Sunday, January 3, 2010

A New Year, a New Beginning






















I absolutely love the start of a new year. This year is especially exciting since we are also welcoming a new decade. On the surface it appears that I am starting out 2010 in the same way that 2009 began - still waiting to become a mom and still very much living in limbo. While those things are true, I am beginning 2010 in perhaps the happiest frame of mind since 2006. This fall will mark our fourth year of our journey to parenthood. It's really incredible to think about. In many ways it feels like yesterday that Brandon and I decided it was time to expand our family. The feelings of excitement and anticipation are still very much still there and continue to be a part of our daily lives. On the other hand, it feels like a lifetime ago that I was doing the daily ovulation tests and living with the devastation that came each month.

2009 was a year of renewed hope as we embarked - at full force - in the adoption process. From the homestudy in January, to our dossier being sent down to Colombia in June, this has been an incredible year. There have still been very hard days when the waiting feels never ending. I know that those days will continue to pepper my life until we receive that precious referral. Enough cannot be said about the salvation that my fellow waiting moms have been during this past year. We have cried together about the waiting, have spent countless hours analyzing the waiting and have rejoiced with one another as the waiting has finally ended for some. Without these women, I would be lost. It turns out that living in limbo is best spent with others. It makes the "limbo" part livable and the "living" part enjoyable.

2010 holds so much excitement. I know that many, if not all, of my fellow waiting moms will add children to their lives this year. Five of my close friends are currently pregnant, and two little ones were delivered in late 2009. Even if I do not become a mom this year, I will certainly get my baby fix! Some other things that I am looking forward to in 2010: a triathlon (providing that I am not in Colombia in July), the completion of our house renovations (phase I, at least) and the 2010 FANA events. It's going to be a great year!

My parents started revived a great tradition in 2009 - the return of the family vacation! I realize now that I never treasured or appreciated them enough when I was younger. In fact, I'm ashamed to say that I skipped the last 2 family vacations my family took together, opting instead to go on my own vacations with friends... I'm so glad they are back. I've posted some pictures at the beginning of this blog entry.