Friday, March 30, 2007

Just received an email from our coordinator at our agency. Well, I should start with I emailed her to ask about upcoming paperwork expiring and what exactly will we need to do. Apparently Bob and I have been in the dark about exactly what is involved.

Our coordinator emailed me today and said that we will need to re-do our medical, financial statement, child abuse clearance, have another homevisit and re-apply and pay for our I-600 approval. Pretty much EVERYTHING that we had to do to start this process. Our current paper work expires in October, and with no hope of traveling by then there is no way around this.

I am very sad and really don't know why. It's just paper work, right?? What is the big deal??? I think for me the big deal is that I was sure Emma would be home this summer. I was sure that we would be spending the summer bonding as a family and looking forward to the upcoming holidays with our little girl. The realization that we are so far from that happening that we have to re-do our homestudy report is just too much for me to handle.

Actually, I am not sure if I am sad or angry??

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

QUILT SQUARE UPDATE.....

I am so pleased to say that our quilt square exchange has been such a success!! A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED SO FAR AND THOSE WHO STILL PLAN ON SENDING A SQUARE.

I must admit that when I started it, I really didn't think I would receive too many squares, but everyone really stepped up to the plate and have been sending their squares.

I can not wait to see how the quilt comes together, it is going to be so colorful and beautiful!! I will be sure to post pictures when it is complete.

Friday, March 23, 2007

TGIF

Happy Friday! I didn't think this week would ever end and I had off on Monday! It's going to be a rainy day in New York City for the next couple of days, but it's going to be warm so that's all I care about! :) I really like the chilly weather but right about now I am ready for warmer temps. Of course by June I will be wishing for Fall!

No real plans this weekend, it's going to be a quite one. Bob is an Emergency Medical Technician Instructor so tomorrow he has to be at a class to teach. I will do my normal Saturday stuff, Weight Watchers in the morning and then come home and clean the house and do laundry......very exciting stuff. Our neighbors are coming over for dinner and game now so that should be fun. Sunday we volunteer at our volunteer ambulance corps so that pretty much takes up the whole day and then it's Monday again! YUCK!!!!

The only good thing about it being Monday getting here is that we are a week closer to referrals being mailed out.....I love seeing babies.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe weekend!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

NO STRESS IN THIS PUPPIES LIFE....


So, this weekend has been a busy one for Bob and I! We painted the living room, hallway and laundry room and our bedroom. A lot of active going on and alot of running around. But obviously not for our scottish terrier, Bonnie. She is in her favorite chair taking a nap.


Isn't she just the cutiest thing you have ever seen????


Friday, March 16, 2007

THANK YOU SECRET PAL....

A very BIG THANK YOU, to our secret pal. We received a Baby Einstein DVD and a CD of Chinese Lullaby's. It is just perfect.

Sorry there is no picture attached of the gifts but I am having camera challenges.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

100 GOOD WISHES QUILT


Bob and I sent out our request to immediate family and friends asking for a patch of quilt for our "100 Good Wishes Quilt" and I must say the response has been AWESOME! From the friends and family that we received squares from so far each have done a minimum of 2 but most have done three or four! Our neighbors and very good friends gave us a total of 16 squares!! My sister said she has at least 30 squares and wants to know if she can have her own quilt. At first I thought she was nuts (o.k., I know she's nuts but that's a whole nother story) but after thinking about it why not? It will be the quilt we bring to China and it will be the special something that my sister and nephew made just for Emma. I reminded Rhonda that for every quilt square she sends she needs to send a good wish for the book. Her answer?? She has her own book that she is creating. She is too funny!!!!


So, I was wondering if any of my fellow bloggers would like to exchange a quilt square or even if you are not doing a quilt project would you like to send one to us anyway? So if you would like to send me an email to phooket@aol.com and we can exchange information.


o.k., so keep our squares coming......Bob and I really love getting the mail and finding a package with our fabric!!!


Thursday, March 08, 2007

BABIES, BABIES, BABIES

Well, referrals have arrived. I am a couple of days late posting this, but I've been a little under the weather.

It would appear that the CCAA referred up to and including 10/24/05! But there are rumors that families with a LID of 10/31/05 received referrals as well. So that doesn't make much sense. But nothing with this process has been making much sense lately. Our agency does not have a LID until November.

As disappointing as this is to say, receiving a referral this year is looking pretty grim. My only hope is that since October is a very large month for LID's it's going to take longer to get through but once the reach LID's for November, December and January there will be some sort of a speed up. That would be the only way we would still see a referral in 2007, otherwise we are looking at 2008! I can't believe I am saying that. And honestly, to put it in writing is sad.

Updates to follow.....

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY

It is one year ago today that Bob and I had our home visit. I remember how nervous we were and had no idea what to expect. We spent the entire weekend reorganizing and cleaning. Our social worker arrived at our house at 10:30 a.m. and left at 2:30 p.m. Everyone we talked too said oh she will be there about two hours....well four hours later she was done. But honestly it did not feel like that long. We had a great visit. All the cleaning out of our closets, moving our appliances to clean behind them didn't really matter. She loved the house, we had a great visit and it was more like having tea with an old friend. Have I mentioned that Bob and I really liked our social worker and our agency, they are both the best.

When our social worker was here we discussed wait times, and I think we all felt confident that we would have our baby home by our LID anniversary which is July 6th. Looking at projections, where the CCAA is in referrals, and other contributing factors, I am sure that is no longer a reality. I am holding onto December/January but a little voice inside is telling me to prepare for a longer wait more like March/April. At this point I am not prepared to accept that and will hold on to the December/January projection.

What a difference a year makes, today Bob and I are both home again but this time he has a infection in his throat and I have to have a procedure done at the hospital tomorrow and today is a prep day for it.

For some reason, last year was a much better day! :)