Random Thoughts

First of all, I want to thank you all for your words of encouragement about the delay in our referral due to the MOE's vacation. I just wanted to whine a little bit and it was nice to hear it was okay to have a pity-party for myself. I can see the irony in the situation: I was thinking about delaying a referral until the end of summer, then as I embrace traveling sooner we encounter this setback which puts us back to traveling closer to the time that I initially wanted. I realize it all comes down to a control issue. I'm trying to exert some control on a situation where I have NONE.
It's so frustrating and I feel like I keep banging my head into a wall over and over again. But I know when I have HotDog in my arms, all of the anxiety will fade away.

In the meantime, I'm having a great time with my boys. We had a wonderful Easter, although it was exhausting. We seriously need several days of recuperation after major holidays. Between visiting our various families, waking up early, no naps, and M on a major sugar buzz all day (I swear the kid was running laps around the house and giggling like a maniac from all of the candy), I just want to curl up in bed for a few days. But it is always great to hang out with family and to experience the holidays through the boys' eyes.

As for the recent USA Today article regarding Russia shutting down international adoptions, I don't have much to say. We've had several friends email us asking what this means for our adoption. While it's true that the last accreditations for adoption agencies have expired, it does not mean that adoptions will come to a halt. Our agency is processing its clients as independent adoptions and most of the regions in which they work are fine with this. This shouldn't have much of an impact on our adoption, as our region is one of those that will continue to process adoptions (yeah!!!). I'm so, so sad for the other PAPs that are having to continue waiting until this mess is settled.

Also, big changes in store for our household. Stu just accepted a new job! I questioned the timing of this (who starts a new job when they know they'll be traveling to Russia for several weeks in the near future??) and pouted about the changes in paperwork that are needed to indicate the new position, it is a great job with a big raise and new challenges. This also means that I will quit my job and be a SAHM for the forseeable future. I currently work part-time (2 days a week/10 hours a day) as an editor. While it's not the most exciting of jobs (I edit tax and accounting journals), I've been here since I graduated from college and they provide excellent benefits and are so flexible with my schedule. I also really enjoy getting into the grown-up world on those two days. However, between the boys starting school in the fall and bringing HotDog home, I think my plate is going to be a little too full to continue with the current arrangements. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that we're finally to the point where I can stay at home and devote all of my time/energy to the kiddos, I'm also terrified that I'll lose my mind. Does that make sense?
(*Edited to add that I reread this and it sounded like I am not that happy with Stu taking this new job. On the contrary, I am absolutely thrilled and so proud of him. I think it's a big step in his career and he absolutely deserves it. I just hesitated with the timing of it all. But we'll work around that. Yeah Stu!!!)

One thing is for sure, life is never boring around our household.