What a long week!

I do apologize for not posting earlier. It has been one looooooong week around here.

Did you know that you can fly without any picture id? Apparently as long as you have a piece of paper with your name on it and are willing to go through secondary security (pat down/no strip search), you can board your flight. Can you tell I found out the hard way on Monday morning?

I did make it back from sunny SoCal and went straight to work. And there was much more work all week. I played a not so fun game of "is millie flying back east for a super short work trip or isn't she". There were six rounds of that game on Tuesday alone. Luckily the decision was finally made late Tuesday night and I got to sleep in my own bed the rest of the week.

There's not a lot else to update. We've talked to the NPL a couple of times this week. She wants to keep us updated on her doctor's appointments (totally her decision). She's interviewed another couple but it didn't go very far. She's feeling tired and needs much more sleep. I worry that her work causes her to be on her feet too much but she says its no problem. The next big monthly meeting is coming up in a couple of weeks and NPL's dad is thinking of coming with her.

Our profile is now complete and heading to the printer! We're wrapping up a photo insert and working on our longer letter. Then we need to put some actual text up on our website (we just have mostly a splash screen currently). I also have a ton of pictures to scan for the photo book that we need to complete in the next week or two. We're making great progress but there's still much to do.

I was talking to my friend Aimee today (so good to catch up with her!) and I realized I'm really not worried. This particular situation will work out or it won't. Aimee asked me about laws here regarding termination of parental rights and I don't know. I don't even care about that.

I do know that I don't want papers signed in the hospital, this situation or another situation. I do know that I am craving an Entrustment Ceremony much more than a baby shower. I do know that I'm coming from a place of hope and openness, not fear and desperation. There has been so much fear and desperation in my life for well over five years and that is more than enough.

The mister and I are giddy with joy - not only because of this particular match possibility but also because we know we're doing everything in the most ethical way we can and we are doing everything we can to support this NPL, whatever decision she makes. We finally feel like our time will come, maybe in a couple of weeks, maybe later.

That doesn't mean we're looking forward to this Sunday, that most painful day for infertiles. We're having brunch will fellow travellers tomorrow because Sunday we'll be holed up at home. We are making great progress but there's no way we can go out on a day that is all about where we aren't.

We are however thinking about doing something for NPL. I'm fresh out of ideas so I open it up to you, the wise internets: should we do something to acknowledge Mother's Day for the NPL? If so, what? Is that just too weird?

Oh and for those of you interested in the menu from last week, thanks for asking and here ya go:

Antipasti (olives, nuts, hard cheese, bread)
Grilled Glazed Steak and Asparagus
Couscous with dates (usually do Israeli couscous but was out, so regular couscous with orange zest and orange juice replacing some of cooking liquid)
Warm Rhubarb Raspberry Compote with Greek Yogurt and Coconut Walnut  Crunch drizzled with Honey ( the pastry chef in me had to come out and play but just a little bit)

I was feeling very Springy so wanted the menu to reflect that. The lovely Accidental Housewife suggested having the mister grill (though we switched her fish idea to steak) so he'd have something to do and show off his culinary skills. That was a fabo idea.

Now back to those thoughts and ideas you were going to share with me...

Comments

[Bea]

I would think some low-key, simple acknowledgement might be nice. She is, after all, about to make this huge parenting decision that not many women have to make. But I think sending her breakfast in bed with an afternoon at the spa might seem weird, and also desperate. Perhaps a little note explaining that you acknowledge and respect her position and a homemade cupcake? It'd be good to hear what others think about this.

Bea

[Not on Fire]

I am so happy to hear that you have found a good place. I hope that you can stay there always!

I don't know about the Mother's day gift for the NPL. I didn't know that pregnant women celebrated it? You should go with your gut. You know her.

[Louise]

You sound so good in this post, and that makes me so happy. So happy.

hmm...since you asked for advice re: "M-Day....Personally, I might just send the NPL a 'thinking of you card' saying something like, no matter what you decide, you'll always be a mom.

Of course, now that i actually type it out, it sounds pretty cheesy. Honestly, I am not sure if I would do anything, maybe less is more? I think anything more than a simple card could be misconstrued.

Oh, and I love your menu. I knew it would be delicious!!

[Summer]

I don't have any specific idea, but I think a nice, simple gesture or acknowledgment the other commenters suggested would be the way I might go.

It warms my heart to hear of the emotional place you and the mister are in.

[anna h.]

i have no idea about sunday, but i am so in love with this sentence:

"I do know that I'm coming from a place of hope and openness, not fear and desperation..."

and so, so happy for you and the mister.

yes! yes! yes!

love,
a

[kristylynne]

How about a simple bouquet of flowers for the NPL on Mother's Day? Nothing crazy like roses, something simple like daisies. Traditional, inexpensive, acknowledges the day without going over the top or getting overly sentimental.

[Lynnette]

Hey Mil! I just wanted to apologize for my lack of commenting, lately...I'm still reading and hoping for some really good news, soon, for you guys.

[Dead Bug]

You have me grinning. What an uplifting post.

Did you end up doing something for NPL yesterday?

Also, well, YUM. I am, no lie, salivating.

--Bugs

[Louise]

So...what did you decide to do re; m-day and NPL? :-)