Lady Bug Invasion

Ok........While I think the ladybug thing is cute.......I have never been just WAY into the ladybug as adoption good luck thing. But..........I have to report that for the past week, I have been overun by ladybugs in my office. well....6 ladybugs to be exact. Very peculiar since I work in a 4th floor office and have never seen so much as a fly in here. These little ladies are just perusing my blinds and ceiling...and I wonder.........what are they eating and drinking? I certainly dont want them to die.........that would be depressing and I figure I can use all the good luck I can get! epecially in getting little Amelia baby home.

Geez.....................what do ladybugs eat, anyway??????????

CCAA makes statement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woohoo! The CCAA--Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs---- has posted a response on their website to address the rampant slow down rumors.

Rumors have spread like wildfire with the recent slow down--some of which indicated that the CCAA was intentionally slowing the wait back down to a year. I cant complain about the way rumors spread though, because I myself am guilty of asking the question " anyone heard anything.............anyone........anyone at all???????" and then I fall down on my desk in despair when the rumor is not what I want to hear! sound familiar anyone?

So I am very excited to see the CCAA address this directly on their site. They essentially confirmed what our agency has been saying all along...........that the number of dossiers being sent in has greatly increased (some months doubled---some speculate that this may partially be due to the closing of some programs in other countries which led to an increased application for the China program--Russia has opened back up though) and that they are not "intentionally' slowing the program down. They indicated that in months when they have huge numbers of dossiers and not enough "paper ready" babies for all in a given month, then the wait will slow a little--during other months it will likely speed up a little. This is essentially the history of China adoption anyway, it has always fluctuated in wait times( up until the last year when it was pretty steady)

They also have a section in the right corner of the page where they are now updating on where they are on paperwork. They indicate that they have finished reviewing the May dossiers. So hopefully this next batch of referral will include most of April???? who knows? but at any rate, making an educated guess will depend on watching the numbers each month---since essentially we are all in a great long paperwork line and have to wait until the get to us! we are logged in 9/12/05.

I feel hugely relieved to have them give a statement.

China, here we come! (eventually)

Ok girls............here's a picture of me and my sweetie in Hilton Head with blonde hair--which I've had forever. This is my pre-what if my blonde hair is scary to the baby debate. At my first agency orientation, they did actually mention that some of the babies have never seen blonde hair and may take a little longer to get comfy with a blondish mom.

So here's my question: has anyone entertained concerns about this???? Anyone had experience with this???

Self portrait of me with my new hair! well...not new, but changed to a hair color that might possibly be a little less frightening to a Chinese baby whose never seen blonde hair. No, I'm not trying to make my daughter and I look more alike.......if that were an issue, I wouldnt be adopting from China. But...if changing my hair color makes Gotcha Day even slightly less stressful for little Amelia, why not? after all, I had lots of different hair colors in college---at least its not blue or green this time! 

Gratitude

Close up of the hand-made Thanksgiving card from my September-DTC secret pal. Each ribbon sticking out is attached to a removable tag on which Jimmy and I can write all the things we're thankful for. This little book is meant to be kept and shared with Amelia one day--------our thoughts on the thanksgiving before her arrival.


Unexpressed gratitude is burning a hole in my heart this year. There are so many things to be thankful for. So many in fact, that I am writing this 3 days past Thanksgiving(which would have been the more appropriate day for this particular post) because I have been unable to narrow down and organize in my head the many things for which I am grateful. Since my father died some 12 years ago, my family has struggled through some very difficult issues. We have seen some real tragedy in the last decade---the least of which included my infertility and miscarriage.

But I can say that time does heal wounds.....And miracles can happen.......And people can learn important life lessons...........And things can get better...........And my family has healed in so many ways.

So this year I am grateful that my nephews are healthy and well, that my family has reconciled old hurts, and that my mother is moving here to Roswell where I can give back some of the support that she has given me.

I am thankful for friends, old and new. I am thankful for the support from the adoption community, both on line, through snail mail, and from local waiting families with whom I am sharing this most special time in my life.

and last, but certainly not least, I am thankful for my faith. A faith which was once threatened by tragedy and depression, until I realized that being a person of faith does not prevent you from living in a human world with human obstacles, and yes, sometimes even undeserved hardship for you or those you love...................But it does guarantee strength, and fortitude, and courage to face those obstacles head on, and find beauty in the world just the same.

Black and White mode on my new digital camera---also Amelia Gear---and cause he's (Brody)just so darn cute.....his eyes dont usually have that creepy netherworld kind of glow though....this would have been a good halloween shot, huh? 

Why am I posting a picture of the very same computer on which I'm now typing???? Because its new! and because I wrestled it down in the midst of mass wal-mart confusion at 6:00 this morning! and because we're taking it to China with us to post pics of my little butter bean every day----so---technically........it is in fact.......Amelia Gear! 

Lovely personalized hooded towel and bib from my August-DTC secret pal 

Amelia's stuffed animals held captive in the ironwork wall thingy. This is necessary because Peanut (my cat) keeps kidnapping them and trying to hide them in his lair (under my bed) Bad kitty!  

From my Sept DTC secret Pal. She wrote the poem herself and the bear in the picture is the one sitting beside the frame. Mucho creative 

Grandma Jessie's second creation for Amelia---with matching socks, of course 

More Wisdom---Charles Schultz from Peanuts fame

My friend Karla recent sent this bit of wisdom via e-mail. It was entitled: Charles Shultz Philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip. The questions are rhetorical--you'll get the point as you read.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2.Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3.Name the last five winners of the Miss America Title.

4.Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5.Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor or actress.

6.Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do??? The point is that none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. Those winners are no second rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Now, see how you do on this one:

1.List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2.Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3.Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4.Think of a few people who have made you feel special and appreciated.

5.Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Much easier right?

People who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards-----they are the ones that care.

Chinese wisdom

The road is long; and the mountains are high.

Is anything impossible?

----ancient Chinese saying

As I read posts on my various yahoo groups, I come across person after person expressing disappointment over the longer referral wait times. I have found this deeply disappointing myself, but I came across the above proverb while reading a book called : The Search for Modern China (heavy but interesting reading), and I realized that this is exactly the attitude we have to take as adoptive parents.

So many of us have struggled long and hard to achieve the dream of parenthood, and the grief, frustration, and unfairness of it all sometimes feels compounded by the effortlessness with which others have achieved this blessing. It can also be hard to stomach those who seem to take parenthood for granted, as if it is their right..........Instead of the privilege that we know it to be.

Life isn't always fair, but we as adoptive parents are tenacious, and hopeful and determined.

The mountains are indeed high, and road is filled with barriers and hair pin turns. Our daughters are worth the wait...... And if we have to be a little tougher, a little more savvy, and a little more willing to jump the hurdles and dodge the roadblocks, then so be it.

Is anything impossible?

Waiting family bonfire

Jimmy and I had a great time Saturday night at Sonia and Hugh's bonfire. As you can see from these pics, as usual, the guys kind of drifted to one side and the girls to another. After all, the guys just dont seem to enjoy talking about referral rumors, baby gear, and nursery decor as much as we girls do??????????

Toward the end of the night, Jimmy asked if I was ready to go, and I replied "yes, let me go in and get a piece of pumpkin roll (yum) and say good bye and then we'll go" Well, I got in there with several of the girls and we started snacking and gabbing, and I forgot all about telling Jimmy we were about to leave. (think I'd had too much libations?) anyway, when I finally did get ready to go.......a good hour later, I started looking around for Jimmy who was no where to be found. hmmm.......... Remember when I told him " let me go in for pumpkin roll and say goodbye?" well, he took me at my word and went down the hill to the car. oops :))) when I discovered him an hour later he was sound asleep! If a person can fall asleep in a cold car, sitting nearly upright, I'd say thats one pooped out hubby.

Smores

TRAVEL PACKET 1--WOO HOO!

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!! TRAVEL PACKET 1 HAS ARRIVED FROM CCAI.

I have been waiting on pins and needles for this travel packet. Partly because the travel to China is just one of the reasons that we chose international adoption---hey---become parents and world travelers at the same time??? whats not to love!

and.............because the arrival of this packet marks yet another milestone in our wait for Amelia.

I have discovered through this adoption, that the boundaries of love are limitless and transcend time and definition. I have not seen her face, or touched her baby soft skin. I do not know her personality, her likes, or her dislikes. I have never heard her giggle.

But I am enamored and mesmerized by the dream of her, and even the tiniest step toward her makes my heart soar.

The packet essentially contains initial travel information, immigration stuff, financial information, immunizations, preparing yourself for the trip, choosing travel companions (we have alot of single parents in this program), choosing small gifts for orphanage staff, etc.

We have also been mailed 2 DVDs. One focused on travel, and one on attachment and bonding(which is a topic I've been researching for a while now) As my friend Leigh Anne said in a recent e-mail---(she works at an international adoption clinic and has 2 chinese daughters) "Attachment is not rocket science" but it does require effort and consistence.

So! I'm off to read and bask in my excitement.

Another case of putting the cart before the horse. Amelia doesnt have a nursery yet, but by golly ---she's got toys!  

September DTC Secret Pal

September Secret Pal................Girl, you made me cry. (but in a good way:)))

Thank you soooooo much for the teddy bear, framed poem (personalized.......... And written by yourself---I love it--and will post it here with a picture when I get a new camera)

musical baby toy

Soft, home made lovey

and scrap book supplies!!!

WOW!

I think I loved the home made Thanksgiving book most of all. What a marvelous keepsake, and I will definitely write my own thoughts on the enclosed tags.

You spoke to my heart with your gifts and encouragement.

Thank you

Quote of the week

The future belongs to those

who believe

in the beauty of their dreams

---Eleanor Roosevelt

Just Ducky

Just Ducky

Thank you August DTC Secret Pal!

We just LOVE the personalized hooded towel, wash cloths, bath mit, and Bib, embroidered with Amelia's name.

She also sent sample sized baby products and 2 packs of disposable wash cloths for the trip to China!

The description doesnt do the bath set justice. Pink and white, and very pretty. I will post pics when I buy a new camera---my old one bit the dust when a certain 100 pound Labrador Retriever knocked it out of my hand to the concrete. sigh.

Baby Booty

Woo Hoo! More baby gear. Yes, getting Amelia is still months away (sadly) but I am engaging in shopping therapy to pass the time. Buying a high chair before setting up a nursery does seem a little like putting the cart before the horse, but I got a good deal---and the colors are complementary to my new buttery yellow kitchen.(which is of the utmost importance of course! :))))

I've decided to dole out my baby buying a little at a time---one big thing a month---sort of like the way I used to nibble my chocolate Easter bunny a little at a time to stretch out the yum.

Amelia also gets a book a week ---reading is one of my favorite pastimes, and its important to me that she treasure books, so I've started her "library."

Attention!!!!!!! Help Needed!!!!!!!!!!!

Most of you in the International Adoption Community may already know this, but for those who don't:

ABC News is planning to run an episode of Dateline which is very biased against International Adoption. It details the TRAGEDY of a Russian girl adopted by a single man who then sexually abused her and used her picture for internet porn. What a horrible and utterly heartbreaking story, and I personally would love to feed this man his own testicles for lunch.

Dateline, however, is ready to tell this story, presenting International Adoption as a vehicle for human trafficking, rather than balancing this horror story with the tens of thousands of children adopted every year into secure and loving homes. These children get to live in a family instead of an institution; they are given opportunities, education, and relationships that they would never have had growing up in an orphanage. If this side of the story isn't presented, it casts a very negative light on international adoption, and foreign governments do not like bad press.

Even though this story focuses on Russian adoption, it has the potential to impact us ALL. The International adoption community has to stick together for the welfare of the kids.

Please join us in bombarding ABC with contacts about this Dateline episode. There is power in numbers.

e-mail: support@abcnews.go.com

The Stork has landed in the U.S.

Congratulation to everyone who received referrals this week!!!!!

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.

But those who make their journey across time and miles,

growing in the hearts of those who wait to love them,

are carried on the wings of destiny;

and placed amoung us by God's own hands.

----Kristi Larson

Referrals have come in for those with LIDs (log in dates) between March 17th and March 30th. Actually only about 7.5 monts after log in, even with the slow down!

The word is that Decembers referrals may also be for only a couple of weeks, but that referrals may speed up a little after Chinese New Year on January 29th.

Things can change month to month, but right now we are still on target for April or May referral

Also of note: This batch contained 1 boy, and 2 sets of twins!

100 Good Wishes

I have been steadily receiving quilt squares for a couple of months, and I sooooo appreciate all the people who have taken the time to participate! I have enjoyed reading wishes from strangers, friends, and family.

Amelia has received wishes and fabric from all over the U.S., as well as France, British Columbia, Australia, Sweden, England, and Canada.

My mom wrote Amelia a lovely poem about how much we all anticipate her arrival, and how the wait for her, though difficult, will be so worth it when we have her in our arms. I couldn't agree more.

A friend here in Georgia, made a fabric square from the satin edges of HER blankie when she was little, and her wish talked of hoping little Amelia feels as safe and secure as that blanket made my friend feel.

Another friend from Alabama sent fabric pieces from favorite shirts of her children, with a letter addressed to Amelia, telling her about our friendship which began at 5 years old, and what a blessing Amelia will be in all our lives.

very special wishes, for a very special girl.

Off topic---Cherokee legend-thought provoking

I love this Cherokee legend that was posted on our DTC Group board. Its full of wisdom and truth.

Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all."

"One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego."

"The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:

"Which wolf wins?"

The old man replied,

"The one you feed"

Have you ever heard anything more true?

The Stork is flying high!

CCAI has posted in the family news section that Referrals have been mailed from China. We should hear something by Thursday or Friday. Of course, I hope that the packet includes at least some April referrals, but even if its only through the end of March, I'm still excited! Roll on referrals, Roll on! Because each batch puts me one step closer to Amelia. Thank you CCAI for posting reliable updates for your families!

Leap.......... and the net will appear...........

Zen saying

On saturday morning, Daphne (of--Road to Emily) and I volunteered at our agencies booth for the Adoption Awareness Day at the Atlanta Zoo. We gave out info about our agency ---Chinese Children Adoption International---This is a wonderful agency founded by a Chinese couple who have a great relationship with adoption affairs in China. The web site is www.chinesechildren.org 

I am posting this picture because I love Gorillas, and because I couldnt get close enough for a good picture of the mother Gorilla and her twin babies. I did see them though, and they were adorable. The mother was very protective and the twins look and behave eerily like human babies. The twins are a must see experience if you love animals. I hate to see the animals in a fabricated setting, but........I believe that allowing the public to learn about animals and interact with them up close is imperative to the welfare of animal populations and the environment in the long run. Modern day zoos educate the public about endangered animals and habitats and the focus is definately on respect for the animals, and on conservation.  

Bonnie and Clyde (blog names) are in China!!!

I post from time to time about a group of fellow local waiting parents. (geez that's a mouthful) We get together for dinner once a month and some of the girls go out to lunch once in a while. Its sooo great to be able to share this unique and wonderful experience with people 'in my own back yard."

Just wanted to post a reminder that one our families left for China on November 1st! Woo hoo!

You can follow the trip on their blog---Journey to Charleigh. Its listed on the left margin of this blog. Next in line for referral is Daphne and Greg, and we cant wait to follow them as well. If anyone else in our group is in line *with* Daphne and Greg---someone let me know!

Other adoption news????

Well............... now that our disappointment over the back log of referrals has settled to a dull roar.......

The September DTC group has started a poll to vote on when our referrals will come.

Just to let you know...............I voted MAY!

Would much rather have April........but my gut says May.

thats my vote.................and I'm stickin to it.

Amelia's first Asian baby doll--given to us by our friend Daphne. What a nice surprise! hmmmm.......now I'm just gonna have to get little Sonya Lee some friends to keep her company until Amelia gets here!  

Peking Duck

Peking Duck Joke--to all potential flamers---please have a sence of humor. Really.....its good to laugh. No disrespect intended to the Chinese people OR the duck. :))

Here goes:

A couple go to a Chinese restaurant for a meal and order the "chicken surprise". The waiter brings the meal in a lidded cast iron pot.

Just as the wife is about to serve herself, the lid of the pot rises slightly and she briefly sees two beady little eyes looking around before the lid slams back down.

"Good Grief! did you see that?" she asks her husband

He didnt, so she asks him to look into the pot. He reaches for it and again the lid rises. He sees two beady little eyes looking back at him before the lid slams back down.

Rather perturbed, he calls the waiter over, explains what is happening, and demands an explanation.

"Please sir" says the waiter, "what did you order?"

Husband replies....."Chicken Surprise"

"Ah.......so sorry" says the waiter.................. "I brought Peeking Duck"

Ouch

Our latest step toward travel preparation involves ouch, ouch, and more ouch. The CDC www.cdc.gov website doesn't require any vaccinations for travel to China, but they do recommend the following: Hepatitis A and B, tetanus booster, MMR(measles, mumps, rubella) booster. Typhoid and Malaria is not recommended at this time due to the side effects of those vaccinations and the unlikelihood of us being in a remote area for any significant amount of time.

We both now have the boosters and the first series of the Hepatitis and will go back in 6 months for the final round.

I sent Jimmy to the doc this morning with a "note for the nurse" detailing the vaccinations needed and how they needed to be coded for insurance purposes-----can you imagine the eye rolling I got for that??????????

Needless to say, he refused to carry his "note" but got the right shots just the same. Can we say Micromanage???? Yeah, yeah, I'm working on it.

trying to enjoy the ride

Quote of the day---from someone posting in my DTC group---

"Yes, it is a roller coaster ride. And yes, sometimes it makes you want to throw up"

This comment was related to the recent slow down in referral times. She's right. Adoption is a roller coaster ride that sometimes drops your stomach to your knees. Its not for cowards, I can tell you that. I feel better than I did last week. Things happen, and unfortunately, China Adoption employees were off for a week in October due to the Moon Festival, The American Consulate closed for almost a week while moving to a different location, and there were lots of dossiers sent in last spring. Rumor has it that referrals tend to slow down this time of year, but those who have BTDT (been there done that) report that CCAA has doubled up referrals at times in the past to catch back up.

Of course, we ALL so hope thats the case this time, but if not, we'll survive, because we're a scrappy lot arent we???

I had an e-mail conversation with someone in my DTC group last week and she said something to the effect of: "This is my plan C for becoming a mom...........and even if something happened to halt adoptions from China, for me there would be a plan D. Since you (meaning me) are also on plan C, I have no doubt you would have a plan D as well if it came down to it."

She's right. I'm not going to stress over a matter of weeks or months to referral. And I'm not going to allow unfounded creeping fears to spoil the bliss of anticipation.