CCAA Update

The CCAA has updated their site this morning ... files that were logged in before Sept. 9,2005 have been matched. Congratulations to all those families who will be receiving photos of their new additions in the next couple of days!!!
What does this mean for us? Well, based on the Rumour Queen's analysis, my new best friend, it is quite possible that
almost all the rest of September will get their referrals at the end of December. It will take at least 2 months to get
through all of October and then ... we are up next ... hopefully! My best estimate is that we will recieve a referral in
March or April. There you have it ... I have faced the reality that things are NOT going to speed up. In the grand
scheme of things ... we have waited almost 10 years ... what's another 4-6 months??!! Let's just hope there aren't
anymore slow downs .... PLEASE!!!!

Decking the Halls ....

Okay ... 'tis the season to be jolly ... no? Not here! I forget every year just how much work is involved in 'decking the halls'... and to be perfectly honest ... I have been miserable! Up the stairs, down the stairs, boxes everywhere ... I just absolutely detest the clutter I find myself amongst ... it drives me CRAZY!!!!!! I came to the point where I didn't even want Sean to talk to me or come anywhere near the chaos ... I needed to deal with on my own - just me and the chaos, head to head. And now, at this moment, after 2 days of ranting ...... PEACE!!! Ahhh, peace, order and a cup of tea ... now, I'm happy ........ well, almost!
Perhaps part of my misery is deeply rooted in the underlying issue that we do not have 'her' to share the holiday with us this season. We were 100% certain that this Christmas there would be the pitter patter of little feet, milk and cookies for Santa, little hands tearing into wrapping paper, etc., etc., AND of course .... the Christmas tree!!! Instead we can only assure ourselves that 'she' WILL be here next year and that this WILL be her last Christmas without a family, without tradition, without joy AND so ....
the Christmas tree will remain in its box, unopened ... awaiting 'her' as will the beautiful ornament you see!!! Thank you Nancy ..... it is beautiful and we truly can't wait to see it where it belongs!!!!

I'm a Survivor!

Well, I did it ... I survived a full day (12 hours) with a "toddler"! I have to say, my neice Olivia was a treat!!!! I was expecting some grief for the first while, or at least at nap times ... definitely when we went back to Olivia's house to let Zoe out and she
then realized ... "hmmm, no mommy or daddy here either" ... BUT, there was none of that! She was happy and lovable the whole time ... didn't even notice mommy was gone ... sorry mommy!!! I even managed to put together a turkey dinner for a pre-Christmas family celebration ... move aside Martha! Actually, I have to admit I had some help along the way ... thank you all!!! Thank you Olivia for needing a bottle and some 'quiet time" before bed ... right when dishes needed doing!

Of course there were lessons to be learned along the way .... some that will be harder than others but I say .....BRING IT ON!!!

Top 10 Lessons:

1. Cheerios were made by God.
2. Winston will settle down ... eventually ... I think!
3. A big thick blanket makes a great coffee table cover.
4. Smiles and cute poses occur AFTER the flash has gone off.
5. Babies love to be naked ... like a few friends I know.
6. I can live with SOME mess ... I think!
7. My 'typical' dinner parties will be a thing of the past ... KD anyone?
8. Nap times are a must ... I have things to do too you know!
9. I'm going to need to do some serious redecorating ... toddler friendly!
10. I think I'm ready ............

Winston, on the other hand, is a whole other story! Check him out, post Olivia ....

What's happening with the adoption?

Well, now that I have 'mastered', and I say that with the utmost limited confidence, the basics of this blogging business, I can get down to the heart of the matter ... 'the adoption'.
What is happening with the adoption you ask ... NOTHING!!!! At the moment absolutely nothing is happening, with the exception of a great deal of frustration! Things have certainly not played out the way we hoped or planned, but, what else is new?!
For those of you unfamiliar with the process of international adoption, allow me...

Step 1 - Homestudy and Dossier (our adoption package)
Step 2 - Ministry Approval
Step 3 - Translation of Dossier into mandarin
Step 4 - DTC (Dossier sent to CCAA - China Centre of Adoption Affairs)
Step 5 - LID (Log in date - the date the CCAA logs in our dossier)
Step 6 - Dossier is reviewed by CCAA
Step 7 - CCAA matches child with family
Step 8 - Referral sent out - photo and information about the child being offered
Step 9 - Travel to China for child

We have been through the first 6 steps and are now anxiously waiting to be matched with Cadence!

Of course, if things had unfolded as originally expected, Cadence would be here already!

Our LID was Nov. 10, 2005. At that time, we were to expect a referral within 6-7 months (May or June) and travel about 10 weeks later (July or August). By January, we were told timelines had increased - referrals would take 8-9 months. A couple of months later, our agency sent out more disappointing news - timelines to referrals were going to take 10-12 months. Well, we hoped at the very least, to have a photo of Cadence by Christmas ... oh what a Christmas this would have been!
Unfortunately, by late August the timeline was 12-14 months and currently it is at 15 months ... this means we MIGHT
have a referral sometime in February! That my friends is the BEST case scenario! From the rumours, timelines are likely to
increase even more ... in fact some say it could take up to 2 years for a referral (from LID). We won't likely have to wait that
long, but an 18 month wait is certainly possible. Given that, the worst case scenario is to receive a referral in May and travel in the summer. On the positive side, at least Sean will have paid time off to travel and time to bond with 'the baby'. What can we do ... things are beyond our control ... what will be, will be ... BUT... it WILL be ... won't it?!

Practise Makes Perfect .... ?

Well ... this is an attempt at 'uploading' a photo ... at least I sound like I know what I'm doing!
Now let's see whether it worked ...

Blogger in Training ...

I have spent the last couple of months reading many 'journeys' of faith and hope ... all with happy endings. It is time to share our story .....