Secret Pal Stikes Again

Another round has ended for one of our groups and Maddie and I got find out our SP. She was so sweet and thoughtful every month she thought of the whole family. Our final box was like having Christmas Maddie was so excited she could not contain herself. Everything was wrapped so neatly and labeled. She thought of everything adorable ladybug scrapbook, China calendar, chocolate covered pretzels (yummy and from Disney:)), china ornament, Olympic tee shirt (way cool from China), ladybug necklace, ladybug parka, ladybug journal books, an adorable outfit with ladybugs for Kinsey.

I am now excited about starting Kinsey's life/adoption journey book I did not know what to use and now I have the perfect book.

We can't thank our SP Nicole enough for everything over the past 6 months. We can't wait to follow her journey to her daughter.

Chinese New Year "Year of the Rat"

Each year we celebrate the New Year by going out and having with Chinese food. Maddie's favorite is soup and then a plate full of noodles with a side of chicken. We went out with some friends Angela, Abigail and Mathew. Maddie and Abigail came home together and over the last year we have become great friends and the girls have become very close.

Also, each year we have made a tradition to go to the local annual New Years celebration at the university for authentic Chinese food and some entertainment. We met some friends down their and the children had fun dancing and watching the big dragons. The program was to last 4 hours there was no way these little cuties were going to hold out that long so we stayed for 2 hours. Maddie likes to hear them speak in Chinese so she was contaent whilke there was entertainment. It was great to see people we had not seen in a long time. Everyone was ready for outdoor fun in the sun.

Well we are in 2/1/2008

Our MCC is offical 2/1/2008 it was faxed to CCAI and we are in line again this time for SN. Now we just sit, wait and pray. Based on the time lines we were given and the age we requested we believe that Kinsey is probably already born (very little) wow I have just been thinking what she looks like and where she might be right now. If she is in the southern part of China she is probably in the cold areas I pray someone is holding her tight and keeping her warm. God Bless our little one and all the other children in China.

Adoption Update

Steve and I meet with our Social worker on Friday to get our medcial check list signed off on for the Waiting Child Program. We are still requesting a little girl but but we are adding our name to the list of children with special needs.

When I originally felt led to adopt again I had ordered the paperwork in the early Spring 07 and Steve was ready to add to the family. I could not wait to get started and shared this someone but was talked out of a second adoption. I stopped persuing the adoption. I never shared this with Steve why I really stopped the process until the Fall of 2007 when it layed so heavy on my heart that I felt we had a second daughter in China and I told him why I changed my mind about adopting and immediately we began the paperwork. Since this I have learned so much to trust my heart so....

Fast forward to now we have talked for months and prayed about where our daughter might be and felt that the WC program is where we feel we need to be in line also. I know God will bring our family the perfect baby girl.

I want to thank Sara from our Yahoo group for her advice which gave me the shove I needed and of course CCAI they make things so easy. CCAI state 10-12 months for a referral and then 3-5 months for travel. Current referral times approx 10 months she told me and it all depends on what you check on th medical form. Steve and I were quite conservative in some ways we thought but actually according to statistic last year (2007) we picked the needs that were referred the most so I guess that could be a good sign.

Hold on Kinsey we all are praying for you daily! Mommy, Daddy, Maddie, Audrey, Aunt Beth and Great Aunt Rosalene and Uncle Gary and Lucy are all coming to get you.

Babies Everywhere

Four of my girlfriends are pregnant and due within 6 weeks of each other. God is good each one of them have a great story with there pregnancy. We are so excited for them but are keeping all in daily prayer as some are experincing complications. Hoping Kinsey will be somewhat close in age because now there will be 4 new playmates.

10 Months

Another month has gone by and not much activity in the area of referrals. Based on the trends of past referrals we are looking at another 3 years UGH! Some say attrition will play in but how much who know but all I now at this rate there will only be maybe 3 or 4 months referred in 2008 if were lucky. Hold on for another long year.

Gatlinburg Getaway

After Christmas we had decided to get away for a few days to our favorite place Gatlinburg area in Tennessee. We took the girls tubing with Maddie being only 31/2 we had thought she would have to go on the kiddie slopes. Well do the warmish like temperatures (50's) there was a lack of snow and they were unable to make the snow therefore there was no kiddie area but the big slopes were open. Audrey was very excited and could not wait and Maddie said I want to go. I knew they would never let her she was to young. Ha Ha silly me age has nothing to do with it it is all about height. We went up to the counter and Steve and Audrey went to buy tickets and Maddie was begging to go and the cashier said she may go if you want to buy her a ticket I said she is only 31/2 she said she is so tall and they measured her, well she went over the 42" mark so off she went. The girls had a blast after almost 2 hours of tubing they still wanted to keep going. Picnics in the park, rock hoping, driving through the parks and of course we had to do a little shopping a the outlet malls.

For me it was not enough days for relaxation before we were back to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I knew coming home meant having to clean and take down Christmas decorations and start with my New Years resolutions:)

Christmas Day 2007!!!!!

The firt picture is the girls getting a letter from Santa boy were they surprised when they arrived two days before christmas.

It was up early 4:00am I could not sleep I was so excited I am worse than a kid. Of course I knew I could not wake the girls so I started packing for our trip but by 5:45 I could not stand it anymore. I turned on the Christmas music and Steve woke the girls and I video taped. Maddie was so surprised what Santa left. Ok he went a little overboard but it had been a rough last part of the year for our family.

The girls open gifts and and then we had breakfast. We had such a great day but it went bye way to fast. Since this was our first year to not be traveling for Christmas we had numerous invites from friends to spend holiday dinner with their family at first we were going to stay at home but when people kept asking we decided to spend the day with one of my girlfriends and her family. We had a Chinese, German and an American Christmas celebration. It was so much fun. Christmas dinner was great since most of my friends family is Chinese and German we had a very special/unique feast of all types of food (Chinese, German and Steve cooked several American dishes).

I am going to miss her family when they return to China we have had such a great time with all of them even though there is a language difference. When we travel for Kinsey we are going to visit them and my girlfriend hopefully will be on part of the trip also if not all of it. We feel so "Blessed" to have such great friends to celebrate with.

Madeline favorite part of Christmas is the Mary and Joseph set-ups aka Nativity. She talks about them so much and wants to be told the story over and over we ended up buying her her own nativity set for her room.

What a wonderful way to celebrates Jesus's birthday with family and friends. We are truly blessed our family has so much to be thankful for.

Christmas in the Park Maddie and her girlfriend exchanged their gifts at an enchanted event.

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.