A Little Update

Just a little update...
Life is moving along and we're already in April!  March was full of friends and work and swimming lessons and conferences.  We celebrated Chris' 42nd birthday a little early with a surprise Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy themed party, said "see-you-later" to the sweetest of friends, welcomed dearest friends Bill, Amy & Liam for a long visit over Easter, are soaking up these lovely warm weather days spending lots of time outside, and are feeling so very blessed.


And now for the exciting news:  We are officially home study approved! 
 “And what exactly does this mean?” you might ask.


 It means that our profile can be shown to expectant parents as they consider adoption and choose adoptive parents for their child.  It also means that I need to finish our profile on Shutterfly and get them ordered ASAP!


 Annie Update
One of our greatest joys is watching our sweet girl learn and grow and develop into this incredibly independent little being.  We are constantly amazed by her heart and her compassion and empathy for others, old and young.  My favorite moments are listening to her pray at meals and before bed each night and the different people she remembers and prays for. 


A few weeks ago, Chris and I headed up to the Bethany office to complete our second home study/visit.  It consisted of lengthy individual interviews with both of us and we knew Annie would have more fun at home, and get to bed on time, if we left her with a sitter.  Our dear friend Bev came out to watch her.  Annie was not happy with us leaving and I shared with her that we were going to spend some time talking to Miss D about getting her a baby brother or sister (she is insisting on a sister, but will be thrilled with either, I think).  Later in the evening I called to check on her and she asked, "You bringing my baby home?"  I told her we were working on it but no baby yet.


For Chris' birthday last week, Julie, Annie's beloved Sunday school teacher and our friend, gifted us with a date night - dinner, a movie, and free babysitting!  Since this Saturday is our date night, I was telling Annie that Miss Julie was going to come and play with her.  Knowing that she is having some separation anxiety issues, I was treading lightly.  Here's out that conversation went:


Me:  Wouldn't it be fun to have Miss Julie come to our house on Saturday?
Annie: (thinking)
Me:  I bet Miss Julie would love to play with you and maybe go to the park.
Annie:  (very skeptical) Are you two going to leave (meaning me and Chris)?
Me:  (trying to avoid a freak out) Well, we could play for a while too, and then maybe...
Annie:  You and Daddy should go get me my baby. 


I had to laugh when I realized she had connected the dots between the last time she had a babysitter and this time!