The last of the "Secret Pal" gifts

Well, we just got the last of our secret pal gifts from our no-longer "secret pal" - Lori. She has outdone herself again with this month's theme - pandas. Her little outfit is too cute! Can't wait to see her in it! The stuffed panda allows us to name a star - we just have to think about what to name it. We can't decide! They live in the northwest by all of the lavender - so she sent us lots of goodies from where they live. Can't wait to try them...

Thank You

Well, this past weekend my brother and sister-in-law brought up the crib and changing table (along with my nieces). It's so nice that it is staying in the family. It even matches the dresser and nightstand that I bought for her.

My present to myself was the toy chest/bins located next to the changing table with the hopes of keeping the house cleaner once she arrives. Wishful thinking, I know...


Another thank you goes out to Matt and Mary for the beautiful Asian doll that they bought for her when they were in Japan. She is so sweet!

Next set of matches are in...

Well... it's official! The CCAA has matched families with LID's from December 9, 2005 up through December 14, 2005. As usual, not the stellar amount of days we were hoping. I'm just learning to deal with disappointment. I wish I didn't have to.

Our TV Debut...

Here's a copy of what's written on the WKOW Channel 27 (ABC) website about our TV interview we had yesterday.

Couple's Lengthy Adoption Journey

Deciding to adopt a child is a life changing event. But one Madison couple trying to adopt a little girl from China has found out, it can be quite the paper chase as well. Sue and Robert have been going through the process since July of 2006 and they don't expect to be done for another year and a half or two years. It's a paperwork nightmare for anyone. Luckily Sue is extremely organized and has been able to keep track of all the necessary paperwork. It's a file cabinet worth of papers because documents required for the adoption all expire at different times. But a new law making its way through capitol hill could fix this problem. Right adoptive parents have to complete a home study, which is good for one year. Submit fingerprints which expire after 15 months, and an I-171H form, your favorable determination, which expires in 18 months. As if getting their fingerprints taken multiple times isn't enough of an inconvenience, all adoptive parents in Wisconsin have to drive to Milwaukee to get it done. Sue estimates she's spent about six months filling out all the paperwork and mailing it in. The process to adopt a child internationally is taking longer, even though the number of adoptions is on the decline. Adoptions from abroad have dropped about 15 percent in the past two years. But the federal law requiring that the forms be re-issued at specific times could be changed. H.R. 628 would help families by extending some of those deadlines, and eliminate some of the extra fees. To learn more about H.R. 628 click on the link below http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-628

November's Secret Pal Gift

Well, I just got our Secret Pal gift in the mail today. It is so wonderful. This past month's theme was "Riding in the Car". Now we'll have peace and quiet when I tote her around town...

She has a mattress!

Well, last night I dragged (well, that may be a bit of a stretch) my friend Heather out of the house to have her help me buy a mattress for our daughter's crib. I was feeling shut-in after we got 6.2" of snow on Saturday and just needed to get out. My sister-in-law is bringing over the crib when the family comes in for the weekend. I hope the mattress will fit the crib. If, not, it's off to try again...

Out with the Old and in with the New

Well, it was time to say goodbye to an old friend... my kitchen table that I bought for my loft in Chicago. It had its usefulness, but it just wasn't what I would deem the best choice for a family.


...and time to say hello to our new friend... a lovely oak kitchen table that can actually hold 4 people, plus 2 leaves to fit another 4 more. Yippee! I feel so much better having a sturdier table for when our daughter finally does come home.

Robert's 3rd flying lesson

Yesterday, Robert went on his 3rd flying lesson. Being the brave and supportive wife, I decided to join in on the flight. His flight instructor, Pete, was very kind and didn't have Robert do any major maneuvers so I could also enjoy the ride (which I appreciated). Robert flew the airplane without any assistance and landed the plane twice. He did a great job! Here are a few photos that I took from the back seat. You will notice a few major Madison landmarks, specifically the capital building, lake Mendota and Camp Randall stadium (where the Badgers play football).

While we were away...

Well, while we were enjoying ourselves in Ireland, the adoption world didn't stop. Here is the latest update. Unfortunately, again, they only got through one weeks worth of referrals this past month. We keep waiting not so patiently for a speed-up, but I don't think it's going to happen. We are just in for a really LONG wait. Maybe another 24 to 36 months from now...

The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before August 31, 2006. The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before December 8, 2005.

Fingerprints redone!

Well, yesterday we spent the morning in lovely Milwaukee to have our fingerprints renewed. Now we just have to wait for our I-171H forms to come in the mail. Hopefully we won't have to go through this again, but I have a feeling 18 months from now, we'll be doing this all over again!

Thanks mom and dad for a lovely lunch! An extra bonus for coming in to Milwaukee!