They've arrived!

We're officially an Aunt and Uncle again! My brother and sister-in-law had twin girls yesterday. We couldn't be more excited.

Fingerprint Renewal Time (Round 3)!

Well, it's that time again... we're off again to be re-fingerprinted tomorrow for our THIRD time. This is really getting old. I'm hopeful that this is going to be the last time we have to go through all of this, but time will tell. Better keep my hands all lotioned up - I want our fingerprints to work.

All this so we can get our beloved I-171H form (Notice of Favorable Determination Concerning Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition). The I-171H comes from the USCIS (Dept of Homeland Security) and will be valid for 18 months. Our fingerprints will be valid only 15 months.

Friday Funnies!

Well, I couldn't resist posting this as my brother and sister-in-law are getting ready to have their twin girls in the next few weeks. Just thought this was too funny. I know she's ready to have them make their entrance already... as are we!

May 2009 referrals are in!

I finally have some good news to report. It’s official now… the stork has landed and referrals are on their way to waiting families. The CCAA completed 6 days this month. Yeah! We are now a few steps closer to our daughter. Here’s the official posting off the CCAA’s website:

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before March 14, 2006.

We now have a mere 122 days worth of referrals to go until the CCAA refers us our beautiful daughter. We are optimistic that maybe this time next year we will be holding a referral of our very long awaited daughter.

Crack in the Foundation

Well, we've finally have a definitive answer on why our basement is damp... we have a HUGE crack in our foundation wall (see pix below). Not good. Now, to wait for the guy to repair the crack. Hope it's not too long. Please say lots of prayers...


We will also have to trench out our backyard so our sump pump and drain pipes go further out AWAY from the house into our greenway/flood plane. (You would have thought they would have done this when they built our house 13 years ago. Idiots!!) We may even have to re-grade our entire back yard. My head is spinning right now. I'm only seeing dollar signs. UGH!!

Delays, Delays, Always Delays...

Well, we should have heard by now about the next set of matches, but due to the H1N1 virus (swine flu) we've encountered another hitch... It seems that the CCAA is postponing sending out the matches for now, or at least that's what we're assuming here... They don't want a repeat of the SARS epidemic on their hands again.

So, we're still waiting to see how far they're going to get this month. Just hope this virus dies out soon like it mostly has in the media. Even the WHO says this strain is no more dangerous than the common flu. Trying to keep "happy thoughts."

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day to all moms and moms-to-be.

Maple Granola

By request, here is my famous Maple Granola recipe... Enjoy!!
It is fattening, so watch your portions... I usually make a HALF recipe at a time.

Maple Granola

7 cups thick oat flakes (rolled oats), uncooked
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup almonds, sliced or broken up
1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped or broken up
1 cup sunflower seeds, raw or toasted
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla

1 cup raisins or additional dried fruit/nuts as desired (add after baked, if desired)

Instructions
In a very large bowl, combine the oats, coconut, wheat germ, nuts, seeds and salt. Mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, maple syrup and vanilla. Pour over dry mixture in bowl, stirring and tossing till everything is very well combined (your bare hands are the best tools for this step).

Spread granola on a couple of large, ungreased baking sheets. Bake in a preheated 300°F oven for 1 hour, tossing mixture every 15 minutes or so. Remove pans from oven and cool completely. Transfer granola to a large bowl, and mix in raisins and any additional dried fruit desired—dates, figs, currants, dried cranberries or blueberries, etc. Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature.

Some of my charitable works

Over a year ago, I started setting up shops on CafePress with the goal of raising money to help the victims of the terrible Chinese earthquake. Now, those same shops are still helping orphaned Chinese children through some of my favorite charities: Love Without Boundaries, Half the Sky, and CCAI's charities. I have raised close to $300 - something I am very proud of. 100% of the proceeds go directly to these charities. All of the links can be found on the right in the sidebar area.

Here is a sample of some of my designs:
Mei Mei Store
Mei Mei: Little Sister
Jie Jie: Big Sister

Ge Ge Store

Fingerprinting

Well, it's that time again... time to be re-fingerprinted for the 3rd time. Oh, joy.

We just got our letter from the Department of Homeland Security/USCIS trying to give us a second attempt at having us get scheduled to be fingerprinted - but as was the previous notice, we aren't able to make this one either. Anyone know how many times they can be refused? I even sent them a note attached with good dates and that I needed more lead time before we go there. Guess what they did - made our re-scheduled appointment even earlier than the first one and impossible to make. I am getting sick and tired of dropping these letters off at the post office. It's a waste of my time! UGH!! I hope the third time is the charm!