the new 4 wheeled baby

Shopping therapy is always nice. I have been in saving mode for so long that when the dam broke and I spent some money it was ALOT. I bought a new car. The old one (a Nissan Xterra) had dutifully served its purpose. I bought it just after the accident that totaled my CRV. When I went shopping for a car after the CRV accident I was looking for a tough-big-mean looking vehicle. Fast forward 5 years. I am thisclose to paying it off ($298 close) and the visor clip (you know that little clip that keeps the visor from sagging) broke. Mom and I were out to lunch with some friends and thought lets stop at Checker and see if they have one. If only that were the end of the story. Well they didnt have one so it was off to the Nissan dealership to see if they had one. I knew I liked the Murano since I had rented it before and thought 'what could it hurt' lets see what they have. Uh huh thats how it started. So 4 hours later I had traded in the security blanket for a very cool family, carseat ready vehicle. Now I just need a 2 legged baby to put in it!!

Two more

Last night I was cruising the list of 'favorites' and found a couple of situations I am interested in. I sent off my info, thank goodness I have electronic copies of everything, and will have to wait and see if these referral agencies and birthmother think I am a good fit for the situation. With the new agency its a waiting game, they do all the matching so, birthmothers will review my 'stats' and choose. Don't get me wrong it is a wonderful process but its a little different for me. When I first started this adoption journey I was in the situation of an orphan child who needed a home and 'bam' I was matched. This process is a little different and I am thrilled that there is truly a choice for the birthmother. The last couple of months (well since I lost B in October) I have been proactively checking available situations online. I joined a couple of referral agencies to open up my networking and have found a few situations. None have worked out yet, but I am hopeful that this new combination of proactively searching and a new agency will mean the difference in building my family this year. I am Optimistic. :)

Still nothing

There was some activity (on the PAP's part) last week and the week before but still nothing is going on over there. No decisions dispite the February 15 date coming and going.

On a more positive note I have started with a new adoption agency. J is wonderful but their domestic program is very very small and they just dont have the network to get the word out. So I have signed up with a new group that seems to have quite a network and great birthmother programs. I dont know what will happen next I am just taking it day by day.

I am meant to continue

In my last post I mentioned that I had some documents up for expiration and that I would potentially be giving up my journey to adopt from Kyrgyzstan. Well L called me and emailed me my appointment for FBI fingerprints and said 'go today'. I said sure and since the FBI prints dont use that icky ink it didnt take long. So apparently someone is telling me to stay the course. I am hoping that there is some resolution in February regarding whats going on. I am at peace with whatever plan I am to follow. The things that are happening in that little country are beyond my control.
What is in my control is to persue domestic situations that I believe will grow my family. I will keep you posted but am keeping some of the details private. I now believe that I underestimated the opportunities in the US because of my niavety. There are birth mothers that do not exclude a single woman as a potential forever family for their child. Times they are a-changin'.

The latest

Nothing new on the Adoption front. I was intending on renewing my international documentation but have passed the deadline. In November I got my homestudy renewed and talked to the UCICS and they said to wait til the beginning of January. Then they changed everything and I missed the deadline. I am still waiting to hear from them as to whether or not I can still get the free extension or not. If I can, then I am supposed to continue the wait for Kyrgyztan if not, I will be done. I am sad that this chapter may be closing but am happy that I have the opportunity to persue domestic adoption. I am also starting school this week. Yay!

Okey Dokey

So after the 'Morph' I need some help. If you haven't noticed yet there is a new addition to the sidebar to the right. At the top is a link to my 'About Me' blog. This blog is where birthfamilies can 'get to know me' a little better. I also have a link to my agency's website there. There is an entry titled 'Friends comment on me' (or something like that). Anyway, a couple of friends have left comments about me for birthfamilies viewing the blog to see. If you are so inclined and would like to say a few words click the link and add your comment. I will review and add them. I have also signed up with a referral agency to increase my visability. My agency only has a small network so I figure, it cant hurt right? I am beginning 2010 very hopeful that this new step will be a positive one.

The morphing of the blog

It's a new year and full of new possibilities in the adoption world. A year ago I started this blog to document the journey as I worked to build my family. Now that the door to adopting a child from Kyrg has all but been slammed in my face, I am excited to persue situations domestically. I will keep you posted. I am starting over.