Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Jumpin into 2009!

The New Years Gang
(My brother Dave, Obie, my sister Joan, Devi Me,
my dad's friend Gail, dad, and Pat)

Uncle Bill teaching Devi how to blow a New Year's horn

Following tradition, we again "jumped" into the New Year. I jumped from the recliner, Pat jumped from the other recliner and Devi, well, she still can't manage to stay awake past 7:30pm. The clock continued to tick away the seconds, but at that one precise moment, one year ended and a new one began. Even after sleeping on it, I am usually overcome with the feeling that I have fallen behind in my list-of-things-to-accomplish or have an overwhelming sensation of longing for something or someone. This year, I awoke on New Year's day feeling refreshed with a clean slate and a sense of calm to enjoy each new day as it comes. Breathing in a slow fresh long breath, I am ready! Okay, so there is this one small urge to clean all the closets out...purge...if you will, but this is normal, everyone feels that, right?

The day after New Year's also marks the day that our I-800A form left our agency and found it's way into the capable hands of the postman in route to the US Department of Homeland Security to see if we are fit to parent another child. This is one giant step that we are glad to have accomplished. Now we wait for an appointment to have yet another set of fingerprints taken. I assure you, they are pretty much the same as the last several times they have been taken, but I am willing to comply, yet one more time. In a moment of shock, a conversation I had today with the India program director of Journeys of the Heart left my heart pounding in my throat as she said to expect a referral of child #2 in 6 - 12 months. This has me flabbergasted as we were expecting a wait of at least 18 months or more, like the anticipation we endured waiting to hear news of our precious DeeDee. We, or course, are guardedly optimistic, as time lines in International adoption are nothing short of unpredictable and tend to go long rather than short. And frankly, we are not yet ready...with one child still in a crib and not yet fully potty trained! Egads!!

Devi funnies and notables for year end 2008:

Quote: Mommy and Daddy are discussing and praising Devi's successful trip to the big girl potty. Daddy asks mommy, "Did she go #1 or #2?" Devi responds for mommy, "I went #16!"

Year end accomplishments: by the end of the Christmas holiday, Devi can sing all the words/sounds of Jingle Bells, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Development: Devi has recently entered the phase of discovering emotions: I scared, I happy, I goofy, I sad, You hurt my feelings. She also nows almost all the days of the week.

New favorite food: shrimp dipped in cocktail sauce sharing peanut butter and jelly on toast with daddy, and chips and salsa...a double dipper!

Favorite past times: pretend cooking, bath time, playing pool balls with daddy, and Kindermusik class. Ms. Lindley, her music teacher and a personal friend, has been elevated to goddess like status in our household :)

Uncle David trying to keep Devi awake until 7:30pm

Starting New Year's out right with a tea party with daddy

9 comments:

Sara said...

I love the idea of using New Year's to start over and happily anticipate the blessings to come...Congrats on getting rid of the I800A form. Hope things move in just the right time for y'all. :)

Fenwick 5 said...

WOW 6-12 months,that is great.HAPPY NEW YEAR.I feel the same about just taking one day at a time and being more relaxed.I hope you get your FP done soon.I hope u don't have pinky troubles like me,LOL- Gidget

Eric and Cheryl said...

Happy New Year to your family! What great news about your referral...shocking but good. Hasn't our weather been incredible? Very weird for the NW. I love the snow but I was done with it after our last bit on Sunday night. I am with you, ready to move into 2009 refreshed and at peace with life.

I have been much happier with our agency since the discussion I had with "L" and have had good communication with "K". I feel like they are really trying to make it better for us. :)

Blessings!

Peter and Nancy said...

Great news about the shorter referral wait! (Potty training notwithstanding.) And I love the emotion language . . . one of Anya Rashi's first sentences was "Daddy happy." I love it! Happy New Year to you all,
Nancy

ColleenC said...

How great would 6 months be?! As always your little princess is just adorable! Happy New Year!

Amy said...

Congrats on getting that I800 submitted - hopefully you will get those fingerprints ASAP!

Love all the pics and all of Devi's memorable moments from 08. I have to say she has great taste in food :).

Kristi W. said...

Great news about the potential referral timeline! I'm sure Devi will have the potty mastered well before baby #2 makes her grand entrance. :) How exciting to think you could see your new baby's face this year!!! Happy New Year to you and the fam. I hope this year is full of blessings for the Ross's!!! :)

Kristi

Pam said...

I just love all the quotes! #16--too cute!! Bring on the babies! We will adjust later. LOL!

Anonymous said...

Julie:
She is SO adorable! Happy New Year and I pray that all your paperwork goes through quickly and there is little sister or brother for Devi soon.
Leveta