Joshua Turns 7...

My nephew, Joshua, turned 7 on April 18th and to celebrate he had an ice skating party this year. He is fortunate to have had such a great Aunt and Uncle drag him around the rink for a few hours (as evidenced by the top photo. )

Referrals have arrived...

to all of you who are seeing your childs face for the first time.

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

CCAI has reported they received referrals through April 17th but the CCAA website has not been updated yet.

43 Months...

How much longer can we wait?

Happy Easter...

Wishing all of you a wonderful Easter weekend!

Good Friday...

Happy St. Patrick's Day...

May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow,

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go.

~Irish Blesssing

Congrats to the Clark Family...

on their new son. Can't wait to see him home and with your family!

You can check him out at their blog Handsful,

And the count is currently...

months and counting...

Referrals have arrived...

Congratulations to those families who have received referrals this month!

Wishing you all speedy travel arrangements and wonderful "gotcha" days!

The CCAA has placed children with families whose log-in date was before 4/11/06.

Congratulations...

to the following families ~

Radicchi

Berryhill

Chandler

who have recently received referrals!

Wishing you all the best as you finish the journey to bring your children home :o)

Year of the Tiger...

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2010 is the Year of a Golden Tiger, which begins on February 14, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011. The first day of the lunar New Year 2010 falls on the 14th day of February, which is Saint Valentine's Day, so it is a day the West celebrates as a lovers' day, a day of romance. To the Chinese, it is the start of the Golden Tiger Year. The Tiger is the third sign in the cycle of Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animal signs. It is a sign of courage. This fearless and fiery fighter is revered by the ancient Chinese as the sign that wards off the three main disasters of a household: fire, thieves and ghosts. On New Year's day itself, it is beneficial to celebrate, to be happy, to have smiling faces, and to refrain from scowling, quarreling, or criticizing anyone.
The Tiger

The Tiger is one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet, and is feared and revered in equal measure. It features in many Asian cultures as a manifestation of courage, power, passion and royalty. In Feng Shui, it is one of the four celestial animals where it takes its place as the White Tiger. The other three celestial animals are the Green Dragon, Red Phoenix and Black Tortoise. The Tiger symbolizes the female Yin energy as opposed to the Yang male energy of the dragon. Ancient Chinese believe that the markings on the forehead of tigers resemble the Chinese character for "Wang", or King. In Imperial China, where the dragon is the insignia of the emperors, the tiger is the military emblem of the highest supreme commanders of the army symbolizing fearlessness and victory. The Tiger also represents earth, while the dragon represents Heaven.

Happy Valentines Day!

Hope you all have a great weekend of cuddles,

kisses, and lots of love!

Happy Birthday to You...

to my sister-in-law Jennifer (13th), my brother Steve (15th), and me! For those of you who don't know my brother and I share the same birthday. For those inquiring minds - no, we are not twins but were born exactly a year a part.

Between birthdays, Valentine's day, the Chinese New Year, and President's day we've got a busy weekend ahead.

Wishing you both a great day and I hope all your birthday wishes come true ;o)

Thanks for the girls night out...

My awesome friends and I went to Orlando last weekend for a girls night out. We stayed at Lake Eve Resort, had dinner at the House of Blues and then a little dancing at Atlanta Dance Company. On Sunday we did a little shopping at Downtown Disney. We had a great time!

Here is some typical behavior during picture time!

Thanks girls, your the bestest! Luv you ;o)

Get Out So I Can Work...

“And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose” (Matthew 9:23-25).

Get out of here so I can work! Oh, how we hate distractions and noise, both things that pull our concentration away from the task at hand. In our passage today, the ruler had sought out Jesus and told him his daughter had died, but he believed Jesus could bring her back to life. “Jesus, come into my house and do the impossible,” he asked. But the crowds would not believe. It wasn’t until they were turned out that Jesus chose to perform this miracle. Why? We can only speculate, but I see an analogy here.

There are times I call on Jesus. I want him to come fix my life, or my thoughts, or revive a new spirit within me. I open my heart and ask Him to come in and heal me. Perhaps my spiritual house is full of other distractions – hurt, anger, frustration, pain. The nagging is still in the back of my mind – things can’t change, this is the way it is, why hope? Maybe it is coming from well meaning friends, or the TV, or my own desperation. Maybe these negative thoughts come from a more evil force that trembles at the name of Jesus?

All I know is before I can see Jesus in my life reviving me, I need to clear that ruckus away. I must give Him control over the situation so I can concentrate on His healing power alone. He stands patiently, knocking on the door of my heart. I am here. Waiting. The beauty of it is I can also see Him helping to clear all the garbage away. His Truth is the broom to sweep away all that doesn’t honor Him.

Can’t you just see Jesus at the ruler’s house calming him, saying it is okay, showing the hecklers the door? Even when we have barely enough strength to call on Him, He will come and do what is necessary to prepare us for His change in our lives. If you need a miracle, if you need revival, ask Jesus to help you clear away the obstacles that are preventing you from receiving it. It may take time, but His timing is perfect.

~Author Julie Cosgrove

This is from an online women's devotional. What perfect timing, I need to clear out the ruckus as I wait and wait...

41 Months and Counting...

...the 5th (our LID date) has come and gone. Not much to say about it...

Referrals have arrived...

Congratulations to those of you who are seeing your children's faces for the first time. What a great way to celebrate Valentines Day!

Wishing you all speedy TA's and amazing "gotcha" days!

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

April 5, 2006.

Happy New Years...

In the New Year,

may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want.

~ Traditional Irish Toast

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and all the best in 2010!

Happy New Year to Those Who ...

... have finally received their referrals. What a great way to start the New Year!

The CCAA has updated their website to say that they have placed children for families with log-in dates before April 3, 2006.

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 you all a very Merry Christmas and all the blessings of the season!

Xmas Origins...

You learn someting new every day...

"Xmas is an abbreviation for Christmas. It is derived from the word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ, transliterated as Christos, which is Greek for Christ. Greek is the language in which the whole New Testament was written.

Originally, Xmas was an abbreviation where the X represents the Greek letter chi, which is the first letter of Christ's name. However, because of the modern interpretations of the letter X, many people are unaware of this and assume that this abbreviation is meant to drop Christ from Christmas."

Ok, I will admit I was one of those people. I didn't like the use of Xmas instead of Christmas. Now I know it's not as bad as I thought. Still, I like the look and sound of Christmas better ;op

Please Remember ...

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,

"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!

"For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light

Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,

"Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.

"My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile..

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,

Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,

Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,

For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,

To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

I received this poem today and it touched my heart. At the bottom of the e-mail was also this request -

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN

30th Naval Construction Regiment

OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

I don't know where this request originated from but I believe that it should be honored. Please remember to keep our soldiers in your thoughts and prayers this Christmas season and every day. Without them we would be living in a very different world. Thank you and God Bless!

Count UP to 39 Months...

We are 158 referral days away from being matched. With as little as 2 days being matched in some months our estimated wait time could extend to early 2013. That's really just too depressing to think about...

Early Christmas Presents for Some...

Congratulations and Merry Christmas to those of you who are receiving referrals in this batch. You have finally almost reached the end of your journey, the end is in sight. Wishing all of you speedy travels and wondereful "gotcha" days.

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before March 31, 2006.

Happy Thanksgiving...

Wishing all of you a Thanksgiving filled with

the comfort and love of family and friends,

food enough to eat, and time to nap afterward ;o)

Thanksgiving...

I am thankful for ~

My husband, who loves me.

My family, who is always there for me.

My friends, who have shared their lives, love, laughter, and tears with me.

My health, that has been good so far.

My job, that allows me to pay my bills.

Our Soldiers, who sacrifice so that others don't have to.

My God, who has carried me and given me hope.

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!