Slight Progress

I've made a little bit of progress on the adoption front this week. I sent the missing final reference letter to a friend to fill out. I also had my fingerprints taken so those can be sent in this next week, along with my background check release forms. I also have the forms that expired re-signed & ready to send to my agency. See - progress! This means we will start the homestudy soon, which is a big step in the right direction.

I think sometimes I have to remind myself of the smallest steps in the right direction in order to avoid feeling like I've failed. I know it will all happen in God's time, that every delay is going to make sure that my child & I are ready at the same time, but sometimes it still feels like I already have failed. When I started this process, I had thought I would at least have my dossier sent to Addis by now. Instead, I wait. I see families who started after me that are now waiting for their referrals. I am thrilled for them when they complete each step, but it still stings. I wish so badly that it was me. But I know it will happen, I just need to be patient a little longer. At least, that's what I tell myself something like 40 times a day.

Well, on a lighter note - how about a picture of my beautiful new niece? Since you all can't answer me, I will figure that you'd love to see her. So here you go - Lucca Marie (for those of you who don't know my family, that's my brother - her daddy)