Taking it all in

The last two days of training have been amazing. We heard from various speakers, LSS staff and met other prospective adoptive parents. It was an intense and wonderful two days. We covered a variety of topics and people, including infertility, loss and grief, an overview of the open domestic adoption process, a panel (included adoptive parents - one international, one domestic - and two birthmothers), how to write an effective family profile (this is what goes into the parent profile book that birthmothers can peruse), and cross-cultural, transracial adoption. There are so many wonderful resources available for each of those topics. We were mentally drained at the end of each day, but on Thursday we looked forward to the new info Friday would bring.

Yesterday we were wrapped up with training by about 4:45. We got on the road (we'd been hearing about the 'great' weather and road reports most of the day). After a quick Chipolte stop (yum!) we got out of the Cities. The closer we got to home, the more the conditions deteriorated. We decided to try to get to Alexandria and stay the night. We were thankful to find a room at the Holiday Inn. Other hotels only had smoking options left, so we eagerly unloaded our bag here. So, we're currently in snowy Alex, waiting for conditions to improve. We've heard Fergus Falls received 15", so it may be a bit before we get on the road. At this rate, our tour of Minnesota may have to be altered. Perhaps our goal should be Fergus tonight, Rothsay or Barnesville tomorrow night, and hopefully home on Monday?!? Thankfully, Papa Chip and Loni made it to Moorhead last night, so they are hanging out with Carson. We miss kiddo so much and can't wait to get home again.

We are chalking this up to another part of the journey. Our safety is obviously important, so with darkness falling last night we didn't want to get to crazy. We did have a 'sign' when we got into our room. In the bathroom, on top of the little soaps and shampoos was a little rubber ducky. Now I have stayed in countless hotels over my career (a lot of hotel nights in admission!) and stayed with many hotel chains. I have never see a rubber ducky as a part of the bathroom 'Hors D'oeuvres'. Needless to say, this little ducky is coming home with us. It'll be a part of the story for this yet-unknown little one to hear about one day. (Of course, it'll be photographed and scrapbooked about too!). I'll add a pic of lil' duck when we get home.

Our next plan is to brainstorm party ideas for Carson's BD party tomorrow. Plan A is the park, Plan B is our house. Hmmmm....perhaps the kids could build snowmen? Guess we need to think of some games to keep them busy inside. :)