Adoption #3 Update...

We are currently #4 on the list. There have always been challenges with international adoptions and this one seems to be no different. Our agency was to be accredited in May 2006 (all agencies are awaiting their accreditation's). While referrals are coming in very slowly, most regions are waiting for this accreditation to be in hand before opening their regions to international adoptions. There are some proactive regions that are moving forward and continue to finalizes adoptions despite this delay. This is one of the reasons why were are slowing creeping up the list. This is so hard to go through each year, but it is also a stress that we forget about once home with our children. We are still very hopeful that we will be traveling this summer/fall. As many of you know, referrals can come at any time and travel can be with very little warning. While this presents a challenge with childcare for Jordan and Garrett, it certainly adds to the excitement of the adventure. We will continue to keep you posted and welcome any special thoughts.

We spent the beginning of April celebrating Spring break and the Easter holiday with my family on the West coast of Florida. My sister, Jennifer and her 4 boys were down from South Carolina. I cannot believe how big her kids are getting. We are starting to hit the teenage years and I am just so grateful she has to go through it first. I seem to reap the benefits of being the younger sister and watching her pave the way for most milestones. We successfully inundated my parents with a lot of energy and laughter. I think we may get invited back... but the jury is still out.

Jennifer celebrated her 40th birthday this year. (She so doesn't look it.) We took all of the kids (Minus Garrett who spent the day with Pop Pop) to Busch Gardens. After frequenting the Busch Complimentary beer tent and drinking a few Trojan beers, somehow Jennifer got us in line for the Sheikra roller coaster. The kids that were tall enough wanted no part, but we managed to walk on with "single mom" passes and got prime time seating. I was too far into it before I realized that it was probably not the best idea. I was thinking after being strapped in and trekking up the clanky hill... I hope my beers taste as good coming up as they did going down. All was not lost and we had a blast! A true sisters moment that I know only she could get me to do.

Today is another day to celebrate for Chris and I. It was 10 years ago today that we went out on a "date night" in Baltimore and he asked me on our roof top to marry him. We are grateful we made it past the 7 year itch... and laugh at how far we have come. I have never looked back once (OK for sake of honesty, maybe a few times) on my decision and feel grateful that I was blessed with meeting my soul mate.

Hope everyone is doing well... Will keep you posted.