Forever in our ARMS on March 31, 2008

Forever in our ARMS on March 31, 2008
Life is really going to be interesting now.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Christmas for Gracie




I didn't expect Gracie to get anything for Christmas, well other than what I had for her. I was wrong, besides Linda's package. My mom gave her a inchworm and a Lilly the frog (it teaches letters, colors, etc).
Then when we got to Granny's, she got the following:

From Aunt Donna, Uncle Matt, Adam and Payton

  • A book, Every Year on Your Birthday
  • A bear that tickles, it sounds so cute. Paul Ray would like to make it quiet
  • A jewelry box, you know that kind that we all had, when you open it, the doll turns

Granny gave her 2 dolls from Russia, they are very nice and will be put up out of her reach.




Next Christmas, we will have our little Princess with us. I can not wait to bring her home.

Thanks everyone for the great gifts.

Christmas For Gracie



A day or so before Christmas there was a notice from the post office that we had a package. In the sender slot, it just said Brindley. I'm thinking, now what has she sent that wouldn't go in the mail box. So on Christmas Eve, PaulPaul went and got it.


I was so thrilled to open this box and find presents for Gracie. Linda, (we worked together at D's, many years ago) I cant believe you sent her a package. I was overwhelmed. Thank you so very much.
In the box, there was, a Ladybug Tea set, Gracie's first. There was a ladybug key chain and there was a ladybug necklace, oh so cute. (we can match, Granny gave me one for Christmas).
She also included Graham crackers and chocolate bars, I'm assuming she read the blog, where Chris would not eat roasted marshmallows because I didn't have those items.
Linda, I left you a message on Christmas eve, I hope you got it. I hope that you and Brandon had a nice Christmas. Thank you so very much. I love all of it and cant wait for Gracie to play with it. Love, Peggy


Her Books. . . .

  1. Guess How Much I Love You
  2. Goodnight Moon
  3. Gigi God's Little Princess Devotional Bible
  4. Gigi God's Little Princess
  5. Gigi Gods Little Princess, The Royal Tea Party
  6. Gigi Gods Little Princess, The Pink Ballerina
  7. Gigi Gods Little Princess, The Perfect Christmas Party
  8. I Am
  9. A Quilt of Wishes
  10. Shaoey and Dot
  11. Shaoey and Dot, The Christmas Miracle
  12. I love you like Crazy Cakes
  13. Just in case you ever Wonder
  14. Counting Katie's Gifts
  15. Tootle
  16. Noah's Ark
  17. My Little Golden Book about God
  18. Cinderella
  19. The Poky Little Puppy
  20. Prayers for Children
  21. I love you Mom
  22. Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges
  23. Shaoey and Dot, A Thunder and Lightning Bug Story
  24. Orange - boardbook (mama)
  25. Blue - boardbook (mama)
  26. Green - boardbook (mama)
  27. Red - boardbook (mama)
  28. Yellow - boardbook (mama)
  29. Purple - boardbook (mama)
  30. Slide and Find on the Farm - boardbook (mama)
  31. Playdoh Cicus of Colors - boardbook (mama)
  32. Rainy Day Friends - boardbook (mama)
  33. The Beginner's Bible - Timeless Childrens Stores
  34. Dear God Help Me Make Friends (mama)
  35. Dear God Why Are There so Many Stars (mama)
  36. Dear God Help (mama)
  37. My Bible Songs (mama)
  38. Bible Stores - In the Begining (mama)
  39. My Prayer Book (mama)
  40. Parables (mama)
  41. Moonbeams, Dumplings and Dragon Boats
  42. My First Signs
  43. Lovebug by Elizabeth Elias
  44. Adeline by Bobby Strickland, illustrated by Kathryn Rathke
  45. My Adopted Child, Theres No One Like You, by Dr Kevin Leman & Kevin Leman II
  46. Every Year on Your Birthday, by Rose Lewis and Illustrated by Jane Dyer

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Now Thats A Christmas Present!


We received an email from Sarah at CCAI today! We got our PA (Pre Approval) for Gracie. Its dated 12/25/07!!!!!!!! This just means they have received our LOI (Letter of Intent to adopt). The next thing we will here, will be that our dossier has been moved to the match room. This can take 3 months from LOI. Wow, we're just moving along now.

I'll post Christmas stuff soon, still have alot of work stuff to do first, so maybe tomorrow! Hope everyone had a Great Christmas.


Tuesday, December 25, 2007

From Our House to Yours




We'd like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. I hope that God has blessed you this Christmas.


Please keep our Gracie (and all the children who do not have families) in your prayers. I pray that God keeps them safe and warm, and that they have a pair of loving arms to hold them.



Baby Girl
This is our last Christmas without you, we love you and cant wait to bring you home Gracie.






Saturday, December 22, 2007

Christmas Breakfast with Bonny

We had our traditional Christmas breakfast with Bonny and her family today. We've done this for many years. We rotate houses, this year we went to her house.


Bonny has been my best friend for many years, and she is more like family. She is the sister I never had. Her daughter Ashlee Gail is a true joy to be around. Here are some pictures from this morning.
This first picture is with Ashlee and her Atlanta Braves Crocs, I think she liked them. Behind her is Mikey, her brother. We gave him a John Deere "Country Boy" tshirt.The second pic is all four of our kids. Don't my two just look thrilled. They did have a good time, they then spent the next several hours with me running errands. It's a rare day when I get them both together. I tried to get them to take a picture with Santa, but they declined.This third picture, is one of the girls. Bonny, me and Ashlee Gail. Bonny is planning my "Gracie Shower". We hope to do it the first part of February. After we left Bonny, we went around the corner to visit Erin and the boys for a little while. Sir Master Noah would not wake up for me. I think he opened his eyes twice. PaulPaul let me hold him a little while after he held him first. Little Man is wired up and ready for Christmas. Hunter boy has a cold, but he let me hold him. It's always a special day when Hunter boy comes to me on his own. How cute is this little boy. Erin said he is eating VERY well. He may be the football player.

Whats Next

What's next you ask?

  • We submitted our Letter of Intent on December 10 (its just a letter expressing our desire to adopt Lu Xin Ming)
  • Our agency translated and forward our LOI to China on the 11th
  • Several weeks later we may receive a pre-approval (PA) or they may skip that step. They will move our dossier to the SN section. Remember that is with the Feb 07 group. They are currently through October 31, 2006.
  • Now we wait. We've learned all about that! They will review our dossier and issue a Letter Seeking Confirmation, (LOA). Once we sign and return the LOA, three weeks later we'll get our Travel Authorization (TA).
  • After TA we can schedule consulate appointment and request our visas.

Happy Birthday Paul Ray



Friday, December 21, 2007

Tianjin Municipality



BEIJING, CHINA - DECEMBER 21: Conjoined twins drink milk at a Air Force General Hospital on December 21, 2007 in Beijing, China. The two male babies from Tianjing Municipality, born as conjoined twins of triplets on 5 November, 2007 will receive an operation to separate them at the hospital. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

Tianjing is where Gracie is.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Meet the newest Winge

Let me introduce the newest member of our family.

Noah Avery
was born this afternoon, he is healthy and handsome. This hat has been worn by all three of Chris and Erin's boys in the hospital. Mom and baby are doing good.

Auntie Peg with her newest love. I sure hope he likes me more than Hunter does.


Sunday, December 16, 2007

Little Man & Brandon playing guitar

We had Little Man Friday night, the excitment must be in the air because this child was full of himself!!!! I dont know how his Mommy manages both boys. I'll be Autie again before next weekend. Poor Erin is ready to give birth to Noah and he just isnt ready to come. I'm sure he wants to arrive on Christmas, but she is not seeing it my way AT all!








Ok, if it works, here is a link to the two of them playing together.



What a Great Day

The weather is horrible, extremely windy and wet, I've got a million things to do. A family Christmas dinner to attend. But . . . . . . . . .
I recently joined another Yahoo group. It's one for Tianjin families, well I recently posted an introduction for us and when I got up this morning I received an email from a very nice lady who used to work in the TJ orphanage. She is now living in southern China and has seen many referrals but ours is the first one that she remembers the child.
She remembers Ming Ming (more on that in a minute) as a baby waiting to go in for surgery. She was such a happy HAPPY (her typing) baby, very well loved. She said after surgery, she went to foster care and she doesn't remember seeing her again. This was enough to brighten my heart just a little today. The stress I've had lately is unreal, and this gift is one I really needed.
Ming Ming. She explained the naming system to me. All the kids that entered the orphanage during the summer of 04 was given the surname of Lu. All the little girls were given the middle name of Xin. So the only unique part to her name is Ming. Ming Winge, oh poor child. We'll figure something out.


Hope everyone has a great day.
Mom to "Ming Ming"

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Christmas's gone by

Christmas 1989 PaulPaul

2004 Little Man with his first John Deere, he still rides it today, along with every child that comes to our house. We should get a couple of these
How sweet is this picture, my baby PaulPaul with Little Man
He'll kill me for sure for posting this pic, he hates it when I post pictures without his "Approval".

Christmas's gone by

Brandon & PaulPaul with Santa

2005 maybe
Same year
Merry Christmas to everyone

Merry Christmas Gracie

Here is Gracie's wagon. I had the boys put it together before we found her. Paul Ray wanted to know why, I wanted her to have her Christmas too. Funny how things work.
In the wagon she has a (another one actually) backpack, two onies (no they wont fit), a thermos (I got it to take to China to keep her water warm) and yes that is a Ergo Baby Carrier. It arrived about 2 weeks before her file. Haven't decided what to do with that yet.
Now how cute are these?


Boy, I have so much to get over the next 3 - 4 months, the list is endless. I have gotten a few pieces of clothes (dresses and PJ's) I'll post those later. The dresses are just too cute.


Paul Ray took this picture, he was on his way home when he spotted these two birds enjoying the puddle. For the life of me I cant remember what kind of bird he said, maybe a hawk.

Run of Bad Luck

Two weeks ago, Paul Ray was on his way home from work. He was approaching an overpass when a piece of cement hit his car. Turns out some teens (who were later caught) damaged about 8 cars over two nights. Thank God he was not hurt.
Then last Monday, (on top of being swamped at work and considering a child's file) on my way home from work, I was rear ended. 5 o'clock traffic on 526, she was a young girl, but very nice and truly sorry about the accident. My car is in the shop, I'm hating the rental (which by the way, I'm on the second one, the first one died going down the road), I miss my car!!!
Some good news though: My boss (which by the way, I do have the best boss ever - STILL) is going to allow me to work from home once Gracie is here. I'll go in once a week. How AWESOME!

Our package being delivered


Here is our referral package being delivered. She thought I was nuts for wanting the picture.
Then when I said you have my daughter, she really thought I'd lost it!

Sunday, December 09, 2007

There couldnt be a better Christmas Present . . . . .

We are so thrilled to introduce the world to our little beauty. At about 11:30 am on Wednesday, December 5 we spoke with Pam and told her we would be honored to have this girl as our own. There is no greater gift that I could have received for Christmas. God is so great!!!! I will forever be grateful for this little girl. I now have my princess to go with my two boys, and I cant wait to love and spoil her.
Please welcome Miss Lu Xin Ming who is currently waiting on us in the Tianjin City Children's Welfare Institute. She shares a June birthday with her brother PaulPaul. He is very excited about that. He was even more excited about the fact that there would be NO diapers. Brandon is still coming around, but I'm sure she will wrap him around her little finger. He is such a sweet, loving person. Gracie Lu (as I've been calling her) has so many people waiting to welcome her home. I cant thank all of them enough for their love and support they have given us over the last year and a half. The next three to four months are going to be SOOOOO busy, things I've been putting off because the wait was just so long. Auntie Ashlee I sure hope you are ready!

Lu - Surname
Xin - Heart, mind
Ming - Bright, brilliant



All she needs now are some dresses, matching shoes and bows!

Saturday, December 01, 2007

I find it interesting where people are at reading my blog. I would love it if you would leave me a comment letting me know who you are and how you found me! I know I have several blogs that I follow daily.



Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll leave me a comment.

Moncks Corner, SC, United States Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:48:28 -0500
Savannah, GA, United States Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:30:31 -0500
Charleston, SC, United States Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:55:31 -0500
Singapore, Singapore
T hu, 05 Jul 2007 12:31:16 -0500
Atlanta, GA, United States Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:04:01 -0500
Fort Myers, FL, United States Thu, 05 Jul 2007 07:52:51 -0500
Charleston, SC, United States Thu, 05 Jul 2007 01:52:54 -0500
Bridgeville, PA, United States Wed, 04 Jul 2007 23:13:45 -0500
Tallahassee, FL, United States Wed, 04 Jul 2007 22:26:57 -0500
Tunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:34:08 -0500
Istanbul, Turkey Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:33:55 -0500
Porsgrund, Norway Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:22:56 -0500

Salvador, Brazil Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:49:45 -0500
Lima, Peru Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:49:21 -0500


Minneapolis, MN, United States Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:50:57 -0500
Iberia, MO, United States Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:59:23 -0500
Atlanta, GA, United States Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:03:06 -0500
North Charleston, SC, United States Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:42:38 -0500
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Aurora, CO, United States Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:46:32 -0500
Cleveland, OH, United States Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:30:46 -0500
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Honolulu, HI, United States Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:28:14 -0500

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North Charleston, SC, United States Thu, 19 Jul 2007 07:39:16 -0500
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Paekakariki, New Zealand Wed, 25 Jul 2007 02:57:57 -0500
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Paris, France Sun, 29 Jul 2007 13:36:17 -0500
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Albany, NY, United States Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:08:36 -0500
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Rushall, United Kingdom Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:04:24 -0500
Bothell, WA, United States Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:08:47 -0500
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Kannapolis, NC, United States Sat, 01 Sep 2007 07:41:05 -0500
Nygårdsheden, Sweden Sat, 01 Sep 2007 01:21:34 -0500
, , United States Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:19:43 -0500
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Akron, NY, United States Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:24:04 -0500
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Kannapolis, NC, United States Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:13:37 -0500
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Raleigh, NC, United States Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:35:45 -0500
Greenville, SC, United States Thu, 06 Sep 2007 09:33:52 -0500
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Dallas, TX, United States Thu, 06 Sep 2007 06:45:49 -0500
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Savannah, GA, United States Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:07:23 -0500


Dallas, TX, United States Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:17:52 -0500
Raleigh, NC, United States Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:17:14 -0500
Charleston, SC, United States Tue, 18 Sep 2007 08:04:41 -0500
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Summerville, SC, United States Mon, 17 Sep 2007 21:48:25 -0500
Savannah, GA, United States Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:05:25 -0500
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Kannapolis, NC, United States Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:31:37 -0500
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Atlanta, GA, United States Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:29:07 -0500



Rochester, NY, United States Wed, 19 Sep 2007 07:44:29 -0500
Kannapolis, NC, United States Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:46:46 -0500
Summerville, SC, United States Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:26:56 -0500
Buenos Aires, Argentina Tue, 18 Sep 2007 13:19:28 -0500
Dallas, TX, United States Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:17:52 -0500
Raleigh, NC, United States Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:17:14 -0500


Raleigh, NC, United States Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:54:09 -0500
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San Antonio, TX, United States Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:57:25 -0500
Tidcombe, United Kingdom Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:11:07 -0500
Charleston, SC, United States Fri, 21 Sep 2007 05:19:28 -0500
Huntsville, AL, United States Thu, 20 Sep 2007 22:14:17 -0500
Kannapolis, NC, United States Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:48:18 -0500
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Concord, NC, United States Thu, 20 Sep 2007 14:16:02 -0500
Jacksonville, FL, United States Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:05:06 -0500
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Raleigh, NC, United States Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:15:33 -0500
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Summerville, SC, United States Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:33:30 -0500



Modesto, CA, United States Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:23:16 -0500
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Montréal, QC, Canada Fri, 19 Oct 2007 08:32:03 -0500
Knoxville, TN, United States Fri, 19 Oct 2007 07:13:29 -0500
Jakarta, Indonesia Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:00:18 -0500
, , United States Thu, 18 Oct 2007 22:10:42 -0500
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Ramla, Israel Sat, 24 Nov 2007 03:44:20 -0600
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Dayton, OH, United States Fri, 23 Nov 2007 20:17:13 -0600
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Suwanee, GA, United States Fri, 23 Nov 2007 16:44:18 -0600


After Referral Announcement

Englewood, CO, United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:54:47 -0600
Moncks Corner, SC, United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:03:28 -0600
Irving, TX, United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:22:40 -0600
, , United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:28:02 -0600
Tallahassee, FL, United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:32:27 -0600
Charleston, SC, United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:24:45 -0600
Raleigh, NC, United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:48:27 -0600
Nürnberg, Germany Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:12:22 -0600
Chattanooga, TN, United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:01:54 -0600
, , United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:21:09 -0600
Littleton, CO, United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:28:34 -0600
, , United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 12:36:33 -0600
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Omaha, NE, United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:46:11 -0600
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Richmond, VA, United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 08:25:42 -0600
Charleston, SC, United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 08:02:56 -0600
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Atlanta, GA, United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 07:45:24 -0600
, , United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 07:44:30 -0600
Walnut Shade, MO, United States Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:27:55 -0600



Moncks Corner, SC, United States Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:41:14 -0600
Huntington Beach, CA, United States Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:26:14 -0600
Sacramento, CA, United States Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:03:31 -0600
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Cincinnati, OH, United States Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:19:11 -0600
Ranson, WV, United States Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:06:42 -0600
Littleton, CO, United States Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:01:43 -0600
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Randolph, NJ, United States Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:26:08 -0600
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Paris, France Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:06:43 -0600
Carnaxide, Portugal Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:33:45 -0600
Templeogue, Ireland Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:14:27 -0600
Alba Iulia, Romania Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:13:57 -0600
Kesteren, Netherlands Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:29:55 -0600
Maqueda, Spain Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:17:23 -0600

Beltsville, MD, United States Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:48:26 -0600
Santiago, Chile Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:26:25 -0600
Ewa Beach, HI, United States Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:19:35 -0600
Yonkers, NY, United States Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:27:24 -0600
Santiago, Chile Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:00:32 -0600
Easley, SC, United States Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:13:12 -0600
Závodie, Slovakia Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:06:24 -0600
Greenville, SC, United States Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:36:17 -0600

CCAA update

















The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before September 30, 2006.

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before December 8, 2005.






Prayer Request

There is the sweetest little girl on our agency's website. Please pray that she finds her perfect forever family.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

OK, how cute, No not the baby, the buggy cover! I've added this to my long list of things to buy my child.


http://www.angelinasuniquebabythings.com/buggybagg.htm

and it comes in this pattern!





I need to look at her crib set again, but how cute are these tiles. I've been looking for something cute like these. I hope they match.




Thursday, November 22, 2007

Go Cocks!

If you're from the South, then you know what Saturday is!!!!!!
It's Game Day! Go Cocks!!!






Happy Thanksgiving

I just want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.
We've had Paul Rays brother, Randy, and his wife staying with us the last two days, its been nice having company. Chris, Erin, the boys, Willie and Lyndsey (Brandons girlfriend) were here. Our niece (Randys daughter) Amy came over with her family. She has a little girl who will be one on Dec 29. She is a sweetie. We had pizza and some of us roasted marshmallows, the spoiled one in the family wouldn't have any because I didn't have chocolate bars and Graham crackers. (Chris you know we love you anyway) Erin is ready for the baby to arrive any time now. He's due on the 19th I believe, I dont see why she cant hold out till Christmas. I just think that would be awesome! A Christmas baby, no mother could ask for a better Christmas present, in my opinion. It would also seem that I am the only one with that opinion.
In the blog world, we have "Thankful Thursdays" I've never done this before, but since today is Thanksgiving, I'd thought I'd post what we are thankful for.

Here are some things that Paul Ray and I are thankful for
*We are fortunate enough that we get to spend our holiday with our families.
*We have two "handsome" healthy boys
*We have family that (no matter what) is always there if we need them
*We have our little nephews that visit us regularly and keep us entertained
*We have our health, good jobs, we live in peace and quiet in the woods
*We live in a world where we are free
*We are thankful to the men and women in the military (and their family)
Here are some things that I am thankful for
*God gave me two great parents, who are Always there for me, no matter WHAT
*I also have two boys that I just adore
*I have a great husband (for the most part:)
*I have a job that I really enjoy and a great boss
*I am thankful for my best friend, Bonny
*I am very thankful that I married a man with a big family (I was an only child)
*I am so grateful that his family trust us with their kids (Little Man told me he wanted
to go back to Disney World and ride the race car with Uncle Paul)
*I am very very thankful that at this point in our lives we are awaiting the referral of
our little Princess, Grace Noelle.

and I'm also very thankful to all my new friends that I have met in the journey. The adoption community has a wonderful group of people in it. I'm sure I've met life long friends here.

I hope that everyone has something to be thankful for today, I must get going now, we have to be somewhere at 12:30. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Monday, November 19, 2007

Our Sunday Trip Downtown

I've lived here all my life and never really done the downtown site seeing thing. We were going downtown on Sunday for the candle lighting ceremony, so the boys and I (and Lyndsey and Little man) went to lunch and then went to the market and walked along the streets. I found a really nice kids shop that I'm looking forward to buying Gracie some dresses from.


Anyway, we all had a really good time. Here is PaulPaul pulling up little man's pants, they kept falling down, poor thing.



Little Man, Brandon and Lyndsey
Hand in Hand, how sweet.
This is before the candles are lit, the ones we took after dark didnt turn out so well. Its really pretty, all the candles lit up around the lake at night. This was our third year going to this, sometimes it seems like yesterday and then other times it seems so long ago. No matter the time frame, Devan will be in all our hearts until we are together again. She was a very special young lady who touched so many people.



Family Homecoming

Here is a link to the bittersweet homecoming of Sandy and her daugher.

http://www.wilx.com/home/headlines/11535626.html

Friday, November 16, 2007

New Referrals are in

Our agency finally got a new list of SN referrals, it is taking them a while to get through it.

I just want to say a Big Congratulations to Patricia at http://littlecabininthewoods.typepad.com/threeempresses on her referral. She is just beautiful.

A Buddhist Saying about Adoption

It basically says you and your husband must have loved your baby very much in your previous life, that you were able to find her again in this life.
This little girl of our is SO loved and by so many people.
Passing this along-

Bethany Christian Services are pleased to announce the Sheldon family has received their visas and are returning home from China this weekend. “We will continue to work with the family to make sure all their needs are met,” said John VanValkenburg, Public Relations Specialist for Bethany Christian Services. “This has been a difficult situation for the Sheldon family and Bethany would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support for this family, including the efforts of Michigan Congressmen, Vern Ehlers and Mike Rogers.”
Due to these special circumstances, Bethany is accepting contributions to support the family until December 31, 2007. Checks can be made payable to Bethany Christian Services and please indicate the Sheldon family on the memo line. Checks can be sent to Bethany 's Donor Records at 901 Eastern Ave NE, PO Box 294 Grand Rapids Michigan 49501 . Bethany Christian Services will give all donations to the family for their “Hope for Hannah” fund.

Dare to love completely

TGIF

I must say that in the last few weeks, I've really grown to like my Fridays!

This weekend is already full. My DH and I have a date, we're going hunting on Saturday. ( I try to go at least once a season with him). When we leave there we're going to pick up our little man to spend the night with us.
Sunday, my boys and I along with Lyndsey are going downtown for lunch and then walking around the market area. From there we'll meet the Winge family at Colonial Lake for the Candle Lighting Service. This is our way of including Devan in our Holiday season. She is never far from anyone minds.
We all love and miss you Devan.
Update on family in China now....

The update when I got home yesterday was:
Sandi's mom asked that no more phone calls be made on her daughters behalf. There had been that many in one afternoon. The adoption communitiy is one that pulls together when something goes wrong. What a great group of people.

This mornings update from another poster.
"I am part of Sandi's travel group. I spoke to her this morning.> >She had a meeting at the consulate this morning and was told with > >95% certainty that she will come home with Hannah as scheduled on> >Saturday. I also should've made clear from the beginning that there> >has been absolutely fantastic and dedicated bi-lingual agency> >representative here with Sandi the entire time who is helping her> >through this process. Thanks to all who helped with the effort to> >bring her home. Our agency representative said all the phone calls> >did make a difference"
What great news that is!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Prayers Needed for this family......

I'm asking you for prayer for a fellow adoptive mom in China now picking up her daughter. Her husband had been traveling with her and died suddenly due to complications of his diabetes. We have received the following information from a family traveling with them in China and we need all the help we can get to bring this mom and baby home. Here is the message...

The US Consulate in Guangzhou has denied Sandi Sheldon permission to proceed with the adoption of Hannah. They want her to fill out a new I-171 and are making no guarantees after that. Sandi, of course does not want to leave China and leave Hannah here because she has no where to go. Sandi needs our help desparately! Please start a massive campaign of calling to her US Congressman and US Senator and urge them to intervene on Sandi's behalf. We have discussed this with Sandi and she wants our help. Please pressure these elected officials to contact the State Department and straighten this out. Sandi should not be denied Hannah's adoption because her husband passed away unexpectedly. The adoption has been finalized here in China. Sandi's congressman is Mike Rogers. His Washington office number is 202 225 4872. His Michigan office number is 517 702 8000, he also has a toll free number 1-877-333-MIKE. Sandi's US Senator is Debbie Stabenow. Her Washington DC number is 202 224 4822 and her Michigan office number is 517 203 1760. Everyone should try to help and call these people until we get final approval.
We should continue to pray that her adoption is finalized quickly and that Sandi can return home to Michigan with Hannah.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Another Month Bites the Dust!!!!


We're 9 months LID!!!!! Any one wanna place a bet on when we will get a referral! Do you think I'll still be young enough to enjoy her, or even better, will she think I'm her Grandma! Another Christmas with no baby girl, please God let this be the last.
As someone I know would say "Do you want some cheese to go along with that wine?" I go through spells! Well enough whining for tonight, time for bed!

Veterans Day Parade


He's in the front by himself. Thanks to Granny we got a picture. Our camera died right on time!!!!!

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Veterans Day, just my thoughts

Veterans Day is this coming Monday. My son Paul will be marching in the Veterans Day parade downtown on Sunday. My baby talks of joining the Airforce, I could not be more proud of him but at the same time, scare to death. Scare of what could happen to him, scared of him leaving home. I've always been worried by my boys leaving home. I know I have to let go, I just hope they always know where home is. He came home from school with an application. The recruiter told him to hold it till March before turning it in since he doesn't graduate until 2009.

As it becomes more real, what his plans are, you cant help but reflect on where this world is today. I've always believed our Military members are people made of gold, how do you thank someone who puts their life on the line for our freedom. They leave their family behind. My uncle died (by friendly fire) in Vietnam, I was too little to remember him. I was just reading a letter from a soldier to his parents (its posted at http://www.adoptaussoldier.org/). How sad and true alot of those letters are. These kids are fighting for the rights of people here that don't support them and bad mouth our President and our country. You hear on TV, our vets are coming home and ending up homeless, how sad. How sad that a pilot can make more money flying business people in safety than a pilot in war. How very sad that our elected Congress can retire and be taken care of For The Rest Of Their Lives, but our Military are forgotten.

I remember standing in Walmart last year during the holiday season, I was behind a lady who was behind a VERY YOUNG solider. He was stationed here with no family. He was buying easy fix it stuff for dinner. I didn't catch the whole conversation, but I stood in Awe as that lady thank him and handed him her name, phone number and address and invited him for a home cooked meal any time. How many times have I had the chance to say Thank you to someone in the military and let the moment pass.

I guess I'm rambling on, between the stress of waiting for Grace and the thought of my boys leaving home, and one them going off for at least four years, to serve his country (which by the way he has talked about since early Middle school) has just turned by nerves inside out.

I know my topic got turned around, but my original thought was this:

On this Veterans if you get a chance to thank our Military, don't let it pass.


Thursday, November 08, 2007

Blue Friday - Show your support

Blue Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearingblue every Friday.

The reason?

Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority ofAmerica supports our troops.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that ... every RED BLOODED AMERICAN who supports our men and women afar, will wear something blue. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If everyone of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is ...'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something blue every Friday.


PASS THIS ON, FEEL FREE TO COPY AND PASTE. Now I'm off to find something blue to wear tomorrow.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Happy Birthday Little Man

My nephew turned 3 on Nov 2nd. I cant believe he is already 3 years old. He is just as cute as he was the day he was born.

He loves John Deere, I'd say his Mom did a great job on the cake. Ok, she didn't make it, but she had to go to the store and get it.

This is Hunter Boy enjoying the cake. Yum! Oh and Hunter has recently starting letting me hold him for more than a minute at a time!

Now check these out, when Little Man comes to the house, you can be sure he tries to sneak up to Brandon's room and get the guitars, Brandon has several. Little Man likes to refer to them as HIS! Brandon decided he wanted to get little man one for his birthday. I thought he'd get him a toy, NOPE. He found him the real thing, in his size! How Cool Is That!!!!!! Here he is jamming with it. It even came with a little amp! Awesome Gift.

And here he is in his new jammies.

9 mths 3 wks 3 days from LID to Referral

4 mths 2 wks 2 days from MCC to Referral

Timeline from signing the application to Gotcha Day!!!!