Kai was born in 2004.

THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY

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10/20/05

The Journaling Begins....

Well, I have finally decided to start journaling our wait.  We are approximately 73 days away from receiving our referral.

It seems like an eternity at times.  But, I am hoping that with the holidays coming up things will move along faster.

As I type this, I have so much going through my mind.  We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Wilma in the next 3-4 days.

Having been through 7 hurricanes in the last year, I thought we were done.  God has other plans.  I pray that he keep us 

safe from harm and our home intact so that there are no other delays in bringing home our beautiful baby.  I have

wonderful friends that I have made on this journey who are slowly but surely coming home with their precious bundles.

That is giving Scott and I such hope.  Amanda and I went to Babies-R-Us a couple of days ago and I could so feel

the excitement in her voice as we spoke about what we needed and what we had.  I still think she needs something more 

concrete for it to sink in that THIS TIME IT WILL REALLY HAPPEN!!!!  We've all gone for our immunization shots 

and just can't wait to see that little face peering through the monitor at us.  

All three of us are so ready for this journey to end...or shall I say  begin!  :)   

10/29/05

UGH...Another one headed our way!

Yep, here she is.....Hurricane Wilma heading towards us.  She made her grand entrance on October 24th through Marco Island, just south of us, 

wreaking havoc through the Gulf and southwest Florida as it ripped through the state and out the other side into the Atlantic.   

We suffered some roof damage, damage to our pool enclosure and Jacuzzi and of course our landscaping looks like it was trampled on.   

But, many others are so much worse off, that I shall not complain.  After being without power for 5 days, 

life is now starting to somewhat get back to normal, if you want to believe that pulling chunks of trees out of your soffit is normal.  

Yes...again, I am reminded....could have been much worse, so I shall not complain.   ::deep breath::

Moving along to our adoption.  Ah yes....our adoption.  The agonizing wait seems to want to linger in our lives and

causing the same anxiety as Hurricane Wilma did in one week.  We have recently been advised that the CCAA (Chinese Center of Adoption Affairs) 

in China will be moving their offices and be delaying all referrals.  Not to mention that they are only sending out referrals now 

for 2-3 weeks at a time, once a month.  What does all this mean to us?  Yes, you guessed it!  No surprise, eh?  MORE WAITING!   We 

initially started the China process thinking we would receive our referral in early November, delays moved it to December, a few more 

delays moved it to January, and now we are looking at receiving our referral in February IF WE ARE LUCKY, and hopefully traveling in March.  To say that

we, especially, I, am over all of this is an understatement.  But, my faith keeps telling me there is a child on the other side of the

world that the Lord is creating for us, and I MUST hang on.....this WILL happen someday.   I keep hearing the Lord has his reasons, and that

maybe our child is not born yet....but my, oh my.....I'll take a little older one if that's the case.  It's been a VERY LONG 2 years and 3 months

we've now been waiting to add a child to our family through this process.  UGH!  Maybe next time I write, things will be better and I will have

some good news to share

.

11/07/05

Guess what?  We're waiting (what a surprise!)

Well, today I spoke to our agency director.  Before I go on, I must reiterate how amazing our agency is!!  They really are a first-class act.

Anyways, going on to some "better" news....not quite good.  Apparently, China is still a bit delayed because they are approaching

their "quota", but she says that 1) I should not worry about China shutting down (which is my BIG worry)  and 2) that we should receive our

referral "realistically" shortly after Chinese New Year ends, which is mid February.  WE CAN LIVE WITH THAT!!!!!   The holidays are 

quickly approaching, which is good, because time will move faster....if that makes any sense.  Also, I am planning on heading to

New York City for a weekend with Amanda to meet some great friends who have been on this journey with me for the past 2 years!

I am so looking forward to getting away.  So, thank you Lord for showing us light at the end of the tunnel, and for filling me with peace

that You are in total control!

11/17/05

And we wait some more...

Our wait continues.  I have heard ranges from us receiving our referral in late January all the way thru April.  At this point, I am throwing my 

arms up in the air and leaving it to God.   He knows how badly we are waiting to add a child to our family, I am praying that he be

merciful and speed things up!  :)   I wonder why people wish others "Godspeed".  What does that mean exactly?  To me, God speed is 

soooooooooo slow.....why would you want to wish that upon someone.  Hmmm....something new for me to research.  When

I find out, I'll post it on here.  If anyone knows, please feel free to email me.  :)

On a brighter note, I think I mentioned that Amanda and I are planning to take a trip to NY City in December!!   I am meeting up with a fabulous group

of women whom we have developed a tight bond with for the past 2 years.  We all met through our Belarusian adoptions.  A few 

were fortunate enough to bring home beautiful children from there, and the rest of us and slowly lagging behind.  Some did bring home

some amazing kiddos from Russia and Guatemala this year.  So, our little group will truly be an International family.

For now, that is all that is going on.  Thanksgiving is next week and things are moving pretty quick.  Before we know it, it will be 

Christmas (AND I AM SO NOT READY FOR IT!) and then New Years.  I will then officially begin our countdown (AGAIN!) to

receiving our referral.   Many blessings to all this Thanksgiving!

11/28/05

China beauty comes home...and losing weight!

Well, here we are....still waiting!  :)   I have tried to stay away from all of the board and anything related to this slow down.  

Next week Harrah's waiting child list will be released.   Back in April, we had petitioned for a gorgeous little girl on one of their list.  We were pretty devastated

to learn that another family had been chosen to be their parents.  But, God is so good, I can't help but be in awe over His love and wisdom.

The little girl really was placed with the perfect family.  The one she was meant to have, and He has graced us with their kindness and friendship.  

Little Danna LiLi came home in October and fits into her new family like a glove.  God is good!

On another note, Scott has decided to be my "trainer" starting today.  I told him I wanted to lose 10 lbs. by Christmas, well....he wasted

no time in creating his exercise regime!  OW! OW! OW!   I am so sore!   He had me bike, jog (actually walk...LOL!) made a healthy (but delicious) 

dinner and HID MY SCALE! UGH!!!    So, let's see how I do this time around at getting rid of some of those extra pounds!   Until next time.....

12/06/05

Still waiting, and heading to the Big Apple!

Today our agency advised us that the December referrals were on the way.  We were hoping that it would include at

least a full month of LIDs (log in dates), but it did not.  Again....what does that mean for us?  Wanna take a guess?  Go ahead!  YEP!  

More waiting!  What we originally feared is what is happening.  The CCAA (Center for Chinese Adoption Affairs) has decided that 

they are slowing down the process due to the influx of dossiers arriving in country.  They are now extending the wait to approximately

12 months from the time your dossier is logged in to the time you travel.  We are now unwillingly having to accept the fact that

we will not receive our referral until April and travel probably in June.  Again, the goal post gets moved!  UGH!

Moving on to lighter news.  I am so very excited about our weekend getaway in New York City this weekend.  Snow is expected and

Amanda is giddy with joy about that.  We have tons of plans to squeeze into 2 short days!

12/07/05

How I wish we could bring them all home!

I know I just wrote yesterday, but I just had to share this.   For those that don't know Steven Curtis Chapman, he is an amazing

Christian singer who just happens to have adopted 3 beautiful daughters from China.  Today I was listening to his new Christmas

album and finally heard this song I had been told about......ALL I REALLY WANT!   If this doesn't move you to open your  heart and home 

to a child, I can't imagine what will!  WHEW!   Had me in tears!  There are sooooo many children all over the world needing families to love them.

No child should ever have to grow up in an orphanage.  Reflecting back to my own journey, I certainly have been blessed with the Lord

allowing me to give birth to 3 beautiful children, but the love that I hold in my heart for that special child being created for us, is 

something that is indescribable.  Take a moment to listen to this beautiful song, and if you are not in the position to adopt a child,

please pray for those children that lay in beds all over the world without a mother's kiss goodnight, or a father's hug.  Pray that

every orphan find their way home and into the arms of the family that is desperately wanting that child.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE SONG.

12/16/05

New York City, God's promises....and WE HAVE A SON!!!!!

Oh my gosh!  What a week!  Where do I start.   Ok....first, I have to say that our weekend in New York was unbelievable! 

Seeing these amazing women whom I have shared so much loss and now joys with was just incredible!  Both 

Amanda and I had a fabulous time.   You can view a video of our trip by clicking here.

Now, onto bigger and better (oh! so much better news!)   We are proud to announce, we have a son!

Yes, you read right!  We have a son!   You can read the whole story by going to the homepage and clicking

on OUR PRECIOUS ADDITION....and precious he is.   His name is NI WEN KAI and we will

name him Adrian Kai Bombardier, and call him Kai.   He was born on his Daddy's birthday!  :)

To view a clip of "THE CALL" we received from our agency, click here.

We are already over the moon in love with this little guy and just cannot wait to get our arms around him.

God is so good, and there is and was a reason for everything.  This Kai was meant to be our son.  Even when

we were going through the Eastern Europe adoption, God was hard at work weaving the threads that would

lead us to our son.   What a Christmas gift we have received!   Now, the next step is sending in our

LOI (letter of intent) and then patiently (yeah, right!) wait for PA (pre-approval) from China.  Since our dossier is already there.

The paperwork should move faster and we should receive travel approval hopefully in March and bring him home soon thereafter.

So, again, we ask for the prayers that things move along quickly and we can be holding our baby before Easter!

12/23/05

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Well, Christmas is almost here!   What an amazing gift we received, huh?   Tonight my brother and his family are coming over.

Tomorrow, Christmas Eve, we are all going to Punta Gorda for our traditional "Noche Buena" (means "Good Night", at my Mom's house.

We do the traditional Cuban roasting of a pig, and have a huge Cuban meal!  Yummy....yummy!  Then at midnight we open the

family gift there....hurry home, where we will catch about 2-3 hours sleep, open the gifts that "Santa" left here for us, and we then go

to Christmas mass before heading to Miami to see the boys and the rest of the family!

Today we also sent our Letter of Intent (LOI) to Harrah's for review (via email) because we don't know when we'd be able

to do it over the weekend, and I didn't want it to be late for Monday, which is the date it was supposed to be there.

I can't stop thinking about our gorgeous little boy.  I sit and wonder how big he must be.  How sad it makes me that he is spending

Christmas in an orphanage and not waking up to snuggles and kisses while opening gifts under the tree.  ::sniff::   I promise him

this will be the last Christmas he will ever spend without a family.  Lord, I can't thank you enough for making the date

of your birth so special for us this year!!

12/29/05

And we're off....!!!

Another milestone set today!!   We sent off our LOI (letter of intent) and Acceptance of Referral to our agency!   Shortly

afterwards we received an email stating that our paperwork has been sent to translation.  Next week it will all be on it's way to China!

Scott, Amanda and I are just totally in love with this little guy.   We can look into face and so clearly see our son.  Again, God's plan

is ALWAYS perfect.  We just have to hurry up and get him home!!  Even Abuela Titi, his maternal Grandmother, is smitten with him.

She printed out pictures and passed them around to family and friends!   That brings such joy into our lives.

1/9/06

"The Eagle Has Landed" umm...in Beijing!

Happy New Year everyone!  And a happy new year it is indeed!!   We have started it off with a bang!  Today, yet another

milestone has been set.  Our LOI (Letter of Intent) was sent to China on Friday, Jan, 6., and received today at 10:14 a.m. in Beijing at the CCAA office!

We are so excited!  Ok....what does all this mean?   We our now awaiting PA (pre-approval).  That's when we can breathe a sigh of 

relief and can officially say that Kai is ours!  :)   That takes about 6-8 weeks to receive, but may come sooner!   After that, 

then wait for TA (travel approval).  Once we have our TA, then our agency can call the US Consulate in Guangzhou for us and make an appt.

for the baby to get his visa to enter the United States.   Once we have a consulate appt. we can buy our plane tickets and we're off to China.  I

can't believe we are getting soooooo close to having a son.  Not just a son, but an amazing little boy we are head over heels in love with,

that we know with every fiber of our being was created for our family.  The average time from LOI to TA is 74 days.  It has been as early as

31 days and as late as 133 days, so we are hoping for that midpoint so we can travel in late March or early April.  What an Easter gift!  

Our Lord has risen and new life has been created indeed!

1/18/06

What's that saying?  Oh yea, "Still waiting!"

Not much really to report except that we are anxiously awaiting updated pictures and info on our little guy.

We emailed the WC Director at Harrah's today and she said she will try to find out what the delay is.  I know I've said this before

but Scott and I are just so happy with our agency.  They go the extra mile for their families, and most importantly, for the children.

We are getting so antsy to travel.  Hopefully PA (pre-approval) will come within the next 2-3 weeks, and shortly afterwards our

TA (travel approval) will follow.  When that happens, they can then make a Consulate appointment for us in Guangzhou, and

we can start making travel plans and buying our plane tickets!!  Kai, we just can't wait to hold you, sweet little one.

1/19/06

You gotta MOVE IT! MOVE IT! MOVE IT!

Ok!  Something HUGE to report.   We found out today that our dossier has moved out of the "review room"....what does that mean?

That means that we have been approved and if we were going down the non special needs path, we'd be now matched with a child.

Since we are already matched with THE PERFECT child....we are now just awaiting PA (pre approval) which will just be a formality...

but we are hoping that we skip PA altogether and receive our TRAVEL APPROVAL ...TA!    That would be a huge blessing from God,

not that I am asking Him for anymore because He, in His wonderful ways, has given us way more than we could ever ask for.

It's so hard to believe that we will be flying across the world and that we will enter an office where this beautiful child will be sitting and

someone will just hand him over to us.  What a bigger miracle is there?   I feel so blessed to have been able to carry my three

children in my womb, but just the thought of how our family is now being formed just blows me away.  God's plan is so

amazingly perfect.   This child has a birth mother in China that loved him so much.....enough to say yes, give birth to him,

and place him where she knew he would be found and could be taken care of, when chances are she couldn't.  My heart so deeply 

wants her to know that we will love and cherish this gift as long as we are breathing.  The risks she took in leaving him

and the pain in heart will not have been in vain.   God used her to expand our family, and to provide us with such a

magnificent gift.  How can you ever thank anyone for that?

1/27/06

So...Happy Chinese New Year....Not! :(

As I type this, I am sitting in the car heading to Miami for my Dad's 66th birthday while Scott is driving.  How cool

is it to have a laptop to post on while you are actually moving.  Technology never ceases to amaze me. 

Except the stupid car charger we bought for it doesn't work, and of course, since I assumed it would work

I didn't bring the extra battery, so I will only have enough power for 1/2 the trip.  

Now, getting back to Chinese New Year.   This is not a Happy Chinese New Year.  

I was so sure that we would receive PA (or even TA) before the CCAA offices closed for Chinese New Year.  

I guess not.  They are now officially closed until Feb. 6.  While the world celebrates, our little angel sits 

in an orphanage in 1 degree temperature waiting for his Mama, Baba and sister to bring him home..

Realistically, does he know?  No....but I do, and I know what a different life he will have once he comes home

to us, that's what makes in even harder.  I pray every night that God command his angels to surround him,

protect him, and allow him to feel the love that his waiting family, thousands of miles away, is sending him.

 My thoughts often go to Kai in Belarus and my heart still aches knowing that one man's

evil power can control the destiny of so many children.  I know that Kai in China was indeed created to be ours.

There is no doubt in my mind.  God has spoken to our hearts and we trust His word.  It is just that it's difficult to

let go of this anxious feeling.  I want to get him home, get him to a doctor, start loving him, and nurturing him both

with love and with food.  I desperately want him to know what the love of a family is like.  

Please Lord, I beg that your will be that we can travel late February or early March to bring 

our baby boy home.  If you believe in the power of prayer, please pray that 

we can get TA as soon as the CCAA offices open up again.  We need him as much as he needs us.

2/06/06

Happy Birthday, Abuela Titi.....where is that TA??

A special day indeed!  Today is my Mom's 66th birthday!  Would giving her an envelope with a TA inside be awesome or what?   

This waiting is killing me.   Not sure if ya'll knew, but I had been working part time at my sister's office...well, as of last Friday 

I went into retirement.  I have soooooo much to do before we bring Kai home!  I am solely working on the videos and it's awesome 

I can do that from home.  Thank you, Lord!  I have decided to not do any real estate while I have the baby at home and am 

fortunate that I can be a stay-at-home-mom.

This week CCAA comes back from being off for Chinese New Year.  Please join us in prayer that they come back re-energized and ready to 

start signing those Travel Approvals!  We need to bring that boy home!  I have some AWESOME news, too!  Two good friends 

that had been adopting from Belarus got travel dates for their children.  One is my wonderful friend, Michele...the one 

with the twins from Russia that told me about asking for signs...remember?   And the other is a great gal with a little 

girl already adopted from Ukraine.  She and her hubby are heading back for a little boy from Ukraine at the end of 

March.  It is a wonderful feeling to see these babies coming home to a forever family.  God has made adoption such a 

huge part of me.  I wish I can yell out to the world how amazing it is to see these children, who are normally developmentally 

delayed, malnourished and lacking love and attention, bloom like flowers in the spring.  Many parents I have spoken to 

have said that even before they land on US soil these children are already different.  The power of love is incredible.  

I will close with a beautiful quote I came across today.  "All children come from God, but for some, the journey home takes a 

little longer."  With that said, I pray that the Lord shorten Kai's journey and that we receive good news this week!

2/08/06

Prayers for Kai....

There really is not much to say except that we are so anxiously awaiting to hear from China.  I also wanted to say a very special thank you to

all of my "adoption friends".  So many of these families I have never met, yet they are there to hear every ache in my heart, and I know they truly understand

how horrible this wait is.  There's no way I could go through this without their support.  And lastly, please, if you believe in the power

of prayer, we ask that you please join us in the following until we can hold our baby boy. 

Dear Lord,

Please give us peace as we wait.  We know that your plan is always perfect.  We trust that all good comes from you.

As we continue through these moments of anxiety, fill us with the knowledge that your angels are surrounding our little boy, that he is

warm, especially during those very cold. harsh, winter nights in China right now, where he has no source of heat except those of your loving arms holding him.

Please keep him alert, happy and healthy.  Allow him to feel the love that we have for him, although he is thousands of miles away, through

the nannies that are caring for him.  Lord, please let it be your will that we can travel soon to bring him home.  

We thank you once again for allowing us the blessing of raising another child in your name.

AMEN!

2/09/06

Some positive news....those prayers work, I tell ya!

Thank you, Lord and thank you everyone who has been keeping us in your prayers.  I know He heard them!

Today we were given the "go ahead" to send in our visas.  So, Amanda and I went scurrying over to Walgreens and took those 

hideous passport pictures (at this point...who cares what I look like in the pictures....just get me to China!) and I came back and started filling

out the visa forms.  Luckily, my Mom had given me her picture and signed a form for me.  She's going out of town this weekend.  Good timing!

As I was filling out the forms, I got all teary-eyed (which is nothing new for me lately....sheesh, you'd think I'm pregnant...tee hee hee!).

I can't believe that it's really gonna happen.  That we're going to travel half-way across the world and walk into a room full of strangers, 

and someone is going to hand us this amazing and beautiful child and say "This is YOUR son!"  Oh my God, I get chills just thinking about it.

As you all know, I ADORE my biological children, and thank the Lord daily for them.  But this roller-coaster has been the most emotional journey 

I have ever experienced in my life.  My heart still aches and I think daily about Kai in Belarus, but I know that God had a plan for us and our

child is in China.  He was definitely conceived in our hearts.  There is no way that one can feel such love for a child through a picture.  It goes so

much deeper than that.  Words just cannot describe how I, no...how we feel about this child.  Amanda talks about her little brother all the time, 

and oh, my goodness, Scott is sooooooo excited about having a son!  I am constantly hearing, "My boy this...and my boy that!"  :)   It warms my heart.

Kai, hang on just a little longer sweetie.  I promise you that as soon as we can be there we will.  Until that time arrives, please know you are

growing in our hearts and we pray and think about you every day.  I know for me, it's almost every minute of every day!  I love you so much, my little one!

Thank you Lord for today's blessings!

2/10/06

Pick up your chin....and grin....TOMORROW (lalalala)

YES!  The sun has come out!  I feel so good today!  Can it be the anticipation that our TA really is around the corner and we will skip PA altogether?

I, don't know, but I'm lovin' this high feeling and am gonna stick to it as long as I can.  I just got back from dropping off our visas at FedEx, with a

kiss and a prayer, literally!   How exciting!  One step closer to holding that little munchkin.  My heart keeps telling me it's not gonna be long now.  

Have you ever felt like that?  Well, I feel it!  I feel like it's REALLY gonna happen and it's gonna happen soon.  Then, of course, what'll happen is 

that we'll get that phone call saying we got TA and I'll be running around like a chicken with its head cut off.  I have so much to do, but instead,

I choose to sit here and read blogs, seek rumors about TA's and PA's and then run around like a mad woman before Scott walks in at the end of 

the day so it seems like I have done something somewhat productive.  .  I made myself a list of  "THINGS TO DO BEFORE TRAVEL".  

I have been very slowly chipping away at it, but I am so afraid of missing some big news.  My cell phone has become another appendage 

to me.  Aaahh....and lastly, I wanted to share (another reason I really want a baby) that our last baby left in the nest, Amanda,

is going today to her first dance.  It's a Valentine's Dance at school.  I asked her if she'd mind if I snuck in and took some pictures, and I got this

contorted face, eye-rolling look followed by a "Oh, Mom!  Please don't!" .  UGH!   Gosh, I can't stop her from growing up!  ::sniff::   Lord, please

don't let my "nest" be empty for quite a few years!   Of all the jobs I've had, being a Mom is absolutely, without a doubt, the most rewarding!  

I'm not ready to retire!  I JUST LOVE IT!

2/12/06

Can it really be happening?

Whew...what a weekend.  I've been in "nesting" mode all weekend.  We've cleaned, painted, trashed, stored....you get the picture!  I've 

TOTALLY not been able to sleep the past few days.  I finally fall asleep between 2:30 and 3:30 am only to wake (and really not tired) at 7 am!  I think

I'm running on pure adrenalin.  Tonight I found out that another family (with a different agency) in the same situation as ours, received their TA (travel approval)

yesterday.  They were in the non-special needs route and their dossier was out of the review room and approved.  They switched over to the 

waiting child program when they found their child, sent their letter of intent to China in Dec. (ours went in Jan.) and they're leaving in 2 weeks!!

OH MY GOSH.....CAN IT REALLY BE HAPPENING?  After a very long 29 months, can it be that we will actually be blessed with a child.  I can't stop

crying just thinking about it.  Oh Lord, please...please...please....let us get TA this week!  I feel like I'm totally unorganized and so not ready, but

I know that if they said we were leaving in 5 days, boy! I'd be packed in a heart beat!  We'll do whatever it takes....just get us to China, Lord!

Please say a quick prayer (sorry....I know it seems like I'm ALWAYS asking for a prayer about something) that it be God's will that we can travel ASAP!

I will post to our site (unless you will find out by the earth shaking screams heard across the world) when we get TA!  

To our baby boy:

Hang in there, Kai....we're almost on our way, sweetie!  Love you as much as the whole wide world.....and back again!  

Mommy

2/14/06

St. Valentine....where are you?

I awoke this morning feeling that FOR SURE that phone call was coming in today.  Could it not be a better day....Valentine's Day?

Well, how'd ya guess?  NOTHING!  I went out this afternoon and bought lots of goodies to make my wonderful husband

a romantic dinner this evening, of course with the cell phone attached to my being.  Everyone keeps telling me I should be enjoying

these last few days/weeks without little children that need me 24/7, but this wait is just so hard.  I went from the euphoric feeling

of this could really be it....to this is never gonna happen!  I am so bummed.  :(

2/16/06

Still sitting on the potty......

Yep!  Woke up today totally energized.  I look at the infamous list, and decided I was going to get as much accomplished as

possible.  So, I threw on my bathrobe (over my pj's), and drove  Amanda the 2 blocks to the bus stop, and came back to check my email.  

NOTHING!  NO NEWS!  NADA!

THEN IT HAPPENED.....I went from this burst of energy to thinking, "why am I gonna kill myself to get all this done, when I'm going no where?"

I made a pot of coffee, grabbed a bagel and sat my butt down to watch A BABY STORY on TLC.   Fast forward to 6 pm when Scott came

home, here I was...still in my PJs, having accomplished NOTHING!  I could tell by the look on his face he was fearful to speak...LOL!   I'm 

sure he didn't want to say anything that might put him in the doghouse, and wonderful husband that he is, he just asked if I was OK.  Well....

I vented....and vented....and vented!  He probably thought I had turned into a fan I vented so much.   At the end of my 20 minute ranting,

he just said that he wishes so badly that this can all be over, with a very sad look on his face.  That broke my heart.  I know it's not fair to my

family, but I don't know how to pull myself out of these dark days.  I seem to drown in them so deeply that there is almost no light for me to find

the direction needed to bring myself up to breathe.   I HATE seeing my family hurting....and I felt that I was causing that.  I got up, hugged him

and hopped in the shower.  We then went out to dinner (because of course, I sat around doing nothing but moping and sleeping, 

so there wasn't any dinner made).   We talked, spent family time, came back to watch our favorite show, Survivor, and are again back on the 

horse and in "WAIT" mode!   Lord, PLEASE ....PLEASE....let me be stronger with this wait.   Tomorrow is the end of the week, and my last

hope of TA's coming in.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.

2/17/06

Felix and so much more......

Recognize this little guy?   YEP....that's Felix the cat!  I'll tell you all about him in a bit.

  Today was a pretty remarkable day!  I think God realized my load was getting to heavy to bear and he sent me an email, 

a  phone call, and a  package.  :)    I'll start with the email.  It's from a lady who has been following our story.  Not only has she been 

following our story, but she's been praying for us.  My heart just swells when I think of how awesome God's children are.   

Total strangers, reaching out and sending words of comfort....they are angels God puts in our path when he knows we need them the most.

Being Catholic, I have always been very close to our Blessed Mother.  Well, this particular "angel" wrote me an email last night, and

sent a prayer for me to pray to the Blessed Mother.   I printed it out and have it sitting next to my laptop.

It has filled me with much comfort in knowing that Our Lady carries our prayers to her Son.   It also brought me back to the realization  that 

I have so many intercessors to reach out to, both spiritually and earthly, and God has filled our journey with "angels".  

I thank Him for each and every one of those special people and I pray that He shower them with blessings 

for their kind hearts in reaching out to total strangers.  I definitely hear Christ in their words!!  Thank you!!   

Now for the phone call.  This morning I got a call from the WC Director at our agency.  They had received a package of PA's (pre-approvals), 

and nope, their was nothing for us!!   BUT....that's GREAT news!   Can you believe it?  Nothing for us and I am rejoicing?   What does that mean?  

That means that it is official.  CCAA has skipped our PA and we have been moved directly to TA!  We are just waiting for travel approval.   

That has given me great relief and peace.  I know it's a matter of time now, His time.  And lastly....FELIX!  Oh yes!!   

I got a package in the mail today from another one of those "angels" that the Lord has placed in my path.

This is a woman who lives in Florida, whom I have never met, but is waiting for a referral from China.  She put together an amazing

care package and I got it today.   I bawled my eyes out.  In it was a little play phone for Kai, where we could record our voice, a packet

of inspirational scriptures for scrapbooking, a fabulous workbook titled Living God's Will: reading and applying God's will for your life 

(which I can't wait to start), and last....but probably the most special item in the box, so special that  my hands were shaking and my lip quivering, 

a small wooden Felix The Cat toy.  The same exact toy that was in Kai's picture when Scott yelled out "A Sign!" ....and 

the same exact toy Scott had when he was a little boy.   For someone who has never met me or my family to go through those extremes 

and do something so thoughtful and kind, completely humbles me.  Along with the package came this note:

"The telephone is for Kai.  Felix is to always remind you of the time God spoke to you and your husband and led you to Kai, and the book is to help

you discern God's leading in the future."   UGH!  Just reading it again I have tears streaming down my face.  How dare I complain or whine 

when I am so rich in blessings?   THANK YOU SO MUCH....and  thank you, Lord, once again, for all the little "miracles" that you place in my 

path, almost daily.   Thank you for your mercy when I am selfish and do not see the blessings that you pour upon us.  

Again, please protect our angel in China until we can find our way to him....in your time! I know this post was a bit long winded, 

but I really needed to record all of the little miracles that opened my eyes today.   I'd like to close with that special prayer that I was sent and 

I pray that our Blessed Mother carry the desires of our heart to her merciful and loving son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored thy help or sought thy 

intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly unto thee oh Virgin of Virgins my mother. To thee I come, before thee I stand sinful 

and sorrowful. Oh Mother of the word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but hear and answer me. Amen.

2/19/06

It's coming down to the wire......

Wow!  What a weekend this was.  Scott is so good about keeping me on track when he his home.  No time for moping! LOL!

We finished landscaping the front of our house, which I must say, looks quite nice.  We did lots of little ends here and there that needed to be done

and "THE LIST" went from about 35 things to 15!   We decided to head to Wal-Mart late Sat. night....like 12:30 a.m.    We bought a pretty

inexpensive luggage set and a few more things for Kai.  I think we're pretty much set to travel.  Now I gotta pack it!  Amanda is home today from

school for President's Day, so I will get her to help out with the packing.  The three of us compiled our packing list on Sat., too.  That

made it seem REAL!  There was much excitement in the air hearing "I want to take "this" or I want to take "that".  I am soooo sure we will

over-pack, although I've been told 1000x times we'll regret it.  But neurotic me, just wants to make sure we have everything we need.

So, back to waiting for that TA...but now we are BUSY....BUSY....BUSY!   Maybe that'll help the time go by sooner.

Aaahhh....and lastly, I must make note that we will not be able to travel from 3/17 - 4/1.   Here's a hint:

Something HUGE may happen for us that will COMPLETELY change our lives even more....so stay tuned.  :)

2/22/06

Busy! Busy! Busy!

Can you believe it?  STILL no TA???   I am soooo glad I'm passed that already.  You know, I think it gets to a point that sometimes you

really gotta let it go to be at peace, and I have!   We have so much on our plates.  I have a BIG secret, but not quite ready to share since

there is a possibility that it may not happen....but we're praying, and hoping, and wishing!  A really good Jewish friend of mine , Ann, taught

me a Yiddish word that I love using now.  "KENAHARAH".   Isn't that a cool word?  It pretty much just means jinx.  So, I don't want to put

a KENAHARAH (I went around saying that all day yesterday...LOL!) on our news, so once it gets closer (HINT:  4 weeks from today) I will

post all about it.   Boy, is this digressing or what?   Where was I?  Oh yea, getting past thing.  Yep!  I've set our (Scott just goes with the flow when

it comes to this whole adoption world) minds to the fact that we are leaving to China on April 4!  Do you hear that CCAA?   APRIL 4, and yes...2006!

So, I have been slowly packing.  What a mess!!!  I will post pictures on the next post.  I have no idea how people travel carry-on-only all the way to China!

Oops...digressing again.   April 4, we are planning on leaving.  The unfortunate part about that is that our last 3 days in Guangzhou will be

during the trade fair.  For those of you not familiar with the China Trade Fair.  It is a huge exhibition fair where businesses and entrepreneurs from

all over the world come to meet.  Yes....all that going on and it happens to be those 3 days we are in Guangzhou!  So, we are now looking at alternate

places to stay since the White Swan will be $300+ a night!  ::sniff::    For a year now, I've been dreaming about staying at the White Swan and now

we have to change our plans, but given the choice of delaying our trip until May....NO WAY!  I want to have that boy in our arms ASAP!

Lastly, before I sign off for the night.  I wanted to say that my Mom finished the quilt.  OH MY GOSH!  IT IS GORGEOUS!!  You can go back to the homepage

and click on 100 Good Wishes Quilt to see a picture, which by the way, I will be posting a better one of because those do not do it justice.

Thank you to all our family and friends for the heartfelt wishes and the beautiful squares you sent.  They mean so much more than you can ever imagine!

And again, thank you all for your consistent support and prayers.  I could not get through this without my adoption family.

2/22/06

YEEEEEEE HAWWWWW!  WE'RE COMING BABY!

Whew....deep breaths!!  Ok.  Here's what's happening.   First, last night I had an AMAZING dream!  For the first time in 29 months that we

have been in this chaotic, wild ride, I had awoke with a EUPHORIC feeling!!  I dreamed that Scott and I were on the plane to bring Kai home and

I kept saying over and over "Oh my God, I can't believe it's finally happening!  We're REALLY getting our son!"  It was so real I awoke with tears

in my eyes and I immediately said to Scott, "TA's are coming!!"   Well, this morning, we got an email that TA's are on the way and they will

be here on Monday!  OH MY GOSH!!!!  I can't believe it's finally gonna happen!  I must say though (although I'm not even go gonna there) that 

our agency is not sure of who's TA's are arriving, but I just feel it in my heart that ours is in that envelope.  IT HAS TO BE!!!!!   We are

still going to plan on leaving  the 4th of April.  It's gonna be a long weekend waiting for that phone call Monday!!  PLEASE!!!!  Keep us in your

prayers that our TA is in that package!!  Thank you Lord for ALL that you do and for the DAILY blessings that you shower us with!

Aaah....before I forget....once we get TA, I can plaster our gorgeous baby's pictures all over!!!!!   The only ones I have are prior to 

his surgery, and they have not sent any updated ones.  But wait till you see our handsome little guy!!!  UGH!!!  I CANNOT wait to kiss those cheeks!

As an after-thought, I wanted to share a collage of our little family on a regular day, minus the big guys.....ENJOY!

2/24/06

WE GOT IT! WE GOT!  ******** TA TA TA TA TA ***********

I am trying so hard to stop shaking and crying enough to type these words!!!  We got the call today...at 12:21 PM that we had received our TA.

I am still in a state of shock and BEYOND thrilled that we will be leaving to China in 32 days!!  We are awaiting the confirmation date of our

Consulate appt. which we requested for April 10th or 11th....that would be our last day in China, and we'd be home for Easter!  Can  you imagine?

I absolutely LOVE Holy week!  It is a week that fills me so much as we go through the last few days of our Lord's passion and then enter

into the celebration of new life, His resurrection!  I could not have chosen a better week to bring that baby home!!  Oh my gosh, I am so excited!

It's going to happen.....this was it.  This was the last step!  WE DID IT!!!!!  THANK YOU, JESUS!!!!!!

And again, thank you to Harrah's AIM for their unconditional support and kindness in assisting us with the journey to our son.  Thank you

to CCAA for trusting that without a doubt, Adrian Wen Kai will be loved as if we were our biological child.  Actually, probably more ::wink:: since I've 

carried him for 29 months (in my heart)!!!!  And last but not least, thank you so much to the amazing adoption community and family that has

rallied around us with their constant support, comfort and prayers!  WE LOVE YOU!!!!

And to our beautiful little boy.....Mommy just cannot wait to see you, smell you, hold you, kiss you!  I promise with every fiber of my being

that I will love you to no end as long as I live.  Whew....the tears are seeping into my keyboard! LOL!  And now, I can officially post 

Kai's pictures on line.  I asked about getting updated pictures, but they've been requested twice and have not been sent by CCAA.  So, I am hoping

I recognize this little guy.  These pictures were taken prior to his lip surgery.  The first at about 4 months old (with the red shirt) and the others at about 

7 months old!   I am soooo in love with this baby!  He's gonna wonder who the hec this crazy woman is that won't stop squeezing him!

So, without further ado ...we proudly present our son:

ADRIAN WEN KAI BOMBARDIER

2/26/06

I NEED CUCUMBERS...OR PREPARATION H....!!!

Isn't that what the stars use to hide the dark circles under their eyes?  Well....I'm EXHAUSTED!  I really keep thinking this is the time for me to 

sleep as much as possible and enjoy these last few weeks and days of calm.  But noooooooo.....my body is in full-steam-ahead mode.  Last night

at 1:30 AM, I was emailing HFS to find out if we fly into PEK or BJS....both in Beijing.  I am so darn tired this morning.  I think I've watched

every late night COPS show ever made.   Poor Scott, then gets no sleep because I toss an turn for hours and hem and haw, until I finally say, "I

can't take this anymore!"  and get up and hit the computer again researching flight times and airfares.  And I don't even know why the hec I'm doing that

because I know that in the end, I'm leaving it up to the experts.  Ok....so what have we done thus far?   We are ALMOST done shopping,

with the exception of the VHS-C tapes.  I can only find them in 30 minutes....at that rate, I'll need 20 of them.  Does anyone know if they make

120 minute VHS-C tapes?  UGH!    I did find the red envelopes, bag and tissues....and I need a few more gifts here and there.  Otherwise, we 

are ready to pack!  Kai is pretty much packed up and I guess if I want to put anything in our suitcases, I better do some laundry.  hehehehe

Here's a pic of my baby's beautiful nursery, after Cyclone Mom decided she'd do the packing in there!!   By the way, in the picture, I'm holding a little bear

that is so dear to my heart.  My MIL gave that to me months and months ago.....His little t-shirt says KAI!   Needless to say, he's going to China with us!

2/28/06

UGH!  BACK TO WAIT MODE!

We were hoping that we would have our Consulate Appt.  date yesterday...but no luck.   Today?  Nothing.   HFS is giving the Consulate

till midnight (US Time) and then putting a call into them to see what's up!   Yesterday, I ran out and did about 5 things on the TO DO list!

I think I only have about 20 to go.  It seems like when I cross something out, something new always needs to be added.  We are

planning a surprise camping trip for Amanda on the 18th....since it will probably be the last weekend before our lives our changed forever.

Poor baby is so used to that one-on-one attention, she has no idea what's gonna hit her.  I did promise her after everyone is settled in

we'd take at least 1 or 2 days a month and spend it doing girl things!  :)  And jumping to a totally different subject, I broke down yesterday

and finally decided to get some sleep-aids.  My insomnia has been HORRIBLE!!!!  From Sunday to Tues. I slept a total of 3.5 hrs.   So, I picked

up some Sominex yesterday.....it took about 2 hrs to finally hit, but I slept pretty good....only waking once and was able to go right back to sleep!

That's it for now.  Nothing exciting happening and lots to do but have to wait on the confirmation of those darn dates!  Happy Fat Tuesday Everyone!

3/1/06

Can ya believe it?

Well, it is now 3:45 pm and I am still sitting in my PJ's.  Nope....not depressed this time.  Just been way too busy to get dressed! LOL!

Last night our amazing agency, Harrah's, called at 11:21 PM...yes...PM! - (we asked them at whatever time to call!) to let us know we had our

consulate appointment.  The date we had requested,  April 11th!  So, of course, after that, I couldn't sleep....finally the last time I looked at the clock

was 1:43 am.  This morning I awoke to a HUGE migraine (not unusual for me when I'm under stress!).  Scott took Amanda to school and I got to 

sleep in a little later 'til 9:30.  NICE!!  :)    Then....the phone calls began.  First to travel agencies (none of which have yet returned my call) then to 

airlines.  OH MY GOSH.....have you tried booking flights to Florida during SPRING BREAK?   ACK!!!!   No problem getting us to China, but I had to laugh

because most airlines were saying...."we can't get you back! Do you still want to book this flight?"   Well....Heeelllooooo....I am bringing a child from

China, not leaving one and moving there!  Anyways....I figured you could get more bees with honey than with vinegar, so I was very nice, and

went ahead and asked them to hold flights for us that were way more than what I wanted to spend.  BUT....God in His wonderful ways intervened

and a friend from one of the yahoo groups suggested I try www.flychina.com....VOILA....they had flights out of Ft. Lauderdale (not Ft. Myers), but

it worked out okay because now my big guys could be there to greet their baby brother!!   AND....for an amazing fare!!  I am so happy that all is

going well.  There's no doubt that God has kept his hands in every aspect of this journey.  Needless to say, we're all booked and boarding that

plane at 8:20 am on Wednesday, March 29...exactly 4 weeks from today!  Oh my gosh, I am so excited!!!   I will forever remember Ash Wednesday 2006!

I also wanted to take a moment to thank my wonderful husband.  Many times throughout my journaling I have thanked the Lord, our agency,

and my wonderful support group, but I have never taken the moment to thank Scott.   He is truly deserving of it.  His putting up with my

irrational behavior, tantrums, moments of very sad mourning with violent sobbing followed by moments of blissful glee is something that

not every man would do.  He has stood by me without even an insinuation of criticism....ok, maybe he rolled his eyes once or twice.  :)   But, seriously,

I am so incredibly blessed to have this man as my soul mate, he is an amazing father and a wonderful husband

....yet another reason to give God the glory and to thank Him profoundly!

3/2/06

Time is now FLYING!!!!

Oh my gosh....now I'm getting nervous!  I can't believe how quickly things are happening.  We're going out of town this weekend, to Miami, for my 

Godchild's 3rd birthday.  That means that's ANOTHER weekend shot.....and I have so much to do.  I really am going to try to forget about the adoption 

(HA!  Think that's possible?) for those 2 days and enjoy my beautiful granddaughter, Godchild, boys and family.   The next time I see them, our lives will

have been changed forever.  :)   Ok.  Here's our schedule.

Wed. March 29- Leave to Beijing from Ft. Lauderdale, FL at 8:20 a.m. (connects in Newark)

Sunday, April 2 - Arrive in provincial capital (Hangzhou)

Monday, April 3 - GOTCHA DAY!!!  And begin adoption paperwork

Friday, April 7 - Receive adoption paperwork and Chinese passport

Saturday - April 8 - Fly to Guangzhou

Monday, April 10 - Medical exam and photo

Tuesday, April 11 - Consulate Appt.

Wednesday, April 12 - Head back to Beijing

Thursday, April 13 - Head back to U.S. and arrive at Newark Airport at 5:30 pm....

then on to Ft. Lauderdale Airport where we arrive at 10:10 p.m.

We invite family and friends to greet us at the airport to welcome our new little Emperor, 

Adrian Wen Kai Bombardier!

3/03/06

IT'S OFFICIALLY HERE!

Ok!  I know I'm a little biased, but you just HAVE TO admit that Kai is absolutely adorable!!  We got his original paperwork, pictures,

and TA via FedEx today!   I promptly ran to the door when the delivery man rang the bell, opened it and said..."PLEEEEASE!  May I take

your picture with this package?"  He gave me this totally baffled looked, and then I went on to explain that he was "delivering" our son from

China to us.   He then broke into a huge smile and said.  "Wow.  Pretty Awesome!  I can't wait to go home tonight and tell the wife that

I'm not a FedEx delivery guy....I'm an obstetrician!"   LOL!   We both cracked up and I took the picture.  I have placed it below (can't let it go to waste, right?)

I also put the picture of our TA there!!  That wonderful little piece of paper that we have been so desperately wanting to receive for 29 months!

Some more news....Included in the package along with his medical and pictures (EVERYTHING IN CHINESE) was some info we didn't get before.  

OH MY!!!   Am I in for a fun time with this little guy.   Here is a bit more about Kai that we didn't know before:

He is a deep sleeper!  (THANK YOU, GOD!!)

He is fond of listening to music.!  (so far so good!)  And now the fun part.....

He is ACTIVE, RESTLESS, HAS A READY SMILE, QUICK IN REACTING....and my two personal favorite traits...

HE IS OBSTINATE SOMETIMES AND IMPATIENT!!   Yikes!   Although we all agreed here that he definitely sounds like his Mama's kid!  LOL!

But you know what?  I cannot wait to hold that obstinate, impatient, music loving, deep sleeping, quick reacting, smiling boy!  

We are so  in love with him!!     26 days and counting!!!!   

Tomorrow morning we are off to Miami and will be back Sunday night.  Have a great weekend everyone!

3/05/06

A TIME FOR SOUL-SEARCHING!

We are back from Miami and I am exhausted.  We picked up Jade (our precious granddaughter who will be 4 in May) and had her overnight...then

we also had our just-turned-3-year-old Goddaughter, Gianna.  Whew!  What a reminder of the energy it takes to keep 2 toddlers busy.  They are 

precious though.  I also spent some time with my big guys and we did lots of talking about when they were little and how much I was looking

forward to doing all of that again.   We had to hurry back this evening and get to church.  Scott and I are core members in one of the 

youth ministries (middle school) at our church.  Tonight, we spoke about the Lenten Season, a time for soul-searching, and the Passion of Christ.  

It was so neat watching these 11-13 year olds sit in awe as they heard about the suffering that Christ went through for US!!  

I am so glad that He is able to use me to share about His journey in the desert and all that led to His resurrection.   

Dear Lord, 

I thank you so very much for the honor and privilege of being blessed with more children.  Not only for us, but so that we can really get them to know 

YOU and how awesome YOU are.  So that we can share with them the unconditional love that you have for them and how they were 

wonderfully made by you!  The thought of what you went through for us, Lord, humbles me, and although at times I do not feel worthy, you have

proven by your love and by your sacrifice that I am worthy.  THANK YOU!

Thank you for allowing me to share my faith and your awesome miracles of this adoption journey with others, and I pray that you continue to use

me so that others see that there is ALWAYS hope in you and that with you, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!!!!    AMEN!

3/07/06

So much to do....so little time!

I bet you never thought you'd hear me saying that, huh?

Oh my goodness!!  I have soooooo much to still do!   Today we finalized the plans and things are going well.  Hotel reservations are made,

plane tickets are purchased, tours are arranged.  Now, if only I can get my house back in somewhat of a decent shape, we'll be good to go!

We finally have the screen people coming out to replace our screens around the pool from Hurricane Wilma....yes, 5 months later!!  It's almost

hurricane season again, and I pray that God have mercy on us this time....because I cannot imagine going thru all those hurricanes with 2 little ones!

Uh....Ummm....did I say 2 little ones?  Hmmm...  ::wink::

Ok, digressing.  Back to China plans!!  :)   It's pretty neat that we'll be seeing 3 very different provinces while we are there.  We have been told

over and over that Hangzhou is just beautiful!  It's the place where the Chinese go to vacation.  Today, we were informed that it is a very

rich province and one of Chairman Mao's favorite places to get away.  I am truly getting excited and cannot believe that 22 days from now

we will be boarding a plane to bring home our son.   Below is a map that plots out our journey while in China, starting with Beijing!

3/08/06

Some Scary Stuff!

Ok, this has nothing to do with adoption. But, I have been steam cleaning the carpets, doing major spring cleaning, moving furniture, dusting 

cobwebs from our 18 ft. ceilings, etc. I had asked Amanda last night when we moved her furniture (except for the desk because of all the wires; i.e.: computer, tv, stereo) 

out of her room to clean the carpets to vacuum well. This morning, I asked if she did it...she said, "Yes, Mom." I did hear the vacuum, so I know she "attempted it". 

Perfectionist that I am, I went to see how well a job she did. Well, the vacuum and cord were sprawled across the room, which was no big deal because 

I expected it and would've been shocked if she had put it away, but I then notice behind the ONLY piece of furniture in the room, her desk, something 

colorful behind the wire mess. I crawl under the desk...Ahhh...a sock!!! Then curiosity gets the best of me, and I decide to go ahead and move the desk 

forward. HOLY COW!!!!! You name it, it was back there! Sucked-on sunflower seed shells, broken pencils, tags removed from new clothing, scrunchies, 

old play jewelry, cd cases, paperback books...and so on!! I spend 20 minutes and fill up half a shopping bag with junk, and go on to vacuum the room 

properly. Then I grab the pencils I had found behind the desk and go to put them in the top drawer of the desk! I pull..and pull...and pull...it's stuck. 

Something is blocking it from opening. I finally slide something in to push down what was preventing it from opening and found yet ANOTHER stash! 

This one was even more interesting. Yummmy....half a pop-tart...a VERY hard pop-tart! Broken, naked Barbies with arms, head or legs missing 

(which is what was preventing the drawer from opening, school notebook with papers (nothing of ANY importance) from 2nd grade (she is in 6th!) ....and 

I can go on and on. The drawer can now be opened and the rest of my shopping bag is full of garbage. By the way, ever had your kids say 

"I'm out of looseleaf paper?" Then you, of course, run to the drugstore to buy them another 1500 sheets?!! ARGH!!! I have discovered that 

I should have bought stock in loose leaf paper. No wonder she didn't have any, I kept buying and she kept storing, and of course,  it is much 

easier to ask for more instead of trying to figure out how to get the jammed, headless Barbie out of the drawer! And I thought  because she is such a 

good student, she just flies through that paper, go figure!!   Finally an 1.5 hours later. Her room is empty and vacuumed. 

And I can now proceed with finishing the steam cleaning that   I thought I would have been done with hours ago! 

The funny thing is that she'll get home and probably not even notice. ACK!!!!

I know this post has nothing to do with anything adoption related....but I just had to say that after having gone through this morning, 

I love being a Mom....even if it means having to find and throw out 2 year old pop-tarts! And I know that in a few years when she is out of the nest, 

I will so wish I had a little girl stashing her garbage in places she thought Mom would never look. :)

3/09/06

Where can we get one of these??

Is that cute or what??    I want one!!  LOL!   Actually, the on/off switch would be good to install on them when they become teenagers and sleep mode

for the babies!   Ahhhh....yes!     Not much more happening now.  I am still not completely packed, but getting there.   We got our final totals that

we need to send to our agency and then financially, we're set!  Another step completed  :)    I can't emphasize enough how awesome 

Harrah's AIM has been.  They are a remarkable agency and I think one of the best decisions we've ever made was going with them.

Tomorrow I have the screen guys finishing up our pool enclosure (leftover destruction from Wilma) and we are then ready for hurricane

season once again!   Things are going well!  Thank you, Lord!

3/12/06

I'm gonna burst if I don't share!!!

Ok Friends....you know I've been hinting about this life changing event that may be coming up for us.  Well, I can't hold in the 

excitement anymore and am ready to share with the world our VERY HAPPY news!   This was something 

VERY unexpected, but that has doubled our joys! God willing, if everything goes right, on Wed. March 22, 2006, Scott and I will be the 

proud parents to a bouncing baby boy.  Yes!  A newborn 

from a domestic adoption.  As we all know with the adoption world, nothing is written 

in stone until the birthmother signs off 48 hrs later, but thus far, all looks good.  

We are naming him Arthur (after Scott's deceased Dad) and Joseph as a middle name (my grandmother that I adored was 

named Josephine)...we will call him AJ! I must admit that I am scared to death to be the Mom to two little ones, 

a 2 yr old and a newborn, so late in my life, 

but I believe that if God has taken me this far and put them in our lives, he will be there to carry us through. 

Although we are very excited, I am cautiously optimistic that all will be well and we will be graced with this little 

bundle.  We can't wait!  So...there it is...we have been doubly blessed, and in 9 days and a wake-up,  I will be holding 

our youngest son, Arthur Joseph A/K/A "AJ"!  :)  And shortly after that, we will be holding our little Emperor, Kai, who will then 

be a "big" brother.  Scott is besides himself thinking he is not only going to have one...but 2 sons!!   He's always wanted a 

boy and now he's looking forward to twice the fun.  This morning he was so sweet telling me

about how he keeps picturing himself on a boat fishing with our two little guys.  We both looked at each other and

laughed, because Scott doesn't fish!  LOL!    And Amanda....oh yes, she is planning to be Mommy # 2! 

We have a lot of challenges headed our way, but the thought of how much love is going

to be in our home is enough to make my hair stand on end.  I am so ready to hold our boys and start life as a family of 5!

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN......10 DAYS TILL AJ!

3/13/06

Woohooo! Single Digits!!

We're down to single digits now!  Only 9 days till we hold AJ!!!!  And one less day till we hold Kai!

Today I was off to an early start!   I met with Amanda's teachers whom informed me (as if it were a surprise)  that she is a great

kid!!  :)    They also said she is so excited about our travels to China and now the addition of yet ANOTHER baby brother!

Scott and I have decided to spend our last weekend as a small family of 3 doing something special for her.  Besides going with

girl scouts, Amanda has never been REAL camping.  So, we have reserved at one of the state parks to go tent camping this weekend.  

I'm really excited about it  since we are doing the whole kit and caboodle, which will include roasting hotdogs and making smores on an

open campfire and canoeing.  Scott wants to show Amanda his love for hiking!!  Which he's never done with me, but I have heard

many stories (and seen video) of how much he did hike and loved it when he was up in New England.  

The White Mountains and Lake George is on his list of places he wants to take Amanda, the boys and myself to experience.  :)

Right now, I am off to tackle the mounds of laundry I have to get done so we can complete our last minute packing.

Life is so good!!  Thank you, Lord!  The blessings are overwhelming and definitely not taken for granted.  We know they come from

You and we honor and praise you for all that you do for us!

3/16/06

6 days till AJ and 13 days till we leave for Kai!

It's getting tough!

These last few days are really getting tough to wait.  I've cleaned, redone, rearranged, organized, donated and thrown out to

my heart's content.   I am now done and just waiting for my babies to make their presence known!  I, again, want to thank the

AMAZING group of friends that I  have made in this adoption community.  I feel like you are a part of our family and your words

of love, prayers, encouragement and support do not go unnoticed!   It has kept me going all of these months and I thank you from the bottom

of my heart.   I know I have said this before, but, I could not have gotten thru this without all of you!!  MMMWAAAHHH!!!  

On a lighter note....Amanda took part in a school play yesterday.  She is growing up so fast and is so darn cute!  (Gee...I sound like her Mother! hehehe)

Here are a couple of pics from her play (she is the one in the red pants).  Enjoy!!

 Now going back to the adoption arena....here are some pics of Scott putting together the boys' high chair.  

I especially like the ones of him burrowing in the box and pretending to feed Kai...tee hee hee.  I walked into the room when he was doing this and 

just had to snap a pic!  My husband's sense of humor is one of the  things I love most about him!  He definitely keeps us laughing.  Kai and AJ will

be very lucky to have such a wonderful Father to look up to.  He is loving, responsible and his faith and love for the Lord is immense, 

yet he could easily be a 3 year old himself!  They are going to have a blast with him!  Sometimes when he and Amanda get together, I have to tell them

both to cut it out and behave!  LOL!  It's hard to believe sometimes that he is not her biological father because the love they share is so evident.  One of 

the many reasons why I knew that adopting would be so wonderful for our family.   Ok....here are those high chair pics:

3/17/06

I WANT MY BOYS.....NOW!!

Oh my gosh, I am in full "active labor".  With only 4 1/2 days till we hold AJ, I am an emotional wreck.  I cry at the drop of a hat.

I have TOTAL insomnia again, which bothers the hec out of me because I will so treasure my sleep when the time finally comes that we

have both boys home.  Last night I finally shut the TV off at 5 am....only to wake up at 6:30 am to get Amanda up for school.

Poor Scott can't tell whether I'm crying tears of joy or sadness.  Today is the 4th anniversary (and what would have been her 94th birthday) 

of my Grandmother, Abuela Fefa's, death.   She was the love of my life.  I so wish I could be 1/2 the Grandmother that she was.  

I miss her so much!  I can't believe it's been 4 years that she's been gone  ::sniff::   

Digressing....sorry!   Back to my emotions.  WHAT A MESS!  I just don't know how I'm going to wait another 5 days....I really don't.

Nights seem like an eternity.  And of course, then I have the fears of our bm changing her mind.  In her defense though, I must say that AJ will 

always know how much his bm loved him!   She is an amazingly courageous and kind young woman and her love for this little boy is so very 

obvious in wanting him to have the best that life has to offer.   That is our promise to her.  A promise we will ALWAYS keep!  

I think about AJ all the time now.   I think about how his cries will sound, what he will look like, how much fun we will have with he and 

Kai running around the house and big sister after them!  Life is indeed going to be so  awesome, I just want it to start.....NOW!!!!  

I feel as anxious (if not worse) than I did when I was awaiting the day I had to go in for Amanda's 

induction.  I remember being up at the crack of dawn and hardly sleeping the couple of weeks leading up to that day.  ARGGGHHHH!!!!!

Also, I'm obsessed with A BABY STORY on TLC.  Scott told me he's gonna pull the plug on the TV sets.  Again, I JUST CAN'T WAIT!!!

COME ON TIME.............HURRY UP!!!!!!!

3/20/06

2 days till AJ and 9 days till we leave for Kai!

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