Another Year Has Passed

Well, another birthday has come and gone. As usual, my husband made my day extra special for me. Since my birthday fell on a Friday this year, Bob and I decided that we'd go to dinner and see a movie on Saturday. However, in true "Bob form", he went the extra step and ordered Chinese food for dinner on Friday night so I wouldn't have to cook!

Also in true Bob form, he picked out some wonderful clothes for my birthday. He really does have great taste when it comes to buying clothes for me. I'm very lucky to have him in my corner.

Back to ordinary life, there's really nothing new on the adoption front. We did find out that a new law that went into effect in New York requires us to get fingerprints done for our local agency that did our homestudy. So, I guess we'll get those prints done soon and then when our CIS expires next year in May, we'll have to get them done AGAIN.

Shania is doing great on her diet. We took her to the vet last Saturday and she was down to 82 lbs. Since we started her diet, she's down almost 10 lbs. I don't know how much more we have to go before we can get her hip surgery done but we're working on it.

As for me, I'm still at CFCD. I've accepted the fact that I'm the official "copy girl" there so it makes my days a little easier to handle, I guess. When there's no copying to be done, though, it makes for very LONG days. I just have to hang in there until the end of this school semester (which is the end of January, I think) and then we'll see what I'm doing.

School is another sore topic these days. I was handed a probation notice last week. Essentially, that means that I'm in my 160-180 speed class for the second time (or semester). I find myself in a rut that I can't seem to get out of. I'm practicing more than ever but I can't seem to pass a test to save my life. I'd really like to complete all my tests before the semester is over so I can move into the 200 class next semester. We'll see what happens.

Well, I guess that's about all for now. Don't forget to turn your clocks back tonight!

Halloween 2007 - Family Pictures

The kids all had great costumes this year for Halloween. I honestly can't say who had the best -- see what you think:

Haley & Kevin:

And Keira and Kyla:

Update on the Wait ...

I received the monthly newsletter from CHSFS. Here's the latest information they show on the wait:

Update on the Wait

This month the CCAA was finally able to complete matching families with login dates in November 2005, by matching families with LIDs up through 11/30/05. It took the CCAA 5-6 months to finish November, and after this last round of referrals the wait is now at 22-23 months.

We currently anticipate the wait to extend beyond two years this winter, however neither our agency nor the CCAA is able to predict with any certainty just how long or how fast the wait will continue to lengthen. We hope this year's annual CCAA meeting in December will offer some insight into the lengthening wait times. Thus far, the CCAA's prediction at last year's conference that the wait will likely increase over the next 1-2 years is holding true, as we have seen the wait increase 7.5 months since this time last year.

This being said, we remain optimistic that as we move through December 2005 and on into 2006 the CCAA will be able to refer more than eight days each month (which is the current average amount of login dates matched per month for the year of 2007).

So, as you can see, we've still got some time to wait ahead of us. What I need to find out is what that 22-23 month wait means. Is that the wait from our log-in date of January 11, 2007 or is that an extended wait on top of the 9 months we've already been waiting? Once I know the answer to this question, I'll post an update.

Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration

Today is the day the Chinese culture celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival, or moon festival. Chinese legend says that the moon shines brightest on this day, and this is the day that families are gathered to celebrate their life together (like our traditional Thanksgiving).

This year, we decided to celebrate alone. After having our dinner (yes, we had Chinese food), we waited until dark and went out and lit a fire in the firepit. We sat out for about a half an hour watching the fire, and enjoying the bright moonlight. We were each lost in our own thoughts.

My thoughts were of the promise that one day our daughter will be sitting outside with us watching the fire and the bright moonlit sky. I'm not sure what Bob was thinking, but he was very quiet and serious. Even Shania sat quietly for a little while ~~ until she discovered the acrons on the patio!

Afterwards, we came inside and shared the Pig Mooncake that Diana had shared with Bob.

My hope is that the Gods above are watching us and hear our prayers for our baby girl ~~ whether she's already born or is yet to be born. Hopefully, the day will come sooner rather than later when we can fly to China to meet our precious bundle of joy and bring her home to make our family complete.