Homestudy Completed!

Well, You can say it took us along time to get our home study renewed! Thank goodness we had turned in our renewal for the I 171H before it expired way back when. We did our fingerprints again in Oct. Then my primary MD left her practice and I had to find a new MD. Uggh.... I hate Doctor appts. anyway and now I had to face finding a new Doctor and having her do my physical for the adoption papers.

So, I asked around and finally found a good Doctor that was really close by that I liked. I had to wait 2 months to get in for a physical. So while I was waiting I decided to do something about my weight. I went on a program and lost 38lbs Yahoo! I was very pleased and I still plan to loose some more weight but not in such an extreme way. I am eating small meals about 6 a day, avoiding carbs and eating alot of greens. I have continued to drop another 7lbs. Slow and sure now. My physical was fine.

We called our SW and she came to see us on Weds. evening. Completed our update visit and she will be sending it off to USCIS as soon as they get it typed up.
I am relieved and glad that it is behind us. I am not sure that we will do it again though. We are getting to that point where we feel we will be to old for another child even if it is a 2-3 year old. It is sad, but it could be a reality that we need to face.

Our agency has still not been put on the electronic CCAA list for WC. So, even though we are family #23 essentially it is non existent. So, we continue to wait and pray that something will change. Do I dream about her yes. I don't know if I can have complete faith in them though. Who knows maybe she will come to us via foster adoption. I just know that if it is meant to be it will happen because it is in God's plan not ours.

Meanwhile life here goes on. We continue to be really busy with #1 daughter and all of her various activities. I am co-chair for the Read-A-Thon at daughter's school this year. It is not a small task with 831 students to plan for. It has taken alot of work to coordinate it, prizes,volunteer's etc. for 2 weeks.

This is what I dream of....2 sisters sharing giggles and laughs and quiet moments together. Friends for life.............


Photo of Susan Rios painting from Pierside Gallery.

Princesses Bow

For those of you who are wondering where Cora bought the adorable monogrammed bow for little miss it was at Tip Top Lollipop on etsy. I am going to order some more as they are just adorable!


















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Grace is the unfailing commitment to love all persons, regardless of their beliefs. Only grace makes it possible for those who believe differently to respect and relate to one another. Grace allows us to disagree, to challenge the damaged beliefs of others even as we are challenged and to do this without violating the autonomy and dignity of others. Grace empowers us to embrace deeply divergent convictions even as we embrace one another. We love one another as God loves us-graciously.

~~ Philip Gulley and James Mulholland, writers~




For now I am going to leave you with pictures of one of my most favorite spots in the world! Mt Baldy~ Sun Valley, Idaho.


May grace go with you this week as you encounter others. Try to make someone smile....


Photo's from Flikr creative commons

What Adorable Things Came Today!

Today was a fantastic day! I attended a Friendship Tea at NSB church. One of my GF's hosted a table for 10. There were 42 tables and no seats left. The function was completely sold out. What an amazing experience filled with friends and a gift of the seasons of tea. I have posted pictures on my other blog Our Cozy Cottage .

When I picked up the mail there was this sweet pink shipping envelope in our box and it was from my dear friend Cora Waiting For Little Miss What's Her Name blog. I absolutely just love everything she sent me! Thank you so much Cora. Princess loves her bow! The clips are just so sweet. I love cupcakes!!! The recipe looks fantastic and hubby is anxious for me to try it out. He adores anything chocolate... me too!



Okay can you tell she has gotten way to tall and I can no longer see the top of her head where her bows are unless I have her look down?!! She is like 4'9" and only 9 1/2years old. EEK.... Oh well she will just be tall like us!


So, I finally had to have her sit on the floor to get a good picture of her cute polka dot bow with a G on it!! She thinks its pretty special to have her initial on it.


These are all of the sweet clips! A pink with pink/green polka dots, a cupcake, cherries, another cupcake and a ribbon with cupcakes on it! I'm sure mei mei will just love them.


The recipe for "Best Chip Cookie Recipe Ever!"

Thank you so much Kim at Journey to Isabella for hosting this great clip/bow/recipe swap. It was oodles of fun!

It Is Official!

As of Monday February 2nd, 2009 we are now in THE REVIEW ROOM!!! Yippee.
It has taken us 21 months and 3 days to make it into this room at the CCAA.
This is where the Chinese officials will spend time going through our dossier to make sure that everything is in order with our request for our precious daughter. If there is anything that they are uncertain of they will contact our agency and ask questions of clarification.
Lets pray that there are no questions and that we will make it through with flying colors.





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Ten Things I am Thankful for.....

~friends who believe in you

~love notes

~art museums

~the first juicy bite of an apple

~ guitar solos

~wise words

~the familiar scents of home


~smooth landings

~the warming glow of a porch light

~homemade jams


Photos from Flickr creative commons

Owen And Emma Bows Give Away

These are just too cute! It is another give away atFrugal Mommy Of 2 Girls for Valentines. I just love these little clips! They are so sweet...
Go over and visit FMO2G to enter. This was posted on Feb. 1st at her site and the contest will end on Feb. 8th.

Monkey Toes Giveaway!

Just wanted you to know that Frugal Mommy Of 2 Girls is having an awesome giveaway for these adorable Pink Luv Bug MJ's from Monkey Toes! I just love these and all of the other adorable shoes that they make. The post date for this give away was Jan. 30th. on her blog. She has giveaways everyday. So, I frequent her site. This one ends Feb. 7th.