I realize it's been over a month since I've posted here; an unintentional blogging break. Apparently I needed it, but I didn't just plan for a break when I should have, and instead ended up walking away for a little too long. I've been rethinking some book marketing things, and thinking about what's next, and what my writing online will look like going forward, but in the meantime it got weird.
I was listening to a podcast episode the other day (Elise Gets Crafty), and Elise was talking about enjoying the creative process. When working on something she finds that she just needs to be working consistently enough so she doesn't get so far away from it, or let so much time pass that it's hard to get back into it. I could totally relate.
It's like when you haven't called a friend for no good reason, for a few too many weeks, and it becomes awkward to call now, because it feels like it's been a bit too long. That's how I've felt about blogging lately. It's been hard to get back into it. We've been busy around here with our final adoption visit scheduled for Monday, and things are happening quickly, so that feels a little crazy. But the truth is I just got burned out, and ran out of words, and then let too much time pass so writing has been hard to get back into. But I've missed it. I've missed all of you. So at the risk of being a little rambly, I'm just going to pick up the phone and call. Let's get back into it, all awkward-like shall we?
You may have noticed that November is National Adoption Month. I had every intention of participating with some adoptive mama-to-be posts, but I have all the thoughts and all the feelings and have been finding it near impossible to narrow down one to write a post on. Then I blinked and November was more than half over. So, let me just start with a quick update...
We are in the home stretch in terms of certification. We have our final home visit/inspection scheduled for Monday! This is the culmination of the home study process over the past few months. Our adoption agency specialist will ask us any final questions, do the official safety inspection of the house, and will then submit our completed home study to court for certification. I'm told that process can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks on average. After we're certified, we'll be on the central registry and officially waiting for a placement.
We are pretty much set for the appointment, just finishing up a few final things around the house. The truth is, she could come tomorrow and we'd be just fine, so I am actively refusing to freak out about this. It's nerve-wracking, but I know it will be fine, and I do not want to waste energy on unnecessary anxiety. I have a feeling I'm going to need that energy.
The kids' rooms are almost ready! I will post some pics soon. We've been filling up the rooms with books, making them cozy, and generally wandering into them trying to fathom the fact that little people will inhabit them soon.
In the meantime, we're just trying to be present and enjoy our time as a family of two while it lasts. We've been going on more dates and spontaneous day trips, just because we can. We're looking forward to what is most likely our last Christmas without kids. We also have had a lot of conversations about how we can support each other in the stressful times around the corner, and are just stocking up on some couple time.
Much more to come in the next few weeks about the adoption, and all the other floaty thoughts in my head lately, I promise. It's good to be back!
P.S. I've still been recording The Girl Next Door Podcast with Kelsey. Most recently we talked about burnout on this episode. Timely.
