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I saw this on another blog, thanks Christie, and thought it was interesting. Check it out...

It's been six months...

As of today we have been officially logged into China for six months. On one hand it seems like quite a milestone, on the other it's tough to think that we may only be a a quarter of the way through the wait. Either way we are six months further into the wait than we were before.

So far 2007 has been a combination of both the bad and good. People I know and love have experienced the loss of loved ones and/or are battling life threatening illnesses. Referral time lines have continued to grow and others are struggling for a variety of different reasons. Fortunately, for me at least, I have also experienced good things. I have finally been a first hand witness to meeting a family that received their referral and was able to meet the daughter they brought home, it gives me hope. I've met and connected with a group of fellow adoptive parents-to-be who have become a wonderful source of support and inspiration during this roller coaster ride. Ladies, you know who you are ;o) Through it all I have had a shoulder to cry on, an arm to lean on, and love enough from family and friends to carry me through and for that I am thankful.

Happy anniversary, we are six months closer...

A Night with Family...

My nephew Joshua and his family got a new puppy Tuesday. Stanley is a four month old English Bulldog. I went over for dinner tonight to meet Stanley and catch up with everyone. We had a great time and Stanley is such a sweetie! Thought I would share a couple of pictures of our night together. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did taking them ;o)

Me and Josh reading a story

Josh, Stanley, and I playing

Check out that little face !

CCAI February Secret Pals...

My CCAI August/September Secret Pal gift arrived today. It was such a nice surprise after such a long week. It is the cutest, softest little Bunny blanket and two books from Bunnies by the Bay. Check it out...


Thank you for the cute gifts!!!

Gifts for the baby...

As some of you already know, I have been hesitant to begin shopping for the baby. I hesitate for a couple reasons - we are in the process of looking for a bigger house (we have absolutely no space), the referral seems soooo far away, and there is the tiniest, tiniest chance we could get a boy. Let me explain that last one, our social worker put "either girl or boy" in our home study and to avoid further delays we sent our dossier in that way. Anyway, back to the gifts...

While I have been able to resist the urge to shop, some of my friends and family have not. Christmas and my recent birthday were the perfect excuses for them to pick up things for the baby ;o) Check out the baby gifts I have received from Jeni, Lynn, Fior, and Matt's mom...

Book from Grandma Joanie

Cute dress from Jeni & Lynn

Ladybug Bear and Pillow from Fior - the cat was already mine ;o)

January Cybershower...

One of my adoption groups, The Ladybugs and Red Thread Believers, are doing monthly cyber-showers. The host of the month picks a theme and anyone who would like to participate signs up for it. Everyone participating is then assigned a person to shop for and a mailing deadline is set. We all open our gifts and reveal who our cyber-buddy was on a prearranged date. The January shower was my first and the theme was "bath time." Erin was my buddy and got me wonderful gifts, thanks Erin!

The following items were included in the box I received from Erin -

Flipflop Tub Mat
Duck Toy Net
Alphabet Letters & Numbers Appliques
Towel with ladybug & flower, really cute!
Soft pink booties
And last but not least, an adorable pair of ladybug slippers for me...

Check it out wrapped and unwrapped ~

Letting go...

Is there some problem in your life to solve,
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.
He keeps the key.

Is there some door closed by the Father's hand
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
Trust God and wait - for when He shuts the door
He keeps the key.

Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,
Or answered NOT as you had thought 'twould be?
God will make clear his purpose by-and-by.
He keeps the key.

Have patience with your God, your patient God
All wise, all knowing, no long tarrier He.
And of the door of all thy future life
He keeps the key
Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest.

To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just HE sees 'tis best
Will give it THEE.

~Anonymous

Tonight one of my ladybug friends posted this poem. It was the perfect time for her to share it with us as we are all dealing with frustration and anxiety over the wait times. It is the perfect reminder that God will and does provide for us and answer our prayers. Human nature is to want to control everything regardless of the fact that we know it cannot be done. His timing is perfect, even when we don't see it. So tonight my prayer for all of us is that we find a way to let go, to give it back to the One who can and does make all things possible. Keep the faith ladies, we are on our way however long the road seems to be.

Current Events...

There has been a lot posting lately regarding CNN's Paula Zahn show on the new regulations for Chinese adoptions. I didn't see the show but did read the transcripts. At best it was uninformed and clearly got a lot of people, especially the Chinese adoption community, upset. The racist comments and characterizations of parents choosing to adopt Chinese children were inexcusable. Other than briefly outlining the new regulations most of the discussion was centered on other issues. It seemed to me that the panelists were pushing their own agenda's rather than carrying on an informed and pertinent discussion relating to the regulation changes and the impact on potential adoptive parents.

Due to the thousands of mails CNN received they re-ran the show bringing in the President of the Organization of Chinese Americans, Ginny Gong. I read the second show's transcript tonight. To be fair I will give them points for including Ginny and reading (at least in part) some of the e-mails they received. However, in my opinion they still didn't "fix" anything. It was better but a far cry from being an informative show. Needless to say I won't be looking to CNN for information regarding adoption.

Since I'm on the subject, about the new regulations some of which are no single parents, new age restrictions, new physical and mental health restrictions, current marriage length, weight restrictions, minimum net worth, minimum asset and education rules. Personally I don't believe that some of these restrictions would impede anyone from being a good parent. Some of the others I believe would allow for better equipped parents. That being said it really doesn't matter if I agree with their restrictions or not, they are what they are. I am not being glib or flippant with that last part. The truth is as much as I may not agree with some of these changes I cannot change it. China did not and is not required to consult with anyone, including potential parents, when making rules for their country. The operative phrase in that last sentence is "their country." When our government makes new rules that affect us they don't check with us either. The bottom line is I want to adopt a child from China and that means I must follow their rules.

Christmas & New Years

We had a wonderful holiday season this year. We were able to spend quality time with family and friends. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were spent with family. Even though we were busy going places we actually did have a relaxing time hanging out with everyone. My nephew, Josh, was a riot helping everyone open their presents. He was also generous enough to let us all watch his new Cars DVD.

For New Years we packed up and headed North. We spent 10 days including New Years with Matt's best friend Brian and his family. Unfortunately, it only snowed on New Years Eve. On the bright side we did get to have a pretty good snowball fight and spent New Years day sledding at Lake Front. We also went to Mall of America and rode a couple of the rides at Camp Snoopy. We had a great time and look forward to going back for our annual 4th of July trip. Thanks Brian!

Merry Christmas

May the joy of His Word

And the light of His way

Abide in your heart

Throughout the year

As well as Christmas Day

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a propserous New Year!

The Perfect Christmas Song...

There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for momma's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town
There the forgotten are

But half a world away
I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white,
Make angels in the snow

But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that heaven's angels come to carry you here

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate the holy child

and we celebrate his perfect gift of love

He came to earth to give his life

and prepare a place for us

so we could have a home with him above

It's Christmas time again and now you're home

Your family is here so you will never be alone

So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms

And I'll tell you from my heart, and I'll you from my heart

I wish you Merry Christmas

~by Brad Avery, Third Day

This song is close to my heart, as I'm sure it is to so many others on this adoption journey. Brad Avery and his wife are also in the process of adopting a child from China. He has eloquently put into words what I and so many others are feeling this Christmas season. Thanks Brad!

Secret Santa...

My Secret Santa gifts arrived today. I received a really cute adoption story book called Little Miss Ladybug & Her Magical Red Thread. It is a sweet story about a child finding her forever family through adoption. I also received a beautiful green and silver cloisonne necklace. I think my Santa is Kelly Wilson.

Pictures will be posted after Christmas when I get my digital camera. I will also let everyone know if my guess was correct (I think so).

Thanks Kelly ;o)

I've Been Tagged...

1.Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Sits them under the tree
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored - Matt insists although I think solid white is really pretty; reminds of stars twinkling :o)
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope
5. When do you put your decorations up? As soon as I find time after Thanksgiving
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Whipped Sweet Potatoes w/ marshmallows on top
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Having all of my family around
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Don’t remember
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, we have Christmas with Matt’s moms on Christmas Eve
10 How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? All kinds... we buy at least one new one a year.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Snow, what’s snow!?!?! I live in FL but loved it the one time I saw it!
12. Can you ice skate? Just enough not to embarrass myself. Matt plays ice hockey (yes, they do play that in FL ;o)
13. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Family
14. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? That’s a tough one since I’m really not a sweet person… Peppermint Ice cream, reminds me of my paternal Grandparents
15. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Seafood for Christmas Eve dinner (it's an Italian thing)
16. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving, I love the look on someone’s face when they get something they really like
17. What's your favorite Christmas Song? Little Drummer Boy
18. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Not bad, especially in ice cream…

Did you know...

I got this in an e-mail from a friend today and thought I would post it here. Yes, it is a another tag type post and you are all it, so have fun...

Did you know…

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Operations Analyst, Chase
2. Ruleset Analyst, Chase
3. Loan Officer, Chase
4. Loan Closer, Chase (this is just too sad, I've been @ Chase way to long)

Four Movies I have watched over and over:
1. Braveheart
2. Sleepless in Seattle (watching it again right now, lol)
3. Italian Job
4. Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood (and many, many more....)

Four places I have lived:
1. Tampa, FL
2. Clearwater, FL
3. St. Pete, FL
4. Palm Harbor, FL (think I need to move out of state?!?!)

Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Without a Trace
2. Everybody Loves Raymond
3. Sopranos
4. Deadwood

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Lake Prior, MN
2. Cancun, Mexico
3. Montego Bay, Jamaica
4. Las Vegas, NV

Favorite foods:
1. Filet Mignon
2. Snow Crab
3. Bread
4. Pasta

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. China
2. On the way back from China
3. Aruba
4. Scotland

Four people who will respond:
1. Jessica
2. Terri
3. Christina
4. Lynn

Now, here's what you're supposed to do... And please do not spoil the fun. Copy and paste this to an e-mail or your blog. 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 or post it to your blog.

The theory is that you will learn a lot of little known facts about those who know you. Let me know if you do it and where to look for your answers.

Names in Chinese...

I was catching up on some blog reading tonight when I ran across this really cool website on Rebecca's blog - www.chinese-tools.com. On this site you type in your name and the site will give your name in Chinese and draw a picture with different backgrounds. There are several different backgrounds including a river, birds, a woman, etc... For Matt's name I chose the dragon background and for mine the bamboo background. Check it out, it's really cool?!?! Thanks Rebebca!

My Nephew the Fire Fighter...

Josh and his pumpkin

This Halloween after much deliberation my three year old nephew, Josh, decided to be a "fire fighter" not a fireman, a fire fighter, lol. For those of you with kids I'm sure you have experienced this decision making process. At first he wanted to be Sponge Bob and I can't tell you how grateful I am he changed his mind on that one! To me there is just something way wrong about Sponge Bob!?!? Anyway, after getting his candy he would tell people that "if your in a fire your supposed to call 911 and stop, drop, and roll." This is one cute fire fighter even if I do say so myself!


Josh and his favorite Aunt

Happy Halloween...

Happy Halloween!! Have fun trick or treating with your little goblins tonight!

See You Later...

Tonight we had dinner with some friends to say "see you later" to Christina and Kaylee (her 5 year old daughter) who are moving to Minnesota tomorrow. We are so excited for them and look forward to hearing that they have gotten settled in. Hang in there, I know it's a time of mixed emotions but you will get through it. There is so much to look forward to and I know you'll be fine. You know where we are if you need us and have a safe trip!

We will see you in December!

Can someone shoot the puck on net please!

Okay, it is only the beginning of an 81 game season but I have to admit the Bolts just are not playing well. We are now 1-3 and at the bottom of the Southeast Divison :o( Tonights game was just more of what we've seen so far - bad passes, poor puck handling, no one fighting for the puck and the one of the worst power plays in the league! Come on guys get it together!!!!

Let's hope tomorrow's game is better or this can turn into a long season...

It's Hockey Time...

I have to say that I am excited that the hockey season has officially begun. Our Tampa Bay Lightning won their first game, played against the Atlanta Thrashers, during 3-2 shootout on Thursday night. Our season home opener is tomorrow against the Bruins. Matt and I will be there cheering them on...

GO BOLTS!!!!