Mail Box Blues

Oh, bummer! I was hoping my dossier 'starter packet' would have arrived in today's mail. I received final approval to begin the paperchase on Monday this week, and I was told that the packet was on its way. But all I found when I checked my mail box today was some junk mail and a bill.

Good news for thirty-nine other families with my agency. They received their referrals this week. That means the CCAA has matched them with their babies and now they will make travel plans to be united. They are in the home stretch! They had their dossiers logged in at the CCAA in late April through mid-May. That means they waited about nine months for their referrals.

If that wait time holds (who can really say?), then if I get my DTC by June, I might receive my referral by March of next year. That would be just perfect. My hope is to travel to China at the end of the next school year, or the beginning of that summer so that I have all or most of my summer vacation to get used to being a mom.

Good News!

I am off the waiting list and will start the paperchase in the next week or so! I talked with the singles coordinator at AWAA this morning. First, I have to complete a release form and fax it back to AWAA on Monday. Then it sounds like I'll receive a packet to get me started on the paperchase, and I'll write AWAA a big check. I thought I'd be really excited at this point, but I actually feel sort of ambivalent. Is that normal? I mean, it's not that I'm not excited about the child who will be mine. I'm just not that excited about all that paperwork.

Thanks, Mariah

My online friend, Mariah, from SAC, emailed me today. She's with AWAA, too, and she's just started the paperchase. She asked me to pray for her homestudy visit tomorrow - you can pray for her too. Anyway, I let her know that I had called AWAA on Monday because this Friday will be five weeks since I was approved. I had been told that the waiting list was shorter than that, so I just wanted to follow up and see what's going on. As of today, I have not had my call returned, but Mariah has spoken to our coordinator this week. She was told that they're processing a new batch of waiting children (children with special needs) and so they're especially busy this week with that task. That made me feel better. I keep thinking, "Did I hear them correctly? Did they really tell me the waiting list is only 2.5 - 4.5 WEEKS long? Or, did she say months?" I'm pretty sure she said weeks. Oh, well... All things in their time, right?

Tag, I'm It!

I've been tagged by Christi of Cherry Blossom Baby, and I’d much rather answer her questions than continue working on my Research Synthesis! So, here goes…

What were you doing ten years ago: I was student teaching in a first grade class at Paularino Elementary School in Costa Mesa. It was my first teaching experience. My master teacher, Shannon Maddox, had a profound influence on my classroom management style. She was an incredible role model.

What were you doing one year ago: I was in the middle of my ninth year of teaching, and planning a summer vacation in France with my sister and her family.

Five snacks I enjoy:
1. yogurt
2. Balance Bars (Honey Peanut, yum)
3. fruit
4. wine, cheese, and bread
5. dark chocolate

Five things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Buy a home in Naples, Long Beach
2. Spend more time in Europe
3. Quit my masters program
4. Give more to my church and favorite charities
5. Share with my family and friends

Five bad habits:
1. Comparing myself to others
2. Finding reasons not to exercise
3. Eating too fast
4. Talking on the cell phone when driving
5. Not living in the moment

Five things I like doing:
1. Reading
2. Blogging
3. Cooking with my mom and my sister
4. Shopping for antiques with my mom
5. Singing

Five things I would never wear, buy, or get new again:
1. Straight-leg jeans
2. Rebok hightops
3. Anything with shoulder pads
4. A perm
5. Platform shoes

Five favorite toys/games:
1. My new iBook G4
2. My iPod Nano
3. My TiVo
4. My Swiffer WetJet
5. My Pentax digital camera

So, here's the deal; remove the blog in the TOP SPOT from the following list and then add YOUR BLOG to the bottom spot.
CherryBlossomBaby
www.justforjillian.blogspot.com

Then select FIVE PEOPLE to TAG!
(I could only find three on my list who haven't already been tagged.)

Abby's Adoption Story
http://waiting4abby.blogspot.com

Waiting for Chloe
http://agirlwaits.blogspot.com

To China and Back
http://babyheaton.blogspot.com

CABAA (China Adoption Blog Addicts Anonymous)

I was speaking with the parent of a former student of mine yesterday (you know who you are!). She admitted that she's become addicted to reading blogs about China adoption. You know, I have the same addiction. When I come home each day, I turn on the computer first thing and check all my favorite China adoption blog sites. Then I change my clothes, do my chores, go to the gym, come home, and check the blogs again. Then I might have to do some studying, cook dinner, make some calls, and I check those blogs again. Do I need an intervention?

Half the Sky Sponsorship Baby

Yesterday I received my information package for the child I pledged to sponsor this year through the Half the Sky Foundation. Her name is Yin Xiao Yan, and she just had her first birthday on December 15. I'm not going to identify her orphanage because according to the letter in this package, there have been problems with information getting into the wrong hands and that is against CCAA rules. The report is a bit outdated as it was written last summer. It seems that she came to the orphanage sometime last summer, and was initially scared of strangers. She is described as an active girl who loves all the toys. At the time she was crawling in a circle, and standing with some support. She has a "glowing smile" and is "lovely". There is a picture of her with her nannie, and if I were savvy enough to figure out how to post pictures on this blog I'd have it scanned and I'd show it to you. (By the way, if you're using a Mac and you've figured out how to post ANY kind of picture on this blog, please let me know how you do it).

I'm honored to be this sweet baby's sponsor, and I hope she is united with her new mommy and daddy very soon.

No News, Yet...

School started again today, and one of the first questions I was asked by a colleague was if anything new had happened with the adoption. I wish I could have told her yes, but so far I'm still waiting to begin the paperchase. I think it will be very soon though based on what my coordinator told me a few weeks ago.

I have joined a yahoo group of single gals who are or who have adopted from China. It's great to read their posts and to know that there are so many other women out there on similar journeys.

Last week my masters program began, and I am overwhelmed by the amount of work this first class requires. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," has become my mantra. I haven't been a student in nine years, and my anxiety level is high. The outcome of completing the program however, is that my pay will increase and I'll be better able to afford motherhood. So, it's worth it in the end.

Ladybug Sighting

I waited for a break in today's storm to go to the grocery store for some ingredients for chicken noodle soup. I have a cold, and since I've got the day off I thought I'd make my own soup. Anyway, so when I get home I'm unlocking the door, and there on the door frame was a little ladybug. What he or she is doing out on a blustery, wet day like today I don't know. But, I'll take that as a sign of luck as many in the adoption community seem to. Maybe AWAA will call this week and we'll get the paperchase going?