Happy Post

We are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The adoption paperwork is almost completed. We still need to get police clearance from the States and we have a few documents to get notarized, but are almost there. So close, we can feel it. By the time we're through, we'll have about 20 items to hand in - one of which is 15 pages long! Cory and I have stayed remarkably sane throughout this crazy last month. I think we are just so excited about the prospect of becoming parents that it makes all the hurdles worth it. And we have to remember that all of the paperwork is for the protection of the child, which we think is really important.

Some fun stuff: the baby's room is painted and already, we have been collecting items like toys, books, clothes and a high chair from friends' garage sales and kind passing-along. We also have a crib lined up and curtains being made. A friend of ours here is an artist and will be painting a silhouette of a baobab tree on the light blue wall of the baby's room, along with three canvases of animals. I'm STOKED to see how the room comes together! We are going simple - nature-themed and earthy colors that can go with anything. I will post an in-progress photo soon.

Baby planning is busy and so is work. We do have a four-day weekend coming up for Easter and will be hanging out at a remote beach villa with a few friends. My plan? Read, rest, swim, eat and play bocce ball. And continue to dream about being home for the summer! We've just ordered the last of the big furniture items that we have budgeted for this year and can't wait to put the house together this summer. The native landscape plan was also (finally!) decided upon and the landscapers start on April 25! Woohoo!!