Sugar and Spice

We we signed with CSS back in '07 to begin our Russian adoption. I joined their agency yahoo group green and eager for knowledge of international adoption. We got in line with all of the other families waiting on referrals. The lines were split between those waiting for a boy and those waiting for a girl. Along the way God had sent me two angels, Ondrea and Michelle. No kidding, they paved the way for me and become my support system . We shared the ups and downs that adoption can bring. These friendships were created via long distance emails and phone calls.We were all in the girl line. All mothers of boys and each of us shared a deep desire to have a daughter of our very own.

On Monday , Michelle and I finally got to met face to face! . With this visit the little girls that we had dreamed about for so long finally got to giggle and relish in each others company. I am so amazed at how far these little girls have come in their short little lives. Watching them play they have no idea that they both came from Russia and had shared sad beginnings. They were totally unaware of the countless hours of planning , sharing and dreaming that went on between their mommas.( And do not forget shopping! Retail therapy is a must during the long wait of adoption!) Seeing Michelle was like seeing an old friend I have known for years. We are planning another reunion soon! So this time we will schedule it when Ondrea , Meg and Peyton will be able to join in!

This visit could not have come at a better time . We are still waiting on our LOA and we are now on day 62 since our LID. This line of waiting has been the most difficult yet. So this visit was a much needed break from stalking the computer of news. We are approaching our 6 month mark of first seeing our daughters face and I am ready to be done with this emotional roller coaster .

Ready to get her home where she belongs.

I will leave you with some photos of our beautiful Russian girls , Ariana and Ava. Lots of giggling went on during the past two days but I bet you can not tell by these photos!!!!

We love you guys's!!!!!

P.S. Ana you forgot Rockie!!!!!!!!

Sisters

I love the innocence of a child. Ava will be three on her next birthday and has been through a lot in her very short life. Yet she possesses the ability to see things through a different looking glass.

When you ask her about her sister she will proudly show you a photo and tell you that it is Peyton. Her sister. Ava's looking glass does not allow her to see the physical differences that they each outwardly display. In fact, they are polar opposites in their physical appearance to the average Joe. But when you look at them closer they have so much in common. They even have started to take on physical similarities to me.

Despite the fact that the girls are clearly not biological sisters , I know that there is no doubt that they will be closer than any two could ever be. I already know this in my heart. They are sisters that share a common history , a similar life story. I think this common thread that links them could in fact create a bond that will never be broken. Maybe even link them together so closely that sharing the same DNA could not even touch this.

There is a bit of irony as I look at their "Bitty Twin" dolls .You see the obvious reflection of differences between the two girls "twin" baby dolls. But just like their dolls they are like twin sisters in every way that really counts.

Sweet Dreams

Okay, another lesson learned! I am not a newbie at this and totally get that this journey is not on my timeline it is on his!

(Because if it was on my timeline I would already be home with my sweet girl!)

It seems I needed to be reminded of that yet again as I pass up day 55 since my LID! (Sigh)
But I have been blessed with dreams about her.With each pregnancy, paper or home grown, I had dreams about the kids. Some strange and some sweet. I just started dreaming about Pei so I know his timeline is getting shorter :)

In the meanwhile ,we received word that Pei got her care package last night. I am really hoping for some updates to help get us through this lull.
In the meantime, my mind is full of images of my beautiful little girl curled up in her bed tonight snuggling with a soft little bunny that smells of her big sister :) And a heart that hopes that her dreams are filled with sweet chocolate bunnies and knowledge that her forever family loves her so much.

Care Package #3!

We sent our third and hopefully final care package to Pei this past week. This is the first package where I shopped and sent my own package via Ann @ Red Thread. I have to say it was really fun to shop for her but it snowballed into a monster! It started out as an Easter/Spring theme and grew from there! And of course we had to include a really soft bunny after hearing that Pei has a thing for bunnies! ( Sorry Pei ,Ava loved on your bunny a bit before she went into the box!)

There was not an inch left in that box for one more item! I know that Pei and her foster family will enjoy the sweet goodies that we sent!

We also sent a care package of PJ's , socks and books for the kiddos at the orphanage. Hopefully, all will enjoy their goodies !

I really hope this will be our last care package and the next bit of goodies will be delivered in person :)

Pei's second birthday is in July and I am praying that we are together before or on this date!

Now, Come on LOA! We are ready for some really good news!

We are the truth - Our Russian Adoption

It seems that the media swarms around controversy. I often turn on the news to only hear the most disturbing events that have taken place around the world. As we all know in the adoption community , the headlines over the past week told of an adoptive mother placing her Russian son on a unescorted flight to Moscow . Her simple actions has sent ripples through the adoption world and has jeopardized future Russian orphans finding their forever families. This event has once again highlighted every negative event that has occurred between Russian adoptees and their American families. We have been asked today to tell our story . The true story about how wonderful international adoption can be.

Back in December of 2002, I entered the hospital for a scheduled induction. I was scared but excited to finally meet our son ,Jacob. After delivery things unexpectedly went in the wrong direction. I had to have an emergency hysterectomy and numerous blood transfusions. I really should not be here today. I never once struggled with not being able to have anymore children. I was just so thankful to be alive. As time went on I searched to make sense of why this had happened and why am I still here. God had a plan for me and I was so ready to know what it was.

Today, if you ask me what that plan was I can sum it up in two simple words: Ava and Peyton.

They are my daughters. My broken road in December of 2002 has lead me to two of the greatest blessings that I have ever received.

For every tragic adoption story there are countless successes. Where these children exceed every obstacle they have faced. Where they are treasured beyond measure by their adoptive parents.

When we traveled to Russia in July '08 to met our little girl, we had no idea how much our lives were going to change.I had no idea I was going to meet one of the greatest loves of my life on that day. Ava came to us with a long list of health issues. Some common and some not so common issues that a child living in an institution will have. Since being home with us for two years ,this approaching September, she has overcome obstacles that were stacked against her.I am amazed at her determination and strength in her accomplishments.She has taught us many life lessons at the mere age of two and continues to be a daily reminder of all that is good in our lives.
When we arrived home with Ava it reminded me of a cake walk.Everyone is looking for their place in the new family set up. When the music stops everyone scrambles for their seat. When it was all said and done everyone found their place . Funny thing is Ava's seat was right in the middle of all of our chairs.Daily she is encircled by a mom,dad brothers and countless extended family members. Each member of our family protects , loves and cherishes this child .

Things are as they should be.

Every child deserves the chance to have a life where they feel cherished,loved and wanted. My hope is that the horrific events that have occurred do not overshadow all of the good stories of wonderful families that have been created through Russian adoption.The real tragedy would be if these Russian children miss the opportunity to be part of a loving family . A family to call their own. That is the real tragedy in this.

The Word of the Day: PATIENCE

Well, the sugery letter has been somewhat of a double edge sword!

My agency called to check to make sure that the letter was sufficient and the CC** said yes it was! In fact, they said we have official been approved and are moving from the review room to the matching room where the LOA's are issued! WAHOOO!!!!

So , I am over the moon until I feel the sting of the other side of the sword...

You can stay in the matching room for one month!!!!!!! OUCH!

So, here are a few words to live by brought to you by a waiting momma that is so ready to hold her baby:

"Patience is the greatest of all virtues."
Cato the Elder (234 BC - 149 BC)

"Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake."
Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)

"I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end."
Margaret Thatcher (1925 - )

Unfortunately , I am stuck some where quoute two and three!!!!!

Have a great day!

~ Day 42 since LID!

Back On Track!

Well , the CCAA finally has my letter in hand! What an ordeal but it is over and I am moving away from this monkey that has been on my back!

So, we are now in the month of April. It seems like time has been moving at a snails pace but hopefully it will be smooth (and swift) sailing from here! I am sending Peyton another care package and a few things for the kids at the orphanage.

I am off to finish my LOA paperwork! We are on day 39 since our LID!

Come on LOA's!!!!!!!

Hope everyone had a blessed Easter!

My day in bullet points

Well my little bump in the road from last Thursday has grow to a full fledged road block. Basically, all I need is a simple letter stating that my hysterectomy back in '02 ,after giving birth to Jake, was due to childbirth complications. And that after seven years I have fully recovered!

Simple enough huh?

No .

I ordered the operation report and discharge papers from the hospital. They inform me this could take two weeks to retrieve from achieves.Ugh! The Doctor that preformed the surgery is no longer around.Ugh! So I called my newest Ob/Gyn and she has also left.Ugh!

At this point I am beginning to sweat.

I plead my case to someone in the Ob/Gyn office to put me with another doctor and please help me. They assure me they will call me back.

That was last Friday morning. By Friday afternoon they decided to leave early for manicures.

So, I will fast forward to today (Tuesday).

This is dedicated to everyone else that had a poopy day recently!Feel free to laugh I will some day ...but just not today.

My day in bullet points:

- Ava was running a low grade fever last night ,so I called back the Ob/Gyn office rather than pleading my case in person and I spoke to the office manager.

- She said they would have to call and let me know if they would be willing to do it.
(What the heck does that mean? Mind you, I just thought that I did not say it out loud)

Here is a condensed version of the conversation :

me: "But you are my Ob/Gyn."

the mean office manager: "Like I said, I will call you back"

me: "My daughter is living over there in China with no family.For a child with no family days seem like weeks,weeks seem like months and months seem like years."

the mean office manager : "Your DOB."

Oh yes, she did say that! What the heck happens to someone to harden their heart to that degree? Heartless.

- I was so upset which = lots of crying

- Took a moment to wish the same nail fungus on her as I had wished upon the ladies from last week! (Not really but really thought about it :)

- Phone rang and it was the hospital with my records ready for pick up!

- God must had taken pity on me! (At this point I am glad I really did not wish the wrath of the nail fungus!)

- I loaded that sick baby in the car and drove around the city and back

- Read the operation /discharge report and balled some more.

(Note to self :self pity is the worst quality a person can possess but I was on a role and was just going to go with it)

- Called my General Practitioner from the car they said bring it they would read the report and write my note :)

- They said give him 24 hours and it will be done!:)

- Now, I am praying that my agency coordinator is not out of town!

- My eyes are swollen shut and I cannot see out of my contacts because of the mascara that ran into my eyes or just maybe I have gone blind

I am ready for bed so I can put this day behind me !!!!!

By the way the heartless office manager ...never called me back .
(so I am rethinking the nail fungus thing ... again!)

And then I remind myself how the last few days came into play . Beyond all of the frustration and tears it is all worth it. All of this because I am a momma of a sweet little girl in China that I have never met or held but love beyond measure.

A small bump in the road

I would not call it a road block but I am going to just refer to it as a small bump on this journey to our little girl. We received an email last night from our agency. There is truly something about exciting about seeing something come from them! But unfortunately this was not one of those emails. There was a mix of good news and bad news. I always like to hear the good news first so here it is.

Good News: Well, basically our dossier is in the process of being reviewed :)WAHOO!!

Bad News : But the CC** needs a note from my doctor about my emergency hysterectomy that I had after giving birth to Jake :( They just want confirmation about why I had to have it done.

Well that email was not something that you want to read right before going to bed!And let me just say definitely NOT conducive to a goodnight rest . So, here I sit @ 5:00 a.m. up and ready to call my doctor. But can you believe that they do not open til 8:30!

I read something really profound and true yesterday on this blog

http://http//cornbreadandchopsticks.blogspot.com/


"If God brings you to it , He will see you through it"



So, these are the words that I am going to lean on today!

Well, I will end with some photos of my Texas cowboy and cowgirl. Jake had a Texas open house last night at school . I snapped these photos of brother and sister before we left. Look at the love in her eyes for cowboy Jake! He pretty much has this little cowgirl wrapped around his finger but I have to say the feeling is mutual!

Every cowboy has a sidekick . Well, in just a few more months Jake will have two little sidekicks chasing him around!

And I can not wait!

You know it is Monday when...

You turn your back for two seconds and your daughter looks like she has been to a tattoo parlor! Thank the lord she did not select a sharpie for her tattoo applicator! But really a mustache ...this is the hazards of living in a household mainly comprised of testosterone!

Hurry up Peyton we need you to help even out the hormone levels!!!!!!
Just a guess ...but I believe this is going to be a LONG day!

~Day 25 and counting since our LID!

Spring Break!!!

We decided to do our annual spring break pictures in the neighborhood this year. The Texas bluebonnets need just a little bit more time because of the late snow.They are predicted to be great this year because of the wet winter .So, I figure they will be perfect just in time for my little Russian visitors!! Michelle and Ana are coming to visit in April . I expect to be picking up Ondrea and Meg at the airport too!!!!! (So book your tickets O!)We will plan our bluebonnet photo session with three Russian beauties this year!
So, I squeezed Ava in her Russian dress for what maybe the last time and headed to the lake. I have to say getting all to cooperate can be difficult. I can only imagine what next year will be like with Peyton in the mix! I can not wait!

We are at day 19 since our LID and counting!!!!

I Love Springtime in Texas!!!!!!!

Need I say more!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great weekend!

More Fluff!

~This is for all you dog lovers out there. Warning get a Kleenex!

This is one of the kindest things you may ever see..

It is not known who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.




Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her.. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it.. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies..' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey &Meredith and this note:


Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven.
Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by..
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God


~Now I am going to go kiss my dog even though he has eaten at least a box of crayons this week ... among many other things!:)

Fantasy vs.Reality

We all have our favorite blogs we love to follow. Maybe you choose them based on a common special need that your children share. Or maybe you choose them because they are feel good and fluffy. What ever reason that is the beauty of being able to make a choice!

I personally like both fluff and truth!

As I read this particular blog post today all I could think of was where was this post before I left for Russia! There are so many feelings and emotions that you feel at some point in this process. We spend months or even years preparing to make this child part of our lives. Often creating this fantasy or romantic notion of what it will be like when you first meet. And how blissful it will be like when you arrive home.
But reality is as magical as that first glance may or may not be for us it just might not be that way for your beautiful bundle of joy for quite some time. Some of us have a wonderful experience in country. That was us ! Ava gladly took to us and never looked back! We experienced the "honeymoon phase" while there. But nothing could have prepared me for the reality that the next few weeks would bring.

I am preparing myself for a different experience with Peyton. She is older than Ava was at the time and is attached to her foster family. Based on these factors alone , I am not expecting anything that resembles a honeymoon.

Well, I am posting a link to her blog here. Be sure to read all three posts: The Beginning, The Middle and The End /Beginning .There is no sugar here just her laying it all out !

http://keirajoy07.blogspot.com/

So, when you get through reading , leave Christie an encouraging word . I love the fact that the adoption community has the power to encourage and help one another through this journey to our children!

Retail Therapy : Session #1!

As promised a little retail therapy! This was the best prescription that I have ever had!
There is something said for leaving "old negative Nelly" behind and heading to the stores!I have really had fun shopping for the girls.I even have bought a couple of matching outfits!I have to say I have been pretty thrifty! I purchase all of the items for $55.00! Now, my next wave of clothes are coming from beautiful Meg's closet (http://ephesiansonefive.blogspot.com/).

Poor Daddy ...two girls is going to be tough :)

I also went today and got Peyton some goodies to send for a Easter /Spring care package.I am going to send this through Ann @ Red Thread.

I love that Peyton has a thing for bunnies ! It sure was easy shopping for her with all of the Easter stuff out!

We are on day 10 since our LID ...But who is counting!!!!!

Half Way There?

The LID excitement has faded and the realization has set in! We are only halfway through this journey to our Peyton!!!!! Now, do not get me wrong ,I am so grateful that we have received our LID but I have to be honest this wait is starting to get to me! Okay brace yourself here is my "Negative Nellie' moment. And yeah we all have them!

Do I have at least one million things that I should or could be doing...Yes!

But I feel like I have been running a marathon for almost four months (with a computer hooked to my back) and I have just passed a sign that reads just four to six months left to go! UGHHH!

Does anyone else feel like this? (Nikki you do not have to answer this I know your answer!)

Oh how I just wish that we received periodic updates on our children. That would be the best "fuel" to get you through these long waits! Okay, so enough of my complaining I am going to gladly get back in line and zip my lip!(Well, maybe not for Bret or Nikki...sorry guy's!)




Well, I will share a little Ava report. One of our goals was to have Ava in a toddler bed before Peyton arrived home. So, she was so excited to make this move towards her big girl status.Although she has been spotted making a midnight run to the toy box!We have also entered the negotiating phase of potty training. I have not pressed this issue much. In between our trips to pick up Ava we left a disposable camera for the orphanage to take photos. What a treasure that was to develop those pictures and get a small glimpse of her life before us. One of the photos was her having potty time. Mind you this child could not walk but was placed on a potty .I can not help but wonder who was their to catch her if she fell . When I look at this photo it serves as a "window" for me of what every day of an orphans life must be like. As much as it breaks my heart to look at this photo it is reality for so many children.Looking at this just makes me so thankful that God appointed me the honor of being the one to always catch her.What a true honor that is.
So, needless to say she will let me know when she is ready.

Well, I will leave you with a photo of the waiting big sister showing off her new big girl bed ! As you can see she has a blanket addiction! Check out the shiner. What can I say she is on the go. I hope Peyton can keep up with sister ...she has a lot of lost time to make up for!

So keep on praying for speedy news on the adoption front for all...Let's get all these babies home!

Guess What ...

We are so excited to announce that we received our LID (log in date) last night! This means that our dossier has been logged in with the CCAA as of 2/26.

So, now we move out of this line ...and basically get in another!!!!!

The next line is the longest stretch yet as we wait for our LOA. So as we wait there is nothing else for a mommy missing her girl to do but....RETAIL THERAPY!
I recommend this form of therapy for all of you that are waiting ! But here is a little disclosure: Just do not tell your husbands that it was my suggestion!

By the way, I love the travel poll votes! Keep them coming...June works for me!

While we wait!!

Well, I have to be honest...I have never been so glad to see a week over in my life!!! With the CCAA off for CNY this week you know that your paperwork has been gathering dust all week.
As a waiting mommy that just really stinks!!!
The office is supposed to be up and running this weekend so I am praying that they will make up for lost time and we will receive our Log in date for our dossier.
And then the wait really begins!
I have to say that the Chinese IA program seems much more efficient than the Russian program.We had a wonderful agency in and out of country for Ava's adoption.It was unpredictable from the stand point of the government officials in the different regions.
So, it looks like it could be as late as July or August before we travel! UGHHHHHH!
If it is after mid- July we will miss Peyton's second birthday. I had really hope that we would have her in our arms before then!
So, while we wait I am trying to keep busy and focus on more optimistic travel dates! It is not like I do not have a thousand things that I COULD be doing. My house does NOT need any: cleaning ,dusting,organizing,de-cluttering,vacuuming ,clothes folding or maybe just a small stick of dynamite!
So, we ditched the duster and dynamite for a lunch date with Nikki(http://www.ladybugmakes4.blogspot.com/ )and her Ms. Ava. After months of corresponding via email/phone we finally met face to face.It is really great to have a wonderful support system during the wait! And my Ava loved the girls which is great because you can never have too many sets of arms on that long flight to China!

The other focus this week is little Sammy . I have been racking my brains out trying to think of ways to raise some money for this sweet little guy.Yes, I too smell cobwebs burning!But I have come up with something but I might need some help! So, I will be placing details and a blog button for his fundraiser soon!He is so smart and sweet .God has place his need for a family right in the middle of my heart! God has great plans for this little guy ! I just know it!

I have added a poll for fun so go over and give us your thoughts on when we will travel!
Have a great weekend!

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

I can not think of a better way to begin the Chinese New Year than to receive a letter from China about our girl!
When we sent Peyton's care package through Ann @ Red Thread we set a self- addressed envelope in the package. I thought it is only $2.50 and I really seriously doubted that anyone would use it but we sent it anyway. So when I went to the mailbox today and looked down and saw that envelope I tore into it only to realize ...I CAN NOT READ CHINESE!!!!!!
For the next 4 .5 hours we worked on translating the letter with no luck!
When in doubt go to your fellow PAP's ! So, we had many volunteers but sweet Beth had a exchange student that graciously translated it for us!
Thank you so much!
So we learned some great stuff about our sweet girl!

~ Pei sleeps in a baby bed! (Funny thing is that we had spent the day out shopping for the girls two toddler beds!)
~She loves toys that play music (This is Ava's favorite too!)
~She loves beautiful clothes! (Poor Dad!)
~She loves to play with her friends that are her own age. She does not like to play with old people( Thank you for getting me back to the gym Kristine!)
~She likes her toy rabbit( I hope they bring this with her)
~She sucks on a pacifier! (Ava sucks her thumb and likes to share it:)As you can tell Tex is fond of the pacifier too!!!!
~She likes fruits,milk and vegetables! ( Ava does does too! Sorry boys, looks like broccoli will stay on our weekly menu!)
~ If she wants to Pee Pee she does not tell you but she will wave her hands and wiggle her bottom! (Too Cute!)
~In the winter she uses a diaper? (What? This one has me a bit puzzled . What happens in the summertime? Split pants?)

What a wonderful surprise this letter was. It is amazing that such a small gesture can bring such joy to a waiting mama's heart!
Now , come on LID I am WAY ready to get my baby home!

Another Fabulous Friday!!!!

We are DTC today!
I now feel free from that "Paper Monkey " that has been on my back!We now get in line and wait for the next phase of the process.

Praying for a speedy LID!
Hang on little ladybug ...Mama and Baba are getting closer!!!!!!

Hang on Tight!

see more dog and puppy pictures


If only my Fedex guy was this cute!

Well , our dossier will be on its first leg of it's longest journey yet!How stressful to let go of months and months of paperwork. I rechecked our agencies check list no less than a million times. As nerve racking as it was to let go I am so ready to move on to the next phase of this process!Each phase means we are closer to getting our sweet girl.

Hang on tight little papers , safe travels, and by the way... Gun it Mr. Fedex!

Fabulous Friday!

What a way to start the day! We received a little photo from Ann (Red Thread) this morning of our Peyton!
So sweet!
Well, we went to the Chinese Consulate this morning to get our documents authenticated.We will pick them up next week and be DTC by Friday!
I will leave you with my little Russian beauty holding our priceless documents!Ava is a really cheap model. A glass of strawberry milk , a new picture of sister and she is all smiles!
What a ham!

Small Sacrifices

No matter what goes on in our little world ,good or bad, we have an amazing dose of perspective just outside our front window. This dose of perspective comes from an unlikely source, a nine year old boy. Our neighbor and Jake's good friend , Ben. Ben was diagnosed with cancer in '08. Since then he has under gone numerous chemotherapy treatments,surgeries and a leg amputation.Despite all that he has endured he is still the same silly, sweet, beautiful boy that we met just two years ago.He is an amazing young man that possesses strength and will that just is inspiring!
By the way, Ava is in L O V E with her Ben Ben!So back off girls ...he is spoken for!
So as he is entering yet another round of those nasty drugs his beautiful locks must go.It is a small debt to pay. So he went in and had his head shaved. That evening at dinner we were discussing how some people show support to their friends by shaving their head as well.Well Jake said sign me up!
Funny thing is that now Jake's hair is shorter than Ben's!!! The boy's really laughed about that!
I am just amazed that Jake at a mere 7 years old gets it. I am so proud of him. It is such a simple sacrifice to make but you should have seen the look on Ben's face...Priceless.
Please include Ben and his family in your prayers as he enters the next phase of his clinical trial on Monday.

Good Deed Paid in Full !!!!!

You read it right! I am so excited ! We received our fingerprinting appointment in the mail yesterday and had a conflict with the time and date! So we crossed our fingers and prayed really hard that they would have mercy on us and take us early.
So this morning we were off to the immigration office.The lady at the front desk was super nice and said "no problem".We were in and out in less than 15 minutes!
So when I got home I called my officer and told her that we had already been fingerprinted .She said great.I asked her if there was a way to get that approval emailed to make my deadline.Granted ,I am always the person who is afraid to ask someone for something!So I really stepped out of my comfort zone.
And that was it! I am holding a copy of my approval in my hand!
I am in complete shock!
Nothing has gone this easy ...EVER!
All I can think is that God blessed me this morning because of the good doggy deed I did .
Yes, that was me running around in and out of traffic at a busy intersection ,chasing a little white dog in a pair of heels! No one stopped to render assistance to this poor little guy,so I had no choice. So I get out of the car with my folder marked USCIS,a bag of animal crackers and begin directing him to safety. This little guy had another agenda and that was to get the dead ,dehydrated,stinky squirrel that was not so fortunate a few days earlier! YUCK!
So, here I am chasing the dog with my folder waving in the air.Well, he thought I was a crazy lady after his squirrel and ran like heck to get away!I guess I did look kind of scary!
But he was safe!
So, to sum it up it was a great day for all ...except the squirrel!

So, there are two morals to this story:
1.No good deed goes unnoticed!
2.Do not be afraid to ask!

Little "Pill" Update!

My little pill is not so bad after all!!!!!

Care Package to our Ladybug!

We ordered our second care package for Peyton. This time we used Ann @ Red Threads http://www.redthreadchina.com/care-packages.html .She did a fantastic job putting this together! We hope she enjoys getting acquainted with all of our faces via the photo album. We included everyone in our family even her four legged furry brothers! I hope she enjoys her goodies!

So we are still awaiting word about our finger printing appointment.After we receive our immigration approval than it is off to Austin for the apostille and then to Houston for the authentication through the Chinese consulate. Then our Dossier is on it's way to China!

Step by step we are getting closer to our little ladybug!

Waiting...

This is one of the worst parts of the international adoption process! I have had so many people email and ask:

"Is she home yet?"

"When do you travel?"

"How can you wait that long?"

If you have never been part of the IA process then it does seem like it should be really simple and FAST! Right?

WRONG!

You scramble to gather paperwork at lightening speed and then you wait. Only to do it all over again! This has proven to be quite a challenge for me. So, I am wanting to hit the fast forward button and not let go till I get Peyton in my arms.

But I have to remind myself that this time waiting is special.

I know you all are saying "WHAT?"! Has she gone crazy?

But hear me out! I mean "Special" in a starry - eyed, I'm in love, butterflies in my tummy yet agonizing kind of way...does that make since?

So, as I stalk the USCIS customer service number and as long as the mailman does not put a restraining order on me I will keep repeating to myself:
"Good things come to those who wait"

Right?

Now, I am off to the mail box!!!!!

Our Little Drop

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."
Mother Teresa


With the new year comes the usual new year resolutions.Gym memberships are up,weight loss commercials are dominating the TV and everyone is excited about the promise that the new year will bring! We are very excited about 2010 because we have such a special year ahead with the addition of Ben Pei to our family!
I am planning on setting some small personal goals to achieve before Peyton comes home.These include some drapery projects and finishing up on some '09 goals carried over from last year.I look back on '08&'09's "carry overs" and say well I accomplished the #1 goal ...attaching with Ava.This was by far the most important goal I have set yet!

As a family we are trying something a little different this year. We have set a family goal for the year 2010.Just our little drop in the ocean. We have chosen the sweetest little boy to set up an adoption fund for.When we were waiting to be matched with our sweet girl ,we saw lots of little faces on different agencies lists. One little boy really stood out in this endless list of children waiting on their forever family. He is a special needs child from China born with a limb difference.When I first saw his photo I was captivated by how sad and lost he looked. There was something about him that reminded me of our Ava.I think it was that blank and expressionless photo that I first saw.
Just this past week I was catching up on some of my favorite blogs and I was stopped dead in my tracks! I saw a photo of the most precious and happy little boy .
"Could this be the same little boy?" It was him but that sad little face was replaced by the most beautiful smile.You see he is being sponsored by a wonderful organization and it has made all the difference in the world.

Despite that, he still needs a family of his very own.

So, we have printed off "Sammy's" picture, placed it in a green glass jar on our kitchen island and dollar by dollar hope to off set his adoption cost for one lucky family.Each dollar is just a drop in the ocean. By the end of the year we hope to have saved enough in Sammy's little jar to place an small adoption grant towards his adoption fees.So for now, we have the most handsome little fellow greeting us each day.The kids know him by name and are excited about the opportunity ahead. I cannot think of a better reminder of how blessed we are to be given the opportunity to make a difference in someones life.What a powerful gift!

Way to powerful to ignore!

Sammy is currently listed with Adoptions Together. Here is their link :He is listed under boy Feb/08


http://www.adoptionstogether.org

I am not sure about the rules of listing his photo on my blog but I will find out what is allowed.

So head over to my comments section and lets hear what you resolve to do for the year 2010. Just maybe you will resolve to make the year 2010 about making a difference in someones life !