No Ordinary Family

I have not been posting much but I could not let today go unmarked.  Life has been incredibly busy and it does not show signs of slowing down.  Today marks 6 months Since Chloe was placed in our arms.  There have been so many changes in the last 6 months it is truly hard to believe that it has only been 6 months. Our family is really starting to get into a grove. It was not an easy six months but as they say it is worth it.  Chloe is going to be 2 in a couple months and boy can we tell.  This morning she almost had a full on kicking screaming throw yourself on the floor tantrum because daddy did not understand she wanted her bracelets. It must be so frustrating to be a toddler. We still have rough nights now and then (like last night) but for the most part sleep issues are fading.  Eating is MUCH better although do not even show Chloe a strawberry if you want her to eat anything else. She loves strawberries and dill pickles.  She prefers to craisi...

I'm having a hard time waiting for that precious PA, not a sad depressing wait but like the night before Christmas wait.  I know she is our girl but I just want to make sure that China knows she is our girl.  This has really been the longest week.  I can't believe that only one week ago that I had that frantic day and we locked her file.  So much has happened it is kind of tough to process it all so in my mind time has just stretched out to where it feels like a month ago. I was expecting a PA early next week based on when we submitted our LOI (letter of intent) and looking at when others are receiving theirs, however, I have heard that there is a national holiday in China until the 5th so it is probably more like the middle of next week, ugg. After the PA I can show off her picture to all of her already adoring fans.  I think we have settled on a name and we hope to announce that soon as well.  I am sorry if I am gushing.  There is jus...

I am taking a break from my depression about how crappy the Burundi adoption is going to talk about our Chinese adoption, you remember, the one we started with almost 4 years ago.  Well this month China referred 14 LIDs.  That is the most that they have done in one month since we were logged in!! Personally, I don't think this is the start of a new trend but it moves us 14 days closer and that is all that matters right now. Only 350 LIDs away from our Little Miss, it was so great marking all those days off my calendar.  But hey, if it is a new trend we could have a referral in about 2 years from now, I know, I know, keep dreaming.  I never thought a 5 year wait was something I would look forward to, but it is a lot better than an 8 year wait.  If we ever get to adopt Aiden from Burundi and the wait is still really really long (6-8 years) we will probably switch to the special needs list but for now we stay where we are and wait for governments a...

Two words that seem to discribe what I want and how I feel and this picture says it all.  Jim took this photo on our trip and I am sure it would have been much better (according to him) if it was taken with a D90 but I love it the way it is.  Adoption woes have me down right now so I may not post much for a bit.  I have a few more beach stories I want to post and maybe a give away but I am just not in the right mood.  I know so many people have the perfect solution but I have looked into other options and I just see doors being closed not opened.  I know other people have real problems so I feel really selfish letting this get to me but I can't seem to help it.  Hopefully this will pass quickly.  Take care,

364 That is how many LIDs are between us and where China is right now.  That is not however our wait time, that is much much longer.  The way it looks we still have several more years ahead of us in line.  I have a feeling that we will not be waiting out this line.  If we are ever able to adopt in Burundi then I think we will have to re-examine our application to China.  Things could always change but in our world things rarely change to benefit us.  China only referred five LIDs this month and that is not the speed up we were hoping for. We have no news about Burundi, we are just waiting.  We are going to take a break from all things adoption, as much as we can, when we go on vacation.  We are hoping that it will put everything in perspective and we can come home with refreshed eyes and minds to make the tough calls. 

Robin and her family are raising money to bring home her beautiful daughter from China.  Please stop over at Red Thread Stitches and check out the drawing for this beautiful hand made quilt. Another Family that I have become very close to during the wait is the Wells Family.  They are just waiting on their TA (travel approval, the last document before traveling) so they can go pick up their daughter and sister in China.  Sweet Maire has captured my heart and I can not wait to see her in her parents arms.  They are short a little in the funds area and need some help.  She was hosting a raffle but had some paypal issues, you can still enter the raffle by leaving a comment but if you can please chip in.  What people don't always realize is that even $5 or $10 add up and help a lot. so check out Meeting Maire and if you can chip in a bit and help out.   As for us, Color Me Hom e has been pretty quiet lately.  We are gearing up to have a booth at...

Be prepared for a pity party, it's my blog and I can cry if I want to and today is one of those days.  I read blogs about every ones children and I just want to be there, be a mom.  I have wanted to be there for 10 years!! That is a lot of trying, does any one get that? I know my adoption agency doesn't. That is a lot of life to have been spent in the pursuit of one goal.  Every time I think we are close it seems to drift farther and farther away.  And no one that can make anything happen, has any sense of urgency.  So the Minister is not in one day, let's wait a week to go see her don't try again tomorrow that would be crazy It came up in my review for work, you know "the make sure you have everyone prepared for your leave" part.  It has been in my review for the last 3 years.  I would really like it to not to be there any more, is that really too much to ask.  I am about ready to take all our adoption money to Seattle and dump it on a fer...

I don't have an iPod, I guess I'm anti-Apple but the iPad is drawing me in a bit (don't tell Jim).  I have a Zune and although it is a little bigger than the Apple version, I LOVE it.  I have a set of speakers in my office and I would be bored lost with out it.  I have like a million songs loaded but there are really only a few that I listen to over and over again. I have one playlist that I call "adoption" because it just gives me hope and makes me think of our Aiden or our Little Miss. They just make me feel good.  I hope that someday soon I will be listen to those songs and holding that sweet boy.  I don't play it all the time but sometimes I just need it. So what songs are on the playlist?  Well here are a few that top the list: Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a wonderful World , Isreael Iz Kamakawiwo'ole Lullaby , Dixie Chicks Two of the Lucky Ones , The Droge and Summers Blend ( right now this is my absolute favorite!! ) Albe...

As you know Jim and I are trying to earn money to offset the high cost of adoption by selling coloring books.  I also sew little girls dresses but I have not been doing much sewing lately.  I want to get back into it but it is hard to get motivated and the coloring books are just easier, plus they are really really cool.  But if you are not looking for a coloring book there are lots of other ways you can help families come together.  I have met so many people on this journey and many of those people I have yet to meet in person.  Robin is just starting the journey again to another beautiful daughter.  I know she will be sewing her heart out for this little one.  Check out Red Thread Stitches she makes wonderful and super cute clothes. I just found Daleea at Ophaned No More and she is selling beautiful bracelets for her Isabella.  Check them out here. Need a cool adoption T-shirt?  Then check out Adoption Bug and help out the Kal...

The letter we had been waiting for is finally in Burundi! We are hoping for a quick approval and no more requests.  Then we believe the next step to be court, in which we will have to appear that means going to Burundi.  I am not getting excited yet we have been here before and hit some serious road blocks.  It seems that things are moving forward but we are still waiting for more information about Kwizera from the new assistant that started last week.  I know I have said this before but this is the most frustrating thing we have ever done.  One day at a time!

So for those that might not know today is the day we have been logged in to China for 3 years!  OMG!  Yes really 3 years waiting for our China adoption.  Progress is happening but it is so slow we do not expect a referral any time soon (the next few years).  I wrote this really sentimental post about what the last 3 years have meant to  me but I just can't hit publish.  I'm just not feeling it today.  It has been a good weekend and a good day and I am not going to dwell on the long wait today, tomorrow you never know I might get to feeling sappy again.   So yesterday and today we worked in the yard.  It felt so good even though I had to take 2 benadryl's before bed last night and tonight my face is a little, ok, a lot redder than usual. The house...well it suffered a bit, inside, but I will catch up with that later.  There is just something therapeutic about getting dirt under your nails and planting pretty things.  I did...

So today is the day that I cross over to being closer to 35 than 30... ugg. Birthday's have never really bothered me in the past but this year is different.  I was the happiest person ever to turn 30 because it meant our dossier could be logged in China and we could begin the wait for our daughter, little did I know that 3 years later we would still be several years away.  I wonder what that birthday would have been like if I had only known what the next 3 years were going to bring.  I know my life revolves around becoming a parent and I have tried not to dwell on it and find other things but I always come back to that.  Last year I really thought that I would be holding my child on this birthday and I have no idea when or if that is ever going to happen. There is a cross road in the near future of this No Ordinary Family and we have to decide which direction to take and it scares the crap out of me.  I fear making the ...