Happy Thanksgiving...

Wishing you and yours a day filled with family,

food and fun.

Have a great weekend!

Paper Chase Round 2...

has officially begun... First packet requested has been completed, sent back and accepted by CCAI. Second packet was received yesterday via e-mail. I forgot how much paper getting the immigration portion of this was!

Angels Walk the Earth....

...in the form of friends. If ever there was a doubt in our minds it was washed away with the generosity of our friends Mike and Teri. They truly embody the spirit of selflessness, generosity and kindess beyond measure. We can't put into words how much we appreciate and love you both. Thank you doesn't seem big enough but those two little words are sincerely heartfelt. We love you guys!

Finally a Few Halloween Pics...

Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker

Luke aka Joshua

Darth and Luke, father and son

Joshua and Linda, the resident golf cart skeleton

The Star Wars family

Linda showing off her gold tooth

Aunt Kelly & Joshua

I've got the Best Friends...

I came into work the other day and this was sitting on my desk waiting for me...

Isn't it just the cutest thing!?!?

Thanks Jeni, love you!

Hope you all have a great night trick or treating with your little ones!
Have a safe and fun Halloween...

Matches Have Arrived...

Congratulations to all those families who are or who have received their referrals today! Wishing each of your families speedy TA and safe travels ;o)

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered before August 2, 2006.

Great Quote...

Countdown Over...

On October 17th Karmen & Greg finally finally experienced the legendary "gotcha" day and met their daughter Ella for the first time! So excited for this fellow Ladybug to have reached this amazing end to an extremely long and often frustrating journey.

Wishing you all the best as you begin your new life as a family of 3!

Congratulations Ruben and Maria...

Our friends, Ruben and Maria, welcomed the birth of their daughter Almundena Robin Clisanchez this morning. Wishing you all the best as you bring your little one home!

Halloween Hang Time...

This weekend we had some girl fun making Halloween crafts and goodies. Thanks Jeni, Lynn, Danielle and Cathi for brining the girls over for some fun.

Tori and Hope

Cathi, Keira, Lynn, Mallorie and Jeni

Hard at work...
Hope, Cathi and Keira

Sam

Thank you Tori...

"An invisible red thread connects those destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break."

- Ancient Chinese Proverb

Our very special niece, Tori, made me a red thread bracelet to wear while waiting to bring our daughter home. It's great and so are you kiddo! You will always have a very special place in our hearts.

Tori, we love you to the moon and back ;o)

Referrals are in ...

... to all those who are seeing their little ones faces today! You're almost home.

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before July 28, 2006.

It's been 5 years...

Its official, we’ve been waiting for 5 years and 7 days for our referral from China! Never in our wildest dreams did we ever come close to imagining that it would have taken this long to bring our baby home. I can also say that I’m amazed that we’re still “waiting” at all. For those of you who that have followed this nerve-wracking journey you know that until a few weeks ago we were basically done, with a capital D.

As the wait has lengthened I slowly stopped posting here. How many times can you vent about things beyond your control and expect people to read them? After awhile posting even the good times was hard because this site was created to document the journey that would bring our daughter home. The conclusion to that journey seemed impossible; it felt like we would never be able to reach the end with our dreams intact. Time passed and exacted its toll on us. We grew older, the economy tanked and emotionally we had taken a severe beating. The doubt had crept in and taken root and I couldn't see my way past it anymore. Matt had given up a long time ago and I was hanging on by a thread. A thread that had been worn and frayed to the point that one more tug could have broken it.

So what happened? God did! Some close friends (thanks Jeni & Dave) introduced us a too couple who had adopted from China. Ever heard of people being put in your lives for a reason, a season or lifetime? We have met our reason people! Meeting Chris and Cathi have helped us to put things back into perspective. Their story is very similar to ours and watching them with their daughter has given us hope again.

There is still a long way to go and a lot to do, but for now hope and faith are enough to keep us going.

Happy Chinese New Year...

Welcome to the Year of the Golden Rabbit! The Rabbit is the 4th sign of the Chinese zodiac and is a lucky sign. Chinese tradition says that the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves. It's a time for negotiation not force. To gain the greatest benefits from this time, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and relationships.

Happy 2011...

2010 Christmas Card

Merry Montage Christmas

Turn your pictures into personalized Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

I'm An Elf...

You Are An Elf

You are highly creative and artistic. You are good at working hard. While you love to work, you also love to play. You have a naughty side to you! You love pulling pranks and teasing people. You always seem to be getting into some sort of trouble. People can rely on you to be industrious and responsible... but you're going to have fun while you're getting stuff done.

Are You An Elf or a Reindeer?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Please Send Cards Christmas Cards...

I know many of you have the same heart for our soldiers that I do. The picture above is a link takes you directly the Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes site. This site provides instructions for sending Christmas cards to our heroes here and abroad. Please grab an extra box of cards this year and send a message of care and support to some of those who sacrifice so much for us. They need to know that we support them and are keeping them in our prayers at this time of year and every day. I got my box and I hope you will find it in your hearts to send some too.

God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a great day filled with family and friends,

good food, and cozy couch for when you're done!

I am thankful...

I am thankful for so many things ~ my husband, my family and my friends.

I'm thankful every day for all the love, support, friendship, shoulders, and smiles they each add to my life. I am thankful I have enough. Enough love to carry me through, friends to brighten my days, and enough money to get by. I am thankful for our soldiers who fight to protect my freedom and for the sacrifices their families make.

Thank you to all of you who are a part of my life
and for all that you have added to it.

Congratulations Dave & Jeni

Our friends Dave and Jeni were married Saturday in a beautiful outdoor ceremony . The reception was wonderful and everyone had a great time.

Thanks for allowing us to share your day,

we are so happy for both of you.

Love you!

...Pictures to follow ;o)

Am I Really Still Counting?

November is Adoption Awareness Month...

THE GARDEN

I did not plant you, true.
But when the season is done-
When the alternate prayers for sun
and rain are counted-
When the pain of Weeding and the pride
of Watching are through

Then I will hold you High
A shining sheaf above the
thousand seeds grown wild

Not my planting, but by Heaven
My harvest-My own child.

Just a Thought...

Happy Halloween...

Wishing you all a load of fun trick or treating with

your little ghosts and ghoblins!

Congratulations Christina...

Mark 10:8

Tomorrow is your big day, the day that you've dreamed about for so long. Tomorrow as you say your I do's, I will be thinking of you and hoping that all your planning has made the day all you've dreamed of and more.

Wishing you and Jason all the best!

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Opening Night Win!

Yes, the hockey season has officially begun! Last night the Lightning played the Thrasher and won 5-3. With all of the changes (new owner, manager, coach and system) it should be an interesting season. Looking forward to watching the team grow and adapt to it all.

GO BOLTS!!!

48 Months...

Not sure if I'm still counting or not...

Referrals have arrived...

Congratulations to all of you who have recieved your referral in this batch. You are on the last leg of this incredible journey, finally! Wishing you all a wonderful experience traveling to China and incredible "gotcha" days ;o)

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before May 18, 2006.

And the boys are back...

the regular hockey season is almost here again! The Lightning have won their first 2 pre-season games. Hopefully, these wins are the first of many this season. We've got new ownership, new management, new coaches, and lots of new players.

Last night, this young'un (Blair Jones) dropped veteran Chicago defenseman Nick Boynton with a hard left in a short fight during the 2nd period. Way to go Blair!

LETS GO BOLTS!!

Just a thought...

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

Happy Birthday...

Happy birthday Brian, hope you have a great weekend! Of course, I know you will since you're spending it with us ;o)

Grandma, I think about you every day and know that in heaven, where you are, all of your birthday wishes have come true. I love you and miss you!

Today We Remember...

We remember those who lost their lives in such a terrible act of terrorism. We remember our heroes - firefighters, policeman, plane passengers, soldiers and our neighbors. We remember with clarity where we were when this tragedy struck. Some huddled around TVs in conference rooms, others around TVs in cafes or bars, while others listened on the radio. Time stood still as we watched the Towers fall and the enormity of the event began to sink in. The terror and shock were overwhelming. The grief beyond comprehension. Nine years later the wounds are still raw.

From the ashes and plane debris arose a new pride in our country and a unifying strength we had long forgotten. We were ready to defend our country and each other. People gathered together to do whatever they could to help one another through. We were united against a common evil. Lives were forever changed.

Today my greatest hope is that each of you takes a moment to remember those lost, their families, and all of the men and women in the armed forces, law enforcement and fire department who serve and protect us. Remember the strength of purpose and unity you felt during the weeks and months that followed. Rekindle the passion and compassion that carried you through and most of all never forget.

Happy Labor Day...

Hope you all have a great day relaxing with your family and friends!

4 Years...

Still trying to figure out my thoughts on this... I'm kind of at a loss for words. How do I explain the last 4 years of excitement, anticipation, longing, disappointment, frustration, and loss? It's a vicious cycle, one that has repeated itself several times over the last few years to varying degrees, for different lengths of time. Many, if not all of you, can relate to this in one way or another. How many times can one work through this cycle before you begin to question the path you've started down? It turns into the big questioning cycle - Did I miss something? Did I make the wrong choices? Why? Can I continue down this path? Should I continue? When? I don't have the answers.

Long week...