Guess what
we asked Santa
to bring us??????

Putting it in perspective.....

Paul and I are both asked repeatedly what it taking so long with the adoption? why are things moving so slow? wasn't Avery supposed to be home by now? Of course the answers are always the same: if we could speed things up we certainly would. I found these numbers on another website and although I can't guarantee the validity of them, they sure seem correct to me. So for those of you following my blog but not privy to all the end and outs of Chinese adoption here are some statistics for you:

*There are currently over 30,000 dossiers in China waiting to be matched

*The CCAA has referred approximately 600 children each month so far in 2007

*The total number of referrals for 2007 should be between 7,000 and 7,500

*Prior to the May 2007 there were 1600-2000 dossiers registered with the CCAA each month

From looking at these numbers it is not hard to tell why the wait continues to grow. It is kind of crazy to think that in January of this year the CCAA was matching Sept 2005 and in the entire year of 2007 they will probably only get through 3 months worth of dossiers yet refer 7,500 babies!!!!

The bright side is that they are now matching OUR month! So we should definitely be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. So far there are no rumors yet on what the next cut off may be but we are still holding out for a January referral. I can't think of a better way to start off 2008!!!

You know that I just couldn't stay home....

Yes, I did go shopping on Black Friday as usual. I did however sleep in and not leave the house until 6am! I was back at the house by 10am with 95% of my Christmas shopping complete. This is the first year I have headed out alone on this shopping expedition but I have to say that it was not bad at all, in fact, when you only have to worry about yourself it doesn't take nearly as long.
Paul did wind up joining me for a couple of stores after he got off work but I am not sure he wants to do that again anytime in the near future. The picture to the left shows all the treasure we came home with!!!
I was so proud of myself for the bargains I scored and still full of energy because I wasn't out all day that I immediately came home and started wrapping!! Now all of our gifts are wrapped, tagged, and ready for Christmas (as evidenced by the photo on the right). I am sure one of the reasons I am trying to rush the holiday season is because we expect to see our daughter's face right after the New Year!!!

Happy Black Friday everyone!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

We have so much to be thankful for this year. My top three are: FAITH, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS!!!!!


Thank you all so much for being a part of our lives and following our journey.

Could it really be???

Yes, unfortunately it is. Today marks the 23rd month that our dossier has been registered in China. We never dreamed it would take this long, yet here we are....still waiting. We find a little bit of solace in the fact that the CCAA is actually referring our month.




I am having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit this year. Usually this week I am scouring the internet looking for the sneak previews of the Black Friday ads, mapping out my strategy, and making list after list. This year however, I am just kind of dragging. I haven't even decided if I am going shopping Friday. Yes, this statement comes from me (the girl who is usually out with the masses no later that 4am)!!!

I guess I could attribute it to multiple things, first and foremost I never thought we would still be waiting for Avery to come home and second this has not exactly been the easiest year for my family. Believe me I know that I still have a multitude of things to be thankful for and I am, my spirits are just depleted right now.

Hopefully this funk will lift and my old sparkly self will come back soon!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTIE!!!

I need to give a "Shout Out" to my girl Christie. Happy Birthday sista!!! You are a great friend and will be a wonderful mother.

Hope you have an awesome day!!!

Thanks for a great season!!!

Thursday night brought the end of the football season for Kelby, Kolin's ended a couple of weeks ago. Both boys did AWESOME this year!!! There were definitely many highlights from the season and both teams won more games this year than last. The picture on the left was taken at Kolin's last game.

Next year brings Kelby playing for the high school on the Junior Varsity team and Kolin's first year of playing for the school district instead of the town youth association. Each boy will also have their own little cheerleader. We need to start looking for Avery's uniform now!!!

Enjoy the highlights from both teams on the slideshows!!!

Kelby is #2 and plays on both the offense and the defense.

Kolin is #5 while wearing red jerseys and #90 while wearing white. He plays defense.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!

Weekend plans...........

Tonight and tomorrow Paul and I will be attending a marriage conference offered at our church. We have never been to this type of offering before and I am very excited. The premise of the conference is the different needs of the husband and wife: The love she most desires/The respect he desperately needs. Evidently men and women are "wired" differently. Whoa!!! Who would have ever guessed that????

So off we go, to learn more about each other and hopefully make what is already a strong marriage even stronger!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Is it a sign????

<>I stopped for chinese food on the way to work one night this week, and believe it or not this is exactly what my fortune cookie read!!! Yep, I believe it big changes ARE coming for us hopefully sooner rather that later!!!

The CCAA updated their website today!!!!

That's right the new cut off is Dec 8th. They are referring our month people....OUR MONTH!!!!!!! There are now a mere 12 days between the last day referred and our log in date. We are not expecting to see Avery's face in December (but of course we would take a December miracle!)so hopefully January will bring our referral. What a great way to start out 2008!

Regardless, let me repeat....they are referring OUR month!!!!!

Headin' Home

Yesterday afternoon,we left home and headed south to Austin for the Adoption and Travel training seminar our agency holds. We were just there overnight, attended the seminar today and are on our way home now (I just love having internet while driving down the road!).

Anyway back to the seminar there there was some great information given regarding bonding and attachment as well as packing and what to expect on the trip. It was a little tedious to be sitting still for 4 hours but we made it through. We were also able to meet another couple with our same LID (if you are reading this, HI Stephanie!) It was great to get to meet a couple we should be traveling with. They were so nice and we seemed to have quite a bit in common.

Of course the turning point in the seminar came when a couple that had only been home for 3 months came in with their baby to give us some travel tips and advice. Once they entered I think everyone in the room was mesmerized with Little Lulu. It reminds you why you jumped on this roller coaster in the first place.

So tonight it will be Home Sweet Home and back to our furbaby Rowdy.

Referrals are expected to arrive Monday so be on the lookout for an update on the next cut-off.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!