Happy Mother's Day

Breakfast in bed. A beautiful corsage. Worshiping the Creator of motherhood. A yummy lunch with my Mom. An afternoon nap-HALLELUJAH! A dinner prepared for the queen (that's me). My hubs and my babies (even the one I know in pictures). Happy Mother's Day to me!

Happy Mother's Day...

Transcending: Words on Women and Strength by Kelly Corrigan...

The details...

How appropriate that we would receive PA (pre-approval) on the day of our 10th wedding anniversary. I do not have a copy of it yet but our agency said it is dated 4-8-09...12 days after our referral. Who knows why it took C2A2 30 more days to notify us but I am choosing not to focus on that. We are just thankful to know Ch*na understands we are HERS and she is OURS.

This photo was our first glimpse of sweet Mei Mei on referral day. As it slowly loaded onto the computer screen a little piece of my heart was filled by her sweet little face. Over the past 42 days I have memorized every inch of it. Her sweet little bald head. The way her arms stick out to the side from the 16 layers of clothes she's wearing (in Southern China). But the one thing that draws me in every time is her eyes. Those beautiful eyes. It's as if she is staring straight into the window of this Mommy's heart.

Receiving this information yesterday was no accident. For us, it is one more God sized confirmation that she is very much meant to be our daughter. This story--HER story--is so much bigger than us. I do not understand it. At times I don't believe it. I still feel like I'm going to wake up on March 27th to a camping adventure before us. Then I stare straight into those eyes and remind myself this is not a dream. It is God making what was once seemingly impossible...possible.

INTRODUCING...

The best TEN of my life...

Ten years ago today, on a sunny spring afternoon, I met this handsome guy at the altar and said "I do". If you had told us then where the next ten years would take us we would have laughed. Yet here we are. The good, bad and the ugly--we're still here. Has it always been easy? Nope. Have we had days (even weeks) we were ready to strangle each other? Absolutely--but never once have we forgotten the promises we made that day...

to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better, for worse, for richer or for poorer,
in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'til death do us part,
according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge you my faith.

The year before we married, Shania Twain released "You're Still the One". Even then, before we had "made it" this far, it always reminded me of us. I loved the lyrics and knew some day they would be appropriate for us. I think today is that day.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

We beat the odds together
I'm glad we didn't listen
Look at what we would be missin'
They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong
You're still the one...

We were all of 21 and 20 years old with our entire lives ahead. We could have listened to those who said we were too young to get married or taken to heart the insinuations of those who thought it but never said it. Instead we listened to our hearts. I'm so thankful we did.

A few weeks ago this amazing man I have the privilege of calling my husband planned every detail of a 10th anniversary getaway. I didn't even know where we were going until less than an hour before we arrived. The entire weekend was AMAZING! Seriously AMAZING! This is the most beautiful place I have ever been. I hope when I'm old and gray I can still remember the details he planned for our weekend. Every single minute was heaven on Earth.
(Please no comments about the Chief at the spa. He was stepping WAY outside his box on that one!)

To my handsome hubby...
You are still the one I love regardless of passing time or circumstance. Ten years ago you were the love of my life. Time has only strengthened what we started way back when. Thank you for being everything I could have ever dreamed of in a husband, a Father and as my best friend. Happy Anniversary! I hope and pray 40 years from today we are reminiscing about this milestone as if it were yesterday. I love you.

40 days...

To the Chief...

I haven't laughed like that in days...thanks Laura Non-Blogger!

A few things for Mei Mei...

Can you say OUCH?

Our weekend has been filled with lots of hugs, snuggles and Motrin. On Friday, Little Miss had an unfortunate run in with the "mag-a-deen wack". Unfortunately, the inside of her "wip" and her "vamp-eye toof" didn't play nice during the altercation. One bloody mess and a trip to the Pediatrician later she lived to tell about it. Did you know if you have a LARGE gaping hole on the inside of your lip they won't sew it up unless the puncture goes all the way through? Well, now you do. Her newly acquired speech impediment has made for a few funny moments thanks to the swelling but it hasn't slowed the chatter box. Thankfully no tooth damage--just a monster purple "boo-boo" on the inside and just enough of one on the outside to make people wonder what kind of parents we are. Feel free to leave her get well wishes. She loves to "see me on da tum-pewter" so I know she would love to receive special feel better messages especially for her.

Swine Flu... Schmineflu...

So what are the chances that a potential pandemic would break out while we are waiting to finalize our adoption??? Well Well WELL! If you've been around long enough you know the answer to that. If it is strange, rare or unbelievable it's going to land in our laps. About six years ago, one of my BFF's (Laura Non Blogger) dubbed the phrase "the black cloud". Our nemesis, Mr. Black Cloud (because a girl cloud would never follow someone around this long) likes to show up in the strangest places.

That brings us to the latest visit from Mr. Black Cloud. The internets are buzzing with all sorts of possibilities. Hot off the presses...they (being the country of Ch-na) are going to stop processing adoptions for the next 30 days and then reevaluate the situation at the end of that time. Don't get me wrong. I understand their hesitancy with the potential spread of the illness but why does EVERYTHING have to stop? I understand a halt in travel approvals but EVERYTHING? Our dossier doesn't have swine flu on it! Why let our paperwork collect dust for the next 30 days? Now don't start flaming me because I'm being insensitive to those who are very ill or have lost loved ones. I'm not saying that isn't horrible. I'm just sayin' they need to keep pushing the paper while the world waits to see what's going to happen.

I would like to conduct an unofficial poll on this one. Who thinks I'm going to be a looney before this is over? ------------------------------- OH PUT YOUR HANDS DOWN PEOPLE! Swine Flu... Schmineflu... We just want our girl...

The United Tour...

How awesome to see both of these guys share the stage. You may have no idea who they are but I have loved both of them for years. Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W Smith...Most know the Chapman family has had a very difficult year after losing their daughter Maria last May. The entire venue was in tears as he shared his heart about the road his family has walked through. Yet even in the midst of his own tragedy and physical heartbreak he wholeheartedly claimed the name of Jesus. I am certain the death of Maria is not the testimony he would have signed up but He is handling it with such grace. In so many ways, this family is a shining example to the world. Back to the concert. They played until their fingers must of ached. They sang their hearts out. They poked fun at each other. They sang the others music from back in the day. I have loved Michael W. Smith since I was in middle school. Enough so that some of the girls in my class decided we should all sing "Friends are Friends Forever" at 8th grade graduation. Thankfully Mrs. Fisher saw the writing on the wall and saved us all from the humiliation. Let's face it. None of us went on to Celine Dion status if you know what I mean. Even if I'm only shower soloist status I can still love the man, can't I?Too bad it took them 20 years to do this. I hope they do not want 20 more to do it again. What an amazing night of fun and worship.

Ding-Dong...

6 pm on a beautiful spring evening:

**DING-DONG**

Someone's at the door! SOMEONE'S AT THE DOOR! {The Chief opens the door to see Wild Man's friend--a precious little girl from his class who lives a few houses away--standing on the porch}

Can "Wild Man" come out to play?

Ummmm...sure. We'll come out after we finish dinner.

The three of them scarfed down dinner and headed out for the first (of what I'm sure will be many) cul-de-sac kick ball games. Five little people. Two Dads. Seven smiles. One Mommy left behind to clean up the dinner whirlwind.

And so it begins...
The first official door bell call. I know this will not be the last time my door bell rings for someone other than the two grown ups in the house. It's only the beginning. A bittersweet milestone for this Mommy all of us. {sigh} My baby boy is growing up (and his little sister is tagging right along with him).

Spring Fling...

Wild Man's absolute favorite thing in the world--JUMPY HOUSES...


(Yes, I forgot to make him wear his class shirt today. Oops--bad Mommy--bad Mommy!)

Loving the Springtime...

I've been holding out hope that our Pre-Approval would arrive so I could unveil the new spring blog design in it's entirety. Unfortunately it hasn't arrived yet and I know you are as tired of looking at snowflakes as I am. Sooooooo...here is the new design minus the face of our little MeiMei --- soon to be revealed once my phone rings with PA. If anyone talks to C2A2 feel free to them I'm waiting not so patiently for their call. :-) Happy Spring everyone!

Update on Mei Mei...

On Monday, we received an update on Mei Mei (baby sister). I've been holding out hope we would receive PA this week. It's Friday and the call still hasn't come in. So, I guess you'll have to admire another snippet until we can reveal her to the world.
Head size: 44.8cm
Chest size: 46cm
Height: 73cm
Feet length: 11cm
Weight: 9kg
Teeth: top 3 bottom: 3

Personality: active, restless, alert, sweet, afraid of stranger
Motor skills: walk two or three step alone, walk freely with help, can make single sound like Mama(Mum), Baba(Daddy), Gege(big brothers), Gougou(Dog)

Developmentally she appears on target. She's even speaking four words--that is a HUGE praise! Obviously she is calling her foster parents Mama and Baba but that is typical in this situation. We also learned there are other children in the home because one of her words is Gege (big brother). We are so thankful she is being loved right now until we can bring her home. I am sure the transition will be difficult at first (note: afraid of stranger) but with time she will adjust to us. As soon as we receive PA I promise to post new pics. Hopefully soon...

Fine Arts Night...

After each PTO meeting, one grade has the opportunity to show off in the area of fine arts (art, music and physical education). The entire gym was covered in art work made by the Kindergartners. Here he is with all three of his masterpieces...
The Kindergarten music theme was Mr. Rogers Neighborhood (his class--looking at photo--far left)...
They even mimed a song in it's entirety. Surprisingly, the entire Kindergarten was in unison. I wonder how many hours they practiced? Wild Man does not like music class--AT ALL--so we were surprised he was having so much fun.Trying to teach Little Miss to mime...

Easter Parade...

The Devastation and the Resurrection...

I am still trying to process the devastation I have seen over the past 48 hours. Never before have I witnessed the aftermath of such a storm. Quite frankly, I hope this is the one and only time I do. At times it has been hard to comprehend it all. Homes literally demolished from the ground up. Debris all across the city. Hundred year old trees tossed aside as if they had been plucked from the earth like spring daffodils. The look on MG's beloved Mrs. Lori's face this morning when she told me her home was destroyed. The death of a mother and her 9 week old newborn. It is all so unbelievable.

And yet, in all the tragedy there have been great blessings. Out of hundreds of severely damaged homes, only two deaths have been reported. A family spared while riding out the storm in the pantry closet of their kitchen. It was the only room left standing on the foundation of their home. Every other wall in the home sucked up by the tornado. Citizens have rallied together to help those affected. Complete strangers have helped complete strangers and asked for nothing in return. City, county and state public services have been out in full force. Churches have mobilized disaster teams to help in any way they can. It has been community at it's best despite the circumstances.

Today is Easter Sunday. The day we celebrate the Resurrection. At church this morning, there was a bit of sadness in the air after all that has transpired. And yet, even in the midst of circumstances, there was hope. May we all be reminded that hope is not in temporary "stuff" but in the One who gave everything for each of us. Happy Easter everyone!

Safe & Sound---thankfully...

Thank you to all of our wonderful friends and family who called to check on us today. It was quite an afternoon here in our neck of the woods. Tornadoes touched down across the city but thankfully we are safe and unharmed. Many here have not fared as well losing their homes, their belongings and a sadly a few lives were lost as well. Thousands of people are without power and who knows when they will be able to restore all of the power lines.This was the view from my front window at 1:26 pm. Note the tree line across the bottom and the funnel cloud forming above. I happened to have the camera nearby so I snapped a quick one just to prove it to all the nonbelievers. Apparently there were several funnel clouds that formed today but not all made it to the ground. Thankfully. I didn't stick around gazing out the window to see what was going to happen. I rounded up my kiddos for a little impromptu "hallway camping adventure" until the hail and winds died down. Our hot tub was damaged but in the big picture...who cares! We are all safe and that's what matters. Please pray for those who did not fare as well today.

What happens now?

I promise I will come back to the story of her referral. It is truly an amazing story but one that I haven't had time to write down yet. For now, the one question we have received most in the past 11 days is "What happens now"?

Well, unfortunately the answer is more waiting. Imagine that! :-) There are so many variables in the rest of this process we can only estimate when we will be able to bring her home. Here is a quick run down of each step before we can board the big bird to China...
Letter of Intent (LOI): 3-27-09
Pre-Approval (PA): ~2-4 wks from LOI
Letter of Seeking Confirmation (LOSC): ~12-16 wks from LOI (includes wait for PA)
i800/Article 5: ~4-6 wks from LOSC
Travel Approval (TA): ~2-4 wks from Article 5
CA: ~4-7 days from TA
Travel to China: ~1-3 wks from confirmed CA

Basically this gives us a range of 20-30 weeks from the day our letter of intent was submitted to CCAA. I know....I know....huge range of time. There are so many factors this is the best I can do at this point. When I compare the time frame with the calendar it puts us LEAVING for China some time between August 12 - October 21. Late September/early October would be best for our children at home but we will work it all out when the time comes.

Now I will throw out the disclaimer that most of you have already figured out in the journey of our adoption.........ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN! We could be in China in July (not likely) or we could be in China in December (please no). Once we receive our LOSC we can narrow it all down a bit more. For now, we await PA. Once that arrives we will be "pre-approved" for OUR daughter specifically. Once we receive word it has arrived I'll be able to share photos. Until then you'll have to be content with this...
I look forward to the day I can hold this precious hand instead of admiring it from afar. OH! I almost forgot...just in case you missed it, I would like you to note in both of her referral photographs she is wearing PINK! I bet Mr. CCAA took one look at that pink bow and knew exactly what he needed to do........find us a girly-girl.