2 more..

I really, really thought April would be the end to a long pause in referrals.  The review has taken months and it seems it will now take another 2 1/2 months until we receive another update..I don't really know what to say except that we are so sad.  It's so hard to understand why it's so hard to bring our daughter home to us.  We can feel her calling us and I want nothing more than to pick her up and tell her that she is home.  I really hope this all makes sense someday as it's breaking our hearts.  I feel so helpless right now.  The only place I can go is to trust that there is a plan in all this and that if it's meant to happen it will...how else do I process it.  I do picture our daughter well cared for wherever she is and hoping this is harder on us than it is on her.

I've spent the morning channeling my negative energy into cleaning our house. I have a feeling it will never be this clean again.  I guess that's better than the other options I could have chosen...

Here comes Peter Cotton Tail..

Happy Easter Everyone :)

This special Easter Tree is a yearly tradition that we look forward to..

Chicks made out of pinecones!

More egg dying!

Happy Egg Hunting!

Distracting Myself..

Wow..this wait is really starting to wear on me.  I was so certain we would have some good news by now..some days I find it's hard to remain positive and hopeful..I know you are coming home to us sweet one it just seems like forever since we have had good news to hold on to.  I need to tuck you in and hold your hand.

In the meantime I have been occupying myself with a hobby that allows me to escape for awhile..I make stained glass panels.  My good friend Nic introduced me to this art and I've been hooked ever since.  My grandmother made many, many beautiful quilts during her life and I always admired that about her.  I am useless with fabric but glass feels comfortable to me.  So I carry on the tradition of working with patterns and piecing things together..I just use a different medium.

I love finding old Victorian patterns and reproducing them..

A little something I am working on now for a friend who loves birds..

My next project is a mystical dragon that my boys have been asking for to hang in their bedroom window...then..I have found a beautiful African Princess pattern for a little someone special...;)

SA Outing

I enjoyed a fun evening at a local South African boutique with a friend this past weekend. Great night listening to South African music, tasting local fare and even a glass of fabulous South African wine!  I can't wait to visit this beautiful country to learn and experience all that we can about our daughters heritage.

These are some of the gorgeous Zulu beaded bracelets, and other fun things I picked up :)

check..check...double check

Well, we are now into April..we have been anxiously waiting to hear if the review on our program is finally finished.  Recently, on our adoption board many waiting families reintroduced themselves which was great as we are all gearing up to celebrate the happy news of children joining their forever families.  I find myself checking our adoption website obsessively  more often than usual to hear ..something..

My friend just came over and showed me the most adorable picture of a sweet Ethiopian babe that their family will be bringing home :))) It really made my day to feel that happy energy, the excitement to plan for the arrival of this beautiful child..sigh..it made me smile to catch a glimpse of a future playmate for our daughter.  I can't wait to share stories with our children of our time waiting for them.

The snow has melted, I think I'll order some mulch and get into the garden..better get ready as I'm told when that referral does come in, the planning is fast and furious. 

Gotcha

They asked for it. They said "Mom, you had better make it good this year..last year your April Fool's prank was lame"...mistake no.1.  I thought convincing them that Sydney Crosby switched to figure skating was pretty original...told them it was all over the news..they wouldn't admit it, but boy were they sad...So I knew I had to get them early before they were reallly expecting anything this year.  First preparation: switch main clock back 2 hours. Next: listen for Slamster to stir and watch silently as he prepares to wake household (regular routine).  Then smile as he screams "Mom, we slept in, it's after 9:00 - School has STARTED!..poor soul, he is such a planner and time keeper, I almost felt guilty for putting him under such distress but then I reminded myself of of the high expectation they had yearned for the day before.  Slamster then dashes into the bedroom and screams at Sunny that they have to go..today is the beach dance party and they are going to be late!  Sunny is frantic infront of the mirror as he always wants time for his shower and time to perfect the left swich of his hair that Justin Bieber recently fashioned.  Backpacks, homework, balls, boots, coat and out the door they went.  I offered to drive them today (usually we walk)..I pulled up to the school carefully explaining that they are to make sure they get a late slip and apologize to their teachers..hee hee..off they went runnning up the walk to the school, as Sonny reached for the front door he heard me yell "BOYS " they turned "APRIL FOOLS".  I still crack myself up laughing when I think  of those blank stares and then the big smiles spreading over their faces.."that was awesome MOM!..but..but the clock said 9:15...?  So gullible at this tender age.  It's going to take a little more creativity for next year I am sure.  It also worries me that I am setting myself up for some pretty good pranks as these little rascals get older..I love my boys..sigh.