Better Today - Just Tired

OK, so it is probably PMS that is making me feel so yucky!

I have picked an Agency - Gift Of Love. I received a phone call today from the agency stating that everything looked good. My initial application just needs to be approved by the Director and then I can be added to the "Awaiting Registration" list. It all seems very funny that I have to wait to wait to register. Oh well, it is what it is. In the message they had stated that it is the agency's rules that they require 1 year between adoptions. I am in the process of completing my home study to adopt my nephew Sebastian (Bash). The agency didn't seem to think it would be a problem because the waiting time for a VN baby girl seems to be about a year. I am going to call the agency in the morning and in the midst of that conversation I will make sure that they understand that Bash has already been with me a year. Maybe that will make them feel better regarding his pending adoption.

You must be wondering how did I finally decide on an agency? Well, it was very difficult to get it narrowed down to the three. I found a yahoo group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Adoption_Agency_Research/) that has compiled a list of ethical agencies working in VN based on a wide range of criteria. The three I had chosen were on that list. How did I finally decide on Gift Of Love (GOL)? Well, each of the three agencies work out of different provinces. Los Ninos works out of An Giang (south VN), HIC works out of Quang Nam (Central VN), and GOL works out of Hoa Binh (Northern VN). I researched the different province's and decided I like Hoa Binh the best (Hoa Binh means peace - I really like that) - so basically that is it. I have so far only heard good things about all three and all three do humanitarian work in country - which I also really like. GOL also has an interesting payment plan. There is no registration fee and you pay 500.00 a month with payment coupons. Just seems much easier to handle this way then these huge lump sums of money all at once. I also like that they are heavy into education and that they also will send certificates for the Life Book with every milestone. Right now I am feeling pretty good about my decision.

A Bit Low Today

Not sure if it is PMS or just overload. Maybe a little of both. It was a very bad day at work today. Lots of stress and not feeling like I am being very effective. What is my purpose? Am I making a difference? Is this where I want to be? Does my boss think I am being effective? Will I get the Manager's position? Do I really want it? You see it is hard for nurse's not to feel like they are making some kind of a difference. At least for this nurse. So all of this is rolling over and over in my head. Not feeling like I want to do much of anything but watch movies and cuddle with my dogs. But my list of things to accomplish grows and grows:
1. Finish Bash's home study
2. Get taxes done (yes, I know they were due April 14th)
3. Mail letter with some pics of Bash to Cyd
4. Send off for Transcripts so that I may enroll in RN to MSN program
5. Clean house (always)
6. Laundry (always)
7. Pick agency for Jane Grace
8. Install drip system to backyard trees
9. Finish room
10. Carpet Hallway and stairs

This is just a few things on the ever growing list

On a positive note - I did narrow the agency choices last night:
Hawwii International Child (HIC); Los Ninos; Gift Of Love
All three are on the ethical agency list for Viet Nam from one of the adoption yahoo group that I frequent.

I did fax the initial application to Gift Of Love (it is the application to be placed on their waiting list to wait to register. It is free and so why not. Is this the agency we will use - who knows. But it was a step in a forward direction).