The Start on a Long Process

Patience. I have a lot of patience. Really I do, but not when it comes to waiting for something to happen. The problem, I believe, lies in my inability to sit still for long periods of time. After paying phone tag, I was finally able to set up the first interview with the casework, Kristi. The first meeting was set up on a Wednesday. It was two weeks away and I couldn't have been more antsy; more so than usual. 

The week of the interview, my work partner fractured her ankle and wouldn't be back to work for three weeks.  Three of us would have to fill in for her. The problem was Wednesday.  One of the nurse's was already working that day and the other, Kerry, working her other job that day. That left me. I knew that I could reschedule with Kristi if necessary, but I just wanted to get the ball rolling.  However, I couldn't let my team down either.  Luckily, Kerry was able to find someone else to cover her shift at her other job so she could work Wednesday. Thank you Kerry!

I work pretty much everyday.  I did happen to have off Tuesday and Wednesday of that week. I spent all of Tuesday flying around in a frenzy cleaning, dusting, rearranging, and baking....more so than usual. I repeated the process on Wednesday (even though there was nothing more to clean) till an hour before Kristi arrived. (I ended up sleeping on the couch till she came. I was completely pooped!) I wasn't sure what to expect. I didn't know if she would want to see our home and if she was going to inspect it. I didn't know what she was going to ask or what kind of personality she would have.  I felt our lives were in the hands of a woman I never met before! Okay, so I'm a bit theatrical!  Brian on the other hand was as cool as a cucumber. Nothing seems to phase him...ever.  Here I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off worrying about every tiny detail and he has the nerve to be relaxed and calm! How dare he! It always amazing me how Brian can let things roll off his back and take life in strides. Whereas I feel that if I don't worry and don't try to take control something bad will happen. Maybe I should take a lesson from husband.

Hmm.... If worrying doesn't add an inch to your height or years to your life, is that why I'm so short and youthful?

All of my fears and worries, like usual, were for nothing. Kristi was very warm-hearted and friendly. I got a sense that she generally cared about the children and wanted to do what was best for them. It turns out all she did was tell us about the agency and go over some of the paperwork with us. She didn't even look at any of the rooms. (Well, at least I had my chores done for the week!) We set up our next meeting two weeks from now on a Tuesday. I was just relieved to get a start on the long process. 

After our meeting, Brian and I feel much more at ease with the whole process. We really feel like this is what God wants us and to do.  We had a chat last night about the type of labels and qualities that will and will not accept. Brian made a good point that we are not running a charity; we are looking to form our family through adoption. There are so many children out there that our hearts go out to, but we know our family is not right for them. I was surprise, though, by some of the qualities that Brian was willing to accept and seemed perfectly at ease about it. I think being a teacher and being exposed to all types of children gives him a unique perspective.  We believe it comes down to the children, we won't know till met them. Nothing is set in stone yet, though.  This is the first of many talks we had about children and there will be many more. 

So, here we are in the waiting game once more. Maybe this will teach me to be patience and not to worry so much. At least this time I have tons of paperwork to keep my mind busy!