Gladney Approval!

I have officially been approved by my agency to adopt. That felt like a long time coming. However I have been simultaneously working on my dossier and am only lacking one document that needs to come in, be notarized and sent off for authentication. Wait list is nearing— not sure what I will do when just "waiting", but its very exciting. Maybe Ill start the babies room? Not sure when I will "safe" enough or if I ever will feel "certain" enough to do that until I am flying home from Ethiopia with my baby in my arms. But thats not very realistic. I guess I will know when the time is right—  hopefully soon! 

chasing paper

Well...its been quite some time since I have posted. A lot has gone in the last several months—from moving into my new house, completing a volunteer mission in ghana, west africa, and of course, lots and lots of adoption paperwork. But I feel like I am getting somewhere today, which I think was sparked by receiving my FBI clearance and completing my home visit with my case worker last week. So I am now waiting for my home study to be edited, approved by my agency and sent to CIS in order to receive my I71-H. That will complete my dossier as well and it will be on its way for authentication. So being on the official wait list for a referral, which once seemed so far away is nearing—and im thrilled to be getting closer to that stage. No more paperwork for a while...just more waiting. The notary at M&T bank that I have befriended since I see her every other day will wonder what has happened to me. Although she now knows my whole story and looks forward to meeting my little peanut when I have him/her home.  As to be expected in international adoption, the bumps along the road has made me anxious, uncertain and worried— but I am staying focused and positive and I know that soon enough, when it is meant to be, I will be bringing home my baby from Ethiopia. Every day I am one step closer. 

i bought my house

I bought my house today! Here is where I will be bringing my little peanut home to. Very exciting step for me in this process.

my journey begins

My lifelong journey has begun. I, like many women, have wanted to have children since I was a child myself. I never imagined that I would be where I am today, 37, single, and yet to be a mother. My expectation was to be married, and to have at least 3 children by now. However, I have come to grips with the reality of "you cant always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need" (thanks Mick). I knew it was never an option to not have children. I knew, somehow, someway, I would become a mother. I have had many attempts, from adoption, to medical procedures only to end up distraught and saddened that my dream was not being fulfilled. Today I do not dwell on the past, and what didn't happen for me and why. I am very much a believer in destiny, fate and that our path unfolds for us exactly the way it was intended to. So now, I am here, and I couldn't feel more right about the decision I have made to adopt a child from Ethiopia. From the moment i researched it, I became intrigued, excited and energized. In the weeks to follow, and after endless research, I knew — this was where I am supposed to be today—and I am doing what was intended for me to do. From the need, the babies, the people, to the beautiful country of Ethiopia. I am driven now, and I will bring home my first baby from Ethiopia. When somethings feels this right I become more than just hopeful—I believe. So my journey begins— as well as all the paperwork, the waiting, the roller coaster of emotions— but most importantly, the journey begins.