Happy Chinese New Year - Year of the Ox

I forgot to post the other day, but we are now in the midst of the Chinese New Year - celebrating the Year of the Ox. It is celebrated from January 26 through February 6 this year. It is very likely that our future daughter will be born during the Year of the Ox.



The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. This powerful sign is a born leader, being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint.

Ox people need peace and quiet to work through their ideas, and when they have set their mind on something it is hard for them to be convinced otherwise. An Ox person has a very logical mind and is extremely systematic in whatever they do, though they have a tremendous imagination and an unparalleled appreciation for beauty. These people speak little but are extremely intelligent. When necessary, they are articulate and eloquent.

People born under the influence of the Ox are kind, caring souls, logical, positive, filled with common sense and with their feet firmly planted on the ground. Security is their main preoccupation in life, and they are prepared to toil long and hard in order to provide a warm, comfortable and stable nest for themselves and their families. Strong-minded, stubborn, individualistic, the majority are highly intelligent individuals who don't take kindly to being told what to do.

The Ox works hard, patiently, and methodically, with original intelligence and reflective thought. These people enjoy helping others. Behind this tenacious, laboring, and self-sacrificing exterior lies an active mind.

The Ox is not extravagant, and the thought of living off credit cards or being in debt makes them nervous. The possibility of taking a serious risk could cause the Ox sleepless nights.

Ox people are truthful and sincere, and the idea of wheeling and dealing in a competitive world is distasteful to them. They are rarely driven by the prospect of financial gain. These people are always welcome because of their honesty and patience. They are reputed to be the most beautiful of face in the zodiac. They have many friends, who appreciate the fact that the Ox people are wary of new trends, although every now and then they can be encouraged to try something new. People born in the year of the Ox make wonderful parents and teachers of children.

It is important to remember that the Ox people are sociable and relaxed when they feel secure, but occasionally a dark cloud looms over such people and they engage all the trials of the whole world and seek solutions for them.

Matches are in...

While we haven't heard the "official" cut-off date for this set of matches, we can almost say for certain that the cut-off is March 2, 2006. Only 2 days worth of referrals since the last set. This batch was small mostly for two reasons: 1) they just wanted to get a few referrals out before the Chinese New Year started; and 2) this was the second group of matches in less than 30 days. On the good side, expedited families (those who have Chinese ancestry and are on a faster track than the rest of us) got referrals this month, so yeah to them!!

With every batch, we are just that much closer to our daughter.

UPDATE: March 2nd is officially the cutoff!! Only 134 more referral days to go...

Food Glorious Food!

We LOVE food in this house. This was a recent recipe that was made for our annual gourmet birthday dinner with our friends Judy and Steve. Judy and I get together early and cook up a storm for all of us. Many beverages were consumed and great food was eaten. Every year, we do a different ethnicity - this year was Tex-Mex. This recipe comes from that meal. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. YUM!!

Shredded Beef

2 1/2 pounds chuck roast
salt (as needed)
thyme (as needed)
red chile powder (as needed)
1/2 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 tsp salt

With a damp towel wipe the chuck roast. Sprinkle the salt, thyme, and red chile powder on both sides. Rub the seasonings in well.

In a large, heavy casserole place the seasoned chuck roast, onion, and garlic. Fill it half way up with water, and cover.

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Bake the roast for 6 hours. Raise the heat to 325 degrees fro the last half hour. Add more water if needed. Remove the roast, shred it, and toss it together the salt.

It's That Time Again...

Well, it’s that time again… to refile in order to receive our I-171H form (Notice of Favorable Determination Concerning Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition). This is going to be our THIRD time doing this. I just hope that three times is the charm!!

So, what does that mean? Well, you submit the I-600A (Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition), along with a home study (prepared by our social worker, who also needs all of our police clearances and letters from our doctors stating that we’re still fit to adopt a child), 2 checks, and you get fingerprinted. After USCIS looks at (1) your application, (2) your adoption home study report, and (3) your fingerprint results, they issue your I-171H, which says (in essence): you’re okay with us. The I-171H does not approve you for the adoption of a particular child. There are other forms that are submitted on behalf of the child you’re trying to adopt.

Note: the I-171H is only valid for 18-months and our fingerprints are only valid for 15-months. So hopefully we won't be doing this again in another 18 months. YUCK!!