One Month Anniversary of My Referral

As hundreds of families are expanding with the joyous news of the next batch of referrals, I realized tonight that I'm celebrating my one month anniversary of having my own referral.

On one hand, it seems like only a moment ago that I first gazed into Libby Doodle Doo's lovely eyes; and yet she already is such a part of my family, I feel like she has always been with us.

I still have no news on either my Consulate Appointment or my Travel Date. Last month some agencies got their travel approval about 1.5 weeks after approval. So in a little over a week, the 28 families from my agency who all got referrals in early November may be competing with the agencies of these brand new families to get consulate appointments.

If we don't get our appointments locked down by next week, I fear that we may not get a January appointment at all. Given that China is closed down for the first two weeks of February for Chinese New Year -- this could push my travel to China until after the 15th of February.

A horrible possibility -- most definitely. And I certainly hope that it won't happen. In fact logic would indicate that February travel is highly unlikely. But the crazy thing is I feel that I must prepare myself for this worst-case scenario or risk having my heart broken one more time in this crazy, convoluted adoption process. I will be soooo happy when I don't create doomsday scenarios in my head on a daily basis. I used to be such a "the glass is half full" kind of gal. I want to be that woman again.

I have the referral.
I have the photo.
I have the TA.
I WANT my baby.
PLEEEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSSEEEEEEE!!