Stop the Madness!

Things continue to be crazy in the world of adoption. There have been several families who had LID's past 9/8/05 who have received their referrals in the last batch. I have seen one as late at 9/15/05. Talk about a surprise. How wild would that be? I really think that we are on target for February. However, there is a slim chance that we could get ours in January. This has been a crazy process and just think, the fun is just beginning.

CCAA Update

Well, here you go, hot off the press. We're through September 8th. Not where I expected to be this month. I'm pretty disappointed, but, not much I can do. We are getting closer, inch by inch.

No news is... No news

Nada, zilch, nothing. Lots and lots of conflicting rumors (I emphasize the word rumors)that are pointing to a million different directions. Once again, we are up in the air. We'll just have to wait and see for ourselve when referrals arrive. Oh, and the rumors about the arrival of referrals are all over the place too. So, the moral of that story is "don't pay attention to rumors". Right?

No news is good news? Right?

Happy Monday! It's the beginning of a brand new week and boy was it hard to get out of bed this morning. I don't even think that I set the clock last night. I can't remember. There is nothing new on the adoption front this morning, we are all waiting not so patiently for any bit of rumor that comes our way.

I am praying that we know something soon and if you need something to pray for, pray that all of September is included in this next batch of referrals. Now, that would be excited. Maybe they are still matching and we just haven't heard yet because of that. One can dream!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow, what I am thankful for? The list goes on and on. I am thankful for my wonderful husband, who is my best friend. I am thankful for our boys. I am thankful for the little girl who waits on us in China. Our life is getting ready to be turned upside down. We can't wait.

So, today, as I reflect on Thanksgiving past, and look forward to future Thanksgivings, I pray that now, as our daughter sleeps somewhere in China, that God will warm her heart today, whisper our voices in her ear, and hold her in His arms while she sleeps. We love you Jadyn, sleep well sweet daughter, we will come get you soon. For you, I am forever thankful.

Hey, we got one!

There is a great rumor on RQ this morning. I woke up to some exciting news. She says that there are some agencies that are saying we will see either all or almost all of September in this next batch. Now that's exciting! Pray that it happens, although, I am not getting my hopes up. I have been on that roller coaster before and it's not a fun ride.

Yesterday, all my troubles seem so far away!

Yesterday was the 13 month anniniversary of our LID. We were actually logged in for 13 months. WOW, that is just hard for me to believe. I can't help but think that good news is right around the corner. I can't wait to find out about the next batch of referrals, which by the way, there is no rumors floating around about at all.

I really might have my expectations a little high, but who knows. I think we will see sweet Jadyn's face the end of January. Yep, that's what keeps me awake at night (see the posted time) and that's what motivates me during the day. The thoughts of seeing her sweet face. God, love on her today and she waits for us in China.

At Last! Can I Get an AMEN!

Ladies and Gentlemen: We have a cut-off date! The CCAA website is updated and they have processed through August 25, 2005. This is pretty significant. According to the word on the street, August 24th was a HUGE day of LID's so to have gotten through this day alone is BIG. And, besides that, they got through one more day past it. I'll get a little information later (like when the sun comes up) that will let us know exactly how significant. Until then, I think I will go back to bed and try to sleep a little tonight, just because it's dark outside and that is what NORMAL people do this time of the day.

Can I get an AMEN!!!

Can I Have a Do-Over?

We have managed to wait so long that we are having to redo our paperwork for the immigration service. Out I171H, which is our approval to bring an orphaned child into the states expires on 2/15/07 and it must be valid through travel. Quite frankly, I don't think that ours will be, so here we go again.

We must be refingerprinted (FBI), which we have already done, to the tune of $210.00 and then onward to more papers. We are required to have an update on our homestudy, new police clearance letters, new financial statements, new medical exams (all of us), and report of our taxes from last year. We are required to have a face to face meeting with our social worker, which Pat and I are doing Wednesday morning. We have to go downtown to Bethany's office, with paperwork in hand, give her our updated information, a check for $545.00 and when our updated paperwork returns from immigration, we're good for another 18 months. Lord, please don't let it take that long!!

Yes, I am awake again in the middle of the night, and tonight I am thinking of everything that has to be redone. Random, huh? Maybe one day I will sleep normally again, who knows? I guess I'll sleep better just in time to be awaken by a 1 year old.

help

See how weak that cry for help was, no capitalization even. I have absolutely no clue what is going to with referrals. There is no information and nothing on the horizon. All I know, is that I am going nuts. I am stumped by the CCAA as to what is going on. I don't know if this is a good sign or a terrible sign. What I am so afraid of is that we are going to wait and wait and wait and then the update will be only through August 12th or 15th or something absurd like that. I am clueless, speechless, and every other less that you can think of.

Pray that we will get good news. I am so discouraged and frustrated. It is a tough road and I know that you have all heard it before, all the time in fact, but it really sucks (I hate that word but that is the best one to describe it) and I can't help it. Oh well, there is not a whole lot that I can do, except continue to pray. Thanks and I will post when I have new info.

Whoda thunk it?

Well, here it is 3:32 in the morning (which of course begs the question "why are you not asleep?") and there is still no word on referrals. What is up with that? I cannot believe that we have heard nothing. There has been a REALLY good rumor floating around that said that a European agency has told someone with a 10/24 LID that they would have their referral by Christmas. I can't even let my emotions go there. I got a lump in my throat and choked up a little when Pat first read it to me, but then I had to get my emotions and my racing mind in check. Oh well, I guess we will see what this batch holds.

They are going to have to do some major speeding up and catching up for that to happen. But, stranger things have happened. Wouldn't it be amazing to have a picture of our sweet Jadyn's face for Christmas. Wow, it leaves me speechless.

Long time, no post!

Well, I would love to have something to update, but there is just nothing out there yet. The word on the street is that COP lists are in the states, but of course our agency don't know any thing about it. There is talk of some moving and shuffling of LID's, but again, our agency hasn't heard anything about it. Referrals are expected to hit the states sometime this week and there is no real idea about the cutoff except that it is going to be sometime between 8/23 and 8/28. So, there you have it, like I said, nothing real to report. I'll post as soon as I know something and begin hearing about referrals. We do feel, however, that we are getting closer and that we are on the down hill side of this now. Keep praying.

Time is ticking!

Well, time is passing and it seems to be passing a little quicker these days. We are very busy and this weekend was no exception. I directed a wedding on Friday night, left for Knoxville after the wedding and stayed with Amanda, Jeremy and Will in Knoxville. We went to Asheville on Saturday evening for my niece Stacy's wedding, went to Church Hill after that wedding, Pat preached at FBC Church Hill on Sunday morning, went to a birthday party for Will after church and came home (FINALLY!) to eat dinner and sleep in my own bed (WOOHOO!). It was a whilrwind weekend but it causes the days to go by quickly. Today, it's back to our regular routine. Check out the picture of the beautiful bag that my friend Terri Fleming made for Jadyn. She sent it to me a few weeks ago and I am thrilled beyond measure. I can't wait to carry it everywhere I go with Jadyn of course!

Have a great day all!
Amy

CCAA Update

Well, it's official. The CCAA has updated their website and the cut off date for this batch of referrals is August 9th. It is not as many days as I had hoped, but I guess that it could have been worse. I still think in the next month or so, we will start to see things pick up somewhat. Anyway, that is where we are. Looks like we still have a ways to go. Keep praying, it won't be as long as it has been.

After

Here is the "after" picture. Roseanne worked on mural on Tuesday afternoon. What do you think? I think it is pretty incredible. I am so excited about it. We've got a few more things planned. It's going to be really cool.

Before

Here is the before picture.

Click on the link to the right that says "Jadyn's Website". It has pictures under Jadyn's Room.

Never mind about the pictures.

I have no idea what is going on, but I can't get one single picture to upload to blogspot. I will try again later. Until then, just close your eyes and imagine a really great mural on the wall. :)

The painting on the wall.

Well, it is coming along. Roseanne worked several hours and I did a whole bunch of watching. I tried to pay close attention to everything that she was doing. It was just one big art lesson. It is beautiful already and she is not even finished. I can't wait. I have my quiet time in Jadyn's room in the morning and spend alot of time in there praying for her. I feel already like I can look at her mural and seem somehow a little closer to her. It really does look like China is just out the window. I can't help but think that things are about to pick up. Maybe just wishful thinking, maybe just a gut feeling. But, I am hopeful. Enjoy the pics.

Return of the Living Dead!

Hey, what do you know, I made it through the worst tooth issue that I have ever had in my life. Let me just say that I pray that I will never have to go through anything like that ever again. It was nuts. I am STILL taking antibiotics and they make me terribly sick, but only a couple more days of those.

I am SO excited about tomorrow (well, considering that it is 3:44am I guess you could say that I am excited about today). My friend, Roseanne is coming to work on the mural in Jadyn's room. Here is a picture of the wall where it is going to go. Stay tuned for the progress. It is going to be AMAZING!

The pain! The pain!

Wow, what a tough couple of days. A few weeks ago I started waking during the night with terrible jaw pain and my teeth hurting. I thought that I was clenching my teeth at night and this was making my jaw hurt. Well, 2 days ago I started having pain in my teeth on my upper right side. This was followed by marked swelling of my cheek and face. All of this was accompanied by the most excruciating pain ever! I went to the dentist and he was afraid to do anything with it. The tooth had an old root canal that was either failed or the root was fractured and on top of that, he said that the bone looked "funny" on x-ray. I went that same morning to an endodontist in Murfreesboro and she said that there was an abcess in my jaw bone and that the root canal had failed. No wonder I was in pain.

I had to go back on Thursday morning for a retreatment on the root canal and to try and get some relief. I have a pretty high pain tolerance, but it was the worst thing that I have ever had. It wouldn't numb because of the infection (pretty huh?) and it was terrible. She did a great job and apologized everytime that a tear rolled from my eyes into my ears. Well, I am at home, with a still swollen face, a prescription for Percocet, Lortab, and two antibiotics and she said that I may have to go into the hospital for IV antibiotics. Yikes! I have gotten some relief but I am still taking the pain medicine and of course the antibiotics. Nothing is ever simple or cheap when it comes to my teeth. If I had all of the money that I have invested in my mouth, we could adopt 12 Jadyns, all with good teeth, of course.

When Love Takes You In - Steven Curtis Chapman

Get out you tissues!

Addie's Home!

Welcome to America Addie Mei Overby! Dick, Leslie, Sarah and Addie Mei made it home on Saturday evening. Praise the Lord for safe travels. They missed their connecting flight in Chicago but caught the next one and was only delayed about 30 minutes. Addie is doing wonderful. She is so precious and seems to be adjusting to her new life very quickly. I spoke with Leslie today and she said that she just looks at everything and is mesmerized by the television. Just look at the look on her face. It's amazing what a little love can do.

Happy Birthday Gege!

Today is Seth's 20th birthday. WOW! I really can't believe that I have a child that old. It don't seem like it's been that long ago that I was 20. I guess it has though. Gege is chinese for big brother. Happy 20th Seth, we love you!

Curtains, Rugs, and Ribbons, Oh My!

Finally, I found a rug to go in Jadyn's room. I ended up getting it at Pottery Barn Kids at the Green Hills Mall. I looked and looked and went back and got one of the first ones that I looked at. Even Pat said "it matches perfect". He was quite impressed. I am just glad to have that step behind me.

I am working on the curtains as you can see. I have one panel made, but I am not satisfied with the way they attach to the rod. I used wood rings with clips. I don't like the space between the wood rings and the top of the curtains. I think that the space is too big. I have some ribbon that I plan to use on the top of the curtains, but I have to figure out a cute way to attach the panel to the rod. Any suggestions???

Love Makes the Difference

Here is a new picture of Addie Mei. This is just a few days later. Look at the difference. It always amazes me how just a day or two can make such a difference in the look on their little faces. They have a look of "yeah, this is the way it's supposed to be". I am so happy for Dick, Leslie and Sarah, but especially for Addie. They will be home Saturday night, pray for safe travels for them.

It's Official

I just checked the CCAA website and it is now official. See post taken from the CCAA site itself. I really was telling myself that it wasn't true, but I guess when you see it in black and white, you know that it really is.

Here is the official post:

The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before October 31, 2005.


The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before July 22, 2005.

Do you Hear What I Hear?

What we are hearing is that the cut off date for referrals is going to be July 22. Remember last month's cut off date was July 13. That is not very many days, but who is counting? (me, for one) It really stinks to be quite frank and that is probably all I should say at this point as it is 3:31 in the morning, I can't sleep, (so what else is new) and I am teetering on the edge of a meltdown. (3rd one today)

If you have not heard me say this before - ADOPTION IS NOT FOR SISSIES! I am thinking about making T-shirts with this printed on it. :)

Safe in the arms of love!

Leslie and her family have Addie. What a relief. We are so excited for them and she is absolutely precious. She is a beautiful little girl and we can't wait to see her. Pray for her health as she is struggling with some respiratory gunk and is having a great deal of trouble being comfortable. She is quite congested which is common in babies from her province. Here is a picture of her, just look at those eyes. All babies seem to have a hollow, empty look through their eyes. Stay tuned and watch that look disappear before your eyes. It a day or so, she will look completely different. Amazing what a little love can do huh?

Zac's Will!

This past weekend we enjoyed Will being with us. (and oh yeah, Manda and Jeremy came too) Zac especially enjoyed his time with Will. He can't wait to be a big brother. He is so excited. He mentioned yesterday that he was glad to have his room next to Jadyn's room in case she cried during the night, he could get up with her. The way I've got it figured, the only thing that I will have to ever do for her is pay for her college!

Eyes Wide Open

Here I sit, eyes wide open. My friend, Leslie and her family are leaving this morning for China. WOW - that's about all I can say. Pray for them as they travel. They will be getting their daughter on 8/21. It just all seems so surreal, I can't even imagine how they must be feeling.

Soon, those empty little eyes will be full of laughter and love. Hold on Addie, they're coming for you!

Rock-A-Bye Sweet Baby J

I finally have a place to sit in Jadyn's room. I have been looking forever for a rocking chair. Just when I thought that I found one, Babies R Us discontinued it and it was nowhere to be found. But, I found this one in Franklin. I am even more excited about it. It is great fabric and it fit's perfectly in Jadyn's room. It is exactly what I have been looking for. Now I just need a baby to rock in it.

OOOOOHHHH, AAAAAHHHHHH!

The fireworks were pretty spectacular. The neighborhood fireworks that is. We were very impressed with the people around us and the purchases that they made. Of course, our small group out performed them all. Ours were "bigger and higher" than any others is the comment that I heard from one of the guys. Of course they were!

It was sad to go to a celebration and think of Jadyn in China. We SO want her here! Happy 4th of July Jadyn, we are coming to get you as soon as we can get there !

Just on the Scene!

I have read everyone's blog, but have never taken the time to do my own. I am thinking that I may update this one more than I do my website. Nah, probably not. Who knows, I guess we will see.

Things are still about the same with the wait. We are just waiting, and waiting and waiting. The CCAA is now through June 28, 2005. They are moving in the right direction. One exciting thing is that we are out of the review room. Now that's exciting. This means that our dossier have been reviewed and has moved on to the matching room. When out LID rolls around, we'll be matched! They didn't request any additional information and I guess we passed the test. Woo Hoo!