This and That...

Hi Everybody!

Hope you like the new look here! I think I've finally gotten it right! Not that there is a right, but I guess I'm saying "right" in terms of what suits me! Leave a comment here telling me what you think.

It's a rainy day here, but we will soon brighten things up with a birthday celebration! My niece is 9 years old today!

My new favorite toy is Smilebox! I made the digital scrapbook above in about 5-10 minutes. I didn't edit any pictures, just dragged and dropped. It's a neat and easy way to share photos, especially if you're like me and don't have a lot of time to put into designing digi-scrap pages. I hope you enjoy to pics of the boys!

A Family for Fen

I read the most precious story about an 8 year old in China named Fen. She is waiting for her forever family to come and adopt her. Please click here (Love Without Boundaries blog) to read all about her. She is just so cute and sweet, I just know her family is out there somewhere!

Contact information:

Heritage Adoption

vbaker@heritageadoption.org

LID'versary

Hi Everyone...

Well, what can I say? 28 months behind us, and how many more to go?

I have been thinking about Kaelie all day today. I feel in my heart that she has been born already. As the full moon rose tonight and dodged in and out from behind the clouds, I looked up and just thought about how the sun might be coming across her sweet face. Where is she? Is she well-fed? Loved? Safe? Is she in the midst of the terrible devestation of floods and earthquakes? I love this child whom I've never met with all my heart, in the depths and recesses of my very soul. Does she somehow know or sense that love, these ties that bind us together?

Here are the lyrics to a once-popular Richard Marx ballad. While it speaks of a long-distance romantic relationship, every time I happen to hear it, this song brings tears to my eyes and I think of my sweet little girl Kaelie waiting for us an ocean and a continent away.

Oceans apart day after day,

And I slowly go insane.

I hear your voice on the line,

But it doesn't stop the pain.

If I see you next to never,

How can we say forever?

Wherever you go,

Whatever you do,

I will be right here

waiting for you.

Whatever it takes,

Or how my heart breaks,

I will be right here

waiting for you.

I took for granted,

all the times

That I though would last somehow.

I hear the laughter, I taste the tears

But I can't get near you now.

Oh, can't you see it baby?

You've got me goin' crazy.

Wherever you go,

Whatever you do,

I will be right here

waiting for you.

Whatever it takes,

Or how my heart breaks,

I will be right here

waiting for you.

I wonder how we can survive

This romance.

But in the end

if I'm with you,

I'll take the chance.

Oh, can't you see it baby?

You've got me goin' crazy.

Wherever you go,

Whatever you do,

I will be right here

waiting for you.

Whatever it takes,

Or how my heart breaks,

I will be right here

waiting for you.

Kaelie, Mama loves you so much!

(The picture above was taken on our 2007 trip to Mexico Beach, FL.)

Referrals and Rumors

Hi Everyone!

Well, just to give you all an update: The CCAA's official cut-off was January 20, 2006 (instead of the 22nd). It's rather strange, though, because the January 21st and 22nd were weekend days. We are speculating that, while the CCAA occasionally works on the weekends (especially around holidays) that there aren't many LID's on those two days.

My agency did not receive any referrals in this batch because they didn't have any LID's.

A very, very early first rumor on RQ says that "one agency says that the CCAA says next month will also have a lot of days in it." It's really hard to know if that is true...I'm not putting much stock into it at this point, but it would be great if it panned out!

Finally, I re-did my predictions. The new poll results got posted on RQ after her fiasco with her hosting company. Here's what I think based on number of poll families and average number of days:

July Referrals: Through January 27, 2006
August Referrals: Through February 10, 2006
September Referrals: Through February 16, 2006
October Referrals: Through February 25, 2006
November Referrals: Through March 3, 2006
December Referrals: Through March 8, 2006

Given what China Adoption Forecast and Wren's Referral Calculator are saying, I'm really leaning toward an October referral. I want to be excited about a possible September referral, but I just need to protect my heart right now. October is a long way away (well, September too!) and I have a lot to do to keep busy during this time. It's finally getting close though!

In other news, my sister and her family are away at the beach and I'm missing them like crazy! I know they are having a blast!

Referrals and Predictions

Hi Everyone!

I was able to celebrate a HUGE batch of referrals with my Panda sister Lori this month. The boys and I took a mini-break down to Orlando and stayed in Lakeland with my wonderful friends. We all had a great time. I'll post some pictures later!

The great news is that the CCAA processed 10 calendar days of referrals this month! That is awesome and it has been over a year since they processed LID's in the double digits. It's certainly worth celebrating. LID's through 22 January 2006 were matched this month! Many of my Pandas will receive their precious childrens' referrals this month. CONGRATULATIONS!

Now, where does that live my little brood? Here is what I've calculated for the next few batches:

July Referrals: Through 1/27/06

August Referrals: Through 2/9/06

September Referrals: Through 2/16/06

October Referrals: Through 2/20/06

Right now, both China Adoption Forecast and Wren's Referral Calculator have our family receiving Kaelie's referral in October. That is wonderful news, given that if we get our referral in October, I will be able to travel before the end of the year. YIPPEE!