Our Journey of HOPE

Rumor July 28, 2006

2011-09-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

The Rumor queen's rumor is that this months cutoff is July 28th, 2006. If we were still waiting in line we would be in. I am aware that the only reason they got this far is due to a large number of people dropping out of the program, including us. It will be interesting anyway to look at the babies and see who could have possibly been our daughter.
http://chinaadopttalk.com/2011/09/28/rumor-july-28/#comments

Rumor: July 28
An agency in Europe reports the cut off is July 28th.

I’m giving this an R3 at the moment. I high R3, in fact — but for it to raise to an R4 or R5 I need confirmation from another agency.

I am glad and know that we did what was best by dropping out because it led us to Katie. If we had stayed with the China program my mother would have never met her granddaughter. I am soooooo glad that she got to met and love our precious Katie bug.

2 Years Ago Today!!!!

2011-07-14T12:43:00.001-07:00

Sweet Katie girl of mine, this time two years ago you were placed in my arms and forever changed me. I became your mother. It is hard to believe that just two years ago you were a little baby and now you are a tiny tot, a beautiful little girl. Two years ago when you arrived I am sure you were afraid and not sure of what was going on. I could tell by the sadness in your eyes that you were scared. Now look at you, you are happy and love to be near mommy and daddy. You are quiet the daddy's girl but that's o.k. there are times when you want me over him. You are talking up a storm. You can say most of your ABC's and can almost count to 10 (you have before once or twice), you know your colors and shapes (of course you were doing this when you turned two). You love to sing and dance. Your favorite TV show is Barney. I can remember the first time you were watching it, I could here you giggling as Baby-bop would appear. You love playing with Baby and Darcy your two favorite baby dolls. This summer you are going to gymnastics camp and are loving it, in fact when Daddy asked you if you were going to school you said "Gymnastic's Camp" as if he were too silly for forgetting such a thing.

Just know one thing my sweet beautiful girl, I LOVE YOU with all that I am and I am so glad to be called your "Mommy". Thank you for helping me to see life to the fullest and to enjoy the beauty in all things. You are the light of my life.

Love Mommy

TWO

2011-01-03T13:07:00.000-08:00

This post is a little late-I actually wrote it shortly after her birthday but just got around to posting.

You just turned two. I can not believe that you are growing up so fast. I am so glad that you are my daughter. You are the sweetest person I know. You are also very smart and beautiful. You know about 300+ words and you are talking in sentences already. You can count 1-5 pretty consistently and occasionally make it to 10. You are a kid who enjoys life. You like to be outdoors and you like to go to the "ground" playground. You like to collect rocks and leaves. You love to jump from the curbs when we go out. You go to mother's day out twice a week and really enjoy it. For your birthday you got a tricycle and you were so excited, you said, "big bike, I big, big bike" You love our cat Miah and like to tell her what to do when you gets up on the counters like she is not suppose to do.

Adoption Day!!!

2010-11-10T11:29:00.000-08:00

Today is the day I have waited on for many years. Today is Adoption Day! At 9am this morning the judge declared us a family. When the attorney was asking us questions the tears began to build. I managed somehow to keep it together because I was about to ball big 'ole HAPPY tears.

fair trade give away

2010-09-08T19:16:00.000-07:00

check out this give away on my friend's blog
Giveaway! $75 Gift Certificate From NOVICA |Thoughts on Life and Dirty Diapers
danaelaineellis.blogspot.com

Petition Signed

2010-08-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Today we finally signed our Petition to Adopt!!!! Yay!!!! It's been a long day coming. Now we have to wait 60 days for a court day but we know it will be finalized within 90 days! This is our final step before appearing before a judge. Then Katie will be legally ours.

Katie's Kitchen

2010-08-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

Check out what I bought for Katie at a yard sale for $10. The cheapest I found one on line was around $160. I busted the back leg a little while loading it into the truck but Mike added and additional support. It is a little worn but still looks great! You can tell it was loved and I know Katie is going to love it as well.

One year together!

2010-07-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

One Year Ago

2010-07-07T11:19:00.001-07:00

One year ago today my life was changed forever. It was a day that I had waited for for so long. It was a day that I thought would never happen. It was the day that you came into my life.
Your first year of life, you endured more than anyone should ever have to deal with. Due to circumstances beyond all of our control you were taken from your mother's arms and eventually placed into mine. First of all let me say that she loved you and had a part in choosing me to me your "mommy". Even back then you were a happy baby, but I saw the sadness in your eyes, sadness of not knowing what was going on. You have grown so much since that first day you were home. You were crawling around and enjoyed playing but you didn't want to be held for to long and now more often than not, I hear you say "down" with your arms held up for me to pick you up. You are learning to say "up please". A year ago you could not talk yet, but soon your first words came "Key Cat" oh how you loved that kitty cat, but she wasn't so sure about this little thing crawling around. You still love that cat and yes she loves you too. Soon there after you took your first steps.
Those first few months were hard for us all but all I know is that I loved you. I felt so helpless sometimes not knowing what I should do. I have loved you from the start but somewhere along the way I fell helplessly in LOVE with you and I think you you love me too. I was no longer a strange person who just took care of you, I was your "mama". You are still a beautiful and happy baby girl. You love life, you love being outdoors and exploring. You also love books and like for us to read to you, and sometimes will try and keep us from putting you to bed by asking for "book".
I love watching you enjoy life and watching you grow and learn. I have never been happier to sit back and watch someone do something. It is amazing to watch you do things that you once could not do. You love your babies and you love to push them around in the stroller. I even hear them say "down" so that they can get out of the stroller. You have always liked peek a boo and you still do, I love to watch your face light up brighter than the brightest star when I "find" you.
As your mommy, I promise to always love you and to help you learn and grow. I pray that you always have a passion for life and that you keep your love of others. You are always smiling and blowing kisses to everyone you meet. I also promise to help you the best way I know how to heal the wounds of your past because they were not caused by you. I will always be here for you to hold your hand, to kiss you good night, to wipe "tear balls" from your eyes, to give you zerberts as long as I am alive.
I love you my sweet and beautiful daughter.

waiting to cross the finish line

2010-07-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

It seems that sometimes this journey will never come to an end. We finally have our attorney working on the adoption petition, Which we thought we would have signed already. That doesn't seem to bother me as much as it did before. There are a few glitches in some of the papers that were given to the attorney but hopefully they are minor and will not increase the wait time. I know that she worked on it today so hopefully we will be able to sign in a few days. Once we sign then our attorney will file the papers and we will wait for a court date. Once again we are so close but so far away (or at least that's how it feels).
I do know that I am ready for us to be able to live our life without having permission to do something, or having an approved baby sitter, etc. But I do know one thing is for sure, that tiny tot of mine is worth it all.

Glossy Bands Giveaway!!!!

2010-07-05T19:01:00.001-07:00

Over at The Momtage they are giving away Glossy Bands. Check them out at http://www.themomtage.com/2010/07/glossy-bands-giveaway-and-review.html for your chance to win.

Placement

2010-05-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we signed our official papers for placement of Katie into our home for adoption. If she hadn't already been in our home as foster care this would have be the day we would have receive her (at least that is what I think not 100% sure). It was a long and tiring day. We were at the office for about 3 hours, no it didn't take that entire time, we got off to a late start, took turns chasing Katie around the office and I do mean around the office, there was no need to go to the gym because it was a workout all by itself. We now have the paperwork and permission to meet with our attorney so that it can be filed with the courts. Once we get the court date and go to court everything will be final. It can still be up to six months before the finalization but we are praying that it will go quicker than that.

Getting Closer

2010-05-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

well we have a tentative date for signing our placement paperwork placing Katie in our home for adoption even though she has been in our home for almost a year. Once we sign the paperwork we will be able to have our attorney file papers with the courts so that we can get on the docket for finalizing our adoption. Getting closer and closer. This journey has been a long one but a journey worth it.

The Safe Sippy

2010-05-05T08:51:00.000-07:00

I have spent tons of money trying to find a sippy cup that my daughter would use. She did't like any of them. After starting speech therapy for feeding issues I found out that I shouldn't be using them anyway because they can affect speech development. The SLP gave us a training cup with a straw. She learned how to use the straw but still refused to drink no more than an once from it and then get mad when it wouldn't work when she turned it up like a bottle. Then I found the Safe Sippy and The Safe Sippy 2. The spout was shaped like a straw and she could turn it up like a bottle and it had a spill proof valve. The Safe Sippy 2 is even better it comes with an extra valve and a straw so that it can be used like a straw sippy and did I mention that it is "green". It it made of stainless still and has no bad chemicals in it and they come in blue, green and pink. The only drawback is that they are on the expensive side of $14 each but the way I figure it is if I had bought those in the first place I wouldn't have wasted the money on all of the other sippy cups.

1 year ago

2010-04-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

It was this last week of April last year when I first met the sweet little baby girl who was going to be our daughter. At the time she was 4 months old, she wasn't able to sit up on her own but she sure knew how to smile and capture my heart. It took another 3 months before she was finally in my arms. A year later she can definitely sit up on her own, she can run and climb, and she still knows how to capture my heart with a smile. I love you Katie baby. My hasn't she changed. The first photo is the day I first met my daughter, the second photo is the day my daughter came home, and the 3rd photo is 1 year later.

Hopper Dog

2009-12-01T05:41:00.000-08:00

Over at my friend Dana's blog site she has a review of the Hopper Dog posted with a chance to win one. http://danaelaineellis.blogspot.com/ I know my little girl would love one, she loves to bounce on her rocking giraffe and it doesn't even bounce.

It's been a while

2009-12-01T05:28:00.001-08:00

I wish to write on here more but often fail to do so. On Dec 14th, Katie will have been with us for 5 months. It's amazing how much I love this little girl, the journey has been a good one. She will turn 1 in just a few days and I can't believe it. Of course we started mid-way into her journey of life so we only got "baby" for a short period. She is walking, talking (mostly babbling but with a few words) and she absolutely LOVES the cat. The cat hangs around but still is a little leery of her. I have enjoyed watching her explore and blossom. She is a hoot. She loves to climb and then "fall" off of things, which makes me a bit nervous. She loves books, she will sit and look at them and will also sit and listen but most of all she enjoys pulling them off the shelf. She had a little blow up pool this summer and I didn't want it to go to waste so I bought some balls and turned it into a ball pit which she and her friends love. I wish I had a picture of them playing last night, 3 little ones were in it having a blast.

Last night we went to take the IMPACT training class, you know the one we were told at the beginning that we didn't have to take and now we are told "yes you do". We showed up last night after all of the hustle bustle of busting or rears to get there, get a baby sitter and then they cancel and reschedule the class. Now instead of every Monday and Wednesday night for a month we go for 3 straight days. I think will be better, I already have an all day sitter. The rescheduling of the class didn't bother me too much but it would have been nice to have gotten a phone call instead of waiting for us all to show up.

The journey continues.........

Peaceful Thoughts

2009-08-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

After going to bed last night and having a good nights sleep, I woke up at Peace with our adoption. I went into Katie Bug's room and held her in my arms while in the rocking chair. She was so sweet and still very sleepy. She sat in my lap and laid her head on my laps also (almost doubled over) and I just rubbed her back until we were wake enough to drink her bottle. Today has been a good day. We went into her room to have a little quiet and when we came out she reached her arms out to her daddy. Mike had that big ole smile like "ha ha she wants me and not you". I am so happy that she is attaching to both of us.

Sad, Grieving, and Happy Heart

2009-08-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the one month mark for us as a family. I get a call from my friend who knows the birth family. The birth mom signed the papers today saying the she is not going to contest for her child to be adopted. My friend was there explaining to her and making sure she knew what she was signing and they said she did. She signed them with tears streaming down her face. I should be soooooo happy but my heart is breaking for this young lady. As I sit here and type this entry tears are running down my face as well. My heart has always been to help the hurting "at risk" young ladies in this world and here I have helped her out and her baby but yet at the same time I am causing her much grief. I know in my heart that this is what is right and I am so glad to be this little girl's mother. Dreams to come true but they come at a cost. I just want to say "Thank You".

getting adjusted

2009-08-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

Well, we are becoming more and more adjusted to each other. In the past I read the book Baby Wise and knew the importance of a structured routine. I am currently reading The Secrets of the Baby Whisper. She too says that the baby needs to have a structured routine and that the baby is a part of the family's life and that everything doesn't have to come to a screaching halt because of baby. Basicly she follows the same plan but calls it EASY (Eat, Activity, Sleep, Yourself) I like this because it makes it easy for me to follow. We do not live my the clock but we do follow a structure routine and follow EASY with the exception of her last feeding, which we do at bedtime because that was what she was used to with her foster family. I would like to follow EASY with that, but the last feeding sometimes is not too far from her last one. She is a good sleeper and for the most part I have come to know why she is crying but sometimes I am still clueless and sometimes I think she is still greiving or has had a bad dream. A few days ago she woke up screaming, Mike got her out of bed but she would not be comforted so we thought maybe it was because he picked her up (he's done it before) so he handed her to me and I could not comfort her either and she had this look of fear on her face that broke both of our hearts. Over all she is a happy little baby.

Are Dangerous Chemicals in Your Baby Products????

2009-08-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

3 weeks

2009-08-04T18:20:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that Katie has been with us for 3 weeks. She has seemed to make a lot of progress but sometimes I think she is struggling and I don't know how to comfort her. She has had a lot stuff in her life. The hardest thing for me is when she cries and I can't seem to figure out why she is crying. This has gotten better for me a little. Also holding a 15 pound baby ALL day is hard work. I do know that I care a lot for this little one when she fell off the bed and hit her head on the hardwood floor when I was nearby scared me near to death. My mom said she couldn't get her legs to move fast enough to get to us. She took little bit because I could not comfort her because I could not be comforted. I don't think I've cried so much in a very long time. This past weekend was probally a little too much stimulation for her. We visited Mike's parents and family on Saturday and then my parents and family on Sunday. They threw her a shower and many friends and family members showed up. I don't have to worry about spoiling my child because everyone else is.

Green Cleaning

2009-07-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

For a chance to win some green cleaning products go to http://danaelaineellis.blogspot.com/2009/07/eco-store-usa-giveaway.html
they even have green baby products.

crazy day but a good baby.

2009-07-26T18:59:00.000-07:00

Today was not such a good day for me, last night our air conditioner started leaking and has put a big stain above my archway. My wonderful neighbor helped out last night and unplugged it some and it kept it under control until this afternoon, when i had to call the repair guy. The hard part for me was changing plans of course, ran and did errands while waiting on him to come. Then tried to put little bit down for a nap only not to succeed because he had to use the water hose and it is outside her window and you hear the water running throughout the pipes, after he finished with the water i was able to get her to nap. While doing these errands was also dealing with trying to find a fitter, publix was out then went to the drug store they don't carry them and then ended up at bilo, I am still trying to figure out how to get the kid in the carrier unattached from the grocery cart with out dropping her. The cart boy was very kind and picked up my glasses as they fell from my head and then told me something of the nature of go home and chill out, I think he could see my stress. It isn't easy running around doing errands because you can not just jump out of your car and run in, you have to stop, unhook the child, carry the child, find a cart and put your child in it, to go looking for an object that you have no idea where it is in the store while trying to get back before the AC guy gets here. I eventually settled down, took little bit on a walk in her little red sports car, I think the walks do us both good. She likes them, loves to look around and hear all the outdoor sounds and I distress and get some exercises.

adjusting

2009-07-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

I feel we are both beginning to adjust. This week my husband is out of town and so I am flying solo. It's not been bad but I know I would not like to do it all the time so blessing on all you single moms out there. We are getting rest with our nap times but they are not always perfect and as my friends say "once you think you go it figured out, it will change" so I don't have it figured out but it is better. I've been giving lots of kissed and telling her to give momma kisses also in which she opens her mouth and places it on mine; usually this is with the verbal prompts and me placing her near my face. Last night I was giving her kissed and didn't tell her to do so, she pulled her face to mine and place her open lips on my cheeks. I was tickled. I also found out that she like to play with the spring door stoppers on the wall, as a kid I played with them too, because I liked the sound of them. I didn't remember that childhood memory until she did it. I also found out that the tiny little plastic cap will come off, thankfully she didn't put it in her mouth and I was on the floor next to her. They don't glue on good either because she pulled it off again today so now it is just the spring. I don't know if they make a safety cover for this or not.

Yesterday I had a wonderful surprise on my doorstep. Dana a friend of mine said she was going to bring me a few diapers. She has a daughter who is a little older than mine. I was expecting a pack or two. When I looked outside there was a huge storage container on my doorstep. It was full of diapers, wipes, butt cream and over the counter baby medicine that comes in useful and also a little praying angel doll. There was a card and it was signed by the folks at church. I was shocked and moved to tears. Many thanks go out to the North Augusta Church of Christ and I look forward to thanking you in person in the near future but first we have to do a little more bonding.

no simple task anymore

2009-07-23T12:57:00.000-07:00

I am now into week 2 of motherhood, I have come to realize that nothing is simple anymore. Things have to be planned out. I am usually one who just gets up and goes whenever I feel like it but not anymore. Just a simple trip to the store to pick up a few items is work. I have figured out to park near the shopping cart corral so that I do not have to carry the baby carrier far. I am also learning to plan out what we need to do for the day, everything centers around baby (nap time, dinner time, happy time, grumpy time,etc) I am not complaining at all, I am just saying that this is probably the hardest thing I have ever done. I use to be know as the take back queen because I would buy something (not try it on, or just because) and then realize it didn't fit, look good, or I didn't need it, now the thought of having to take something back is not a happy thought.
Just when I think I am getting the hang of something there seem to be a minor setback but over all I think I am doing OK for a first time mom.

Silly Little Girl

2009-07-19T08:30:00.001-07:00

Last night little bit learned how to play games with us. She would pull up with my hands look at Mike and he cheered so then she plopped her self down and would pull herself back up look at Mike so he could cheer and then repeat herself about 10-15 times until we were finally laughing at her silliness. This morning during our family time on the bed she pulled herself up and when she did she looked for daddy to give her a cheer.

Day 5 of Motherhood

2009-07-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

For years I have wanted to be a mother and as you know it's been quiet a journey. I have now been a mom for 5 days and I love it. The first couple of days were surreal and everything felt strange and it was like baby sitting for 24 hours/day but by day 3 I began to feel like a mother. Many thougts went through my head. There are many things I have learned in these 5 days like: don't wake a sleeping baby, don't wait too long to put them to bed either for nap time or night time, don't over stimulate because that will affect them getting to bed, be prepared to cry because there are times there is nothing you can do to calm them down or figure out what's wrong, have moments of quiet time for play turn of the lights and watch her play joining in with laughter and encouragement, be prepared to be interrupted don't expect to finish what you started the first time around, free time on the computer becomes less and less.
I am sure I have more things to learn and the days will be long. I can signed a charge receipt with one hand and no one holding the paper still. Navigating a grocery cart after the baby doesn't want to stay in her carrier can be fun and well not so fun. I eventually want to get back to the gym but in the mean time I get some exercises.
Overall we waited 2 years,11 days, 2 weeks and one day since we had our log in date in China, however the wait has been much longer and we didn't adopt from China.

Welcome Home Baby with a kiss and a hiss.

2009-07-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

Well today I welcomed home my daughter with a lovely kiss and a smile. Miah the cat on the other hand welcomed her home with a big loud HISSSSSSS. She'll get use to her as long as she knows she is still loved. Miah the cat has been my only child for 8 years so she's got some adjustments to make. I will eventually post photos but not sure when due to the fact that we are still officially in custody of the state. She is a good baby with dark brown hair and big dark brown eyes. Our journey of hope has been a long one. So now our journey continues.

Home made Baby Food

2009-07-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

Well today was my first attempt at home made baby food. I'll freeze it in little squares and hopefully soon we'll find out if she likes it. Oh by the way it's fresh squash.

On the director's desk and waiting

2009-07-13T08:55:00.000-07:00

Well I just called my caseworker and our paperwork is on the director's desk but the director is in a meeting so I continue to wait.

Hopefully the weekend before "gottcha day"

2009-07-12T16:05:00.000-07:00

Well we thought we were going to be able to bring our daughter home on Friday, but that didn't work out. I got the call about 10 minutes until 5 to let me know that my caseworker was unable to get the director's signature and that she would do her best to get it on Monday. I thought this was going to be a really long weekend but it's been you normal every other type weekend. I've even been able to sleep, so we'll have to see how tonight goes. I did get bottles and clothing washed and ready. So now all I need is my beautiful daughter.

Random

2009-07-08T18:44:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to go out for lunch. I had been frustrated with the wait and just needed to get out of the house. I went to Taj of India, I love Indian food. While in line to fix my plate I was talking to a cute baby girl, I then sat and ate my lunch. The entire time I kept thinking to myself I bet they are foster parents, the little girl look a little like the baby we are going to adopt but different, mind you it has been almost 3 months since I saw her. I got up to get another plate of food and I stopped and asked the family how old the little girl was and they said 6 months and then I told them that I was waiting on a phone call any day to adopt a 7 month old little girl. They asked me her name and hesitantly I told them, then I got a big surprise. They said this is her. This is your little girl. I was then able to talk to them about her and hold my beautiful daughter. The couple was great they stayed there and let me talk to them and play with her until they had to leave because the father had to get to work. We snapped a few photos with our phones and we then went our separate ways. I left with a huge smile on my face. Somehow I knew that was my daughter. They even told the owner of the store that I was adopting her. That I was her new mother. Now I just wait until the day she comes home. I'll post photos when I know that I am able.

Dropped China adoption and found my daughter

2009-07-08T18:38:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I've written on this blog, I am going to make it private. In March we decided to drop our China adoption. Our agency went out of business and we had to move to a new one. We were being charged extra fees and I did not feel at ease with the new agency. After much thought we decided not to go forward. A month after dropping our China adoption we were called by a friend who knew of a baby that needed a home and now we are in the process of adopting a beautiful baby girl. I have met her once when we first began and that was in April.

MotherBridge of Love

2007-12-02T13:31:00.000-08:00

This is a sweet book. Click on Motherbridge of Love
and find the link to the e-card, it is beautiful

Another month

2007-11-28T15:55:00.000-08:00

Today marks another month of waiting. We have now been waiting since LID 16 months and will continue to wait a while longer.

Home Study Update

2007-11-10T12:17:00.000-08:00

Well today we updated our homestudy for our ever increasing in waiting time adoption. We will then take this information along with other info and send it to INS and be fingerprinted all over again. In another year we may have to do this all over again because I belive that the wait will be at least that.

Cybershowers and secret pals

2007-10-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

My little girl is going to be just a little bit spoiled. I have been participating in cyber showers and secret pal program with my adoption yahoo groups. The pictures are just a few of the things she has received.

Out of Review Room!!!!

2007-09-10T15:38:00.000-07:00

July 06 is officially out of the review room. Next step (and a super long one) is referral. :)

Katie's babies

2007-08-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

I bought these 2 baby dolls for Katie this summer. They were too cute to pass up. One is for her to play with once we get her and the other will be saved/used as decoration in her room until she is older.

More Squishes

2007-08-27T15:56:00.001-07:00

WFCC quishes

2007-08-23T16:59:00.000-07:00

Waiting for First Child from China is a yahoo group that I am a part of while we wait for our daughter or possilbly a son. Several of us participated in a quilt square swap for our 100 wishes quilts. These are the ones that I have at this point. I have others that I will also post that I received last year but can not locate at the moment because they are put up in a "Safe Place".

I'm Here

2007-08-12T13:10:00.000-07:00

I came across this poem today while searching the internet.

"I Am Here!"
I am here!
Will you find me?
Though you've never seen my face?
I am here!
Waiting, hoping
Longing for your warm embrace
It's true, you do not hold my picture
Know my name or weight or height
But I am here!
Come and find me!
Bring me home, by God and might!
I am young and I am learning
Will you teach me? Help me grow?
In your home and heart forever,
I will blossom, this I know!
I am here!
I am here!
Can you hear my urgent plea?
Take a leap with faith to guide you!
Choose the path that leads to me!
-- Jill Underhill, 2006

going to the review room

2007-08-05T16:46:00.000-07:00

This is the time of month that I love but makes me the saddest. I love watching all of the new referrals but and sad because I wish it was me. I know that one day we will get there, but at least we are heading to the next phase, "The Review Room". This is where China reviews our dossier(our paperwork) and approve us to adopt. We have been approved here in the states now we get review by China. Sometimes they may have questions for the families. Hopefully we are not going to be questioned and that we will got through this phase rater quickly and then hope and pray that the referrals will start to speed up. Congradulations to all of the families out there that have gotten referrals. I will be watching on-line some of your journies.

1 year of Waiting

2007-07-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

Today is our official 1 year anniversary of our LID (log in date) to China. Technically we have be waiting another 8 months if you consider all the paper chasing and getting our dossier together. I just hope that we will have Katie this time next year.

The meaning of names

2007-07-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

Katie Hope: One who is pure who has expectations through faith.
I love the meaning of her name. I didn't go looking for the meanings first but was looking it up one day at the book store after we had already came up with the name of our daughter.

Random Encounter

2007-06-30T20:49:00.001-07:00

Last night while out with some friends we saw a family with a young Chinese daughter. I stopped and went to talk to these people and was able to ask them many questions. They just returned from China in January. It was very encouraging to talk to them and listen to them talk about their trip both the good things and the not so good things such as getting sick. Even tough we still have a long wait after being logged in for 11 months. I was very glad to talk to this couple and their beautiful daughter, especially after bawling the other day after finishing the book Forever Lily. The book is about a lady who went with her friend who was adopting a little girl and when they get to China the lady's friend changes her mind. The lady after seeing the effect that human touch has had on the little girl and the progress she made in just 2 days could not let her go back to the orphanage. Needless to say this lady ends up adopting this little girl. It was a good book but it did make me long to have my daughter.

10

2007-05-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow marks our 10th month of our "official" wait for Katie Hope. LID of July 28, 2006. The actual wait has been much longer. At the moment we now have a nine month wait but probably longer because of the expected increase of 24+ months. We are planning on seeing China through. We have had the possibility of another adoption recently but upon further investigation we decided it wasn't the best choice for our family. Katie has truly been birth in my heart.

9 Months

2007-05-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

We have officially been waiting for nine months. Congratulations to all of the families who just received their referrals.

No crying

2007-02-18T11:07:00.000-08:00

6 Months

2007-01-29T14:43:00.000-08:00

WE have offically be logged in for 6 months as of yesterday. My one prayer is that the wait time will beging to move in the other direction instead of increasing. In the mean time I am participating on a list serve with other people who have log in dates in July 2006. So this should be interesting and maybe even get to travel with some of these folks.

One Step Forward Two Steps back

2007-01-26T15:28:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it just seems like I am dreaming when it comes to our adoption. I know it is real but the time frame just continues to increase every time I think we are one month closer to getting our girl. When we first put in our adoption application at the end of November 2005 we were told the process would take 12-15 months from start to finish, 9 months was the waiting for referral time after DTC. It took seven and a half months to get our paperwork to China. I have watch the referral time go from nine months to sixteen to eighteen months. I have decided to go ahead and sign my contract for the next school year and take a maternity leave due to the fact that I do not know exactly when we leave for China. I really was looking forward to not returning to work especially after this extremely hard year but that's OK. It will help pass the time until I get my referral.

2007-01-02T18:06:00.000-08:00

This blog is going to be dedicated to our jourey of Hope to China to adopt our little girl.