Well, lots has been going on at the Picker household for the last couple months. I’m sure an update is in order. Sometimes I feel like the only people that read this blog are people that we see everyday, so, unless I have something profound to say, I often forget to blog. But there may be a few others that read and would like to know what we’ve been up to. I know for sure that my grandma in Kansas reads and would like an update.
First of all, thank God for spring. I’ve always felt that there is a huge collective sigh when the weather turns warmer. At least there is here at the Picker house. Momma’s happier in the spring, and that makes everyone happier. We’ve enjoyed spending a few warm afternoons in the backyard. We’ve been on a few family walks, and Casey and I have both started running again. We’re looking forward to Casey’s and Caleb’s birthdays in April. My firstborn is going to be FOUR years old! Yikes!
On the adoption front, we got our home study and dossier turned into Holt last week. On Thursday, when our dossier was approved, we were told we were about #33 on the waiting list for a referral. A referral is when we are matched with our little girl. #33 sounded pretty good to me, and I settled down to get ready for our 4-6 month wait. Well, evidently a huge number of referrals came in this week because yesterday I found out we had jumped up to #10! We are so surprised and excited. When we adopted Josiah, we were #9 on the waiting list when we got our referral, so #10 feels like things might happen fast. Of course, everything could slow down now, and we could still wait a couple more months, but , on the other hand, it could be any day. Now, every time the phone rings, the thought crosses my mind, “Could this be it?”
I have to admit that I’ve tried hard not to get too emotionally involved in the adoption process to this point. I have known that there is a little girl out there who needs us, and who we need, who we will absolutely fall in love with, and who will be the perfect addition to our family, but I have reminded myself that I’ve got plenty to focus on at home right now with my two sweet boys. I was ready to have a nice quiet summer with Casey, Caleb, and Josiah, and possibly get a referral towards the end of the summer or even this fall.
Well, finding out that we are #10 has definitely changed my outlook. My heart is now engaged . . . can you believe it? I’m getting a baby girl! And the truth is, we could be getting a referral this spring!
Casey and I have been chatting a lot about girl names over the past few weeks, and I think we’ve just about made the choice. Casey is hesitant to commit and wants me to remind everyone that we are reserving the right to change our minds if the name doesn’t fit her sweet face or go with her Ethiopian name. But I’m pretty sure this will be it; the name we’ve chosen is: EVELYN. If you love it, let us know; if you don’t, we’d rather not hear about it. We both really wanted a pretty name, and I love the way Evelyn rolls out of your mouth. I had a great-grandmother named Evalyn, so it’s also a family name. Anyway, she is Evelyn in my heart right now, and you’re welcome to refer to her as that unless you hear otherwise.
Well, the boys are screaming, and Casey is telling me we need a family outing, so off I go!
