Here's to you... Wishing you all a happy, safe and prosperous New Year!
Monday, December 31, 2007
As 2007 winds down...
It’s that time of year again… a time to say goodbye to the current year and ring in the New Year. It’s time for a reflection on the year that has just passed by, very rapidly I might add. Looking back on 2007, the blur that it was, I can honestly say it was a pretty good year. That doesn’t mean that we haven’t faced some challenges but if I checked the scale the good has outweighed the bad.
The biggest challenge this year was dealing with “the wait” is I now call it. Most of you are aware of where we stand on the adoption front but in case you are not here is a brief recap. Matt and I have been logged into China for 15 months and 3 weeks to adopt our baby girl. We thought by now we would have at least been looking at a picture of our daughter as we waited to travel. Unfortunately, it seems like our referral will still be a long, long way off. The reasons for this are varied and despite speculation we know nothing concrete about why or when things in China will change. The frustration and anger associated with this wait have been documented here at various times so there is no need to rehash them here. In addition to the wait we have dealt with the loss of friends and the illnesses of family.
Yet despite the disappointments, losses, and frustration we have basically had a good year. While the wait has been difficult, at times more than others, it’s amazing how many other things we did accomplish in 2007. We sold our condo and bought a house. This was no small feat given that the real estate market has been deteriorating steadily the last year or so. We managed to get a fairly good price on the condo and a great deal on our house. We both got promotions at our jobs. We have seen family members healed and made new friends. We’ve watched families receive their referrals and others bring their children home. What inspiration these things are, they do make it all seem real somehow. Our support system is the best; we couldn’t have made it without you guys. You all know who you are :o) All in all we have a lot to be grateful for.
Earlier I read over some of my posts from last year and ran across this ~
Patience is a hard discipline. It is not just waiting until something happens over which we have no control: the arrival of the bus, the end of the rain, the return of a friend, the resolution of a conflict. Patience is not waiting passively until someone else does something. Patience asks us to live the moment to the fullest, to be completely present to the moment, to taste the here and now, to be where we are. When we are impatient, we try to get away from where we are. We behave as if the real thing will happen tomorrow, later, and somewhere else. Let's be patient and trust that the treasure we look for is hidden in the ground on which we stand."
Henri J.M.Nouwen
It's as true today as it was when I first read it. As I sit and write this I’m trying to think about next year and what my goals for 2008 (besides the obvious things) should be. I know for sure I need to worry less and live more. I think I want to start writing letters to our daughter that hopefully will convey how much we have always loved her, even before we knew her. I should begin reading adoption related books. (It has seemed so far away so far that I haven’t read any!) The rest hasn’t come to me yet but I’m sure it will. Thank you to all of you who have shared your lives with us and for being such a big part of ours. We love you all and look forward to continuing our relationships next year. Wishing you all only the best on 2008!
The biggest challenge this year was dealing with “the wait” is I now call it. Most of you are aware of where we stand on the adoption front but in case you are not here is a brief recap. Matt and I have been logged into China for 15 months and 3 weeks to adopt our baby girl. We thought by now we would have at least been looking at a picture of our daughter as we waited to travel. Unfortunately, it seems like our referral will still be a long, long way off. The reasons for this are varied and despite speculation we know nothing concrete about why or when things in China will change. The frustration and anger associated with this wait have been documented here at various times so there is no need to rehash them here. In addition to the wait we have dealt with the loss of friends and the illnesses of family.
Yet despite the disappointments, losses, and frustration we have basically had a good year. While the wait has been difficult, at times more than others, it’s amazing how many other things we did accomplish in 2007. We sold our condo and bought a house. This was no small feat given that the real estate market has been deteriorating steadily the last year or so. We managed to get a fairly good price on the condo and a great deal on our house. We both got promotions at our jobs. We have seen family members healed and made new friends. We’ve watched families receive their referrals and others bring their children home. What inspiration these things are, they do make it all seem real somehow. Our support system is the best; we couldn’t have made it without you guys. You all know who you are :o) All in all we have a lot to be grateful for.
Earlier I read over some of my posts from last year and ran across this ~
Patience is a hard discipline. It is not just waiting until something happens over which we have no control: the arrival of the bus, the end of the rain, the return of a friend, the resolution of a conflict. Patience is not waiting passively until someone else does something. Patience asks us to live the moment to the fullest, to be completely present to the moment, to taste the here and now, to be where we are. When we are impatient, we try to get away from where we are. We behave as if the real thing will happen tomorrow, later, and somewhere else. Let's be patient and trust that the treasure we look for is hidden in the ground on which we stand."
Henri J.M.Nouwen
It's as true today as it was when I first read it. As I sit and write this I’m trying to think about next year and what my goals for 2008 (besides the obvious things) should be. I know for sure I need to worry less and live more. I think I want to start writing letters to our daughter that hopefully will convey how much we have always loved her, even before we knew her. I should begin reading adoption related books. (It has seemed so far away so far that I haven’t read any!) The rest hasn’t come to me yet but I’m sure it will. Thank you to all of you who have shared your lives with us and for being such a big part of ours. We love you all and look forward to continuing our relationships next year. Wishing you all only the best on 2008!
Christmas Day...
Christmas has come and gone once again. We spent the day with hanging out with our family.We had fun hanging out, opening presents, and having a family dinner. Below are some pictures of our day. I know, they are mostly of my nephew but he's just so darn cute ;o)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Merry Christmas...
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
~ Luke 2:10-11
Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The Gift...
THE GIFT
Author Unknown
T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND SOON DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT
To all of those who serve our country so unselfishly ~
We just wanted to let you know that you are not forgotten. It is with gratitude and hope in our hearts that we pray for your safety and return to your families. Thank you for your sacrifice. Wishing you and your families a safe and Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Christmas Spirit Level...
| Your Christmas Sprit Level: 55% |
 You have a lot of Christmas spirit, and it's evident to most people who know you. You love most things Christmas, and you do your best to make sure everyone has a great holiday. While you like the more commercial aspects of Christmas, you truly know what the spirit of Christmas is about. You're all about giving, being kind, and sharing the spirit of Christmas with everyone you know. |
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thank you WWF Secret Pal...
Anik and Sylvain spoiled us with this exchange. They sent a box full of goodies from Canada that included -
A really cute stuffed penguin
Christmas apron/chef hat set
Christmas gummy candy
Christmas rubber ducks (the baby will have to fight Matt for those, lol)
and a wonderful 100 good wishes growth chart (very cool!)
They wrapped everything and it was so much fun to open it all. Thanks again for spoiling us, we loved it. I can't wait for the Christmas Reagan will be home and I can give her the penguin while telling her about our wonderful group. Check out all of our goodies below...
Thanks again Anik and Sylvain! We are wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from down here in Florida!
A really cute stuffed penguin
Christmas apron/chef hat set
Christmas gummy candy
Christmas rubber ducks (the baby will have to fight Matt for those, lol)
and a wonderful 100 good wishes growth chart (very cool!)
They wrapped everything and it was so much fun to open it all. Thanks again for spoiling us, we loved it. I can't wait for the Christmas Reagan will be home and I can give her the penguin while telling her about our wonderful group. Check out all of our goodies below...
Thanks again Anik and Sylvain! We are wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from down here in Florida!What a great concert...
I went to the Keith Urban concert on Sunday (12/9) with my friends Christina and Lynn. We met early for dinner and then went to the St. Pete Time Forum to catch the concert. Gary Allan opened for Keith and I have to tell you he was really good. Think I will be out buying his newest CD soon. As for Keith's show, it was awesome! He puts on high energy show and sounded fantastic. (I always worry that artists won't sounds as good live as they do in the studio. That was definitely a non-issue with Keith!) To top of it off, he's really cute. Here are the few picturess we were able to get. Enjoy!
Friday, December 14, 2007
Humbug has been chased away...
It's amazing what simple joy hanging out with friends can bring. On Saturday (12/8) we hosted a Christmas dinner for our friends Mark & Lynn, Dave & Jeni, and their combined three girls. We baked Christmas cookies, opened presents,and then settled in for a homemade lasagna dinner. Here are a couple of pictures of the girls opening their Christmas presents...
Thanks guys for coming over and celebrating Christmas with us! See my next post for details on Sunday.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Christmas Meme...
This is from Janet's website. Here it goes:
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both
2. Real tree or artificial? Real love the smell.However this year we had a room that needed a small pencil tree and that one is fake.
3. When do you put up your tree? Within the first couple of weeks after Thanksgiving, depending on our schedules.
4. When do you take the tree down? After New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? Yucky!!!
6. Favourite gift received as a child? A green giraffe with white polka dots ( it was really cute, I need to find some pictures of it!)
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? Nope, but do have Precious Memories ornaments with the Nativity scene on them.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My mom and Alex.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Nieces, nephews and friends kids.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Not sure, will have to think about that.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both – sometimes e-mail is a lifesaver
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Miracle on 34th Street with Elizabeth Perkins and Dylan McDermott (BTW Janet, I love the Lord of the Rings trilogy too!)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? After Halloween but usually don’t get finished until the week before.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Nope as much as sometime I might ike to ;o)
15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? My mom’s nut bread, yum, yum!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I prefer clear but Matt likes the colored.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Little Drummer Boy and Do you See What I See
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I agree with Janet - I prefer to stay at home and be with family!!!!!!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Sure – Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen . And the most famous reindeer of all Rudolph (I have to sing the song to get them though)
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel… boy these meme’s are long…
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We do both so we can see everyone
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The crowds
23. What is the "corniest" family tradition you do, or miss doing? We don’t really have a tradition except getting together…. Think we should start some
24. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? I’ll have to get back to you on that one…
25. Which looks the best, theme trees or homey trees? Either but we go with traditional at our house.
26. What does Christmas mean to you? Family, friends, and celebrating the Reason for the season
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both
2. Real tree or artificial? Real love the smell.However this year we had a room that needed a small pencil tree and that one is fake.
3. When do you put up your tree? Within the first couple of weeks after Thanksgiving, depending on our schedules.
4. When do you take the tree down? After New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? Yucky!!!
6. Favourite gift received as a child? A green giraffe with white polka dots ( it was really cute, I need to find some pictures of it!)
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? Nope, but do have Precious Memories ornaments with the Nativity scene on them.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My mom and Alex.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Nieces, nephews and friends kids.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Not sure, will have to think about that.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both – sometimes e-mail is a lifesaver
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Miracle on 34th Street with Elizabeth Perkins and Dylan McDermott (BTW Janet, I love the Lord of the Rings trilogy too!)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? After Halloween but usually don’t get finished until the week before.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Nope as much as sometime I might ike to ;o)
15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? My mom’s nut bread, yum, yum!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I prefer clear but Matt likes the colored.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Little Drummer Boy and Do you See What I See
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I agree with Janet - I prefer to stay at home and be with family!!!!!!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Sure – Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen . And the most famous reindeer of all Rudolph (I have to sing the song to get them though)
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel… boy these meme’s are long…
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We do both so we can see everyone
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The crowds
23. What is the "corniest" family tradition you do, or miss doing? We don’t really have a tradition except getting together…. Think we should start some
24. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? I’ll have to get back to you on that one…
25. Which looks the best, theme trees or homey trees? Either but we go with traditional at our house.
26. What does Christmas mean to you? Family, friends, and celebrating the Reason for the season
If you want to play along please leave a comment so I can see your answers...
TGIF!!!
It's been a long week! I'm ready to move on to a fun filled weekend spent with friends. When I say fun filled, I really do mean fun filled. Tonight we are going to the movies with our friend down from GA. Tomorrow we are having friends over for a holiday dinner and Christmas cookie baking. To top it off Sunday night I am going to the Keith Urban concert with my friends Christina and Lynn. It will definitely be a busy weekend but I'm ready for some fun.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Congratulations...
to all those families who have received their referrals. What a great Christmas gift you've received. Wishing you all speedy travel arrangements and unforgettable "gotcha" days.
Bah Humbug...
I’ve been feeling this little rant come on for a few days so I figured I’d go ahead and get it over with. Once it is out the way I can go back to enjoying this Christmas season. For those of you poor souls reading this now is your chance to bail…As I’ve been out holiday shopping the last week or so it’s really hit me what I, and others, will be missing yet again this year. Don’t get me wrong, I really do love the Christmas season. I truly enjoy time spent with family and friends, and dare I say it shopping (I’m not a shopper except at this time of year). I love the decorations, Christmas songs, holiday movies, and seeing the look on a loved ones face when they open a gift that they truly appreciate. But as I shop for my nephews, nieces and friends kids it hits me again that I’m still waiting. Waiting for the time when our dream of being parents comes true. I want to go shopping for OUR little girl. I want to brave the lines and take her to sit on Santa’s lap. I want to decorate our house just for her. I want to drive around and let her look at the neighborhood Christmas lights. I want to see her little face as she sees the wonders of the season for the first time!
When we began this process we thought we’d at least be seeing her face before the end of the year meaning about now. But as you know the wait is going on and on and on… kind of like the energizer bunny! Something makes me want to kick that pink bunny in the arse! I do realize that this is a childish notion but still think it would make me feel better even if for a brief moment. I could go on forever about what the reasons for the lengthening wait are but truthfully what I know is supposition even if it is based on truth. Whatever the reasons behind the wait the bottom line is the wait, the seemingly never-ending wait that has become the albatross around my neck. It frustrates me, it saddens me, it depresses me, it plain old pisses me off! I don’t want to think about another Christmas season passing us by without having our kid home. I don’t want to celebrate yet another birthday signifying the passing of time. I DON”T WANT TO WAIT ANYMORE!!!! (Note the key word here is want. I don’t want to do these things but I will. It’s the price of bringing my daughter home.)
So from whiny adoptive parent to another, how do you deal with it? What helps you get through the rough patches? I’ll tell you what I’m going to do… I’m going to go home turn on all my Christmas lights and write a letter to Santa… oh, and have a really large glass of wine!
Sunday, December 02, 2007
What Christmas Ornament Are You?
| You Are a Snowman |
 Friendly and fun, you enjoy bringing holiday cheer to everyone you know! |
Thanks Angie!
We did an ornament exchange in my Ladybug adoption group. Angie sent me the cutest ornament with the most appropriate sentiment on it. It has a picture of a little girl and says "Believe." During this long adoption process this has become my new mantra. I think I'll keep this one up all year long as reminder that our turn is coming. Thanks Angie!
Here it is up at the top of our tree 
We've made it through...
the review room. As of November 30th the CCAA has posted that they have reviewed all dossiers logged in through September 30, 2006. For those of you who may have forgotten what the significance of that is, it's that the CCAA has finally reviewed our dossier (our log-in date is 9/5/06). It's during review that if CCAA had any issue or questions concerning our dossier we would have been questioned. Luckily we didn't get any questions so we should be moving on to the match room ;o)
Sweet Pea, we are one step closer to bringing you home!
Sweet Pea, we are one step closer to bringing you home!
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