March LIDs

We have finally reached the month of March for referrals...the light is absolutely shining at the end of this adoption tunnel. I think it's finally time to begin picking a color for Ling-Ling's room. Our agency tells us that they have matched through March 7th-We are March 29th! Just around the corner.
I wonder how it will be-it has really been such a long wait-and we have been so atypical about this waiting process. The adventure begins....

Hail to the Chief!

I am getting ready to watch the swearing into office of President-Elect Barack Obama. What a moment...What a country! I just told DH-I am so jealous that I am not an American-yes, I am a naturalized citizen-but I was not born here. I am also so grateful to have been raised and educated in the U.S.-will Ling-Ling feel the same way? Like me, will she feel that she is "American" because this is the only country that she has ever know, yet because she was born in China will she always have that feeling of not really belonging. I wonder (worry) about that. As I sit and watch the pageantry I am proud that I participated by volunteering for the Obama campaign-I learned much about politics and feel a sense of pesonal investment in this government. I look forward to living in a different, inclusive, educated America and pledge to do my part in a grass-roots level to help.
I pray that this is the beginning of a new prosperity for Americans-
I pray that this is the beginning of a peaceful America!

YES WE CAN.............WE ARE ONE!

Getting closer! Somewhat.

Referrals for this month include LID's throught the end of February. Our LID is March 27-We only have one month before we receive our referral! Our adoption process has been a very long one-when we began the paperwork to adopt we were told the process from start to finish would take 9 months-12monts at most. We are now almost 3 years into the wait. Needless to say it has been very frustrating-at least for my DH. I have always felt that the referral would come when we were matched to the child we were supposed to have-and I don't think this is something that we can/should have any control over. Ling-Ling will come when she's meant to. This is why I never really bought or prepared a room for her. We do have her room-but there is nothing in it. I didn't want to paint or buy stuff until the time of referral got closer. I have gone on with everyday life and really put the adoption on a back burner. I know many women that have been waiting for the same amount of time that I have and are very angry and frustrated with the wait. I just don't see this as productive. Now I think I am going to allow myself to get excited and maybe start looking at paint colors! I'm hoping that we will have a referral by March. Hubby feels it will be a little longer-but even if it is...I really think that our referral is around the corner! What a great New Year this is going to be!

Happy New Year!

I wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

2008 had its share of great times as well as some tough times....

that is part of life.

I think 2009 is going to be fantastic!

I will be grateful for each day of health,

I will live each day to the fullest,

focusing on the POSITIVE,

inspite of the negative.

I wish the very best to my kids, my DH, and my family.

Merry Christmas

Today was wonderful! I feel as if all that I worked for (very hard I might add) has come to fruition. Exchanged gifts this morning with hubby-it was peaceful and beautiful and romantic- then my kids came home from their dad's house and they opened up their gifts. Liz and Drew both loved what I got them...I miss them as little kids though. I realized today that when they were little-I didn't realize how quickly that time would pass-were the most magical Christmases of all. Yet today was especially lovely. My family came for dinner-including ex-family and it was great! I loved that we were all together and just enjoying each other's company. I missed my nephew Ivan-and realized I must do my part to get him through a difficult time.
It was a wonderful Christmas! It's all about the ones we love....Next year will be even better-Ling Ling will be with us! A little one in the house again! I'll be able to have a baby...KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW! It's a dream come true. I know I'm going to be a great mom-I've learned what is imprtant and what is not a big deal...how great is that?

Looking forward to a wonderful New Year!

Graduation!

My daughter graduated from the University of Florida yesterday! Woo Hoo! It seems as if I just dropped her of in her dorm as a freshman. Time certainly has flown-although I times I felt as if she would never finish school. I am very proud of her and her accomplishments. The graduation ceremony was beautiful and moving. They did a wonderful job keeping it short and sweet! No long winded speeches-it was all about the graduates and their families.

Congratulations Liz! I'm proud of you.
xoxo
Mom

'Tis the Season

Feeling melancholic....Like Sammy! This is our Yellow Lab.

I am amazed by what a difference it is to experience the Christmas Holidays as an adult! I used to LOVE the anticipation of Christmas eve-first as a child, then as a mother of two. It was so wonderful to plan and decorate and experience the joy of the season. Lately I've come to the conclusion that what is missing from my enjoyment is-a small child in the house. There is nothing like the wonder of a little one experiencing the lighting of the Christmas tree for the first time, or waking up on Christmas morning and enjoying all the toys. I remember when my kids would wake up before dawn. I remember when I did that also! DH and I really thought we would be in this position by now. What saddens me is that there is a little girl so far away that will not be enjoying the warmth and love of her own family because of our separation.





Didn't mean to make this post so gloomy-but as I sit and watch the usual Christmas season classic cartoons (Rudulph the Red Nosed Reindeer) what is missing is little Ling-Ling. Oh well-next year will be different.





Feeling good-had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Now preparing to attend L's graduation. I cannot believe that my first baby will be graduating from college -Go Gators!- it was only yesterday she was graduating from Kindergarten.