A Day of Significance

September 2, 2008...a normal day at work. I was helping with a bingo activity at my work when one of my co-workers came over to tell me that Pat from Lifelink, our agency had called. She took my place so I could return the phone call. I was completely unassuming...I had just received a letter in the mail and a handwritten note on the top requesting our up to date email address. Pat was just calling for our email address, right? When I called her back, she asked me if I had a moment of privacy. I remember shutting the door to my office and feeling the butterflies in my stomach, my heart racing, what could she possibly have to tell me. Never in a million years did I dream that it would be the news of our son, Jay-R. I remember walking into the room and sharing the news with my co-workers and residents and someone commenting that I was trembling. I remember calling my husband at work but my co-worker actually told him the news... I was so emotional, I couldn't speak. The same with my daughter who was shopping with my mom at the time because there was no school due to Junior Fair Day. Then, we came home and shared the news with our new social worker who we had already scheduled a visit with just so she could meet us before she took over our case. It's a day we will never forget. For everyone who has received a referral, I'm sure you feel the same way. It's like those days in history...where were you when JFK was shot (not born yet) or where were you when 9/11 happened (at work). Some things you just don't forget. And for those of you waiting for referrals, your magical never to be forgotten day is coming. I pray for all of you it's soon!!!

And something else of significance...we had our last post placement visit today! Yay!!! We are one step closer. Our social worker will now prepare the 4th visit report and send it off to Lifelink our international agency who will forward the information to the Philippines. Then, we await the documents from the Philippines granting us permanent guardianship of Jay-R. Most countries finalize in the child's birth country but the Philippines finalizes in the US. So, we are hoping to go to court for finalization in October or November. The visit today went fine. Nothing really has changed. Our social worker said consistency is good.

After she left, he was a little ornery. He likes kindergarten but it leaves him sooo tired. He has picked up the phrase, "I'll kick your butt." So, he spent some time in time-out for his naughty word choices. And he was a little out of sorts all night. He and Ashleigh were nagging each other, too. So reminds me of my sister and me when we were younger! He is now tucked in bed sleeping soundly. He falls asleep in seconds now since school started. He is soo tired. We are trying to get him to bed earlier each night and keep our evenings not so busy but with an 11 year old, too, that's really hard. Tonight we had to go to the fairgrounds to help with the 4-H booth. Jay-R has no concept of what a fair is and even though I'm not a fair person, I am looking forward to sharing in his excitement of the fair next week.

Well, I think I might take advantage of this early bedtime myself!