Not the best start to the day, our car was backed into by a giant white pick up truck this morning while we were in the bank. Nothing like having someone knock on the door while we are in a meeting with the bank person saying "so sorry to interupt, but do you own a mazda". You know it's not going to be good news. Oh well, car has been towed and we have a rental for a week. Seriously, who knew a pick up could do that much damage backing up? The hood is squished, headlight smashed and bumper half off. The truck of course, had no damage (it was like a white tank). On an unrelated topic, still no luck on the birth sister search. I think most people imagine I am crazy to even try. I've tried the Rumour Queen forum, a few China adoption forums and e-mailed the Norway adoption agencies. I have had a few very helpful folks e-mail me, some even volunteering to post on a Norwegian chat forum. Nothing from the adoption agencies. It's not looking very likely that I'll find them, but I'll keep trying.

Comments

For some strange reason it seems people are having a difficult time commenting on my blog (not that many people comment on my good old blog). Not sure why this is?? Any blog experts out there who can help?

Small update to the search

I am so excited, was on QQ this morning and Avery's cousin messaged me that he had some answers for me. He e-mailed everything I need to know. This search may be possible after all. It's still very, very challenging, but I feel that we have a chance. I have her birth date and her orphanage name. All I can hope for is that this family belongs to one of the many chat groups that exist in the China adoption world! She is also born in February like Avery, actually she is 2 years and 3 days older! EDIT: emailed the adoption agencies in Norway. I'm sure they'll think I'm some kind of nut. I think it's the best chance and I thank the people who were kind enough to send me the e-mail addresses and the names of the agencies.

Frustrating

I knew the search for Avery's birth sister would be difficult, if not impossible. I mean, we've barely come to terms ourselves with finding Avery's birth family, never mind looking for another member of the family. Yet, I can't stop myself. Not just for Avery's sake (of course I want to find her birth sister so she can have contact) but for this girl. Perhaps her parent's don't want to have a relationship with birth family, perhaps they don't even think it's possible?? Yet, here I sit looking at pictures of the family in China. Wouldn't everyone want that for their child? As I mentioned before, as an adoptee myself, I know how important pictures of your birth family can be. Just to have that chance to see what your biological relatives look like is priceless. I know, some people think it's not important, but trust me, it is. It just takes away that guessing game. That is why I am doing this. I worry about posting on the chat groups, but at the same time, I feel it's my best starting point. I just don't want to put too much out there because this is my daughter we are talking about, and again, as mentioned before, this is her story to tell one day.

Just wanted to post some pics of my girls. Got a note home from Brennyn's school recommending her for Occupational therapy. Made me feel like parent of the year. Our physio from Sick Kids never mentioned Occupational Therapy so I didn't even realize Brennyn could benefit from this. I filled out the paperwork without even calling the teacher, I was in panic mode. Now that I've had a chance to think about it, I have some questions. For instance, is the occupational therapist coming to the school? Is this going to disrupt Brennyn from class? It's great that they even offer this kind of service through the school, I just don't want Brennyn to feel any more different from the other kids, singled out.

Hi Ho Hi Ho

It's off to work I go. Going back to work for a few months (in the retail world, it's called CHRISTMAS season). My boss called and asked if I would come back part-time and she would even work around my DH's schedule and Brennyn's Sick Kids appointments. To be honest, we could use a little spare change around here, so I said yes. I really do need to figure out some sort of future career, but this will do for now. The payscale for the world of retail stinks, but I really do love working with people and kind of miss it (a tiny bit). At least I am able to work part-time right now, and not have to rush out and find full-time work, in this lovely economy.

5 year group reunion

This weekend was our Children's Bridge group 237 and 238 5 year reunion (the technical date of the anniversary is Nov 5th, but this is the day they planned for the party). We have never attended the reunion before, we had been under the impression that the get togethers were more for group 238 (we're 237). I am so happy that we were able to attend this year. I can't describe how amazing it was to see all these families 5 years later. The kids have changed so much, while the adults look exactly the same (okay, so some of us may have a few more gray hairs). We went apple picking, the kids made carmel apples (Brennyn just ate the candy in the dishes while she thought no-one was looking), bounced around in a bouncy castle. It was a great day!