Feeling Thankful

I am really thankful for November. Our family has some pretty special things to remember in November. To name just a few:

1. On 15 November quite a few years ago, a baby girl was born in Taiwan. She grew up to become Alex's birthmother. I am thankful for the choices she made that allowed Alex to join our family.

2. On 21 November 1995, Callie was born to us. She has become a lovely, sweet young lady. I am blessed to be her mother.

3. On 26 November 2002, we saw pictures of Laura for the first time. We loved her before we met her, and we love her even more now. We surprised our family with news of our referral at Thanksgiving that year.

4. On 19 November 2003, a beautiful baby girl was born in China. Almost a year later on November 15, we saw pictures of her for the first time. Spunky Amy adds so much joy to our family.

5. On 15 November of this year, Alex was blessed (christened). Though it was not planned for this reason, I think it quite significant that he was blessed on his birthmother's birthday. I am thankful that all his grandparents were present to witness this special event.

6. This Thanksgiving, we will host Leigh's family at our house, and I am thankful that Leigh's parents have health that allows that to come, and that 4 of Leigh's 6 siblings will also be here. I am thankful for the blessing of family.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Making a List and Checking it Twice

My radio station has started playing Christmas music, so I may have a little Santa on the brain. However, my list has nothing to do with what we'll find under the tree. When you adopt, there are long lists of documents you have to compile to apply for adoption, and there are long lists of requirements you have to meet. When we finally check off everything on the list and send your paperwork overseas, we heave a sigh of relief and have a reprieve from worrying about the lists. Then the referral comes, and there are more lists of things to get done. When travel notice comes, there's another long to do list. In the country, there's another list of things to complete And finally, we have Alex on the plane for home, and he is all ours... but wait. Yes, he's ours, but there are still things we have to do to "prove it" and there's still someone looking over our shoulder. There's ANOTHER LIST! But once we finish that list, Alex is really ours!

I am happy to say that, as of yesterday, I have just two more items on that list.

1. Add Alex to insurance--check
2. Complete readoption--check
2. Get US birth certificate--check
3. Have first post-placement visit and submit paperwork and photos--check
4. Get US passport to prove citizenship--check
5. Have Alex sealed to us in the temple--check
6. Have second post-placement visit and submit paperwork and photos--check
7. Apply for Social Security card using that new passport.--check

8. Have Alex blessed (christened)--scheduled for Nov. 15
9. Have final post-placement visit and submit paperwork and photos.--scheduled for January

I hope I'm not missing anything! Maybe I'd better check my list twice, just in case!