It's that time again when I make my blog posting after way too much has happened to do the stories justice..Oh well, when I have more time (HA!), perhaps I'll get better at this thing. I am realistic enough to know that life will never slow down as much as I wish it would.
So, the last time we posted, I shared about all the stuff up until October. I guess two months isn't THAT bad...
First things first, our adoption. We sent off the dossier toward the beginning of November, and when they received it our agent, Jimbo, said that everything looked good. I think that is not normal because everyone we've talked to along the way (our social worker who did our homestudy and Jimbo regarding the whole process) has said that it's very highly likely that they (meaning the powers that be) will probably need something else or that we may not have everything in proper order, etc. Well, I'm proud to say that, yes, we did have everything, the first time through, and the dossier should (hopefully) just now be in the translation process.
Jimbo also told us that the Mongolian adoption committee has put a "pause" on all incoming applications for the time being, in order to clear out the pipeline of those who have been waiting. They're hoping to open it back up sometime in February or March, and have a "tweaked" plan in progress to speed up the process on their end. Jimbo said not to quote him on this, but I'll just say that when Gary asked him if he had any idea of how long it would take, once the new process was in place, he said that he hoped it would be closer to 6-12 months. (Here's hoping and praying!!)
Please be praying for us in this waiting time. I have been telling people all along the way that the waiting isn't "that bad" mainly because Gary and I are staying SOOOOO busy. But what I really want to say is, "Yeah, it's hard. It's hard to see these other babies and not want to go up and love all over them, without their parents thinking we're psycho. Yeah, it's hard when I am around a group of women and the topic of conversation goes on and on and on about their kids and horrible or wonderful things that they are experiencing with them. Yeah, it's even harder when I'm around another group of women who are sharing all their woes or joyous experiences about being pregnant or their birth stories." Yeah, it's hard. But you can understand why I usually just stick with the, "It's really not that bad...we're just staying really busy" (*looking off to the side...*) So, in order to not make anyone feel uncomfortable in asking me how the adoption process is going, please don't feel bad, but understand that overall, it's an AMAZING journey. But it's not without just a small taste of despair. I watch the Adoption Stories show usually bawling my eyes out the whole entire time, thinking, "That's gonna be US!! We're gonna get there someday."
We recently got U-Verse installed in our home. It's been good, but I'm honestly having second thoughts. If we're not busy enough, add on to it the "need" to catch up on our recorded shows. We haven't gone to bed this late in a really long time, and I honestly think that watching TV has just added one more thing to our busy lives. That sounds strange, but I just don't multi-task very well, so watching TV is watching TV, and nothing else. I'm just not sure if I want to keep it... Those of you out there who are used to watching TV, bless you. I just don't know how you do it. Plus the fact that I just despise commercials, so if it's not recorded, it's torturous for me. I usually change the channel and flip through other shows while the commercials are on, which, I KNOW bugs the crap out of Gary...
I'm supposedly on "vacation" now...which means I'm still working...don't know what I think about that. Having gone from 16 years of being a student in school, to teaching for 6 1/2 years now, I'm used to having my summers and a couple of weeks at Christmas off. I don't know what I think about this "working" up until Christmas Eve, and then hitting the ground running as soon as I get back from vacation...I've spent the last few months being so tired after a long day's work, and I just don't know if I want to do it again next semester. Hmm...pray for me in that, if you could. I think I'm beginning to know what "running on fumes" really means. I have no idea how I survived college. Really.
Let's see...in November, we went camping with two other couples, the Dowdens and the Coles, and had a blast. The weather was absolutely perfect for the entire weekend, and it was just nice to hang out and do nothing for a couple of days, while still catching up with good friends.
We spent some time Thanksgiving weekend with both of our families. This was a very special time with the Luedeckes. Gary's brother Craig and his girlfriend Amanda were there in Cuero with us, and it just felt nice and cozy with all six of us there. Then spending a couple of days in San Antonio, shopping with my little sister and hiking with her and my mom was fun.
Next week is Christmas. Gary's off for the week, which will be really nice to be home together. We're spending Christmas Eve/Day with his parents and nephew Ashton, and then we'll have a couple days alone together, and then we'll head to San Antonio. We're leaving for Hawaii with my folks for a week, and then will be back to start it all over again at the beginning of January. Gosh, I know I'm overworked because I can't even enjoy the fact that we're going to HAWAII!! Sheesh. Yeah - a trip of a lifetime, good quality time with my family, and just a time to get away from everything here...okay, so it's sounding so much more positive. I've really struggled with the reality that I'm going to have so much to do when we get back. But I know that it is going to be SOOOOO good to be away from the craziness of life as I've known it for the last four months. Praise God for respites like the one coming up.
Alright, here are a few pictures from the last couple months.
I went with some girls from church to Canton, TX. If you've never heard of it, you've gotta look it up. It's a big up-scale flea market type place. Good stuff for low prices. It was such a blast going there, but it was absolutely freezing. That was the weekend it snowed in Houston, but the snow took a detour around Dallas and missed us. However it was still in the 30's while we were there. We got up and left Spring at 5am, got there as the sun was coming up around 8, shopped all day (with numb faces and fingers, mind you), went out for Mexican that evening on our way to the hotel. The next morning, we went back to another section of the Trade Days (the name of the market) for about an hour and then ran out of gas on our way home. Made for a very exciting trip and such a fun time away with friends. I look forward to doing it again next year (perhaps a little earlier in the year)...
This past Sunday, we took a group of singers to the downtown Methodist Hospital. We carolled in the hallways of the Cancer wing and the digestive disorders floor. It was a good way to spread the cheer to those in need, and a good reminder of how blessed we truly are to not be there during this Christmas season. Thank you, Lord.
Here's a picture of my family (the Kruses) the evening after Thanksgiving. Good times with beautiful people.
Here's another picture of the Luedeckes in Cuero. This was a wonderful time to spend with our family.
