the home stretch?!

Okay- I have been holding off posting for a while, because I just hate it when we get out hopes up. Rumor Queen , as well as our agency, has verified that our L.I.D. has been included in this batch. Oh. My. Word.
Our agency says that they should get Stella's picture and information early this week. Clark is sure that we will get it on the same day they do, but I am trying not to count on that, because it will sure be a long day at school. It will be a long day, any way, just thinking about her.
This tiny bit of snow today was exciting for Sam- he did not understand why it left while we were in church, though. He wanted to skip Sunday School, and go home to throw snow-balls at his father. It was pretty while it lasted.
I am working on learning how to post photos on here, so I can put our referral photo up. Oh my gosh- that sounds so exciting, don't you think?!

Two days- two days- two days!!!

Yes, it was a small batch this month. Yes, lots of people are disappointed about it. Yes, it would have been fantastic to get Stella's picture this past week. I am determined to find good in it, so this is my good- we are now two L.I.D.s out. That is pretty wonderful, to my mind.
Some people are saying there will be a second batch this month- if so, great! If not, I feel pretty sure that we will be included in the very next batch. What we do not know for sure just yet is the timing of our travel- if we get pushed back much further, will we have to travel during that market-time when every hotel is so much more expensive? Not that it would slow us down, really.
The downer this week was the death of our 14 year old dachshund, Matilda. She was a sweet little thing, and lived a happy, long life. I know that she is running around with her puppies, Jasper and Blossom, and that she is happily chasing some squirrel-angels or something like that.
I cannot help but think that God put dogs on this earth just to make us happy. She was very good at doing just that.

some wonderful news to end this year

Hoorah! According to Rumor Queen, there are referrals coming out ! Agencies are saying that they will make it through February- and we should expect ours at the end of January!!! How exciting is that, I ask you? What a wonderful way to end this year- we have been waiting for so long, and praying so hard, and we are finally seeing the end of the tunnel. How awesome is that?
We are so excited for everyone who gets to see photos of their babies this week!

again I say- how much longer?

I have to say it- it is really getting depressing. Knowing that the CCAA is only giving referrals at the rate of two days a month- it makes you wonder. Do they just want us all to give up? Is there a method to this madness? I know it takes a lot of faith, and I have been using an awful lot of that here, but my goodness! We have been waiting for Stella for over five years! This is amazing. I know she is worth the wait, I know our time table and God's are not the same, I know that there is a reason for all of this- but oh my soul- we are ready.
Our dear friends in Texas bought us a beautiful baby bed for Stella- we are so excited about getting to use it!
To get our minds off our troubles, the three of us hopped on a plane last tuesday, and spent a few days in San Diego- Legoland, to be exact. It was too much fun. Everyone we encountered was so nice and friendly- making us want to make this a yearly trip, at the very least.
So, as of today, November 30, 2008, we are 17 log in days away from our referral. We are still being told to expect her picture in March- so, hold on, sports fans!!! This is going to be a fun ride!

okay- how close are we now?

We are waiting to hear the latest referrals- of course, I know we are not going to be in this batch, but hopefully, we will see how close we are getting. How amazing would it be to get our referral in November- and go get baby Stella in December? I think the idea of getting out of school for Christmas holiday and not going back to school after---- sounds really amazing!
Today is my sister Karol Ann's 50th birthday- woo hoo! She is pretty fired up about going with us to China- and we are pretty happy about it, as well!
So, hurry up , referrals! And Happy Birthday, K'lann!

latest referrals- fast or slow?

The referrals came out this week, and now we are up to Feb. 9, 2006. I would like to think that we are moving at a nice , fast pace. I don't really know yet, and will not know for sure until we see the referrals for October.
We are so happy for all of the families who did get their photos this week! What a wonderful feeling ! Sooner or later, we will be there with you!

waiting for more good news

according to our sources , there is matching going on right now. Everyone said China would shut down during the Olympics, but this may not be the case, afterall. I know there is no way they will match fourty days of log-ins, but anything would be nice!
School starts this week- sad to say it, but we will have to miss the second day of school, since we have to go renew our fingerprints AGAIN. Gee, the last time we only went to school on the first day was when we left for Ukraine for Sam! I am determined to see this as a very good sign!