Congratulations to all the families who will soon be receiving referrals and those who have made it through the review room.

Hope you get to celebrate these milestones this weekend!

Sunset at the North Pole

A scene most of us will probably never get to see, so take a moment and enjoy God at work at the North Pole.

In this picture the moon is at its closest point. And, you also see the sun below the moon. An amazing photo and not one easily duplicated. The Chinese have a saying that goes something like this: "When someone shares with you something of value, you have an obligation to share it with others!"

2 x 2 About Me

This was sent to me by Dottie...

Two names you go by:
1. Kelly
2. Mrs. Shrader

Two things you are wearing right now:
1. T-shirt
2. Workout pants

Two of your favorite things to do:
1. Hang out with my friends
2. Go to hockey games – GO BOLTS

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. To be in China
2. To be on the way back from China

Two favorite pets you have had/have
1. Gizmo
2. Lily

Two people who will fill this out
1. hmmm... Janet
2. Ana

Things you ate today:
1. Starbucks’s Chai Latte (it's only 9:30 AM)
2. Starbuck’spumpkin loaf (really good with the tea)

Two people you last talked to:
1. Dad
2. Matt

Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Working
2. Going to lunch with Lynn

Two longest car rides:
1. Tuscaloosa, AL (driving long distance with someone who has road rage is tough!)
2. Maine - imagine 2 kids in a backseat going all that way ;o)

Two favorite holidays:
1. Christmas
2. Halloween - love seeing all the little kids dressed up ;o)

Two favorite beverages:
1. Starbuck’s Chai Latte
2. Apple Martini’s

Now, here's what you're supposed to do ... and please do not spoil the fun. Copy this, delete my answers and type in your answers. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know including the person who sent it to you. If you decide to play leave me a comment so I can check out your answers.

Thank God It's Friday

Melancholy...

to be "gloomy, despondent, blue, dispirited, sorrowful, dismal, doleful, glum, downcast." It's been one of those weeks. I hadn't even realized it until someone asked me if I was okay. Automatically I responded "sure, why?" Once I started thinking about it I discovered that my answer was both true and untrue. On one hand I'm doing pretty good with this whole wait thing. For the most part I just go about my business and try not to think a whole lot about it. That being said, please don't think that a day goes by that my child or this whole process is not on my mind. Typically, I can sort of think about it but can kind of just slide on by without getting too caught up in it. For some reason I'm having a hard time not getting caught up in the wait, the what if's, and all the misery that accompanies them this week. I really thought I had gotten over that little tightening of the chest when you see a newborn or little kid at the mall or Target. But not this week, I don't know why but for some reason those little pangs have returned. I know that they will pass and that it will get better. I guess I just want to wallow a little. I want to whine, complain and cry without comment. I'm tired of waiting. I'm tired of stressing about things I can't change. I'm tired of wondering what possible issue can come up next that will cause additional delays. I'm just plain old tired. I miss a child I've never met. I yearn to grab her up and hold her tight. I want to play those silly little tickle games and sing silly songs with her. I want to be a mommy - RIGHT NOW.

So tonight I decided I would vent. I would whine and complain about it. I would subject those of you who read this blog to my whining. Sorry folks but just letting it out makes me feel a little better. So if you've made actually it this far, thanks for letting me vent. I'll bounce back, I always do.

The Way I See It #273

All children need a laptop. Not a computer, but a human laptop.
Moms, dads, grannies and grandpas, aunts, uncles - someone to hold them, read to them, teach them. Loved ones who will embrace them and pass on the experience, rituals, and knowledge of a hundred previous generations.

Loved ones who will pass to the next generation their expectations of them, their hopes, and their dreams.

~ General Colin L. Powell

Typically, I read the first couple of words on the back of my Starbuck's cup and skip the rest. This one caught my attention with the first line "all children need a laptop." My first thought was you have got to be kidding me and then I read the rest. It had me thinking on my drive home (for some reason I've been quite reflective lately) that General Powell was right. It's not about the gadgets, the toys or all the other hundreds of material things we can provide for our children. It really boils down to the time, love, and attention that we give them. They are little sponges absorbing all that they see and hear long before we realize they are capable of doing it.

My hope is that when I finally am able to bring my daughter home that I remember this. That despite all the material things we can provide for her that we always remember that more importantly she will need our "laptops" and all that comes along with it.

It's that time....

Hockey season is back. Lightning training camp officially began today. Our guys are probably bending over at the waist, feeling the urge to throw up and saying to themselves "I should have worked out more over the summer." Torts is known across the league for his grueling training camp. You gotta love the speed, the skill, and the fast paced game - it's total sports entertainment :o)

Let's go BOLTS!!!!


Check out Vinnie bend that stick!

A Meme...

From my cyberbudyy Janet, who always makes me laugh...

Accent: I don’t have one, even though I’ve lived in the South all of my life.

I Don't Drink: Coffee, yuk! But you gotta love those Starbuck’s Chai Lattes ;o)

Chore I Hate: Mopping the floor and cleaning the shower

Pets: Two kitties- Lily and Ouda, and 2 dogs- Daisy and Smuckers

Essential Electronics: Laptop, hair appliances, dishwasher (an absolute must)

Perfume: Lauren or Blue by Ralph Lauren. I also like Shi by Alfred Sung

Gold or Silver: Silver

Insomnia: About 3-4 nights a week :o/

Job Title: Credit Risk Officer

Most Admired Trait: Besides my wonderful perosnality (just kidding). Dependabilty

Phobia: Mayo, creepy crawlies, and Ferris Wheels (put me on a roller coaster going upside down and all around @ 90 mph and I’m fine, go figure!)

Siblings: Uno – luv ya bro!

Time I wake up: 7:00 AM only because I HAVE to for work

Unusual talent/Skill: hmmm….

Vegetable I refuse to eat: Lima beans or brussel sprouts

Worst Habit: Me? Do I have bad habits?!?! I’ll have to ponder this one…

X-Rays: Left Elbow/Leg, Chest.

Favorite Meal: Good Mexican or Seafood

I tag anyone who wants to play. If you do, let me know so I can check out your answers.

It's been 1 year...

It’s been one year since our paperwork was officially logged into china. It is with mixed emotions that this day has finally arrived. Like many of you this process started with fertility treatments long before we began the adoption process. When we began this journey we thought the wait would be approximately 12-14 months and that we would have received our referral by the end of this 2007, or at the very outside early 2008. As you now know that will not be the case. We are about 281 LID days or 12-24 months away from receiving a referral as of today. The seemingly ever-lengthening wait has dampened the joy in just how far we have come.

This journey has been both the most difficult thing I've ever done and also the most exciting. It has been a road that has opened my eyes to so many things. As most of you have already heard me say, the adoption process makes you take a long hard look not only at yourself but at your family, friends, and surroundings. This process has more clearly than ever before made me realize I lack patience. I am an “AB” type personality and either side kicks on depending on the situation. Once I’ve made a decision to do something my “A” side kicks in – HARD! Since so much of this process is out of my control I have had a difficult time dealing with it. There are days it makes me crazy! I just want to hop on a plane, fly to China, and help the CCAA move things along. I do realize that this is not rational, that regardless of my need for control and organization this is not something that I can do. It is humbling to know that at this point there is absolutely NOTHING I can do to move this process along any faster despite my drive and organizational skills, lol.

There are positive sides of the wait. Did I actually say that?!?!? Truly, whether I like to admit it or not, there are positives. I’ve discovered that we are indeed very lucky to have the unconditional support of family and friends. They are in this with us and it goes without saying that their support is worth more than words can say. I’ve made new friends and gained an additional support system through my adoption groups. I can’t believe it already September, this year has flown by! We’ve done so much this year – sold a house, bought a house, fixed up both houses, received promotions at work, gone on vacation, and for the first time been able to have company come stay at our house. The wait will also help us to financially build back up a savings depleted by fertility treatments, adoption and moving expenses. The most important of all is that we know more than ever before that we are indeed willing to do whatever is necessary to bring our child home.

Balancing on this double edged sword called adoption is tough at times but we will get through it. Thanks to all of you who have been supportive, listened to me rant when I needed to, and for all the encouragement despite the wait.

Sweet Pea, we are one year closer to bringing you home!

Congratulations ...

To all those who have received their referrals! Wishing you all speedy travel arrangements and wonderful "gotcha" days!

Happy Labor Day...

Hope you all had a relaxng and fun labor day weekend!