LOA is on the Way

We signed the LOA...Letter of Acceptance last evening, and it is on the way to my agency via FedEx! Now the wait to TA..... a lot of people are telling me I could get TA in 2 weeks, but I just can't believe it. Now everything is happening really fast! We have to apply for the visas, paint her room, finish the packing list, get the stuff from the packing list, and the boys are coming so we have a lot to get ready!

Now everyone says "Oh no the trade fair!"..........our agency said that won't stop us......I guess they will move us around? I don't know....anyone want to comment on that? I'll probably pass out when I see what travel is going to cost us........

I used to worry about the bills, and my husband was the "Don't worry be happy" well we have switched places....now I'm like let's go!! and he is worried about the bills and I'm like "Charge it, we will pay it later!!" Whoo hoo!!!

Update our agency said the LOA is on the way to China today!

New PICTURES!!

I don't know if I'm supposed to post these.....I may get in trouble, but oh well!! A friend got these for me!! I won't give out her name in case!!!!

They cut my baby's hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE HAVE LOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE HAVE LOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OUR AGENCY SAID TO EXPECT TRAVEL IN OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


CAN YOU HEAR ME JUMPING UP AND DOWN???????????????????????

THIS WAS THE QUICKEST EVER FOR OUR AGENCY!!! 19 DAYS!!!!!

Emily pictures on Thursday?

Hello friends, nothing new to post....nothing! Now we know a wonderful person, well we haven't met, but from the adoption boards she is WONDERFUL! She is in our daughter's orphanage picking up her girl and she is going to TRY to get some photos of our EMILY!! She is also looking for JANE's new bundle!! So we are on pins and needles here....WAITING!!! Did you ever think I'd be this excited over a photograph? Well in the adoption process.......this is better than winning the LOTTERY!!!!!!!

I may not sleep tomorrow night! That is when she is supposed to be posting pictures!!! I am scared to get my hopes up!!! PLEASE LET US SEE OUR BABY!!!

I'll be sure and post as soon as I can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jane FINGERS AND TOES ARE CROSSED.....and praying too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh one other note, Sophie from Hope Haven said no need for bottles, their children drink from a cup at 8 to 10 months. Some orphanages don't do this, but I've been told that Emily will be using a cup. Some people had asked..... I started my boys at 6 to 8 months so that is in line with us...I'm amazed....I don't think Emily will be delayed much physically.

Pictures we sent to Emily

Well we finally got that care package together thanks to Wen Yan for translating it! We are posting the pictures we sent to Bin Li! I hope she gets the package. How do we know? Does anyone get notified that the package was received? I don't think Emily's orphanage will contact us. I think we are just living in the dark until we get her!!! Oh wow, we thought the wait was hard!!! Emily was born in the year of the Dog, so we thought the puppy was a good choice.....

I think I'm going to break down and pay someone to sneak photos for us!!! I was told to contact BlessedKids........

A Sad Day

Well everyone I was sitting in my self pity when I heard from someone I consider a friend. We meet so many people in the adoption world. Well this person did not give me permission to talk about her situation, but I would just like to ask that we all think of someone this weekend and pray, if you are a praying person. Doesn't matter who you think of, or pray for, just do it.

I realized quickly that life can change in an instant, and we are very blessed. I shouldn't whine and complain as much as I do.

Hugs to you all.

TGIF!!!

My Job

Ok I thought about this post for a long time before posting it....I'm a daycare provider. I know many people have issues with daycare. Let me just tell you, as a parent that has worked outside the home, I know all those issues. However, I have a pre-school program in my daycare. I have a paid substitute when I'm out so daycare doesn't close. I have teachers that tell me my daycare children are in the top percent of their class. I also have a waiting list...which says a LOT!

Ok here is my vent.......

I have a new family here that wrote me a bad check. Bruce and I are not rich. We are borrowing against our house for this adoption. Because of this check, I bounced my checks across town...... Now I'm understanding, and everyone that knows me, knows it takes a lot to tick me off. Ok, I called the Dad when I saw my bank account in red...this was Tuesday. At this point they were 2 weeks behind, the check was for 2 weeks of care.........Ok so dad says....."Well maybe we will get it to you by Friday."

EXCUSE ME????????????????

Never, ever, do this to your daycare provider.........had he been nice and said "Oh I"m sorry I'm running a little short, can I have a few days?" It would not have been a problem. I'd like him to tell his mortgage company that maybe he will have it Friday and see how far that gets him.

I guess I should add, it wasn't the money at all, it was the fact that he tried to make me feel like I'm not worthy of his money or something........

Wordless Wednesday

Favorite Blogs

Friends, I've added your blogs, if anyone wants their blog removed, please let me know.

If anyone wants to be added, please give me your address.....

Hey it's wordless Wednesday!! I blew it!!

Ok I'll post a Wordless Wednesday Photo soon......

A Fun Time!!

We got to meet some families from our April DTC/LID Group! This is the bunch of us! We had a great time. We traveled 3 hours to Delaware to Buckley's Tavern. It was a really nice place. Reminded me of places here in Solomons. We are hoping to get more of the gang together soon!! So who wants to join us next time??? I'm game!!

Thanks to Barry for the wonderful lunch! Thanks to Nicole for the good advice about using Handicapped bathrooms, and get a Panda Phone! Thanks to Mallory for helping us get thru the wait by knowing there is a baby at the end of this road, and thanks to Nicole's hubby....sorry can't remember your name, but LOVED your stories about the air conditioning!! But most of all, THANK YOU LISA for putting this together!!

Maryellen got her TA!!!

Maryellen is going to China for her Sophie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHOO WHO!!!!! We are on a roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!

I found Bin Li's Nanny!

Thanks to Jane at our agency, and now a new dear friend!! We found Sophie! She worked with Bin Li. She left before Bin Li's surgery, but she remembered her. She told us that our little sweetie was very ill when she arrived at the orphanage. Well today we got another letter.....

Dear Carol,

I am so pleased to see three other children from Hope Haven have been adopted. Apart from your Bin Li (Lily), Chun Yao (Joy), Jing Mei and Rui Feng are Hope Haven kids. There is a boy Qin Xi Wang from Hope Haven who is not yet adopted. This Dong Jin Hua could be from Hope Haven admitted after I left. I tried to figure out the background of his photo. I wasn't too sure. Our kids are usually well fed and fat. He looks like one.

Sophie

I wish I knew the family that took Joy!! I am contacting the agency to see if they want to talk to Sophie as well! Wow, its so amazing the things you find out! Emily is in Hope Haven, and people say that we will get a book of pictures on gotcha day from Hope Haven! Oh I hope so!!!!!!

Special needs children need homes..

I'm trying to advocate for our agency's waiting children list. If anyone knows of someone that has not signed with an agency, please note we have 6 children looking for their forever families......

Please send them here:
http://www.livinghopeadoption.org/wait.asp

They are so sweet.......feel free to send this list out.....

Our Mia has a brother!

Mia is one of my daycare children. She is now as of August 12th a big sister! We have been waiting for the photos! I love this shot!! Mia has never taken a bad photo....she is the sweetest little thing...I just love her to pieces!!! Her new brother's name is Alexander Anthony......I think that's neat since my oldest is Anthony also......

Congratulations to Mia, Nicole, and Dean!!! He's a keeper!!!

Happy Second Birthday Little One

Happy 2nd Birthday Day Emily
We are trying our best to get to China as soon as we can!
We love you already! I found a nanny that used to care for you, she said you were a little doll. I can tell that she loved you.

Your brother Hayden is starting fall soccer today, he said he wished you could see him.

Thank You!

Fliss this is for you! Thanks for the great baby gift for Emily!!

We have something on the way to you as well....except I haven't mailed it, it's on my desk.....my PO closes at 4 and I work until 5:30, so I have to figure out how to get there before 4!!!! These people need to stay open later!!!!!

Big HUG from the Wood Clan!!!

PS .....why does my hair always show up RED? I am a dirty blonde!!!....hair that is....hee hee

Regina is a Mommy!!

They just got the photos up!! She didn't even cry on Gotcha Day!!

Congrats Regina!!

Emily

ADOPTED!
Name: Qin, Bin Li
DOB: August 16, 2005
Condition: Congenital Heart Condition (po)

Description: Bin Li is a very active and outgoing little girl. She loves to laugh. Bin Li loves to play outside with the other children. She loves to sit and listen to stories. Bin Li is a lovely girl.

The above was posted at our agency....there are still some cuties available if anyone is looking for an sn list.........

LOI

We just received word that our LOI has be received in China!! Whoo hoo!! Now we wait for the LOA...Letter of Acceptance...then we must sign and return that piece of paper..........then the wait for TA!!! The group that is a month ahead of us has not received their TA, so we know there is going to be a wait......I guess it's a good thing...our homestudy is still not finished....ugh!!!

Emily's Information

Ok, I know everyone is waiting to hear about Emily. According to her file, she loves to be outside, playing with others, and she does not have a favorite toy. She gets along with others but can be difficult at times. She knows what no means, and can help dress herself. She speaks 4 to 6 words, and can build with blocks! Way to go Emily!! Hayden could not do that at age 2! He failed blocks on every eval! She is not a picky eater. Soft light helps her to sleep. She is quick to smile at caregivers.....ok I guess no caregivers were in sight on picture day...hee hee....She was 20 pounds and about 30 inches tall in May. A little peanut!!

I found this photo just searching the web...I think she is the second from the right.
What do you think?

We Got Her!!!!!!! We Got Her!!!!!!!!!!!

We got the call on Monday evening, but the agency hasn't gotten the files out to all the sn families, so we have been holding it in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't stand it anymore I have to tell someone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Her name is Bin Li Qin
DOB 8/16/05
Repaired VSD
Shaanxi Xianyang Social Welfare Institute

She is 21 pounds and about 30 inches......a tiny tot!!!

VACATION!!!!!

Closed the daycare next week. I need a break!! We will be home, just taking some day trips......

I just want to sit in my lawn chair and read with my iced tea.....AAHHHHH refreshing!