.....updating some paperwork...ummmmmm

Well summer school ended today so I'm feeling free!...August is going to be a great month, I can just feel it.  Matteo and I will be officially on holidays for 3 weeks starting with the long weekend. Last summer I worked most of the summer with the exception of a short trip to Toronto to reconnect with our adoption travel families.

The job I started last year ended just after my medical procedure back in April when I was offered a teaching contract.  While I loved the other job and it provided much flexibility with working from home, my employers were not able to fulfill our arrangement of engaging my services on a full-time permanent basis with some benefits.  The company does great work and I was proud to work and design courses for them and learned a lot; however, I could not continue with the uncertainty in that position. As they get mostly government contracts, as a government town, all the changes did have some affect on their decisions and on their decision to keep postponing when I would be hired on more permanently.  So I made the decision, really in a 24 hour period when this other position came up, where  I had an interview, was offered the job 6 hours later, and then started the following Monday. I don't regret it for a second.

 Back in the classroom, I realized I really did miss teaching high school.  I loved working at home, and could be very self-disciplined, but did miss the social aspect of teaching.  Therefore I think I will continue to focus on my university teaching as well as high school and also teaching adults.

For now my teaching year has come to an end...we start up again in September...however, I may have a research contract starting in August.  My plan is to still take the 3 weeks with Matteo to just be lazy and not have to dash off in the mornings and enjoy lots of mommy and me time.....I wish our two parks were ready but they're still being worked on...but when they're done they'll be fantastic.....see photos below. In the meantime there's so much to also do in this community and other parks nearby so am looking forward to relaxing.

If my instincts are good and all the signs are not just wishful thinking, then if a referral is around the corner, I definitely want to spend as much time as I can with Matteo so that our one on one time is valued.

On Wednesday when I inquired with my agency if my other medical needed updating...it was dated from last May 2012,  I was told yes and then in a second message was told to also update a few other forms / items. Some of these forms were ones I only filled in after I had my referral for Matteo, and while no one has said anything about a referral, it is just one more reason for me to feel that a referral may just be around the corner.  So this weekend in addition to relaxing, I'll be working on these forms.....and wishing...and praying....and hoping....

...a brief visit from a dragonfly?

Okay, now I'm really getting excited....was just on my deck doing some marking when a dragonfly flew by, went to the screen, and then came back and hovered by my side for just a brief few seconds looking at me. I looked at it as if it was going to speak to me...then of course my cat noticed and was about to lurch but the dragonfly flew away!  Again, another sign, or again wishful thinking?  Have never had a dragonfly stop in mid air, so close, hover for a few seconds and then fly away!!

Really hoping of course that this was yet another sign and not just the wishful thinking part!.....

A sign or wishful thinking???

This afternoon when I went to get Matteo at preschool, he greeted me with this lovely drawing. When I took a closer look, I saw all the little dragonflies. My heart skipped a beat. He didn't actually do the drawing of the little girl but parts of it, but he definitely chose which stamp to use. There were many others to choose from but he chose the dragonfly which has been a symbol for adoption, and for Matteo's adoption.

While I waited through the adoption process and then waited to travel, I decorated his room with dragonflies and collected them.  For his baptism I used some dragonflies (that my agency sells for fundraising) attached to some candles as a bomboniere for our family and friends.

The dragonfly is a symbol on many levels.  You can see photos here.

So seeing the little dragonflies on the picture of the little girl I wondered, is this a sign? or just wishful thinking?

What do you think?

....more nibbles today....

....all day I kept getting the feeling like I should be getting something from my agency.  I kept checking email when I could but there was nothing. Before leaving I decided to check my other work email and sure enough there was a message. Nothing major to report; however, I was asked to itemize the special needs I was able to handle and/or request.  I have been approved for only a few minor special needs so was able to only check off a few.  I quickly did this and sent it back.

.....I'm trying to stay calm.

My only other experience with this process was with Matteo and when I was near a referral, I was asked to update certain items too in the few days preceding the special phone call.  

Again nothing official and on my part it can be wishful thinking but as everyone knows, even a little nibble can keep you going for days and weeks...

...So for now am trying to stay calm...did I say that already?

A nibble of news on adoption #2....

...today after enquiring with my agency if I could get an update on our status and our list placement, I did get a message letting me know that we have climbed up on the list.  No details were given as to new timelines; however, of course, it is all wishful thinking but at the same time, makes me feel like the dream is within reach.

   I am meeting on Saturday with my social worker to update the medical etc. and hopefully  that will be done in the next few weeks so that our file is ready should a referral come in at some point.  Of course I'm trying to balance my excitement with the reality that it is all still at times a throw of the dice.

   The whole adoption process is an act of faith...it is important to believe that all is possible, while trying to remain realistic.  I remember  a post I wrote just a few weeks before receiving Matteo's referral it was titled "When nothing is sure, everything is possible."....You can read it here.  I am feeling much the same these days as that post suggested.

   Tonight I'm hoping it is a good sign that just around the corner life longing for itself will change the direction of our lives once again and bring us to a place we could never even have imagined......

Matteo and mommy, first full day together.
Celebrating our family with the beauty of the South China sea.

Third anniversary or should I say third referralversary (is that a word?)

......remember it like it was yesterday!! such a wonderful memory!!  For referral photos see this page, and today...

Gratitude...

Feeling very grateful tonight!  Had some follow up tests at the end of June and met with the specialist on Thursday.  All is well and back to normal and as of Thursday I am now off all prescription medication.  My doctor also wrote me a letter for my adoption file and it has been sent off.  Hoping that this will put the adoption back on track, though I think it was never really off the track.

However so much to be thankful for. Tuesday will be the third year anniversary of Matteo's referral...such a whirlwind of emotions then (post from 2010 here) and now...timing in life is always magical.

For now just saying many prayers of gratitude and faith in God who carried us through some darkness but never without light as well!  So grateful for my family and friends who supported us.  It really does take a village to raise a child...praying my village will be blessed with raising two.

Leaving you with a referral photo of my first blessing!

Happy Canada day!

Memory photo of the first day of preschool....

....mommy is very proud, but the little one not so happy....