The Waiting Game

Waiting is hard. No matter what it is one might be waiting for, it is hard. We are waiting on a referral for a little girl from Ethiopia. It is one of the first thoughts in my head each morning, right after I question how it can be morning already. Mark and I have always wanted to adopt. We began seriously looking into adoption even before we knew we were pregnant with Jack. Once we found out we were pregnant and it looked like it would be a viable pregnancy we solidified our plans to adopt shortly after he was born. It has been over a year that we have been praying for both our kids: Sammie and Simba.

Sammie
We decided early into the pregnancy that we needed a name for both our biological child and our adopted child. Because of the previous miscarriages early on in my pregnancy I was considered "high-risk" and I began going in to the Dr. at 4 weeks. We had lots of early ultrasounds where the baby looked like a blob. Our loving parents kindly encouraged us to not refer to our baby as "the kid" or "the blob" and we picked a gender neutral name to use - "Sammie." We didn't find out the gender until Jack joined us on May 5.

Simba
To avoid using phrases like "the kid we will someday adopt," we decided to pick another name to refer to our adopted child. Calling the baby inside me "Sammie" was really convenient and we wanted a name for this one too. I decided to call it "Simba." I really have no idea where this name came from, the only thing I can think of is I think of the Disney Movie, the Lion King - Africa - baby lion, named Simba. In Swahili, the name means "lion," which in my mind implies "Strength."

(2 days before Jack arrived, pointing to Jack in my belly and my Africa necklace that reminds me of Simba)

I love that we have prayed for "Sammie"-turned-Jack and Simba before they were even born. I thank God for Jack and the precious gift that he is to Mark and I, and our family. I trust that God is watching over Simba and taking care of her needs. But it is hard. I worry. And I want her here with us, whoever she is. I am anxious to find out her name, any known history, what she looks like, etc.

Things that have been comforting to me while waiting: Keeping in touch with others who are on the same journey as me (blogs, chat groups, etc.); Meeting other couples through Adoption Parent Training Classes; friends who ask questions and encourage me; talking about how I am "feeling" (Mark loves this one-I am a woman and love to talk about how I feel); eating lots of candy (I am surprised the grocery store still has jelly beans, I thought I had bought them out) praying; and remembering that God is watching over her.

Even though I feel anxious, excited, and worried I take comfort knowing that God is in control and has a perfect plan for the Hubbard family and our daughter. He has chosen her specifically for us and vice versa. The patience thing is hard but I trust God and his timing.
So for now, we wait.

Tasty Toes

I know what I want...

Yes, I got it...
Mmmmm...this is good fun!

Autumn Cake

Two-layer spice cake with Maple Buttercream icing. Filling is Apple Butter and Maple Butter icing. Chopped walnuts around the sides. Tree is melted chocolate chips and leaves are dried fruit and almonds. Yum!

Pop pop's Picante sauce

(Pop-pop)

This recipe is for some salsa/picante sauce that my grandpa used to make. It is super good and pretty easy to make. One of the best things about making this salsa is that Mark and I make it together and I love cooking with him.

(All the ingredients you need)

Here's the recipe:
1/3 c. salad oil
1/3 c. vinegar (white)
1/4 c. MSG (accent)
1/4 c. salt (use less if tomatoes are salty)
1/4 c. fresh garlic, chopped


Heat above mixture in sauce pan to "almost" boiling (do not boil). Set aside to cool.

Chop and add to gallon jar.
2 large onions (chopped medium fine)
14 (more or less) jalapenos, chopped coarsely (with seeds) or grind.
(I don't use the seeds, too hot!)
4 large (1 lb. 3/4 oz. cans) tomatoes or 7 small cans

(Mark chopping jalapenos - we always use gloves to handle these guys)

Pour all in gallon jar, add cooled mixture, mix well.

Keeps well refrigerated - at least 60 days. Make sure to shake or stir mixture for several days before putting into smaller jar.

Zoo Time and Zzzzz time

Zoo Time
This last week, we adventured down to Denver for Free Admission Day at the Zoo. I met up with some girlfriends of mine at a local Starbucks and we all headed down the mountain. It truly was a beautiful fall day. It was definitely crowded but worth it. Jack really had no idea what was going on and I didn't really expect him to - BUT, he did have a fabulous time people watching. In fact, I think the whole day completely wore him out. He slept great that night.

Zzzzz Time

He has slept great ever since then. His latest and greatest development is "sleeping through the night." I don't mean the sleeping through the night that is used by so called baby experts to describe sleeping more than 5 hours. Really, who considers this sleeping through the night? I am talking the whole night. He has been going to bed and sleeping 12 hours, at least. One day this week it was practically noon before he saw the day. One thing I have learned about having a child is the most consistent thing I have seen with Jack is that there is no consistency. So...here's to enjoying my sleep while I have it. We shall see if this lucky trend continues.

Happy 5 Months

5 Months Already, Little Man. You are growing so fast.

Likes:
*His thumb
*The dogs - he loves it when they are around
*standing up whenever possible
*time in the jumper
*the computer whenever we skype with family
*grabbing at anything/everything and then trying to pull it into his mouth
*jogging with Dad
*reading books with Mom and Dad

Dislikes:

Missing out on the action.

Discoveries/Developments:

*making bubbles and "b" sounds with his mouth
*laughing whenever we are laughing
*staring down anyone who is eating real people food (he is getting close to starting solids)
*pushing up on his arms when he is on his tummy
*cell phones - I often talk to my mom while Jack is nursing, but this is becoming a problem as he is fascinated by the phone and won't stop grabbing for it.

*"If I lock my legs and arch my back, my parents can't make me sit and I can stand." (Jack.)

Blizzard Conundrum

The first of every month I wake up and stumble to the computer still half asleep to visit the dairy queen website. I check for the announcement of the Blizzard of the Month. I started the Blizzard of the Month club with my brother so that we would both have a little something extra in our month to look forward to.

This month I found myself sorely disappointed to see that October's Blizzard of the Month is Pumpkin Pie Blizzard. I detest pumpkin pie...I know, I know, it probably makes me un-American to dislike one of our country's most beloved holiday desserts. I just do not think I can bring myself to participate in this month's blizzard challenge. Anyone want to take my place, try the blizzard for me? I will be posting on the blizzard of the month later this month. Please, somebody?