The No Make-Up club

Saturday morning, I set my alarm for 5:50am and was out the door at 6:20am to go for breakfast at Cracker Barrel with a bunch of people I'd never met before.  The group is comprised of a bunch of adoptive and hoping-to-be adoptive moms in our area who simply want to reach out, support each other and pray for one another.  They met last month and when I heard about it, I said "Next time, I'm there!".  So, the plan is to meet once a month, and the early time is just so that we don't have many excuses (soccer games, family plans...).  The only rule is that no one gets gussied up... no make-up.  So in my sloppy clothes, slightly red face from my recent re-starting of Retin-A (finally meeting deductible with Lael's surgery= dermatologist visit), and no make-up, I had a blast!

Leslie and I had talked on the phone, but it was so good to meet her in person.  I also met Jo, and Heather.  There were 11 or 12 of us so I didn't catch everyone or know all of their blogs (who *doesn't* blog in the adoption community?!)  Most had adopted from China, but there were some other journeys represented, as well.  We discussed prayer requests and our children and adoption.  I listened, and spoke and was uplifted.  I saw strong women who have been through multiple surgeries with their special needs kids, women who had to bury children, and women, like me, who are feeling the ache for the child they do not yet know and are weary of the wait, yet full of faith for the perfection of God's plan.

As Eric and I are about to hit the 20 month mark (on Christmas day!), I feel less optimistic and a bit more discouraged now that we are on our 3rd Christmas with the passion for this child in our hearts yet no tangible evidence of her.  You have all said that I've remained positive, that I've maintained perspective, and kept the faith.  I feel a bit like a fake, because I have been in tears a lot lately over this seemingly endless "pregnancy".  Our agency re-updated our estimated wait once again ("maybe a referral 5 months from now").  Well, that actually happened a few weeks ago, but is it really worth mentioning?!  They may extend it again and after at least 4 updated timelines, I just don't put much weight in them.  I think they are making the best guesses they know how, but things in Taiwan are just not as predictable as they once were.

So, all of that to say, it was a gift to be able to interact with mothers who get it.  I have cherished the support and encouragement and shared excitement that our friends and family have built around us these 2 1/2 years since being called to adopt- so please don't take offense.  But, it just felt so good to state the facts and not have to *explain* a thing; the women at that table were in the same spot as me or had been there recently and survived!

I will certainly do everything I can to show up at Cracker Barrel next month, with no make-up, at 6:30am!  Thank you, ladies, for welcoming me in so nicely.  Oh, and thank you to the anonymous person at Cracker Barrel who PAID FOR OUR BREAKFAST.  No joke- the whole tab!  What a lovely treat.

In other adoption news:

-bookmark Sarah and Kevin's blog and keep an eye on it these next two weeks- they are IN TAIWAN and will be getting Hannah Claire before year's end!

-go here and leave an encouraging comments for Steven and Mary Beth Chapman.  Today is 7 months since the death of Maria Sue and the Christmas season is yet another hurdle to clear in the process of grief and healing.

No Hands But Ours

Little Owen's fundraiser is over, so I have removed his button in the sidebar.  Thank you to everyone who contributed, and congratulations to the winners of the drawing!  Their family was able meet (and exceed!) their goal, and send off a sizable amount to the Elison project.  And, if that wasn't good enough news, the same day the fundraiser finished, Rebecca and Andy received their LOA (I believe this stands for Letter of Approval) which is one of the last hurdles to them getting to Owen.  Their wait is nearly over and they should travel in January!  Congratulations!

And, I know I'm a bit late to the game, but please congratulate my Taiwan adoption buddies Kevin and Sarah who have waited patiently enough for Miss Hannah Claire!  They started this whole journey with our agency about a month and a half before us and will be traveling before year's end!  I can not wait to see this tiny sweetpea in their arms!

Please check out No Hands But Ours.  This is the new button in the sidebar.  Wonderful information about Waiting Child/ Special Needs adoption in China!  A helpful, encouraging, and meaningful site. 

Owen

Last chance.  I just noticed that REBECCA IS ONLY $500 FROM THEIR GOAL!!!!  You've got a little time left to help them with their fundraiser and possibly win a prize!

China and Taiwan

Article here.

I wonder what the political climate will be like in the coming year and how this will affect our adoption from Taiwan, if at all.  I also wonder what the average Taiwanese person feels about the relations between Taiwan and mainland China, as this article would have one believe that Taiwan can't stand China, and that China is ready to step in and take over Taiwan in the near future.

Having family across the ocean in England, I know first hand that news received from such large distances rarely gives the full picture.  I can remember growing up in Southern California and having an earthquake hit.  Shortly after, calls would come in from my aunts and my grandma in England because their news said "San Diego" even if the epicenter was Santa Barbara! 

So, while this may be a bit one-sided, it is worth noting that something is brewing between these two countries and I'll be interested to see how leaders handle the tensions.  And how our country aligns themselves if tensions grow.

Edited 11/18/2008:  Rachel is home!  Their fundraising blog has ended, and their normal blog is private.  Congratulations to Rachel's family!!!

Another family doing an amazing prize drawing.  I don't know them, but the are on their way to their Special Needs daughter in China this week (I think) and are deserving of a little help.  Have your Kleenex ready if you read their story and be amazed at just how small the world can be!