STOP THE MADNESS

My congratulations to everyone who finally received their referral. :D For the rest of us this is really not good news. This represents the placement of children who's families were logged in with the CCAA from dates June 6 through June 14. Factor in the weekend days and that's 7 measly days worth of referrals. (If I am reading the documents processing update correctly) A stork sighting has also been reported on several of my Adopt China Yahoo message boards. (Meaning families logged in within this time frame should expect to get "The Call" announcing their referral in the very near future. As always as these anticipated referrals approach rumors abound the boards. They are not good ones either. Evidently people out there now have reported that their agencies are telling them that the wait from log in date to referral may well extend to 18 months! Remember it was a 6 to 7 months wait when I started the process. My agency refuses to speculate as to how long the referral wait will be and will only admit to what the wait currently is. (Around 12 months!) This wait is certain to extend if the CCAA does in fact continue to issue referrals in week long increments. Just supposing that this is the way it will be. June 7 will mark the 6 month wait point for me. (I was logged in December 7, 2005) Assuming that it continues to take approximately 3 to 4 months for the CCAA to get through 1 months worth of referrals for people logged in within that month...... I may not receive Abbys referral for another 18 to 24 months! There are people out there who say the CCAA does not want the referral wait period to get that long. Things will need to really speed up in order for that not to happen. I am pretty sad about this situation. Again its the no information given as to explain why this is happening that is killing me. The glow that I had when I started this process has dimmed greatly. I have gained weight, become depressed and am terribly cranky as well. Just wishing the answer why would present itself. I am not alone though. Nobodies agency is really giving out any reasons and The CCAA has not issued any statements regarding the obvious delay either. Maybe if I stop buying the "Lucky Bamboo" plants that I just can't seem to keep alive things will get better? And so I wait...........................

Just in case you haven't seen this

It's nice. The government recently calculated the cost of raising achild from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle income family.Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. But$160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:

* $8,896.66 a year,* $741.38 a month, or* $171.08 a week.* That's a mere $24.24 a day!* Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is don't have childrenif you want to be "rich." Actually, it is just the opposite. What do youget for your $160,140?

* Naming rights. First, middle, and last!* Glimpses of God every day.* Giggles under the covers every night.!* More love than your heart can hold.* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.* A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.* A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said orhow your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to:* finger-paint,* play hide-and-seek,* catch lightning bugs, and* never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,* watching Saturday morning cartoons,* going to Disney movies, and* wishing on stars.* You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigeratormagnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, handprints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters forFather's Day.

For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be ahero just for:

* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,* taking the training wheels off a bike,* removing a splinter,* filling a wading pool,* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and coaching a baseball team thatnever wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to history to witness the:* first step,* first word,* first bra,* first date, and* first time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your familytree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary calledgrandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education inpsychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have allthe power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever,and love them without limits. So one day like you, love without counting the cost.

This just makes me smile

Click below (Borrowed from Kristies Blog) This is hilarious!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg

Happy Mothers Day Mom

Thanks Mom for all of the things you have done for me throughout my life, thanks for all of the sacrifices that I know you have made for me, thanks for being there for me when I need you whether it's for providing a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, or just for providing silent support. Thanks Mom for always being on my side even when I don't think that you are, for putting up with me and my mood swings, and for letting me vent when I need to. Thanks for being just as excited for me and my adoption journey as I am. Thanks for taking this adoption journey with me and for all the support you continue to provide me as we experience the frequent ups and downs with this process. And most of all..... Thank you Mom for just being you, for knowing how grateful I am for you, and for knowing how much I love you even If I don't say all the time. Happy Mothers Day Mom. Love, Jenny

I have a request

For the last two days I have had the surreal experience of caring for the loved one of someone I know. I have been an ICU nurse for twelve plus years and while it was always my biggest fear it had never happened. Two days ago I arrived at work and was given my assignment. I was told this teenager was really sick and I had been chosen to care for her because they knew I would be really good with the family. While in the room to assist with a procedure already in progress the secretary told me I had a phone call. I asked her to take a message and she returned to tell me it had been another friend calling to tell me who she was. It has been a rough couple of days. This patient is just so sick so I am asking of anyone who reads this...Please take a minute and say a prayer for this patient and their family that all turns out well. Please. They really need it.

Crystal Ball

Sometimes I really wish I had one........

5 Months Down

Well I have been logged in With the CCAA 5 months today! I still have to say that this 5 months has gone by pretty fast for me. Who knows how much longer I have to wait but based on the current rumors out there I have resolved myself to the fact that I will more than likely not get to meet Abby in person until next year. No I am not okay with that but I have accepted it . And truthfully that's 7 months left to save and finish all of my preAbby projects. That's really not that much time and I have been slack in both those areas........

Mexican Treasures

Pretty dresses Abby can wear when she is bigger.

This rattle makes the prettiest chime sounds. I think I will save it for gotcha day.

Found this ladybug at a little roadside stand. Does it count?????

Thank You Secret Pal!

My April secret pal swap theme was scrapbooking/journaling. My secret pal did a great job sending me a fun selection of her favorite things. I haven't started Abby's lifebook yet but this has motivated me to start. I have slowly been collecting and saving significant things as my journey to Abby has progressed but really need to start doing something with them before I have so many things tucked away that I become too overwhelmed to do anything with them . I linked todays blog entry title to a cool site for anyone that might like some ideas for making a lifebook.

New Bracelet

Yesterday my sister Laurie surprised me with this beautiful referral bracelet. It was made by a family awaiting the referral of their second daughter from China. When I get Abby's referral I can put her picture in the bracelet for all to see. I think it is a cool idea and can't wait to wear it with love and pride. Thank's Laurie not only for the bracelet but for also allowing me to be such a special part of Erin and Christopher's lives. They will always be my first babies :D

Virginia Update

As promised a belated picture of Virginia in (actually) a blue and pink cast. I believe this picture was taken the day she was discharged from the hospital. Poor thing but she is doing much better now. She goes to the doctor this week to get the cast and pins removed and finds out then if she has to wear another cast. Glad your feeling better Virginia! And hope you are all done with the casts. Can't wait to see ya this summer. Love, Aunt Jenny

Chichen Itza

While in Cancun we were able to visit some of the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza. I'm so glad I did. The Maya people were simply amazing. It is believed that they built this city without the use of metal tools or beasts of burden. The Mayans also mapped out the heavens, developed calendrical systems, and developed hieroglyphic writing. Pictured below is El Castillo a pyramid that is based on a huge solar calendar. There are 91 steps on each side times 4 for each season plus one for the crowning platform equals 365 steps. 1 step for each day of the solar year.

Twice a year the sun hits the pyramid casting a shadow along the pyramids edge that appears to show a serpent climbing the pyramid in March and descending the pyramid in September.

Our guide also showed us that if you stand at the foot of the pyramid and clap the echo comes back to you as a piercing shriek. (believed by the Mayans to be an eagle) supposedly if a person were to stand at the top step of the pyramid and speak in a normal tone of voice it could be herd at ground level for some distance.

Iguanas also reside among the ruins.

Pictured below is believed to have been a throne.

Below is called El Caracol believed to be an Observatory. The observatory dome of windows aligned with major certain stars on specific dates.

Below is the Ball Field. Only very special people of honor were allowed to play on this field.

I'm not exactly sure how this game was played but our guide told us it involved passing a hard rubber ball through the scoring ring mounted on the wall. Supposedly once the game was won the winning team captain presented himself to the losing team captain and was decapitated by him. This was supposed to be a great honor and guaranteed him a place in heaven.

Below is a model of what the city may have looked like.

Back Again

I'm back from Cancun as of late last night. It was AWESOME! I still can't get over the brilliance of the ocean. Such gorgeous shades of blue provided a striking contrast to the white sandy beach. The 6 days of Sun and wonderful weather provided me with some much needed relaxation and NOPE I never checked out any of my blogs, message boards or rumor sites while I was gone. Here we are waiting for our ride back home to reality. Don't let our smiles fool ya we really were not ready to come back yet.

Here I am with best bud Nancy. Thanks Nancy for doing such a great job planning our trip and for choosing such a awesome hotel! Nancy turned 40 while we were there and was the reason for our trip.

This sweet little girl sold me my newest red thread bracelet. (Pictured below)

Below just a picture I secretly snapped of a sweet Asian little girl playing beside us on the beach.

ADIOS AMIGO'S

I'm off to Cancun for 5 days of R&R and to celebrate my buddy Nancy's 40'th Birthday in style along with 4 other close amigo's. Anyone think I will be able to stay away from the intranet the whole time I am gone? With referrals due out soon I am willing to bet not but I am sure going to try! And when I get back the serious nesting begins! Plus it's time to work some overtime. I really have no buisness spending money on this trip instead of putting it towards my adoption however truth is I really need a vacation. I have been so stressed out lately with work and all this messing around with referral waiting times. I have never been to Cancun but I know we will have fun and I would never dream of letting Nancy down either. But once I get back I will be getting busy . That should really help the time pass cause I have a ton of stuff to do so that everything will be just perfect for Miss Abby..........

Swappin the days away......

This is the bib that I received for my DTC bib swap that I am participating in. I think it has a Bonsai tree on it?? Either way it's pretty cool. I am also participating in a secret pal swap with monthly themed gift ideas and I most recently joined a monthly travel toy swap, monthly sock swap and a monthly children's book swap. Between these and my 100 good wishes quilt squares swap the time is really passing and I have never had so much fun mail in my life!

I COULDN'T RESIST!

Erins New Trick

My niece Erin spent the night with me last night. Nephew Christopher decided not to at the last minute so we had a girls night! We had a lot of fun going to the playground, getting takeout, renting a movie, making a card for Virginia plus I did her nails. Last but not least..... I taught her a new trick. Warning if your easily offended don't read on any further....I linked today's blog entry title to You Tube so go ahead and click on it if you want to see her new trick. I was not able to insert the movie clip directly on my blog for autoviewing. Darn It! (I gave up trying) On a side note....I learned this trick at work the other day. Yes I really am an ICU Nurse but we were having a slow day :O

OUCH Virginia!

My niece Virginia who lives in Atlanta was admitted to the hospital last night. Poor baby! It seems that she has broken her humorous and possibly her radial or ulnar bone as well. She will be having surgery sometime today and may require some pins. Meema tells me she is hanging in there though. They have her on morphine while she is waiting. And I hear she has requesting a pink cast! Hang in there Virginia! Aunt Jenny is thinking of you and can definitely relate. Someday I will tell you all of my broken bone story's (And there are many) but you know I never got to wear a pink cast! Miss ya! Big Hugs as well!!!! Love, Aunt Jenny

Darn Birds!

Several years ago a bird family decided to take up residence in my grapevine wreath outside my front door. At the time I thought it was pretty cool. The experience actually really stressed me out. I worried about those dumb birds and their babies the entire time they lived with me. When the eggs first hatched it was neat to see Mom and Dad being so attentive but as the birds grew Mom and Dad weren't around as much and I was constantly worrying that their parents had abandoned them. I also worried that UPS or some unknowing person might accidently knock the wreath off the wall killing the babies. (I know you all now think I'm nuts!) Happy ending was that the birds turned out fine and I actually saw them make their fledgling (sp?) flights with Mom and Dads encouragement. Once they were gone I swore I would never do it again (not to mention they made a big mess) and each year when attempts were made to start a new nest I persistently took it apart and the birds eventually gave up and moved on. This time they got away from me and had already established a nest. At last check 3 eggs were present. Great and I am already worrying about them. I took down the Happy Easter sign and put up a smaller welcome sign because what if it's too tall for the babies to fly over when that time comes.....

I think this is Mom but it could be Dad. I can't remember what kind of birds these are. I looked them up last time. Possibly sparrows?

Oh well another thing to help pass the time.......

Live and learn.....

Warning! This is long and I am whining. I had my first bad experience on EBay. I Bid and won a "lot" of babyclothes. I won the items March 8th and paid immediately (over 100 dollars for an assortment of baby clothing) via paypal like I always do. Did not receive the items until yesterday almost a month later. This was after several attempts to contact the seller with no response. Since it had almost been 30 days I filed a paypal investigation so I would be able to get my money back if need be. The seller finally answered and they said they had been out of town. Promised to ship that day but still appeared to wait a day or 2 before shipping and providing a tracking number. They then emailed me asking me to resolve the investigation so that they would be able to withdraw all their paypal funds received. So I did on the faith that I would receive the items. I finally did receive them and was disappointed. The items were poorly packed, basically dumped in a shopping bag thrown loosely in a dingy box. Alot of the clothes were quite dingy also. During my wait for the items I read all of the sellers prior feedback. While some of it was good there was quite a bit of negative. Complaints were similar such as slow shipper, misrepresented items, items never received, numerous excuses and the words Fraud and Crook were even noted in some of the feedback messages. I have never left anyone any bad feedback before and even only left a neutral for this seller with a simple warning to future buyers to read all of the sellers feedback prebidding. This seller then retaliated by leaving me my 1 and only negative feedback comment saying I was unfair and asked me not to bid on any more of their items. No problem there, I never would have bid in the first place if I had read all of their feedback comments first. ....So if your still with me the moral of this story is to read the sellers feedback first! This event has left a sour taste in my mouth so I will probably take a break from EBay for a while now. Actually not a bad thing as I need to be saving my money not spending it.

4 Months today

My ticker says 3 months and 4 weeks since LID for Abby! (Not sure why it doesn't just say 4 months?) My LID was on December 7th. Funny but it sure seems like the past 4 months have passed very quickly. Maybe the next 6 (or more) months will just fly by!!!!!! Who am I kidding?????? But it sure would be nice if that is infact the case.

Panda Cub Update

At 8 months old Tai Shan weighs in at 38 pounds and is 44.4 inches tall! He now keeps his mother very busy!! He is getting to be such a big boy.

But not to big that he can't still enjoy a cuddle from Mom Mei Xiang.

The following pictures were taken After a February Snow Storm.

I am enjoying watching Tai Shan grow and progress as I wait for Abby. Wonder how big he will be when she finally comes home? I would love to take her to The National Zoo to meet him when she is bigger.

GOOD LUCK!

My sister Laurie is taking her Real Estate exam tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM. I am crossing my fingers for you!

CHIN UP

I had been feeling down per the developments in my prior post......So I decided to see if I could find a new Willow Angel to make me feel better. They are all so beautiful so I spent some time looking at each one individually searching for that special something indicating it was meant for me......Then there in front of me was the figure of a child. I picked it up, put it back and picked it up again focusing on the word HOPE in the balloon the child was carrying......Finally I picked up the box and read the side of it.........



It doesn't get much clearer than this. This was the new Willow Angel I was meant to have.....

The signs I encounter continue to amaze me as I travel along this journey to my daughter....I see this as yet another red thread and a reminder that good things come to those who wait. So My chin remains up! Abby is waiting for me.