Cary's visit to Madison

I've become very close with an amazing group of women who are all adopting through our adoption agency (CCAI) and are all logged-in during the month of July 2006. Well, this past weekend my friend Cary (from that group) came to Madison for a visit. We packed a LOT in over a short 3-day weekend. Cary and her husband Dave are also logged-in the same day we are - July 14, 2006. So we will for sure be traveling with them. It was so nice for Robert to finally meet one of the ladies I talk so much about. Here's a few photos from the weekend.

Cary in front of our state capital modeling with our "Forward" statue

Cary and I eating lunch at Graze - a new restaurant on the capital square

Cary on Bascom Hill

Hanging out at Memorial Union

sitting on the famous big chair

In Chicago checking out the "Bean"

Millennium Park

In front of the Art Institute lions

Buckingham fountain

going flying for breakfast

beautiful view of Madison on our way to breakfast

Our breakfast

Hanging at the Memorial Union again

On State Street in Madison with capital behind us on our way to Taste of Madison

It's that time again

Well, it's now September 1st and that means I need to start getting all of our paperwork and updates again to hopefully get our very last I-171H (our current one expires in October). Since we are a grandfathered case (before the Hague Convention took over), we can't let our I-171H expire by even a day or we would have to suffer more paperwork and a delayed travel after our referral. After over 4 years of waiting, I'm really sick of doing these updates and getting re-fingerprinted - not the way I enjoy spending my day(s). I am optimistic that this will be our last time. We are hopeful for a Spring referral and Summer travel. So better cross those fingers and toes for us! With every day I feel closer and closer to our daughter. I am looking forward to the day that we finally get to see her beautiful face for the very first time. Happiness!

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to my hubby! I love you!

Robert before flying the Piper Cub - he loves his airplanes and flying.

Fun in Milwaukee

This past weekend I got to have some fun with my family. My sister and the rest of her family came in to Milwaukee to visit Grandma and Grandpa for the weekend.

So, together, we celebrated Robert's birthday (a few days early) and our nephews helped him blow out his candles. On the birthday cake I made, you will notice some airplane candle holders. Robert LOVES his airplanes! So, when I found those candle holders, I just had to buy them!

During the day on Saturday, we went to the Milwaukee Public Museum. What's better than having a butterfly land on your hand?! Not much. On Saturday night, we went to Irish Fest  - the boys had fun! (and so did we!) Check out my dad and Robert - aren't they just so tough?! (Yes, Robert got a temporary tattoo)

On Sunday, we went to the Auduban Nature Center to go to the beach and try skipping stones. They love their rocks!

Air & Water Show Weekend

Over the weekend, we got to spend some time with Robert's family and our friends along with Chicago's Air & Water Show. It ended up being a beautiful weekend. For us, the highlight is getting in some snuggling time with the nieces.

Here's a few photos from the weekend.

This is my wish

I don't know why some lyrics just resonate and others don't, but I just had to share this one with you. After listening to the song, I just had to find the lyrics. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

My Wish
Lyrics by Rascal Flatts

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

August referrals are on their way!

Well, it's official today - the CCAA completed their matching process and the official cut-off is May 15, 2006 - a 5-day referral month. Only 60 more days until we're matched with our daughter. Yippee!

Here's the official notice:

8/16/2010
CCAA

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before May 15, 2006.

Love this saying

I was at Archiver's (scrapbooking store) doing one of their "Make and Take" events and one of the items we got to make used this amazing stamp. I just loved it. It just made me think that even though we've been waiting over 4 years for our daughter now (our 4 year LID anniversary was on July 14th) I still need to remember to live in the moment and enjoy life as I have it right now. For once she's here - our life will cease to exist as we know it now.

July Referrals are in!

Well, this is HUGE! We had a very large number of days covered this month. Yippee! What a wonderful way to come back from vacation (I'll save that for another post once I've had a chance to download and sort through our vacation photos)

There were 14 days referred this month! Only 65 more referral days to go until we are referred our little girl. We are getting so close!! I can hardly believe it!

7/16/2010
CCAA

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before May 10, 2006.

Devil's Lake - West Bluff Trail

I'm a week behind on this post, but better late than never...

Last Saturday we went hiking again back in Devil's Lake State Park and hiked the West Bluff Trail. It was a beautiful hike once we got through the forested area and had wonderful views of the bluffs. The only problem we ran into was when I slipped on a rock and got myself all scratched and bruised up from a tree branch - even a week later, it's some lovely shades of blue, green, black and assorted other colors. I don't recommend it!

So, here are some of the lovely views from the trail. (Note: The bird is a turkey vulture)