The newest member of the family

No, it's not a human or a pet. It's my new Mac Pro that I got today. The mac store had been trying to fix my old computer for the past 1 to 2 weeks to no avail. So, they upgraded me to the latest and greatest mac - the Mac Pro. I am using it now and love it! It's the new 8-core Intel based mac. What's not to love! The best part, it only cost me the initial repair cost. Now that's something to celebrate!!

Today's Bargain

Well, I know I'm a bit early in buying a diaper bag since we probably have at least 2 more years to go, but when I was at Target doing some shopping I found a Skip Hop diaper bag on clearance for $20. How could I pass it up?! (See bag below). It can be worn over your shoulder or attach to your stroller. It is even red - an important color in China. I will eventually also buy a packpack style one, but that one can wait a while...


I would also like to share a pix of my beautiful kitty. Her health has been deteriorating lately. But, she is like my first-born daughter... It will be sad when her time will come. She will be dearly missed.

Charting the bad referral history of the CCAA

Here is a chart that one of my "MaMa Sisters" created trying to figure out some sort of an estimate as to when we would get our referrals (The magic day when we get to see a picture of our future daughter. Travel is around 5 to 8 weeks later...). This chart is based on her LID of 7-22-06 (ours is 7-14-06).

Remember: this is only an ESTIMATE. It could be worse, but hopefully better than this... Keep your fingers crossed for us and say lots of prayers!

When will the bad news end?

Well, it's another bad day in the adoption world. They only matched December 15 through December 19, 2005. ONLY 5 DAYS!!

We thought all the slowdown was going to end when they got through the November 2005 dossiers, but were we wrong! At this rate, who knows how many more years we are still going to have to wait. 3 years? 4 years? I try not to think about it and get on with our lives. Better have a few more "last vacations alone" lined up...

My crazy hubby!

Here is a picture that shows how truly dedicated (and maybe obsessed) he is with flying. He hiked up a big hill and through almost two feet of snow to fly his remote controlled airplane on the airfield by our house. I think the cold got to his brain!

(Note: He used the self-timer to take this shot. I wasn't crazy enough to join him!)

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...