What to do while you're waiting...or...spending money you don't have

Today is exactly one year since our paperwork has been logged in with the CCAA. At this point we thought we would have had Lily home with us for 6 months. Instead, we look ahead to what might be 6 or more months of waiting. Yes. I'm complaining. I'm feeling really blue today. Of course we'll wait...no matter how long. I just wish life came with a fast forward button!

So, what have we been doing during the wait?? Well spending money we don't have of course! In the last year we've:

• Gone to Hawaii
• Had the basement finished
• Had a new stone patio installed
• Went to the Outer Banks with the family
• Just got back from a trip to Ireland

We've never been terrific savers but we've certainly been in a bit of a spending frenzy. I think we're just trying to keep so busy that we "forget" how much time is passing.

Now, more importantly what we haven't done:

• Bought furniture for the nursery or started any kind of decorating
• Found a pediatrician
• Bought any type of baby related items
• Become proficient in Mandarin

Don't get me wrong we think and talk about Lily constantly. I'm quite certain I've read every adoption and parenting book ever written. It's just that we can't imagine walking past a empty decorated nursery every day. We did try. We went furniture shopping and instead of it being the fun day we had envisioned I found myself really sad. I think it's just the not knowing. Will she be home in 3 months, 6 months, when? We miss Lily so much as it is and the thought of a nursery sitting empty is just too much. The same goes with clothes, toys, etc. I know this means we will be extremely busy when we finally do get her referral but as the magic day gets closer it will be so much fun to go on a Lily shopping spree.