My projections.....

So my friends John and Jenny have the timeline right now of DTC then 10 days later they had LID and then 25 days after that it was LOA. (at least I think that's the right numbers!!!). Sooo....I started thinking and am praying for LESS time for us and that we can get this moved along!!! If we are on their timeline though it could very well be LID of 12/31/10 (today!!) and then get our LOA on 1/25/11. That would work out great but would be even better if it was quicker! I'm hoping our LOA is in January so I can send him a birthday package for his 2/15 birthday.

Shopping today I went into Hallmark and found the softest, sweetest Snoopy. He's light blue and brown and is so dang cute I had to buy it. Of course, I turned the corner and found the same one but pink...so had to buy both!! I'm thinking I might sleep with JD's for a few nights before I can mail it so hopefully he gets it and there's a scent of his new mama on it. I know he's going to be 9 years old but really.....it's soft and cuddly and I think he will love it.

wow!

So...the weather has been yucky in both Minnesota and Washington (our agency) BUTTTTT....our social worker called and has ALL documents and is planning on our dossier going to China tomorrow....WE ARE DTC!!!!

I'm changing my sidebar but know if there is a glitch...I'll change it back. This is so exciting and really came out of the blue. I wanted it sent by Christmas but really was so sure it wouldn't go until after!

So far I know 2 families that received their LOA within a month of being DTC. Let's pray it goes that fast for us!

happy happy happy happy!

4 years, 6 months and 24 days ago.....

that was our first LID (log in date) when we had Zoe's dossier sent to China. Just yesterday and possibly more on Monday/Tuesday the referrals for babies are coming in for people with that LID. Can you imagine waiting that long?!?! it's pure craziness. We started our journey to Zoe with the idea of a healthy baby girl as young as possible. After much waiting we went "special needs" route and were so happy we did....it was 2 1/2 year old Yidi we got!!! She's a perfect fit for our family and really has brought much joy and happiness to our family. She had heart surgery as a baby but other than that....PERFECT!!! God knew she was meant for our family before we did and we are thankful that she is.

So now.....4 years, 6 months and 24 days since that LID....we are home with Zoe almost 3 years and going back for another sweet orphan child. The wait is hard but oh so worth it. I'm happy for the new families that are finally getting their dreams made and am not the least bit upset that we didn't wait it out....that we took a leap of faith in the "special needs" and said yes to Zoe.

Happy dance for John and Jenny!!!

Our friends are officially LOA (letter of acceptance) for their next sweet girl! We're right behind them in this process and I hope it goes as smoothly and quickly for us as it did them. They received their LOA within a month of their dossier hitting China!! That is quick quick quick and I so pray we get ours to China and have the same quickness.

John and Jenny traveled with us when we adopted the first time. It's fun to be doing this together again but sad that we wont' travel together. Our girls love their China sister reunions and will be seeing them in February before we all travel again. I can't even imagine our next travel reunion. There will be 5 of us families that are adopting again out of our original 9 or 10 families...that's pretty good odds!

Anyway.....Congrats to Jenny and John...hope you hear about traveling REAL soon to get your new sweet girl. I can't wait to follow your journey and know I'm right behind you.

If I don't post again...Merry Christmas to you all! Be thankful for family and friends and remember the reason for the season is Jesus. Without Him...nothing is possible!

love
Liz

Oh how I hate waiting......

Still waiting for our documents to make it from Chicago to Washington (where our agency is) and am hating it. I guess part of me is happy knowing it's not in WA yet as that means there was an issue and needs to be fixed and re-sent but really I wish they had it done it record speed. I can safely assume it's being worked on so for that....I'm happy. Realistically it probably won't make it to our agency by Christmas but hopefully soon after it will.

This is the part of the adoption process I hate. It's all a hurry up and then wait process and repeats itself several times over. I'm so anxious to get ON WITH THIS ALREADY and want to see my son...to meet him, get to know him, to hug and kiss him and for him to meet us! I've got his suitcase packed, his room ready....so really, I can leave NOW! LOL

We'll have a white Christmas!!

it snowed and snowed and snowed some more this weekend! wowzers....I think I heard somewhere between 14 and 20 inches but not exactly sure.

Colleen and Lia came to visit us from Michigan and I'm not sure if they will want to ever come back. We took the train to Minneapolis in the blizzard and had quite the adventurous day. We had to walk through really high snow....at times to my knees. I even lost a shoe and some teenager dug it out for me and Zoe refers to that as "the guy that saved mommy's life"!! We had (not so) wonderful lunchables for our dinner while sitting at a window ledge inside the skyways of Minneapolis. We managed to get on the 7:00 train to head home around 8:00 and it finally left MPLS at about 10:48! We left home at 1:20 and returned about 11:30 so it was a LONG LONG day. We were able to stay warm in the train and had snacks and drinks so it was not too terrible. I was so happy to finally make it home. Sadly, Colleen and Lia left today so now it's back to normal for us.

No news on the adoption front but our paperwork is in Chicago and hopefully their weather is better and employees can make it to work and get my paperwork authenticated so it can makes it's way to our agency.

Only 12 days until Christmas and that means...only 17 until my birthday!! LOL

It's here....It's here....It's here!!!!!!!!

It finally came today!!! I'm so happy! We managed to get to the bank to have it notorized about 10 minutes before they closed! I will be heading to St. Paul tomorrow for the state seal and then off to Chicago it will go to be authenticated! Hoping for speedy service and that our dossier will be sent to China BEFORE Christmas!

happy happy happy

What in the world!

The mail STILL hasn't come and it's after 5:00!!!! aren't there rules on this?!?!?! Is she messing with me?!?!!?!?

Dream

yesterday we had our Chinese playgroup Christmas and had such a fun time! I was talking to others about blogging and saying how I love to read blogs and love when people are faithful about blogging daily (okay, I'm not but get over it!!!). I did mention that I was great at blogging though while in China with Zoe. So last night I dreamt that it was my last day in China getting JD and I realized that I hadn't posted one thing and never skyped home to talk to Steve and the kids!!! bad girl I was! I'm hoping that is one dream that does not come true!!! LOL

I'm hoping for 2 posts today....come on mail lady...bring my I800A!!! please please please!!!

24 days ago....

we were fingerprinted and yet we still dont' have our I800A!!! We were told it takes about 2-3 weeks but are over the 3 weeks. I'm sure it's because of Thanksgiving landing in there but really?!?!!? do they not get that I'm anxious?!?!!? I'm sure all the others they are processing aren't as anxious as I am!!!

But, today, Jake got mail....his passport has arrived! yipeee for that!!!

new camera

I ordered a new camera on Thanksgiving for an early "black Friday" deal. It was about 50 or 60% off so that was WAY cool! Anyway, I accidentally erased my email about it and when I called office max they had no record of me! Hellloooo?!?!!?!.....what?!?!!? So I was quite bummed. Well, the UPS man showed up and gave me my camera!!! yiippppeeeeee!

It's a Kodak with 12mp and 10X zoom. Perfect size for traveling to China! FYI....my other camera has died and didn't have great zoom.

Now if someone would deliver my I800A I'd be even happier!