The Lake House

Well... I went to see the movie "The Lake House" last night. It was interesting... I agree with others that one of the oddest things was the time it is set in. And, the ending. I don't want to give away too much, but I did like the fact that it tied up the "waiting" idea and it was a happy ending. I always like that. But it was a little abrupt for me (and where did Jack go?)...

I wish my love life would work out. I'd say like the movie, but in reality I'd rather not love someone from a different time and go through all that drama...ha.

Yesterday we also had Chase's kid birthday party. There were 8 kids - Chase, McKenzie, Jeffrey, Sarah, Elizabeth, AnnaBelle and Brian's kids (Hannah... and I don't know the other's names, oops). It was at a place called King's Castle and was way better than Chuck E. Cheese. They had two nice young men who oversaw the party. They had a separate room for us with pizza and cake and soda. It was very orderly and organized. They even helped Chase open his gifts! Then we all went out and the kids played 18 holes of miniature golf! Too cute. :) All of the kids seemed to have a blast and they all behaved (no meltdowns amongst the kids, although, one adult did have one). Oh, I forgot to mention that they got tokens and got to play games while the pizza was ordered and after they played golf. Very full afternoon and a lot of fun.

I still can't believe Chase is 6 years old! Wow! He's growing up so fast!! (He'll be wearing my shoes in the next year, yikes!!)

Referrals

CCAA has updated its web site with the news that this month's referrals will go from June 16 through (including) June 28, 2005. That's 13 days worth, which is 4 more days that they did last time! (March was 5 days, April was 7 days, May was 9 days, June is now 13 days.)

What this might mean for me... well, if they happened to start doing referrals one month at a time, my referral would likely be end of October or sometime in November. If they stay at 2 weeks at a time, it will be much longer than that. I am still hoping it doesn't come before the end of September, because if I can travel after October 24, then work will reimburse me some toward the adoption.

I did read somewhere that the CCAA might have gotten through their Review of October dossiers, though, which is pretty darn exciting!! (that would include ME!!!)

We shall see!

Congrats to all the new parents out there!! :)

Punkin

My nephew's birthday is today, he is 6 years old!!! Happy Birthday Punkin!! :)

Auntie M

Chase and Mommy:

Ladybug purses

So, I made 2 ladybug purses this weekend. They are pink. My sister promised she'd take some pics for me so I can post them. I promise I will do that soon!! They turned out SO cute, if I do say so myself!! :) This goes to the finance thoughts I had last week... I have sold 12 purses so far, a drop in the bucket, but it is something I enjoy and hope I can do more of. Anything I make goes directly toward the trip to China (the flights aren't cheap) and it makes me feel like I'm making a little difference.

I have more ladybug fabric to get cut out this week, some that is green with red ladybugs and yellow with ladybugs... and then more pink. I also have frogs and horses and dogs to cut out. Seems like some of my sister's friends like more of this whimsical style than the more traditional flowered type, as those are the types of fabric people have requested. My step-mom really liked the Butter Yellow Asian print one I made and she also bought one for my step-sister that is a green repro-print. Woohoo!! (My sister has these listed on eBay, too, as I made more than one of each.)

I am also making a couple of baby-bags this week! I had one request for one (Pooh) and I would like to make one for myself (and anyone else who wants one).

My sister and I are going to set up a table at the flea market in the next few weeks to see if I can get any interest. Gotta get some 4th of July (stars and stripes) ones done soon, too!!

Sew, Sew, Sew...

In other news, I am going to look at carpet and re-paint my family room this week. Am I busy, or what? I'm trying to keep myself busy, or else I think way too much!! LOL. Ok, I think too much regardless.

Anxious to see what rumors pan out or don't this month as far as referrals, too.

So, here are a few I've made (and are available). These don't have embellishments, but I have started putting buttons and things on them to liven them up a little. And can put them on if you want!! I'll post ladybug ones when I get the pics! :)

This one has been one of the most popular fabrics I've chosen. I've made two for my sister, one for her friend, one for a friend of ours, and have one left to sell:

My sister loves this print... and it is appropriate for those who love hunting dogs and hunting in general:


I love this fabric! Apparently, so does my step-mom, 'cause she wanted this one for herself!


This is a pretty simple green purse... my step-mom bought one for my step-sister.

This would be such a great little purse to take to the pool or beach... If it doesn't sell, I'm going to keep it for myself!


This is a quilted purse. I am going to add two great blue buttons to the tab, but I haven't done that, yet.

Timely Reminder

I was reading Motherhood Unscripted blog and her challenge was quite timely. What everyday things am I thankful for?

"...For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
Philippians 4:11

I'm thankful that I have a home, a wonderful family, a good job, and the ability to adopt a little girl by myself (God will provide). I am also thankful that I can run, because it is a great stress reliever if there ever was one.

Freaking again

Ok. Well, I just sat down and looked at my finances *again*... Ugh.

Do you all freak out about money? How you are going to pay for your adoptions? I've paid almost $8,000 so far, but I still have approx $12,000 to come up with! Yikes. That seems alittle high, but since it isn't an exact number from my agency, I've taken their highest estimates. That doesn't include any extra for when I get home, just in case I need it. That's not good. (I would feel better with a 2-3K cushion, but have no idea if I can do 12K, let alone that much!) Right now, gulp, I'm not even half way where I need to be for the 12K, let alone any buffer!!! OMG. And I realize that I need to be thankful (sorry) that I am not going to China right now... 'cause that could have happened (7.5 mo since LID). Not that I wouldn't hop on a plane right now if they called... but finance-wise, I'm so not ready. :(

For what it's worth, I've been making purses (as some of you might remember) and things to sell. They haven't really sold online much, but my sister has been an angel and gotten friends to buy them! She's such the little saleswoman! :D But, I need to get cracking! I got a couple of great ideas from a friend today to make some other items...and now I just need to get to making them to see if anyone would even be interested.

I'm. freaking. out.

So, what do you do to make sure you can pay for your adoption, if you are adopting? As I've said before, adoption ain't cheep kiddos.

I realize I've posted a couple of times today... odd for me lately, but I just felt like sharing.

...deep breaths....

Happy father's day, Dad!!

Not news...

Another fun tidbit about me:

You Have A Type A- Personality

You are one of the most balanced people around Motivated and focused, you are good at getting what you want You rule at success, but success doesn't rule you. When it's playtime, you really know how to kick back Whether it's hanging out with friends or doing something you love! You live life to the fullest - encorporating the best of both worlds

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

How about you?

Adopting alone

So, I asked the question to another single-adopting-momma-blogger why she chose to adopt and to adopt alone... so, I thought I'd answer my own question.

I decided to adopt for several reasons. First and foremost, I want to have a family. I'm in my 30's now and ain't gettin' any younger! What to do, what to do?

So, since I'm single I thought through my options... birthing** a baby alone just didn't seem like the right answer. I know, I could try the procedures... or I could try to find someone to have a baby with. But, no. Then there is adoption. Since I'm single, adopting here in the States is a little tougher (if you want a baby). It could take years. And, maybe someday I will go through the homestudy process for my area and either foster or try to adopt a 2nd child that way, but for now, it just didn't seem like it fit me either.

Then there is international adoption. Some of the countries won't allow singles to adopt. Some won't let singles adopt babies. Others are cost prohibitive. Yet others have long trips (or undefined amount of time to their trips). Narrowing down the field... brought me to China. :) It does take quite awhile to get through the process for China, even. I started Jan 2005 and am now waiting for my referral. I won't likely bring my daughter home until the end of this year or beginning of next. I'm ok with that... but the wait is hard sometimes.

**Do you all say you are 'having' a child (when adopting)? I realize that most people use the word 'having' to mean they are bearing a child... But I will be having her... in my life... more of a currently active use of the word, I think. But that's just me. I'm weird like that.

So, I, currently, run and quilt (sew) to keep myself busy. I also hang out with my family and friends a lot. Sometimes I shop. :) Last week, I made 7 purses. I know... I didn't post pics. I will next time. :) My goal is 5 purses this week. Maybe more. I was supposed to run a marathon last weekend, but was sick. My running won't be as fun this summer 'cause of the heat and less racing, but I am hoping it prepares me well for the fall. :)

Ok, enough rambling...

Feel free to write and share why you decided to adopt alone... and from where. I'd love to hear your stories.

Family pics from when Joe was home.

Sis, little bro' and me:


Nephew and bro':

Adoption picnic

So, I went to a picnic that was being held by my Homestudy agency on Sunday. It was pretty nice. I got to talk to a family that I met while getting fingerprinted last August. That was a treat! I wasn't expecting to see them there. They had 2 daughters (adopted from China) when we met in August. They were in the process of deciding if they were going to adopt a third baby girl from China or from Guatemala. Apparently, the chose to adopt from China again! She is a beautiful little girl! They named her Mia, which is one of the names I've been considering. The mom said she gets called Maya, though... something to consider.

It was more fun than I thought it might be. I was a bit nervous about talking to families, especially since I haven't gotten my referral or traveled yet. (I wonder if other people feel the same way... or if anyone else would even go to such a picnic!) Everyone was so nice, though. Some folks were going back for their 2nd or 3rd child and were waiting, like me. That was great to hear/see.

A friend's referral

An online friend of mine, K, and her husband just received a referral for a baby boy to be named Levi Henry (what a COOL name!) yesterday! He is from Korea and was born 4/16/06 (not even 2 months old! WOW). I'm just SO THRILLED for them!!! :D She said he is a bit small, and the Dr. is a little concerned about that. But 'K' believes this is their son, and I'm very excited for them. They should hopefully travel in October. :) WOOHOO.

That'll be me ... sometime. ha.

It'd be great to hear about others referrals... please post about yours if you are inclined. :)

Who new?!!

Your Linguistic Profile::

60% General American English

20% Dixie

10% Yankee

5% Midwestern

0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

The wait

So, I've written about the wait for referral from China before. When I started the adoption process, it was taking 6-8 months from when your Dossier was Logged into China (LID - login date) to when you got a referral. As of right now it is taking 11-14 months. For June of '05 LIDs, there were some referrals up to 6/15/05 this May (an 11 month referral time). My agency is saying that this month they think there might be referrals up to June 23 of last year. That would be a 12 month wait. And so it goes...

Just for reference, I've been waiting 7 months, so far. My LID is 10/31/05.

I'm still not sure what all this means for me. Or if the referrals will speed up any time soon. My fingerprints expire on August 11, which means I will need to go to get my fingerprints done again. The I-171H expires next February... and, so if I don't get travel arrangements before then, I'll have to have that re-done, too. I need to figure out what this means for my homestudy, because somehow I'm remembering it might expire, too. Oh my. Potentially, lots of re-work.

I'm ok with most of this, though, because I can still use the extra time (I still have quite a bit of funds to come up with, let alone getting the house ready). I know the wait is frustrating; I totally understand. Some days it just seems like it might never happen. But they assure me it will. Let's see what happens. This is in God's hands, as far as I'm concerned.

Work is frustrating, too... but that is a topic for another day!