Some updates... here's basically a copy/paste from my adoption blog:

We've been waiting just over 5months now. Still doing well with the wait... sometimes i wonder if i'm even normal, but really, when i know there are so many families ahead of us still waiting for their referral, there's no point in getting up in knots about when it will finally be our turn. I'm guessing the wait might be more difficult as we get closer to the top of the "list" ~ perhaps?? Early on in this journey, when we shared with a couple (missionaries in Zambia) about our plans, he encouraged us to be open to what God might want to teach us along the way ~ to not get too caught up in the wait (finish line) to see what God is doing here and now along the way. I don't remember exactly what he said, but it was something like that. Wise advice that we haven't forgotten... and God IS still working in our lives.

From a practical point of view too, we have plenty to keep busy with ~ and we are trying to maximize this time to help Brenden with his special needs as well. Program is going quite well with him.

Babysitting will probably be slowing down some in the next few weeks. The lady i babysit for has one week of full-time left, and then she'll be down to one day/week. (Apparently anyway ~ things don't always actually end up as she says ~ lol). I've wondered about whether or not to look for more children to care for... not sure yet. I still haven't completely put the idea of foster children out of my mind ~ but Jonathan & the kids still don't seem very interested, and it probably doesn't make sense to start now, not knowing when we will get a referral, and not wanting to disrupt a placement, but wanting to be able to give 100% to adoption when the time does come. By the time we get through the required training... well, really there are probably enough good reasons to not pursue it at this point.

In an effort to de-clutter, i dug up some boxes that have been in storage for a long time. I'm not sure if you could call me a pack-rat for this, or just a bit sentimental, but i've saved many of my letters and notes from Bible school days. That among other "memories" from my growing up years. I read a few of these, and had a brainwave... one box (i think) is just letters/notes between Jonathan & I, so i've brought them up to our bedroom, and now every night (almost every night) we're reading a few of these notes and letters. It's been fun reliving those memories...

Oh, right... we heard back from our social worker on Friday night. She's ok with doing the update for our revised request. We're planning to sign this next week. Our request is for a sibling group between 6 months to 6 years with at least one female. Preference for the older child to be female unless both children are under 4 years, then no preference who is older.

Last week when i wasn't feeling the greatest, i was having some anxious thoughts about the changes, but i'm so much more at peace about it again. It's kind of crazy how i allow my emotions to be affected by how i'm feeling ~ i think this is an area God is trying to teach me to live above/beyond my circumstances (think "through/past" the "feelings" and live in the reality of life in HIM).

Ok, i AM getting somewhere today, so i better try to keep up the momentum ~ i'm actually cleaning out this room of all the stuff that's basically in "storage" in here. I'm hoping to make it a more functional room (besides just "computer room" ~ and at that, almost a maze to get to the computer). I'm not babysitting today (they had an appointment today so i got the day off)... so trying to maximize again :-)