We're having babies!!!

Did I get your attention???

Well, it's true. We are having babies. 4 to be exact. Only 10 days more to go (give or take a few) until the only other female presence in the house gives birth.

I imagine you've probably already guessed that it's not me, but our sweet puppy (well dog really) Maisy is pregnant and looking pretty plump about now.

She's 3/4 Havanese, 1/4 Bichon and the male we bred her with is 1/2 Havanese, 1/2 Shitzu, so I am imagining these puppies are going to be pretty darn cute (if I must say).

When we got Maisy, she was only 2 lbs and fit into the middle of my son's baseball mitt.

Here she is just about a week after we first got her (9 weeks old)

This is her at about 1.5 years old.

So, if I/We can't have the excitement of a referral for our baby girl, I/We can at least have the excitement of brand new baby puppies!

It's Official

To my amazing husband and the 3 fantastic young men of my life, happy 24 months of patiently enduring this incredibly long wait for a baby girl who will change our lives forever!!!
I love you all so much.

Anniversary Eve!

As I sit and reflect over the past two years, I've been thinking alot about what "life" was like back then. I remember the feeling of euphoria when our dossier was finally sent off to China. My biggest prayer was that it would make it there before Chinese New Year (CNY which was Jan. 29, 2006). And of course then there was the 'waiting' to find out when we were LID. We didn't actually find out our LID until Feb. 13th, '06, and I can remember just crying in utter delight that we had not only made it to China but were logged in before they left for CNY.

Nobody knew then the extremely long journey that was ahead of us. And here we are, the eve before our 2 year LID Anniversary and I will admit the moment is bittersweet. My heart is mixed with emotion ~ anger, frustration, sadness, apathy, hopeless & hopeful in the same moment. Our turn is coming. We will endure and hang on. We will delight in the moment when that phone rings and we pick it up to hear those tender words, "Brian & Ruth, Congratulations! You have a daughter." Just even the typing of those words puts a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I am excited, yet I fear the excitement as I spent my first 6 months of LID this way only to be told to wait more.

So would you celebrate with us this weekend as we embrace what is to come. I will remain hopeful as I have been called to do.
"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

Only 149 days to go until Summer!!!

Well...I thought it was time for a blog re-do!

Actually, to be perfectly honest, this time of year is extremely difficult for me! I am a California native, however I have actually lived in WA more years than I have spent in CA, yet each year I suffer more and more from the lack of sunny warm weather. I am constantly battling loss of energy and that sheer desire to "get up and get things moving", which of course is not good for homeschooling.
I suppose some would/could say the "D" word (depression) though not enough to warrant medical treatment, just a long 'winter hibernation nap' might be the best treatment! I could wake up to this...

Or maybe I should spend some time in a tanning booth.?

I love the sun!!! I love the brightness it brings and the warmth on my skin. Along with the sun, I love it warm!!! I NEED the warm so much. But, I married a WA native who really loves it here.

What goes better with the sun and warmth than a beautiful beach, one of my favorite places where I like to spend time.

So, for a brief moment, close your eyes, smell the salty sea air and enjoy this virtual paradise.

From Me to You

Sending You a little bit of 'happy'!
Enjoy your weekend.

It's a sad day...

Not long ago, I would have considered myself an adoption blog junkie! I would spend hours going from site to site reading all of the different adoption stories, empathizing with those who were like ours. I would also have considered myself an addict to the many adoption sites one can go to, to find out any "new, recent, current" news about when the next set of matches were coming and what dates were going to be referred. Sadly though, I found myself disappointed day after day, moping around the house, literally unable to function on occasion. You can only imagine how thrilled hubby was when all of this occurred ~ NOT! I had to give it up. I knew I needed it so badly, yet I was going to have to find a way to live without it! I Had To Detox.

First there were the cold sweats ~ without any warning whatsoever. Then there were the headaches, lightheadedness, mental clouding & mood swings ~ and no I'm not talking about PMS. Just when I thought it was safe to go back to the computer, the swelling of hands, lips, face, eyes, throat ~ ever seen "Hitch", need I say more! It became clear to me I couldn't do this alone. I needed help ~ someone who could be there when I just needed a little information. Someone who would be honest and be willing to give me the hard news, even if it was disappointing. I called on the CCAA. They were trustworthy, loyal, there day or night. I didn't need to look elsewhere, they had all the information I needed.

UNTIL NOW!!!

It's official. They have now taken themselves out of the equation and this is what you will find upon visiting their site for the latest updated information on what LID they've matched through and who they've reviewed through.

"The information included in the Documents Processing has moved to the CCAA Work System. Adoptive families who would like to get the information, please check through your adoption agency."

What is this world coming to, I ask you that? Well, I refuse to go back to my old habits of computer usage. Instead I am going to have to rely on my blogging friends/community to get me through this most difficult time.

Truly Beautiful

I found this today (sadly I don't remember who's site it was on) and fell in love with it!

Uuuggggghhhhhhh!

Talk about taking the fall! Waiting for new referral matches is a lot like winding up for a really good kick (hopeful of a large number of matches) only to find that the Lucy (aka CCAA) has swiftly moved the ball right before you kick it!

Uuuggghhhhh, matches have been made from December 14th - December 19th, 2005.
Not hard to feel like Snoopy does.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Welcome 2008!
"The Year of the Rat"