Happy Thanksgiving

While there are certainly things that aren't going our way this year (my brother's still overseas and we're still not matched with a child), there's still tons to be thankful for. I hope everyone reading this post is enjoying a lovely holiday with their friends and family. And speaking of my brother, please keep him in your thoughts this holiday season. This is the longest we've ever been apart and we've NEVER not been together on a holiday.

In adoption news, check out this New York Times blog (thanks to Chad for passing it along). I haven't had the chance to read all the way through, but what I've seen is pretty darn cool. Also, our local paper ran a story today about an amazing family that has adopted 20 children (yes, that's right, 20 children). - Sarah

international food week at work

This week at my place of employment we had what was deemed "International" food week. Last week was African week and one day was specifically Ethiopian food. I thought this was going to cool, but I was utterly disappointed. The meal was some stew served over toast(yes toast not njeria?) with some collard greens. I was so let down as I was looking forward to this all month.

We have a local grocer who sells organic foods and they carry hot dishes prepared by our local Ethiopian restaurant. On Monday I called up there to make sure that they still had some of the food left and the person I talked to (after waiting for 8 minutes) said that they had plenty of food of left. So I called sarah and she was going to stop there on her way home and pick some up. Of course they were out of food. We're seriously jonesing for some Ethiopian food.

Second topic does any one now what all of the hubbub was about with Beyonce in Ethiopia? -Tim

Skunky

A few days after Halloween I tore through Target and got an adorable skunk costume for 50% off. I'm so excited. There were tons of other really cute ones, but my mom was there to make me practice restraint.

On the adoption front, our application still hasn't moved up the chain at all. I'm guessing we've been in the same position since mid-June, but I could be wrong about that. I try not to read every e-mail update that comes from the agency because it's just too dang depressing. The wait is really hitting me now. In the beginning I vowed to be tough because this entire process is out of my control, but that's so hard.

I promise to write more soon (Might not get around to it this weekend, though - I'm covering a HUGE Indian wedding complete with an elephant). Sorry we've been so lax about posting.

*** Oh, and a quick clarification.... a "lurker" made reference in a recent post about a stinky Milton. That's our cat, who, by the way, is black and white like a skunk! - Sarah

Ethiopian food

If anybody is around the Washington, D.C., metro area and wants to try some ethiopian food, an economics professor from George Mason has an informative ethnic dining guide: http://www.tylercowensethnicdiningguide.com/ethiopian. -Tim

Random Stuff

I'm still quite shaken about what happened Saturday across the street from my work, just minutes before I arrived. I know that homelessness and the mentally ill are a sensitive, politically charged subject, but something needs to be done. This was so senseless!

On a much, much lighter note, the publication for which I work has released its November issue and inside is a package of adoption-related stories in honor of National Adoption Month. I am so proud of this package. We've got essays from people who have adopted (everything from how do you talk with your kids about adoption to an amazing single mother who adopted three special-needs children), debunking adoption myths (no, not all domestic adoptions are open) and even some adoption etiquette(don't EVER ask an adoptive parent, especially in front of the child, if they're the child's "real" parent). Unfortunately the content's only available in the actual issue - so if you're in the area be sure to pick up a copy! You'll even find an essay from me about the homestudy process.

In other adoption news, I'll be helping to pass our ever-increasing wait by checking out some of the clearance Halloween costumes and goodies at Target this weekend! After Easter we got an adorable duck basket for dirt cheap, so I'm super excited about what we might find.

And finally, a note to all of you lurkers: I know you're out there, reading our blog faithfully but never commenting, even just to say hello. Show us some love, people! This is a long and somewhat isolated process, so it helps to know that folks are in our corner. - Sarah