Veterans Day...

Thanks to all of our service men and women, hope you get to enjoy this day!

Take A Moment To Thank A Veteran

When you see someone in a uniform

Someone who serves us all,

Doing military duty,

Answering their country’s call,
Take a moment to thank them

For protecting what you hold dear;

Tell them you are proud of them;

Make it very clear.
Just tap them on the shoulder,

Give a smile, and say,

"Thanks for what you’re doing;

To keep us safe in the USA!"

By Joanna Fuchs

There are not words enough to thank all of you who have served or are serving this country. Your sacrifice, bravery, and willingness to defend amaze me every day. Your are the backbone of this country and we owe our freedom to you. Each of you and your families are in our thoughts and prayers today and every day.

Thanks for all you do! Happy Veterans Day!

Halloween Pics...

The little man himself... He was a martial arts guy this year..

Joshua and his favorite Aunt (it doesn't matter that I'm his only Aunt, lol)...

Joshua with Mom and Dad

a little late but better than never, lol... Love trick-or-treating with my nephew, I mean who could resist that semi-toothless grin right? He has finally lost his first tooth and has three more loose! I must hunt for a picture of his Dad without his front teeth to see how much they look alike, lol.

38 Months...

We have been caught in a traffic jam (kind of like in the picture) for 38 months.. Our particular traffic jam has been caused by a multitude of known and unknown things. These things have been enumerated here and in other places so many times before that it’s not necessary to do so again now.

So, where does this traffic jam leave us? I guess it depends on the day or maybe in some cases the hour I’m asked, “hey what’s going on with your adoption?” Today, at this minute, I have no desire to guess why we are still waiting, when the wait may end or even the reasons behind the wait. Today my answer is simply we are still waiting.

National Adoption Awareness Month...

Before you were conceived I wanted you,
Before you were born I loved you,
Before you were here an hour
I would die for you,
This is the miracle of life.
~ Maureen Hawkins

I hope you get to take the time to celebrate the families who will be or have been brought together out of love.

Maybe someone you know can share how adoption has touched their lives and/or made their family complete.

Have a Happy Halloween...

Wishing you all a fun filled, trick-or-treating kind of

Happy Halloween weekend!

My Favorite Halloween Candy Says...

You Are a Beloved Friend

You are a very popular person. People can always find something about you to like. You are friendly and approachable. It's easy to feel comfortable around you. You are lively, playful, and sweet. But you are also substantial too. No matter what the situation is, you are good company... and the ideal best friend.

What Does Your Favorite Candy Say About You?

Work is Hard. Time for Blogthings!

Referrals have arrived...

The CCAA has posted referrals have gone out to families who were

logged-in March 28, 2006. Congratulations to all those families

who are finally receiving their long awaited referral.

Wishing you all safer and speedy travels!

Lightning Home Opener....

is tonight. I'm so excited that the hockey season has started. Go BOLTS!!!

As of yesterday, it's been...

long, long months...

Fun, Fun!

Definitely Feeling This Way...

Monday :o(

too bad I couldn't just hide!

3 Long Years...

As of 9/5/09 we have been waiting for our child for 3 long years. It’s hard to believe, it was never even imagined that we would hit that mark. Needless to say it’s a long way from the estimated 12-16 month timeline we were given when we started the adoption process. (Just for the record we don’t blame our agency.)

Honestly, it’s hard to even work our heads around it. This has been the longest and hardest things we have had to deal with, EVER! This makes IVF look like a walk in the park. I guess the biggest issue with the whole thing is that there are no concrete answers. No answers about why the wait increased, how long it could really wind up being, or what the reasons for the increased timeline are. Sure, there is speculation, rumor, and vague statements about it but nothing that clearly says the wait was caused by A, B, and C.

What started out as an exciting and hopeful journey has turned into a really bad road trip. You know the one… the car breaks down, then you get lost, and the next thing you know you've lost your hotel reservation. Then it’s only about the last day of the trip that you begin to get over the bad beginning and have fun. Of course during all these mishaps you run the emotional gauntlet ranging from excitement to flat out depression at the thought that it could possibly get worse before it’s over.

For those of you who are lost in the quagmire of the wait and those of you have already endured it, I’m sure you can relate. It’s painful. It’s frustrating. It just plain old makes you angry. As the wait goes on and on your expenses go up and up adding yet another level of frustration to the whole thing. Not to mention there doesn't seem to be an end to it anytime in the near future.

Despite all that, we will continue to wait. What choice do we have? Our child is in China.

For those of you who have been along for the ride – thanks for your support, your shoulders, and your words of comfort. Without you enduring this would have been impossible.

Referrals are in...

Congratulations to all of the families who recived their referrals in this batch. I can only imagine the joy you each felt as you saw your little ones faces for the first time.

Wishing you all speedy travels and unforgettable "gotcha" days!

Update: The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before March 24, 2006.

A little late but...

My friends Drew and Nicole welcomed their son Mason William into their family on Thursday July 30th. We wish you all the best as you embark on this new chapter in your lives. He is adorable and I can't wait to meet him in person.

Congratulations!!

Happy Birthday Joan...

today is my mother-in-law Joan's birthday.

Hope all your birthday wishes come true.

Happy Birthday!

35th Month LIDversary...

Next month is the real milestone as we will have finally hit the 3 year mark of this wait! Can I just say YUK, YUK, YUK!

ps. be prepared for a whiney post that day, lol!

Our 14th Anniversary...

Matt, I can't believe today is our 14th wedding anniversary! It's amazing how time flies, it doesn't seem like 14 years have passed. We've come a long way over the years and yet we have so many more things to do and places to see. I'm looking forward to doing all those things with you. Happy anniversary, I love you !

The Wait is Almost Over...

to all those who are finallly seeing their baby's face for the first time.

Wishing you all a safe journey as you travel to bring your little one home.

The CCAA has finished the review of adoption applications registered with our office before August 31, 2007.

The CCAA has finished the placement of childres for the families whose applications were registered with our office before March 22, 2006.

July 5th Was...

Feels like the "wait" is crawling along just as slow as the blimp!

I'm Already Out of Here...

At least in my mind...

We are heading to the Hilton Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Saturday for a week of fun and sun. Both Matt and I are really in need of a little down time. The next few days going to be sooo long ;o)

Happy 4th of July...

As we head into another 4th of July weekend please remember all of our soldiers past, present and future who have fought or will fight for the freedoms we are about to celebrate. Thank you for your sacrifice and patritiotism, without you there would be no celebration.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Birthday Tori...

Wow, it's hard to believe your 9 today! Your getting so big, it seems like just yesterday you were a precocious 2 year-old. Hope all your birthday wishes come true, happy birthday! We love you!

Happy Birthday Mom and Mimi...

Today two very important women in our lives are celebrating birthdays.

Hope you both have a great day and all your birthday wishes come true!

Happy birthday Mom! Happy birthday Mimi!

Happy Fathers Day...

Dad, there are not words enough to say how much I love you. Thank you for always being there to love, support, and guide me. Without you I wouldn't be who I am today. I love you!

Happy Father's Day, your the best!

Congratulations...

To all those families seeing the faces of their children for the first time.

It must be such a great feeling to almost be at the end of your journey.

Wishing you all safe travels and wonderful "gotcha" days!

Another LID Anniversary Passes...

Freedom Is Not Free...

Freedom is not free

I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Service man saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen",
When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.

~LCDR Kelly Strong, USCG - Copyright 1981~

Happy Memorial Day...

"Greater love has no one than this,than to lay down his life for his friends." ~John 15:13~

Thank you to all of our soldiers, past and present,

who have given so much of themselves for our country.

Your dedication, selflessness, and patriotism are appreciated & not forgotten.

Without your sacrifice we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today.

God bless each and everyone of you and your families today and every day.

Congratulations...

To those families who have FINALLY received their referrals, your long wait is almost over. What a great way to start a holiday weekend!

Wishing you speedy travel arrangements and safe travels!

The CCAA has updated their website to say that they have finished the placement of children for families whose adoption application was logged-in before March 14, 2006.

2009 Kindergarten Class of Northside Christian...

These are a few pictures from Joshua's kindergarten graduation ceremony. Miss Kincaid and Mrs. Martel put together quite the show with the main theme being the "ABC's of Sailing Into First Grade." Each student had a speaking part where they talked about their assigned letter. Then they performed a few songs, the pledge of allegiance to the Flag, and the pledge to the Christian Flag. The program was ended with the song First Grade, First Grade (sung to the tune of New York, New York) it was so cute! Good job guys and congratulations!

Congratulations Joshua...

My nephew, Joshua, graduated from kindergarten last night. It was quite the ceremony as his class prepared to "Sail Into First Grade" (more pictures to come later).

Joshua, we are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments this year.

We love you!

What Gets Us Through?

Thanks everyone!

We have been waiting...

not too much to say or do about it but forge ahead as best we can...

Easter Pictures...

Happy Easter...

Wishing you all a wonderful and peaceful Easter weekend!

He is Risen...

If Easter says anything to us today, it says this: You can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there. You can nail it to a cross, wrap it in winding sheets and shut it up in a tomb, but it will rise!

~Clarence W. Hall

Congrats to the Hansen Family...

...who received their Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for their daughter Jadyn Grace. Wishing you safe travels as you bring your daughter home.

Referrals have arrived...

To all those who have received their referrals this month. Wishing you all safe, speedy travels and wonderful "gothcha" days!

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before March 08, 2006.

One More Month Down...

Since the number is getting bigger, figured the graphics should too!

Happy...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wishing you a rainbow

for sunlight after showers-

Miles and miles of Irish smiles

for golden happy hours -

Shamrocks at your doorway

for luck and laughter too,

And a host of friends that never ends

Each day your whole life through!

Can You Believe...

It's Monday already? This time change is kicking my butt...

Wisdom on a Cup...

The Way I See it #299

There s a subtle difference between a mission and a promise. A mission is something you strive to accomplish – a promise is something you are compelled to keep. One is individual, the other is shared. When a mission and a promise are one and the same… that’s when mountains are moved and races are won.

~ Hala Moddelmog
President and CEO, Susan G. Komen for the Cure


Obviously, I hit Starbuck’s on the way to work this morning ;o) As usual I read the back of my cup looking to see what wisdom was being offered up to start my day. Today’s cup got me thinking a little about promises, missions, and goals. We all know what these things are. We have all made promises, been on a mission, and set goals. This is nothing new it’s a part of life.

What I began to ponder on my drive in to work is how these things are a part of my life. When I make promises I do everything in my power not to break them. A promise is sacred; it is something that I don’t make lightly. Keeping promises allows those around us to know that their trust in me is not misplaced. I’ve set goals too. Some I was able to meet and others that for various reasons, both in and not in my control, just didn’t work out. No earth shattering news there either. Where I got stumped is on the mission part. Aren’t goals and missions synonymous? I’ve always kind of used the word interchangeably. Anyway, why I was thinking about it to begin with was I was contemplating what my life mission or goal is. I’m not sure I have a specific life long goal in mind other than being the best person I can be. Meaning to keep the faith and be the best family member/friend I know how. Essentially to live by the golden rule, you know the one “do unto others as you would have done unto you.” Do you have a life long goal/mission?

30 Months...

and counting, and counting...

Congratulations...

To all of those who are seeing their childs face for the first time.

Wishing you safe and speedy travels.