13 Months and still counting

Happy 13 month LID Anniversary to me, Happy 13 month LID Anniversary to me...

February 27, 2007 ~ where has this month gone! I am excited to be welcoming in March and yet its hard to believe that the month of February has gone by so fast.

I should be mailing off all the necessary documents tomorrow to re-new our I-171h immigration paperwork and while we wait to receive once again another "approval from the US" to bring our daughter home, we look forward to hearing some news from CCAA on their next set of matches ~ every match is one match closer.

To all those who are enduring this process with us - Blessings!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...

Tuesday, February 20th, 2007 it is, in a week where there will be no news what-so-ever about our adoption. You see, Chinese New Year , a huge celebration ~ was 2 days ago (2/18/2007), and all offices in China are closed for this entire week.

Nonetheless~ today was a treasure!

I had the honor of spending the morning with two dear friends who each have adopted their own daughters from China, and just being in their presence allowed me the opportunity to forget, or rather not focus on the incredible length of time we have endured through this adoption process. These days, it seems that I can spend so much time focusing on how 'LONG' the wait is/has been rather than keeping my 'eyes' focused on the 'why' of the wait. And as you can see from this adorable picture, it didn't take long to be reminded of the "why" I am waiting for.


In a few short days, we can officially say we've been waiting 13 months to receive our referral. Our agency currently says we can expect to wait 17-18months from LID, so another 5 (or maybe more) more to go. You know, when we started this process our anticipation, or rather hope, was that we'd receive a referral in 6 (or so) months. Information quickly changed with each month that went by that the wait was extending and that they couldn't forecast exactly what was going to take place, but that it was just going to get longer. We never expected at that point that we'd be waiting more than a year to receive word about our daughter. And it's funny, because even the mom of this beautiful little girl waited 14 months from LID to referral and I asked (wanting to glean all the information I could from those who are already 'experienced' at it) if with the extended length of time did she do more things, save more money, read more books about adoption? No. I guess I'm in the same boat. I suppose not knowing up front the wait was going to be this long might have something to do with it too. But, I will say I think the best thing I could have been told was the moment at which you receive the call & picture of your sweet daughter, it's almost surreal in that you don't remember the wait being long at all - almost as if it didn't exist. I long for that!

And for now, I will continue to wait...

A Ha..Ha..Ha...Choo Birthday?

Can I just say that when Mom is sick, the whole house suffers! No, really...it's true. My husband will even admit it.

I managed to some how get the "infamous" flu ~ the kind you get the flu shot for, of which I am certain now that I must have forgotten to check that off my list. I can honestly say that I am making my way to a full recovery, even if it took me a week lying in bed doing absolutely nothing!

And the worst part of it all...I managed to miss my son's 13th birthday on Monday. Not the "I forgot about it" missed it, but found myself in bed nursing the body aches and managing to whisper a simple "happy birthday" to him in passing.

So...that favorite meal/cake he asked me to make will have to be postponed for next week, along with the party, balloons and presents.

This post is for you Mr. T in celebration of entering the teen-hood.

Oh Happy Day!

I'm so excited I think I'll celebrate!

Well...it's official ~ the next batch of referrals are here. The CCAA has matched those families who were logged in by October 13, 2005 with beautiful babies. Congratulations to all of you! And a Hip Hip Hooray for those families who's dossiers are finally moved out of review and into the match room.


Just think...only 105 more days need to be matched until our LID of 1/27/2006.