Friday, March 31, 2006

5 Days

On 3/27 CCAI posted that the next batch of referrals were out. The dates included May 26th through May 30th. Another conundrum for you math geniuses out there?...No..even a first grader could tell you, THAT'S 5 FRIGGIN DAYS!!! 5 days, what the hell is the CCAA trying to do to us waiting families? CCAI doesn't even have any LIDs during these 5 days so NO referrals for CCAI this month. I have been trying to digest this tid-bit of info and it's going down like sour milk. In fact, I have been so disgusted and angry that I have not even been able to post this update.
What this means, in a nut shell, is that we may never get our referral. Ok, maybe that's a little overboard but it has taken 3 effing months to get May referred and the 31st is still dangling out there and unreferred. These referrals are for families who were logged in in May of 2005. We were logged in in September of 2005. That is 3 whole months that have to be referred before they get to September. If the CCAA continues at the current pace of 3 months to refer 1 months worth of LIDs then that is 9 months from now before we could see our baby girl's face and 10-11 months before we could kiss it. Everyone seems to think that will not be the case but how am I to think any differently? Is anyone (CCAI or the CCAA) giving us any kind of explanation? NO! CCAI has posted on their web site that current wait times are approximately 10 months. Where do they get that number? Do they know something they aren't telling us? Are they just arbitrarily pulling a number out of their ass? I am not angry at our agency (CCAI). I realize that they are at the mercy of the Chinese government(CCAA). But I just don't understand how things can move along at the same rather predictable pace for more than 2 years and then, with no rhyme or reason (or explained rhyme or reason) the timeline nearly doubles. The amount of dossiers received and logged in has not doubled. When we signed the contract we totaly understood that it could be unpredictable and crazy. But what we didn't know was that we would just have to ride it out with no explaination of a nearly double timeframe.
Maybe I need to make a public apology to everyone who decided to try to grow or start their family through China at the same time as we did. It has obviously never been in the cards for us. For whatever reason, we who have nothing but a wonderful home and family full of love and possibility for a child, are being denied that which is allowed for even the most heinous of people. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING??? Time and time again we are shot down. Month after month for oh, 5-6 years now our hopes are shattered in the blink of an eye. Thank you very much, I'll just go to work and take care of that crack head's beautiful drug addicted baby. No, I'm not bitter....
On the brighter side, the CCAA has finished the review of dossiers received in August. What I gather (I have to "gather" since I can't get concrete info) from that is that they are reviewing September (that's us) now. Or at least, we're next. I guess that is supposed to mean that they are moving forward, be it at a snails pace, they are moving.
Somehow I'm supposed to find some solace in that, and the fact that "it will happen" and "it will be the perfect baby at the perfect time". I know I've said it before but until that girl is ours, not just in our hearts but in our tight, loving grasp will I be content to believe "it will happen". Until then we'll wait cluelessly because that is what we have paid for and are expected to do.
This should not be this hard.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Happy Birthday Wood!!


The more I do this blogging stuff, the more I realize I need more pictures of my family. I actually had a picture of Jami from xmas but it wasn't very clear because he was in the backround. Just one more that I'll have to make up. Anyway, we love you Bub and hope you're having a wonderful birthday! Posted by Picasa

Monday, March 27, 2006

Happy Birthday Racheal!!


Once again, I am without a picture. I considered scanning in your school pic but after working the past four nights, I just didn't get around to it. Sorry, beautiful girl :) I'll be sure to get one (or more) in a couple of weeks when you come to visit. Can't wait to see you all. Hope you're having a great day, Racheal. We love you, Happy Birthday! Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Check Out the Beautiful Spring Day in WV


What is wrong with this picture? Could it be the inch of icy cold SNOW on this beautiful 3rd day of spring? Posted by Picasa

Bela Fleck


We scored tickets to a sold out Mountain Stage on Sunday. It was great to get to see some live music. It's been a while. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones played a long set that was super as always. The other bands were alright too. I do love me some Bela Fleck though. Honestly, he's a pretty tought act to follow.
The picture is not so good. Our Sony Cyber-shot does horriable with no flash allowed. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Thank You Aimee


Aimee, dear Aimee, gave us this AWSOME picture frame. It tooks so cute in that girl's room!
Thanks my friend. ;)
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Thanks From Your Granddog


We had a great time visiting in Tennesse this weekend. Fisher thought he was in heaven. Here he is chewing on a ham bone his grandparents had saved for him. We thank you so much for welcoming him into your home. And he says thanks for all the meat!!
It was nice to get to see the family and spend a little time together. It was very springy in TN...lots of flowers and trees with full blooms. I think I got a sunburn sitting on the patio. Posted by Picasa

Sarah


I was thinking about pictures on the way to Tennessee and I suddenly remembered that I do have a picture of Sarah. This is Sarah and I at the Jerry Garcia Birthday bash in Terra Alta, WV, August 2004.
So, Happy Birthday again, Nugget. Posted by Picasa

The Inside


A shot of the inside. The fabric is beautiful and coordinates perfectly. Posted by Picasa

My New Bag


If anyone is thinking about ordering a bag from Terri, do it! This bag is beautiful and so well made. It's a great size. Perfect in every way. Posted by Picasa

Thank You Secret Pal!!


Some great baby toys arrived over the weekend for our baby girl from our wonderful secret pal. The bunny is so soft and I love her purple bow. We have laughed and laughed at the Leap Frog caterpillar. It sings some great songs. Thank you, as always, for your thoughtfulness. Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Happy Birthday Momaw!!


Happy Birthday to my sweet Momaw. This picture is from her suprise 90th birthday party last year. Those of you who are good at math may even be able to figure out how old she is this year. We love you and hope your day is wonderful!! Posted by Picasa

Happy Birthday Nugget!!


Happy birthday Sarah! I am sorry this is a day late. Yesterday just kinda slipped away before I knew it. I did think of you though.
I couldn't find a pic of Sarah anywhere except for on our wall. So instead, we will honor you with this daffodil that bloomed in our yard for your birhtday. We love and miss you and that big boy. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Happy Birthday Mike!!! E6


Happy day to my love. Steak and crab legs, friends, beer and brownies. Sounds like a pretty good birthday to me!
Today is one year since our application was accepted by CCAI. Time really has gone by quickly. We have known for 1 year now that we will have a daughter. We will have a daughter, we will. I am sure of it.
Today is our 6 month LID anniversary too. Lots of stuff going on today. We have to be more than half way through the wait.
The cute little ticker has my sun on it again. It is prepared for a full 12 months. I sure hope to never see my sun near the end of that ticker.
 Posted by Picasa

Friday, March 10, 2006

WOW


"Julian Beever is an English artist who is famous for his art on the pavements of England, France, Germany, Australia and Belgium. His art's particularity ??? amorphous. His images, drawn completely flat, look 3-dimensional when viewed at the right angle."
My friend Chip sent this picture. It is incredible! I had to share.
 Posted by Picasa

Could it be?


I went to check the mail today and what did I notice at the base of the mailbox post? I'll be damned if it's not a flower. I just took down the snowflake flag and replaced it with this new spring one on Tuesday and that flower sure was not there then. How exciting!! I put this big red circle on the picture so you would be sure not to miss the flower. When we were coming home from Mom's tonight, we heard frogs croaking. Hooray for spring!
I also noticed that the sun is missing from my ticker at the top of this page. Do we only get 5 months of a cute countdown? Posted by Picasa

Not Just a Dandelion


Upon closer inspection you can see that the little flower is a crocus. Not just a weed. At this point I'll take anything with some color other than brown. Posted by Picasa

Who Are You And What Have You Done With Maggie?


I guess a girl has got to get some lovin' somewhere. But Maggie is not usually in search of lovin'. Once in a great while, she will suprise us. This is one of those times. Posted by Picasa

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Happy Birthday Shirley!!


Happy Birthday to my dear Mother-in-law. This is a picture from our annual beach trip last summer. In the picture also is our niece Caitlin. Hope you had a wonderful birthday!  Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Happy Birthday Fisher!!


Today is Fisher's 6th Birthday. So, I took this opportunity to humiliate him with a homemade birthday hat and put the picture out here for all to see. It did take lots of cheese to get him to leave the hat on long enough to snap a picture.
The rumors are flying again. August dossiers are in the review room...September dossiers are in the review room. OH MY GOSH...we are September! The only thing definitive is this, cut and pasted strait from the CCAA web site,
"The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before July 31, 2005."
If they have finished review of all of July I suppose they would have to be moving on the August. But September, I'm not so sure. And just because they have been reviewed doesn't mean there are babies ready for them. I'm still not holding my breath but I am finding it harder to breath. Our girl is getting closer. There is no rumor on the next batch of referrals, as this last batch was just referred last week. My guess is sometime near the end of March. We are all hoping for many more than 12 days worth. That would just barely get into June. My stock answer these days to the endless "have you heard anything yet? When are you gonna get your baby?" is, "sometime between June and January is my best guess. Maybe later but hopefully sooner".
Happy Birthday to my big furry baby boy!!
 Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

The Latest Addition


I found this perfect blue twinkle, twinkle little star sign while shopping this past weekend. It is exactly the right color. As you can see the plant in the fish bowl is doing fine. Most of the original plant died but Mom gave me more to put in it. Posted by Picasa

Spring has Sprung


Spring is officially springing out in WV. These are actually buds on this tree in the front yard. There are daffodils popping out of the ground beside of the house also. Bring It On!!
Yesterday, 112 families with a LID of May 23 from CCAI were given their referrals. How wonderful for those families!! I cannot imagine their joy. Maybe someday, many moons from now, we will know their joy. If the CCAA continues to match only 12 days of dossiers each month it could be a very, very, very long time before we get to experience that joy. What ever happened to 6-8 months? It seems as if 9-10 months has come and gone too. The I171H is only good for 18 months. It seems inconceivable that everyone would be expected to renew that expensive yet crucial part of the process but it sure looks like we're headed in that direction. Posted by Picasa