Well we had another successful maritime gathering this weekend. I am exhausted....2 late nights and early mornings, a drive to Moncton and back, and a weekend full of fun and great times!
We had 8 families attend in total, 5 families from the New Brunswick, 2 families from Nova Scotia, and 1 family from Saskatchewan...who are visiting family in Pictou, NS. There was well over 20 people (including 12 kids (although 3 of them would probably not appreciate being classified as kids LOL). It was really nice to have families join us who are at all different stages in the process.....some are just starting where as others have been home for over a year now.
It was nice to gather in Lisa's house because everyone could mingle, chat and relax. Hair was done, food was eaten, and shaky home video's were watched...and all had a wonderful time.
I wish I had pictures to post...but I forgot my camera Ofcourse!! Next time I promise to bring my camera! It was nice to have the family from out west join us, and give us all a lesson in braiding our children's hair.
I am reaching the 6 month mark, and am feeling really happy that 2006 is coming to a close, can't wait for 2007 to arrive. Hope everyone has a Happy New Year!
Louise
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
The decision to be EXCITED
Well the last few weeks with all the referrals coming in, especially with the April and May families, I have been trying to keep my excitement and anticipation in check. Well I have decided (with Lisa :) :) ) that we all deserve and have a right at this point to shout to the sky and be excited. My gosh this new year is gonna bring us all our babies home....and we are all gonna be mommies and daddies in the new year. That is reason enough to be excited!!!! So I say lets get excited, lets laugh, cry, shudder with anticipation, and lets get ready, our babies are coming home!
The girls in the unit (where I work), they are all so excited, and talk about it constantly. I can already tell you who will be hosting the shower...she is already talking about it LOL. Everyone asks constantly about the baby, any news, plans, etc. Its nice that everyone is excited. The other great thing is that it is impowering them to make change. This year for Christmas the unit is sending money to africa to provide prenatal and antenatal care to expecting moms and their babies to prevent the transfer of HIV from mom to baby. They could have given their money to a local charity, but this year they chose to do this.....and it touches me so deeply. We also have a book club at work,, and one of the girls really wants to read the "There is no me without you" book for the book club (I have already given it to her to read....and she was so touched and disturbed by the reality that she didn't know). I know that this book has completely changed her outlook on the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
See our children are already making change and having a positive effect in the people around us and they aren't even home yet.....what is that quote..."and a child shall lead them"
Louise
The girls in the unit (where I work), they are all so excited, and talk about it constantly. I can already tell you who will be hosting the shower...she is already talking about it LOL. Everyone asks constantly about the baby, any news, plans, etc. Its nice that everyone is excited. The other great thing is that it is impowering them to make change. This year for Christmas the unit is sending money to africa to provide prenatal and antenatal care to expecting moms and their babies to prevent the transfer of HIV from mom to baby. They could have given their money to a local charity, but this year they chose to do this.....and it touches me so deeply. We also have a book club at work,, and one of the girls really wants to read the "There is no me without you" book for the book club (I have already given it to her to read....and she was so touched and disturbed by the reality that she didn't know). I know that this book has completely changed her outlook on the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
See our children are already making change and having a positive effect in the people around us and they aren't even home yet.....what is that quote..."and a child shall lead them"
Louise
Norwalk Flu really is terrible
Oh my gosh, I hope none of you guys get it. I seem to have been lucky enough to get the Norwalk Flu. I was in Houlton the day before I was sick, so I figure I may have picked it up there. Would figure thats payback for me spending yet more money on baby things LOL LOL.
Well without getting into the gross details let me tell you it is not something I would wish on anyone. Two days later, my muscles still ache so much that it hurts like hell just to cough...ouch. It was so bad I had to take a shot of gravol to control the vomiting....(Thanks to K&P). Luckily I didn't have to be admitted to a hospital which I guess is a possibility with this flu. The only upside to this is I get an extra day at home, as I could not go to work today. Although really, I would prefer to be at work, than experience what I did in the last 2 days.
On a funny note,
I thought on the first day of this flu, that I would not be able to handle morning sickness every morning...I would make a horrible morning sickness sufferer.
Louise
Well without getting into the gross details let me tell you it is not something I would wish on anyone. Two days later, my muscles still ache so much that it hurts like hell just to cough...ouch. It was so bad I had to take a shot of gravol to control the vomiting....(Thanks to K&P). Luckily I didn't have to be admitted to a hospital which I guess is a possibility with this flu. The only upside to this is I get an extra day at home, as I could not go to work today. Although really, I would prefer to be at work, than experience what I did in the last 2 days.
On a funny note,
I thought on the first day of this flu, that I would not be able to handle morning sickness every morning...I would make a horrible morning sickness sufferer.
Louise
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
5 Months tommorrow
Can you believe it! tommorrow will mark 5 months that my file left for Ethiopia. Its very encouraging to reach this point. Almost there.
Louise
Louise
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Stroller
Well I was in the states today, and found a stroller I liked. It was suppose to be marked at 65, but someone marked it at 41.....it was originally 109. So I got it for the $41...a great deal!!!
I got some other baby items as well...Including the brown sweater. (the stroller/carseat bundle, I got from a friend out west...its sooo nice). I also got one of those powder formula holder that has 3 separate areas for premeasured formula. Great idea whoever invented it!
Louise
Monday, December 11, 2006
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Look what I found
Okay so it says 1997, but its a baby's first Christmas, with a black baby in a cradle...I had to have it LOL. I will find a way to get rid of the 1997 somehow LOL.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Dreams
I found this poem...even though its geared toward China Adoptions...it is sooo true.
Dear Sweet Daughter
As a girl I had a common dream, to be a mom someday.
My baby would have eyes of blue and hair the hue of hay.
But now my dreams have been transformed.
New visions fill my head.
Now the tresses that I long to stroke are raven black instead.
And in my dreams those eyes are not so big or blue or round.
Now in my dreams they're almond shaped and colored cocoa brown.
And in my dreams my arms can stretch across enormous seas.
They reach half-way around the world and hold you close to me.
As you grow in your birthmother’s womb, carefully knit together,
you're also growing in my heart, where you will stay forever.
And in my dreams the moment that your birthmother says good-bye,
I'll be right there to comfort you and hold you as you cry.
Our features may not look alike; we're different as can be.
But still I know the Father has created you for me.
And though I've not yet seen your face, or held your tiny hands,
and though we're half a world apart in very different lands,
I'll be right there to get you just as soon as God allows.
But ’til He says the time is right I give to you this vow.
I'll pray for your protection every day on bended knee.
For God to hold you in His arms, until you're here with me
Dear Sweet Daughter
As a girl I had a common dream, to be a mom someday.
My baby would have eyes of blue and hair the hue of hay.
But now my dreams have been transformed.
New visions fill my head.
Now the tresses that I long to stroke are raven black instead.
And in my dreams those eyes are not so big or blue or round.
Now in my dreams they're almond shaped and colored cocoa brown.
And in my dreams my arms can stretch across enormous seas.
They reach half-way around the world and hold you close to me.
As you grow in your birthmother’s womb, carefully knit together,
you're also growing in my heart, where you will stay forever.
And in my dreams the moment that your birthmother says good-bye,
I'll be right there to comfort you and hold you as you cry.
Our features may not look alike; we're different as can be.
But still I know the Father has created you for me.
And though I've not yet seen your face, or held your tiny hands,
and though we're half a world apart in very different lands,
I'll be right there to get you just as soon as God allows.
But ’til He says the time is right I give to you this vow.
I'll pray for your protection every day on bended knee.
For God to hold you in His arms, until you're here with me
Referrals, Referrals, Referrals
Oh my gosh, the agency is in Refferals Overdrive. There have been soooo many referrals lately it is unbelievable. Its hard to think straight from all the excitment. Very Very good friends of mine (we were doing our homestudies at the same time...they have a quicker province LOL) just received their referrals...and guess what the clothes they had bought are all too small.....thats gonna be my problem I bet you. I have a closet full of 6-9 month items....I hope they will fit the baby..eehhhh I have a feeling I will be doing a lot of switching out when I go shopping. Thankfully I have kept a lot of my receipts lately...but there is a lot of clothing that I have no reciepts for.
I am two months behind this family...so that gives me a lot of excitment and hope. I wonder if I will be getting that call within the next 2 months.....or is this just a catch up, and now we are back to the 9-11 months of waiting....I don't know and that scares me. I don't want to get too excited but gosh I am. I have been saying all along that I just need S &L to get their referral then I know my referral is soon to come....but geez they got their referral much sooner than I expected (and then they expected!).
I am two months behind this family...so that gives me a lot of excitment and hope. I wonder if I will be getting that call within the next 2 months.....or is this just a catch up, and now we are back to the 9-11 months of waiting....I don't know and that scares me. I don't want to get too excited but gosh I am. I have been saying all along that I just need S &L to get their referral then I know my referral is soon to come....but geez they got their referral much sooner than I expected (and then they expected!).
Sunday, November 26, 2006
The End Of November is here already
We have decided that in 2 years we will be going back to Disney, yeeeaaaahhhh. Have I ever mentioned how much I love Disney. We went in December of 2004...and way back when I was 6. I can't wait to go again and this time take my baby too. I think we will plan to go every few years. Its about 2500 or so to go each time...so not tooo bad.
Hard to believe another month has passed. I will be at 19 weeks this Tuesday. I am at the end of my orientation to the Neonatal unit. It has been a very good orientation with lots of experiences. So from here on out, I am a "real" neonatal nurse...the responsibilty weighs heavily but the rewards that I get to see are so great.. Seeing that little infant take their first gulp of air is absolutely amazing!! Its just hard to explain the adrenalin rush I get when I see that baby pink up and start to cry...its overwhelming.
So I am moving into my 5th month here rapidly. I cannot wait to hit the 6 month mark...its sort of a huge date to hit for me. I know that I may still have another 6 months to wait after that....but its crucial for me personally to feel like I have gotten to that 6 month mark. I keep telling myself it will pass by quickly...I am sure it will. In the meantime I will try to be patient. The Christmas holidays are fast approaching and it is hard not having the baby home. I went to the Christmas Parade and could not stop thinking how much fun next year will be. I wonder what he or she will think of the lights, music and animals? Its all very exciting and nerve racking at the same time. As the time gets closer to when I will get my referral...I get more and more anxious about what I am buying. I saw a winter jacket for 50% off yesterday...but I don't know if the baby will be home in the summer/fall or winter so....I put it back. IT was very nice though.
Well thats it for now. I am off to an Usborne book party....gonna get some cute Christmas books I think.
Louise
Friday, November 10, 2006
Wow Its a good day today
Well I am having a very good evening. One of the long time waiters for a referral just heard that a baby girl has been selected for her family. I know so many people were waiting, praying and hoping for her....and having her family get a referral is such a moral booster. It may seem silly..but if she can finally get a referral after all this time...there is hope for the rest of us LOL.
A month and a half to go till our next Maritime Gathering. A family from out west is coming to visit...so we are all gathering at Lisa and Pierre's house in Dieppe. This family is home with their twins from Ethiopia and I for one can't wait to meet them all. It will be so nice to see everyone again. For some of us its only been a few months since we saw each other last, but a few of the families we haven't seen since this past July...so it will be so exciting to see how much the kids have grown.
16 and 1/2 weeks for me (but I'm not counting right LOL). Its coming along slowly..but this new referral has given me the umpphh to push thru another couple of weeks. I hope the referrals keep rolling in especially for the Jan/Feb families. As soon as they get their's the quicker mine and other's will come.
Louise
A month and a half to go till our next Maritime Gathering. A family from out west is coming to visit...so we are all gathering at Lisa and Pierre's house in Dieppe. This family is home with their twins from Ethiopia and I for one can't wait to meet them all. It will be so nice to see everyone again. For some of us its only been a few months since we saw each other last, but a few of the families we haven't seen since this past July...so it will be so exciting to see how much the kids have grown.
16 and 1/2 weeks for me (but I'm not counting right LOL). Its coming along slowly..but this new referral has given me the umpphh to push thru another couple of weeks. I hope the referrals keep rolling in especially for the Jan/Feb families. As soon as they get their's the quicker mine and other's will come.
Louise
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Its been 15 weeks today
15 weeks (105 days) that my file has been in Ethiopia today. 15 weeks ago I breathed a huge sigh of relief that finally the wait for my baby could begin. I am 15 weeks paper pregnant. If one were physically pregnant this would be the point where I would say ahh past the first trimester, now I can relax a little more knowing the dangerous period is over. I feel sort of the same way at this point in the adoption journey. I know by this point my file is in the hands of the local gov officials...hopefully already done with my file, approved my request to adopt and hopefully by now "H" is looking for my child to be matched with me. I decided I will count down in weeks...because 15 weeks sounds better than 3 1/2 months That extra week counts for a lot LOL LOL.
I was at a Mary Kay party when someone asked if I had kids yet...I said nope not yet, but I have one on the way from Ethiopia. She gave me a confused look....so I chuckled and explained further. Its all very exciting being able to tell people that I am expecting from Ethiopia. I got my shirt ordered from Lisa, so soon I will be able to wear it. I can't wait to see the shirts..How exciting.
So yesterday I got a great buy at Sears. I got two crib dust ruffles...yes I know how many dust ruffles does one need...believe me I have 4 now...I think that is enough :) LOL. Anyways at sears I got this green checkered dust ruffle with a thick blue fleece trim (about 2.5 inches wide)...with animals, leaves, bugs embroidered in the fleece. It was reg 49.99 (just for the dust ruffle...isn't that ridiculous) Picture attached above!!! But I got it for 14.99 (even that price I had to swallow hard). And the 2nd dust ruffle...plain green with a blue and green vertical line down the middle (in a pleat) for 2.49 (that was a great buy)!
Friday, October 27, 2006
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Is anyone else feeling this way
I am trying so hard to feel happy and excited for those receiving their referrals from kids Link in such a short time period (I am talking weeks not months)...but I having sort of a hard time with it. It seems like such a short time compared to the 9-11 months that has been predicted for CAFAC wait..and yet I am soo happy with the agency and am committed to the agency. I would never change agencies as they are an agency that has been doing it for so many years, and Kids Link has yet to actually have anyone travel to get their child. (not to mention the enormous expense involved in changing) But geezz I am feeling a little bit frustrated by it all. I am just gritting my teeth to see yet another referral in under a month for Kids Link. I am Jealous..I can admit it...I don't wish bad or feel anger towards the parents...but why would one agency get referrals so quick and the other have such a long wait. It doesn't seem fair. But ahhh that is it Life is not always fair and I am in this for the long haul. If I messed with fate.....well I know my child is chosen for me and it will all happen when it is suppose to be.
But gosh darn it, its really frustrating.
Louise
But gosh darn it, its really frustrating.
Louise
Wow I have been really slack on updating this thing....sorry
Okay so its been a while since I posted. I have been in a new position in the Neonatal Unit for almost a month now so I have been kept very busy with reading, learning and doing all kinds of things that are certainly out of my comfort zone. But I am loving every minute of it...so that is a bonus. I think it is such a gift if you have a job or a career that you absolutely love.
On the adoption front...my file landed in Ethiopia 3 months ago...so its still a bit of a wait..but one I am comitted to and will try not to fret to much over how long I am waiting...yeah right I know. But I will try. The last three months seem to have gone by so quickly..so I am hoping the next couple continue to fly by as well.
I had what was hopefully my last Thanksgiving without my child home. It was so nice to think that this time next year I will most likely be home with my little one really truely being thankful for all that the future holds and for all the blessings in the past few years I have received.
Its starting all to feel very real yet so far away. Yesterday I was in Toys R Us and it is so neat to know that in a few months I will have to be registering for all these things I keep looking at and to know someday soon I will have a little one to put into that crib, that stroller. It's all very exciting!
On the adoption front...my file landed in Ethiopia 3 months ago...so its still a bit of a wait..but one I am comitted to and will try not to fret to much over how long I am waiting...yeah right I know. But I will try. The last three months seem to have gone by so quickly..so I am hoping the next couple continue to fly by as well.
I had what was hopefully my last Thanksgiving without my child home. It was so nice to think that this time next year I will most likely be home with my little one really truely being thankful for all that the future holds and for all the blessings in the past few years I have received.
Its starting all to feel very real yet so far away. Yesterday I was in Toys R Us and it is so neat to know that in a few months I will have to be registering for all these things I keep looking at and to know someday soon I will have a little one to put into that crib, that stroller. It's all very exciting!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Seeing if this works?
Click to join MaritimeEthiopiaAdopt
Trying to add this to my website...trying to see if it works
Louise
Thursday, September 07, 2006
PHOTOS
My sweet god daughter on Christening Day (this ofcourse was after her dress was off...she was tooo hot in it.
My house at Christmas time last year.
And my god son and my neice having a ball playing together.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Annual Boat Trip
Two poor canoers whose boat took on a bit too much water. LOL One word...wet jeans !!!
I love my god daughter Hannah. She has her cute Pumpkin Hat on here!
And ofcourse Kelly my niece....the red headed wonder. Such a ham she is!!!Every Labour Day weekend, or sometime around that weekend, my family takes an annual boat ride on the Carleton. It is a Passenger Boat that has a lower and upper deck and it is about an hour cruise on the St John River in Fredericton. My family, My cousin and her family all go together for the evening. This year was no exception, and we all had a great time. 3 kids were there this time, Hannah who is 7 months, Jacob who is 2 1/2 and Kelly who is 3. The kids were perfect and we all had such a nice time. The weather was perfect. It was also fun to think (and we all commented on this) how much fun it will be to add another baby to the trip next year. How fun!
Louise
Monday, September 04, 2006
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Thoughts
Well it has been three weeks since my file arrived in Ethiopia and 2 weeks since H picked up the file. Its amazing that time has flown by...I know its only 2 weeks...but really it has flown by. I went camping Friday at Grand Lake...had a fabulous time..the weather was perfect.
Can't wait for the Maritime Gathering this September...I can't wait to meet Z. and A. in Cape Breton. I have seen their pictures and heard lots about them...but can't wait to meet them in person!!!
Louise
Can't wait for the Maritime Gathering this September...I can't wait to meet Z. and A. in Cape Breton. I have seen their pictures and heard lots about them...but can't wait to meet them in person!!!
Louise
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Support
Here is something I found that I really like....it reminds me of the support I get from other Adoptive Families
one of my favorite stories is about the man who was walking along the street near a construction site. It was night time and not a lot of light...he stumbled into a hole being dug for the sewer line. He was too far down and the walls too steep for him to get out by himself. He hollered out for help - a doctor walked by and heard him. "Please help me!" he cried out. The doctor looked down, took out his prescription pad, wrote a prescription and tossed it down the hole.
The man continued to cry out. A minister on his way home from church walked by. "Help me please!" the man cried. The minister looked down and saw the man. He wrote a prayer on a piece of paper and tossed it in the hole.
A short time later, the man was convinced he was going to be in the hole for some time. He heard foot steps and cried out - "Hey - anybody? Somebody? Please help me!" The man in the hole looked up and found the footsteps belonged to his best friend. "Oh thank goodness you're here. Please help me!" The friend jumped into the hole. The man looked at him and said "What are you doing you idiot?" The friend looked at him and said "It's OK - I've been down here before - I know the way out."
one of my favorite stories is about the man who was walking along the street near a construction site. It was night time and not a lot of light...he stumbled into a hole being dug for the sewer line. He was too far down and the walls too steep for him to get out by himself. He hollered out for help - a doctor walked by and heard him. "Please help me!" he cried out. The doctor looked down, took out his prescription pad, wrote a prescription and tossed it down the hole.
The man continued to cry out. A minister on his way home from church walked by. "Help me please!" the man cried. The minister looked down and saw the man. He wrote a prayer on a piece of paper and tossed it in the hole.
A short time later, the man was convinced he was going to be in the hole for some time. He heard foot steps and cried out - "Hey - anybody? Somebody? Please help me!" The man in the hole looked up and found the footsteps belonged to his best friend. "Oh thank goodness you're here. Please help me!" The friend jumped into the hole. The man looked at him and said "What are you doing you idiot?" The friend looked at him and said "It's OK - I've been down here before - I know the way out."
2 weeks into the wait
Well I am 2 weeks into the wait already. It has gone by fast....so 2 weeks down, 50 weeks to go. HEHE.....although I hope it does not take a year...so maybe its 2 weeks down, 24 to go. That would be awesome.
I am heading out to grand lake this weekend for a family camp weekend....all the Reids are coming together at Grand Lake at my great Aunt's camp.
I was at Superstore today and got some great summer clothes at 4 bucks or less.
Louise
I am heading out to grand lake this weekend for a family camp weekend....all the Reids are coming together at Grand Lake at my great Aunt's camp.
I was at Superstore today and got some great summer clothes at 4 bucks or less.
Louise
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Scrapbook
Well I spent two hours last night and another 2 hours this morning...great way to spend a vacation; I love to scrapbook. I have just a few pics left to scrapbook then it will be done. I am sad to send if off though, I love looking at it kids are just wonderful!!
Louise
Louise
Monday, July 24, 2006
Well its almost midnight
And I am working on this scrapbook. I have come to realize I should have used the 12*12 pages afterall...but when I first started it the pictures were slow to come in...so I did not think I could fill an entire 12*12 book. I have one full 7*7 book and will start the second tommorrow...I may be able to combine all the pages into one book...I just don't know how many pages can fit in the coverset.
Louise
Louise
Sunday, July 23, 2006
So unsure about sizes of clothing
I am so torn with summer clothes coming on sale. I don't know what size to buy things, so I haven't gotten much of what is on sale at this point. I worry that 3-6 months will be too small but that 6-12 months will be too big. I really want to take advantage of the sales but don't know. I am thinking that I will be travelling to Ethiopia sometime between next August and November. So its hard to know what the weather will be like and how warm the weather will be.
I have several things that I got in Kittery but need some more t-shirts and leggings. The other issue is to get neutral clothing as I don't know what I will get....a baby boy or girl. I also need to buy some closet organizers for his or her closet. It will be fun shopping for the baby once I know who he or she is.
Louise
I have several things that I got in Kittery but need some more t-shirts and leggings. The other issue is to get neutral clothing as I don't know what I will get....a baby boy or girl. I also need to buy some closet organizers for his or her closet. It will be fun shopping for the baby once I know who he or she is.
Louise
Carved Church
This is a church which apparently in Addis Abeba, which I would love to see someday. It is carved right in the ground...Can you imagine the work that took thousands of years ago. Painstakingly carving it out... Amazing
Other things I would like to see in Ethiopia include
My child (HEHE Yah I know ofcourse)
Orphanage where my child was before being brought to the Foster Home
The Fistula Hospital
AHOPE
A Church in Addis
and ofcourse the Merkato
Sheraton (I sure it will be very odd to see such contrast to the poorer areas of town)
Louise
Saturday, July 22, 2006
My new Blog Site
I am doing a second blog site to see which one I like better. I am into the second phase of this adoption...waiting for a referral. I started the process in November 2oo5, and My file reached Ethiopia 4 days ago. So this Tuesday will be a week into the wait. So far so good...HAHA
Today we had a yardsale to raise money to donate when in country. My cousin, my sisters and I all worked at the yardsale ( well we shopped each others items as well LOL). All in all we raised 400 dollars at this yardsale. Thats a lot of money for Ethiopia. One hundred US dollars is a years salary in Addis. SO 400 will go a long way.
I am still selling raffle tickets to raise money. So hopefully I can make another 100 dollars. I need 530 to fund a school for a month. So that is my aim. Anything above and beyond will go to the foster home and AHOPE.
Next plan is to try and arrange an outdoor concert fundraiser. I have one singer who will come. I am gonna work on that over the next month and see what I can come up with.
The more money we can raise the better. This country is giving me their child...which is priceless to me. I will do whatever I can to make life better for the children left behind.
I know a couple of people who sing and play piano. I am also gonna ask some other local talents as well. See what I can come up with.
Louise
Today we had a yardsale to raise money to donate when in country. My cousin, my sisters and I all worked at the yardsale ( well we shopped each others items as well LOL). All in all we raised 400 dollars at this yardsale. Thats a lot of money for Ethiopia. One hundred US dollars is a years salary in Addis. SO 400 will go a long way.
I am still selling raffle tickets to raise money. So hopefully I can make another 100 dollars. I need 530 to fund a school for a month. So that is my aim. Anything above and beyond will go to the foster home and AHOPE.
Next plan is to try and arrange an outdoor concert fundraiser. I have one singer who will come. I am gonna work on that over the next month and see what I can come up with.
The more money we can raise the better. This country is giving me their child...which is priceless to me. I will do whatever I can to make life better for the children left behind.
I know a couple of people who sing and play piano. I am also gonna ask some other local talents as well. See what I can come up with.
Louise
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Thoughts from July
Thoughts from July
July 18
IT'S THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you believe it. The dossier arrived this morning. HOW COOL IS THAT. I did do a little panic last night, when I was reading all of my documents, everything said requesting either gender 0-12 months....BUT on the provincial approval letter from B he wrote 0 to 12 ____of age....he left out the months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH
I have to call Deb, I am assuming H......in) will know from Deb's letter and my homestudy that I want 0-12 months...but ahhh stresss....I am sure it will be fine though...I am sure!!!
Anyways it is in ADDIS ABABA!!!!!!!I can't be happier
July 17
Dossier in Frankfurt
Checked out my tracking number, the dossier is in transit in Franfurt.
Louise
July 13
It's leaving CANADA !!!!
I thought all the other steps in this process was exciting, but nothing compares to this so far!! Knowing that my file is leaving for Ethiopia tommorrow is absolutely amazing!!!! Its crazy feeling..knowing that now the next thing I recieve from CAFAC and the province is my picture of my sweet baby girl or boy...can one even imagine!
I can't believe that I am already here, last December it seemed so far away, but once again as I look back, the time has gone so fast I don't even know where the time has gone. Its really quite a great feeling.
So tommorrow I will be tracking my journey through the postal system...say a little prayer for my file as it travels half way around the world...happy and safe travel my very important package!
July 05
Dossier is Travelling
I got news today that my dossier is actually at the Ethiopian Embassy in Ottawa. I had thought it was still in Foreign affairs...but apparently it came back from Foreign Affairs on the 20th of June. So now I wait till I get word that it is heading over to Ethiopia...can't wait to watch it make the journey over.
Thoughts from June
June 15
Kittery Outlets
Can I just say how much fun this place is. OshKosh, Carters, Gap, Children's Place. All such great deals...and such a blast. I loved shopping at all of them. It was soo neat the salesperson that helped us at Osh Kosh, her daughter is adopting from China, so that was a neat connection. She was a great help at helping me spend my money LOL
Louise
June 09
Mail
2 great packages arrived today. My travel pack YEHHHHH
and the robeez slippers...OMG they are tooo cute..there are alot of them...some how I pictured them smaller. But no matter...they are just adorable!
Louise
Thoughts in May
May 31
My Niece turned 3 today
Hey everyone,
Today is my sweet niece's 3rd birthday today. It is hard to believe because it feels like just yesterday that we were all anxiously and nervously awaiting her arrival at the airport in Moncton. She arrived from Edmonton at the airport on a Saturday, on the drive there it was POURING and I mean POURING rain. Its amazing that we all made it there in one piece, the rain was so heavy. Vut we got there, over an hour early, and just paced. We had ballons and flowers, and as we were waiting at the gate, a few people caught on to what we were there for. Some of them were so excited (strangers) and had tears in their eyes. Kelly was ofcourse the last off the plane. BUT my god it was truely love at first sight. I remember thinking how is it possible to love someone so completely that you have just met! Happy birthday sweet girl. Love your Tante Weezy
May 25
The Wait
Someone mentioned something to me that has really stuck! (thanks K).
She said that the wait is all part of the journey of becoming a mother. That the feeling of Waiting untill you feel like you will just DIE if you wait one more moment is the same wether you are giving birth (and in labour numerous hours) or if you are adopting and waiting for referral or tavel or anything! And I must say its true. Its in that wait that I think I will discover so many things about what a mother is and who I am and where I will be in the world once I am a mother. I think it is a growing process, and just when we all think we cannot wait one MORE MINUTE...that it will happen and we will all become parents...that moment will be here, and the wait will dissapear...because its not the journey but the moments along that journey that will fill our memories. I hope that this is true atleast.
It is still hard to be patience, and somedays I hate the wait, but somedays I have those moments to reflect on the last months of this journey already and think wow look how far into this I am already!.
Louise
May 19
My Mom is coming
Well I had a good long talk wth my mom last night, and guess what....she is coming to Ethiopia!!!!! She is coming rather than my little sister (who can't really afford to come :( ). I am really happy that my mom gets to see where my child was born and the country and all the sights, sounds and smells :) !!!!
So excited!!!
Louise
May 18
100 Good Wishes Quilt
This is a Chinese Tradition, but thought I would convert it for an Ethiopian Adoption. What a special gift to make a quilt out of squares from family and friends. HTe quilt is made from 100 5*5 inch squares, each square should be accompanied by a message of a good wish, a thought or prayer. I would really love to do this, and if anyone is interested in sending a square or receiving a square that would be great.
Email me if you would, Weezyreid@yahoo.ca
Louise
May 15
Dossier at CAFAC
I called CAFAC today, and found out that my dossier is infact in their capable hands. They are putting it together, and will be sending it off to be notarized soon. How awesome is that. Wow I feel like I just got that + sign on a pregnancy stick LOL LOL. This is actually happening.
Today I saw the Ethiopian Episode of Adoption Stories on Discovery Health. Even more cool it was a Canadian Couple....saw Deb on TV. That was pretty cool, seeing the guest house, the old foster home, the country. It was amazing!!!
Louise
May 08
What have we all learned........PATIENCE
So patience, I actually had some this last week...I was very proud of myself. Now I can be very EXCITED!!!Finally my dossier is on its way to CAFAC today or tommorrow. The provincial guy who writes the approval letter was out of town this last week and did not have a chance to do up my provincial letter before leaving. SOOO he is back today, sent me an email, and he is working on getting the letter done up today and so he will send it off once he has that.
YEEAHHH.
So guess what I get to do now????????
WAIT AND BE PATIENT
Yep you got it, I know just sit (well maybe not sit the whole time...ugghh 8 months, one's rear end would get awful sore :) :) :) LOL) and wait for 8-12 months for my paper pregnancy to deliver...then another 3 months before my baby can come home. I think when all said and done I should have the average pregnancy of an Elephant!! HAHA
Lots of shopping can be done in the meantime.
I think my next purchase will be some shoes LOL
I am waiting to buy anymore clothes till the end of the summer (I tell myself this now, we shall see how long this lasts) so that I can buy clothes during the end of summer sales.
Louse
Thoughts in April
April 27
Documents almost ready
I got word today that by the end of the week, my dossier will be heading to CAFAC!!! That means things can get a move on. I am hoping (keeping fingers crossed) that I will have my dossier heading to Ethiopia by my birthday....June 24th. I think that is a reasonable timeline :) Or atleast by the 1st of July. What I am eventually hoping for is a referral around Christmas or New Years...thats not to much to ask for I think :)
What a great Christmas present or New Years Resolution.
I can't wait to go to the CAFAC Maritime family get together. It will be so fun to meet all the families...and finally see each other in person. I was looking in my inbox folders, and I have over 300 emails from people that I have met since December when I started this journey....300 WOW, it really feels like we have all known each other for years, when it hasn't even been a full year yet. But we have all become fast friends and we can't wait to have such a great time in Nova Scotia. Then who knows where we will meet next time...New Brunswick or PEI...I am personally voting for PEI (but only because I LOVE PEI..hehehe, and it is soo pretty there in the fall.
Louise
April 22
OBC Obsessive Baby Compulsiveness??? NO
The OBC (official Baby Company) put on an outlet markdown sale at a local hotel here in Fredericton. I wonder if they knew that I lived here??? Becuase they certainly had me suckered in by the time they said go. I spent just about 50 dollars there...got a pair of jean shorts, 2 pairs of khaki button up pants (girl or boy could wear these), 3 sleepers (one was pink...opppsss so much for neutral..but no one but me will see him in it if I get a boy)..these sleepers are really neat, they zipper down to the bum and the legs have snaps for easy access to diaper!!, I got two bibs and two onesies (white). So overall not bad I think. My best buy was two white onesies, with the snaps near the bum part, not the ones that button by the belly for $5.00. They had really really cute boots but only a size 2...don't know but I think that might be tooo small.
Well that was my weekend...shopping spree for my son or daughter!!! $50 for baby to spend!
March 25
shopping fun
So I went to sears today. I found so many good buys there. Their clothes that had their red tag discounts, were discounted even further by another 30 %.
I got the cutest one piece outfits in green and blue (taking these to Ethiopia) they have turtles and frogs on them....so sweet.
I also found an orange outfit with think embroidered flowers on, for 30lbs, figured it would fit the summer after we get home. If I get a boy, it will go to Ethiopia foster home. I got a ton of clothes for only 40 dollars taxes in...pretty good.
Louise
March 21
My homestudy will be finished by this weekend
Got an email from SW....my homestudy should be finished being written up by the end of this upcoming weekend...That means I should see it sometime next week...yeeeaaaaa
I am sooo happy.
Louise
March 19
Ebay...the good, the bad, and the really cheap
Wow, does anyone else really love Ebay...I know I do.
Today I bought two pairs of the seude bottom leather slippers. They are so cute.
I have attached some pictures of these slippers that caught my eye. I have an addiction I think, and its name is Ebay....seriously here folks...sometimes the prices are ssoooooo cheap. But I do know my limits, and I know I need to save my money for the adoption fees, so I will stay away from ebay for awhile. :) :)
Louise
March 16
The Country Update Came
And its not all good news.
The wait for infants under 6 months have increased to atleast a year....so I have decided to request an infant under 12months rather than 6 months...I will ask for a infant as young as possiblble. So I guess a lot is up in the air...and its kind of like a really long pregnancy. I am still excited as ever about this process.
Louise
March 08
I AM ALL DONE MY HOMESTUDY VISITS
OH MY GOSH.....IT FEELS SOOOOOO GOOD.
I had my last homestudy visit this morning...okay so I cleaned like a mad woman and got everything done, the house looked great....I was so exhausted by the time the sw got here. The visit was short and sweet...mom and Kelly were here. Took a tour of the house. She thought we had a large house with a huge backyard!! I told her we were not looking forward to mowing that lawn this summer!!!
Anyways I am so glad its finished...and shoot I forgot to take some pics, but I will next time we see each other before submitting the homestudy for provincial approval!
Louise
February 28
I am officially approved to sponsor a child
to come to Canada. I got my immigration papers back yesterday.....wow that was quick!! it left here on the 20th, got here yesterday!!!
I was soo excited to see it in the mail, at first I thought I must have done something in error, since it cmae so quickly, but nope...my baby is officially sponsored!!!
YEAH
Louise
February 19
3rd homestudy
Wow I can't believe how quick time is flying by!!! I had the 3rd visit with my sw today, it went wonderfully again. We talked about single parenting, my education and work history. We have one more visit this Wednesday, then she is coming to the house on the 8th of March. (orginnaly suppose to be the 28 of Feb, but thats okay. She said that she could start the homestudy before doing the home visit. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the homestudy might be finished intime for the march approval committee, but reallistically looking towards the April committee meeting on April the 20th...Judy said it would be done by then for sure.....its soooooooo exciting to think my dossier will be on its way to Cafac in less that 2 months!!! and then onto Ethiopia WOOOHOOO.
I spent the weekend in St John with my sisters inlaws, which was nice, but I am glad to be home as well.
Louise
February 08
2nd Homestudy Visit
Wow this homestudy visit went soooooo well. I am really excited to see this next step moving forward. I have till end of February and then the SW will write the homestudy (takes approx 3 weeks she says). I am figuring it will be to CAFAC by mid April...then to Ethiopia in Mid June...yeeeahhhhhhh!!!!
Working on the room this week, hoping to clear some stuff out and start moving things along in terms of the room. I am going to moving some of Kellys (my neice) stuff downstairs.
Louise
Louise
January 22
Getting rooms moved around
We decided to start getting the rooms switched around now, instead of later. WE did a LOT of moving of furniture this weekend, took apar two beds, and put together a closet. Also put the crib together...that was soooo not fun. I don't know how women do it when they are 6 months pregnant!!!!. On Feb 18,19 we are renting a projector to display some images on the wall so we can trace them, and then paint them. The nursery is going to be nursery rhymes. The room is super large, there is lots of room for both beds and a toy area. Can't wait to start working on doing the rest of the decorating once the referral comes. I guess I wanted to have some sort of room ready for the social worker home visit. I wanted to demonstrate that there is room for the new little one. Decided that girl or boy, the kids will share a room for the first year at least. I think untill my child is 2 or 3...I think that is fine!
Will post some pics when the room doesn't look like a tornado has gone through it (which it does now!!!!!!).
Louise
January 11
Maritime Support Group
YEEAHH
We have finally started our Maritime Support Group for all the families who have their children home or are in any part of the process of an Ethiopian Adoption.
We are hoping to have our first get together this summer. It will be great to put a face and voice to the email addys that we have been correspnding with.
And on other news, my younger sister is off.....to Wales for 6 more months . She begins classes jan 25 in Swansea Wales. She is doing the 2nd part of her UNB exchange.
January 05
WORKBOOK
I got the workbook in the mail this past week. It came into the post office Tuesday afternoon. I was suppose to be napping because I had to work a night shift that evening. I was sooooo excited to go and get it I couldn't sleep and then I hounded the Post office.
My slip said I couldn't pick it up till 5pm, but I called tehm like 3 times and asked "IS IT THERE" I think I sounded like a kid a Christmas. I was just shaking with excitement as I opened the box. I even took a pic of the box itself...hehehehe
Anyways the workbook is chock full of great information, not just for adoption, but parenting in general! I am very happy that I have this resource to look through while the waiting happens. I can tell the pages are going to get well worn.
January is almost half way through, getting closer to my next homestudy visit. I have to do a general description of the house and community, so I am going to work on that this weekend.
Anyhow
Hope everyones New Year was great. The only resolution I made was to be more patient with the process and not to worry about timelines.
Louise
December 29
First Homestudy Visit
I went to St John for my first homestudy visit yesterday. It was very nerve wracking. I was nervous and unsure of what I was going to be asked. The SW was very nice and helpful. We talked about my home, my family. We talked about how I would feel about raising a black baby. We talked about my childhood and how our household runs. Ummm she gave me some forms to fill out and I gave her some documents. I have to update my autobiography and also choose a guardian.
My final homestudy visit will be Feb 28, then she will visit the house and write the report. Hopefully she will be finished it by the middle of March to go to the provincial approval guy. I hope all will be in Ethiopia by June?????
Hopefully!
Louise
December 24
MERRY CHRISTMAS
I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas. I know that I am really enjoying the day even though I have to head to work in 2 hours....yuck.
I got some new pics of the foster home today. The home looks really nice with a lot more room for the kids to play. I am excited to visit and see it in person.
We are having Christmas at Nelleke's tommorrow, so I am looking forward to that. AND we HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS!!!!!
Yeah
December 19
Got a letter today
Got my first letter from the agency today welcoming me to their family. They sent me a copy of my signed contract and they also sent my a copy of the advocate (that is their newsletter which I subscribed to).
I was soooo excited, I had to pull over and read teh letter in the car. I knew what it was as soon as I saw who it was from!
Going to my Cousins for Christmas morning, so I get to play with my Godson, which is always a highlight. He is soo funny and he is adorable. Can't wait to see him open his gifts!
Louise
December 16
Homestudy
My first homestudy date is set. I have to travel to St. John, as the practiioners here are booked to Jan 31st, so I will do the traveling thing.
I have my first visit with Judy on Dec 28th. I can't wait to meet her, and to chat away. It should be very good, she has actually done the ethiopian process before, so that is a relief to me. I am still nervous, but glad to see some progress.. Everything should be into the province by Feb 31st I hope. Then off to CAFAC.....hoping dossier will be in Ethiopia by June 1st. Then maybe a referral by Christmas, we shall see.
December 15
I can finally start my homestudy
I finally got the go ahead to chose the private practitioner to do my homestudy. It is one small step for man, one giant step for ME!!!
I am so excited to see some progress after what feels like the longest two weeks of waiting for my criminal checks to come in. Apparently I am not a criminal and am safe to be around others WOOOHOOO!!:) :)
I went to MDs today, got a TB test done, and booked for other bloodwork. I also only had to pay $40 for my medical form..which I thought was going to be a lot more. So I am thankful for that. Anything that saves me money is a good thing!!!
CAFAC recieved my application on the 12th, and I am hoping to recieve their documents in the mail next week. We shall see when that happens.
Have a great week, Christmas is fast approaching, and I still have shopping to do!
Louise
December 12
I cannot believe the generosity of others
The donations I have recieved so far is unbelievable. I have almost a rubbermaid tote full of clothes, with more to come. People are collecting shoes and sandals for me. I think I may have tooooo much stuff. I won't have to do any more begging (not that I have so far). I only mentioned it to my sister, and two second hand clothing stores. The rest is history as they say. The children in Addis will benefit soooo much from these things. These are things that we take for granted. Some of the things I still want to take with me is childrens multivitamins, childrens tylenol, antibiotics, pedialyte powder. I will wait and see on those things. I am going to write to Dr. Hart to see how he might be able to help. He has done work overseas as a volunteer, so he may have some ideas.
Louise
December 10
Sending off my Applicaton
Well I did it.
I sent off my application tothe agency withfirst part of the application fee. It was a lot easier to save than I thought it would be. But boy did it hurt when I paid it....OUCH!
I sent the application on Friday by express post. It should reach Manitoba by Tuesday, I hope to have the information and the eductional workbook back to me by next week.
I heard from Kim Murphy (my social worker), I am just waiting for the criminal check to come back. Once that is back ( I expect next week) I can choose my private practitioner for the homestudy. I hope to start the homestudy by January 1st or so. We will just have to wait and see. It seems that is a common thing around the world of adoption.
Oh on the adoption news front, there is now a policy with the agency, that hometudies must state wether you have a gender preference but it must also state that you are open to both gender. So maybe it will be a Owen instead of a Olivia???? Any names for boys would be greatly appreciated. I heard Jonah last night, and I like it as well. I think I like all the names. I am still keeping my fingers crossed for a girl...guess it will be like a pregnancy and in that all I want is a healthy baby. BUT I am keeping my pink sheets...hopefully Owen will like pink
July 18
IT'S THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you believe it. The dossier arrived this morning. HOW COOL IS THAT. I did do a little panic last night, when I was reading all of my documents, everything said requesting either gender 0-12 months....BUT on the provincial approval letter from B he wrote 0 to 12 ____of age....he left out the months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH
I have to call Deb, I am assuming H......in) will know from Deb's letter and my homestudy that I want 0-12 months...but ahhh stresss....I am sure it will be fine though...I am sure!!!
Anyways it is in ADDIS ABABA!!!!!!!I can't be happier
July 17
Dossier in Frankfurt
Checked out my tracking number, the dossier is in transit in Franfurt.
Louise
July 13
It's leaving CANADA !!!!
I thought all the other steps in this process was exciting, but nothing compares to this so far!! Knowing that my file is leaving for Ethiopia tommorrow is absolutely amazing!!!! Its crazy feeling..knowing that now the next thing I recieve from CAFAC and the province is my picture of my sweet baby girl or boy...can one even imagine!
I can't believe that I am already here, last December it seemed so far away, but once again as I look back, the time has gone so fast I don't even know where the time has gone. Its really quite a great feeling.
So tommorrow I will be tracking my journey through the postal system...say a little prayer for my file as it travels half way around the world...happy and safe travel my very important package!
July 05
Dossier is Travelling
I got news today that my dossier is actually at the Ethiopian Embassy in Ottawa. I had thought it was still in Foreign affairs...but apparently it came back from Foreign Affairs on the 20th of June. So now I wait till I get word that it is heading over to Ethiopia...can't wait to watch it make the journey over.
Thoughts from June
June 15
Kittery Outlets
Can I just say how much fun this place is. OshKosh, Carters, Gap, Children's Place. All such great deals...and such a blast. I loved shopping at all of them. It was soo neat the salesperson that helped us at Osh Kosh, her daughter is adopting from China, so that was a neat connection. She was a great help at helping me spend my money LOL
Louise
June 09
2 great packages arrived today. My travel pack YEHHHHH
and the robeez slippers...OMG they are tooo cute..there are alot of them...some how I pictured them smaller. But no matter...they are just adorable!
Louise
Thoughts in May
May 31
My Niece turned 3 today
Hey everyone,
Today is my sweet niece's 3rd birthday today. It is hard to believe because it feels like just yesterday that we were all anxiously and nervously awaiting her arrival at the airport in Moncton. She arrived from Edmonton at the airport on a Saturday, on the drive there it was POURING and I mean POURING rain. Its amazing that we all made it there in one piece, the rain was so heavy. Vut we got there, over an hour early, and just paced. We had ballons and flowers, and as we were waiting at the gate, a few people caught on to what we were there for. Some of them were so excited (strangers) and had tears in their eyes. Kelly was ofcourse the last off the plane. BUT my god it was truely love at first sight. I remember thinking how is it possible to love someone so completely that you have just met! Happy birthday sweet girl. Love your Tante Weezy
May 25
The Wait
Someone mentioned something to me that has really stuck! (thanks K).
She said that the wait is all part of the journey of becoming a mother. That the feeling of Waiting untill you feel like you will just DIE if you wait one more moment is the same wether you are giving birth (and in labour numerous hours) or if you are adopting and waiting for referral or tavel or anything! And I must say its true. Its in that wait that I think I will discover so many things about what a mother is and who I am and where I will be in the world once I am a mother. I think it is a growing process, and just when we all think we cannot wait one MORE MINUTE...that it will happen and we will all become parents...that moment will be here, and the wait will dissapear...because its not the journey but the moments along that journey that will fill our memories. I hope that this is true atleast.
It is still hard to be patience, and somedays I hate the wait, but somedays I have those moments to reflect on the last months of this journey already and think wow look how far into this I am already!.
Louise
May 19
My Mom is coming
Well I had a good long talk wth my mom last night, and guess what....she is coming to Ethiopia!!!!! She is coming rather than my little sister (who can't really afford to come :( ). I am really happy that my mom gets to see where my child was born and the country and all the sights, sounds and smells :) !!!!
So excited!!!
Louise
May 18
100 Good Wishes Quilt
This is a Chinese Tradition, but thought I would convert it for an Ethiopian Adoption. What a special gift to make a quilt out of squares from family and friends. HTe quilt is made from 100 5*5 inch squares, each square should be accompanied by a message of a good wish, a thought or prayer. I would really love to do this, and if anyone is interested in sending a square or receiving a square that would be great.
Email me if you would, Weezyreid@yahoo.ca
Louise
May 15
Dossier at CAFAC
I called CAFAC today, and found out that my dossier is infact in their capable hands. They are putting it together, and will be sending it off to be notarized soon. How awesome is that. Wow I feel like I just got that + sign on a pregnancy stick LOL LOL. This is actually happening.
Today I saw the Ethiopian Episode of Adoption Stories on Discovery Health. Even more cool it was a Canadian Couple....saw Deb on TV. That was pretty cool, seeing the guest house, the old foster home, the country. It was amazing!!!
Louise
May 08
What have we all learned........PATIENCE
So patience, I actually had some this last week...I was very proud of myself. Now I can be very EXCITED!!!Finally my dossier is on its way to CAFAC today or tommorrow. The provincial guy who writes the approval letter was out of town this last week and did not have a chance to do up my provincial letter before leaving. SOOO he is back today, sent me an email, and he is working on getting the letter done up today and so he will send it off once he has that.
YEEAHHH.
So guess what I get to do now????????
WAIT AND BE PATIENT
Yep you got it, I know just sit (well maybe not sit the whole time...ugghh 8 months, one's rear end would get awful sore :) :) :) LOL) and wait for 8-12 months for my paper pregnancy to deliver...then another 3 months before my baby can come home. I think when all said and done I should have the average pregnancy of an Elephant!! HAHA
Lots of shopping can be done in the meantime.
I think my next purchase will be some shoes LOL
I am waiting to buy anymore clothes till the end of the summer (I tell myself this now, we shall see how long this lasts) so that I can buy clothes during the end of summer sales.
Louse
Thoughts in April
April 27
Documents almost ready
I got word today that by the end of the week, my dossier will be heading to CAFAC!!! That means things can get a move on. I am hoping (keeping fingers crossed) that I will have my dossier heading to Ethiopia by my birthday....June 24th. I think that is a reasonable timeline :) Or atleast by the 1st of July. What I am eventually hoping for is a referral around Christmas or New Years...thats not to much to ask for I think :)
What a great Christmas present or New Years Resolution.
I can't wait to go to the CAFAC Maritime family get together. It will be so fun to meet all the families...and finally see each other in person. I was looking in my inbox folders, and I have over 300 emails from people that I have met since December when I started this journey....300 WOW, it really feels like we have all known each other for years, when it hasn't even been a full year yet. But we have all become fast friends and we can't wait to have such a great time in Nova Scotia. Then who knows where we will meet next time...New Brunswick or PEI...I am personally voting for PEI (but only because I LOVE PEI..hehehe, and it is soo pretty there in the fall.
Louise
April 22
OBC Obsessive Baby Compulsiveness??? NO
The OBC (official Baby Company) put on an outlet markdown sale at a local hotel here in Fredericton. I wonder if they knew that I lived here??? Becuase they certainly had me suckered in by the time they said go. I spent just about 50 dollars there...got a pair of jean shorts, 2 pairs of khaki button up pants (girl or boy could wear these), 3 sleepers (one was pink...opppsss so much for neutral..but no one but me will see him in it if I get a boy)..these sleepers are really neat, they zipper down to the bum and the legs have snaps for easy access to diaper!!, I got two bibs and two onesies (white). So overall not bad I think. My best buy was two white onesies, with the snaps near the bum part, not the ones that button by the belly for $5.00. They had really really cute boots but only a size 2...don't know but I think that might be tooo small.
Well that was my weekend...shopping spree for my son or daughter!!! $50 for baby to spend!
March 25
shopping fun
So I went to sears today. I found so many good buys there. Their clothes that had their red tag discounts, were discounted even further by another 30 %.
I got the cutest one piece outfits in green and blue (taking these to Ethiopia) they have turtles and frogs on them....so sweet.
I also found an orange outfit with think embroidered flowers on, for 30lbs, figured it would fit the summer after we get home. If I get a boy, it will go to Ethiopia foster home. I got a ton of clothes for only 40 dollars taxes in...pretty good.
Louise
March 21
My homestudy will be finished by this weekend
Got an email from SW....my homestudy should be finished being written up by the end of this upcoming weekend...That means I should see it sometime next week...yeeeaaaaa
I am sooo happy.
Louise
March 19
Ebay...the good, the bad, and the really cheap
Wow, does anyone else really love Ebay...I know I do.
Today I bought two pairs of the seude bottom leather slippers. They are so cute.
I have attached some pictures of these slippers that caught my eye. I have an addiction I think, and its name is Ebay....seriously here folks...sometimes the prices are ssoooooo cheap. But I do know my limits, and I know I need to save my money for the adoption fees, so I will stay away from ebay for awhile. :) :)
Louise
March 16
The Country Update Came
And its not all good news.
The wait for infants under 6 months have increased to atleast a year....so I have decided to request an infant under 12months rather than 6 months...I will ask for a infant as young as possiblble. So I guess a lot is up in the air...and its kind of like a really long pregnancy. I am still excited as ever about this process.
Louise
March 08
I AM ALL DONE MY HOMESTUDY VISITS
OH MY GOSH.....IT FEELS SOOOOOO GOOD.
I had my last homestudy visit this morning...okay so I cleaned like a mad woman and got everything done, the house looked great....I was so exhausted by the time the sw got here. The visit was short and sweet...mom and Kelly were here. Took a tour of the house. She thought we had a large house with a huge backyard!! I told her we were not looking forward to mowing that lawn this summer!!!
Anyways I am so glad its finished...and shoot I forgot to take some pics, but I will next time we see each other before submitting the homestudy for provincial approval!
Louise
February 28
I am officially approved to sponsor a child
to come to Canada. I got my immigration papers back yesterday.....wow that was quick!! it left here on the 20th, got here yesterday!!!
I was soo excited to see it in the mail, at first I thought I must have done something in error, since it cmae so quickly, but nope...my baby is officially sponsored!!!
YEAH
Louise
February 19
3rd homestudy
Wow I can't believe how quick time is flying by!!! I had the 3rd visit with my sw today, it went wonderfully again. We talked about single parenting, my education and work history. We have one more visit this Wednesday, then she is coming to the house on the 8th of March. (orginnaly suppose to be the 28 of Feb, but thats okay. She said that she could start the homestudy before doing the home visit. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the homestudy might be finished intime for the march approval committee, but reallistically looking towards the April committee meeting on April the 20th...Judy said it would be done by then for sure.....its soooooooo exciting to think my dossier will be on its way to Cafac in less that 2 months!!! and then onto Ethiopia WOOOHOOO.
I spent the weekend in St John with my sisters inlaws, which was nice, but I am glad to be home as well.
Louise
February 08
2nd Homestudy Visit
Wow this homestudy visit went soooooo well. I am really excited to see this next step moving forward. I have till end of February and then the SW will write the homestudy (takes approx 3 weeks she says). I am figuring it will be to CAFAC by mid April...then to Ethiopia in Mid June...yeeeahhhhhhh!!!!
Working on the room this week, hoping to clear some stuff out and start moving things along in terms of the room. I am going to moving some of Kellys (my neice) stuff downstairs.
Louise
Louise
January 22
Getting rooms moved around
We decided to start getting the rooms switched around now, instead of later. WE did a LOT of moving of furniture this weekend, took apar two beds, and put together a closet. Also put the crib together...that was soooo not fun. I don't know how women do it when they are 6 months pregnant!!!!. On Feb 18,19 we are renting a projector to display some images on the wall so we can trace them, and then paint them. The nursery is going to be nursery rhymes. The room is super large, there is lots of room for both beds and a toy area. Can't wait to start working on doing the rest of the decorating once the referral comes. I guess I wanted to have some sort of room ready for the social worker home visit. I wanted to demonstrate that there is room for the new little one. Decided that girl or boy, the kids will share a room for the first year at least. I think untill my child is 2 or 3...I think that is fine!
Will post some pics when the room doesn't look like a tornado has gone through it (which it does now!!!!!!).
Louise
January 11
Maritime Support Group
YEEAHH
We have finally started our Maritime Support Group for all the families who have their children home or are in any part of the process of an Ethiopian Adoption.
We are hoping to have our first get together this summer. It will be great to put a face and voice to the email addys that we have been correspnding with.
And on other news, my younger sister is off.....to Wales for 6 more months . She begins classes jan 25 in Swansea Wales. She is doing the 2nd part of her UNB exchange.
January 05
WORKBOOK
I got the workbook in the mail this past week. It came into the post office Tuesday afternoon. I was suppose to be napping because I had to work a night shift that evening. I was sooooo excited to go and get it I couldn't sleep and then I hounded the Post office.
My slip said I couldn't pick it up till 5pm, but I called tehm like 3 times and asked "IS IT THERE" I think I sounded like a kid a Christmas. I was just shaking with excitement as I opened the box. I even took a pic of the box itself...hehehehe
Anyways the workbook is chock full of great information, not just for adoption, but parenting in general! I am very happy that I have this resource to look through while the waiting happens. I can tell the pages are going to get well worn.
January is almost half way through, getting closer to my next homestudy visit. I have to do a general description of the house and community, so I am going to work on that this weekend.
Anyhow
Hope everyones New Year was great. The only resolution I made was to be more patient with the process and not to worry about timelines.
Louise
December 29
First Homestudy Visit
I went to St John for my first homestudy visit yesterday. It was very nerve wracking. I was nervous and unsure of what I was going to be asked. The SW was very nice and helpful. We talked about my home, my family. We talked about how I would feel about raising a black baby. We talked about my childhood and how our household runs. Ummm she gave me some forms to fill out and I gave her some documents. I have to update my autobiography and also choose a guardian.
My final homestudy visit will be Feb 28, then she will visit the house and write the report. Hopefully she will be finished it by the middle of March to go to the provincial approval guy. I hope all will be in Ethiopia by June?????
Hopefully!
Louise
December 24
MERRY CHRISTMAS
I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas. I know that I am really enjoying the day even though I have to head to work in 2 hours....yuck.
I got some new pics of the foster home today. The home looks really nice with a lot more room for the kids to play. I am excited to visit and see it in person.
We are having Christmas at Nelleke's tommorrow, so I am looking forward to that. AND we HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS!!!!!
Yeah
December 19
Got a letter today
Got my first letter from the agency today welcoming me to their family. They sent me a copy of my signed contract and they also sent my a copy of the advocate (that is their newsletter which I subscribed to).
I was soooo excited, I had to pull over and read teh letter in the car. I knew what it was as soon as I saw who it was from!
Going to my Cousins for Christmas morning, so I get to play with my Godson, which is always a highlight. He is soo funny and he is adorable. Can't wait to see him open his gifts!
Louise
December 16
Homestudy
My first homestudy date is set. I have to travel to St. John, as the practiioners here are booked to Jan 31st, so I will do the traveling thing.
I have my first visit with Judy on Dec 28th. I can't wait to meet her, and to chat away. It should be very good, she has actually done the ethiopian process before, so that is a relief to me. I am still nervous, but glad to see some progress.. Everything should be into the province by Feb 31st I hope. Then off to CAFAC.....hoping dossier will be in Ethiopia by June 1st. Then maybe a referral by Christmas, we shall see.
December 15
I can finally start my homestudy
I finally got the go ahead to chose the private practitioner to do my homestudy. It is one small step for man, one giant step for ME!!!
I am so excited to see some progress after what feels like the longest two weeks of waiting for my criminal checks to come in. Apparently I am not a criminal and am safe to be around others WOOOHOOO!!:) :)
I went to MDs today, got a TB test done, and booked for other bloodwork. I also only had to pay $40 for my medical form..which I thought was going to be a lot more. So I am thankful for that. Anything that saves me money is a good thing!!!
CAFAC recieved my application on the 12th, and I am hoping to recieve their documents in the mail next week. We shall see when that happens.
Have a great week, Christmas is fast approaching, and I still have shopping to do!
Louise
December 12
I cannot believe the generosity of others
The donations I have recieved so far is unbelievable. I have almost a rubbermaid tote full of clothes, with more to come. People are collecting shoes and sandals for me. I think I may have tooooo much stuff. I won't have to do any more begging (not that I have so far). I only mentioned it to my sister, and two second hand clothing stores. The rest is history as they say. The children in Addis will benefit soooo much from these things. These are things that we take for granted. Some of the things I still want to take with me is childrens multivitamins, childrens tylenol, antibiotics, pedialyte powder. I will wait and see on those things. I am going to write to Dr. Hart to see how he might be able to help. He has done work overseas as a volunteer, so he may have some ideas.
Louise
December 10
Sending off my Applicaton
Well I did it.
I sent off my application tothe agency withfirst part of the application fee. It was a lot easier to save than I thought it would be. But boy did it hurt when I paid it....OUCH!
I sent the application on Friday by express post. It should reach Manitoba by Tuesday, I hope to have the information and the eductional workbook back to me by next week.
I heard from Kim Murphy (my social worker), I am just waiting for the criminal check to come back. Once that is back ( I expect next week) I can choose my private practitioner for the homestudy. I hope to start the homestudy by January 1st or so. We will just have to wait and see. It seems that is a common thing around the world of adoption.
Oh on the adoption news front, there is now a policy with the agency, that hometudies must state wether you have a gender preference but it must also state that you are open to both gender. So maybe it will be a Owen instead of a Olivia???? Any names for boys would be greatly appreciated. I heard Jonah last night, and I like it as well. I think I like all the names. I am still keeping my fingers crossed for a girl...guess it will be like a pregnancy and in that all I want is a healthy baby. BUT I am keeping my pink sheets...hopefully Owen will like pink
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