"Fore"-Um

So we have been checking our forum, that links us to other families adopting through CHSFS, pretty frequently lately. This week we found out that 3 families received referrals (with two being in front of us). So right now we are sitting tied in 1st on the unofficial "Waiting List". I will quote an email from my friend Becky... "Yowza!" Pretty exciting stuff.

My great friend Maira had mentioned that she attempted to check out the messages posted on our forum, but couldn't find the link. So here it is : http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/chsfsforums?forum=25122

You should find some interesting topics regarding Ethiopian adoptions and updates on the latest "news" in the CHSFS community. Not sure if this will always get you to today's post... let me know. It has been a constant on our computer lately!

By the way, Maira's husband Peter is our model in the photo above.

Boat Ride, Monkeys and a Poem

I have to say that the weekend following the 15th was a wonderful respite. We detached our phones from our hips and hands while we enjoyed "lake time" at the cabin and a wonderful Father's Day. The picture shown above, was taken during a wind-down dinner on the pontoon boat, the evening of the 15th. A nice way to relax after a couple of intense days.

We returned to Milwaukee on Saturday to visit with my parents, who came up for Father's Day celebrations. They took us to Knickerbocker's Osteria, where we enjoyed some super Italian cuisine. We then had a nightcap at Mo's - but should have brought the remote control to turn down the band's rehearsal attempts. The pictures below are from our downtown Milwaukee evening stroll. My parents also have some great pictures of our Sunday trip to the Milwaukee Zoo. Everybody knows (or at least my mom does) that you have to hit the zoo when you are "expecting." So did our tour. Michael and my father even got in free since they are dads and/or dads-to-be. It think the ticket lady was a bit confused by this proposal.

So here is Part II of the poem I had previously put on the blog. It is once again written by a "waiting mom" from our CHSFS forum...

June 15 has come and gone

But this is not the end of the song

A few more referrals is what we need

Send s'more with lightening speed!

September is too long to wait

These babies need to know their fate!

Mommies and daddies with phones close by

Want to jump lists and breath a big sigh!

So referrals come on, we don't ask much

It's simply our children we're longing to touch!

The courts are closing, we understand

But a couple more referrals need to land in our hands!

Still Waiting

Well the date of July 15th has come and gone but hope is not lost for a referral in the next week or two. We talked with our agency on Friday and they told us we are in the top 5 on the official list and there is a chance we can get a call soon! So we will keep our fingers crossed and we will keep you updated!

What to Pack

When a couple is about ready to deliver a baby, they need to make sure that the bag for the hospital is packed and ready to go. The contents would include things like an outfit or two to bring the baby home in, a camera, phone book, etc...

Last night I was up (for way too long) thinking about what needs to be done to prepare for our delivery of the referral - AKA "The Call". This is what Michael & I need to pack:
1. Cell phone holster, necklace, wristlet - the phone will not be far away from here on out
2. Programmed #'s for our local social worker and CHSFS, to be sure we answer if the Caller ID shows these names
3. Each other's cell phone #'s, in writing (since I hear that these solidly memorized pieces of information are easily forgotten once the social worker calls)
4. Instructions for how to work three-way calling, so we can both hear the first news of our baby together
5. Many tissues, need I explain why?

I will start packing the bag today!!!

List Update - #7!!!

Well with two days to go before the June 15th deadline, there were 5, yes 5, referrals today. There had only been 1 referral over the past three weeks. So we had basically given up hope that we would be getting our referral before June 15th. With all of the referrals, we are up to #7!!! Now there is a chance is they are squeezing people in before the deadline.

So we shall see if we get the big news in the next couple of days.

We will keep you updated!!!

Michael & Michele

Sweet Surrender

Another fun weekend to document! I enjoyed spending time in Madison with good friends, whom I worked with at NBT. We named the weekend's theme "Sweet Surrender" (after the scent of my Ban deodorant) and the title rang true. It was a wonderful sunny Saturday to spend hanging out on the terrace, strolling through the farmers' market and checking out the boutiques' sidewalk sales. Good discussions, food and accommodations (thanks Dara) were found. The above picture was taken inside UW's Union... the multicultural mural was our inspiration! The girl we found to take the picture had a good laugh at our antics.

The poem that follows was written by a woman who is on the waiting list at CHSFS. She posted it on the forum after the 2 week dry spell of "no referrals". It brought a smile to my (#12) face...

These mamas and daddies have waited too long
So it is time for a little referral song...
June 15th is coming up soon
We need a little Christmas in June!
Fifteen or Twenty referrals will do
Let the forum light up with "we got ours too!"
Get these kiddo's though court, before it's too late
Too few referrals we really would hate!
Patience has ended, the wait far too long,
So bring on referrals and we'll end our silly song!

Summer Fun

Last weekend was a wonderful, yet exhausting, kick off for summer. It started on Thursday with having Erin, Aunt Diane and Uncle Mike over for an impromptu dinner party and porch cocktails. We had some great conversation into the late night/early morning hours. Friday was spent fireside at George & Dara's house - wonderful friends and neighbors who we'll be sad to see soon moving. Saturday we mustered up more energy to go to Dominique and Fernando's for their annual Memorial Day party. Lots of fun there as usual and so much fun seeing the numbers at the party grow with the addition of new kids every year. On Sunday we headed to Twin Lakes for our sister Erin's 30th birthday party. She had 40-some people over, many of whom are great cooks... and as you can see below SUPER dancers! We were able to have a quick "Living on a Prayer" dance lesson with some new blood.

Wait-wise, there hasn't been too much new movement ahead of us in line. We are currently behind 12 other families (AKA #13). In two weeks we will be going to a "Waiting Party" with new friends we met at the West Allis Meet & Greet gathering. Should be fun to catch up with those families again.