Vacation...soon

This is the last weekend at home before my trip to Orlando. I will be there for a few days for Kappa Delta Convention! Jim will join me on Tuesday and we are going to tour Disney World as a childless couple, and hopefully have lots of fun. We have not been there in over 14 years! That makes sounds old..we are really into the educational aspects at Epcot...yes we are dorky. However, we plan to enjoy the countries and sample adult beverages! This will be a great time to decide when we will take our child back. Jim is looking forward to putting down the blackberry for a few days (however, I think he will still bring it...) and I will be off work for 9 whole days.

I worked today and will work tomorrow. I am working a number of extra shifts to prepare financially (see my list of things to do in the next year!) I need to be careful as I can feel myself burning out, which is easy to do in my profession. I want to be able to treat each client with compassion and empathy. I have decided not to exceed 2 extra shift each month.

I have lots to do this week, spray tan, mani/pedi, take some clothes back (a moment of weakness at Nordstroms), pack, prepare all of my convention items, keep training for the marathon! I am excited it is going to be a great trip!

Friday...well Thursday

I am up late since it is my Friday, I work Sunday through Thursday. Jim and I met Kara for dinner on the patio of Scotty's Brewhouse. Kara had just studied attachment in her course work and was curious about the babies from South Korea. Jim and I are glad how well cared for these children are! We explained that they are with wonderful foster mothers and receive loving care.

This year I plan to start waking up earlier, at the moment Jim and I get up in just enough time to get ready for work and grab some coffee. I realize that in just over a year we will need to get our child ready and off to daycare (most likely). Since I am training for the marathon I decided to do some of the training in the morning. I was able to get up 45 mins. earlier and run 4 miles.

On that note I should get to sleep. I have a hair appointment, am meeting Bill for lunch, shopping, and then seeing "The Hangover" with Jim!

Home Study to Korea

Jim created this blog for me as an outlet to journal about our adoption process. Our hope is that we will save this as a memory for our child. As of Friday June 12 we have home study approval. Meaning after submitting numerous documents, three interviews, and, adoption education, our agency has officially placed us on the waiting list for a baby from South Korea! Our social worker is predicting a 12-16 month wait for referral. Since we have some time I decided to come up with a list of things I wanted to accomplish before our referral. I am going to post them so I can be accountable!

1. Read: Still Life with Rice
2. Run a Marathon: I am currently training for the Indianapolis Marathon at Ft. Harrison on Oct. 17, 2009.
3. Sign up for the Indianapolis 500 Mini-Marathon
4. Run the Geist Mini and beat my 2009 time of 2:25
5. Organize the office: this requires getting a large file cabinet!
6. Write a will/power of attorney
7. Make sure Jim and I have all of the vaccinations we need for Korea
8. Childproof the house
9. Find out where the nearest emergency clinic and ER are, as well as their numbers
10. Research car seats
11. Buy a new car, the dogs and a baby will not fit in the current cars we own
12. Clean out any unused junk in the house
13. Clean, clean, clean
14. Refinish the dresser in the guestroom, complete with new hardware
15. Finish the basement...this is a Jim project
16. Find hardware for the kitchen cabinets
X17. Eat Korean food
18. Learn about South Korean culture
19. Purchase child books on adoption
20. Pick birth announcements
21. Attend at least 2 education sessions through our agency
22. Wainscot the living room and dining room...also need help from Jim on this one
23. Stain the deck and fence
24. Visit the Indy Zoo
25. Ride the hot air balloon at Conner Prairie
26. Take as many photos as possible for the care package
27. Interview Pediatricians
28. File I-600A
29. Start looking for childcare in February
30. Continue to workout, we need to lift weights to prepare for a Korean baby
31. Find gifts for the Holt staff, Korean foster family
32. Prepare for travel to Korea
33. June: Sign up for the new mom clubs
34. Ask Holy Spirit about the baptism process
35. Select godparents
36. Think about registry items..what are we going to need?
37. Purchase a white Christmas tree
38. Save money...work extra
39. Start a college savings fund 529...or whatever they are called
40. Make meals to freeze
X41. Subscribe to a parenting magazine
X42. Pick out new everyday dishes: done Create and Barrel Aspen
43. Visit the Asia Mart
44. Go apple picking this fall
45. Visit the Easley winery
X46. See the Harry Potter movie...July 15th
47. Buy birthday and Christmas presents
48. Play a round of golf
49. Finish my CEUs for the year...one class per month
50. Eat at the following restaurants: XBarking dog cafe, Kona Grill, Kona Jacks, Ma Mas house, Sandra's Rice and Noodles, Three Floyd's Brewery
51. Try Korean beer
52. Host a cookie exchange
53. Buy a bottle of Dom for referral!
54. See the nutcracker
55. Host a Christmas Cookie exchange
X56. Find a calendar for the office and use it
57. Join Korean Focus Indiana

These are all before the referral....we decided not to buy any baby things or prepare the room so there will be lots to do before travel!