Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Your Sloth Quotient: 37%

You're a little lazy, but normally you're a very energetic and motivated person.
Don't beat yourself up over a little laziness every now and then. You do need your downtime!



Mmmm, yes, I'd have to agree. The problem is I want to be lazy,

I just never get to be!!! Dang it all!

Pot watching: month 18
So, here we are. Yesterday marks our 18th month since LID. I chose this pic to commemorate this seemingly important date because it kind of looks like what I might imagine a dodo bird looking (Ok I realize its probably supposed to be a rooster but whatever!). I do feel like I'm going a a little nuts. This wait seems never ending. As everyone in the China IA program is probably aware, we signed on "when the wait was 6 mos" --that time has come and gone.

I'm not feeling very positive today. Over the last 18 mos I have had to deal with: the Hunan scandal, the bird flu, the toy recall, the Olympics issues, the new rules re: weight, income, singles, illness, anti-anxiety meds, as well as I171 updates, medical updates, homestudy updates, financial updates, etc, etc, etc. The latest news is that CCAA may begin or has already begun referring children with "repaired" special needs (SN) as NSN. With all these changes its hard to believe that all of us haven't gone a little crazy. I mean truly HOW MUCH MORE ARE WE SUPPOSED TO TAKE????

S0me PAPs believe that there is divine intervention and that they would accept the referral of any child "God chooses for them" --as I've stated before, I disagree. But what I really wonder is where does this end? Is there a point where the referral is so far outside of your request or your expectation that its ok, in your mind, to refuse without CCAA wrath. Should you be required, as a waiting family, to adopt ANY child referred to you? What if you asked for a AYAP NSN girl (the most common request) and you were referred a NSN 10 mo old boy? many would say, that's fine, that's what fate/CCAA/God/"insert your higher power here" thought was best, we accept. What if the referral was for a healthy 7 yr old girl? or a 2 yr old boy with a heart condition? or a highly functioning 6-1/2 yr old girl with spina bifida? or a 4 yr old boy with ambiguous genitalia? or a 2 yr old deaf child? I guess each family would have to make their own decision. Personally, on that small list, there are some I would likely accept, and some I would not.

This whole process is getting scarier and scarier. And with each new ripple, we are constantly being told by "them" that IA is a "leap of faith", "its about finding families for children not children for families", "we wouldn't have a choice if they were bio kids", and the other China families' rhetoric. The fact of the matter is, it does work out for most. Most people who adopt from china don't have many problems at all, their referral is basically what they expected and they're very pleased with the child they are referred and finally parent, and that's good. But what if you're not one of those lucky ones-- does it really matter to you if 499 out of 500 China adoptions go fine if you're that 500th family? I would say, probably not.

This is a very uncertain process. It isn't helped by all the changes that have been made to the program over the last year or so. I also think that having access to so much info has made it a little scarier. I'm certainly not opposed to having more info but it does bring the negative more to the forefront which, in turn, seems to increase stress and worry.

So, 18 mos down and ????? to go. I can only imagine what rumors and info will come along in the next 8-10 mos or so. Hopefully its something good for a change!

Monday, August 06, 2007


Babies, babies!!! (and one lovely 13 yr old girl):

Referrals came out on 8/2/07. They covered Nov 14-21, exactly as I had expected. We're making progress, we now have 84 LIDs ahead of us. I checked and it looks like we had 294 ahead of us when we logged in way back in Feb 2006. So, at least as far as a countdown goes, we're 72-1/2% of the way there. My best guess for "when" we can expect our referral is still May 2008. Of course, I'm always hoping for sooner!

Congratulations to all the families who received referrals in this batch. The babies are soooo beautiful! I can't wait til its our turn!



To China for Love

Vivian Xiao-Ge

Waiting for Landree

Jukanovich


Jiejie and Meimei

Winding Vines


Alyssa Brooke

Baby Berwick


Becky Singleton Blog

And Shayla Makes Three


Doodlebug’s Baby Bug

Donna and Jeff


The Ost Family

Nevada Clan


Waiting for Junie

Alexandra Li


Michayla Comes Home

Tada


Beyer Family

The Story of Mattie


Fertilely Challenged

Alyssa


Emily Jia Yi

Lyndsay Schmidt
The following blogs have referral, but no picture yet:
Journey to Ava login: Journey to Ava pass: bogard


RedBurke Family
The following blogs are expecting their referral in this batch:
Our Journey To Faith

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Quilt shop field trip!!!
I've got the 100 Good Wishes Quilt (OHGWQ) Frenzy!!! I think its just a super neat and fun idea. I'm crafty by nature but had never done any sewing. My quest to make a OHGWQ caused me to buy a sewing maching and take quilting classes. I've found a new hobby I really enjoy (as if I need a new hobby!!).

I joined the OHGWQ group on yahoo and have swapped with my LID/DTC group mates. But, really, the wishes that will be the most special to me and Baby Girl will be those that come from friends and family. Thing is, most of my friends and family just don't get it at all! Particularly my work friends who said that they'd like to participate but didn't know where to start.

In order to make it easier, I planned an afternoon field trip to the local quilt shop so they could pick out their fabrics. Then I brought in some craft supplies so they could all create their wishes. And, of course, it included FOOD!! It was great!!! Everyone picked their fabrics and made a wish. They all turned out really nice and each one suits the maker's personality to a T!

Thank you so much to Johann, Charlene, Dawn, Maria, and Jen for participating. It really means a lot to me!
First, everyone had to choose their fabrics. Maria chose a fabric panel with quilt labels specially made for baby quilts! Dawn went with a super pastel, very girlie floral print. Very pretty.


Char went girlie girl with pink hearts! Johann has caught onto the ladybug thing. He zeroed in on what was probably the only ladybug print fabric in the whole store! Jen picked the ultra fun sock monkeys on pogo sticks!!!
Maria wins the award for using the most different kinds of decorations: multiple layers of paper, punch outs, ribbon, brads, and sparkley flowers were all used to make this super girlie wish!!


Dawn's wish is so pretty, it looks great in this pic but even prettier in person. She cut the fabric in a star shape to go along with the "Twinkle, twinkle" poem she used. The pink ribbon was the perfect finishing touch!!


Johann spent a long time writing a very beautiful wish to our future child. He then carefully cut out little ladybugs and flowers to decorate the wish! Very thoughtful.


Charlene's wish which includes hand drawn elements and, of course, a DOLPHIN sticker. Char LOVES dolphins!