Hope and Help

The adoption process is offically underway. We have chosen an agency here in RI and had our meeting this week to go over all that is needed for the home study. J and I have started our autobiographies and getting all the necessary paperwork in order. I'm very excited but it's funny because it's not as all consuming as IVF was. I thought I would be thinking about the adoption and what I needed to do ALL the time like I did when I was going through a cycle of IVF or even just a natrual cycle. But I'm not and I'm not sure if that's good or bad. Right now I think it's good.
On another note J and I decided a couple of weeks ago to have an end-of-summer cookout this weekend. We have invited a lot of neighbors and some friends from MA. It should be fun. But in light of the Hurricane I cannot just sit by and enjoy a cookout while people have lost everything and are being sent to states far away from their homes to try and start over. So this morning I stopped by the Red Cross office in Providence and volunteered J and I to help in Middletown when the evacuees arrive. We are going to go to a training course tomorrow morning and then will help out in Middletown on Sunday. J is a Physician's Assistant so he will be very valuable. I just cannot sit on my couch and cry over the images on TV anymore. I have to help. I have to do something. Donating money is not enough for me.
I have a close friend who is from New Orleans. She grew up in the Garden District. Her parents, sister, brother and grandmother were all down there. I just spoke with her and they all got out and are living in an apartment in Baton Rouge. Their homes were not flooded but did have severe structure damage from the wind and rain. They are very lucky.
I am going to continue on my happy adoption journey and feel blessed that I can but will always be thinking of and trying to help those that have had their lives turned upside down. I can provide Hope and Help.