With a mere nine days before we board the plane for the trip that will change our lives forever, much remains to be done. Today alone I’ve spoken to our social worker and lawyer (both more than once!); my daughter’s pediatric staff, and I still have to coordinate a few more adoption-related things before the end of business today.

If you’ve read this blog with any regularity, you know I’m not so good with “the small stuff”. Big stuff, no problem – just don’t drown me in minutiae. So, running around these past few days is somewhat crazy-making. Combined with the “lack of sleep” adrenaline-buzz that seems to have hit the family sum total, I’m somewhat of a frazzled zombie!

Just when everything hits a fever pitch and I think I just can’t handle one more thing, my brain pulls this verse out and soothes me:

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10)

Aaaaahhhh … it’s like a refreshing drink of cold water. It calms me down and brings me back to center once again.

Here are some things I’ve learned about handling pre-finalization stress:

• You can’t do it all alone (Part One): You need God. Pray, read Scripture; meditate on His word.
• You can’t do it all alone (Part Two): You need to delegate! As the stay-at-home mom portion of the Casa Stro show, I usually do the lion’s share of whatever it is that needs to be done. Usually that’s the big stuff, thus, the stuff I am pretty good at. Hubby and son do some of the smaller things, so that I can rest. It’s been a keeper of a strategy!
• Take a breather: If you think you are just about to lose it, for any number of pretty good reasons, step away from it all – even if just mentally. I will go and knit for a few minutes, play a video game, call someone – anything to give myself a break.
• Remember the outcome: All this is building toward what you’ve waited ages for – the homecoming of your new additions!

Yes, it is overwhelming at times. And, usually at the very beginning and at the very end there are lots of things needing to be done. So when I find myself slipping into a very self-absorbed “pity-party” state, I just sit back and remember to “be still … “