reading and emails and blogging, oh my!

As I have mentioned, I joined some online e-lists and have had several conversations online and privately with some of the people involved.  And wow! some of them live in the same state as me, even wthin "coffee catch up" distance in some cases. This is great; it gives me people to talk to who "get it" and won't get sick of me talking about myself. :) People are very patient but I find myself biting my tongue to stop talking a lot.

I asked about some of the emotional changes people find in pre- and post- adoption. (Like forever wanting to talk about it even though it's a way off, for example, lol)  The answers may surprise people, but I'll save them for another post.

I have been reading a lot too. (My husband hates the bedside light on til past 1 am while I'm engrossed in a book) Currently reading "the waiting child:how the faith and love of one orphan saved the life of another" which tells of a little girl's love for a younger child left behind in China. It brings out a lot of things I hadn't necessarily thought of. Like a child leaving with a parent who isn't dark haired and Asian like they are. How can this person be called "mama"? Like the harsh punishment and conditions still in some orphanages. (Book published 2003) Like....so much!

Once again I have had my heart and mind opened. I pray a hedge of protection around Levi, and trust he will recognise and know love when it's his unconditionally.

And youtube? How wonderful it is that families share their "gotcha" day videos.. but how sad that I have discovered them! And that I insist on watching "just one more" so I can cry again. Getting so soppy!

And one of my favourite websites, etsy, has been gettng a bit of a hammering from my IP address lately too. Especially since I discovered so much adoption related stuff on there. Etsy is for homemade craft and gifts, and I just love browsing its stores. So check this out!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68914801/thank-you-for-asking-card-set-20-cards

A "thank you for asking" card kit especially for adoptive parents and the stupid "but is he your son" questions. One side of the card is from a parent's perspective, the other about a child's. Not saying I want them, I just think they're neat.
And because I'm such an internet junkie I'm compiling lists of books for kids and parents, for jewelry and gifts... and so on. Other people have done it, I know, but it's a way of filling in time til I can formalise something!!

And.. getting back to the beginning of this post, one of the parents I emailed told me that they lodged their papers with China and had a match a month later! (This is special needs (SN) which is a very different route to non special needs adoptions) I was blown away. Could this be our fate as well?