Somewhere in China- Our Journey to Bring Sierra Home

A new blog!!

2009-03-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

New blog. www.onmyfrontporchlookingin.blogspot.com

I have been thinking for some time about starting a new blog. I originally started blogging as a way for family and friends to follow along on our journey to bring Sierra home. The writing gave me an outlet during the stressful times we endured. I have always enjoyed writing and find it relaxing and comforting. I would like to continue writitng about the things that mean the most to me, my family, friends, my relationship with God and just the everyday nuances of life in the country. This blog will always old a special place in my heart. In it is our journey to China to meet our amazing daughter. Someday she will be able to read it and learn how much she is truly loved and how everyone was waiting for her arrival.
While I was trying to figure out what to name my new blog, a song came on the radio. I had always liked it. It is sung my Lonestar. It talks about sitting on the porch and looking at the beautiful views he can see, but his favorite view is looking in and seeing his wife and kids. The song says its the beauty inside that is important. Anyway when I heard it I knew it was the perfect title for my new blog.
I would like to include in my blog more about me, my husband, and my other 3 wonderful children as well as Sierra and how she is blossoming and growing. I hope everyone will click on the link and join me in looking in!!!!!

A gift of a day!!

2009-03-29T14:53:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me know that I love being outside. Friday and Saturday were 2 days that were perfect for doing just that. It is so fun to watch Sierra as I know for a fact that she did not see alot of outside time. We spent pretty much all day Saturday in our yard!! But before we went out, when Daddy went to the dump sierra realized the kitchen garbage basket was sitting on the floor, without a bag in it. Now, the only help she adked for was for me to open up the cabinet under the sink. We have a child proof latch on it. The rest she did all onher own. I had to take pictures , it was just too cute.

After she got dressed she went outside to help big brother David rake out some mud ruts. She knew just what to do with her rake and hoe!!!

Had to take a picture together!!
Then other big brother Paul stopped over with Jenn and Sierra was so glad to see them!!!

Like I said it was a pefect day. We uncovered our camper and Sierra got to walk over to our neighbors and swing on their swing set. She played ball, rode her hot wheel,went to the other neighbors and fed the horses carrots and went to bed nice and early!!! And the best part was I got to do it all with her!!!!

What a fun day!!!

2009-03-27T18:15:00.000-07:00

Sierra took the above picture of Grace. I tink she captured how beautiful she is!!!

Sierra has never wanted to hold another child's hand but she loved holding Grace's!!! I sure wish she would smile for the camera!!!!

Today we started out our day as we do every Friday morning. Sierra and I go visit my good friend Ellen and her husband Art( who is also a very dear friend) Art has been battling a brain tumor for over 11 years. He is now in the advanced stages of his cancer battle. He is home and Ellen has stopped working to be with him. They are the most devoted couple I have ever met. I knew this way before Art became sick. I have always thought of them as two people who love each other in a very big way. They have weathered this storm with grace , dignity amd love. They have accomplished much in the last 11 years and have lived life to the very fullest. Art has never given up and if you ask him how he is he always replies" I'm looking good!!" I hold them both very close to my heart. Anyway on Friday mornings Sierra and I go to visit and help out in any small way we can. The first time we were there, Sierra had Ellen and I both in tears as she gently caressed Art's hand. She looks foward to the visits and always asks to see Art as soon as we get there. (Unless she is already feeding their dog bones!!!) I am so grateful that these two people are in Sierra's life. I love you guys!!!

Next we went to vsit another friend Grace. Grace came to the US from China in 2005. Her parents were the main reason we went ahead with our plans to adopt from China. Scott and I had talked about it but when I first met Grace I knew we had to move foward!!! We used the same agency they did and were extremely happy. So Sierra and I went to their house for a lunch date. It was unseasonably warm so we were outside most of the time!!! We had a great time and I got some cute pictures. It was an awsome visit!!!

Sierra then had time for a nap before she went to gymnastics!!! What a fun day and I loved spending it with her!!!

Good news for David!!

2009-03-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

After contacting the school this morning, they have agreed to pay for David's windshield, We just have to bring them 3 different quotes which we did today!!! I am so happy it worked out this way. Diane and Stephe thank you both for your support and generous offers!!!!

David's rough day!

2009-03-24T17:04:00.000-07:00

I was thinking today of how I have been posting so much about Sierra that I should really do a post about David. He is such an amazing big brother to Sierra!!( Tim and Paul are awesome too!) He can not wait to get home to see her and she can not wait to see him!!! She now knows that he is in school during the day and we went and visited him there yesterday so she could see.
David has made the Varsity baseball team. He loves playing ball and this is his first year on Varsity. His brother Paul is the Assistant Coach. ( I haven't decided whether that is good or bad for David. I will let you know in a couple of weeks. ) So tonight I had a meeting and when I came home I asked David how practice was. He mumbled something about it being not so great!! I asked him if he got hurt and he said no. It seems that the girl's JV softball team was praciticing near the parking lot where his truck is parked. (The students have designated parking spots.) Well a miss guided softball wound up shattering his windshield on his truck!!! Now, his truck is older so it does not have collision. We are strapped so tight with me not working. Daivd has a job lined up starting in April but his truck is undriveable. I sent an email to the school asking what they can so. I have a feeling the answer will be nothing but I am willing to fight it. He parked where they told him to. So, keep your fingers crossed or better yet please pray for a positive response from the school. I feel so bad for him. All his friends drive newer, nicer vehicles but he drives the one he paid for with all of his own money. He is such a good kid and I hate that this happened to him!!!!!

Some outside fun!!!

2009-03-24T08:16:00.000-07:00

Sierra was just lounging around so her Dad decided to take her outside on her climbing apparatus!! He got some great pictures with her yellow raincoat.

Of course she has to find the mud first!! Little girls are not that different than little boys!!!

Fot those of you wondering, Emma and Sierra are becomong friends!!

We thank God every day for bringing this precious gift into our family. I can not picture our life with her not in it!!!! I am also grateful for a n up and running computer with a much faster internet. I can't wait to post more pictures of our adventures!!!

Gymnastics

2009-03-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

Sierra has started a gymnastics class run by the town youth commission. she seems to really like it and is learning lessons about working in a small group of children. There is only about 6 kids and they split up into a smaller group. So even though she is learning to wait her turn, she does not have to wait that long. If you look closely at the picture of her on the balance beam you will notice that it is Daddy holding her hand. She did not want anyone else to help her!!! Its fun watching her in new situations. She usually watches for a long time before she will join in. But she takes everything in as she watches and doesn't miss a thing.

2009-03-19T17:53:00.000-07:00

Daddy and Sierra at the parade. She loved the drums!!!!

2009-03-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

These are two favorites, will try to post more later. Sierra is sitting on Paul's lap showing me the candy she got at the parade. The other picture is her telling Scott to be quiet while she is "talking" on the phone!!! I just love that picture!!!

We are doing great!!1

2009-03-19T05:03:00.000-07:00

I can't believe is been so long since I posted. I am still having major trouble with my computer ans am still using david's laptop. Hopefully we will get things running soon and I can post some pictures!!! Sierra and I are living our days at home. It is so much fun learning and watching with her. Her enthusiasm for life is a joy to watch. G od really knew what he was doing when he spoke to me about adopting. If any one is wondering whether you could love a newly placed 3year old in your family as uch as a bio kid, the answer for us is a resounding YES!!!!! The love I feel for this little girl is as strong as the love I feel for my 3 wonderful boys. I would protect her with every breath of my being. She has grown in my heart , not my body but she is ours forever!!! I will never fully know what her life was like before but I take great pleasure in wat ching her laugh, play , run, dance and sing. And oh can she sing. She sings in the car , in thebath and when she is going to sleep at night. When our phone rings she hums the tune of the ring!!! Her voice is beatiful. it sounds like an angel to me!!! We took her to her first big parade on Sunday and what fun we had!!! She saw everything, trucks, dogs , pippers, bands, clowns, the Easter Bunny, candy being thrown to her, and of course fire trucks.

Maple syrup time!!

2009-03-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

Scott and David help our neighbor collect and boil sap. We took Sierra over to the sap house to watch the sap boil. We love the fresh maple syrup and enjoy the process of making it. Sierra loves helping Daddy check the pails hanging on our maple trees!!!

2009-03-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

Funny thing happened!

2009-03-01T09:49:00.001-08:00

just a little while ago, I was posting a comment to someone and I was going to mention our LOA wait. When I counted on my fingers the number of months that it took, I had to do it twice. Why???? Because it didn't seem right to me, it seemed too short. I thought, was it really only 5 months??? An amazing thing has happened, as horrible and long as the wait seemed at the time, now that we have Sierra home and with us, 5 months doesn't seem so long. Now part of the problem always was that our agency believed we would hear sooner. Many people had so they were right in thinking that at the time. And of course there was the pain of other people getting theirs before us. But now much of that pain is fading. Not entirely forgotten as I will always grieve for the time we missed out on, but I know now that we are fortunate. Our little girl is amazing and I would have waited even longer!!! But it did shock me that I am thinking of that time in a whole new light!!!!

Sierra's Party

2009-03-01T09:49:00.000-08:00

I love this picture of her sitting on the table in her native dress.

Sierra's party was a wonderful success, except for the goose egg and cut she received at the very end.) So many(149) people came out to say welcome to our little girl. It filled our hearts with love to such a huge turnout. thanks to our friend "Chef Eck" the food was absolutely wonderful.
Luckily it did not snow and Scott and Eric did not have to go to work!!! Thanks to everyone who came and all those who helped. We indeed live in a wonderful, sharing community and I will forever be grateful for the love they have shown Sierra. As you can see by the pictures she was quite a happy little girl. This is the best shot of the 3 of us so far!!!

Welcome Sierra

2009-03-01T09:35:00.001-08:00

Today we are hosting an Open House welcoming Sierra to our family and community. We are so blessed that our family, friends, church family and community have welcomed Sierra with open arms. She has a way of just charming the socks off of everyone who meets her. We are having the party at our local community center (from 3-6) and hope many people will come to share our joy. If you are reading this and live locally PLEASE stop by!!! Yesterday she got to spend the day with Dad while I took the dreaded but money saving 6 hour defensive driving course. Throughout the whole course I couldnot help thinking about the driving in China. Certainly no one there has ever taken this workshop. As I have said before driving in China is just INSANE!!!!!! Anyway Dad and Sierra had a great time and I made it through the course!!!

The above picture was again taken by my friend Barbara. I just love it!!!! She is beautiful even when she doesn't smile.

The amount of English she is picking up is astounding. She is like a sponge, just soaking everything in. Today at church she "read" along when we were reading and"sang" along while we were singing!!

I will post pictures either later today or tomorrow of the party!!! Have a great day!!!!

A few more pictures!!

2009-02-24T12:02:00.000-08:00

She loves helping me so the dishes or anything that I am doing. It's great to have a little helper again!!!

It's so hard to get her beqautiful smile for the camera!!!

Sierra loves when her big brothers come to play. Here she is giggling at Tim!!

This is what happens when we try to get Sierra to smile!!! Her cousin Jake has the hang of it!!!!

Computer Woes

2009-02-24T10:48:00.000-08:00

Hi, I am back on David's laptop as my computer is experiencing serious problems again. I am so frustrated as I have only started putting together a slide show of our trip and I so want to finish it. I love taking pictures of Sierra, she is so cute!!!!! I love watching her interact with all her brothers, cousins, grandpa, aunts and uncles etc. We are so blessed to have Scott's father and brother both live with in one mile of our house. My kids live with in 5 miles!! Sadly, Scott's mother passed away during our wait for Sierra. I am so sad that she never got to meet her or even see her pictures. She was a wonderful womenand she would have loved Sierra. I know she would be so proud of the father Scott has become!!!

Hi All!!!

2009-02-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

Here are some more outside pictures!!!!

Yesterday I went to post and somehow only my pictures showed up. Anyway, today I have my computer back and everything seems to be working fine!!! We are finally in a groove and life is sweet. I love that I am able to spend all this time with Sierra. She is blossoming everyday and is enjoying finding out about the world around her. She is into everything, more like a 2 year old, but I understand that most things are brand new to her. My favorite time is when she first wakes up in the morning. She is so cuddly and takes my face in her hands and kisses it all over!!!She loves her Daddy and can't wait for him to get home each day. We are so blessed!!!

2009-02-17T15:18:00.000-08:00

David and Sierra

2009-02-15T11:18:00.000-08:00

Ok, I promised you some pictures of David and Sierra. The top one was of Sierra's first visit to our mall. She is 34 inches tall, David is 72 1/2 inches tall so she is less than half his height. She loves walking with him.

The next few pictures are of Sierra helping out at the firehouse. Daddy is a captain, brother Paul is an Asst. Chief and David is an active member. She loves going with Dad on training night and helping. I love the picture of her helping David roll up the hose!!!

This is a picture of Sierra being cool!!! She loves putting on sunglasses!!! We are having a blast with her. She is such a happy, funny , little girl. She seems to be dong well and we are all so in love. My sister came up to see her yesterday and I had all my siblings and all my children under the same roof. But I didn't get any pictures, that is VERY unusual for me!!1 Anyway it was an awesome Valentines Day. I do hope you enjoy these pictures!!!

A moment to share!!!

2009-02-10T10:46:00.000-08:00

Here is a recap of the last few days. On Friday night we went to our favorite diner where Steve the owner was thrilled to meet Sierra. He had been waiting very patiently. Of course David had to show her how to blow off the cover of her straw. He then showed her how to put it back on so she could do it over and over again. What are big brothers for?

On Sunday Sierra and I went to Dylan's house for lunch. This is my favorite picture that I took that day, Sierra and Dylan eating bananas sitting on the counter. Toocute!

Giving her Daddy a goodnight kiss all dressed up in her flannel PJs!!!

What did I say big brothers were for? As soon as she sees Tim she wants him to throw her up in the air. I ususally look away but I couldn't resist getting this picture!!!!

Her and Paaul laughing together. She sure does love all her big brothers. I will post one of her and David next!!

She is doing awesome and we are loving every minute.
I have a moment to share with all of you. Back in Novwmber I gave Scota DVD slide show I had made up. On it were various pictures of China and the pictures we had recieived of Sierra. I also incorparated two songs. One was Over the Rainbow by Martina McBride and one was My Wish my Rascal Flatts. My Wish talks about what you wish for someone you love, it talks about not forgetting where you have been and the people who have loved you etc. Well get this. on the Friday we were leaving China, we sat in the airplane , a Southern CHINA airplane, waiting for take off. What should come on over the loud speakers but the song My Wish!! On a Chinese airline!! I looked at Scott, he looked at me and we both looked at our little Sierra(and of course I started bawling!!). I could not believe it. No way could this happen,(but for God, I know)!! To this day , I can not believe the timing. I will never forget that moment. Although I couldnot take a picture of it that moment is forever imprinted on my brain and in my heart. What a memory!!!

2009-02-06T11:39:00.000-08:00

I can't believe we have been home 2 weeks. The time has just flown. We are having a ball. Sierra is doing very well. She is happy, bright and loads of fun to be around. She is learning at a very fast pace. She is happy 99.9 percent of the time, very rarely cranky. She is so funny she just cracks us up!!! She has very few moments of grieving, at least as far as we can tell. I can not believe how blessed we are to have this child in our lives. God was so good and picked the perfect child for us. Her big brothers ADORE her and so do Sara and Jenn. And she loves to see them come by for a visit. She loves her Daddy and gets so excited when he comes home from work! I love the time we get to spend together every day. I am so lucky to be able to be home with her. These are just a few pictures. The sun rising on the plane on the way home, Sierra with her headphones on during the flight home and the first picture with her and her 3 brothers.( You would think at least one of them would have smiled!!!) We miss the wonderful people we met in China. They will for ever be a part of our lives. We miss being there, in her homeland, and the people who were so kind to us there. I am very emotional these days just taking it all in. I think about how very brave my little girl has been. It amazes me. I hope we can provide her with the love and suupport she will need for along time. 3 years is along time to go without what you really need. But the loving part came easy to us. All you have to do is look at her face and see that sparkle in her eyes and you are a gonner! I promise to post more very soon!!!!

A Full Night of Sleep

2009-01-30T14:41:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture of Sirra right out of the bath tub, She sure loves her bath time. I love to watch her play in the water. And she's real snuggly when she gets out.

A friend of mine, Barbara, took this picture when we went for a visit. I love how sweet her face looks. She doesn't seem to mind the cold at all but isn't too sure about the snow.

Last night was the best night yet. After a visit from her Aunt Carol and cousin Jake, Sierra went to bed around 8:30. She did not wake up until 6:15am!!! Now when you had been getting up at 3:3o am, this is great!!! We were supposed to go to the doctors today but because of insurance paperwork and Scott being sick, we cancelled the appointment. Poor Scott. All the sleepless nights in China and having to work the snow storm the other day, he really is under the weather. He took today off to go to the doctor with Sierra but wound up in bed all day. Please pray that he feels better soon. He so wants to spend time with his little girl and is feeling real bad!! David on the other hand has made a full recovery!!! Sierra has a cough but seems fine and so far I only have a slight scratchy throat. Hopefully the weekend will mend us all.

My friend Theresa and her son Kyle took Sierra and I out for lunch today. It was wonderful to get out. Sierra's big brothers have still come everyday. She loves to see them and Jenn and Sara too! On Sunday we will go to Aunt Carol and Uncle Steve's and celebrate Jakes birthday and watch the Super Bowl. It should be a fun time, it always is and now Sierra is finally with us!

I will straighten out my camera problem this weekend so I can really start posting more pictures.

A few pictures

2009-01-28T10:55:00.000-08:00

I switched memory cards and this one works fine. These are some pictures from today. This is Dylan, a boy that I watch. Sierra just gave him a big kiss!!

She's looking out at the snow!!!

I made her some rice congee, its still her favorite meal!!!

We made some almost already made M and M cookies. She helped me put them on the cookie sheet. She liked eating one when they were done!

I will post more pictures soon.

Camera Problems

2009-01-28T05:41:00.000-08:00

I am so frustrated with trying to load our pictures on to the computer. The computer won't accept the memory card although it worked fine on the computer in China. I want so badly to share with you the pictures of Sierra at home!!!' We are doing well. David is much better although Scott, Sierra and I have colds. Not too bad though. Sirra is doing great. she was getting up to start each day at 3:30 but today it was 4:30 and then she went back to sleep until 7:00. Yipee!!! Today is a beautiful snowy day. David is home from school but out shoveling the shopping center in town. Sierra will have a few children to play with as I watch kids when there is no school. She is a joy to be with, so happy and very rarely cranky. She is understanding a lot and is picking up a few words each day. Her older brothers and thieir girlfriends adore her and stop over every day! We are so blessed to have been chosen to be her family. She is a perfect match for us. She is tough and plays great with the boys. Although some things she learned at the orphanage just don't cut it here. Yesterday while at the local bagel place, she spit at the delivery man when he said hello. And then smiled the biggest smile ever!!!
I will try today to work on the picture problem. Hopefully I can get some up.
Thanks to everyone who supported us by writing comments to our blog while we were away. We loved gettting up every morning and reading them!! It made us feel so connected to everyone at home!!!

Homr 2 days!!!

2009-01-25T18:18:00.000-08:00

Wow. I think yesterday was the first time since May, when we were matched with Sierra, that I didn't go on my computer at all!!! Tonight I had a few minutes so I thought I would post some pictures. Not. My sister sent me a new camera just before we left and while I was away I could post pictures fine on David' s laptop or the hotel computer. Now I am trying to load them on my computer and all I have are problems. First I have to find the software installation CD. That takes 1/2 hour. Then I put it in and they tell me the CD cannot be loaded to my computer. Nothing is going right, and I am tired so I will try and get everything working tomorrw.
Sierra is doing fine and is keeping us very busy. Her hours are still a little off but so are ours. Today she did much better!!

We are Home!!!

2009-01-23T21:41:00.000-08:00

We are home and very tired. I will post more tomorrow, or actually later today!!!!

Last post from China!!!

2009-01-22T04:53:00.000-08:00

I can't believe we are leaving tomorrow to come home!!! Yipee!!! I can't wait to see everyone!!
But we have had an incredible time here in China. It may take David a few days to remember the good and not the last couple of days!!! He was up and down the last couple of days with a fever but seems to be feeling better tonight. Many people in our travel group are sick which is not uncommon, but none of it was from the water!!!! Here are some last day photos!!

Do you remember Sierra in her native dress? Well this is Sierra in her American garb!!! Today was our official swearing in at the American Consulate so I figured she should be dressed for it. They even announced at the ceremony that it was her birthday tomorrow along with Isabella whose birthday was the 21st and Giorgia whose birthday is the 27th. Check out her little blue crocs!!!!

She loves her rice congee!! Look how she tips her bowl to get it all! We ate our last meal at Lucy's.

This was Sierra's and Julia's last meal together. It was a blast meeting Julia and Diane and John. We will miss them terribly. Tonight the hotel sent up a cake for Sierra's birthday. Julia and her mom and dad joined us in the hall for a mini birthday party!!

David wanted me to post what he has been doing the last few days!! He really is doing much better tonight and I am so glad. It doesn't matter if they are 3 or 17 you hate to see your children sick!!!!!

We are going to bed. We have to be up early to get to the airport. We fly from Guangzhou to Beijing on a 10:00 flight and will wait at the Beijing airport until our 5:00 flight home. I can not wait to touch down on US soil!!! It's been so much fun to be able to share this adventure with you. There is so much more to tell in person. We have loved being here and are grateful for the kindness that we have been shown. It's sad to know we are taking Sierra away from the place of her birth, but I know that she has the potential for an amazing life here in the states. She would not have that here. Tim, Sara, Paul and Jenn I can't wait to give you a hug!! Jake and Ben, you will love your new cousin, she will give you a run for your money. She will certainly fit in with all the boys in our life. See you all soon!!!!!

Love, Kathie Scott David and Sierra

Quiet Day on Shamian Island

2009-01-21T04:52:00.000-08:00

Today we had a pretty quiet day. One parent from each family had to go to the Consulate to resign a form tht we had signed at home. The agencies, not just ours, all had the wrong form. So I got to ride 45 mins. to the consulate while Scott stayed back with a sick David and Sierra. David is still under the weather although he did go to dinner with all of us tonight and is feeling better. Some of our families are leaving tomorrow so it was the last night with all of us. Tomorrow we pack and then go to the consulate for our swearing in ceremony. We leave early Friday morning to fly to Beijing and then take the 5:00 pm flight home. It will be Sierra's third birthday! We arrive in the US at 5:00pm Friday, how weird is that!!! It,s like a wrinkle in time!!!

Here's the serious Sierra!!

Sierra with Dad!

Sierra in the stroller holding hands with Isaiah, a sweet little boy will be living in Florida!!

Thiss is silly Sierra who was going around, opening her shirt and saying Ta- Daaaaaa!!!

And this is soapy Sierra who loves to take a bath!!! Unfortunately she hates to get out!!!

I can't believe its almost time to leave!! Except for David getting sick, its been a wonderful adventure!! The time has gone by so much quicker than I thought it would. We have met wonderful people who it will be hard to say goodbye to. Our travel group families are an awesome bunch!! All their children are lucky to have them for parents!! Our friends Diane and John and their beautiful daughter Julia live so far away in Wisconsin. We will never forget the friendship we shared with them here on the island. Thank goodness for the internet as we will definitely keep in touch!!! I already dread having to say our final goodbyes to everyone. But I am so ready to get home and start Sierra in her new life. It won't be easy, orphange life is very different and it will be hard for her just to be a 3 year old. We see things sometimes that just breaks our hearts. Its hard to explain but its there. But she has a light in her eyes now when she smiles that she didn't have before and her laughter is music to my ears!! I can't wait for all of you to meet her!!!! We are all tired tonight so I am signing off. Tomorrow I will post our last post from China!!!

A trip to the park and pictures at the White Swan!!

2009-01-20T00:24:00.000-08:00

We went this morning to the Yue Xiu Park in Guangzhou. We hailed a taxi from our hote and off we went!!! That is a story in itsself!! The park was beautiful and huge. Inside they had an amusement park. Sierra had her first merry go round ride, she got to drive a car and the big boys got to play bumper cars!!

And Diane B, this is for you. Guess what our friend John wsa doing while we were in the park?Now we know why he wanted to go. David is hooked now too, I think!!!

What a face!!!

Maybe she will be a gymnast!

We had pictures with them dressed in native dresses. Although Sierra looked beautiful she is not a dress kid!!! But I did have tears in my eyes when I first saw her dressed up!!

Judging from the smirk on Sierra's face and the look on Julia's I wouldn't be surprised if Sierra pinched her!!!(only kidding)

The waterfall at the White Swan. Isn't this precious?!!!

David wasn't feling too well this morning, he had a slight fever, but he is doing much better this afternoon. Things are winding down. We will be home soon!!!

Mostly pictures!!

2009-01-19T03:57:00.000-08:00

Sierra and I took a walk today and she kept wanting to pose for pictures. She wouldn't really smile but she looks cute anyway!!!

She loves to play with Legos and she picks them all up when she's done.

Here's a picture with Dad. Dad is usually taking the pictures with the other camera.

Today we went to a hugh mall that is all jewelry shops. We went to the pearl and jade markets. We bought Sierra a strand of pearls for her wedding day.

People everywhere!

We found a McDonalds!!! It tasted great!!

Tomorrow we are venturing on our own in a taxi with our friends John and Diane. We are going to a big, beautiful park!! We have a group photo at 2:30 so hopefully we will make it back in time!!!

Hi from Guangzhou!

2009-01-17T21:49:00.000-08:00

It was with great sadness today that we learned of the death of our beloved dog Lucy. Lucy was almost 16 years old and we knew this trip would be hard on her. Our good friends Cathy and George had so graciously offered for Lucy to stay there. Lucy always loved to go there for visits...We had originally asked that if something happened while we were gone that we not be told. But no one had to tell us ... we knew. Thank you to everyone who we talked to who did not tell us. I think we had to come to the realization slowly. For those who don't know the irony of the timing, we adopted Lucy 7 yrs ago this weekend. When we decided to get a dog we decided to adopt an older dog that might have trouble findng a home. We struck gold when we found her. I will do a special post when we get home about how wonderful she was. Today we are just really sad.

This morning we attended a Christian church service, something that not too long ago was not allowed. It was in Chinese but a tanslator translated into English. 2 of the Hymns were in Chinese , 2 in English. It was an awesome service.

The trip to the zoo was fun. Sierra loved seeing the animals. The zoo was clean but they are way behind us on zoo theory. Many of the amimals were in cages, including dogs. It was hard to see them like that.

Sierra is a joy. She is coming out of her shell and definitely testing her limits. She will keep us very busy, but her life is so different than it was. I can't imagine what it would be like to see so many things for the first time. I can't wait for everyone to meet her!!!!

Here are some pictures of the day. Cathy and George thank you for everything!!! I know how hard it was for you. Tim, Sara, Paul and Jenn, I can't wait for you to meet your little sister. She really is a cutie. Ben and Jake there is a special picture that David made me take just for you!!!

A Whole Day on Shamian Island

2009-01-17T04:28:00.000-08:00

John, Joe, David, Hebe and one of the other shop owners!

Eating her lollypop after the doctors appointment

Today started out with a trip to the medical examination office. It was right around the corner so we wlked. it was beautiful today, in the low 70s. We came home and then went to lunch with our friends, John, Diane and Julia. They live in Wisconsin so they are experiencing cold at their home also. At 2:30 we met to do paperwork. Scott got to go shopping and hang out with Dave and Sierra while I did over 2 hours of paperwork!!Ugh!!! And that was the American paperwork!!! Hopefully everything will be in order when Alison goes to the consulate on Wed. for us.

After paperwork we all went out to dinner. We didn't realize that 1 meal OTHER than breakfast was included. We have fun eating as a group. The other members of our group who had children in different provinces met up with us today. It was great to see them again and meet all their children.

After dinner we went to our usual hangout in front of one of the shops. For those of you who have been here its Hebe's shop. She comes out and plays hacky sack with David and John. Sometimes some of the others join in. Scott even did a little tonight. The video clip shows another guy from the shop playing a Chinese flute, the guys playing hacky sak and Sierra singing.

Tomorrow is church in the mrning and the zoo in the afternoon!! I should have some good pictures!!!! Its supposed to be 78 dgrees!!

Visiting a Tomb

2009-01-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

Some really nice apartments in Guangzhou. They are not all as nice. We were told by our guide that if you have something that says made in China it was probably made in Guangzhou.

Part of the King Yue museum

A sweet little girl just out of the tub. She was smiling but as soon as she sees the camera she stops!!!

Today we visited the tomb of King Yue. He no longer occupys the space but it was neat to go underground into the different chambers. The artifacts that were found with him were beautiful. This tomb was discovered in 1983 so it wasn't that long ago. Sierra loves being pushed around in her stroller but also likes to get out and walk a little. Of course there is no disabilities act in China so there were many stairs to go up and down. I knew there was a reason that we brought David.

We ate another great lunch at anther cantonese restaurant and had dinner at the Italian restaurant that we love!!!

I hate to tell you all this at home but its 70 degrees today!! I know that is not what you are having at home and I feel a little guilty. ( but not much) We are enjoying everything we are learning and seeing about the place where Sierra was born!

Of course we woke up to the news about the airplane that crashed in the Hudson River. Hopefully by next Friday we will forget about it. Yeah right!!!

Here's a video clip!! Beth, thanks for the camera with video!!!!!! If you listen closely you can hear rher singing. She sings in Chinese and it sounds so cute!!!

Please Pray for my Friend Linny!!

2009-01-15T21:49:00.000-08:00

A while back I posted about my blogging friend Linny Saunders who lives in Colorado. Her husband and her are adopting a little girl from China through the same agency as us. I had asked you to pray for her while she was in Uganda adopting 2 more little ones. She has 7 kids at home and Jubilee waiting for her in China. Well yesterday I received an email that they had lost their house in a fire on Wednesday. Only hours before she had left a post on my blog welcoming Sierra(Mom of Many) She lived in a log cabin that she loved. LUCKILY everyone got out OK. I went on her blog this am to see how things were going and they are at the hopspital because her son is having emergency surgery to remove his appendix!!! So please keep this family in your thoughts, they are going through so much. You can follow her blog at www.aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com
They are a wonderful family going through a very tough time.
I will post more later!

Sight Seeing Today!!

2009-01-14T22:24:00.000-08:00

Today we visited the Family Chen's Temple and the Yuntai Botanical Gardens. Both places were beautiful. The porclain at the temple was gorgeous. The buildings were beautiful. The gardens were also so beautiful ,quiet and serene. What a great place to walk around with Sierra. Even thought Sierra has a hat on, it was not that cold. The local older women get mad if you don't have them dressed warm enough. We ate at a Cantonese restaurant that was wonderful, even Scott and David ate alot!!! Sierra is doing well. We love to hear her laugh and giggle. She is alot of fun to be with!!! Here's a little clip of her playing with David. Sorry its so dark but listen to the giggle!!!

Our Third Day with Sierra!!!

2009-01-13T22:22:00.000-08:00

We are getting more smiles and even some giggles today. She is still reserved but is warming up every day!!! I know she is seeing so many things she has never seen before!!!!

Here are a few pictures of Shamian Island. It is quite beautiful. Its streets are lined with big old trees. There are pointsettas everywhere.

You have to be careful when walking though, because if a car can't get through on the street it jumps onto the sidewalk. Insane, I'm telling you!!!

Joy and the others: You will be happy to know that we ate lunch at the Dolce Vita today. It was delicious!!! We will have to go back for dessert!!

Will post more tomorrow. It is soooo fun to be able to share all of this with all of you. I love reading all your comments!!!

More paperwork.

2009-01-12T23:03:00.000-08:00

David and Sierra walking the track at the playground.

She is so independent!

David and our new friend John playing Chinese hackysack in front of one of the shops! Notice the pink backpack on David's back!!!

Brides in Guangzhou always come to Shamian Island for their wedding pictures. With their beautiful skin, they all look gorgeous

We walked along the river tonight after dinner. The lights are incredible.

YES!!!! She is smiling, actually she was laughing!! She doesn't give them out too often yet but when she does it is priceless!!! We are so in love!!

Today we had to go back to the Civil Affairs office to fianalize the adoption. This was much more emotional for me, when they said OK she is yours. We now have her adoption certificate!!!

Of course I was nervous about bringing her back there, I was afraid she would be looking for her nanny. She did cry for a little while but then stopped right before her interview. (the lollypop helped) While we were waiting or the others to finish who should walk in but her nanny.She did hear her voice and turned around but I quickly walked into another area and all was fine. Poor Scott and some others had to wait on line at the bank for over an hour to exchange the money needed. He has quite the stories to tell about that experience!!! He is such a great Dad and is doing so many things that are so out of his comfort zone!!!! Here are some pictures from today. I was a little disappointed that it was only about 60 today until I heard what it is at home!! By Friday its supposed to be in the 70's. Tomorrow we have to apply for her passport and visa(more paperwork) but not until the late afternoon. Thanks for all the comments, I love to read them and so do Scott and David!!! We miss you all and can't wait to come home. I hope the next 10 days pass quickly!!! They keep us busy so they will!!

Gotcha Day!

2009-01-12T04:59:00.001-08:00

Don't you just love this picture!!!!

Sierra is sound asleep and I have a few minutes to write. We arrived at the Civil Affairs office at 2:30. There were many families waiting, not just from our group. The orphanage people were arrivving with babies and hurried into a different room. One by one the people in our group were brought out their babies. But we just waited, and took pictures for everyone else. Funally, David and Scott saw Sierra get off the elevator with her Nanny. After a few minutes they brought her back out for us. She was wary at first but then we brought out the cheerios! All was fine for about 15 minutes until she saw her nanny walking around. Then she started screaming. It broke your heart. She wanted her ayi and that was it!!! Then they wanted us to come in and do the paper work, in the room with the nanny!!! We knew we couldn't bring her back in there so I handed her to David, screaming and all!! A few minutes later Scott checked on them and she was sitting with her head on his chest and was not even crying. They sat like that for almost an hour. We finally finished the paperwork and left. Sierrra sat on David's lap on the bus and looked out the window.

She remained quiet but not upset. We did get our first smile when David was playing peek a boo.

We went out to a group dinner. She had a ball and ate everything we gave her. When we got back I gave her a bath and she loved it. She can fold the wash cloth in quarters and tried to wash her own hair!!! She then had a little play date with her first out of the orphanage friend Julia!!!

Scott and I had to do more paperwork and David babysat. When we got back she was sound asleep on David's lap. Tim and Paul, you taught David how to be a great big brother!!!!

Will post more tomorrow. I am exhausted!!!!

HERE SHE IS!!!!

2009-01-12T01:39:00.000-08:00

I know you just want to see pictures ans I will post more later!!!

Today is the day!!!

2009-01-11T15:11:00.000-08:00

Today's the day!!! I can't believe it!! We all slept great last night. I will never be able to go back to our little full size bed after sleeping in these really nice king size beds!!!And contrary to what we have heard our bed is very comfortable!!! It's 7:00 am and we have 7hours to wait before we leave. We will walk around, visit some shops,and bring our laundry somewhere to be done. I will post later when we get a chance!!! Hugs to you all.

We are in Guangzhou!!!!!

2009-01-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

Typical Chinese driving.

The lobby of the hotel still with Christmas decorations!!The street right outside the hotel.

Wow, what a beautiful place. Not only is the temperature a balmy 61 degrees at 7:00 tonight but the area is an oasis in a VERY large city. The tree lined stone streets are beautiful. Everyone is so friendly and there are many families who have adopted already here. We ate dinner at Lucy's where David and Scott were able to find grilled cheese and french fries. I was a little more adventureous and had sweet and sour chicken. It was good and not the same as our sweet and sour chicken.

We started the day with all 12 families going to the airport. 5 families, including us got on a plane to Guangzhou. The rest went to different provices and will meet us in Guangzhou on Friday. The flight was about 2 1/2 hours and was fine. Scott and David slept most of the way. Scott is having trouble sleeping at night so any chance he can catch a cat nap is good!

The Victory hotel is very nice. I am typing this on the free computer they have in the room with free internet acess. The room has 2 parts, the sleeping area anda separate area which has a couch and chairs. It will make a great little play area for Sierra.

Our guide for Guangzhou is Allison and she is wonderful!!! Susan in Beijing was super too. Everything is running as smooth as silk!!

Tomorrow at 2:00 we will meet in the lobby and take a bus to the civil affairs office where at 2:30 we will receive Sierra!!! I can not believe the time is finally here. I will post pictures as soon as I can!!! Our love to all of you!!!!

Busy Day in Beijing!!!

2009-01-10T03:40:00.000-08:00

What a great day!!!! We did alot of site seeing but it was so much fun. We climbed the Great Wall (David climbed higher than us...........

We visited the Olympic Park..............

It was a beautiful day. Scott was wearing a hat so the peddlers would stop asking him if he wanted to buy one. They are very persistant. So he finally took his out and put it on!!!

This was a old beautiful tree at The Forbidden City!!!!

More Forbidden City!!!

The families we are traveling with are wonderful. We had lunch today at a Chinese Restaurant. It was interesting but we all ate something!!! Tomorrow we fly to Guangzhou. Its only a 2 hour flight!!! And on Monday we meet Sierra. I can't believe we are this close to finally putting our arms around her!!!

Thanks for all your comments. This is a trip of a lifetime and we are trying to get the most out of it!!!!

Sightseeing today

2009-01-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

Hi its 4:30 and I can't sleep!!1 But we have to get up soon anyway!!!! We will post more later today!!!! We get ESPN so david is happy!!!!! We go to Tinnanmen Square, The Forbidden City,The olympic Park and the Great Wall!!!! Hopefully lots of pictures!!!

We made it!!!

2009-01-09T04:11:00.000-08:00

We made it. The flight was so much better than I ever imagined!!! I was able to sleep some which helped!!!

Of course these pictures are backwards!!! This is the sign welcoming us to Beijing airport.

This is flying over the ice of Russia. We also fly over the North Pole!!

This was our plane waiting for us in Newark. Notice it was snowing. We flew at 36,OOO feet!

Please if someone would leave me a comment so I know you are getting this I would appreciate it!!!

We are here!!!!

2009-01-09T01:49:00.000-08:00

I can't believe we have arrived in Beijing!! Everything went awesome. The flight was better than I could ever have imagined!!! I will post pictures as soon as I can!!!!

We are coming little Sierra!!!

2009-01-07T17:49:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! It's 8:49 pm on Wed. and in less than 12 hours we will be arriving at the airport to take a vey important journey. The journey to bring Sierra home is coming to an end. The journey of a lifetime with Sierra is just beginning. I want to thank all my family, my friends, my RQ buddies, my AHH friends, my church family and anyone else who has supported us along the way. This process has been trying at times but oh so worth it all!! Everyone talks about how Sierra is so lucky to be joining our family but I believe that we are the lucky ones. This little girl will change our lives forever. As I have said many times, raising my 3 boys has been my greatest joy and to have the chance to do it again, oh I am blessed!!!! Although I am already in love, I can't wait to see what she is all about!!! Soon we will know!!!
I will try to blog as much as I can from China!!! Thank you and pray for a safe trip for us and a smooth transition for Sierra!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!! ONLY 1 WEEK TO GO!!!!!

2009-01-01T14:42:00.000-08:00

Today is January 1st and we have 1 week to go!!!

Wow, if anyone had told me the time from Oct. 31st to now would have gone this fast I would have said no way!!! Now I'm getting nervous that I won't be ready. I do things best at the last minute but am trying really hard to do some thing for the trip everyday.To think that in a little over 1 week I will finally get to hold my precious little girl. I have so many emotions, excitement, nervousness, a little fear. And of course there is the dreaded 13+ hour plane ride. But I will do anything to get there and see our little one.
Today I have been reflecting alot about the people we have"met" along the way. People whom I have not meet and may never meet. people who have made this journey wondrous and bearable. It has been amazing to see how this adoption community joins together. First our agency friends Dana and Mike. We could have never done this with out them!!!There's the RQ special needs group that will answer any question you might have. There's the Zhanjiang Orphanage grpup who have all adopted children from Sierra's orphanage. They have provided me with glimpses into Sierra's past, a past I will never really know enough about. They have sent me pictures so that now I have over 30 pictures of Sierra form the time she was about 18 months old until now. These pictures are gifts whose worth are priceless and I am grateful to all of you.(Thank you Vickie, The Hamptons, Val and Patti) There are the families who are from the same agency who have given me tons of support and have taught me alot about opening your hearts to adoption(Joy , Linny and Sharla)) And there is our travel group of 14 families who I WILL get to meet next week when we all arrive in China!!! Unless you have experienced it you never would really know how much you need these people
Although the road has been bumpy at times, I can never say enough about the people who have helped us along the way. I will have wonderful stories to share with Sierra about all the wonderful people who shared in our excitement to bring her home.

One week to go!! One week to get on a plane travel, half way around the world and meet ONE VERY SPECIAL LITTLE GIRL!! We are ONE VERY HAPPY FAMILY!!!

Family!!!

2008-12-30T07:52:00.000-08:00

This was a picture of the sunset the other night . We could see it from our living room window. Actually I was in the back of the house and I could see it reflected in our neigbor's windows. so then I had to go check it out!!

This picture is priceless!! We went to my brother's the other night and my niece and nephew were there. They live in Montana and South Carolina!! I can't remember the last time my kids and their cousins were all in the same room!! It was a wonderful visit. Front row l to r: my brother Dave and me: next row Jenn(Paul's girlfriend), my nephew Jesse, my niece Jamie,and Tim: back row:Paul, David, and Sara (Tim's girlfriend) My niece is very excited to get a girl cousin, she is the only girl on both sides of the family!!!!!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-27T15:48:00.000-08:00

These are the throw blankets I had made for my 2 older sons and their girlfriends. They both have Labs. I sent pictures to Sam's Club on line and they made these blankets. They came out awesome!!! I used puppy pictures since they won't be puppies anymore. The yellow lab is Ally and the black one is Audrey. In the picture with Ally you can see my Australian Shepherd Emma!! They weren't supposed to be in until January 4th but I called on Christmas Eve day and they were in. Yeah Sam's Club!!!!

I love it when I can get all the boys and their girlfriends in one picture. From left to right: Tim, Tim's girlfriend Sara, David, Paul's girlfriend Jenn, and Paul. We had brunch and then opened presents. They also brought Ally and Audrey so we had a houseful. Just the way I love it. And next year little Sierra will be in that picture too!!!!!

Oh and I got a Wii for Christmas. What fun!! Actually Scott is downstairs playing right now!! We just got done with a bowling tournament!!! I think we will get a lot of use and laughter out of this!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

2008-12-25T07:13:00.000-08:00

I know its Thursday and I'm supposed to be doing a countdown post, but its CHRISTMAS so I'd rather do a Christmas post. Not that its lost on me that in 2 weeks from TODAY we will be leaving on a jet plane to China. I have not forgotten it for one minute!! But as Pastor Paul said last night "It's not about us" "Its about HIM and his love for us!" A love that he shows us in so many ways. Like picking us to be Sierra's parents. We are soooo humbled by that!!! And here is my Christmas miracle story.

We have a very much loved member of our congregation named Ken. He has battled MS for years and is an inspiration to all who know him.He has been in a wheelchair for many years. He also can sing in the most beautiful tenor voice I know of. Well, back in May he was hospitalized. His condition seemed to stabalize but then took a turn for the worse. His body began to shut down and he went into a coma. It was a very sad Sunday when Pastor Paul announced that barring a miracle our friend Ken would very soon be going to be with Jesus. For 3 weeks we prayed for Ken and his family. And one day when Pastor Paul went to visit a nurse met him outside the door. "It's a miracle!!!" she said "What?" asked PP and his wife. "Ken is awake, he's out of the coma!!!!" and sure enough when they went in Ken was indeed awake. Now, his recovery been a slow process. Ken has been confined to a wheelchair for many years and his body was extremely week. But slowly he has regained his strength and last night, for the first time, he was able to leave the nursing home......... to come to our Christmas Eve service!!!! There wasn't a dry eye in the house. A true miracle!!!!

Merry Christmas to All

OK???

2008-12-21T16:34:00.000-08:00

Now I got the page back up where its supposed to be but where is the comment label? Wow that's the last time I try to do soemthing different. Let's see what happens now!!

Mmmmmm!

2008-12-21T16:20:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to figure out why there is such a gap between the end of what I wrote in my last posting, and the comments. I did update some colors but I don't think I did any thing else. Oh Oh! That's the trouble, there I go thinking again!!! Let's see if it does it again . If anyone has any ideas let me know!!!

Catching up

2008-12-21T14:19:00.000-08:00

This blue jay was enjoying eating the seed in my birdfeeders this morning. Contrary to what is usually said he did share nicely with the other birds! I love these kind of snow shots where everything else is in black and white and there is just a splash of color!

The Sunday school at our church made ornaments last week. They made one for Sierra and put it with the others on the tree in the sanctuary. Of course it made me all teary eyed.

I came home the other night and Scott was putting up my village. I love my village but hate putting it up so Scott always does it for me.

Ta Daa!!!! Let there be light!!!!

Just 3 weeks to go!!!!!!

2008-12-18T08:20:00.001-08:00

I can't believe we have only 3 more weeks before we get on a plane and head to China!!!!! And I know this week will go fast because I am so not ready for Christmas to arrive!!!!!! And lots of snow is coming our way!!!!!!!!

Anyway, as I was thinking of what to write about the number 3 , it hit me. It was 3 years ago in January, towards the end that we got serious about sending in our adoption application to the agency we chose. In February 2006 we received a letter saying that we had been accepted as a client. Although at the time we had not considered a SN child, a miracle was unfolding. Just a few weeks before, on January 24th 2006 a little girl was brought to the Zhanjiang SWI. They estimated her birthday to be the day before. She was found in a paper box, with a pink outfit on and a red blanket covering her. They named her Zhan Wei Xi. We did not know it then but this was to be our precious little Sierra. This jurney has lasted 3 long years, but the end result is worth every minute of the wait. We are traveling to be united with a little girl who has also waited 3 years to be with her forever family. And on January 23 we will land on US soil with our daughter who will be turning.... yep you guessed it 3 on that day!!! She will also be joining her 3 wonderful brothers!! Her birthday will always be a special reminder of our journey to China to bring her home. Her birthday will start in her homeland and end in the country who has so graciously accepted her into their arms!! We just can not wait!!!!

Fresh Snow

2008-12-15T14:55:00.000-08:00

Recently I was online and I Googled the name Darius Cobb, who was my greatgrandfather. I never knew him, he died in 1919, but he was a well known artist in his day. He did many many portraits but liked to do landscapes also. While browsing on line I found this picture of his painting Fresh Snow. I absolutely fell in love with it. He used dark colors in many of his paintings but this one is so light. I love snow scenes and I love the two figures out on the sled. I wish I knew where it was. I know that it was sold at an auction in 2004 but I will have to do more sleuthing to find out where it is. I have paintings that my grandparents did but none from Darius. I was able to have printed a 11 x14 copy of the picture and have that framed. The original painting was only 9 x 12. I just wanted to share it with everyone!!!

Amazing God!!!

2008-12-13T05:53:00.000-08:00

I would not be able to come up with words to explain this family's amazing faith in God combined with their love of orphans. You need to read it yourself. Please go to www.aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com and read. If you've ever even considered adoption you have to read their story. And even if you haven't read it anyway. Today's post is absolutely amazing!!! For me, f or yourself and for all orphans, head over there right now!! (And if you read my comments from my 4 weeks to go post, you will see that Linny posted to me all the way from Uganda!!! The connections we have made through this adoption are a joy in themselves!)

Only 4 weeks to go!!!!!

2008-12-10T15:11:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe its countdown Thursday again!!! Only 4 more weeks until we drive to Newark airport and leave on that big ole jet that's going to take us to our girl!!! And 4 is a wonderful number. Its always been a favorite of mine. Its part of my lucky number 14. When I played sports if I couldn't get 14 I'd take the number 4.

And today is my friends Lisa's birthday. I can tell you she's not 4 today but her new age has a 4 in it!!!! (Don't worry Lisa, let them all think you are 24 today!!!!)

Now I have to get use to this number 4 thing. Because now when people ask me how many children I have, I can say 4. I have 4 children. Three boys and a girl. That has a wonderful ring to it .....4! And every single one of them holds a place in my heart that no one else shares. Just my 4 children. Ah...... the sound of it........4!!!

CA and flights!!!!

2008-12-08T16:33:00.000-08:00

What an exciting day!!!! Not only did we receive our Consulate Appointment, we booked our flights to China. We got exactly the flights we wanted. We fly out of Newark on January 8th on a nonstop flight to Beijing. Newark is less than 2 hours from our house. We also get to fly back on a nonstop flight and land on the 23rd, Sierras 3rd birthday!!!!! Now, after 7 months of waiting for this and that , the only thing we are waiting for is January 8th to arrive!!!! We really are coming Sierra, and we are coming soon!!!!

CA maybe today

2008-12-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

Hopefully today we will receive our Consualte Appointment date. Once we receive that we can make our plane reservations for January 8th. Oh yeah today is the 8th, one month from today we will be"leaving on a jet plane" (as the song goes). I can't believe after seeing her face for the first time 7 months ago, we will finally be leaving to get her!!! What a n incredible journey it has been!!!

WOW!!!!

2008-12-05T02:40:00.001-08:00

YIPEEE Linny and her family get both babies!!!!!

5 weeks to go!!!

2008-12-04T15:47:00.001-08:00

I was sitting here trying to figure out what to write about 5 weeks. Good news since last week , we have our Travel Approval. We now have everything we need from the Chinese government to complete our travel plans. What we are waiting for now is our confirmation of our American Consulate Appointment. Our agency is requesting January 21st as the date. Hopefully we will hear tomorrow the 5th.

So I'm thinking what am I going to write about? And then I knew the story I have to tell. This is a story of 5 members of a family. This story is taking place right now in Uganda. My blogging and agency friend Linny is in Uganda with her two children, trying to get legal custody of 2 Ugandan babies their family would like to adopt. So Linny, Graham, Emma, Elijah and Elizabeth... that is 5!! I can not do this story justice. You have to read about it on their blog. It is http://www.aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/ It is an utterly amazing story of a family's love, faith and perseverance. A story unlike any I have ever heard. Please pray for them that the judge will let them have the babies. They are worried that they may only be able to take one. The judge will make the decision on Dec. 5th!!!!!

My heart was so touched today while I was reading my blog comments. There was a post from Linny, from Uganda, so excited that I had received my TA. Despite all her worries she is thinking of me. I cried and then rejoiced over the people we have "met" throughout this journey.

Thank you Linny, and I will pray for you and your family!!!!

My other new, good friend Joy, is leaving tomorrow on her trip to China to receive her son. I called her yesterday to wish her a safe and wonderful journey, It was so much fun being able to talk to her. Again, these are people we have shared so much with and yet... have never met.

Our prayers are with Joy and her family while they travel half way around the world!!! I can't wait to see you and Aric in the same picture!!!

So we wait some more... but every day that passes brings us closer to holding our little XiXi(she she). Christmas, although not what we expected back in May when we were matched with Sierra (oh yeah May is the 5th month of the year) will be a glorious time for us. The celebration of the birth of Christ(on Dec. 2 5th) is very special to us. We know that without his love, we would not be completing this journey of a lifetime!!!

So hopefully we will hear something about our CA tomorrow. Hopefully Linny will be able to leave Uganda with BOTH Elijiah and Elizabeth and hopefully Joy will have a turbulent free flight to China!!!!

TA has arrived!!!

2008-12-02T14:11:00.000-08:00

I was so surprised to come home last night and find an email from our agency that our TA has arrived!!! The TA stands for travel approval. Now our agency can request our consulate appointment date. If it is accepted, we can make our travel arrnagements. We hope to take a 12:15 pm flight out of Newark on January 8th. It is a nonstop flight to Beijing. Hopefullyw we will hear somehting tomorrow. after such a long wait for LOA everything is moving very quickly. Oh yeah and we have to have Christmas too. But that will make the time go faster. We will save a little bit of Christmas for Sierra. For the first (and last) time ever I am putting up an artificial tree so it can stay up while we are gone. I want to see Sierras face when we turn the lights on. It will also be her birthday on the day we return home. She will be turning 3. We will take everything slow and not overwhelm her!!! I just can't wait!!!!!!

Thursday countdown- 6 weeks to go!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2008-11-26T16:13:00.000-08:00

Well, I have to say counting down the weeks this way does make the time seem to move a bit faster. 6 weeks from today we get on a plane at Newark airport and head for China!!!! So in honor of the day I am going to list 6 things that I am extremely thankful for!!!

1. My husband I have the most wonderful husband I could ask for. Anyone who can put up with me is pretty terrific anyhow!! He takes such good care of this family and of me. When I am sick he always can make me feel better. When I'm cold he makes me a cup of tea. He does the laundry everyday and even folds it!! He cooks, he cleans, pays the bills and he always makes time to spend with us!! He believes, like me that its important to give back to your community.

And he is go ing to be an amazing father. When people ask me why at the age of 49 am I starting all over, I tell them that I want Scott to come home from work and have a liitle person meet him at the door yelling Daddy, Daddy!! I can hardly wait!

2. My 3 sons (sounds like a TV show)I can't imagine my life without my 3 sons. They are my greatest accomplishment and joy. I was fortunate enough to have been able to stay home for 14 years and spend every minute of their lives watching them grow. I thank God every day that I was able to do that. I loved every minute of it. They are incredible young men and I am so very proud of them. They take care of me in a way that makes me feel so special. They are also each others best allies and each one can count on each other for their support. I am lucky that they live close by but yet they are starting their own lives. And I am so happy for them!! Well David is still here with us, he's only 17!!!

3. Family and friends I am so lucky to have the brother and sister that I do. Although my sister lives in Maryland we are very well connected. I am never so happy as when she comes to visit. It is a bond like no other! Luckily my brother lives close by. I don't see him as much as I would liike but he is always there if I need him. Although my parents are gone I have numerous aunts, uncles and cousins who I am still close to. And Scotts family!!!! Oh how I love how they took my 3 boys and I into their hearts. I will be forever grateful to them for their acceptance. And they are so looking foward to Sierra's arrival!! I could not have even started this process without the help of my loving and caring friends. Each and everyone has supported me throughout this process. Also in years past when my parents were so ill some of these same friends were like rocks. They have been there for all the tough times in my life and I treasure them. They know who they are.

4.Health Although all around me I have friends and family battling serious health issues, I am thankful for the good health my family and I have. It is NOT to be taken for granted. As my brothers girlfriend Diane battles her newly diagnosed breast cancer, I am well aware how quickly that could change. She is facing it with great courage and grace and we all pray for a wonderful result!!! Also I am thankful that Sierra's health is, from all appearances and reports , good!!! Lets hope all reports will be equally positive when we get her home!

5. My community I started this post this morning but had to leave because our town was putting on its first ever free Thanksgiving luncheon. All members of the community chipped in to create this amazing feast that we served at our Community Center. Scott and David were up early this morning to go to the fire house to cook and mash 50 lbs of potatoes. The local churches made pies. The school PTF made breads, the town board cooked the turkeys,, etc. etc. I am so lucky to live in a community that cares about the people who live there. They will welcome Sierra with open arms!!!!

6. This adoption experience When we first started this journey we really didn't know what to expect and how long it would take. Although there have been some bunps in the road, I would not have traded this experience for anything. I had no idea how many children are living in orphanages around the world. (Please if anyone is considering adopting, check into it. It will change your life forever and the life of a child.) We have "met" some pretty inspiring people along the way. I think many of these people will remain connected with us. The support in the adoption network is undescribable. Everyone helps everyone else. People from all walks of life who have one thing in common. They want to change the life of a child. We are overwhelmingly blessed to have been matched with Sierra. When I look at her sweet face I know that she is the child we were meant to have. Soon we will know more about who she is and how she will change our lives. Being thankful barely expresses how we feel......

Every day I thankGod who has made all this possible, for the wonderful life he has given me!!

I wish all of you a blessed and joyous holiday!!!

Thursday countdown!!!!

2008-11-20T15:30:00.000-08:00

Here it is, Thursday again!!! Now its only 7 weeks until we leave for China to pick up our sweetie. Is the time going quickly?!!! NO WAY!!! Its as if time has come to a stand still. I have never, well maybe when I was pregnant, wanted time to move more quickly.(Not because I hated being pregnant, I loved it!! But I was anxious to meeet my child!!) Yesterday we received some new, updated photos taken on Monday. They are such a gift. Its ALMOST enough to hold me over. Sending out a care package on Saturday will help too. She will be able to see pictures of her room, her dogs and more pictures of her family!

So 7..........mmmmmmmm. It's suppposed t be lucky!!! There are 7 days of the week and 7 doubled is 14, that's my lucky number. And David was born on August 7th and he is 17!! And both Paul and David wore the number 7 as their football number(although David couldn't get it this year) And Paul was wearing the number 7 a few years back when he kicked a field goal with 2 second left to win our schools first ever Section 9 Class A Football championship.

And who can forget the 7 Dwarves!!!

So I guess 7 is an OK number!

So Sierra, we will be leaving in 7 weeks to come and bring you home!!! We will be the lucky ones then!!!!!

New Pictures!!!!!

2008-11-19T14:17:00.000-08:00

There is nothing like getting new pictures to put a whole new spin to the day!!! Please checkout our new pictures of Sierra. We are in LOVE!!!!!

Junior Prom!!!

2008-11-15T06:37:00.000-08:00

Last night was David's Junior Prom!! I can't believe how fast the time has flown!! He wound up having a blind date. H s original date had to play a field hockey State chamionship semi-final game last night. (which they won3-0. Go girls!! They play in the final today!!!) Anyway his friends fixed him up with his girlfriend's friend. They go to a different school so they had never met. He looked so handsome and the girls looked beautiful too. And as far as I know ALL the kids made it home safe and sound!!!!

I am sooooo glad that David is coming to China with us. I can't imagine doing this trip without him sharing it with us. He will be an awesome big brothers. All the littlw kindergarten girls in my school love him. Some have even asked him to marry them when they are bigger. Sierra will be so lucky to have 3 very protective older brothers!

Thursday Countdown 8

2008-11-13T17:47:00.000-08:00

I am starting a Thursday countdown. We will be leaving for China in 8 weeks from today. Although this is a longer wait from LOA than we had hoped we are coming to terms with it. It is part of the plan we may never understand fully but accept.
I mailed our China visa applications today. Our agency deals with a man from the state of Washington who will get our visas for us. The application was easy to fill out so this part of the process has been quite painless.
I am still having some hard moments about Christmas. There was no way we had prepared ourselves that we would not have her for Christmas. I still don't quite understand it all but I have faith in our agency that they know what's best. And its not like Sierra will know she is missing Christmas with us. Her stocking will still hang on our fireplace and will be waiting for her when we get home. Her picture will appear on our Christmas card along with the announcement that she will be coming joining us soon. She will not beside us as we hike up the hill to get our tree but she will be near our hearts as we celebrate the birthday of our Lord!!!
I am also reminded of the many people in our armed forces that will also not be home for Christmas. Their families are feeling the absence of their loved ones also. My heart goes out to them.
So little Sierra, we are counting the days. We are packing and planning and we are thinking of you endlessly. We will soon be there to take you in our arms!!! We love you!!

Veteran's Day

2008-11-11T12:51:00.000-08:00

Today I was lucky enough to be off of work. And I knew and appreciated the reason why. As we are proceeding in our adoption journey I am often reminded, since we are dealing with China, how lucky we are to be able to have the freedoms we do. I maen jsut this past week we had election day and do matter how you feel about the outcome, WE HAVE THE FREEDOM TO VOTE!! And today is a day to remember all those who have been willing to give up their lives to make sure we have these rights. So imagine my horror when I had this brief exchange today with an adult acquaintance. "Hi Kathie How are you?" I replied "I'm fine, I'm enjoying my day off" He answered" Yeah, why is it that your off? I'm afraid I don't keep up with the holidays"

I was stunned!! How does one forget that it is Veteran's Day. Are we so holiday happy that we don't even take the time to appreciate the reason that we have been given the time off. My sister-in law took my nephews yesterday to visit a VA hospital. She brought them some things that our local elementary school students put together. Her father participated in the Gulf War when she was little. I always think of my late father on this day and his tour in Korea. He always talked of his time there with pride. So please let's all remember today those who have fought for us and those who are fighting now. Let's not get so busy that we become blaise about something as meaningful as Veteran's Day. And if you have a VA Hospital near you , go for a visit, and remember to say thank you!!

Enjoying the weekend!!

2008-11-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

After almost 6 months of not loving weekends( because you never hear anything on the weekends) it's so nice to be able to really enjoy them again. Last night I hosted a family night at our church. We had a pot luck supper followed by BINGO!!! It turned out awesome. We had over 60 people there of all ages. I love the families in our church and we had a great time. I had a very tough week at work and it was a great Friday night activity. Today my husband surprised me and took me to one of the larger craft fairs in the area. I had forgotten it was this weekend but he didn't!!! I love that he goes with me and even buys me stuff.

We are starting to get things together for our trip. There are so many things to think of. Luckily the adoption community is so willing to help out with any information you may need. Monday is our travel meeting by phone to Kentucky. We will find out a lot of info then. It could be 2 hours long!!! There are at least 8 families that are going together. I can't wait to meet them all.

Its a little hard looking at Christmas stuff. We never imagined that we wouldn't have Sierra home for Christmas. But at least we know when we are going. We will be saving a little bit of Christmas for when we get back. Her birthday is also right around the time we return. It will be her first birthday party even though she will be 3!!!!

I'm including a picture that I took over Columbus Day weekend. We went pumpkin picking. The picture is of Scott, David, and Dylan, a little boy that we took camping with us. I love pictures from the back!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Still floating.

2008-11-03T15:19:00.001-08:00

After 3 days I am still floating. It is such an incredible feeling to know that on January 8th we will be leaving to go get our daughter. I am so excited and nerevous at the same time. Will I remember everything, will the plane ride be OK, Will it be really cold in Beijing and what will it be in Guangzhou!! But I am so, so happy to be asking these questions. Our LOA arrived before 10:00 on Saturday. We signed it and brought it back to the Post Office to be sent back. I have included pictures of the Fed Ex guy and the ladies at the post office.

Next Monday night I will have a 2 hour telephone conference call and learn a lot more information from the person in charge of travel at our agency. This is so exciting!!!

I LOVE HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!

2008-10-31T08:52:00.000-07:00

WE GOT IT!!!!!!!! OUR LOA HAS ARRIVED AT OUR AGENCY!!!!!!!! What an incredible feeling. I will now always love Halloween. We are hoping for travel near the end of Dec. ,early January. Sierra, we are coming!!!!!!

No LOA

2008-10-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a very difficult day. I came home from school in the morning because I was sick. I was not so sick that I could not check the computer. I found out that many LOAs had arrived, but not mine. Luckily my new, good friend Joy's did. She has been waiting a long time also and I am thrilled for her. We had hoped to travel together ( she is with the same agency ) but that probably will not happen now. If the rainbow I saw brought her her LOA than I am happy. She has given me an amazing amount of support through this ordeal and I don't know what I would do without her.
My agency said they will write to the CCAA and try to find out what is going on. I can't imagine not going before Christmas but that now is a possibility. I never believed that Sierra would not be home for Christmas but what is, is what is. Continue all your prayers and good wishes. there is always next week!!!

Rainbows

2008-10-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful fall we have been having. I will try and post some pictures maybe tonight of the colors. But today around 4:20 there was the most beautiful rainbow here in NY. Rainbows are good omens in my life so I am thinking LOA!!!!! When nature is trying hard to decide whether to rain or be sunny whamo...... ther's a rainbow with every color you can imagine. Only God could produce something so beautiful. I was at school in our afterschool program so I was able to share it with a bunch of kids .Better yet!!!! I found this picture a while back, of a rainbow in China. I hope to see one there when we go!!!

Weekend camping!!

2008-10-09T17:50:00.000-07:00

It's kind of nice having a day off in the midddle of the week. Today there is no school. We go back tomorrow and then have off on Monday. We are going camping for the long weekend. We go to a place that is only about 35 minutes from home. But it feels like hundreds of miles. It has a small lake so I will bring my kayak. I love kayaking in the fall. It's just the best. David will join us Sat. night after his football game. I hate missing games but this will be the only one this year. I also need to get away and enjoy some quality time with my husband.
The wait for the LOA continues. The last we heard from our agency is that there is somewhat of a slow down in paperwork. China will give them no timetable. So now we have no expectations of when we will go. I am still hoping for Nov. but one never knows when waiting on the CCAA. All I know is that the phone call will be one of the happiest moments in my life!!! Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Maybe this week

2008-09-27T06:27:00.000-07:00

I am so ready to start planning our trip to China. I want to be in that excited frenzied state , when you know you have a 1000 things to do and not enough time to do it. I want to be seriously nervous about getting on a plane and traveling many , many hours to get there. I just want this waiting in limbo stage to be over!!!! I am somewhat hopeful that we may hear something this week. My agency says they are waiting and expect our LOA to arrive at any time. We are still looking at hopefully traveling sometime in Nov. Hopefully sooner than later!!!

Sierra's room is almost done. When it is I will post pictures. In the meant time I am posting one more from 2 weeks ago!! She has the victory sign down pat!!

FALL IS HERE!!

2008-09-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons that I love the fall!!! Living in upsate New York is wonderful this time of year. The night s are cool, great for sleeping. The days are perfect, not too hot and not too cool. They are just right. And there is nothing like the colors that blanket the trees as their leaves change from green to red to orange and gold!!! As for me personally it means the corn is coming down!! We have a 150 acre field behind our house that a farmer owns and farms. Most of the field is hay but some of it is corn( the kind the cows eat!!) When I look out my kitchen window in the summer I can only see the corn. But when fall comes little by little the corn is cut and used for silage(cow food). When the corn is all gone I get a view of the whole field. I can see the deer and coyotes again. When I sit in m y gazebo I can see the tip of Slide Mountain again. And I appreciate it so much more because it was taken away from me for a while. Today I came home and the corn was being cut. It gave me a small sense of joy. It doesn't happen all in one day, but someday soon I will get my view back. I will enjoy it for the rest of the fall, spring and part of the summer until the corn replaces it again. But its not forever and I will appreciate it even more!! Here is a picture I took today. When its all gone I will post a picture again!!

A test in patience!

2008-09-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

When we finally receive our LOA and then our TA ( yes, there are more things to wait for AFTER getting our LOA!!!) I know I will have passed some kind of endurance test. Its so hard to explain, you know its going to happen, you want it to happen soon, you have absolutely NO control over the outcome so you just wait!! I know everything is happening for a reason and when it does happen it will be the right time. I'm thinking we will see something amazing in China or meet an amazing person, besides Sierra and I will say" That's why we waited. Or maybe nothing extraoridinary will happen and I will still know it was the right time. Its like when we were matched. Other lists came out and we did not get a call. Why? Because it wouldn't have been Sierra. And we are certain she was meant to be for us. With every fiber of my being I know that. So I will continue to wait, sometimes patiently but mostly not so patiently. And when that call comes......... I can't even imagine the joy it will bring!!!

Happy Anniversary

2008-09-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

Today I got to celebrate my 4th wedding anniversary with the most amazing man, my husband Scott! I had a doctors appointment in Albany so we both took the whole day off. We went to the Christmas Tree Store ( a favorite of ours) and the mall. We shopped, looked at all the adorable little girls clothes and ate lunch out. He is going to be such a wonderful father. I can not wait until I see little Sierra in his arms. He is working 3 different jobs to earn the money we need to go. I can't believe the amount of money he has saved!!! Our agency says China is working on all their LOAs including ours. Hopefully we will hear soon and can still travel in Nov. I am so blessed!!!!!!

New pictures!!!!!!!

2008-09-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

I knew this was going to be a great weekend!! I received some new pictures of Sierra!!!! They were taken less than 24 hours ago. Isn't she adorable!! I can't wait to be able to dress her!! And her hair is getting longer!!! I could just stare at these all day!!!!

Better frame of mind

2008-09-12T18:32:00.000-07:00

Wow, I was a little upset on Monday!! I'm feeling a little better now but not because we've received any great news, because we haven't. But Dana my SN advocate at my agency and a person I have become "close" to has gone to Guatemala to get her son. She has hit every bump in the road during her journey and I know she understands everything I am going through. That has meant so much to me. But I am thrilled that her wait is over and Edison is with them now. I also have decided that getting angry in this instance is not going to accomplish anything. It helped when the UCSIS kept telling me they were waiting for things that I already sent. I contacted them, explained the situation.... again and they finally sent me my I171H that we need to travel. but that is a US government office. I can get mad at them. One can not get mad at China. I can't even talk to them and even my agency's hands are pretty much tied. We knew this going in so I can't really complain. It WILL happen and Sierra WILL be with us soon. And I'm even looking foward to this weekend. Its all about how you choose to look at things, this week I will look at things half full not half empty!!! Have a great weekend!!!!

I'm mad!!!

2008-09-08T17:07:00.000-07:00

Today has been a tough day. Many people on the RQ blog received LOAs today. I admit I am angry. I'm angry that this means I have to wait longer to hold my daughter. I am angry that it means my daughter will have to wait longer to know the love of her new family. I am angry( although I am not proud of it) that some people don't have to wait as long as we have, for no apparent reason. I am angry that a country who just hosted the Olympics for hundreds of countries can not quickly complete the necessary paperwork to get these kids home to the people who love them. Although being angry does not help the situation in any way, it is what it is. My anger is equal in amount to the love I have for this child I have yet to meet. I hope I will feel better tomorrow. Anger is never productive, but it is what I feel.

Football is here!!!

2008-09-07T10:45:00.000-07:00

Along with tropical storm Hanna came David's first varsity football game. Luckily the heaviest rain missed us and it only rained normally. You know football, you play in anything!! We were surprised but David was the starting quaterback. The coach decided at the last minute to use David over the other kid( a senior) who we all thought was going to start. He was also the punter and the placekicker! Unfortunately they lost but they played a good game. I was proud of all of them, they don't have a huge team this year, both in numbers and in body size. But they obviously have heart. I love football and can't wait until next Saturday. Next year Sierra will be joining us on t he sidelines to cheer for her big brother!!!! Here are a few pictures from the game. David is number 10. Boy was I proud of him!!!!

Long week!

2008-09-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

Wow its been over a week since I last posted. I wish I could say that I've been busy getting ready to go to China. The truth is we haven't heard a thing. I am almost getting used to it. I try to be hopeful each day but I just hate being so disappointed. It will happen but I'd love to know when. I am terribly excited about all the changes that will occur in our life. After 3 boys just having a daughter will be different. I am also looking foward to seeing Scott as a father. he is wonderful to my boys and I know he already loves Sierra. I love watching children grow and learn. I did home childcare full time for over 15 years. I still do it after school and in the summer. There is nothing more gratifying to me than being around kids. Their energy, curiosity,and zest for life are a wonder to behold. Believe me they teach me more than they could ever learn from me. It will be wonderful to have a toddler(almost preschooler) in our family again. The wait for me is getting almost unbearable. I want to hold her , to tell her how much I love her, feel her cheek against mine, and show her the world. Sierra, we will be there as soon as we possibly can!!!

Back from vacation

2008-08-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

Scott and I enjoyed 5 lovely days camping at Alpine Lake!!! The weather was perfect and I was able to keep my mind off the dreaded LOA. Being able to do the things I love to do most, spending time with my husband, reading and kayaking, made me almost forget about everything else!!! Of course now I'm back and I want my LOA!!!!! but it will come all when its supposed to. We are gearing up to go back to school. David is entering 11th grade and I'm going back to elementary school. (only for a short time until we go to China!!!!!) I hope it will make the time go faster but originally I didn't think I'd be going back at all!!! Oh well things change. Here are some pictures of our trip.

That's me on the right and my friend Theresa on the left! The picture on the right is what I saw every morning when I walked out the camper door!!!! It was awesome!

Earthquake

2008-08-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

Another earthquake hit China today although not as strong as the one in May. It's still worrisome for parents with children there who are waiting for us. And it must be scary for the people who live there. I know there were some deaths reported already.

Tomorrow Scott and I are going away camping at Alpine Lake near Saratoga Springs!! I can't wait!!! Maybe our LOA will come while we are gone!!! Wouldn't that be nice!!!I'm posting another picture of Sierra. It was taken in June.

Maybe......

2008-08-21T04:05:00.000-07:00

I just have a feeling about today. I don't know why, I just do. It would be so great to receive LOA. Then I can relax and just wait for TA and travel dates. And then we can go to China and get our little sweetie!!!
Scott and I are going camping on Saturday. Its just for a few days but the weather looks perfect. In the low 70s, my kind of weather. We will be by the lake so it should be perfect!!!! I can't wait. Watch, my LOA will come while we are gone!!!

Tough day

2008-08-20T05:28:00.000-07:00

Today was a tough day and for once it didn't have anything to do with the adoption. Actually I received some good news today. My I171H which we need to travel to China has been sent out to me. Much earlier than expected!!!
No. my tough day had to do with raising teenagers. It's the time when they start feeling more independent and start making choices on their own. Unfortunatley they don't always make good choices. Even though I've been through it before it still is upsetting to me. There is so much hurtful things out in this world you just want to lock them in their room and keep them safe. I know this will turn out fine and I know he will make more mistakes but its so much easier when they are little. I hope that God will continue to grant me the wisdom and patience that I will need in the coming years!

Trying times

2008-08-19T05:18:00.000-07:00

This wait is a difficult process. If you just knew when your travel dates would be it wouldn't be so bad. My biggest fears are that 1. They gave Sierra to someone else. 2. They lost my paperwork. 3. They lost her paperwork. 4. She's sick and no one wants to tell me. (although I don't really believe she is) 5. They have decided that we would be terrible parents and are not going through with the adoption. All these thoughts swirl around my head daily. That is why I am so desperate to receive our LOA. That is the letter where China says yes, you may have her, do you still want her? Can you believe that we have to sign a paper saying we still want her!! Like we would ever change our mind!!!! So let's keep our fingers crossed that we hear something soon!!!
I did send Sierra a care package yesterday and that was a good feeling. She should receive it in about a week. I love the idea that she will be receiving some things from us.

Where did summer go?

2008-08-18T04:32:00.000-07:00

I can't believe there is only two more weeks until school starts. I work as an assistant in an elementary school. I wasn't going to go back this year because we were going (I thought) to be traveling to China around the beginning of Sept. NOT!!! So I will start back and put in for my leave when I hear something more. Hopefully it will be soon.
David starts football practice today so he says his summer is over. They do work them hard but I am a huge football fan so I love it. He is going to China with us so he may have to miss a game or two, but maybe not.
My husband and I just made reservations to go camping again this Saturday for 5 days. We originally thought we wouldn't because we thought it would be close to the time we were leaving. Again, NOT!!! So we are going to get away for a few days I can't wait although I did check and the campground does have Wi Fi so I can still check my emails!!!!
So maybe this will be the week and I will post if I hear anything.

Another year older!

2008-08-14T18:14:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful birthday. The only thing that could have made it better would have been to receive my LOA. But that's OK it will come soon. It is all part of a bigger plan that I have no control over. I am trying so hard to accept that. Another family that I have become friendly with online DID receive their LOA today and for that I am grateful. I am honored that it happened on my birthday and I am thrilled for them. And as disappointed as I am it feels good to be happy for someone else. This is what this adoption community does, it brings out the best in everyone. Our time will come.
I had a great day at camp. We have a cookout on the last Thursday of camp which was today. It was a beautiful summer day. All the kids sang Happy Birthday and the staff had made cupcakes. Also they gave me a gift bag with all little things for Sierra in it.(including 2 Mets onesies) I was so touched. I have really enjoyed doing camp this summer. Summer camp always reaffirms to me why I love working with kids. It is so different than working in a school. I also love working with my highschool counselors. They are awesome young adults and I know they will all be successful. And Linda my Assistant is a great friend. We have done it together for about 5 years. This summer she brought her 5 month old daughter Jamie to camp. What a cutie. I am in love. She is the best baby. She just smiled and cooed to us all summer long. I loved watching her older brother Nick with her. You can tell how much he loves and will protect his little sister. Thank you Linda for sharing her with all of us.
My husband always makes this a special day for me. He gave me a beautiful card and in it included the words "We will soon have our little girl" I cried when I read it. He is so excited I can hardly stand the wait for him either. Sierra will be his first child and he will be an awesome father!!
As you can see it wasn't a bad day at all!! Thanks to everyone!!

Just thinking

2008-08-13T04:24:00.001-07:00

Today I am just thinkinking what it will be like when we finally board that plane to China. I am imagining what it will be like when we are sitting in the room and they bring Sierra to us. Will she be frightened? Will she like us? Will I finally get to see her smile? It's hard now to imagine what these moments will be like. I want to be able to remember every detail so I can play it over and over in my mind. It's hard to imagine now what it will be like then, over 7000 miles away in a small room in China. But boy am I ready to find out!! Sierra, we will be ther as soon as we can!!!!

Time is marching on!

2008-08-09T06:54:00.000-07:00

What a nice week. Not great because we didn't receive our LOA but nice just the same. I just finished our 5th week of summer camp. Only one more togo. The time has flown!!! I was hoping not to have to go back to work in Sept. because I thought we'd be traveling. Wrong!!! I will probably go back for just 6 weeks or so until about 2 weeks before we travel. My youngest son turned 17 on Thursday. He is such a great kid and is turning into a wonderful young adult. He is coming with us to China and I am thrilled to be able to share that with him. He will adore his little sister and she him. Happy Birthday, David!!!

The summer speeds on!!

2008-08-05T04:01:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we have started our last session of camp. This summer has flown by!!!I thought it would move slowly but it hasn't. Hopefully all the time until we go to China will move this fast. No, we haven't heard anything yet but I still have my fingers crossed!!!

Hopeful

2008-08-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to be extremely hopeful that we receive our LOA this week. If not, there is little chance that we would be able to travel to get Sierra in Sept. Adoption travel is all but closed in Oct. so we would have to wait until Nov. That is something I don't even want to think about. Everyone please keep your fingers crossed!!!

At the Fair!

2008-07-31T15:51:00.001-07:00

Well today was the much anticipated camp trip to the Ulster County Fair. Now.... the kids eagerly look foward to it. I do not! It's alot of responsibility to take 50 kids ages 6-12 to a county fair. You have to make sure you don't lose anyone, hope that no one throws up on the rides or on the bus on the way home, and get the bus back to the park on time. Well I have to say it was a huge success!!! We didn't lose anyone, no one got sick and the bus made it back on time. And to top it off my son won won a Reserve Championship and a Junior Championship with his cows. It was a banner day! I knew it was the day I was going to get home and there was going to be a message that we received our LOA. NOT!!!! But I did read of four people who got their LOA and they have been waiting less time!! That's the way it goes. There is no rhyme or reason to any of this. Just hope we get it soon. All in all it was a great day and I love the kids I get to have all summer!! Many of them are the same kids that I see at school but let's face it, camp is way more fun. And... we are outside all day!!!!!!

The other two!

2008-07-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

These are the other two members of our family, Lucy(L) and Emma(R). They are our two Australian Shepherds. Just like the differences in kids these two dogs are very different. Lucy is very quiet and laid back. She should have been a therapy dog. We rescued her when she was almost 9 years old. She is now 15 and definitely showing her age although she still goes for a walk with me every morning. She is the gentlest dog I have ever had and I adore her. Now Emma on the other hand is not quiet. Her herding instincts are strong and if any one moves in the house she barks at them. Honestly if you get up off the couch, she barks. She thinks her job is to keep everyone in one place. She's super smart(as is Lucy) and has tons of energy. We hike, cross country ski, go bike riding and do agility. She also loves to play frisbee. Even though she'll be 4 we are still working hard to help her control herself better. The kids I watch love her because she's always ready to play. They also love to watch her do agility. They both love to go camping with us and we love to take them. They are an important part of our family!

Family picture

2008-07-26T07:11:00.000-07:00

This is all of us, except for Sierra of course. From top left to right, my husband Scott, my sonPaul 22, my son David 16, and my son Tim 24. Bottom:me, Paul's girlfriend Jenn, and Tim's girlfriend Sara. I was so excited to get this picture around Christmas time its so hard to get everyone together when someone has a camera. David will be traveling with us to China.

Beautiful daughter

2008-07-24T09:40:00.000-07:00

I have just read my last few entries and realize how whiny I have sounded. I am trying to change my attitude today. We have been so blessed to have been matched with this beautiful child. I have 3 wonderful sons that are the light of my life and a husband who is the most wonderful, supportive man anyone could wish for. I am anxious for us to be all together but in the mean time I have to remind myself how lucky I am. I am posting another picture of our beautiful daughter.

Still Waiting

2008-07-23T18:04:00.000-07:00

OK This must be some kind of test. How much waiting can one person take. I go to camp each morning hoping that when I come home there will be a message for me. I come home each day and thre is not. Then I check on RQ(an adoption forum) to see if anyone else has heard anything. Then I am depressed for the rest of the day. My husband keeps reminding me that our referral and our PA came when we didn't expect it. So I guess I just have to stop thinking about it. Yeah right!!! I just want to know when we will be traveling. I guess everyone else does too.