World's Biggest Klutz

Yes, that's me! As I walked downstairs this morning to make myself a cup of tea, I slid down 3 steps and broke my toe! I just got back from getting it x-rayed and I have (to use a non-medical term) a chip fracture. I did this to my lovely 4th toe - which now has a multi-tonal look to it and is a bit swollen (and quite painful, I might add!). They are expecting it to take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks to heal. Bummer! I just hope I'm good enough to walk on it a lot when we take our vacation. I knew I hated our carpeting! Bad, evil carpeting!

World's Greatest Secret Pal

I don't even know where to begin in thanking my Secret Pal for this month's gifts. First, she got us the Yixing Teapot and tea (pronounced EE SHING). She had no idea how perfect it was. I have been collecting teapots for years. This one makes my 30th one! Yes, I had to count mine. This will be a beautiful addition to the collection. I have them from all over the world - and this is my very first Chinese one. The info she sent along with it was so interesting too. Now I know it's history and how to make my perfect cup of Chinese Oolong tea. Yeah! Second, she got us the "Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats" book which is this amazing children's book that talks about Chinese food and culture. I can't wait to share it with our daughter.

Fingerprint Renewal Time!

Well, our I-171H form and fingerprints are expired or are in the process of expiring and it's renewal time! We just got our letters in the mail today from USCIS (Dept of Homeland Security). We are scheduled to get our fingerprints re-done done on October 16th. Thankfully, right BEFORE we leave for Ireland. I was a bit worried that these letters were going to come while we were gone. Well, now we just need to keep our hands moisturized in order to get our "perfect prints." After our fingerprints (or biometrics as they like to call them) are done, we should be getting our I-171H form (favorable determination letter from our govt. saying we can adopt a child) soon thereafter... That is, until another 18 months goes by and we have to go through all of this again (although I hope not!!)

July is out of Review!

Here's the official notice from the CCAA website. As of Sunday night at 10:30 p.m., our dossier made it through the Review Room! Our next step is to wait for our referrals! I don't think they can come fast enough...

The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before July 31, 2006.

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before November 25, 2005

Aug/Sept Referrals are in...

Well, some sad news. Today the CCAA posted the cut-off date for referrals for the month. They only matched 4 days! Not exactly a stellar performance. They are now through November 25th. While we all have been aware that November is a HUGE month with lots of waiting families, it's still hard to come to terms with this long wait. We should be hearing any day now that our dossiers will be through the Review Room. Just one more step closer to our daughter...