hello from waitsville

Wow, three weeks on the waitlist already. I know its just the beginning and we have a long way to go, but I'm feeling very at peace with "the wait" right now. I think it is because this is the first time in this process that I feel very sure that we are actually going to have a baby. There were times during the paperchase when I would get very frustrated and think that it was too hard and it was just never going to happen. Actually, now that I think about it, we've been trying to have a baby since 2006. Three years of struggling. It takes its toll on you. So to be able to relax into the idea that the thing you always wanted is coming, its a very peaceful feeling.

I think there are some new readers now. For those not in the adoption world, let me explain. There's this thing called the FBI list. No, not *that* FBI. It doesn't involve fingerprints. It stands for "Forensic Blogging Initiative." Its a list, put together by a woman named Grace who adopted from Ethiopia last year. Her description of the list: "This is a little something I do in my spare time to track the progress of Gladney Ethiopia families, from the paperchase stage to their forever families." So I wrote to her and asked to be placed on the list. You can check the list out here
Anyway, to all of the new visitors, welcome! Thank you for sharing in our story. I have probably read your blog (if you have one) and anxiously await your good news just as much as mine :-)

As many of you know, I am from New Orleans. I write this because I am missing home somethin awful right about now. Don't get me wrong, things are getting better here in Chicago. The days are somewhat warmer. It doesn't snow (nearly as much ;-) But New Orleans in the spring, man, you cannot beat it. Its festival season. And crawfish season. Its all-around heaven. We usually get down there this time of year, but in order to save money for Baby McBride, the vacation budget has been slashed. Which is ok, I mean, it is totally worth it. You have to have priorities. But man, do I miss Nola in the springtime.

Bringing things down a little bit, there have been two recent passings that have affected me in one way or another. The first was a woman I did not know. Her name was Haregewoin Teferra. A book was written about this extraordinary woman's life by Melissa Fay Greene called "There is No Me Without You."


Most of us in the Ethiopia adoption world have read, or are reading, this book. In short, this woman took in hundreds of orphans in Ethiopia when no one else could or would. She gave all of herself to these children. She died on March 17 of unknown causes. Her story is greatly worth knowing about.

The second was a man I did know. This man.


His name was John Edw. Blankenchip. He was the heart and soul of the USC School of Theatre. He was crass and rude and irreverent. He somehow managed to cut you down, cuss you out, make you laugh, and empower you, all at the same time. And he cared more about his students than any teacher I have ever met. He made my experience at the USC School of Theatre worth it. He died on April 1 (april fools day, of course.) He was loved and will be missed by many. Including me.

Ok, enough with the sad stuff. Matt and I are very much looking forward to a trip to Seattle next week to see his family. I know I said our vacation budget had been slashed, but we made an exception, as this was supposed to be our Christmas vacation that never did happen. Hopefully we won't get snowed in this time. I probably just jinxed us. It will be nice to get away from work for a few days to recharge the batteries.

So until next time...
Happy spring yall!