Voting

Jose and I voted last weekend. They have early voting here in Texas, which is pretty great. You can vote at any early site anywhere in the county. How handy is that? I looked at my electronic ballot several times just to take it in. To reflect on what my vote meant for me and for our country (no matter the outcome it has been an important election season). I left the polling site giddy thinking about the possibility of what could be...

I know that not everyone will cast a ballot similiar to mine (especially here). But that's the beauty of voting. We each get to make our own decision as to who we think will best represent us, our families, our communities and our country.

I made Jose take my picture after we voted. I know I'm a dork.

Why it's hard to live in Texas some days...
In the middle of week 15.

Texas State Fair

This weekend was our annual trip to the Texas State Fair. It's crazy that we've lived here long enough to have a annual trip. We enjoyed watching the people and eating the fried food. Maybe next year Baby Barto will be joining us.

Entering Week #14

Tag

I was "tagged" by Rebecca at http://adoptioncubed.blogspot.com/. I have to write 7 random things about myself (I'm too lazy right now to figure out how to make the cute tag picture go on my page or link Rebecca's name to her blog.)

1. Tonight on my way home from work I caught my fingers in my car window and then couldn't get my brain to work right to roll the window down. Now I'm having a hard time typing.

2. One night I decided to go to Europe with this on again/off again boyfriend and 24 hours later I was there. That relationship didn't last but the trip sure was great.

3. I wore flip-flops with my wedding dress.

Here I am with my darling sister and brother. (This was the best picture that I could find of my feet that would upload.)

4. Although I'm totally into the Presidential election, I have no idea what is going on locally.

5. I will stop to watch My Super Sweet 16 if it's on while I'm flipping channels.

6. I get nervous when I have to do mental math, especially when I have to make change.

7. I made up my own major in college - Communities and Social Justice.

I'm not good at passing this stuff on, so if you haven't been tagged and want to be, go for it!

Entering Month #4

We are on our way into month #4.

Here are some of the predictions for our referral date:

Suzie - Oct. 17th or 23rd

Theresa -Oct. 28th

Jose - Oct. 24th (only because I wistfully asked, "when do you think we'll get our referral?" And he said, "three weeks from today." So of course I counted and ended up with Oct. 24th)

Me - Nov. 24th (plus this is when my mom is here and how neat would that be?)

Mom - In her own words, "I'll go with November 24th, too, because if we double our wishes out into the Universe, maybe it will help!!! But remember it's in the details, so be more specific - November 24, 2008! November 24, 2008!!! Monday - November 24, 2008!!!!!!!"

Alison - Dec. 2nd

Dad - Dec. 7th


Here is a picture from our fun-while-we-wait-and-pretend-like-we-are-in-college-again-adventure in New Orleans.

Imagining Baby Barto

I've been spending a lot of time imagining what life will be like when Baby Barto arrives. As I go through my daily routine, I think about Baby Barto in it. What will it be like when we go shopping, out to eat, get up in the morning, go to breakfast, hang out on a Friday night, go to work, come home from work, go to my students' sporting events? I imagine the three of us cuddling in bed on a Saturday morning and then heading out on some adventure. I realize that there will also be moments when we will be up at 3am with a sick child and be freaking out. There have been days when I'm at school until 6 when I realize I need to start practicing being more productive at work. I know that there are ups and downs to parenthood. But watching the joy of my friends and family as they parent has convinced me that there seem to be enough ups to soften the downs.





As part of our fun-while-we-wait campaign, we drove to College Station last Saturday to see a Texas A & M game. Those are some serious fans.

Leaving Week #12

"Our" Baby

Baby Barto is already loved by many people. My parents both have made comments about when "we get our baby." My mom is sharing blogs and books about Ethiopia with her friends. My friend stated yesterday that "we have a baby coming." So many people are so excited about Baby Barto.

I like to envision this love finding its way to Ethiopia. I picture it embracing a baby that may be scared and confused. I imagine it whispering into the ear of a mother that "our" child will continue to be fiercely loved. I dream about the day that this love will turn into hugs, stories and laughter.

Leaving Week #11

Expecting

I'm a little jealous of pregnant people because at a certain point you know they are going have a baby. They glow and pat their cute round bellies. People can look at pregnant gals and know that they are about to become mothers. It's not that I'm longing for pregnancy, but rather, I wish for clearer announcement to the world that I'm on my way to becoming a mom. I'm so excited about this next step in my life, and I want to be able to share that.

So, I bought a necklace. I saw it on a blog early in my blog reading days and wanted it, but it seemed too soon. Now that we are in the midst of our wait, I needed something tangible that represents that this really, actually could be happening for us. My necklace came in the mail today in the sweetest little box, and I was so thrilled to put it on.

Here is the etsy site of the woman who made it. Her daughter is also adopting from Ethiopia.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_5&listing_id=14480969