Happy Anniversary?

Well, today is the two-year anniversary of China logging in my dossier into their paperwork thus starting the Chinese leg of this adoption. Two years. Two long years. I found a chart on the Rumor Queen's website which shows that at the time my paperwork was logged in they were taking 11 months to review, approve, and refer (match) you with a child. Two years later and it has more than doubled in length and will most likely have tripled by the time its my turn.

Last year the date passed by without even a thought. I sort of wish that was the case this year. I think if the weather was warmer and sunnier today my mood would be warmer and sunnier as well. Working out in the yard is usually a spirit lifter for me but the conditions outdoors aren't enough of an enticer. Instead, I ventured to Target to update the baby registry I created last June when I learned I was approved. A number of things I chose then are no longer available so I made some changes. I took off all of the clothing items because although I asked for a child under the age of 1 year at the time of referral there are no guarantees. My friend, Michelle, was recently referred a 2-year-old so I'm keeping my options open. Anyway, the venture out lifted my spirits a bit and helped keep the process real.

This morning I managed to doze off after waking up too early on a weekend. I dreamed I had my little girl who was maybe 1. I was proud of the fact that she smiled for her Grandma and that I had her in a winter coat and hat and was pulling the hood on her head for added warmth since it was cold and snowy (it must have been April 26th). Much to my dismay, I looked down and she had short socks and thin pants on and I thought to myself, "Well, I got it mostly right". That must be my first lesson in parenting - try to get it mostly right. The only reason I mention the dream is that this is the first time I dreamt of actually having a child in my hands and seeing her face. Perhaps God knew I needed that vision to get me through the next year.

Here's hoping all is well with you!