What About The Dogs?

There are 2 dogs in our family....our "furry kids". They are sisters, from the same litter of "mutts"...we know their mother was a cattle dog and think possibly their father was some sort of lab mix.

They are pretty good dogs, rather quirky, but overall pretty good. I have read a lot of recommendations for how to prepare your dogs for the arrival of your child. Honestly, I haven't started with any of them yet, but know I need to. Oh, unless chasing the dogs around the house with the "rocking panda" (see post dated 5/31), telling them it is going to get them, while they bark at it....unless that counts as part of the preparation! What can I say...I was bored...it was funny!

Seriously though, I am concerned about how they will adjust to Willow coming home. Since it is just Tom and I, it is usually a pretty quiet house, nothing like it will be when Willow is home I'm sure. They haven't ever been around very young children, they aren't used to the noise...the sudden movements...etc... And they are both completely spoiled and MAMA'S GIRLS! I am concerned about the possibility of jealousy.

I talk to "the girls" (my dogs) often about Willow and about how they are going to have to act when Willow comes home. Honestly they do not seem all that interested in the conversation. But I have also let them know that they don't have a choice in their behavior once Willow comes home! Because if there are any problems, they will be living at new homes. And that would be horribly, horribly sad for all of us!

Has anyone dealt with this issue yet? Any suggestions on what worked or didn't work for you?

August Referrals

August referrals came out on 08/02/07. And once again....it sucks!! Those who were logged in by 11/21/05 were referred. Yes, this means another month of 7...yes 7 days of referrals.

ARE THEY EVER GOING TO GET THROUGH NOVEMBER????? UGGGHHHH!

And based on the polls on some of the websites, I am predicting that next month could probably be only 6 days, so September referrals will not even get us through November! Rumor Queens estimate for our LID date of 02/16/06 is sometime in 05/08! Holly crap...that would be a 26 month wait! I checked the China Adoption Forecast site estimates our referral to be on 03/13/08. I could seriously just blast out a serious line of obscenities a mile long about this subject....but I won't go there....not "in public". Obviously it would not serve any purpose, but for me to blow off some steam!

Really I actually think I am becoming more accepting of the wait. Ha...after almost 18 months! But I do need to try more to enjoy the time. Tom and I both need to take advantage of the "couple only" time we have left. Of course all of this seems perfectly rational and easy...but only in my head! I have been thinking of things that I would like to get accomplished before Willows arrival, minor home improvements, painting, redecorating, etc., it has helped with the wait.

I guess the last word is....the wait will be what the wait will be....24 months....26 months....etc.... Ultimately the wait time will be SO WORTH IT! And I am sure as soon as Willow is in my arms, I will completely forget all the pain, anger, anticipation, hopelessness, all of these crazy emotions that are included on this crazy journey! For now it is my job to find ways to make the wait less stressful for Tom and I and to do everything I can to prepare for our beautiful Willow.

What Do You Think?

I added a poll for everyone to give their opinion on when we will get our referral.

Please participate...I can't wait to see what the general consensus is!
The poll is to the left.