The Big Debate

I'm debating about my referral request. It's going to be about a hundred years before I see my girl's face. My kids will not be three or four years apart -- more like six. That's a big difference from what I expected going into this process. I had made my request 0-6 months because I was worried about attachment, and the timelines from referral to travel seemed pretty long when I started this process. But now, court is moving along much quicker, and IA has changed their policy to now allow parents to travel to get their munchkins (and stay in Ethiopia until visas are issued) right after court.
All of these things change the game a bit. And seeing as how we're creeping up on two years of waiting and I don't want any lapse in my file, and will have to get it updated soon anyway, I'm thinking I may change my referral request too. I think I'll accept 0-18 months. Baby will be with me before age two, and I will have plenty of time off for bonding after court passes, and besides, my referral will come earlier, so my kids will be more like 4 1/2 years apart. It seems logical and reasonable to me. Feedback, people?

May -- post in comments because I'm having issues

Sooo... anyone from Boston?

I'm pretty sure I don't have anyone out there I know from Boston, but my mam's taking a four-day Yoga course there at the beginning of June, and so I was wondering if anyone knows of a good, inexpensive place to stay? Or maybe would be interested in billetting her? She's clean and friendly and quiet enough. Just throwing it out there.
So my many plans in many directions continue and I'm pursuing several at any given time. Jonah wants to move to Ethiopia or the coast. He has discovered a new love: Injera, and asks me to make it on a regular basis. I haven't found a stew that I love yet. If you have a link to a good, not real spicy, vegetarian, tomato-free recipe, please comment! I followed one blog that posted recipes over a year ago, but I didn't bookmark, and now can't find them. We went for the first time to an Ethiopian restaurant in Edmonton (on the corner of 118 ave and 95 st) -- all vegan buffet every Wednesday -- my new favorite place to eat. When I asked Jonah what he thought of the food, he said, "I love it! I wish my mouth was bigger!" I love that kid.
We are continuing in our application to foster. The social worker came out this week and pointed out a few small things that need to be done (apparently not having covers on light switches is a problem? Though I know from experience, that not sticking your fingers in there is a lesson that teaches itself! Yes, I'm a terrible parent ;)), so we'll fix up those things, and should have a home study starting up in a month or so. This means we could start fostering over the summer. And with everything so up in the air for me, I think this is a great compromise: I'll be doing something that makes a difference, something I'll enjoy and I can still be secure in my job. We're getting a new principal. It's a good thing. This poor guy has been through the wringer. My town is not an easy place to live, much less hold a public position. When the Superintendent came out to chat with the staff about what we would like to see in a new principal, many qualities were listed. But I did email him after that I thought whoever the poor fellow is, he should be warned that he's about to be thrown into a pit of vipers and gnashing dogs. I wish I were kidding, but it really is like that. We'll see how it goes. Still hoping something will come up in E-town. Whatever. Something will come. Sometime.