Move Update

We are slowly but surely making progress in getting settled in and things unpacked. We are having granite counter tops installed in two weeks and once that is done I can completely finish organizing my new kitchen. I have to say it is my favorite room. In my condo the kitchen was tiny. I now have two islands a whole lot of storage space, yeah! We have a whole lot painting to do because the walls are all white. We need to get some color in here! Once the counter tops are in we will begin selecting colors. I will post before and after pictures once some of our "projects" are done.

The good thing about getting the house now is that it will keep me busy for the next few months. The second big plus is that we won't have to do it after we bring the baby home this avoiding yet another big change for her. We had outgrown our condo quite some time ago and it would have been really tight for space once she was home. Thanks for asking about our progress, I will keep you posted...

May Ladybug Cybershower

I received my secret pal gift today. This months theme was "Mealtime." Angie was my secret pal and she really spoiled me. Here is what she sent for the kiddo -

4 pc. dish set with spoon
Sassy High Chair Toy
No Spill Cup
Set of 3 Snack Cups w/ Lids
Snackin Cheerios Cellphone (my favorite!!)
Catch-a-Mess Mat
Ladybugs and Heart Coverall Bib
Sectioned Feeding Dish w/ Knife and Fork
A really sweet card and a CD -

all in a really cute pink baby bag. It was really nice to unpack a "fun" box ;o)
Thanks Angie, I love all of my goodies and can't wait to listen to the CD on my way to work tomorrow.

Today has me thinking...

about all of the men and women who are fighting for our country. Politics aside, I think that we, as a nation and individuals, should support our troops. They are fighting for us, to keep our country safe from the tyranny of those who would oppress us. It is a thankless job, one that requires much sacrifice not only their part but of those they love.

For my part I want to say that I'm grateful. Grateful for the fact that there are men and women who have sacrificed their lives for mine and those of my family. Grateful that there are those who felt the call to protect and serve others who either cannot or will not do so. Grateful for your patriotism. I am also grateful to the families of the soldiers who serve this country. They too make sacrifices simply by having a loved one serving and away from home.

THANK YOU... to those who serve and their families. A heart felt thank you is being sent your way today and every day. May God bless and keep you always.

Honor Them...

As we enjoy our holiday today, let's remember to be thankful for those who gave their lives in service to our country and for their families who live their lives without a loved one so that we might be with ours.

Thank you for your sacrifice.

Moving on up...

to a bigger house. We have sold our two bedroom condo and bought a 3 bedroom house. The truth is we had out grown the condo a long time ago. With the wait time from LID to referral increasing it seemed like the right time to move. That way when we are finally able to bring the baby home we won't have to uproot her again anytime soon. The great move (as I like to call it) is happening this weekend.

Off to pack some more... Have a great weekend!

8 Months and Counting...

May 5th marked our 8th month on this long journey. I wish that I had some kind of meaningful update about the estimated wait times but I don't. The truth is the length of time from LID to referral has steadily been increasing. Rumor has it if the CCAA can get through November '05 referrals things will start to speed up. The truth is whatever the wait time turns out to be it will definitely be a lesson in patience and faith.

Referrals are in...

To the all those who have received their referrals this week. Wishing you safe travels and a wonderful "gotcha" day.

Friends...

To all my friends, cracked or not, thanks for all you are and all you do. Your the best...

Love ya!

April Aug/Sept DTC Secret Pal

I just wanted to take a minute to say thanks to my Aug/Sept group secret pal. I received my gift a couple of weeks ago but was having a hard time posting pictures until now. My pal sent me the cute little duck bath set shown above. Thanks again!!

Faith...

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

7 Months and counting...

Our 7 month LID anniversary was on 4/5/07. These days time is zipping by and dragging at the same time. It's hard to believe that it is already April. It's true every month that passes brings us closer to our baby. Conversely it's also true that every month that passes seems to be a month that we are further from her. At times I find myself wondering what there is to "celebrate" as this monthly date arrives. It seems to me to simply be a method of counting down to an unknown date. Not knowing that date makes it difficult to view my "anniversary" date as a reason to celebrate. Then today I read the following quote on APC and it really hit home -

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

So, this really is a date to celebrate because we are one step closer to our "treasure."

Happy Easter...

Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Easter weekend!

About me...

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

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.