Laughing thru my tears

I have to say, in all honesty, that I didn't see this one coming. I probably should have, but I didn't. I thought the only worry I would have this week would be whether or not our phone would ring on Friday morning. I was all concerned with whether or not we would spend the weekend celebrating, or spend it knowing that it was our last weekend "without her". Silly me!

Instead, a "pandemic" flu has hit the scene. Certain agencies (none in the U.S., so far) have told their families that the CCAA is putting a 20 to 30 day hold on referrals and travel approvals due to the swine flu outbreak. Our agency (who I called today) is saying that they have not been informed of that as of yet. Therefore, I don't know what effect, if any, this will have on us. It is quite possible that is could cause a delay. It's happened before with the SARS epidemic.

It's almost funny to think that we are (or were) days away from receiving the call we have waited so long to receive and then......A PANDEMIC FLU????? REALLY????? A FLU???? FROM PIGS???? Are you freaking kidding me?!

As always, I'm grateful beyond words for my friends and family who are always there to offer their support and encouragement. I love you all and I hope I have better news to report tomorrow.

UPDATE: Our agency just sent an email with the following information. It's not very helpful in the sense that it doesn't really tell us whether or not the CCAA will be holding the next batch of referrals or travel approvals. I think we will have to wait until Monday (or even later) to find out if that is going to happen. I don't think the CCAA has made an official decision on it, as of yet. Hopefully, no news is good news. We'll have to WAIT and see.

Children’s Hope will continue sending families to China to complete their adoption as long as China and the CDC allow us to do so. Any family that does not wish to travel at this time due to the Swine Flu can delay their travel to China to complete their adoption until they feel it is safe to travel.

Weekend Bliss!

I may have just had the best weekend ever! On Friday, Doug and the boys left for a two night camping trip and I had the whole house to myself. I think it's a first! Friday night, Leigh came over and we went to work on trying to complete the crib bedding. First, we came up with a plan and an idea for the skirt, then we headed to Jo Ann's and bought the few things we knew we were going to need....then we went out for sushi! I was convinced that that would be the end of "sewing" for the night, but Leigh was bound and determined to get something done. So, we picked up some yummy desert and headed back to the house. We actually managed to make some pretty good progress on the bumper that night. JB and Brianna popped in for some moral support, which was nice!

Saturday morning I cleaned my house a bit and headed out to meet Terri and Suzanne for lunch. It was so nice to see them both again. Suzanne even surprised me with a cute little outfit for our sugarplum. Panda p.j.'s! Thank you Suzanne!

When I got back to the house, Norah was already there and guess what she had with her?! A BRAND NEW CAR SEAT FOR US!!! It's a gift from my sisters and my parents! It was so unexpected, but GREATLY appreciated. I can't believe I have a car seat in my house ready to go. It gives me chills to think about it.

Soon, all the girls were here....Norah, Sarah, Leigh and Adrianna.....oh and I can't forget, Vienna. The sewing got under way, as did the wine drinking. Just one bottle...we had to stay focused! Anyway, we got it done!!! I have the best girlfriends and sisters in the world. I say it all the time, but it really is true.

Saturday night I went to dinner with Adrianna and Chris. Then, Norah and Sarah and I went out for some drinks, lots of laughs and a little dancing. The three of us NEVER get out together like that....it was a lot of fun.

Sunday, I slept in, sat by the pool, chatted on the phone and waited for my three boys to return home. Benji could hardly wait to run in the door and give me a hug (I think I got about 20 hugs from him that night). The three of them had a blast on their trip....and nobody got hurt!

Doug took me to dinner that night (cause I hadn't been spoiled enough). I told him all about my weekend. He was very impressed with the baby's room and even more impressed with the generosity and love that my friends and sisters show to me. We feel so blessed to have each and everyone of you in our lives. It's hard to put into words just how much you all mean to us. Having your support and love throughout this journey has made it possible for us to stay strong for our little girl and to not give up hope that this will happen! It warms my heart to know just how much love this child has waiting for her.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

"Waiting mamas"

"I came to help sew....and hold pink hippos"!

Sewing is serious business....even with wine!

Norah hard at work (probably undoing what Sarah just did..ha ha)

The pictures don't do it justice...it really is precious!

Aren't the tie backs adorable?!

The only thing missing is our sugarplum.

Our new carseat, modeled by the lovely Vienna!

Update: Doug made the music selection for this post!

So, what happens next?!

Sinces it's the middle of the month, and rumors about the next batch of referrals are nonexistent, I thought it would be a good time to address a question that I have been asked by many friends and family members lately....."What happens next?"

Here's my best answer:

• The CCAA will finish matching all of the children who are to be included in this batch to their "forever families". They will packaged the referrals and send them to the various adoption agencies that represent the famlies. Our's being, Children's Hope International.
• When Children's Hope (located in St. Louis) receives the package they will start calling the families who have been matched. It's "The Call" we've been waiting years to receive. At that time, we will be given basic information about our child (name, birthdate, height, weight, birth province, name of orphanage, ect.). They will also email her photo to us at that time!!!
• They will then express mail our referral announcement with photos, original medical report with translation and any other information provided by the orphanage to us. Included in this package will be documents that we will need to sign and return right away.
• Children's Hope will then send our signed documents to the CCAA for processing of our travel approval.
• Once they received the travel approval (which takes about 4 weeks, I believe), they will request appointments for us at the American Consultate in Guangzhou.
• When appointments with the Consulate have been confirmed, we can finalize our travel. In other words, we can book our flight. Most families travel about 8 weeks after receiving their referral.

That's the long and short of it. Any questions? Anyone? I love answering adoption related questions, so feel free to ask. We hope to receive our call around the first week in May. I'll be stalking the rumors boards like a crazy person (what else in new?!) on the days leading up to it. There are usually hints that "the call" may be coming on those boards, so hopefully I won't miss it. The call, I mean...not the hints. Could you imagine me missing the call???!!! As if!! I'll probably have my cell, my home phone, and Doug's cell phone strapped to my body at all times.

The photo above is of a precious Guizhou girl. My girlfriend Mardi's newly referred daughter, Lauren, is a Guizhou girl...so, I thought I'd represent!

REFERRAL NEWS!!!

Today, April 3, 2009, Children's Hope received referrals for our families who have March 7, 2006 Log In Dates. We received 8 beautiful little girls all from the Guizhou Province. They were 9 months, 11 months, 12 months, 13 months, two children that are 19 months, 2 years 5 months, and 3 years and 4 months. The families that received the 2 and 3 year old children either requested a toddler or were given a referral based on the CCAA guidelinesof the parents ages and what age child they qualify for. These families waited 37 months from the time of their LID. Congratulations to thesefamilies!

At this time, we do not know what the cut off date was for referrals. Our next families that will be receiving referrals have a March 10, 2006 LID.

This batch of referrals seemed to have dropped out of the sky! Usually we hear reports of Europe getting referrals and then a day later they arrive in the U.S. Not this month! My friend Mardi received her call this morning and I was able to speak with her this afternoon. Thank you so much for calling me, Mardi. I feel so priviledged to have been your third phone call of the day (her husband, her mother and then ME). As I type this post, her and Dan are seeing Lauren's face for the first time. Soon her photo will be up on their blog for all to see. Although I have shed tears of joy off and on all day, I think I'm in a bit of a state of shock. Is this really happening??!! Are we really next??!! I'm in awe.

CONGRATULATIONS DAN AND MARDI!!! Lauren is so loved.