More Referrals, but not ours...

The CCAA has just updated their web site that they have sent out referrals for dossiers logged in from April 15 - 25th. So that includes 11 days only - the last batch was 14 days and the one before that was 17 days. While it's getting discouraging that they seem to be processing fewer days each time, we are acutually getting closer. Come on May 31...... Rumour has it that there will be another batch before Chinese New Year which starts on Jan. 29. I certainly don't expect we'll be included with that one, but perhaps the one after. Big Sigh.....

Family Christmas

Although our little girl couldn't be with us just yet, we still had lots of family and friends over for dinner on Christmas eve. Ron 's family was all here for Christmas eve, and we went to my dad's for a visit on Christmas day and then off to my brother's place for a nice dinner.

Ok, so the latest rumours on the various on line China Adoption boards is that the CCAA will probably issue another set of referral at the end of Dec. or the beginning of January and then another set just before Chinese New Year, which begins on Jan 29. The CCAA closes for a week for Chinese New Year and historically, they have issued 2 sets of referrals in the month just prior. If this is true, there's a good chance that we may be included in the set of referrals that comes out near the end of January. I hate rumours, but wishfull thinking is better than nothing.

The littlest stocking...

We both really wanted our little girl home for Christmas this year, but while this was not to be, we still made sure she was a part of our Christmas. This is our newest tree ornament and Olivia's first Christmas stocking.

Cool Stuff

Sometimes we all need a reminder...

“The man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a Chickadee sang.
But, the man did not hear.

So the man yelled "God, speak to me!" And, the thunder rolled across the sky.
But, the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined brightly.
But the man did not notice.

And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle!" And, a life was born.
But, the man did not know.

So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here!"
Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

Don't miss out on a miracle because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.”

— unknown

The Red Thread...

Processing Update

The past few weeks have kinda sucked - I've been home sick with a chest cold, then the flu and now have a mild case of shingles (which is really just a dormant chicken pock gone crazy). So I've spent lots of time on line, checking out lots of China Adoption journals, and getting all caught up on life in the adoption world. Now Ron has the cold and we're both lousy company - poor Emma has to listen to us both and just wants a pair of socks to carry around.

The good news today is that the CCAA has issued it's referrals for this month. The not so good news is that they issued referrals only for dossiers with log in dates of April 1-14/05. Our Log In Date is May 31/05. If they are only processing 14 days worth of Log In Dates each month right now, we may have to wait until March or possibly even April before we get referral, and travel 6-8 weeks later. I'm trying really hard not to be bummed out about the delays, and trying to enjoy this quiet time and get lots of other stuff done, but waiting really sucks!!

Since I don't have our referral baby picture to show you, I thought I'd show you one of Emma's baby pictures just because she's soooo darn cute! In fact, you could call this Emma's referral photo since it's the first picture I ever had of her.