So, what are your best traits as a mother?

The meeting with the social worker went really well. I enjoy talking to her and she is great in helping you along the way.

She asked me about my relationships with my parent and brother. She also asked about how growing up was for me. I can tell you it was not easy. I didn't miss anything in a material sense. I missed spending time with my parents. I believe I have shared with you that I grew up on a farm in a rural area. We used to have dairy cows. My parents had to work a lot to make ends meet. They didn't have a lot of time available to spend with us. Even when we would have a meal as a family my parents would talk about their work most of the time. I now know that my parents really love me and care for me. But I didn't know that as a child. We never went on vacation with our parents. We went out to dinner maybe once a year (I am not kidding)! When we would take a road trip it was usually to visit my uncle who live about 50 miles away from us. My parents never really knew another life than work. Which is very sad. I would not want to live their life.

We talked for quite a while and then she asked me, what my best character traits as a mother would be. That is a really good question. I didn't really know what to say. But there is one thing for sure. This child will have so much love. Because we have so much love between us. I can't wait to share it with a child. I guess the child will also have a lot of fun. My husband and I love to laugh and we have so much fun together.

Tomorrow my husband will have his meeting with the social worker and on Monday we have our home visit. Time to start cleaning the house... I can't believe how fast we are getting ahead now. Our home study might be ready next week or the week after that. Wow!!!

I hope we can sit down this week-end and work on our profile and the questions we still have for the agency before we send in our application...

Today I met an old friend from Europe for lunch. When we were leaving the restaurant in China town a woman with a stroller on the street asked us something. I first thought she was looking for something and needed help, so I asked her what she had said. And she repeated that she needed some money for food. I was sad to hear that. Children should not have to grow up in circumstances where their mother needs to beg on the street. I pray that she overcomes the problems she might have and can provide a better future for her child.

I also was shocked about this. How can anyone do something like this to an innocent little baby? How can one human being do something like this to another? I pray for the baby who seems to be clinging on to his little life. I pray that God helps it to find a family to love it and help it overcome this horrible past.