I was NERVOUS?!?!?!?! You can see the fear on my pre-race picture. However, once the gun sounded and I started with that same strategy that I have used in running for years (called putting one foot in front of the other), the jittery sensation in my stomach subsided and the miles started dropping off.... one-at-a-time. I think it was faith and love that compelled me to push on-- the faith that there really was a finish line even though I had not yet seen it and the love of those who were there cheering me on. I do not doubt that it is that same faith and love that gives me the patience to bear the wait. People always wonder how it is that we can seem to wait so calmly, but really, what choice do we have? When the time is right, things will move a little more and we will reach the finish line....even if no one can conceive of just exactly what is waiting for us there.... I have faith that it is better than chocolate milk and Krispy Cremes at the end of 26 miles though (which is saying a lot because I was STARVING!). And when the time is right, I know that you all will be there to share our JOY. <i>Y para ti, mi amor, tengo que confesarte que estaba viendo un programa en la televisión que en realidad es basura. Fue un episodio del programa <u>The Bachelor</u>. Este programa no me importa para nada, pero había una parte de un episodio reciente con una joven adoptada... esta parte me interesó. Ella dijo que cuando sus padres la adoptaban, ellos le dijeron que iban a decirle «te amo» todos los días por el resto de su vida. Y ella dijo que lo han hecho. Ya te estoy diciendo «te amo» cada día en mis oraciones, pero cuando llegues, vas a oír las palabras de mis labios todos los días. Te amo para siempre..... que sigas seguro/a y feliz -- y que de alguna manera puedas oír mi «te amo» aunque estás lejos..... Abrazos calurosos....</i>Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-7538392165639592802012-12-20T14:03:00.001-06:002012-12-20T14:20:53.648-06:00¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!Another year-- it is impossible to believe that it has flown by so quickly. A year ago, I was busy setting goals, delving into all sorts of projects, and planning how I would spend my spare time. Now, everything has been accomplished. Inaugural Labor of Love 5K-- my first experience as a race director, CHECK. My first marathon-- St. Jude in Memphis, CHECK. 12 races completed in 2012-- CHECK. Projects of all sorts at school, CHECK. Mastery of the basic use of my Granny's sewing machine-- several quilts and pillows made, CHECK. A happy demeanor, CHECK. A hopeful spirit, CHECK<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LvUJs18C549ZMONdUL7wcd8VbIpkMEDcEFV99lUrQJJtvivg_gGiOj_dBSebuvldv7lzLUnDN6QDPn_9tIX-CSkJYWR_dDHzGCwnkXy0jbpQkwHooOPsKTXK4RS0F3HmA-j4B45RuZ7f/s1600/BEST+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LvUJs18C549ZMONdUL7wcd8VbIpkMEDcEFV99lUrQJJtvivg_gGiOj_dBSebuvldv7lzLUnDN6QDPn_9tIX-CSkJYWR_dDHzGCwnkXy0jbpQkwHooOPsKTXK4RS0F3HmA-j4B45RuZ7f/s320/BEST+picture.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYicmI4vNgdUe4uE33hsdraLXa9LQhG1dCPcxmeCW6DK7LLaKtryFB9nsDHBC93pfE111NzBCPLT76EpGXXLWPOegcltCZEFVD46k_hZc7I6xlvPVSq-c2AOAh3LIVDEvqfcV_iBAhrsJ7/s1600/Silly+face3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 350px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 230px;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYicmI4vNgdUe4uE33hsdraLXa9LQhG1dCPcxmeCW6DK7LLaKtryFB9nsDHBC93pfE111NzBCPLT76EpGXXLWPOegcltCZEFVD46k_hZc7I6xlvPVSq-c2AOAh3LIVDEvqfcV_iBAhrsJ7/s320/Silly+face3.jpg" width="212" /></a>Happily, I will bring the confidence, sensitivity to others, willingness to take a risk, and joyful attitude gained by these projects into 2013. Yet, just as I am finding my equilibrium, I realize that a year from now, things will be so different-- it seems most likely that we will have received a referral by then and possibly have brought our little one home. <em>¡Ojalá! Sé que no hay ninguna guarantía. </em>This year, there is minimal decoration in the house-- a tiny tree with a gold bow at the top, two little elves that my mom bought us for Christmas last year, a small Honduran nativity beside the snow globe with the holy family that used to sit in my Granny's house, holiday cards taped to the kitchen door, and mistletoe hung over our small entryway. For now, Christmas is simple, no toys or tiny clothes coming into the house, small family gatherings, and trip with Mike's side of the family to the Florida Keys to relax and quietly celebrate one another's good company. Over the course of next year, things will change.... we will be like the little family in my Granny's snow globe, embarking upon a new journey, a new adventure together. We will probably decorate 2 Christmas trees and stockings will be hung over the mantel that Mike made this year. Toys will litter the living room, Petey cat will have to give up one of his beds, laundry will become a nightly task. There will be a children's car seat permanently mounted in the back of my car ... and will I be running with a stroller? It is a pretty picture. For now, I sit in my classroom gazing at the picture of our little one-- a printout of a cartoon/clipart baby in a photo frame. <em>Pues, por no tener tu foto, tengo que improvisar, Angelito. </em>It will be a beautiful day when we are all united as one family, but one that I know that I can't imagine or anticipate. <em>Tengo que confesar que a veces, sueño con este día-- pero trato de no hacerlo.... no quiero permitir que me mente piense demasiado en estas cosas porque no quiero contaminar el momento actual con expectativas. Sé que el momento será perfecto-- así como sea</em>. Until then, Mike and I continue moving forward slowly, celebrating the promise of each day until we receive that surprise call.... Last we heard at the end of October, we were number 29..... various online communities suggest that the numbers have probably moved one spot since then. Supposedly, there was a meeting last Friday, and most likely, more international assignments were made, but it will be two weeks before families have to confirm or reject the referral-- and into January before IHNFA meets again to revise the list due to the Christmas holidays. It has been said that the starting numbers for waiting families are now over 100. Also, I am reading that greater effort is being made to move more children through the abandonment process. Some suggest that as many as 50 children are moving through courts now, so that they could become adoptable during the upcoming year. <em>¿Tal vez tú estás con este grupo? </em>Still, elections are coming up in Honduras, and that could mean more delays. What does it all mean? So many factors to consider.... it makes my mind spin..... and so I let go. We are expectant, but enjoying where we are at and the promise of where we are going. <em>Y para ti, estoy imaginándote (una cara en las sombras), leyendo todo nuestro cuento, entiendo nuestro cariño, imaginándonos jovenes y sabiendo los resultados de todo lo que nos ha pasado como una familia. Sé que ésta es parte del plan de Dios, el sendero que Él quiere que tomemos.... nuestra reunión un milagro así como el milagro de Navidad que nos da esperanza... y entre todos los proyectos que estoy haciendo, estoy sujetándole besos y abrazos a cada pensamiento de ti. Feliz Navidad, Ángel. Besitos para tus mejillas; que te sientas nuestros abrazos como una cobija y nuestro amor como una buena almohada.</em></div>
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Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-67689057378744420062012-07-23T11:31:00.002-05:002012-07-23T20:30:08.724-05:00Redefining "waiting"Waiting-- that is what they call this period-- the monthes and maybe years when everyone is on the edge of their seat with baited breath-- "what news is there? Have the numbers moved? What do you know?" Everyone asks and we ask too. In an age where you don't have to be very patient (fast food, express checkout at the supermarket, google to answer your questions before you even have to think about the possibilities, etc), patience is a virtue we hardly cultivate in modern society. Perhaps, we are evolving in this sense-- maybe humans have adapted to a life of instant gratification ... and yet Mike and I can not accept this adaptation. That word "waiting" means forcing us to be patient even when we don't want to be <em>(y debes saber..... te queremos conocer YA-- <strong>AHORITA</strong>)</em>. It can have a negative connotation...it implies not getting what you want, at least not when you want it. Words that might accompany waiting could be idle, frustrating, and delayed.<br />
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So, I have made a conscious decision to redefine "waiting." "Waiting" does not mean wasting time. "Waiting" does not mean putting life on hold and wallowing in a sense of powerlessness. "Waiting" does not mean merely wishfully looking to tomorrow. <em>Aunque no puedo expresar el tanto que quiero verte y abrazarte. </em>On the contrary, "waiting" means really taking advantage of the time we have, living and relishing it, while maintaining both eyes on the future that is to come. It is a chance to recharge, revisit other life goals, and focus being on the best people we can be so that when the time is right we can become the best parents possible. This time of waiting is still time that we can and should use for good... it is still a gift until the gift of our child arrives.... and it is important for us to use it wisely with a joyful spirit. <br />
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Based on this redefinition of waiting, Mike and I have been busy with all kinds of projects-- one of the most exciting things we did recently was to take a two week trip to Japan. We fell in love during our first adventure together with students in Europe, and something about such a removal of ourselves from everyday life revitalizes our relationship. Travelling is a chance to really communicate, linger over long suppers, explore together, grow together, share a laugh and reminisce-- complete each others' sentences... so a trip to Japan was an incredible, romantic escape for the two of us. We travelled with students for a week and then took advantage of our rail passes to go to Kyoto, Osaka, Takayama, Nagoya, and Tokyo. It was the adventure of a lifetime! <em>(Tu papá y yo somos gran aficionados del espiritú aventerero y sabemos que ser padres será otra aventura-- Así, te deseamos que aprecies el mundo. Queremos enseñarte a aprovecharte de toda la magia y belleza que nos rodea...... y queremos fomentar tu imaginación y creatividad. Para nosotros, es importante brindarte una visión abierta de las miles de posibilidad que existen para ti.... y queremos darte la confianza que necesitas para agarrar las posiblidades que te sirven). </em><br />
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Japan was beautiful, amazing, enchanting, and inviting-- returning home has also been a whirlwind of activities. Mike is still working on finishing the fireplace mantel and entertainment system.... little by little, it is getting done. He also has been working more, since he has taken on more responsibilities at work as department chair. One of my favorite activities that we have been sharing together is going to yoga class. We have been downward-dog-ing, warrior 1 & 2-ing, chaturanga-ing, and (my favorite) shavasana-ing together a couple of times a week. It is amazing how rejuvenating this little bit of quiet time is....<br />
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Also, I have taken on the job of co-race manager for the INAUGURAL Labor of Love 5K race and 1 mi fun run at Tower Grove Park on Labor Day to benefit the Micah Project in Honduras-- I love to run and I have dreamed about doing something positive for Central America for a while. (Even before meeting these other two driven moms with a passion for Honduras, I had actually gone into Big River Running to see what it would take to do something like this). When we decided to go forward with offering the race, I had NO comprehension of how much more than signing a race management company it would take. Furthermore, it is my vision that this race really be something special-- not just a chance for a bunch of runners to show up and punch a time clock so that they can check off another 5k on their to-do list. Rather, I envision this race as a really inclusive experience that involves families and runners, offers LOTS of fabulous prizes from very awesome sponsors for more than just the fastest participants, and most importantly CONNECTS participants with Honduras. In my castle in the air conception of this run, participants would leave saying to themselves, "wow! I really had fun.... and I really understand that Honduras is NOT so far away... the people there are incredible... my heart has been moved and it would be a joy to connect with them again." We are all brothers and sisters; just political boundaries separate us.<br />
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My other BIG plan for the year while we are waiting is something that still TERRIFIES me when I think of it.... I have made it my goal to run 12 races in 2012 (so far I am on track). For the grand finale-- I am going to run my first (and I profess it to be my last) FULL marathon in Memphis in Decemeber. I love running because it is my chance to think and contemplate-- but 26.2 miles-- that is a LOT of thinking! I ran my first half marathon with my most wonderful sister (an absolute angel in my life) in 2004. We showed up-- novices-- and were completely freaked out by the people in spandex and funny gear jogging to warm up even before the run. How many times did we ask each other before the start gun "what have we gotten ourselves into?" .... but Dad was a runner, so we just assumed we could do it. Now, 8 years later, I have all that nerdy gear and even the spandex that I could not believe that any sane person would wear in public. I wonder how many miles I have run to get me to this point-- in particular, I have been wondering if I have run to Honduras yet..... I did the math on the runs I have kept up with this year and I have only run 207 miles-- in a year, maybe I run 400.... times 8 years-- yes.... I think I have arrived-- I would like to think so. <em>A veces, cuando quiero motivarme, me pregunto ¿con que velocidad podría moverme si yo supiera que tú estuvieras detrás de la meta de la carrera?-- y ¡zuum! ¡Tengo energía!</em> One of the other exciting aspects of the race is that I am raising money for St. Jude's by running. It is a charity that stirs my heart and I absolutely adore what the staff of St. Jude's can do for kids with cancer and their families. It is something beautiful-- a living breathing testament to faith, hope, and love-- in the midst of a disease so ugly....I am so proud to be able to dedicate my longest run to such a noble cause.<br />
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So as you can see, summer has been a blessing... we are waiting, yes.... but by my definition of waiting.... <br />
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Of course the sober reality is that I will be back in school soon.... life will be busier in a different way again.... think of me waking up early at 4:30 for marathon training and Mike taking charge of his science department<br />
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.... and yes.... everyone's question-- "do we have news?"-- well, we were confirmed at the end of June at number 38, but the IHNFA committee has met since then and I know for a fact that they made some assignments... I can't say how many were removed from the top of the list, but I know that the committee is meeting again this week. Maybe more assignments? We are patiently waiting, with faith that our number will reach the top of the list at the perfect moment to give us the exact child that we were meant to have.... and until then we are running, planning, yoga-ing, building, working, and dreaming of the day when we can complete our family.... <em>y para ti, Angelito de mi corazon, no dudes que estés conmigo en todas las actividades....Te queremos muchísimo..... MUCHÍSIMO-- besos y abrazos para ti... cada mañana, cada noche, cada momento posible.......</em><br />
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<br />Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-73352295587611499562012-04-06T22:24:00.001-05:002012-04-06T22:47:08.399-05:0042 and a Turtle Blanket42. When I told a friend that this is our number, she informed me that this is a good sign because according to the <u>Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</u>, this is the number that is "the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything." Hmmmmmm.... maybe after we have our new addition for a while, the meaning of existence will be clarified for us. 42. Arthur Dent said that he selected this number because it was a simple number, not too fancy-- but it is an exciting number for us.<br />
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42. On St. Patrick's Day, I was visiting my sister and her growing family in Phoenix when I received the news in an email-- that we received a number. If you are not adopting, you may not understand what a milestone this is or what it means to us. When a woman is pregnant, she gets morning sickness, sees the ultrasound, and feels the baby kick. These are all the signs that a baby is really on the way. For us, the number is the sign. Up until this point, our paperwork has been in Honduras on a desk waiting to be reviewed. Everything was stalled for so long with no sign of progress. On March 17, though, everything took a huge leap forward. Now, when 41 Honduran children are placed ahead of us, we will receive a referral! It is unbelievable. Mike and I start to envision a day in the future where things will change and we will all be a family under one roof.<br />
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So, there are projects around the house-- getting the house ready for little feet and busy hands. Mike is building a mantel for the fireplace and a cabinet to house DVDs for children's entertainment. Meanwhile, I started working on a giant turtle quilt with Mama White. <i>Mientras trabajamos en la cobija enorme, hablamos de ti y nuestros planes para el futuro. Toda tu familia ya te ama-- ya tengo una colección de regalos para ti aunque no sabemos ni tu nombre ni tu género ni tu tamaño. Todo me ha parecido el plan perfecto de Dios, por eso no dudo que serás la adición perfecta para nuestra familia.</i> Today, we cut out the pieces of the giant quilt and tomorrow I will see about getting my Granny's sewing machine fixed up so I can stitch together this turtle project. It is exciting to see it all come together a little at a time, much like the changes I foresee on the horizon for Mike and us.... and for now, there is progress. I have already received word that our number has moved and I would guesstimate that we might be down to being number 37.... but we will see-- I have faith that all will unfold at the perfect time. We can't count on things continuing to move at this speedy pace, but based on previous years' progress, one might speculate that we could be about a year away from a referral-- more or less... could that projection be any more ambiguous?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eUlO0IZQDxfJ0lTBZ1eU3STTPw5HaAsnJrjT84780m8r0YqyGaL4njWb0mzKB-PNgA3lIr7AeJ-2bHrqy4lnhqpYZ1v7OMQ-RZmQhspTITWnL1jkUEVps1kJoxITkmcMUTsWGzQqatmU/s1600/RIMG0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eUlO0IZQDxfJ0lTBZ1eU3STTPw5HaAsnJrjT84780m8r0YqyGaL4njWb0mzKB-PNgA3lIr7AeJ-2bHrqy4lnhqpYZ1v7OMQ-RZmQhspTITWnL1jkUEVps1kJoxITkmcMUTsWGzQqatmU/s320/RIMG0660.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6OnylIWqRrPvNQJb0Fh96R8e3v79dnHx10NrSee_v9yVzCEnYbb7aAnhh61xX0cYrEepG9zbfAOmieE14im9eUFfZPlxttzsbGdhBl2hO14exnFYAdC_wwUrXMBcWV2-rch4OHAG2KhI/s1600/RIMG0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6OnylIWqRrPvNQJb0Fh96R8e3v79dnHx10NrSee_v9yVzCEnYbb7aAnhh61xX0cYrEepG9zbfAOmieE14im9eUFfZPlxttzsbGdhBl2hO14exnFYAdC_wwUrXMBcWV2-rch4OHAG2KhI/s320/RIMG0661.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><i>Bueno, mi amor-- tu mami y papi te están esperando-- estamos contando los días... no pasa ni un día sin pensar en ti. Te estoy cargando en mi corazón, enviándote besos y abrazos todas las noches... y en mis sueños, ya te veo envuelto/a en una cobija suave-- tu cara en las sombras-- no puedo ver los rasgos pero puedo sentir tu calor. Hueles a talco para bebés... y oigo tu suspiro tranquilo.... Pienso que tanto amor puede cruzar las millas entre tú y yo y encontrarte en Honduras. Ya estoy contigo, mi amor. Nunca estás solo/a.</i>Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-36066161316780552452012-01-19T17:04:00.000-06:002012-01-19T17:04:30.804-06:00Hace mucho tiempo.....Hace mucho tiempo.....« it makes a long time » as they say in Spanish .... and yes it has been so long-- since the beginning of our journey, since first imagining what the journey would hold for us, since racing through the paperwork to bring home Más 1 a little sooner, since turning in our dossier. The last post has been forever ago, not because we have forgotten about our special little one, but because the waiting has been exhausting and things have interminably crept along and ultimately stalled. It is hard to know what to tell people who are excited to see us complete our family.<br />
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Let me attempt to explain the rocky paths that we have traversed. At the end of September, just after the translation of our dossier was finished in Honduras, the government agency that approves couples for adoptions and assigns children to waiting families was audited. The first-lady of Honduras became involved in a thorough investigation of this agency, called IHNFA. The director of the agency was suspended. The union workers employed by the agency went on strike after not being paid for months. Some alleged that there were irregularities in some adoptions. I don't know how this could be possible when I consider the rigorous background checks and documentation that we needed to obtain in order to proceed with the process. The papers never revealed specifics of these charges though. In addition, the agency was apparently largely overstaffed. Over 90% of the agency's budget was being utilized in salaries-- there were insufficient funds to take care of the kids that are supposed to be receiving care from IHNFA. Things looked bleak and rather interminable from this side of the internet. Every day meant a new search for news articles to connect me to Honduras-- <i>La Prensa</i>, <i>El Heraldo</i>, <i>La Tribuna</i>. I scoured the web and devoured everything I could find, including the Honduras adoption group-- where I noticed that the posts seemed to trickle off as we all were afraid to post our fears, frustrations and overall impatience. The unposted posts spoke for themselves. So for a while, there were overcast skies-- blackness, blankness, a cold blast of winter.<br />
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Even so..... Despite the rough patch, there has never been a loss of faith in what we felt at the beginning of this process. This adoption is, without a doubt, the right thing for us-- and it is worth the bumps in the road, the layovers and delays, and the stress caused by seeing so many roadblocks. <i>Siempre quiero que sepas-- eres una luz en nuestra vida. Aunque el viaje ha sido difícil, vale la pena esperarte y no cambiaría nada. </i><br />
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Blackness, blankness, a cold blast of winter, a sigh-- spring on the horizon.<br />
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Just this week, the adoption group and the newspapers are abuzz with news that suggests that things are about to move again. They say-- A new director of IHNFA has been named. A tentative meeting date to review dossiers (which means we could have a wait list number) and assign children has been set for February. Maybe things will move slowly, but what could be more encouraging than a move forward! So many wonderful people that I have met through this process could be blessed at this meeting and I continue to pray every day that all runs smoothly and that these special families might be brought together with their long awaited little ones soon. I am hopeful. <br />
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Regarding Mike and I, it is true that we are a long way from a referral, but.... PROGRESS.... that is a beautiful thought.<br />
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These last few months have been a test in patience more for me than Mike. Mike is so calm. I have been focusing on my running and yoga-- but not to take my mind off the adoption. Rather, at the beginning of each yoga class or run, I set an intention-- and always, Más 1 is part of that intention. Every physical activity receives my best effort and I send part of the positive energy gained right out to Honduras. Since I can't take vitamins or eat organic foods to provide the "right" prenatal experience, I think that this least I can do. Mike has been very supportive too-- In December, he encouraged me to work to achieve my personal best in a half marathon in Miami. It may seem unrelated, but that race meant so much to me because conquering it symbolized to me that anything was possible. Upon crossing the finish line, I realized that with God's help, unflagging patience, extreme endurance, and a flat determination not to give up, even those desires of our heart that seem unattainable are within our reach. <i>Eso significa que nunca perderé confianza en nuestro destino. Seremos una familia. Aunque no puedo contar los días porque no sé cuantos son, puedo notar el amor por ti duplicándose cada día, y no me preocupo. Nuestro día llegará.</i>Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-11147103746994158822011-07-07T11:09:00.001-05:002011-07-07T11:11:17.226-05:00For those who love scavenger hunts...Midnight-- July 4-- return from vacation to Canada and previous trip with students to Costa Rica.... Celebration of 5 years of marriage on June 10.... Alas, we are back home with deadlines for adoption paperwork closing in. I have been anxious to get it taken care of. Yesterday, as I was driving up to the Secretary of State's office in downtown St. Louis for the 2nd time in two days (the notarization of our I-171H was rejected the previous day due to the notary using a stamp with the incorrect expiration date on it. I had that form notarized at two different banks before going back yesterday-- thank goodness, because one of the two attempts was rejected again due to the notary's failure to use her middle initial in her signature as it is printed on her stamp. The Secretary of State is VERY attentive to detail! )..... as I was saying, while I was driving I heard about a summer activity for students called letter-boxing. Apparently, it is like a scavenger hunt by kids and for kids posted online. Various participants have created these scavenger hunts in public places, hidden neat little trinkets, and deposited a journal for those who find the treasure to sign in.... hmmmmmm.... this sounded a lot like what I have been doing for the last year, and there are people who do it for fun!!! At any rate, yesterday, during my final trek to gain the last golden seal, my childlike spirit of adventure kicked in! V-day! Happily, yesterday marked the completion of the last scavenger hunt. The last apostille. The last sets of copies rolled off the copier. The last check mark. Upon inserting the last piece of the puzzle into the <i>rompecabeza, </i>a sense of contentment settled over me. <i> </i>I marched over to the downtown post office, purchased the most expensive postage possible for my scavenger hunt of the last three months, and submitted our paperwork. Right now, I am in delivery. The 9.9 pound dossier is in Dallas, Texas-- just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the agency and its final destination in Honduras. What joy! I feel proud of Mike's and my efforts to produce such a beautiful, immaculate pile of papers-- but more importantly, I can't wait to see the little one that they will produce! It is amazing to think about where this process has taken us so far, and where it will lead us in the future... <i>Con cada paso estamos más cerca de ser una familia-- por eso cada búsqueda vale la pena. Tu papá y yo estamos viniendo.... vamos a encontrarte hijo/a en cualquier lugar que estés. Te queremos, amor. Y si quieres jugar a búsquedas así cuando llegues, me enstusiasma por tales juegos.</i><br />
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Our dossier.... complete... <br />
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Me, with the final product of the scavenger hunts.... can you tell that I am doing a victory dance?Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-49907420453288290752011-06-08T00:20:00.003-05:002011-06-08T06:50:07.071-05:00Lightness of summerSummer is upon us... all of the heavy heat, suffocating moist air, sticky-stinky-sweaty clothes, and FREEDOM! As a teacher, I love it! Alas, we were released for summer and I slept-- how many naps I have taken, I cannot count; books are pulled from shelves and actually read; my mind has begun to relax and release itself from the endless multitasking that I feel compelled to do in order to survive during the school year. Ah yes-- ice cream tastes best now. My granny's lilies are unfolding themselves in radiant bursts of color. I see my lovely friends at a leisurely pace over slow dinners outdoors. Soon it will be time to pick blackberries down the street. My mouth is turned up into a smile. The best part is that Mike and I are both teachers, so we get to be together all summer long-- we enjoy our little projects and little outings-- life is delicious this time of year. When we have our Más 1, it will be a time for making the ice cream with the little one, picking flowers from the garden, excursions to a variety of children friendly local destinations that we have not had an opportunity to visit since we were kids.... Más 1 will fit very well into our happy summer plans... I love to imagine it! I weave it all into a beautiful little story-- our child's face just a bit too much in the shadows to ever really see it-- but the little one's laughter drifts along light as summer and the joy is clearly visible. This daydream is a better activity than packing my suitcase, which is what I should be doing right now..... Summer is starting a little differently this year-- Mike just left for Colorado for a week of hiking and climbing with friends, and I leave in a day and a half for Costa Rica with students for two weeks. Over two weeks of separation is not something I relish. A million times a day, I think of things that I want to tell him or show him when we are apart and I especially miss my favorite part of the day-- waking up to find him next to me. To make the time apart easier for him, Mike will find a book (made by me) with pictures and little notes for each day-- I even included one of the four leaf clovers that I found this year to bring him luck in his travels and 2 bars of expensive chocolate to keep him energized. Also, he will find a card for our 5 year anniversary and a different card for Father's day. It will be his first Father's Day card. No te preocupes-- escogí una tarjeta cómica porque sé que por vivir en esta casa vas a tener un buen sentido de humor:) ... Then, when he comes home and I come home, we will be off to Seattle and Squamish to celebrate being reunited....and shortly thereafter, summer will begin again-- normal summer that is-- normal, joyful summer! Paperwork is winding down, so we really can enjoy just enjoying summer! Podemos apreciar los ricos sabores del verano:) Sé que cuando vengas, estos días serán tus días favoritos también. Ni tú.... ni tu papá.... ni yo podemos imaginar el futuro que nos espera juntos.... solo sabemos que nuestro destino es ser una familia y que la vida que conocemos va a cambiar. Estos cambios no me dan miedo.... Al contrario, me dan confianza para tomar decisiones que van a beneficiar a nuestra familia. Me dan esperanza para un verano eterno. Sé que vamos a enfrentar gran retos a veces, pero cuando pienso en ti, me siento paz. Es el tipo de paz que me siento cuando pienso en tu papá. Esta paz nace del amor y sigue creciendo cada díá. Así, no hay miedo y la confianza es fácil. Sin poder pronunciar tu nombre, te digo que te quiero mucho, y te querré por siempre.Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-89300694684077426362011-05-21T10:41:00.000-05:002011-05-21T10:41:56.411-05:00Check....Yesterday was a superb day! After an extended period of grim gray skies and some restless nights haunted by end of the school year assorted activities, the sun crept through the clouds and smiled upon St. Louis. Happy day! Mike and I both took a personal day to get our background checks, get fingerprinted and to head to the Secretary of States office to get apostilles. We decided to make the day more like a date than list of chores.... starting with a celebratory disabling of the alarm clock-- it was FABULOUS to sleep until 7:30! Then, we headed up to the local police substation to verify a clear records check for both of us. <i>Check.</i> Next, it was off to the Robert A. Young building downtown for our scheduled appointment. Fingerprinting went very quickly. <i>Check.</i> Finally, we headed to the old Post Office to get our seals for our notarized documents. We don't have our entire dossier compiled yet, but our paperwork is getting much closer to being done. It seems like a good idea to be sure that all the documents are being notarized correctly so that we don't have to waste time waiting for them to be redone. The good news is that due to the extreme conscientiousness of EVERYONE who has helped us, not one document was rejected by the Secretary of State. Hurray!!!! Mike and I had a nice lunch while we waited for the necessary formalities to occur and shiny gold seals to be affixed. When we returned around 1:30, all 16 documents were ready to go with their apostilles. <i>Check.</i> The day was a success. What a joy it was to make more pretty purple check marks on my HUGE list of paperwork to accomplish.... check for program management fee #2 and the refundable deposit in the mail. <i>Check.</i> Photos ordered for the photo book. <i>Check. </i>An expected 2 week wait for the I-171H. The race is on-- our goal is to have everything ready to submit when the I-171H comes back to us... Then, the real waiting will begin.... Pues, ves que nosotros estamos trabajando duro para que el día de tu llegada venga pronto... tu papá y yo-- somos muy unidos en todo, especialmente en el deseo de ser una familia. Besos, mi amorcito. xoxoJeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-47992538161475856112011-05-08T20:14:00.000-05:002011-05-08T20:14:38.496-05:00Happy Mother's Day!So-- Mother Nature is certainly smiling on mothers here in St. Louis. We could not have had a more beautiful day.... sunny, warm, a cool breeze, a cerulean sky, brilliant spring green foliage, chirping birds, and cheerful flowers in every yard. Yesterday, we spent a full day with my family at my brother's house. Today, we enjoyed a lovely dinner with Mike's family at our home. All the guests have left, and now the house is returned to its quiet, pre-children state. The cat is slinking about. Laundry is waiting to be folded. It is hard to imagine how life might be different next year. Everything was perfect, and while I am filled with anticipation of the little one who is to join us, I am just a bit sad. There is a sense of longing and a little bit of emptiness. The hole within me is the desire that we could all be together now.... This is impatient Jeanette, not a pretty sight..... A million «happy Mother's Day» and I wish one could be for me. I am so eager to see our baby's face or know our baby's name.... we have filled out all the paperwork we could to make is a reality.... I have given it 110% of my best effort... but really all we can do is wait. So I must accept that. Today, patience is difficult. I don't like that. <br />
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On a happy note, I watched Mike playing with my nieces and nephews yesterday and realized... he will be such a wonderful, creative, playful, (and tired) daddy. He folded airplanes with my nephew and niece and ran around their back yard... chasing, and throwing, and chasing, and throwing, and running some more, and turning the crumpled plane into a paper meteor when it had all but desintegrated into shreds, and throwing, and chasing some more. I don't think my niece and nephew have it within them to be worn out. Somehow, my lovely husband kept up... It is exciting to see how naturally Mike falls into being a great dad. He never let those kids see how tired he really was!.... Así te digo.... sé que escogí bien-- tu papá no es el papá típico. Tiene una imaginación increíble y lo respeto muchísimo. Obviamente, soy bastante parcial, pero creo que estás entrando una familia fenomenal:) .... y, mi amor.... sé que no puedo darte ningún abrazo hoy ni los besos que mereces mucho, y eso rompe mi corazón..... pero estoy guardando cada uno para ti y te los daré cuando finalmente nos podemos conocer. Estoy contando los días aunque no sé cuantos sean. Te quiero mucho, bebé.Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-69908608372846095262011-04-21T11:39:00.000-05:002011-04-21T11:39:56.947-05:00Sim number receivedYeah! I got the text and email this morning with our SIM number from our I-600A for our I-797 from USCIS! If you understand that, you know too much about international adoptions! I continue to work on the process meticulously, daily, and prayerfully. Speaking with our program director at our agency seems to be a weekly occurrence as I plow through the dossier. Yesterday, I conversed with her about timing the receipt of the I-171H with the completion of the dossier and she shared a bit with me about her recent trip to Honduras. What a kindhearted woman we have helping us! It was exciting to hear her perceptions of what our children will most likely experience before arriving to their forever families in the United States. Happily, it sounds like the individuals working in the IHNFA are very concerned with doing what is best for children-- I could not ask for anything more.<br />
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Beyond adoption, dates with my lovely husband (last night we went to wonderful Thai restaurant and played cards with friends), excursions to the gym and local trails for running (I have a 5K this weekend) and grading school papers (they seem to be reproducing FASTER than a box of bunnies) fill the other hours of our days. Life is not too exciting at the moment, but we are enjoying the simplicity of our days.... y felizmente, cada día nos lleva al momento de reunión contigo. Le pido al Señor que esté dándote su protección y la nutrición que necesitas para crecer. Cuídate bien ángelito... ¡Te queremos mucho! XOXOJeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-53720879783715400582011-04-15T08:50:00.002-05:002011-04-15T11:12:47.802-05:00Adoption paperwork and psych evaluationI don't want to spend a lot of time going through all the paperwork that is essential for international adoption, but since it has become like my second job, I thought maybe I should mention it. Of course, it varies by country with all kinds of strange requirements for each one. For Honduras, all forms must be signed in black (NOT BLUE or some other pretty color) ink. Our dossier (which is the application that Honduras receives) should include a recommendation from a government official, a recommendation from our church, a recommendation from a member of the community, a psychological evaluation, our homestudy conducted by the social worker, a police background check, fingerprinting, copies of our birth certificates and marriage license, a picture book of us and our home, a psychological evaluation of each of us, and some other stuff that I don't remember right off of the top of my head. Every day, I am satisfied with myself if I make some progress on the paperwork. It does not have to be a huge step, but I do require myself to do something daily. Today (yesterday by the time this is posted), I mailed off the I-600A form to Homeland Security petitioning the US government for the opportunity to get an appointment for fingerprints and permission to bring a child from Honduras into the country and make him/her a US citizen. It was exciting to submit one more form! (Really I don't mean that sarcastically-- everything we send off gets us closer to our goal). Then... this afternoon, I had an appointment with the psychologist in Webster Groves. I have a degree in counseling, so I am familiar with the MMPI (personality test) and I realize that this is nothing to really be that worried about (I may call myself crazy, but I don't think you can find a real diagnosis for me in the DSM 4).... I suspect that the test will determine that more than anything, I am an anal retentive perfectionist with a great eye for details, as revealed by the fact that I changed my clothes 4 times this morning so as to make the right impression. (You never know.... wearing black might make me look like I am grim or dark-- a bit above the knees might suggest that I am promiscuous-- too casual looks like I don't care-- a spring green dress looks fresh and cheery-- my favorite color-- surely that is the color of sanity). Anyway, all went well... although I am not sure what the good doctor made of the inkblot test.... then came home-- a recommendation from Deacon Tom came in the mail (beautiful) and a failed attempt to request a new copy of our birth certificates and marriage license (can't be over 3 months old) came in the mail with a request for us to notarize the paperwork (notary requirement is new). So, you can see what doing adoption paperwork is like... ups and downs... steady progress... with an eye to the goal. It is doable as long as you don't feel compelled to do it all at once. We have to view this as a marathon instead of a sprint. So.... my mind drifts back to Honduras and the baby that waits for us with the knowledge that even when we cross this finish line, we are really not done. Then, a new life and a new journey begins. Antes de regresar a mi vida cotidiana, tengo que decirte que tu papá y yo te esperamos con mucha ansiedad y mucho amor. No sé como hemos tenido tanto suerte en nuestras vidas-- en algunas maneras somos muy diferentes (por la diferencia en nuestras edades, las diferencias en nuestras experiencias y talentos, y diferencias de personalidad también). Sin embargo, somos la pareja perfecta. Tenemos una vida tranquila y sencilla....y estamos completamente enamorados. Cada mañana, mi primer pensamiento es un pensamiento de gratitud a Dios de que nos hayamos encontrado. Ahora, te incluyo en mis agradecimientos y me siento completamente bendita por tenerte en nuestras vidas. Espero que ya puedes sentir nuestros abrazos calurosos a pesar de la distancia. Hay una canción que dice que «el corazón no tiene cara» y aunque no hemos visto tu cara, ya tenemos consciencia de tu corazón y ya te consideramos parte de nuestra familia. ¡xoxo!Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736915147513216869.post-70370787645340853112011-04-12T15:47:00.000-05:002011-04-12T15:47:37.594-05:00First entryI keep postponing starting this blog because it is so hard to know where to begin. In a nutshell, Mike and I want to start a family. We have been married for 5 years and dated for 5 years before that. Our home is warm. Our life is comfortable. It is the right time to embark upon this new adventure together. We have made attempts to start a family the ´old-fashioned way´, but with no luck. So, since we are not quitters, we decided that we needed another approach-- hence adoption. Don't think that this was an obvious decision. There were times of self-doubt, and I sometimes wondered why God would not want us to have children. Would Mike and I not be good parents? Were we just supposed to keep giving ourselves to teaching and working out without any real change in our lives? Was there any sense in our lack of success? Now that we have been through so much of the process, our perception is very different. Yes, this is a long journey. There are no reading lists or lengthy paperwork involved in having children via childbirth, and perhaps that seems unfair. (Maybe the world would be a better place if these things were a requisite for all). This approach is complicated with a lot of hard work upfront, but after traversing a piece of it, Mike and I feel like it is NOT that we are not good enough to have children. Rather, it is that we are even BETTER than good enough.... we are good enough to be adoptive parents, with all of the paperwork, psych evaluations, criminal checks, and financial scrutiny... and amidst it all, we still enjoy life and anticipate the day when we (me, Mike, the cat, and our más 1) can all be under one roof together. You may also be wondering... why Honduras? Good question and I have an answer.... but that will be for another day. ¡Qué estés soñando con los ángeles, bebé! Estamos pensando en ti con mucho cariño todos los días! Ya tienes un lugar especial en nuestros corazones. Besos......Jeanette and Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05517199941380091420noreply@blogger.com0