Adoption Magazine: What Not to Expect When You're Expecting

Adoption Magazine: What Not to Expect When You're Expecting: "author: Sheri Nope, this post isn't about the acclaimed book teaching you about pregnancy, birth and that first year with your newborn.&nbsp..."

Heading West

Well I thought my year of travel was complete. However a few weeks ago I received the OK to accept a request for a return visit to one of the First Nation communities that participated in the VON Aboriginal Health Initiative. So Blaise and I are heading to Calgary on Wednesday and staying until Monday. Really looking forward to spending time with Andy and Amanda and seeing their new house and seeing Rodney and Lanette and skiing at Kicking Horse again this year.
It is kind of a 40th birthday cerebration for Rodney and Blaise as they celebrate a day apart March 28 and March 29. Looking forward to a great weekend.

We had a meeting with Home of the Guardian angel social worker this week to review our file and our letter to birthmom. We decided to have our names on this route as well even though it takes very long with very little placements. Seven placements in the last two years. However you never know, why not us ! I am just putting that intention out there and open to whatever route our children come into our lives.

We have also decided to do respite care for foster families and will be meeting with another social worker at the end of the month. We feel like we have to do something proactive while we wait.

Another Special Needs Adoption Day is April 2. I have mixed feelings about this as they are so heartbreaking and you have to be so honest with yourself in the type of care you are willing to take on. You leave those days mind, body and spiritually drained. However I feel it is all part of what we must do. Waiting certainly challenges your resolve to if you really want to adopt! Crazy I know. The other morning as I was doing a meditation of releasing fear, I realized that my greatest fear is that I will be " paralyzed by fear when we finally adopt " I mean how do I know that I am going to be a good parent, that I will have all the skills to nurture and guide a child on there journey. I am told by friends that they had similar feelings when they were pregnant and that a " healthy" dose of fear is normal.

I have been reading a very courageous blog about a new adoptive mom who waited for so long for her wee on from Ethiopia and is journeying through Post Adoption Depression. Wow, very brave to share her story and it is making me more aware that this can happen. So I guess I am preparing my " nest " and getting ready for whatever comes our way whenever it comes our way.

Now of to dream of skiing in powder !

Cheers
Karen

"Warming up to Winter " Post Cuba Haze

Well old man winter is still here ! It was so lovely to get away and spend a week relaxing and being taken care off. It is soo hard to come back in the dead of winter and deal with the cold ! I love winter but I also love the beach so to have the two collide kind of threw me off.

We had a blast with Danielle and Roy, great travelling buddies. The Melia Las Dunas Resort was amazing. Our highlight was the Cataraman trip and the time with the dolphins. I almost cried so much energy and personality. Thankfully they were in a natural bay and were rescued dolphins. I was so honored to have had the brief time with these amazing creatures.

Great to spend a week unplugged and quality time with Blaise. We are so go go go all the time that this week was just what we needed to reconnect and recharge.

I am so grateful that we took this trip and now I must get back into the "real world "

Karen

Leaving on a Jet Plane today

What a great winter day to be leaving on a jet plane to tropical Cuba ! We decided on Cuba a week ago and booked the trip in a very stormy day. Today it is snowy just a bit with wind gusts and temperature - 10.

Looking forward to a week of RELAX with Blaise and fun with Danielle and Roy.

Santa Maria Cuba is our destination.

ALOHA !

Karen

Saints Bowing in the Mountains

Do you know how beautiful you are?

I think not, my dear.

For as you talk of God,

I see great parades with wildly colorful bands

Streaming from your mind and heart,

Carrying wonderful and secret messages

To every corner of this world.

I see saints bowing in the mountains

Hundreds of miles away

To the wonder of sounds

That break into light

From your most common words.

Speak to me of your mother,

Your cousins and your friends.

Tell me of squirrels and birds you know.

Awaken your legion of nightingales—

Let them soar wild and free in the sky.

And begin to sing to God.

Let’s all begin to sing to God!

Do you know how beautiful you are?

I think not, my dear,

Yet Hafiz

Could set you upon a Stage

And worship you forever!

--Hafiz


This poem was presented at the end of Day 15 Chopra Center 21 Day Mediation Challenge. What a wonderful message for today's world.

I would highly recommend checking out the Chopra Center website and the resources online, beautiful inspiring resources to help us all be who we are meant to be " Divine Children of God " . I am finding that I am NOT having a difficult time reconciling my Catholic beliefs and the works and words and messages from Deepak Chopra. In fact I think this process of learning more about the Chopra Center and its work and starting a meditation practice has actually brough be closer to my Catholic faith. After all isn't the message of Jesus, of love, going with in to find your peace and to give back to the world.

Nameste

Karen

Date Night

Blaise and I had a good old fashion date night Friday night. It was our first time together skating on the Halifax Oval. It was a cold clear night but was great for skating. It was so much fun and it was packed. Lots of mixture of ages and skating abilitites. I have always loved to skate but only get skating about once or twice a year. It does not take me long to get my " skates" underneath me and skate like the wind. I like the freedom and sense of floating that skating provides. Blaise of course is on the ice a couple of times a week, with officiating roles. I think I cramped his skating style but we had lots of laps and had a great time.

Such a great thing to see folks out enjoying winter in Halifax.

Cheers
Karen

One Year Down

One year ago today we were officially "approved" to be adoptive parents. Blaise sent me a plant at work with a note " WE DID IT : Ruggrats on the way ". Dont' I look like I am going to jump out of my skin. I hear social workers talk oh you have not been waiting that long, hello, I think a year is a long time. However ! We will wait as long as it takes because I know our family will be the family we are meant to have at the right time in the big plan of things.

So we wait and enjoy our life and live our life and continue to grow and celebrate each day we are given.

Que sera sera , What will be will be

Nameste

Karen