Another Week Gone By...

Why do I feel like I am wishing my life away? We made it through another work week...well, we have Friday to go, but does it really count?

RQ is reporting that the cut-off might be February 20th. That's exciting that we are in, yet sad that it's still such a small batch. I feel sad for my friends, who, after referrals come out, will still be waiting to see the faces of their precious children.

It's sad because loss is at the heart of adoption. The triad ~ birthparents, adoptive parents, and especially the child ~ have lost so much. For Kaelie, this will mean that she will have lost the opportunity to be raised in her country of birth. It means for her that she will grow up in a minority, multi-cultural family. Her birthmother will have lost, whether by choice or not, the chance to raise the child she carried in her womb for nine months. How have adoptive parents experienced loss in the adoption triad, you might ask? The ability, as in our case, to carry and birth our biological children. Adoption for us hasn't been, and never will be, a second choice, but more along the lines of the "road less traveled."

Adoption is about love. First and foremost, the ability of a birthmother to love a child so much that she is willing to create an adoption plan for the child she carried for 9 months. A child who was hopefully created in an act of love and passion. I cannot begin to fathom the depths of that love, a love which will transcend time, and distance, a love that can leave a birthfamily wondering for a lifetime about a child they will not be able to raise. The love that the adoptee will be able to feel, the love of two families, one known and one only dreamed of. I figure that if we do our jobs as adoptive parents correctly, these children of ours will grow to love and respect their birth families for the opportunity that they gave to them. The love of the adoptive mother and father is immeasurable! As I've raised these two magnificient boys, I sometimes think I can't love them any more, but it's just amazing, it keeps growing and growing!

OK, getting off my soapbox...

Here's another fun Blogthing for you to do while you wait, ever so patiently, with me for news of referrals. I can't believe that it is finally here! There is so much to do!

You Passed 8th Grade Geography

Congratulations, you got 8/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Geography?

While we wait...

Here's something to keep us all busy while we're waiting for some referral rumors:

What Your Halloween Habits Say About You

You're a friendly person, but not the life of the party. You like making someone else's day - and you'll dress up if you think of a really fun costume. You often feel invisible when you're in public. And it's a shame, because you're really quite a character. Your inner child is full of wonder and very sweet. You truly fear the dark side of humanity. You are a true misanthrope. You're logical, rational, and not easily effected. Not a lot scares you... especially when it comes to the paranormal. You are picky and high maintenance. If you wear a Halloween costume, it's only when you really feel like it. And it has to be perfect.

What's Your Halloween Personality?

32nd LID'versary!

Yes, I'm a bit late in making this post, but...

Good things come to those who wait! And wait! And wait! And wait!

I never would have thought it would take this long to adopt our daughter!

Hopefully, in the next few days/weeks, we will see Kaelie's face for the very first time!

Wouldn't it be fantastic to see Kaelie's face before the election? WOW! I can't believe referral day is almost here!

Rocket Dog Sneakers

These shoes are a dream!

This pair is called Rocket Dog Asahi Dash sneaker. Very lightweight, super comfortable, great traction on the bottom for climbing the Great Wall! I tried them on today for the first time and they are terrific. My feet feel so good in them! The sole is very flexible. The downside is that they don't have a lot in the way of arch support, so I might have to get a Dr. Scholl's or similar inserts.

I purchased mine at Amazon for $44.99. They were shipped from Shoe Mall, so you might try there as well!

Thanks, Donna, for recommending these! I think we got matching pairs!

I've Been Tagged

OK, here's something fun to do since I'm in a cold-driven stupor! I guess I caught this bug being out so early Saturday morning in the cool drizzle at the Peanut Festival. Susan R. tagged me, so now I'm passing this along!

First: 7 Weird Things About Me

This is hard because I'm like this very, VERY normal person. But I will try:

1. The strangest foods I've ever eaten are a) fried alligator (in New Orleans) and b) ostrich (very yummy...David took me out for our anniversary to a fancy-schmancy restaurant!).

2. I love to eat marshmallows, the little ones.

3. I love country music, not that you could call that strange or anything, but we named our first child after Reba's son! (and a movie too, Steel Magnolias)

4. My favorite TV shows are medicals like Trauma: Life in the ER on Discovery Health.

5. For some reason, it seems like my life is consumed with all things China these days! What's up with that? HUMMMM......must have something to do with a little kid that I've not met yet but am totally smitten with anyway!

6. I'd rather fold clothes than hang them! Which do you prefer? What a thing to think about, huh!?

7. I like ketchup on almost everything, but not french fries. I hate eating fresh tomatoes. I love orange juice but can't bite into an orange.


NOW, I've got to tag 7 people! Here goes:

1. Sharon Sharon and I first met when she knocked on our hotel room door. No nothing kinky...we were in Savannah together for a reunion of internet buddies all connected to each other through China adoption. Sharon has such a great personality! From yardwork to sodding to household repairs to dressing up for the red carpet, Sharon will try anything once! Her daughter MaryAlice is a dream...spunky and full of life!

2. Jen Jen has a remarkable family! After having three bio kids, they were led to pursue a China adoption. Their two sons and two daughters are absolutely some of the best kids you will ever meet! Their youngest, Mei, has the sweetest butterfly kisses! I know because I stole one or two at a recent get-together!

3. Alyson Alyson and her hubby have the most amazing daughter Alyzabeth An! They just returned from China only a few weeks ago! Alyson is like a cheerleader on our DTC group, and she and her husband have the most amazing blog! I just wish I could blog like that!

4. Dusty Dusty and her hubby Chet have the most amazing story. After years of infertility, Dusty and Chet pursued a China adoption and were so blessed with a precious daughter Mary Joyce! She is the spunkiest thing! She is growing up way too fast too! Now Chet and Dusty have been blessed with their first bio daughter Katherine and are expecting their third child next year! Dusty is a woman of strong faith, the kind of person that I long to be one day! Dusty is another in-person friend...we met through APC years ago and had our first get-together over three years ago!

5. Tonya Tonya is a woman of faith is visits here often and posts the most amazing words of encouragement! Tonya and her hubby are waiting for TA for their special needs child from China. It would be amazing if we were in China together.

6. Evelyn I must tell you that Evelyn is the sweetest, most gentle soul you would ever want to meet. But, let me tell you that Mama Bear has been known to come out every once and a while! Evelyn and I are going to be travel buddies and I can't wait to share this most amazing experience with her and her sweet hubby Jesus! I'm keeping my fingers crossed Eve!

7. Rhonda Rhonda and her sweetie Mike have been through the referral wringer this month! But thankfully there was a rainbow after their storm and they have the most beautiful baby girl Hannah. Theirs is another amazing story of faith and trust. I can't wait to see Hannah in their arms because she is already wrapped around their hearts.

Today is...

October 11!

We will soon celebrate our 32nd and hopefully last LID'versary. I remember in February 2006 we hoped for a referral before Christmas! HA! What a wait this has turned into.

OK, I have been doing some fall cleaning! Yeah! Got the laundry room done and a few cabinets in the kitchen, will finish up tomorrow.

OHHH, I bought some shoes to take to China. Finally! Thanks to my bloggy-friend and travel buddy Donna for recommending them!

Here's another fun quiz from Blogthings to keep us entertained during this wait!

You Should Rule Saturn

Saturn is a mysterious planet that can rarely be seen with the naked eye. You are perfect to rule Saturn because like its rings, you don't always follow the rules of nature. And like Saturn, to really be able to understand you, someone delve beyond your appearance. You are not an easy person to befriend. However, once you enter a friendship, you'll be a friend for life. You think slowly but deeply. You only gain great understanding after a situation has past.

What Planet Should You Rule?

Today is....

October 5th, the beginning of the first full week of the last month of waiting for our Kaelie to come home! Oh, so exciting! I can't wait to see her little face and get ready to go on this journey of a lifetime! I have a ton of things to do today! I guess I better get busy and start working my list!

Here's something fun from Blogthings:

Your Hair Should Be Brown

You are an intelligent, well respected person. You are very confident. You take yourself seriously, and other people take you seriously too. You are a good leader, and you can be trusted with someone's life. You motivate people well, and you command respect easily. You are competent, successful, and organized. You can't stand chaos. Some people mistake you for being cold, calculating, or elitist.

What Color Hair Should You Have?

Too funny! Especially seeing I have a new color! BROWN!

The List

OK, now that I have 30 +/- a few days before Kaelie's referral, I have been thinking about everything that needs to get done before referral and travel. Here's a sampling of what needs doing:

1. Spring/Fall Cleaning ~ every room needs to be freshened up! Ugh! I hate housework! Especially the deep-cleaning stuff!

2. EBay Stuff ~ Photograph and list, have a huge sale!

3. Finish my closet ~ build one more shelf, paint

4. Finish attic ladder ~ add decorative trim, paint

5. Purchase car seat, stroller, high chair, baby monitor, area rug for nursery

6. Christmas ~ have all decorations up before Thanksgiving

7. Design referral announcements

8. Get carpet steam cleaned

9. Pack ~ I've got to get with my mom about what she might be able to carry in her suitcase

10. Christmas shopping ~ wrapping, etc. Need to be finished by Thanksgiving

11. Baby-proof house

12. Wash all baby clothes and put away

13. Lesson plans ~ Start preparing lessons for my students while I am on maternity leave (last two weeks of December, all of January, through mid-February (so I will have a couple of weeks prepared for when I come back).

Hummmm.....I know I could add a dozen more things to this list!!! OK, but I won't right now. Maybe when I get these done! I guess I could do all the housework chores this month, then focus on Christmas and travel after we get our referral.

OK, I'm exhausted now!