Ups and downs

On Friday, our caseworker called to tell us about a potential adoption situation.  The caseworkers have to call adoptive couples to explain any difficulties in the situation and to get specific approval to show the profile (photos, a letter to birth moms, and information about our family) to the potential birth mom.  In the past 16 months since we have been approved by LDS Family Services, this has happened four times for us.  There are other ways to be chosen by birth moms, but that will have to wait for another post.  Anyway, the caseworkers try to get about 10 couples that they feel would be a good match for the birth mom, and then they show the profiles to her.  In two of the situations that we were called about, we knew that it wasn't the right situation for us.  In the other two, we felt like it would be a great thing if those birth moms chose us.  So, this call on Friday was one of the good ones.  We really liked what we heard about this birth mom and baby.  We gave our approval and then waited about 24 hours to finally hear that she had chosen someone else.  It's really hard not to get your hopes up in these situations.  I mean, if you don't get excited about a potential adoption, than you must not be that excited about adoption in general, I think.  Or maybe I'm just more emotional than most people.  Anyway, I was disappointed.  I was so happy when I got an email from my friend Jill reminding me that she was coming to pick me up to take me to the Relief Society Broadcast.  As I sat there surrounded by friends in that meeting, I was overwhelmed by the love and support that I feel from these good women in my neighborhood.  After the meeting, I came home and started feeling sad again.  You know how everything always seems worse in the middle of the night?  Well, I couldn't sleep, and I woke up with a migraine.  I get migraines now and again, especially when I've been under a lot of stress.  Now that my migraine is subsiding, I'm left with a peaceful feeling that it's still in the Lord's hands, and He is aware of our situation and loves us.  I still don't know when that wonderful day when we get THE phone call will come, but I'm confident that it will happen when it's supposed to happen. 

Happy Birthday to my Party Animal!

Benjamin LOVES parties!  He has been talking about his birthday for MONTHS.  But when it came right down to it, he had a really hard time deciding what he wanted to do for his party.  As he said, "There are so many fun choices!"  Among the possibilities were Chuck E. Cheese, Pirate Island, and Jumpin' Jacks.  Finally, last week Benjamin decided it had to be Jumpin' Jacks.  Jumpin' Jacks is one of those places with inflatable slides and bounce houses to play on.  We took several of his friends from school (and Daniel and two cousins) with us.

Here's the biggest slide they've got:

One of the best parts (for me) was having chocolate cake there, and then being able to just walk away from all of the crumbs ground into the floor.  Also, it was a Saturday, but we had the place mostly to ourselves.  Thanks, Benjamin for choosing a great venue for the party!

Of course, being Benjamin, one party was hardly enough.  He also wanted to have some family (particularly his grandparents) over for pizza and more partying.

 

Just so you don't get the wrong idea and start thinking that we totally spoiled him, I have to mention that we gave him the choice of either a big (i.e. somewhat expensive) party or a big present (we still got him  a couple  of inexpensive presents).  He preferred to party.  He did get some nice presents from his friends and family that he was really excited about.  Also, Benjamin is just a really sweet, thankful kid who appreciates what he gets, so I think it would be difficult to actually spoil him.  And even more than the presents, Benjamin  loved being showered with attention by the people that he loves.  Thank you to everyone who helped Benjamin have such a fabulous 7th birthday!