A Parcel from Australia!!!

I was so excited to see a postal card in the mailbox this afternoon and even more thrilled to see that it was for my Minnie Mr. We know of a very special girl who lives in Australia so we are hoping it is from her. When Harrison woke up from his nap from the 1st day of school I told him about his parcel card. He was so excited and said he knows without a doubt that it is from Emma and Miss Lisa. He can't wait to go tomorrow and pick up the surprise.

A Better Picture

To give you all a better idea of the amazing things that the Philip Hayden Foundation is doing for the children, go here and watch a video. I recommend the Children's Day Video. I wish all of the children in China could experience what these kids get to experience. Maybe one day...

Philip Hayden Foundation

There are several organizations in China that are working hard to make a big difference in the care that China's children receive. One of those very special organizations is called the Philip Hayden Foundation. This organization is truly amazing.

Phillip Hayden was a young American teacher who traveled to China to teach the young children. Along his life's journeys he met Tim and Pam Baker who quickly became his friends helping alongside him in China. Unfortunately at age 28 Philip unexpectedly died of an unknown heart issue. As an incredible testament of friendship and dedication to their life's passion, Tim and Pam Baker created the Philip Hayden Foundation.

Throughout our adoption journey we have thought about how wonderful it would be if our child would be at one of these specialized facilities. The chances are slim, the odds not in our favor, but the care so superb that you can only hope and dream. Luckily we have a few VIPs whispering in God's ear!

I Hate It When....

I have to eat my words :)

The Whole Process Stinks!

I got restless and emailed my agency contact letting her know it had been 3 weeks since we chatted and that our immigration was in compliance. I asked her is she could update us on our referral status. I did not like the response and I would assume we will not be receiving a call this week. Big shocker in this crazy system!

Houston, We Are "Go" For A Referral...

Late this afternoon I received the email that we are officially off "hold" status. I broke down and emailed the agency for confirmation as to when we would be off hold and was thrilled with the response. No calls came in today but it is still nice to read. It has now been 14 months waiting for our special little one on the waiting child list. We are thrilled that we feel that we are so close to seeing her sweet face. Please, please, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers the next couple of days. You can believe me when I say that Hubs and I are really eager to hear the phone ring.....

Look What I Won....And, I Use That Term Loosly!

I came across a great website that raises money for the Starfish Kids. I love reading the Starfish Blog and I hope one day to be able to travel and volunteer with the amazing staff and with the even more amazing little kids. In fact, I think most waiting parents hope to adopt a Starfish Baby because of all of the wonderful love and support these little ones receive. Other orphanages are also loving, but this is the only one where I can follow the blog. In the past, I have donated to Breanna's surgery. Breanna is a little heart baby who has really stolen my heart. Her parents are going to be very lucky because she is a cutie patootie!

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So, back to the website....people donate items (usually clothing) and other people (like me) bid on them to raise money. This was my first attempt and I WON!!!! They are advertising this as a consulate outfit, but I am not sure I will use it for that. While I am incredibly patriotic (I think until I moved to Newnan I always had one "Americana" bedroom") and was a huge fan of the Limited clothing line with flags ( I know that I just dated myself), well anyway, while I consider myself patriotic, I am just not sure how I feel about dressing the little ones in US flags while in China or on the way home. I know that tons of people do this and I certainly don't want to offend anyone, but I just feel that for us when we are in China and bringing our little one home that I want to embrace her birth country and heritage. For the rest of her life she will be immersed in ours, so I am not 100% sure about dressing her in flag-wear while there or on the way home. I doubt that the Chinese would look kindly to me wearing a dress with a big Chinese flag on it, but I will figure something out. Of course, you never know and I may change my mind and you will see us wearing the US flag all around town!

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Finally, not that I am counting (whatever!!!)....but, today is the 3 week mark that I was told would have led to a referral. Instead it has led to being placed on hold and ineligible for a referral. To say that I am disappointed would be an understatement. The home study was completed last week on Tuesday, but still has not been submitted due to family issues with my social worker which I completely understand. I just wish now that I had not had that chat with my agency and been told the 3 week mark because its sticking in my head. Although I have been told we will not get a call, I secretly hoped that one would have come yesterday because the 4th marked 10 months since my mom died. I hate thinking of that day as an "anniversary" because my mom was 1000 times more amazing in life than what that day defines, so I am hoping that something more positive steals the 4th's thunder.