http://cdnll.img1.imagechef.com/w/080128/anm8038b1eb28c90398.gif

Meeting her new Brothers!!!!

2011-10-14T15:56:00.001-07:00

This is the crew!!!!Cody, Dylan, James, Carlos & Leah!!!!!

August 29, 2010

2010-08-29T19:29:00.000-07:00

Well here is TODAYS NEWS!!!! Leah has a new friend!!! This is Little Bit!!!

March 5th 2010

2010-03-05T21:38:00.000-08:00

Well,, both Granddaughters are here!!!!!! Heather had Haylee Paige on 3/3, 6# 15oz, 19.5"... And then today our daughter in law, Kasey had Tori Dannel 3/5 9# 2oz, 20.5"... Been a very BUSY WEEK!!!!!!

2010-02-04T20:04:00.001-08:00

Well Christmas of 2009!!!! Need I say more?!?!?!?!

WONDERFUL NEWS ! ! ! ! ! !

2009-10-14T19:53:00.000-07:00

Well we did find out,,, Leah has 2 nieces on the way!!!! Leah's Jie Jie, and Jie Jie (in law)??? are both having girls!!!!! YEAAAAHHH!!!! Let the shopping begin!!!!!

1st Day of School ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 8/6/09

2009-08-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

Well,,,, the First Day of School! ! ! ! ! Leah is all day Kindergarten, Dylan is in 3rd and Cody is in 4th! ! ! ! ! ! WOW---- Where has the time gone!!! AND,,, YES my house is QUIET! ! ! ! ! ! !

MORE NEWS!!!!!

2009-07-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

Well grandbaby #3 is also on the way!!! Our daughter in law, Kasey is due March 2nd,, and our Heather is due March 4th... Leah is so excited to have new babies coming!! Now if she would just stop asking when can we go get them!!!!!!

AWESOME NEWS!!!!!!!!!!

2009-06-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

We were just told,,, that Leah is going to be an AUNT again... Heather is pregnant.. And Zackery is going to be a big brother,,,

I AM GOING TO BE GRANDMA AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things are back to NORMAL???????

2009-06-19T14:41:00.000-07:00

Well Hi Everyone,,,

Let's see if I can get everyone up to date...

Kyle our 18 yr old graduated high school 5/21,and getting ready to start at Collins College on 7/9.

Heather our 21 yr old is now married as of 5/29, (Yes to Zackery's daddy), and Leah as so glad she got to be a Pricess like Jie Jie!!!

Justin our 22 yr old,, just started a new job.. Not sure if he likes it yet or not???

I got my horse!!!!!!! YEAH~~~~!!!!!

I finished the OHGWQ, for Molly, Carol & Bill Cartes daughter,, she has been home a year now,, it has taken me this long to collect all the squares!

Our business is getting off the ground, we are busy, but not making much YET!!!!

And we are jumping into adoption #2, domestic this time!!!! Adoption makes me nest... so I have steamed cleaned the grout, washed all the curtains, cleaned closets, amoung other things that I really dislike doing!!!!!

Ta - Dah!!!!!!

2009-06-11T07:54:00.000-07:00

Well Everyone!!!! Here ya go!!! I am so proud!!!!!

Everyone was SO Beautiful!!!!! Poor Leah had no idea of what was going on... Some parts of the day,, I felt so bad for her.... She wanted to be the Princess.... We just tried to explain it was Jie-Jie's turn to be Princess..

The Calm!!!

2009-06-02T14:02:00.000-07:00

Well ,,,, Heather is now married!!!!!

As soon as I get pictures back from the photographer,, I will post some pictures of what a beautiful bride she made... and Leah as the flower girl.... I can now go back to a more calming daily life... Those that know me can STOP LAUGHING NOW!!!!!

1st Day of Preschool - 4/30/09

2009-04-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

Well she is off to school!!! And boy is she excited!!!! It may only be half days but she is so happy to be getting on the bus like her big brothers!!! Just look at the smiles!!!!

Disneyland 3/09

2009-03-28T15:34:00.000-07:00

Well here are some of the pictures from our family vacation during spring break!!!

We SURVIVED ! ! ! ! ! ! !

March 2009

2009-03-12T18:39:00.000-07:00

Well tomorrow after the boys get home from school,, we head out to Disneyland... We aren't taking the computer, so pictures will have to wait... SORRY!!!! Promise to get as many pictures as possible of Leah and ALL of her Princess Friends....

February 2009

2009-02-13T18:32:00.000-08:00

Well it is official!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Leah's Jie Jie.... is getting married May 29th of this year... 8 days after her little brother graduates from High School.... So Leah will be a flower girl... As Leah puts it... "I am going to be a Princess just like Jie Jie!!!! " She is so excited,,, she as no idea what she is getting into!!!! Her dress will match her big sister..... OK,,, HAVE YOU GOT THE JIST OF THIS????...... MY "BABY" IS GETTING MARRIED! ! ! ! ! ! ! How the H*** did I get this flippin' old?!?!?!?!?!? I think I need a vacation!!!!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-30T19:08:00.000-08:00

Well here are some photos of our 1st Christmas Party and Christmas Eve for Leah!!!! A picture tell a 1000 words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leah's 5th Birthday!!!!!

2008-11-12T19:55:00.000-08:00

Ok,, Well alot has gone on in the last few weeks... I am at a loss for words!!!! OK,,, OK ,,, STOP LAUGHING ALREADY!!!!!!

But here are some pictures of her party!!!!! She was so overwhelmed that, she actually cried at bedtime... She was so tired!!! But she had such a good time!!!

Just a blerb!!!!

2008-09-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

Well,,, Here is an upate..

Ordered new camera, got all of Leah's B-day invitations in the mail today, Dylan loves football... and our grandson was jumping on the bed,, fell off and broke his leg... How's that for a weekend?!?!?!?!?!

Pictures to follow...

Yes, I know it has been a long long time...

2008-09-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

Well lets see... it has been so long that I do not even know where to start....

Let's start with the GOOD NEWS.. Marc & Kathy Jo,, got their referral today,, Their daughter, Hope is 6 months old, DOB 3/8/08... What a shocker.. they were expecting a 2 yr old or so... they are the last one is our group waiting for their baby...

And I broke my brand new camera today... CRAP!!!!!

In a storm last week, I managed to find our trampoline on the roof of my neighbors horse corral...

We had a 50th B-day party for our friend Kelly Ost.. at our house... oh yeah mine too.. IF I don't mention that it was for me too,,, Sindy will let me know about ... butr on the 8th,, she will 42!!!! ha ha ha !! Gotcha Sindy!!!!

We finally got to meet Chris and Beth's little boy they brought home the end of June.. OMG... he is soooo cute.. and what sweetie... No pictures thought ... Crap!!!!

Dylan has started football. This is going to cause ALOT of gray hair for me!!!!

We got a new puppy, she is a miniture pincher, her name is Harley,,, yeah yeah I know go figure!!!!!

Our business is taking off faster than we are ready for.. That has managed to mentally drain what little sanity I even thought I had left.... or fry the last brain cell.. it was lonely any way....

Just a few!!!

2008-07-20T21:08:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few clips!!!!! Wow where has the time gone?!?!?!?!?

Important Day...

2008-06-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well yesterday we went down to sign the petition for re-adoption here in the states. This in NOT something we have to do, but, this way we know that no matter what ever happens to Dan & I, the state CAN NOT take anything away from Leah... We will also take part in the National Adoption Day...That will also be our court date that EVERYTHING is sign by the Judge here in the state...

Summer Play Dates...

2008-06-18T15:17:00.000-07:00

Well here are some pictures of our newest friend, Molly Carter!!! She has been home since last Friday, June 13th, 2008...

OK,, OK,, OK..... Some Pictures! ! ! ! ! !

2008-06-09T20:04:00.000-07:00

These are the first professional pics we had taken...

More Updates!!!!!

2008-05-20T20:40:00.000-07:00

Well,, today was Leah's Doctor's appt. for her shoulder,, and she got to take the brace off.. Needless to say,, she is VERY excited!!!!She just has to take it a little easy this week, and we are leaving for California on Friday... so that should be fairly easy... HA!!!

So far I have a B average in my school,, not bad for someone who has been out of school for 25 years...

Dan & I are learning all about our new machinery, for our business, not an easy task,, I am SOOOOO confused~~~~!!!!!!

And the best news of all is our dearest friends, Kelly & Sindy Ost asked us to be God Parents to their little girl, Allison,, and of course we said yes!!!!!

Everything is GOOD!!!!

HUGS TO ALL!!!!

Finally a couple of Pictures! ! ! !

2008-05-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

Well,, here are a couple of pictures....

Leah vocabulary gets better every day... Everyone is so amazed that she understands everything we say....

I am also going back to school, as Danny & I are starting our own Graphics business.... I will try to keep up!!!!!

JUST ANOTHER UPDATE! ! ! ! ! !

2008-05-07T15:45:00.000-07:00

Well I have been just a little busy,, I know that is obvious, as I have not blogged..

But things are well... Leah did fall off of her new bed and break her clavicle ( the little bone between the shoulder and the collar bone. Now the hard part is trying to keep her calm for at least 3 weeks.. hardy har har,har har!!! The worst is I can not explain very well why she can not run and play... like normal... And we went to a friends daughter's 3rd birhtday, Cali, party at Little Gym... Poor Leah could not do much.. but she did have a little fun anyway,, she got a Little Mermaid balloon.

Leah's lanuage is coming along great!!!! You just have to really pay attention to what she is talking about.. and you can usually make out what she says,, and if Baba does not get it, she takes his hand and shows him....

TTFN

UPDATE~~~And yes I know it is about time!!!!

2008-03-26T15:01:00.000-07:00

Well it will be 2 weeks tomorrow that we have been home.... And Leah is adjusting well... maybe too well and what I mean by that is that she has not "grieved" yet... the only time she ever gets upset is when we have to scold her OR she does NOT get HER way!!!!! And at bed time she would get sad... but each night got better and for the last 5 night no tears and the last 2 nights,, she goes to bed smiling as long as Mama is laying with her... We tried to let her sleep with us,, but she sleeps like a fish out of water.... Either getting kicked, arm coming across your face, or she will just roll over whatever is in her way.. Needless to say the cats are not fond of her sleeping habits.

She has great with the boys going back to school.. As soon as the bus pulls up in the afternoon,, she starts waving and yells Gege... and something in Chinese!!! not sure what she is saying...

However when Baba went back to work,, she did not take that nearly so well... the 1st 2 days, when he got home, she would not even hardly look at him.. So he left later for work, so he was still here when she got up, and he played with her and got her, her breakfast. Then the next day he went to work normal time and she is fine... and today we went to his work, "to show off his Priness"... She did fine ,, not a tear, just very quiet....

And she is very attached to her Jie jie.... Heather is thrilled to FINALLY have her little sister...

She also plays great with her nephew (2yr old)!!! And nboy do they keep me hopping,, he even calls her Aunt Leah... TOO CUTE!!!

And as for Gege Kyle, she love him too,, at 16 he isn't too fond of the hanging on him... But that is just him....

And as for Gege Justin, she has not warmed up to him yet... but she has only seen him like 3 or 4 times in the 2 weeks we have been home. He did pick her up yesterday, but she would not hug him or anything.. we jsut told him in due time...

She is understanding ALOT of what we say, but her speaking English is not going as well..... I am not worried we have only been home a few days.....

Home At Last! ! ! ! ! ! !

2008-03-16T22:48:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has taken so long to update... I have been trying to update my journel,, I missed placed it for the last half of the trip... So I will post pics for now..

JUST GLAD TO BE HOME!!!!!!!

Quinling Garden

2008-03-06T22:28:00.001-08:00

Quinyan Town

2008-03-05T07:34:00.001-08:00

Gotcha Day!!!!!

2008-03-03T12:35:00.001-08:00

We are in Beijing ! ! ! !

2008-02-29T01:03:00.000-08:00

We are here!!!!!! Made it to our room,,and we are going site seeing... Will post pics a little bit later..

Hugs to all

In San Francisco

2008-02-27T19:03:00.000-08:00

Well we are in San Fran and in the hotel room.... The funny part is,,, we are in the same room that Emmie & Mark Hastings were in 3 weeks ago..... TOOOO Funny!!!!!!!

Cody & Dylan thought it was so COOL to land just over the water.... They are so excited... not sure if anyone will get any sleep tonight...

Hang in there Leah,, we are just a couple days away....

3 HOURS AND COUNTING ! ! ! ! ! !

2008-02-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

We are leaving for the airport in 3 hours.... AAAAHHHHH!!! The day is finally here... Thanks to everyone for their continued support... We will TRY to update daily...

HUGS TO ALL ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Less than 5 DAYS and counting!!!!!

2008-02-22T16:27:00.000-08:00

OK!!!! I am officially ready to go.... packed and everyone is so excited...It is SO hard to get Cody and Dylan to sleep at night.....Not to mention,, I have not fallen asleep before 11pm or midnight if a few days....

We are READY!!!!!

1 WEEK! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

2008-02-20T09:47:00.001-08:00

Ok ,,, we are down to the wire here!!!!!! Not sure my stomach is going to take much more!!!!!!! I am packing and repacking.... AAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!! NOBODY warned me this part of the "roller coaster" ride was the scariest!!!!

Off to the bank and to take Kyle to get his driver's permit... Holy C***... at least he will be driving his dad's truck for 2 weeks,,, ha ha ha ha !!!!!!

Hugs to ALL!!!!!

20 Days & Counting ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

2008-02-07T17:01:00.000-08:00

Well,, we only ;have 20 days til we leave to go get our little one.. Not too long ago,, I really started to think this was not going to happen.... I guess we are NOT there yet...... All I have to go off of is these little pictures of a beautiful smile... I have lasted 2+ years, what's a few more days... Yeah Right,, who am I trying to convince?!?!?!?!?

Hang on Baby girl,, we are goming soon!!!!!!!!

WE R READY ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

2008-01-25T12:04:00.000-08:00

Well today... our visas came Fed Ex.... then about 15 miunutes later... our airline tickets came UPS!!!!!!!

Hang in there BABYGIRL!!!

MAMA & BABA will be there SOON!!!!!!!!

January 23, 2008

2008-01-23T14:04:00.000-08:00

Well with a little bit of help from Marianne,,, we got our I-171, today.... Now just waiting on our visas....

We leave Phoenix, on February 27th, fly into San Francisco, stay the night, then on the 28th we get on a plane to Beijing... I can not believe it... we are going to get Leah...

We love you Leah.....

WoooHoooo!!!!!

IT'S OFFICIAL ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

2008-01-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

Well here is our itinerary for our trip;

Thurs, Feb 28, Leave the US
Fri, Feb 29, Arrive in BJ for all groups
Sat, March 1, Sightseeing in BJ
Sun, March 2, fly to your child's province
Mon, March 3, receive the children (Danny's Mom's B-day)
Tues, March 4, do adoption process
Wed, March 5, free day or sightseeing
Thurs, March 6, free day or sightseeing
Fri, March 7, get all paperwork back complete ACS paperwork
Sat, March 8, fly to GZ
Sun, March 9, free day
Mon, March 10, medical exam & visa photos for children
Tues, March 11, ACS appts
Wed, March 12, take oath at ACS about 6:00pm and farewell dinner
Thurs, March 13, return to the US.

I am already making flight arrangments...
Whhhoooo Hoooooo
Here we come Leah!!!

January 21, 2008

2008-01-21T11:39:00.000-08:00

Well got word our TA's (Travel Approvals) are in and our Agency has submitted for our CA's (Consulate Appointments)... And that our I-171 will be mailed out tomorrow.... So WE WILL be traveling the end of February!!!!! Hang in there Leah,,, MaMa and BaBa will be there soon....

January 2008

2008-01-17T08:47:00.000-08:00

Well here we are!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! Yesterday I sent off our passports and visa apps to the courier in CA,, should have them back around the 25th... Can you believe it I am getting our travel visas to go get Leah!!!! Our friends Emmie & Mark are in China right now to get Haylee!!! We will meet up with them on their trek home... We have never met face to face... Just emailing and talking on the phone for over 2 yrs now!!!!

Our TENTATIVE travel date to leave for China is 2/28, and Gotcha Day 3/3 (my MIL b-day).. How cool is that... We got our referral the day before my moms b-day....

We are having our "baby" shower Jan. 26th.... WOW!!! The time has finally come.....

WE GOT OUR CALL! ! ! ! ! ! !

2007-12-31T19:58:00.000-08:00

as of 12:47 today,,,,, May we introduce Dang Li Ying aka Leah Kaylin King

Dob 10/12/03 39" ,,,35#

Currently waiting for us at the SWI of Tongren Area, Guizhou Province..

Mama, Baba, Jie Jie and and all Ge ge are thrilled...

2007-12-28T19:26:00.000-08:00

Well,,,, while reading the RQ site (Rumor Queen),, someone mentioned that they got their TA (Travel Approval),, and their agendy also got a referral ,,, BUT ,, did not say if it was SN or NSN (special needs or non special needs)... so that is a very good sign.. THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERRRRRYYY LONG WEEKEND!!!! And someone with a 12/20/05 LID ,,, said their agency told them not to expect a referral this month.... The CCAA is closed Dec. 30, 31 and Jan 1st... CRAP!!!!!

On the up side,,, we are have some friends over tomorrow,,, other adoptive families that we have met over the last 2 LONG years.. Will post picutres....

Hugs to all,, and hopefully I will be posting a referral VERY SOON ! ! ! ! ! ! !

HO HO HO ! ! ! ! !

2007-12-26T18:07:00.001-08:00

OMG!!!!!! We Are DAYS Away!!!!!!

2007-12-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

Well the first RUMORS have appeared!!! They say the 20th is IN!!!! Rated a 2 on a scale of 1-5!!!!!!

Mommy's Thoughts as the days count DOWN !!!!

2007-12-21T19:26:00.000-08:00

Well as I sit here, with everyone else asleep by 8:30 on a Friday night,, I think to myself, Gee aren't we an exciting group....Hardy, har har, har har!!!!! We are anywhere from 14 - 18 days from seeing our daughter's picture for the first time. I was so hoping to have it before Christmas this year... But,, that did not happen... The other day during one of my "chats with God",,, I found myself trying to barter with Him... Good thing no one else was home, because as I blew up laughing,, and I thought what the heck am I doing... My mother taught me not to beg!! Ha Ha Ha!!! Well at least I thought she did at one time anyway!!

I am still doing pretty good on the Nerve Scale, as I have one or two left.... and as of today my boys are out of school for 2 WHOLE WEEKS!!! They weren't home an hour when the youngest one (now 7) come in to tell me, while crying, Kyle(16) is being mean!!! sob, sob, sob... My comment was,,, " Well isn't he always"?,,, I do NOT think that is what he was hoping to hear....considering I got a pouty face after that.

I just wish our little girl was already home.. I know it is close, I also know that she was not ready to come home yet.. I just wish our timeline and His timeline, were a little more in sync...

Good Night All!!!!!!

Selina

2 YEARS ! ! ! ! ! ! !

2007-12-19T14:55:00.000-08:00

Well here we are. At an anniversary, I never thought I would nor want to celebrate. But,, I have said several prayers today, including one for Leah birth mom. We do have a Christmas Party tonight... Oh Joy! ! ! !

December 18, 2007

2007-12-18T07:19:00.000-08:00

OMG!!!! Tomorrow is 2 years since our LID !!! Can you believe it??? I think that is enough to make me cry..... YEP it sure is!!! We are really hoping for 17 - 21 days,,,, COME ON CCAA,, WE ARE DYIN' OVER HERE!!!!!!!!!!!! AAARRRGGGG!!!!

Wait don't have time to cry... got to get ready for the boys school Christmas program tonight, then tomorrow is Danny's company Chirstmas Party.. It does give me a reason to get dress up in something OTHER than, sweats or jeans WOO HOO!!!! And before we leave for the party ,, I have to figure out how to get Cody to (and from)Sylvan program, and to get Kyle to and from the high school for a game..

And yesterday my sister sent me a pound of fudge... my favorite in the whole world.. and before I could even get in the door,, my daughter was all over me... when I told her MY package from Aunt Colleen was her,,, she KNEW what was in the box..

Our "Secret Pal Gifts" from the Osborns,,,, We love it ALL Thank You!!!

2007-12-15T19:59:00.000-08:00

Somewhere between 21 & 25 days?!?!?!?!?

2007-12-14T14:27:00.000-08:00

Well now birthdays are out of the way,,, Now I can once again obsess over the adoption,, ha ha ha ha ha ha! ! ! ! ! ! ! As if I ever quit in the first place

yesterday took Cody's class cupdakes for his birthday... He was so happy to have them brought in....

I can not believe we are actually this close to referral.... I think I am still a little numb.... give me a week or so.. and we will see how I am doing then..

Congrats !!! Hasting Family !!!!

2007-12-06T16:13:00.000-08:00

We are proud to annouce for our friends Mark and Emmie Hastings

Kaylee Louann Hastings

http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/home?ID=182130

WE ARE NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-12-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

Well,,,, Someone with 12/14/05 LID got thier referral!!!!!!!!

We are NEXT ! ! ! ! ! ! !

We are NEXT ! ! ! ! ! ! !

We are NEXT ! ! ! ! ! ! !

We are NEXT ! ! ! ! ! ! !

No Update YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-12-04T15:54:00.000-08:00

OK,,, SO,,,I am not the most patient person in the world,,, WELL DUH!!!!!! It is now just before 8am in China..........Where are the referrals... rumor has it packages are on the way... BUT of course,, no one has a clue what's in them.... Go figure!!!!

Talked to Emmie today... at least we both laughed a little... I think she needs it more than I do right now..... As they are waiting for their referral.... ours will most likely be in January... AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!!!!

HAND OVER THE REFERRALS AND NO ONE GETS HURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

December 2007

2007-12-01T08:06:00.000-08:00

Well here we are,,,, December 1st,,, Dylan is 7 yrs old today!!! Took cupcakes to his class yesterday for it... In 12 days Cody will be 8....

Cody found a ladybug on the trampoline this morning.... Referrals just around the corner.... a coincidence,, I think NOT!!! Rumors are that they made it to the 14th.... That is kind of what I expected,,, BUT still very disappointed!!!!!!!!

Danny pouring concrete for our back patio extention, while it is raining I might add!!!

And we have Allison's 1st birhtday party to go to this afternoon.... The boys are excited!!!!

Another Day Down! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

2007-11-26T21:23:00.000-08:00

Ok,, we made it through Thanksgiving!!! With some form of sanity intact?!?!?!?! That just leaves 4 kids birthday parties in 9 days and Christmas to get through, OH YES!!! New Years Eve!!!!! How the Heck could I possibly forget that... and then MY moms B-day Jan. 1st

I have managed to get 99% of my Christmas shopping done....Just a couple of things left to hunt down.... And will mail out the rest of my Christmas cards tomorrow....

We decided that when Leah comes home we will plant a tree in the front yard,,, and then her first Christmas, we will also plant pine tree...

Danny is trying to figure out how to get the incriminating picture off of the blog...HA HA HA ROFL!!!!! Not a chance....

Some friends of ours are expecting thier referral this batch....Emmie & Mark,, we have our fingers crossed for you,, and a few extra prayers!

We are guessing that our referral will be the 1st week of Jan....

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-11-20T16:42:00.001-08:00

Yet More Thoughts on the WAIT!!!!!

2007-11-15T09:56:00.000-08:00

Well here we are...... This wait is enough to send anyone out on a limb!!! Tomorrow we meet with Nancy (our Social Worker), to update our home study YET AGAIN!!!! As it expires Jan 14th,, and there is not a snowballs chance in Phoenix, that we will travel by then... I have already put in to redo our fingerprints AGAIN!!!!! So where does that leave us,, to wait and wait and wait and wait... Well you get the picture!!!

I have just ordered the rental on the jump house for Cody & Dylan's birthday party.. At this point,,, one little thing seems like an accomplishment... My train of thought lately seems to be jumping track,,, QUITE OFTEN !!!!

Thanks to ALL of our friends and family,, for putting up with our ramblings!!!! Mine especially! ! ! ! K Jo, Sindy, Emmie, Nicole, Cherie, Gerry and mostly dh, Danny....

I am sure when Danny sees the Cat Nap picture,, I will be hearing from him,, as he is at work in a meeting right now.....

Thoughts for the day!!!!!!

2007-11-09T10:41:00.000-08:00

Maybe someone reading our blog can possibly explain to me, WHY, on earth I pull up the blog and just stare at it.......... Like it is going to change or possibly do a trick........ I have got to me loosing what last threads of sanity I MAY have had left........ And what am I going to do when it gets closer to referrals...

HOLY COW!!!! This is the 1st time in my entire life that the silence is so devastaing.... That is shocking to me....

Hugs & Prays to all who take the time to read my babblings...

Oh,, I think Danny thinks I have already TOTALLY lost my frikin mind! ! ! ! !

They into December 2005 ! ! ! ! ! !

2007-11-05T09:43:00.001-08:00

Well it is OFFICIAL!!!!! The CCAA got to 12/8/05!!!!!!! there is only 11 days to our LID!!!! That still means we may not get our referral til January!!!! BOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!

November 2007

2007-11-01T17:36:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well,,,, what do we have here,,,,, Another batch of referrals that did not get as far as we were hoping,, it looks like they got to December 8th,, I was REALLY hoping for the 12th!!!!!

My head hurts, my stomach aches, I'm gouchy, can't sleep, I'm tired.... Come on, I don't want to be paper pregnant anymore!!!!!!

I AM STILL PRAYING FOR US TO GET OURS NEXT MONTH... Heart says YES,, head says NO....... No wonder my head hurts,, it is arguing with my heart.. and I am NEVER wrong,,, but,,, in this case 1/2 of me is wrong... That can't be right,, I am NEVER, NEVER wrong,,, just ask me!!!!!! LOL LOL!!!!!!

I do know that if this month was a killer on me,, just imagine what a complete and total basket case I will be this time next month... I did warn a friend today.. that if there is a message on her answering machine that is totally incoherent, to check the caller id...

Mommy's Thoughts

2007-10-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

Well,,, can you believe we may actually get our referral in as little as 42 days,,, THAT IS DAYS, NOT MONTHS!!!!!!! I still think it may happen by the 1st week of December.... I also think that the next batch of referrals due in about a week,,, will give us a good indication of when for sure we will get it...... We have already my plans that Danny will get the fax first,, and then he can email it home to me.... Since the only fax machine we have,,, I think Noah broought it on the Ark with him!!!! LOL!!!!

Leah's small OHGWQ

2007-10-23T20:35:00.000-07:00

Well I finished this in only 2 days.... I did have all the squares cut,,, but it was entirely assembled in TWO DAYS!!! I am so excited... I am even more excited to finish this one because we are taking it with us to bring her home.....

I do wish I could stay away from the RQ site!!! What an addiction! ! ! !

RUMORS ! ! ! ! ! !

2007-10-21T06:39:00.001-07:00

First signs of rumors are coming in,,, I am SO TRYING NOT to get my hopes up... If they did, in fact, make it to at least the 10th,, then we should get our referral before Christmas.. I am SOOOOO excited, I can't believe we are this close...After over 2 years, counting an excruciating paperchase,, we are WEEKS away from seeing picture

And I finally started the 2nd quilt last night...

Come on CCAA,,, YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!

Thoughts as we get closer to our REFERRAL !!!!!

2007-10-20T06:50:00.000-07:00

Well as we drift into the end of October,, we have a VERY busy couple of months.. Bridal shower, wedding, and 4 birthday parties pressed into 2 weekends in a row,, AND 2 OF THEM ARE AT OUR HOUSE......Woo Hoo!!! Plus 3 other birthdays in November... I think Thanksgiving and Christmas are in ther some where..HA HA HA HA ! ! ! ! !

And for the next batch of referrals, I perdict that they will be here on Nov. 5th, a Monday, and I am guessing they will only go through the 7th!!!!! At best....

Our anniversary is Wednesday, hubby is taking the day off, and we are going to go out, and do what ever, No Plans, maybe start with going out to breakfast.. and just WING it!!!!! Last time we did that,, we both came home with new tatoos!!!!

Have started Christmas Shopping and in 2 days, I am 1/2 done (Thank God for internet shopping,,, it only works when you know what you are looking for though)... Just a few specific things I want to try and track down...

I have a few things I would like to get done before our referral,,, like Leah's second quilt,, I also would like to get my couch cleaned... I seriously considered doing it myself,,, YEAH RIGHT,, Who am I kidding?!?!?!

My daughter wants to do a baby shower after referral... so lets throw that into the ring along with the birthdays, holidays,, and whatever else happens to come up.. in our tranquile lives,,, HAHA HAHA ! ! ! !

And get this,, for some reason, I am rather clam,, even with referral rumors just around the corner, and all of what we have to do in the next few weeks...

Hugs & Prayers to all that take the time to read my ramblings!!!

October 2007

2007-10-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

Well referrals are here!!! It only included CHI's 11/28/05 LID's.... Not sure of the actual cut off date,,, but is is really looking like the 30th is it... We were really hoping that the first few days of December...

Tomorrow is Danny's birthday and would have been my dads birthday too, and our 9th Anniversary is the 24th...

I really need to update the picutres on here.... just can't seem to get it done....

September 5, 2007

2007-09-02T20:59:00.000-07:00

Well here we are in September and another birthday, let's just say it is the 21st Anniversary of my 21st birthday!!! Anyway I just read that the referrals only went to November 25th... That is what I expected BUT,, I was so hopeful that they would go a few days farther.... My next prediction is to Dec. 2, and we should get them around Oct. 3rd (dh's b-day) However not sure when the Harvest Festival is.. I am still trying to stay busy to help time pass....

Sindy & Kelly leave tomorrow to go to Hunan to get Allison... And Happy B-day Kelly!!! and may they have a safe trip.

Next Saturday, we are going out with some friends and then the following weekend is their son's 5th birthday...

We are STILL hoping for a December referral?!?!?!?

Today's Thoughts

2007-08-26T20:59:00.001-07:00

Well,, as rumors will start to trickle in here soon.... I feel that even with the early rumor of November 29,, it will not go past the 25th..... I SOOOOOO hope I am wrong.... However,,,,, I already got so excited when I saw the rumor... I couldn't contain myself.... Go Figure,, after 2 long years.... I still say we will get our referral on our grandson's 2nd birthday, December 7th?!?

I have been trying to get some down time,(me time) what a laugh!!!! I have been bustin my rear to redo our master bathroom... it turned out to be more of an undertaking than I ever expected... I would really like to get that done and get started on Leah's second quilt...

Our friends Sindy & Kelly leave on Sept. 6th,, to go get their beautiful little Allison..... How exciting... that even made it seem more real for us....

Fun With Friends

2007-08-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

Last night we went out with Sindy and Kelly,, to celebrate their referral for Allison... We had so much fun,,, we left TGIF's at midnight... We have not been out that late in so long....This was the 1st the DH's met... The got along great (they are both from Iowa!! Go figure!!)

August 2007

2007-08-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

Another Batch of Referrals! ! ! ! !

Well referrals came out yesterday, and made it to November 21, 2005!!! That is a good thing.... Now we have 28 days of LID's to get throught,, so that means we will be possibly traveling by January of o8.. Since a good batch is only about 7 days per month!!!

I posted on our December Yahoo Board,, that I "heard" rumors,, and Ann (From CHI) told me "Shhhhhhh!" OOOPPS!! Me and my BIG mouth!!!!

ON THE FANTASTIC SIDE!!!!! Our friends, Sindy & Kelly got their referral yesterday...They FINALLY got their little Allison!!! I was so excited for them,, YES,, I cried.... My 16 yr old told me, if I was this excited over someone elses,, he did not want to be around we ours comes in,, and then laughed...

July 2007

2007-07-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

Well here we are again, on the 6th of this month the referrals are to Nov. 14th,, and April & May 06 are out of Department 1!! April was wat out on June 21st ,, and May was out on July 5th,, NOW WHAT IS UP WITH THAT??? something a little off there!!! I had an anxious feeling all day on the 20th,,, last year it was on the 19th... I wish I knew what this week is... I know I am not forgeting anyones birthday or anniversary... It MUST have something to do with the adoption..

Rumors are all over the place this month,, I was out right ridiculious,, A couple of days ago they said the next batch would include the 1st few days of Dec.. YEAH RIGHT!!!!! I was not going to believe that for a minute.. Now they think it will be to Nov. 20th,,, I really thought the CCAA would make it to the 21st....

The sad part is I have really become NUMB to all the rumors... until I get the call from Marianne at CHI,,, I will stay here in my own little world,, but it's OK,, they know me here!!!!LOL!!!!!! People have stopped asking,,, and as our 2 youngest boys start school on Aug 2., and my older son (will be a junior in high school) startes on Aug 8th.. I will have more questions to answer from the boys teachers... I will just tell them nope, sorry no news yet!!!!!

And believe it or not our room is done... NO more concrete floors!!!YIPEE!!

New I-171

2007-06-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

GOT IT TODAY!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!

June 2007

2007-06-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

Well here we are waiting on REFERRALS again. On the 6th of this month, CHI did get them up to November 7, so the CCAA is officially into NOV. YIPEEE!!!

This month has been rather eventful, transmission went out on my truck got it fixed put some new tires on it and traded it for a Cadillac Escalade,, I am now driving a Cadi,,, who would have thought?!?!?!? From redneck to Ritzi!!!! LOL!!! Or as I was called a "Scottsdale Princess"... Thx Marc.

Sindy and I finally got to meet for lunch and I got to see her blankets done,, how beautiful they are!!! We decided we should do this ever couple of weeks... We think it will help the time pass.. WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!

I have torn up all the carpet in our bedroom, yes before I bough the new flooring, we are still waiting for it ,, so we now have bare concrete... Our room has been re-painted and wallpapered.. After this is all done, I will tear up our bathroom..

We have gone camping a couple of times. It is so nice to get out of the heat!!!! Even took Zac our grandson who LOVES the outdoors.. and quads,, his mommy took him for a ride in one that is more like a little sand rail.. and boy when you took him out did he scream...

And still no I-171,, I did talk to Marianne, and she said don't worry about it ,,, if we do not get our referral by November, we will have to renew everything anyway...Home study and fingerprints.. Oh the fun!!!

Schools Out ! ! !

2007-05-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

Well, school is out for the summer,,, this is going to be a VERY long 12 weeks, so far they have disagreed on which swim trunks are whos, and how the video game works and they have not been out a week yet... I think I may be crazy by the time they go back,, OH WAIT,,, I AM ALREADY THERE!!!!

My grandma was here for two weeks, mostly to see Cody and Dylan in their promotion program. Cody from 1st to 2nd and Dylan from K to 1st... I always love when my Grandma is here,, I only get to see her once a year, sometimes twice.

We went to Janet & JR's (we meet them through our agency & FCC) to celebrate Cali being home a year... I got my baby girl fix,,, it might last me a week or two.. ha ha ha!!!! yeah right, who am I kidding !!!!

Some GOOD friends of ours were here for Memorial weekend and had so much fun!!!! I miss them already....

OH YEAH!!!! 12 weeks and one day and NO I-171!!!!!!! :(

May 2007

2007-05-05T07:16:00.000-07:00

Well, I can't believe that we are still waiting. Last Mothers Day, I wrote that Leah would be home by now. Guess that's not happening.. it's in 8 days. But this last month has seemed to fly by..... Easter was fun with Zackery being able to hunt easter eggs without mommy & daddy's help.. it was too funny, he find them and then throw them on the ground to open them... Only used plastic this year.. That was a good thing!
Getting to meet Sindy at her baby shower, finally after emailing for months, they live about 20 minutes away, and our girls will be close in age. How exciting!!!!! And their LID is 11/18/05... I went on a field trip with Cody and his 1st grade class to the Phoenix Zoo.. HE RODE A CAMEL --- BY HIMSELF!!!I was so excited that he did, he is the one that does not try new things... I have pictures!!!

Kyle is NOW 16,,, OMG!!!! We had his party the weekend before, same weekend as he had his Nascar Race tickets..He we so VERY excited because Jeff Gordon won Saturdays race, from Pole Position, 1st time at PIR, and he also tied Dale Sr. Race wins.

And our trip to CA was GREAT!!!! VERY BUSY but, so much fun!!!! Cody & Dylan did so good handling their own rolling backpacks through the airports...And they liked doing it.. My Uncle Carl, asked "Where's the new baby"... I just about cried when I had to tell him we haven't gone yet!!!

And we came back to MORE REFERRALS,,, up to Nov. 1st... AT this rate WE might still have Leah home by Christmas?!?!?!?!!

STILL NO I-171..... I did call Alex at USCIS.... they are still working on Feb.... We sent ours in March.. Oh the joy of waiting,, ha ha ha ha!!!!!

April 2007

2007-04-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

Well, here is to one more month of waiting!! On Monday the 9th, referrals came in, HOWEVER,,, it was only for 2 days...AAARRRGG!!! So that means October 26th,, is as far as they got... Our Agency did not have any LID's for those 2 days... That has to be hard for those families that have a 10/27 LID,,, they thought for sure they were getting their referrals... Heck it was hard for me and we are 12/19... So for now we will keep plugging away at the house...

Now as for Easter,, the boys loved it, uneventful, but relaxing....

AND YES ,,,,STILL WAITING ON THE I-171 renewal... AGAIN!!!!

A LADYBUG!!!!!!

2007-03-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

Well I was in the backyard playing with the puppies,, I looked down,, and there was a ladybug!!!! I know our referral is still months off.. but,,, HOW COOL!!!!!

A bump in the road

2007-03-15T21:04:00.000-07:00

I know I don't usually post 2 times in one month, BUT this deserves it's own place... When I went to the mail, I THOUGHT I had gotten our renewed I-171,, HA HA HA HA!!! It was appointments to have our fingerprints redone.. The funny part is I sent the proof that we already had them redone, and they are good until... January 30, 08....... I am sorry are not still in 2007 AAARRRGG!!!!

March 2007

2007-03-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

Well, CHI got referrals last Monday, the 5th,up to October 24.. I had guessed they would come in on the 9th,, and up to the 23rd!!!! I would say that is close... I am still thinking August before ours comes in... I am always really happy for a couple of days after referrals..THEN, reality sets in again... IIICCCKKK!!! I will say my next guess is April 6th up to November 3rd.... We will see. This last month has gone by pretty fast.. since last referral.. I can only hope it goes fast for the next few months

I did meet one family out here in Buckeye, that has adopted from China twice.. The Davis',,, and I actually ran into Joe in the grocery store today.. The only reason I knew who he was is Shannon had sent me a picture of their girls,, and I recognized them.... to funny!!!

Met up with Kathy Jo and Marc (adopting thru CHI)for dinner Saturday night ... It was a blast as per usual..

And my boys are ALL out for Spring Break,, oh yipppeee!! after about 3 days they should be on each others last nerve... Kyle has only 1 week off and Cody & Dylan have 2 weeks off...

I have started redecorating 2 of our bathrooms... Then I would REALLY like to redo our bedroom... Shall we say Danny is less than thrilled, considering I want to redo our flooring,, which consists of moving our oak framed, double bladder king sized waterbed...OVERJOYED!!!!

February 2007

2007-02-10T19:44:00.000-08:00

Well Heather is 19 and Justin will be 20 in a matter of days.. OMG!!!! Where have the years gone... Please someone tell me how the days still drag on and on and on?!?!?!?!?!? Today we went to the Chinese New Year celebration, with our FCC group (Families with Children from China).. It was so great.. I finally got to meet some of the people I have chatted with online...I made it seem so very really,, and that it is really going to happen... Each day is a day closer to bringing Leah home for good!!! And for Valentines Day,, We (Leah & Mommy), got our own Giant Panda (stuffed) I cried... Go Figure!!!! So emotional lately... You would think I was pregnant or something.... Who says being "paper pregnant" doesn't make you emotional?!?!?!?!?!?

January 2007

2007-01-14T20:43:00.000-08:00

Well another year has arrived, uneventful as it may seem... It does seem has we have been here before... Another new year with no little girl at home... AARRGGG!!!!!! Getting ready to start on Leah's 2nd quilt. This one will be smaller so she can take it where ever she likes.... Danny told me the other day, that I better get ready for a new "Queen" of the house. In a pigs eye...Ha!!!! We will just see about that.. She already has at least as many clothes as I do... How in the heck did that happen...???? Cody & Dylan talk about taking their baby sister to the state fair... in October.... I tried to warn Dylan if we are back we can go... I know that if I promise him now, we will travel when the fair is here... And to top off the month,, my Akita had her puppies on the couch, while we were gone.... OH JOY!!!!

December 2006

2006-12-19T07:51:00.000-08:00

Well today is 1 year for our LID!!!! We really thought we would have Leah home by now!! Over all the year has gone by fast. This month Dylan turned 6 on the 1st, Zackery (our grandson) 1 year on the 7th, and Cody 7 on the 13th. And we still have Christmas in less than a week. I am really hoping that things do speed up for the CCAA, even though they claim it won't. I am still thinking we MAY travel by August!!! Some days are so much harder than others when it comes to waiting!!!! Some of you already know me,, I am oh such a patient person!! NOT!!!!

We have made some new friends during this very long and drawn out process. This is such a blessing, as we are all going through the same process... Some of us are just in different stages of that process. Those of us that have friends further, we pull strength from them!!! And those who are back in the process, we give our strength to you!! Because we know how much that strength is needed. Prayers to everyone!!!

The flooring in Leah's room, IS NOW DONE!!!!

November 2006

2006-11-24T22:57:00.000-08:00

Room is painted and now clean up, so we can get flooring done before the weekend.. And Danny is trying to spread a granite drive, and put down block for the driveway itself. Happy Thanksgiving.. by this time next year our new daughter will be home with us....

October 2006

2006-11-24T22:50:00.000-08:00

Put the crib together, picked out wallpaper border, and paint, and the prettiest lamp,, Leah's room is done in Precious Moments. I still can not believe it.. I am still numb... We have had something to do every single weekend for the last 3 months... It so helps to keep busy, Danny's birthday (which he shares with my dad),and our 8th Anniversary... which we went to Tahoe, had a BLAST!!!!

September 2006

2006-11-24T22:42:00.000-08:00

My birthday, Well La-De-Dah!!!
WE GOT OUR PHONE CALL ---- WE ARE APPROVED!!! At 6:00 am, about 5 minutes before Danny left for work, and a 3 day deep sea fishing trip (business related ha)... Ann from St. Louis called,, when she said who she was I knew she had an answer.... Oh my gosh,, we are going to China,, I did a mass email to everyone...and made a couple of early morning calls including waking my mom up... Marianne (with CHI, here in AZ) was disappointed as she wanted to be able to tell Danny herself,, as she has been through thick and thin with us all the way through!!! We started our shots, bought a crib and bedding.. look out credit cards... I am on a mission...

August 2006

2006-11-24T22:30:00.000-08:00

Well kids are all back in school and I get Zac on the average of 3 times a week.. But soon I will be babysitting for one of the teachers at the boys school.. Her little on was born July 12th,, so he is a little one. Well the are looking at Decembers dossiers, I think I am going to be ill... Ended up with 140+ squares, I guess I am making more than one quilt...

July 2006

2006-11-24T22:17:00.000-08:00

We had everyone at our house for the 4th of July, then went to watch fireworks, Zac(grandson), got so very scared,, never cried though!! Lost my wedding ring, and Danny found it the same night.. I was so very upset the entire day.. I have 75 of my 100 squares.. It will be October before we find out if we made it through or not.. The CCAA moved their office so they were closed for a few days, then they were up and running like nothing had happened. Danny found his dream car, a 69 Camaro.. Good Grief ,,, boy and their toys,, it never ends... HA HA HA!!!!! Cody and Dylan both picked out a fabric to put in the quilt. Went to Tucson, to spend some time with some friends I went to Jr, High school with..I introduced them and they just celebrated their 25th Anniversary... We took Cody and Dylan to Peter Piper Pizza to meet up with another couple, that is adopting from China through CHI, and their 2 boys... Not my favorite place to eat, but the kids loved it!

June 2006

2006-11-24T22:12:00.000-08:00

Well the CCAA is nw working on November,,, YIKES!!! I should be a complete basket case in no time at all... Have stayed very busy this month, with helping my mom move and then Heather and Jaret (her boyfriend). Took the boys to the movies, to see "Cars",,, they loved it..

May 2006

2006-11-24T22:01:00.000-08:00

Heather and her boyfriend graduated from high school and are looking for an apartment... Oh my gosh, "My baby is moving out"!!! Sob, Sob, Sob!!!! My Grandma Ruby was here for the graduation, and stayed for a couple of weeks. I love it when she is here for awhile, I used to spend all my vactions from school, and so I miss not having her closer...
As the wait grows longer, it is really starting to get harder... For Mother's Day, Heather, got me a new journel to write in.. she said the spiral notebook I am writing in is sad!!! I really would like to go shopping,,, come on CCAA!!!! Cody and Dylan are asking again how many days til we go get their baby sister.. Now I am just pulling #s out of the air...

April 2006

2006-11-24T21:50:00.000-08:00

My son, Kyle turned 15 this month...How can time fly by, and yet stand still at the same time... I just don't get it?!?!?!?! Danny went, for the 1st time, as a chaperone on a field trip with Cody to the Wild Life Zoo. It is a lot smaller than the Phoenix Zoo, you can see the animals a lot better. At this point the CCAA is looking at Septembers dossiers..AAARRGGG!!!! I have started on her 100 Good Wishes Quilt, collecting anyway.. We went to the Build-A-Bear Workshop, and got the Panda Bear, dressed in a little red dress, named it China, and its birthday is 12/19/05, our LID. And I started the scrapbook with the wishes that go with the quilt. We went to the CHI picnic, even though the boys were just getting over being sick, and not sure if we are approved or not... We just wanted to see Marianne, our CHI coordinater.

March 2006

2006-11-24T21:43:00.000-08:00

Well this month has brought me a lot of sleepless nights,, still waiting to know if the CCAA will approve us... I really wish they would hurry up,, I think I am going crazy!!! Oh wait, too late,, I'm there!!!
Also now our Daschund had 6 puppies.. Oh joy!!!!! Done lots of things to try and stay busy, yard sale, B-B-Q, and still writing in my journel to Leah almost every single day.

February 2006

2006-11-23T08:45:00.000-08:00

Well Heather was18 on the 1st and Justin is 19 on the 23rd. The wait is getting harder and harder,, right now all we want is an answer, if we are approve... Talked to Ann (CHI in St. Louis), and she thinks we will be ok. Each month that goes by the wait is getting longer and longer... It does get harder and harder.. Even though Ann did make me feel better. We deided to wait to see China approves us before we do too many chances to the house. And I can not seem to stay out of the little girl part of the baby department, doesn't help I want to buy things for Zac..

January 2006

2006-11-23T08:33:00.000-08:00

Well we are off to a new year and more waiting!!! Dylan ask all the time when we are going to China to get his baby sister,, I have to explain, that we are not sure yet, if China will let us... We have to just wait, keep in mind he just turned 5, wait is not, nor has it ever been one of his strong points, (mine either,,ha ha).. We have been talking to them about their baby sister not looking like them,, and neither Cody or Dylan could care less what she looks like,, they just want to go get her....I bought a free standing Precious Moments angel ornament (the angel is holding the letter "L". And to keep me busy our dog Missy had 13 puppies, Akita puppies.. Holy Cow!!! Danny and I both saw a falling star, and afterwards, we both asked did you see that, and did you make a wish?,,, and it was the same wish, to bring Leah home. It will still be a while before we know what the CCAA will say.

December 2005

2006-11-22T21:44:00.001-08:00

Well Dylan was 5 on the first, and Cody was 6 on the 13th.. And we also welcomed our grandson, Zackery Adam Redfearn into the world on the 7th,,, 7# 6 oz, 21", at 5:45 pm... I was there the entire time.. I am now a grandma,,, and at the same time we waiting to bring our new daughter home from China,,, I feel like a kid at Christmas,, about to bust... And we now know our LID is 12/19, that would have been my Great Grandma Shinn's birthday.. That has to be a good sign,, now we just wait to see if we get through Department 1 at the CCAA,,, AAARRRGGGG!!! More waiting...

Holding baby Zac,,, makes us want to bring home our new daughter... even more , ,as if that were even possible.

November 2005

2006-11-22T21:36:00.000-08:00

Well one of the news casters on News Channel 3, Lin Sue Cooney, did a report on her adoption through CHI, and also, Bob Kahn, the Phoenix firechief went through CHI... Dylan, our youngest for now, always want me to tell his baby sister, how much he loves her. I love to hear that he does, not even knowing her yet... SO SWEET!!

WE GOT OUR I-171 ON THE 8TH.. I thought I was going to hug the Fed-Ex driver... I did come to my senses and did not, I am sure he was happy about that ... Got all of our paperwork rounded up and we are DTC November 23rd... My part of the paperchase has come to an end, for now... that was such a good feeling for me.. to know that I had done everything I could, it is all up to China now...

October 2005

2006-11-22T21:30:00.000-08:00

Well Daddy's birthday, 3rd, and it was also your Grandpa Mel's (Mommy's daddy) 75th birthday.. and our Anniversary is th 24th.... And your sister's, Heather, baby shower..which turned out great.. We are still waiting, NO LETTER YET!!!!

September 2005

2006-11-22T21:18:00.000-08:00

Well yipee, skipee,, Mommys birthday has rolled around yet again... I am thrilled. And big brother Justin came home for good from Alaska... Not much to talk about this month,,, NO I-171.... JUST KEEP WAITING!!!

August 2005

2006-11-22T21:10:00.000-08:00

Well trying to deal with the wait,,, ARGGG!!!! Cody starts Kindergarten. Still waiting on our I-171. My daughter and her boyfriend have picked the name Zackery Adam for the baby, which is due a couple of days before Cody's birthday in December. We started putting a little photo album together for Leah, it has all the relatives in it.

July 2005

2006-11-22T20:57:00.000-08:00

Well, this month we took our classes through Oasis, to finish up our home study. We started looking through names, and decided on Leah. We also met up with another CHI family that have adopted three beautiful little girls from China. On the 14th we got our State approval. And found out I am going to be a Grandma for the 1st time. Getting our birth certificates Certified. And on the 30th got our fingerprints done.

In the Beginning

2006-11-22T19:59:00.000-08:00

This is a journey that started back in March of 2005, when we submitted our application to Childrens Hope International, after talking to many acengcies. We talked about adoption for 2 years prior to that. We talked to each of our 5 children (his, hers & ours) and they were all ok with it. And at which point we started the process. As the process goes on they are more excited. And well we are too!!!