4th Quarter Stretch Revisited

Just reread my blog post on the 4th quarter stretch during 2011 and saw the many great things that helped us to pass the year while we waited for referral.  We again came into 2012 waiting for referral, but in a much better position. In January we were #3 on the list after 2 families received referrals on December 31.  Then one referral was received on January 31, so for February we moved up to #2.  March held us steady at #2.  During the first quarter, I was able to connect with other moms through online groups and our agency.  Best part of this quarter was helping to cheer on the first wave of traveling families in March and reading about their journeys.

Finally the 80 day dry spell broke during the second quarter, and a referral came through in April so we moved up to #1...OMG such a great feeling.  However, not sure how long we'd be hanging in this position...another 80 days?!?  So we had been itching to take a vacation and finally broke down and hit Cozumel for some diving in May.  Low and behold there was even more exciting things to see than the fish and coral.  May 9 while on vacation, we received an email with the referral of Cho, SeungJoon.  The most amazing, healthy, beautiful little boy and no question he was our son.  We accepted the referral of our son Benjamin Cho Westhoff on May 18 and celebrated with some Bibimbap.

The third quarter of 2012 brought about a lot of care packages, beginnings of preparations to the house, and realization of how hard this second wait was going to be! Luckily we again had some camping trips and family functions to keep us busy.  But not a day went by that I didn't wish Benjamin was here to join in the fun with us.  We lived for any updates or pictures we received as well I continued to stay connected to other families. I've been able to live vicariously through these other families as 6 batches of Exit Permits were submitted and a whole lotta families traveled through August.

We're now in the fourth quarter stretch again, and what might be the hardest wait yet as we count down the days to 2013 and some indication of how travel will come together for waiting families.  So glad there is still tons to do in keeping us forever busy.  We've got 1 more month of camping with potentially 3 weekends to take the trailer out; get togethers planned with friends; 40th Anniversary celebration for my parents; 2 holidays with family; and of course much to do with finishing Benjamin's room, creating a new guest room, and starting a Lifebook.

It brings a smile to my face to know that the fourth quarter of 2013 Benjamin will be with us, and I'll be blogging about how our family is working through the transition.  May not be pretty all the time, but surely will be the ride of our lives!