What's new?

Wouldn't you know it- nothing much! Month 31 went by without so much as a hoorah. There's not much to report these days. Our niece turned two on the 23rd this month. It's hard to believe that she's 2 already and might I add a little terrible, too. She's so big and so smart but I'm a little biased. She's turned into quite the little clown. She'll do almost anything for a laugh...hmmm, where does she get that I wonder? Devon's growing so fast she'll probably be old enough to babysit her cousin when we finally get Emma!

Paul and I are planning on keeping Devon for a week in July so that my sister's other childcare (that would be Devon's other grandmother, who despite raising a complete imbecile, Devon's sperm donor, is doing a wonderful job with Devon) can take a vacation. I am looking forward to that. Keeping her in July means that I need to go ahead and get a crib. She's much too big to sleep in the pack-n-play anymore so a crib it is. I used to want a really super nice crib that I priced at Babys-r-us and have come to realize that a crib is a crib and as long as it's safe then it'll do. So over the spring break Paul and I are schlepping out to the IKEA to pick up a crib that converts to a toddler bed, a wardrobe/armoire and a chest of drawers for the second bedroom. The only trepidation I have is in buying a crib. I know we'll need it when Devon comes but I have horrible visions of having this stinkin' crib and some God awful thing happens and I don't need it. Can anyone say pessimist?

I'm still working on staying positive. It's not too hard to do as I suffer from Scarlet O'Hara syndrome and always have. That is to say that I firmly believe in thinking about difficult things tomorrow.

Paul and I are off to New York for a few days in the near future and while it will be a working vacation it will be a vacation. It's a good chance for our us to get away from everything here and just enjoy the ride. I know he needs that and so do I. Hopefully I'll get some new pictures posted when we return. Ooohhh.... the anticipation must be killing you!

Peace and blessings,
Lisa

30 Months

Today's the 30 month anniversary of our log-in date. In celebration of this momentous occasion we are going down to the USCIS offices on Saturday morning and waiting to have our fingerprints redone (third time) and our immigration paperwork updated. This little venture will allow us to keep current and would allow us to bring our daughter home with no hassles from the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration. Apparently, you don't ever want any hassles with the Dept. of Homeland Security, they might just Abu Ghraib your butt, or Gitmo you. :)

Not to burst any bubbles

We heard from our family coordinator about this latest round of renewal paperwork. The news is a double-edged sword, folks. We were pretty much told not to expect a referral anytime in 2009. Remember my last post? About looking at the positive side? Well, I'm trying to do that with this bit of news also. There's something comforting in knowing that it won't be this year. I know that sounds crazy but the worst part of all of this is the disappointment and let down when we realize that yet again there's no referral for us. It alleviates the constant worry and waiting anxiety. This way we know. It's not this year. We won't be watching each month tick away and wonder could it be this month? In fact, this news really will allow us to reclaim our lives. We've sort of lived only half our lives. I know this doesn't make much sense but we've been living for an eventuality. Waiting for the next holiday because it will be better with Emma and we've not been taking the time to enjoy the here and now. I don't know how this happened to us, but it did. We're still 1Million % committed to growing our family but we're now also committed to enjoying our family as it is today. That's the news you can use from this end of the keyboard.

In an effort to capitalize on the positive...

I don't generally make new year's resolutions, and this is not what this is... not really, but I've decided to take note of the positive things about our endless wait for word from China. So, to that end here are a few of the things i have enjoyed this year that i won't be able to enjoy once we have our daughter... 1) last night I sat my butt in my favorite chair and read Tori Spellings' trashy memoir cover to cover, uninterrupted no less. And it was Goooooood! 2) This past Saturday while Paul lay in a Nyquil induced coma I watched Bravo's marathon of The Real Housewives of New York, ALLLLL day! And it was gooooood! 3) Tonight, because I'm tired and he's tired and simply because we can, I'm going to our favorite Sushi restaurant for dinner. Spicy tuna roll here I come! 4) and sometime in February we're getting away for a few days just by ourselves. You've got to accentuate the positive.... you know the rest of the song! :)

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas friends and family! I am doing much better than last year in at least one area...Christmas cards are done and in the mail. Woohoo. I feel like that's a huge accomplishment since last year I couldn't even get motivated to do that. Still no tree and trimmings at our house. It just seems pointless. It's just Paul and I and we won't even be home very much over the holiday.

I was thinking about Mary and Joseph recently, go figure, and what those 9 months must have been like for them. Knowing that they were going to parent God's child surely tripled the anticipation of the arrival of their baby. I can only imagine. In a way, aren't all children God's children? Isn't it our greatest privilege to raise our children as though they are his? I dunno, sometimes I think I am thinking too much.

Just to update you as to where we stand in this marathon known as our adoption...
Our I-600A, immigration paper work for our hypothetical child, expires in February so that's another 850ish to Homeland Security. We've been informed by our agency that China has increased the orphanage donation fee from 3,500 to 5,500 due to the weak American dollar. And the rumor mill is rife with talk of the wait increasing to 5 years. 5 FREAKIN' YEARS! I suppose the good news is we're at the 28 month mark and how much longer could it be? Well it could be another FREAKIN' 28months that's how long! We know it's a marathon, not a sprint. It's about stamina and endurance and not instant gratification. Knowing all of that doesn't make it any easier just so you know. In fact, I cannot think of one pithy, cliche that could adequately express what this feels like at this point.

Nevertheless...Merry Christmas to you all and all our best wishes for a happy and healthy new year...love ya, mean it.
Lisa

26 Months and holding...

Yesterday was our 26 month anniversary with the CCAA and they didn't even send a card! The nerve! :) There's nothing new to report. I suppose the old adage that no news is good news is only partially true in this case. We appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers as we continue to trust in Him. This is all in His hands.

Peace out!
Lisa and Paul

Hmmm

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do,and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation