Happy Year of the Ox

Every month comes to the same mixture of emotions. We are excited to see when the referrals will come and how far the referrals will get. Rumors start swirling, some good, some great, some horrifying. This month was, indeed, only 2 days, which was disappointing to say the least, but when you are down to 7 days, 2 days is still progress. We are now down to FIVE days...only 5 more days, two of which are Saturday and Sunday, which (say it with me) traditionally do not have log-ins. March 2 (which is as far as they got this time) was a Thursday. March 7 (which is our log-in date) is a Tuesday. This means that all that is standing between us and Gigi is Friday, March 3rd and Monday March 6th. If they can just do three days (three actual days...not including the "gimme" weekend days) we could have a referral next month. This is not unlikely, not is it a given. It will either happen or it will not, but in either case, I do not see a scenario where it takes longer than the end of March (or a couple of days into April depending on how quickly they get the referrals in the mail) before we see her face.

Today is the beginning of Chinese New Year. It is the Year of the Ox. This will be a momentous year for us, and I am sure for all those reading this since you will all be a part of her life. As I write this, I am overwhelmed by the many emotional highs and lows of the past week. From great drama in our personal life, to the beginning of the Obama presidency, to being a part of the layoff at my job last week, to finding our just a few hours later that I would instead be transferring to another department, to receiving the last updated papers we will need for the adoption (unless somehow it was to take more than a year before the adoption...which is unthinkable), to being surrounded by all of my friends and family, many from out of town, celebrating (a bit prematurely) my upcoming birthday. The fact that so many people came for the party, in many cases driving hours out of the way and sleeping on deflated airbeds and on floors, just to ensure I had a happy birthday celebration, filled me with so much joy that I cannot contain it. I am saddened that Gigi could not be a part of it, but I am overjoyed knowing that she will be surrounded by the same people who will shower her with the same love I felt that night.

Lastly, a big thank-you to "Gigi's Mommy" who held my hand during the inaugeration festivities, who hugged me and told me it was okay while I was in the midst of the layoff, and who planned for weeks and executed such a wonderful party for me. You are my rock and my north star. I love you very much and I cannot wait until Gigi meets you. She is undoubtedly going to love you just as much!!