9 Months Down

Nine months 2 years ago referrals were arriving, now we are just in the beginning stages with a potential outlook of years :(. At least we are half way through December 2005 and October 2006 is out of the review room. Progress is happening at a very slow pace. Many family's did get wonderful Christmas gifts by getting their referrals this month. Let hope for the best in the up coming new year for referrals at least 15 day batches I do recall CCAI stating this.

Christmas is almost here!!!!!

What a busy season we have had parties, performances, get togethers, and more parties. Evey year I think I love Christmas more and more especially now with Maddie and Audrey in our lives. This will be the first Christmas we have both of the girls and we are so excited. Steve surprised us with a 5 day trip to go snow tubing in the mountains after Christmas and the girls can't wait to go. I am thrilled to just get away and have a break from the hustle and bustle. I will not be sledding this year due to my injuries from the accident I am having surgery after the first of the year :(

I can't believe in a week from now we will be having our family Christmas at home! We have some fun traditions:
Everyone decorates the main tree
The girls each get their own 4ft tree in their room
No presents out till all kids are in bed except for the gift you get to open on Christmas Eve
Everyone has cool PJ's but dad he wears sweats
Christmas dinner is Ham with all the sides
Up early on Christmas morning 6:00 am
Traditional breakfast is cinnamon rolls and country breakfast

Better to Give than Receive

This is not a new tradition in our family but one that we have started to teach Maddie as well as Audrey. This year I took Maddie to the Salvation Army Tree at the mall and we talked about the children who do not get Christmas unless families donate toy's and clothes to them. I let Maddie pick the name and age of the child and then she helped me do all the shopping and wrapping. Every night Maddie prays for this little girl Niyah. She talks about her all the time. I believe as she grows this will be a valuable lesson and tradition. Audrey also received a name from the tree and she is doing the shopping the wrapping and using her allowance money fill the wishes of her child.

Eight Months Log in

We'll another month and only a handful of referral but we are in December now what a great holiday gift for all those families! That is the bright side maybe it will only take 3 to 4 months to get through. A girl can wish. It's the holidays time so days will pass by quickly so the time between referral will seem shorter. It is hard to believe we have been logged in for eight months. By this time in 2005 the wait was over we had traveled and were home with Maddie and to think we are not even halfway through the wait. We talked the other night that Audrey will be ready to go to college just about the time she comes home if we do not get a SN referral. WOW!!!!

What are you thankful for……

This time of year is my favorite time of year, you see families and friends together and the holiday spirits bring out the best in most people. I am so thankful for my family, dear friends, our church and most of all the wonderful life God as given me.

Our holiday season is starting off as a very busy one Maddie had a Thanksgiving Day program at her school and the kids did a fantastic job they all were so cute. I capture some great pictures till my camera went dead and dad had the video camera on his hunting trip in Tennessee with the guys. Well, Maddie has 4 more holiday performances and we will make sure everything is charged and ready to go. She is our little star! Thanksgiving we are going to have a full house my family is coming and yes “I” am going to do the cooking. Stop laughing for those of you who know me I have started dabbling in the kitchen and I am ready for this feast. I have had help learning the art of cooking. We are having the full spread including pies.

Pumpkin Patch

Our girls!!! It is Pumpkin time and Maddie wanted to yet get another pumpkin. Everytime we went into a store she wanted to get a one we already had one from Publix and Walmart but that was not enough we needed need one from the patch. She and Audrey picked out baby pumkins to go with the 2 big pumkins we had at the house and now Maddie said we have a pumpkin family.

Anniversary Celebration

This year we decided to spend our anniversary together as a family. Out of the mouth of babes.. Maddie was so excited she was going to a wedding for her mom and dad. We explained to her the difference between a wedding and an anniversary. She was very sad that she missed our wedding. We told her that first you get married then you have babies. After that really long discussion we went to dinner she told the waiter we were having a wedding tonight and then we were going to get a baby from China. Well you can only imagine his confused look. Steve and I just laughed. That night we showed her wedding and honeymoon pictures and boy that sure stuck up another discussion we did not get a vacation after the wedding dinner.

The night turned out to be the best we laughed and told great stories and Maddie thinks she went to a so called wedding.

Referrals Have Arrived

Yes once again it is that time :) CCAA has match from 12/01/2005 through 12/8/2005. We are improving. Not to a great scenario but it is what we would call a mild improvement. I think everyone was hoping for 15 days at least so we could hope for a 3 1/2 to 4 year wait. Each referral period it just confirms what I have said from the beginning that the wait would be 3 years, but it may be as much as 4. One can always be hopeful for sooner :)

Steve and I have had many long discussions and praying on what our medical check list form will contain and when we will meet with the SWI regarding our options. We currently are trying to pursue a domestic adoption of an older child if this should work out there has to be a 6 months difference in dates which at this rate does not seem to be an issue because everything relating to time with the China adoption is taking sooooooooo long. My hearts desires is to someday adopt again but older, so the sooner these adopts can be completed we can think of persuing another older child.

Weekend Getaway

We were needing a getaway there has been so much going on and there has been little time for rest and I am still very sore and tired from the accident. My girlfriend Lucy and her family invited us to join them at their beach Condo in Blue Mountain near Destin for a long weekend. We were thrilled Maddie loves to play with their older daughter Bing Bing. Her family ( mom, dad, brother, wife and their twin boys (5))had just flown in from northern China that previous week so we were going to have a great time. We had previously met her parents but this was the first time her brother and his family have ever been to the states so it was a real treat.

The beach was great it was a little cold but the kids did not care they spent alot of time in the hot tub. Maddie had so much fun with the boys. Their was a language difference but Lucy did alot of translating during the weekend. The dads stayed and watched the kids on Saturday and the girls went to the outlet malls and I will tell you my friends can shop I was exhausted we shopped literally till we dropped!!!!! Lot's of Christmas shopping was done.

The condo is fabulous it was 4/3 and a great kitchen. Steve resided as master chef and well some how the rest just fell into place. We had a great time of course it is never long enough.

We can't all wait to get together again. Her brother is her for 2 months and her mother is her for at least 6 months.

Finding Ads

What is in a finding ad? When we adopted Maddie we received a really really bad copy of her finding ad from CCAI. Actually it was so bad my girlfriend from China could not make anything out. Well I started doing research because I want as much of her past as I can get so we ordered her finding ad. A week after the crash I received this envelope with a picture, the original newspaper, negative of the picture, and a laminated blown-up copy of our baby girl. WOW is all could say. It was worth every penny. This is one for the life book. Now we are in the process of looking into having her history drawn up. Can't wait to her her story.

When we travel back to China this time we will be going to her city and her orphanage again. My aunt and uncle are coming with us we hope we have talked several time about it and they really want to go and they have been to China several times and they would be a great asset.

Birthday Surprises

I have the greatest husband and friends anyone could have. Yesterday was my birthday and Maddie had a fall festival at her school and we decided we would spend the evening together as a family at her event and eat there but my husband had another idea. Maddie had 2 hours of fun at the festival then we gave away our meal tickets and he took me to dinner. We were going to meet a few friends for dinner (well that is what I thought) when I got into the restaurant there were just several of our friends several I was not expecting (hum) by the end of the night there were 40+ people there. That would explain the big big cake he bought and boy was it good. Cake for breakfast I guess I will not be going on that diet anytime soon.

I am so blessed to have such great friends and family! Thanks for such a great week!

October Happenings

Not much posting for the last month mostly recuperating but I am back now! Our family did have a few events in October. Previously we had discussions about what kind of automobile to buy and I was not ready to convert to a minivan but several of my girlfriends said you will love one I still was never convinced. Now that my SUV was totaled I could look. Since I was on heavy meds I could not test drive so Steve did the driving and I picked the gadgets. We were having so much fun shopping for a new car both my girlfriend and I bought a minivan the same weekend. Needless to say I love it, we bought a Honda Odyssey and I think it is just like an SUV but lower and way more room and easier to get around. What do I know about cars! Now another dear friend is buying one we will be the mini van mom convoy.

Audrey had Homecoming and she asked if I would help her get ready (hair, make-up, dressed). I was thrilled, since I can't do hair at all I took her to a salon to have her hair done. Then all the girls met back at the home and got dressed. They all looked beautiful especially Audrey :) Well after the dance she wanted me to take her and her friends to Steak and Shake for food but she neglected to tell me the whole HS would be there but we had a great time till 1:00 a.m. I am truly getting to old for that especially getting up with Maddie at 7:00 am the next morning.

I am back to work but not full days yet I hope that will come soon I am swamped but I have a great boss and a great team that has been holding everything together for me.

Six Months Logged In

We have made it another month. 6 months of being logged in and it looks like referrals are going to make it into the month of December. We could not be happier for all the families waiting. Most of all to get out of the month of November.

To celebrate our milestone day it started out very normal work and then mid afternoon (2:00) I took Maddie to her ballet class and then we were going to my very dear friends birthday party at church we had planned for her. Steve was out of town this week so it has just been me and Maddie. Well after leaving ballet I decided to take a short cut to the store and that is when all the excitement started. We were T-boned in the drivers side by an F-250 diesel pick-up going about 45-50 MPH. I was pinned in the car and Maddie was in back seat on the opposite side she had a bleeding mouth which scared me because I could not reach her. She had just bitten her lip she was fine. Praise God!! Within minutes of watching this huge truck squish us people came from all directions to help. The nicest lady came and comforted Maddie and took her from the car and cared for her the whole time. I am still unable to move. Four men came and ripped the door off the truck and tried to get all the broken glass off my face until the paramedics got there.

Now Steve is out of town and I still can't get to Maddie. Beth my dearest friend is on her way but can't get through because all of the traffic and now they are taking me by ambulance to the hospital and my baby girl is still with this god sent lady in the middle of the road. By now I am crying and Steve knows about the accident and he has called friends and cop friends who are showing up everywhere and all around jumping in the ambulance and said do not worry Maddie she is safe. One of our friends took her home for the night. The techs said do you know all these people? I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see people so helpful and caring. Praise God nothing is Broken!!!! I am badly bruised and beaten I am having difficulty walking. Beth my dearest friend stayed with me and so many friends have come by the hospital and the house. The prayers have been wonderful. Steve saw the truck and he said I was lucky to be alive. Now on the road to recovery :) Maddie said she wants her mommy back!

Steve and I are so blessed with all the wonderful friends we have. Everyone is so thoughtful with there prayers, phone calls (I need my own secretay), food and care. Most of all I have the greatest husband a wife could have he is caring and has been the greatest through all of this and wears every hat there is.

Great Friends

We are so blessed and feel so fortunate with wonderful friends and secret pals (yahoo groups). Kinsey and Maddie have been showered with so many wonderful gifts. Also some of my girlfriends have so graciously given us clothes that their daughters have out grown for Kinsey the outfits, dresses, shoes and everything are wonderful I can't wait to use all this baby stuff. I am always day dreaming of what she will be like I get lost in thought over our little princess.

I have posted some pictures of just a few of the things they have received. Thanks everyone for your generosity and thoughtfulness.

Referral Time

Yes, it is that time again and it was another slow month with referral only going through 11/25. For the depressing part of referrals since we have been logged in 3/19/07 they have spent 5 months of that in November :(. For the bright side of referrals we are hoping that they will make it out of November in the next batch of referrals which will be in October. The CCAA has a holiday the first week of October so hoping for referrals to be sent prior to their extended leave for holiday. The past trend is that they mail referrals prior to leaving but as we have seen in the past year trends have changed drastically and nothing is predictable anymore.

Steve, Audrey, Maddie and myself are in this for the long haul and will wait as long as it takes God has the right baby for us and our family. I know alot of families have concern about their ages, time frames, and wanting multiple children. We pray for strength and patience for all the families in waiting.

This is my favorite time of the month Maddie and I get to look at all the referral photos together and read all the stories of the new babies and their families. Lots of journey's to follow.

Labor Day Weekend

What a nice 4 day weekend. My parents came into town to visit on their way up to Hilton Head. Maddie had fun visiting with Mesue and Papa. Audrey also got to come for the weekend it was one big happy family :). Lots of time for eating and relaxing, OH also add a little shopping in there. Steve especially enjoyed the relaxing and kicking back.

Steve and Maddie went to a party on Labor Day while Audrey and I hung out at the house doing girl stuff. Maddie is at a fun age for Steve they have such a fun time going off together and doing their own thing and this gives me a little break.

First day of School

Maddie starts preschool and Audrey starts high school. Maddie's first day was great she had a blast and could not wait to go back. Well the morning did not start off as good as the day finished. She was all prepared to go with her backpack and lunch box and out the door she went. When it was time for me to leave she wanted a kiss and a hug. After the 40th plus kiss and hug I had to cut her loose and you would have thought it was the END! It broke my heart I cried all the way back to the car and I called Steve just crying. Once I was out of sight it mommy who???
Audrey was so excited after coming home from her first day she was so proud of herself that she did not get lost:) She says the school is sooooo big. She is in a lot of honors classes so she will be pulling a tough load her freshman year. We are so proud of her! She is already looking forward to football season and going to the games with her friends.

Five Months

Another month has passed and referrals are still at a minimum. We have had a fantastic month. With the slow referrals the questions we have was do we have time for a adoption prior to our China adoption??? Well I called CCAI on Thursday and they said yes as long as we had the child home and papers filed 6 months prior to referral. YEAH :)) So let the praying begin within the next 30 days we should have so more information stay tuned.

I have not tuned in much to RQ lately due to very busy schedules but from what I have heard the next batch should not be a big referral batch probably not even out of the month of November :( Hold on tight if we ever get out of the month of November it should be a fun and wild ride.

End of Summer Splash

Yummy Popsicles!!!

To end the summer we decided to take Maddie, Abagail , Matthew and Audrey to the pool for one last day of fun in the sun before they all head off for a new year of school. The girls had a blast they started the weekend with Maddie's first sleepover away from home. She was so excited! Then it was fun in the sun. After the morning of swimming and sunbathing our teenager needed some school clothes so yes off to the mall. It was the last place I wanted to go the weekend before school started but we only get her once a month.

To end the perfect day Steve and I took Maddie and Audrey to serve dinner to the new students at FSU (Baptist Collegiate Ministry Program). We believe it is important for our girls to learn to serve in the Church and make a difference in peoples lives. Let be said that we choose to be a "blessing" for life.

What a great ending to a summer God, family,friends and fun!

Planning a Trip to Disney

We are planning on going to Disney during the Christmas celebration time. We are going with some friends and their 2 children it should be a blast Maddie and Abagail are all excited. I haven't been to Disney during Christmas time in many years. I remember the decorations and the parades were wonderful. I am just like a little kid when it comes to Disney. Our plan is to attend the Mickey Party one night. I am as excited as the girls Steve thinks I am crazy:)

I am not one for the heat so you would never catch me going to theme parks in the dead of summer so that leave out alot of months in Florida.