23 May 2010

Day Four Through Day Umpteen

Here's the latest Adoption Progress Report from Bright Street:
  • Got a replacement Social Security card and copied it for the agency so now my background can be checked for criminal activity. (Glad to know this will not include reports from the Fashion Police.)
  • Have heard from a few people that requests for character referencs and official inquiries are being made about us.
  • We've been given the key to the front door of the LDS Family Services adoption site. The key won't turn in the lock yet (some strange password issue we're waiting to have resolved), but soon we'll be working our way through the next round of paperwork, online this time.
  • We have been assigned an actual case worker. Her name is Paige. We have our first meeting with her this Tuesday. Every time I think of it my stomach does tuck and roll.
  • My mum-in-law gave me a beautiful black mantilla which belonged to Rob's great-grandmother, Josie. Josie wore it while she was pregnant with Rob's maternal grandmother, Daphne. I love Grandma Daphne very much, and was privileged to live near her in the last years of her long good life. She once made a present of a piano to me, her mother Josie's. I was shocked, and still am. But there it stands, in the living room of a novice pianist, adored. Now I feel really honored to have this mantilla, especially as we try to move through this journey of growing our family. I wore it on Friday to the temple. It felt beautiful around my shoulders, like support, like protection, like knowing, like grace.
  • It seems that I've been given a magic looking-glass. It's no circus mirror like the one I've made a long habit of staring at; this new glass shows accurate dimensions. Each time my attention's been directed to peer into it these past couple weeks, I've been shown something important about myself. None of it's been pretty, which is to say that this is not a mirror invested in flattery or petting; I see the shape of things now and what's possible (that's the more appealing part which keeps me willing to continue studying). The first good look I took made me go quiet, stopped me cold. I've got a blog post that ventured halfway into that particular vision; I really meant to write it all, but it got too intense to publish and I had to let it go. I do take comfort in the fact that something in me is apparently ready to receive such information and not bolt. Anyway, each look has been different; one that happened on Friday night was really fascinating. I got to observe and help someone else going through a personal crisis, and got all sorts of understanding. I got my lesson and a satisfying twist of irony. I don't mean to skip over stories here, but it doesn't feel right to elaborate further. I'll just say the glass and I had an eventful weekend. 
  • (And just in case you're wondering, I do equate the last bullet point with adoption progress.)
  • On the 17th I decided to start a scripture-reading program. Five chapters a day will see me through the entire Standard Works  in a year's time. For me, an important aspect of parenting is being able to teach from the scriptures as well as from life and nature and all good sources. That means I gotta know my stuff. Or at least be better acquainted with my stuff. Or simply be in the habit of finding my stuff. So, I downloaded some handy-dandy bookmarks to track my reading, and right now I'm working on the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament. I'm enjoying the time, and it goes by quickly. To keep myself moving forward—march, march, march—I'm simultaneously reading and listening. Makes for an interesting experience. Sometimes it's useful to hear a different delivery than the one that speaks out in my own head. Also, with two senses engaged at once it's easier to keep my mind focused. I've had a tough time with that lately—a result of anxiousness, I'm sure. 
  • I'm de-hoarding the basement. Construction will soon follow. 
  • We had our dandelions treated. Obliterated. So our neighbors will be like us better and not hold our future children for ransom (their single demand: "Kill the weeds!"). Mind you, I'm a great believer in dandelions as a concept (and they make excellent tea), but I'm not as recklessly anti-social as one might think. I do love my neighbors. And their tidy nice-people lawns. 
  • I'm dusting off a colorful blankey project I started last time I was pregnant. Man, is it pretty. And I find I can look at it again now without too much emotional kickback. I'm going to finish the thing, whatever happens.
  • I'm gearing up to become an early morning person, as of tomorrow. Wish me luck. Now, goodnight.

14 comments:

Chemical Billy said...

I'll be a morning person with you, Geo my dear!

c-dub said...

my dear, i think your excellent character AND your impeccable sense of taste would protect you even from the fashion police.

best wishes!!

Suzanne said...

Not all children are morning people. I never had one. So, you can hope.

Geo said...

Auntie Billy, let's do it.

CW, you're a love.

Suzanne, I am proof enough of that assertion. Although I used to be a 5:30 a.m. riser in school Those days are a long way off.

Jamie said...

oh, darling, this is just beautiful. i am so happy for you. i liked the dandies when I was your neighbor. also, i have had a similar mulit-sense experience readin gmy Ensign along with watching the conference on my dvr-helps me focus, too. yesterday i listened to elder perry again (to finish up the last of my visit teaching today) and your scripture bullet point reminded me of his talk, and also how i and most of the sisters i was close to in the mtc had been prompted to come serve so we could be better gospel teachers to our future children. so go , geo! love you! (ps: maybe i can come to your knitting school this summer. i have zero patience for such things, but maybe it's time for me to learn).

Dr. Srtockton said...

A morning person (says he, who is late starting his 20 mile commute)?

As others have mentioned, not all kids are early risers.

It takes an artillery barrage to get my daughter out of bed. Always has been that way.

Lois said...

My nephew and his wife are going through the same adoption procedure, so it's nice to hear it from two sources. Good luck with everything! We love you!

Becca said...

sounds like progress.

Geo said...

James, knitting school will welcome you with open arms and extra needles. I'm actually writing a story right now about dandelions, and I've started making them from yarn. I think I relate too much to them.

Dr. S, the early rising is really more about carving out a predictable time to take care of my own quiet things. I figure on the early schedule I'll be better prepared to meet the day and its noise.

Lois, thanks! Seems like there should be a support group for anxious wannabes like us.

Becca, wait till you hear the next.

Mary said...

Oh, visiting with the social worker is one of my very vivid memories of the process--very scary to anticipate but mostly anticlimatic. I believe she reprimanded me for having a lamp cord out where potential baby could snag his or her hapless self but otherwise felt I was reasonably wholesome and harmless. I am certain the visit will go well for you and cannot wait to hear!

Joe said...

The magic looking glass. You said enough, just the right amount.

Thanks for that gift.

Jamie said...

anxiously awaiting an update! hope all is well. talked to heidi yesterday, feeling so excited for lots of buchert (egan/smith) time this summer! xo

Carrot Jello said...

My brother and his wife just adopted their son in January through LDS family services.
So happy for you. :)

Geo said...

Mary, fortunately we are not yet haggling over power cords. It was just our first interview with the case worker. After we get another slew of info sorted out, we'll have our one-on-one interviews with her, and then in time the power cord chat. Ugh. The home check is the one that's going to be work to prepare for. Ugh. (Did I say that already?)

Joe, you left a comment on my blog! I am honored! You're welcome. I'm always glad to share analogies.

Jamie, won't it be a great reunion!

Carrot, I can't get enough of the stories now that I'm on the bandwagon. Do tell, if you're so inclined.