...do you know where the children are?
OK, I'm just a bit anxious. No, not anxious. Flipping out? Yeah, that's more like it.
I still have no ideas of when referrals will arrive. Phoebe assures me that we'll see her sister's picture tomorrow. I don't know if she has an inside track, but I'm not holding my breath.
I haven't seen any rumors about when referrals will arrive. I really miss the Rumor Queen, but hey, what are you gonna do? Rumors are starting to swirl about where she actually is.
I emailed our agency yesterday asking if there was any reason to hope that there would be a batch of referrals this week. They don't know, but are staying in contact with the Beijing office awaiting any word.
UPDATE: We received an email from our agency at about 9:30 this morning that the next batch should include our LID. We assumed that, but it's nice to see it in writing. The email seemed to indicate that there were no LIDs after ours, which makes me a bit sad. Allen pointed out that when they've sent similar emails in the past, referrals usually arrive the next week.
I will post when I have heard anything new, rumor or otherwise.
So close...
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Emotional Rollercoaster
As you know, we are getting nearer and nearer to our referral. It's so amazing that we are finally here. I'm not holding my breath that they will be here this week, but I'll probably go a bit nutty if they don't come next week. I'm getting so excited and can't wait to see our baby!
At the other end of the emotion spectrum, I'm very sad to say that A's uncle passed away this morning. He's been fighting cancer and had beaten it, only to have it come back and spread. Aside from the loss of a loved one, there are a couple of things that make this particularly difficult.
First, he was so excited about our adoption. He had been to China for work several years ago and spent an extended amount of time there. He couldn't wait to see us go and to see our baby. I so wanted him to see her. We talked about it whenever we saw him over the past couple of years. I really enjoyed talking to him about China.
The other thing that makes this particularly hard is Phoebe. Last year at Uncle J's 60th birthday party, P just latched on to him like nobody's business. She told everyone "he's my GREAT uncle!" Then she announced that she wanted to sit beside him at dinner. She did sit beside him and talked to him ALL NIGHT! She was so well behaved, even when other kids got bored waiting for food. She was thrilled to be able to sit right next to him and talk and talk.
Last night, we told P that Uncle J was very sick. She asked if he was going to die. When we told her that he might, she started sobbing. She said she wanted to see him again and that she didn't want him going anywhere! She cried again last night when we put her to bed and prayed for Jesus to make him well.
My poor girl. This is her first experience with death. I know she'll come through it. I know she'll probably run and play with her cousins after the funeral. It's just going to be a rollercoaster for her.
At the other end of the emotion spectrum, I'm very sad to say that A's uncle passed away this morning. He's been fighting cancer and had beaten it, only to have it come back and spread. Aside from the loss of a loved one, there are a couple of things that make this particularly difficult.
First, he was so excited about our adoption. He had been to China for work several years ago and spent an extended amount of time there. He couldn't wait to see us go and to see our baby. I so wanted him to see her. We talked about it whenever we saw him over the past couple of years. I really enjoyed talking to him about China.
The other thing that makes this particularly hard is Phoebe. Last year at Uncle J's 60th birthday party, P just latched on to him like nobody's business. She told everyone "he's my GREAT uncle!" Then she announced that she wanted to sit beside him at dinner. She did sit beside him and talked to him ALL NIGHT! She was so well behaved, even when other kids got bored waiting for food. She was thrilled to be able to sit right next to him and talk and talk.
Last night, we told P that Uncle J was very sick. She asked if he was going to die. When we told her that he might, she started sobbing. She said she wanted to see him again and that she didn't want him going anywhere! She cried again last night when we put her to bed and prayed for Jesus to make him well.
My poor girl. This is her first experience with death. I know she'll come through it. I know she'll probably run and play with her cousins after the funeral. It's just going to be a rollercoaster for her.
Friday, February 23, 2007
One Week Down
So, I've managed to make it through the week. The CCAA was closed all week for Chinese New Year. Happy New Year, by the way. The month of March starts next week. We may have "March Madness" that has nothing to do with basketball.
I'm not convinced referrals will come next week, though I'd be thrilled. Will they or won't they? Do-do-do-do-do. Hmmmmm
The website that I (and the rest of my fellow October LIDers) have been relying on for rumors, has been quiet. The "Rumor Queen" has been on hiatus, supposedly out of town for work. I'm wondering if she's out of the country being united with her baby girl. I don't know if families go to China during Chinese New Year, but it's just too coincidental. How dare she go anywhere when I'M desperate for rumors?! The gall of some people! :)
So, I may not be able to post about any rumors this time around. You never know. Maybe the "Rumor Queen" will return from her business trip this weekend just in time for referrals.
Sigh. Someone knock me over the head!
Oh, and I do actually have pics of the mostly finished baby's room. I just need to get them posted. I will do it soon.
I'm not convinced referrals will come next week, though I'd be thrilled. Will they or won't they? Do-do-do-do-do. Hmmmmm
The website that I (and the rest of my fellow October LIDers) have been relying on for rumors, has been quiet. The "Rumor Queen" has been on hiatus, supposedly out of town for work. I'm wondering if she's out of the country being united with her baby girl. I don't know if families go to China during Chinese New Year, but it's just too coincidental. How dare she go anywhere when I'M desperate for rumors?! The gall of some people! :)
So, I may not be able to post about any rumors this time around. You never know. Maybe the "Rumor Queen" will return from her business trip this weekend just in time for referrals.
Sigh. Someone knock me over the head!
Oh, and I do actually have pics of the mostly finished baby's room. I just need to get them posted. I will do it soon.
Friday, February 16, 2007
OK, Referrals Can Come Now
Back in December, we filed for the renewal of our 171H. This is the form from our government that allows us to bring an orphan into the country. We initially filed for this in May 2005 and received our 171H in August 2005. It expired last week.
When we refiled in December, we were told it would take about 60 days to process. It took just under that, so I'm excited. They even needed an addendum from our social worker at the end of January, and still did it in less than 60 days.
I think this could be a big reason why it's been OK in my mind that referrals haven't come. I had a fear that there would be a big delay in getting this form which could delay our travel once our referral arrives. Now that this little bit of worry has been taken care of, let the referrals start pouring in!!!!
When we refiled in December, we were told it would take about 60 days to process. It took just under that, so I'm excited. They even needed an addendum from our social worker at the end of January, and still did it in less than 60 days.
I think this could be a big reason why it's been OK in my mind that referrals haven't come. I had a fear that there would be a big delay in getting this form which could delay our travel once our referral arrives. Now that this little bit of worry has been taken care of, let the referrals start pouring in!!!!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
I'm Feeling Much Better Now
Well, I'm on my way to being excited. Thanks in large part to my friend Sarah, who called last night to share the seemingly simple fact that February is already half way over. She was so excited upon having this realization that she had to call to get me excited. As she said, it does in fact seem like I JUST posted those referrals that came February 1st and two weeks have passed. Only 2 or 3 weeks to go for us.
That's just crazy. Without Chinese New Year thrown in, I'd say for sure it would only be 2 weeks. I don't know how Chinese New Year is going to effect the timing. Last year, CNY was January 29. There were referrals January 4, January 25 and February 25. From that, it looks entirely possible that the next batch won't be effected by CNY and will come in just 2 weeks. With CCAA closed for a week, it seems like there would be a delay. Hmmm.
Jeez. Now's the time when I start babbling incoherently.
That's just crazy. Without Chinese New Year thrown in, I'd say for sure it would only be 2 weeks. I don't know how Chinese New Year is going to effect the timing. Last year, CNY was January 29. There were referrals January 4, January 25 and February 25. From that, it looks entirely possible that the next batch won't be effected by CNY and will come in just 2 weeks. With CCAA closed for a week, it seems like there would be a delay. Hmmm.
Jeez. Now's the time when I start babbling incoherently.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Has it Really Almost Been a Week?
What can I say? There just isn't a whole lot going on right now.
I'm still feeling a bit unprepared. I'm actually kind of trying to psych myself up for this whole "here's your baby" thing. I guess after 2 years of being in this process, I have just tried to keep the excitement down. AND my excitement has been quashed by the length of time and life in general happening.
I need to start repeating daily "We'll get her picture in less than a month" or "She'll be home by summer". Is it anxiety about having 2? Is the anxiety winning over and keeping the excitement down? After so many months of trying not to think about it, here I am less than a month away and I can't manage to finish the nursery or go to Babies R Us to register. NO, I'm actually not registered anywhere for anything.
Would it help if we had a name picked out? Would that help me think of her in more concrete terms? Does God have a surprise boy picked out for us, and that's why I'm not in love with any names?
This weekend, I walked around holding my 6 month old (where has the time gone?) god-daughter. She is just a beautiful, sweet child that I love to hold and kiss the top of her head. As I walked around, I thought (aside from all the sweet, loving thoughts) "My back hurts. Heaven help me, how I'm I going to do this all the time?"
Is this the down before the extreme high? I think maybe I ought to ramp up so that the high is easier to maintain. The referral pics from the last batch didn't really help me get excited. I love seeing those beautiful pictures. They bring tears to my eyes to think of all the happy families.
It wasn't even that we weren't in that batch. I didn't expect to be, and that was really all right with me.
I know that when it is our turn in a few weeks, I will be extremely happy and excited. But it's not happening just yet.
Somebody send me some baby love excitement.
I'm still feeling a bit unprepared. I'm actually kind of trying to psych myself up for this whole "here's your baby" thing. I guess after 2 years of being in this process, I have just tried to keep the excitement down. AND my excitement has been quashed by the length of time and life in general happening.
I need to start repeating daily "We'll get her picture in less than a month" or "She'll be home by summer". Is it anxiety about having 2? Is the anxiety winning over and keeping the excitement down? After so many months of trying not to think about it, here I am less than a month away and I can't manage to finish the nursery or go to Babies R Us to register. NO, I'm actually not registered anywhere for anything.
Would it help if we had a name picked out? Would that help me think of her in more concrete terms? Does God have a surprise boy picked out for us, and that's why I'm not in love with any names?
This weekend, I walked around holding my 6 month old (where has the time gone?) god-daughter. She is just a beautiful, sweet child that I love to hold and kiss the top of her head. As I walked around, I thought (aside from all the sweet, loving thoughts) "My back hurts. Heaven help me, how I'm I going to do this all the time?"
Is this the down before the extreme high? I think maybe I ought to ramp up so that the high is easier to maintain. The referral pics from the last batch didn't really help me get excited. I love seeing those beautiful pictures. They bring tears to my eyes to think of all the happy families.
It wasn't even that we weren't in that batch. I didn't expect to be, and that was really all right with me.
I know that when it is our turn in a few weeks, I will be extremely happy and excited. But it's not happening just yet.
Somebody send me some baby love excitement.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
I Don't Want to Brag, but...
No, I'm not going to brag.
This morning, we had our family interview at the school Phoebe WILL be going to next year. We found out how she did on the test she took a couple of weeks ago. She did very well. We are extremely proud of her, because she did her best and it showed. If you want to know the details of how she scored, email me and I'll be more than happy to spill everything.
We are excited about the new school. They have a great curriculum and philosophy. I'm a little anxious about the homeschool aspect of it, but I know we can do anything we put our minds to. It's such a fantastic opportunity for Phoebe and for me. After A & I went to the informational meetings in December, we both left thinking "I wish my school had been like that. I wish I'd been taught like that."
I'm going to miss the school P goes to now...well, until little sister enrolls in a year or so. It's a fantastic school and she has learned so much there. But beyond that, she has been so loved and nurtured there. Each year, her teachers have been so loving and caring. Beyond school subjects, P has learned to be loving and caring as well.
This morning, we had our family interview at the school Phoebe WILL be going to next year. We found out how she did on the test she took a couple of weeks ago. She did very well. We are extremely proud of her, because she did her best and it showed. If you want to know the details of how she scored, email me and I'll be more than happy to spill everything.
We are excited about the new school. They have a great curriculum and philosophy. I'm a little anxious about the homeschool aspect of it, but I know we can do anything we put our minds to. It's such a fantastic opportunity for Phoebe and for me. After A & I went to the informational meetings in December, we both left thinking "I wish my school had been like that. I wish I'd been taught like that."
I'm going to miss the school P goes to now...well, until little sister enrolls in a year or so. It's a fantastic school and she has learned so much there. But beyond that, she has been so loved and nurtured there. Each year, her teachers have been so loving and caring. Beyond school subjects, P has learned to be loving and caring as well.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Can You Say Calm AFTER the Storm?
Last week was a wonderful week. I love the anticipation right before referrals arrive and the frenzy that occurs when they DO arrive.
Now we have about a month to get ourselves ready for the next round. Fasten your seatbelts.
Today I had a conference with P's Kindergarten teacher. She used words like "passion", "enthusiasm", "animated", "free spirit". No surprises. I was happy to find out that P is getting better at focusing on, and finishing her work in a timely manner in class. Her teacher did tell me that sometimes for work, P has to be separated away from the others. Apparently, even if P sits next to a child who isn't a "talker", that child becomes a talker. It's like magic.
I'm also finding that P has a pretty firm grasp of sarcasm for a 5 year old. I have no idea where she gets that. Yesterday, I put a "My Little Pony" band-aid on her foot and she asked me which Pony it was. They have names? Anyway, I told her I didn't know, but I'd look to see if it was on the band-aid. I leaned over and looked at the band-aid and said "Nope. Not there." She said with a smile,"Her name's 'nope not there?" That's my girl.
P's teacher told me today that last week, the teacher had left the room for a second and another teacher came in. She and P had a conversation about something, then the other teacher asked P if she was Mrs. W (her teacher). P's response was "Do I look like Mrs. W?" Alrighty then.
Now we have about a month to get ourselves ready for the next round. Fasten your seatbelts.
Today I had a conference with P's Kindergarten teacher. She used words like "passion", "enthusiasm", "animated", "free spirit". No surprises. I was happy to find out that P is getting better at focusing on, and finishing her work in a timely manner in class. Her teacher did tell me that sometimes for work, P has to be separated away from the others. Apparently, even if P sits next to a child who isn't a "talker", that child becomes a talker. It's like magic.
I'm also finding that P has a pretty firm grasp of sarcasm for a 5 year old. I have no idea where she gets that. Yesterday, I put a "My Little Pony" band-aid on her foot and she asked me which Pony it was. They have names? Anyway, I told her I didn't know, but I'd look to see if it was on the band-aid. I leaned over and looked at the band-aid and said "Nope. Not there." She said with a smile,"Her name's 'nope not there?" That's my girl.
P's teacher told me today that last week, the teacher had left the room for a second and another teacher came in. She and P had a conversation about something, then the other teacher asked P if she was Mrs. W (her teacher). P's response was "Do I look like Mrs. W?" Alrighty then.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Other Things Happened This Week, Too
Just to make sure you're caught up.
This was P Monday morning, well part of her anyway:
Notice the second row of teeth?
Turns out the girl has a bit of shark in her. Must come from her dad's side. He is an attorney after all (love you, honey). OK, there are only 2 extra teeth. Her two bottom middle permanent teeth decided they were going to come on out, but were nice enough not to push the babies out. Hence, my shark girl. She had an appointment on Monday for a cleaning anyway, so while we were there...P got her first taste of nitrous. I'll spare you the "after" pics because not only are they close ups of the inside of a 5 year old's mouth, they feature bloody pits where the baby teeth were. P went through the whole thing just fine. She wasn't bothered at all. And there was the added bonus of the visit from the Tooth Fairy Monday night.
On a more serene note, we woke up this morning to this:
An actual blanket of snow fell overnight. We rarely get actual snow here, so it was a really nice change. We usually get ice that makes the roads a bit dangerous and people a bit nutty. But this...this "snow"... it made everything really pretty and "Winter Wonderland-y" AND the roads were clear. Apparently, even on the dry roads, some people felt the need to drive slowly because of all the snow on the grass, but for the most part things are running smoothly.
While I was out taking pics this morning, I came across this:
I'm ready for my close up.
I'm not fat, I'm just poofy.
Ah, It's been a good week.
This was P Monday morning, well part of her anyway:
Notice the second row of teeth?
Turns out the girl has a bit of shark in her. Must come from her dad's side. He is an attorney after all (love you, honey). OK, there are only 2 extra teeth. Her two bottom middle permanent teeth decided they were going to come on out, but were nice enough not to push the babies out. Hence, my shark girl. She had an appointment on Monday for a cleaning anyway, so while we were there...P got her first taste of nitrous. I'll spare you the "after" pics because not only are they close ups of the inside of a 5 year old's mouth, they feature bloody pits where the baby teeth were. P went through the whole thing just fine. She wasn't bothered at all. And there was the added bonus of the visit from the Tooth Fairy Monday night.
On a more serene note, we woke up this morning to this:
An actual blanket of snow fell overnight. We rarely get actual snow here, so it was a really nice change. We usually get ice that makes the roads a bit dangerous and people a bit nutty. But this...this "snow"... it made everything really pretty and "Winter Wonderland-y" AND the roads were clear. Apparently, even on the dry roads, some people felt the need to drive slowly because of all the snow on the grass, but for the most part things are running smoothly.While I was out taking pics this morning, I came across this:
I'm ready for my close up.
I'm not fat, I'm just poofy.
Ah, It's been a good week.
More New Arrivals
BelzmaJourney to Jaci
Bottles and Bones
The Stephensons
Bringing Libby Home
It’s time to fly….
Jonna & Joelle
Karenca
The Silk Road to Siena
The official cut-off date for these referrals has been posted on the CCAAs website. Referrals went thourgh 10/13/05, so they did about 2 weeks' worth of referrals. Let's hope they at least finish off October in the next batch.
*The picture above is from a card from Love Without Boundaries .
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Parents Who Are Expecting In This Batch
Referrals Have Arrived!
I'm happy to say that referrals have finally arrived. No one is sure of the cut-off date, though it is somewhere between Oct. 13th and Oct. 16th. It's such an exciting day to see the joy from all of the yahoo group friends I've made. I can't wait to see pictures.
I will post links to websites of those "expecting" this time around as soon as I can. People with our agency should receive pics via email today, others may take a day or two.
I LOVE referral day! Next batch, I'll be a basket case.
I will post links to websites of those "expecting" this time around as soon as I can. People with our agency should receive pics via email today, others may take a day or two.
I LOVE referral day! Next batch, I'll be a basket case.
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