You Will Be Missed!!!

Today at around 1:00 pm Dr. Haygood (our vet), came to our house toput Baby a.k.a. Baby Dog to rest. Our grief is tremendous. On Saturday we took her to the vet for not eating and throwing-up. On Monday they told us that it was chronic kidney failure and she would only live 7 days at the most. The most important thing to Joe and I was that she come home. They told us that it was not a good thing to let her die naturally. She would starve to death. We asked him if he would come to our house so she could spend one more night at home. So we all camped out with her on the living room floor last night. We are grieving for her she was an amazing companion and we will always be grateful to her for her love and devotion.

NEW DECOR...

Still have some things to put on the walls but this is my new dining and living rooms. Alot of thanx and love to Sandra for putting in the work and ideas with me. The first pic is the only before pic that I could find.

We have now waited so long that we have to renew our I171H which is
our permission to make a foreign child a US citizen. It was a costly and
stressful process the first go around. However, congress this past year
said that we don't have to pay the first time we have to renew. YEAH!!! We
have to get our doctors letters renewed and get fingerprinted again. Actually
I am glad to have something to do that is adoption related. Then we have to get
our home study updated and send it all to immigration. Then we will be invited
back down to Jacksonville to get fingerprinted. Anyways, that is all that
is happening right now. No word on when things are going to speed up.

Beach Weekend

We spent the weekend at St. George Island. I took family photos. I used a timer on a few to insure that there is a photo record of me in this world..hehe enjoy.

Family Reunion

This was our yearly Williams Family Reunion (My Mom's family) held in Cadwell, Ga.. I had not been since Joe and I got mairried (5yrs.) So it was his first time meeting alot of people. We had a really good time and enjoyed our visit.

Tubin!!

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted. We have been so busy. We went tubing about 3 weeks ago and here are a few photos. There is nothing new with Hannah, just waiting.....

ANY NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!!!!

Just so happened Joe stayed home from work yesterday. Our adoption agency called. I usually have to call them back the next day but since Joe was there he was able to talk to them. Anyways, it was our support person wanting to make sure we are okay. She also wanted us to know that we are looking at about 24 mos from November 8, 2006, which is our log in date. Which puts us at about a little more than a year from now. I didn't take it all that well. I mean logically for Joe and I it is a good thing. We are Broke :-) and any extra time can help with the finances. However, it is at the point where everyone is starting to become inpatient. I understand those that are excited for us and can not wait, it just seems like that lately everyone is asking. I am so grateful to have so many people that care about us and our journey and I really do like for people to be interested. Just all the asking coupled with the news of a longer wait has taken its toll on me this week. But on the bright side. I am ready to paint the room and I have decided to redo the trim in there so I am really excited. I also redid my bedroom this week. I will post some pictures this weekend. Also we are going to be crusin down the Chipola!!!! So I will have pics of that too........

UPDATE.....

We had some good news recently. We have a form called the I171H. This is the document from the US government that says we are suitable to adopt a foreign child. This form was very stressful and expensive to acquire. It is only valid for 18 mos. So we are going to have to reapply in a couple of months. The terrible thing is the fees we would have to pay all over again. However, starting July 30 2007 those who have to reapply for the first time gets the fees waived!!!! I mean it is a big deal for us.... We also were told that the wait is up to 20 mos now... :-( but it is okay... we are certainly staying busy....

Well, that is all for now just thought I would give a little update....


Love,
Denise

Happy 4th!!!!!!

We had a blast on the 4th.... Spent the day at Daddy's with lots of family and friends, where we also celebrated Jennifer's Birthday with lots of food and fun....
Enjoy the slide show.....

07/05/1975

Happy Birthday Sister!!!!

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. ~Author Unknown

I want to take this post to Thank all the wonderful Fathers in my life..... From the one I have; to the Grandfather that I have lost and last but not least; my Husband who I know will soon be a truely great example of a Father....

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!

enjoy the slide show of fathers that have either touched my life or the people I care abouts lives

My very sweet nephew called the other night to make sure that when we went
to pick up Hannah, that we bring him back something. He was sure to let us know that he will right us a note to remind us. At first he wanted $1 worth of chinese money, however by the time we hung up it was up to $20. He is so sweet. When he found out about Hannah, he wanted to make sure that we were going to keep her once we got her.....

CRUSIN!!!

Joe and I just got back from a fabulous cruise. It was a week of firsts for both of us. It was Joe's first time flying (which he loved) and both of our first times on a ship that big. Not to mention the first time we have actually had a real vacation (thank-you Mitsubishi). We first went to Coco Cay, where we snorkled and had some drinks. It was beautiful. We will have pics from there later they were on a waterproof camera. Next we went to Nassau, which we did not care for. Last we went to Key West and had a great time visiting the Hemingway House and crusing the streets. We met some wonderful people....... I am posting a slide show of some of our adventure. I am so glad that Joe did well flying because our next trip is quite a long one on a plane, around 16hrs

Aunt Bessie

I wanted to take a few moments to write a little something for the loss
that my family has had. I lost My Aunt 2 weeks ago. She was far too young.
I am sad for those who lost a Sister and a Mother. I was never as close to My
Aunt as some in my family. I never knew her birthday until I saw it on one of
those funeral announcements that they hand out. I don't know what her favorite
color or food was or if she liked movies or if she had any hobbies. I don't know
how long she was married, or any grief she may have had in her earlier life.

What I did know was her recipe for biscuits and how her fried chicken tasted
and that she used real cream in her mashed potatoes. I knew how her house smelled
and how she smelled when you hugged her. I knew that she loved her car, and her children.

I think knowing those few things made her special to me. Like everyone there will
be special things that only they remember. I hope we all carry those small things daily
as a tribute to her. As my family will always say " Thank you Aunt Bessie" before
eating a biscuit that she taught me to make.

Squirrely Business.....

I caught this guy sneaking into Rusty's cage and eating his food.... I couldn't get too close so I hope you can see. Also meet Puddles the new addition to our family.

If you click on the pics they get bigger.......

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NEWS LETTER

We receive a monthly news letter called "In Touch" Just thought I would share the time line exert from this month......


Child Match Department

Current Child Match Statistics
The current wait from the time a dossier is logged in at the CCAA (LID) until a match is received is approximately 18 –20 months for children with no known medical conditions. If your dossier was logged in at the CCAA in September, for example, count October as month one.

Of the matches that arrived on 4/10/07, we received expedited referrals for families of Chinese descent whose dossiers were logged in between April 16 – 30, 2006. We did not have any dossiers for families within the traditional program logged in from October 25 – 26, 2005.* There were no boys in this match group.

In the Waiting Child Program we have placed 64 children in 2007. The current wait for a Travel Notice for these families is 2-4 months from the time that both the dossier and family’s Letter of Intent are logged in at the CCAA.

*In the last match group, CCAA matched dossiers that were logged in from October 25 – 26, 2005. For our CCAI traditional program families, this match day was disheartening. However, it was a match day for hundreds of other families around the world! It is likely that there were 600-800 children matched this month as the CCAA continues to match all of the children’s files that they receive every month.

Hannah's Door!!!!

Sandra bought this wonderful sign for Hannah's door. It has really rejuvenated me. Looking at it everyday has helped me tremendously with daily task of waiting. I captured a wonderful MOMMY MOMENT with the bunnies. I have also caught the twins (they don't really look like twins anymore, However the name has stuck.) trying to sneak a peak outside. I registered for my summer photography class today at TCC. I can't wait until it earns my living!!!!!

UPDATE

Bella is home!!! She is very well. What did I say about needing her home? Well she is even more rambunctious than before she was sick.... Hopefully, she will calm in a few days.

Bella

Bella is sick. After two days of not eating and some blood in her poop. We took her to the hospital Monday morning. The conclusion is that she has eat something that cut her stomach and she has an infection. She will hopefully be okay after a week or so in the hospital with fluids and antibiotics. Please pray for her. Joe and Babydog are lost without her. We need her home...........

CELEBRATIONS!!!

Just an update.... Duck Duck, and Goose are having a house warming and Lucy, and Rusty are having a baby shower. Lucy and Rusty gave birth to what looks to be twin puppies on March 29th. Rusty paced the cage and passed out carrots. We don't know how much they weighed, however they are big. Duck Duck , and Goose , moved into their new home April, 2. They are very happy, but are just trying to get used to the nosey neighbors (Bella & Babydog). Pictures below.....

Why China?

I don't remember when I first thought about China. When I worked at Scafidi's, I waited on a couple who had adopted from China. I remember having really good feelings about it. The first time it was mentioned to Joe and I, was when we first met with Helen Irvin of Children's home society. Helen, really did not tell us what we wanted to hear about domestic adoption (From the idea of having to be chosen by the birth mother to the fact that the father can come back and claim custody, or the Mother changing her mind at the last minute.) From the beginning she suggested international. That was not even an option for Joe. I don't think that he could conceive the idea, he had never been exposed to different race families. For the next year we talked about infertility treatments and even surrogacy. We knew that we did not want to be the type of people that were always consumed with having a baby. We just wanted it to not be so emotional.

We met with Helen again a year or so later, and she again mentioned international. Joe, had said NO from the beginning. He worked with someone who had very successful Domestic adoptions, and was sure we could do the same. He reluctantly agreed to go to a meeting with Chinese Children Adoption International Agency. The meeting was on a Saturday, and Sandra, went with us. They talked in great lengths about the process, how it was strenuous but rewarding. Joe didn't get involved with the conversation much. Then, they put on this DVD, about the problem in China and the orphanages. All of a sudden Joe started using the word WHEN instead of IF. That was it!!! Sandra and I for months had tried to change his mind and all it took was the picture of a baby girl in a crib. So, my reasons were that it may be a lengthy and hard process, but it is not so emotionally hard. As for Joe, It was just seeing a baby. There you have it. Why China.

Spring Time!!!!!

It's spring time.... Yeah!!! We planted our first garden today. It will be trial and error I am sure. We named the ducks. The light colored one is Duck Duck, and the brown one is Goose. (hehe) Today was their first day outside. They will have a permanent home next week. The garden just wore us out this weekend. Lucy, the rabbit is pregnant and Rusty is not happy about it. I don't have much to say about the adoption today. Just waiting and waiting. I just wanted to post some pics of spring at our home. This week I am going to post on why we chose China. Hope your week is good.

Love,

Denise

QUACK! QUACK!

We must be crazy..... We went to ACE Hardware last night, and I completely fell in love with these babies. Now they are living in the bath tub having a fabulous time. Joe is going to speed up my chicken coop that I have been asking for for 3 years and slap a kiddie pool in it and good to go. I don't know if the dogs want to eat them or play with them. I'm not willing to find out, so it has been a challenge keeping them at bay..... enjoy the pic.

Denise

Today we received a package from our Secret Pal..... We belong to a Yahoo Group for families that are around the same time as us. We do a Secret Pal exchange, and it is soooo much fun. It's mostly for the women though.... We got some goodies.... I am putting a picture of Hannah's second Dress from our Secret Pal and the bag she sent..... I am so ready to do some shopping myself. I think we have a crib picked out. I'll post a pic when we actually decide. It's a short post tonite..... I lost an hour yesterday and if anybody finds it I'd sure like to have it back...hehehe

The Wait........

When Joe and I first began this process, we were told that the wait was between 8-10 mos after LID. However, as we got closer to finishing our dossier, it slowly crept up to 10-13 mos. We are now told that it will take 15-18 mos. We already are down 4. Hannah may not even be born yet......If you don't already know the politics about Chinese baby girls, I'll try to explain. Three big factors play into why China has so many baby girls for adoption. The first is Communism, the Second is population, and the third is culture. It starts with China becoming so overpopulated. In one year there were as many babies born as there are people in the United States. (wow) Because of the poverty and the population the Peoples Republic of China starts a tax of sorts. The specifics are different for each region. Some regions, reward for not having more than one or two children. Some families are required to pay economic penalties, and might be denied bonuses at their workplace, if they have more than one child, unless the first is a girl or disabled. China is a Country whos culture in the past has put more value in boys than girls, so once you have had a girl and your second is a girl, they feel they have no other choice except to abandon the second girl.

You are probably wondering why such a wait with so many babies? Well, China, is hosting the 2008 summer Olympics. With the whole world watching they don't want to look like they are peddling their babies. At least that is the theory........ Anyways, Joe and I are quite alright with the wait. We have plenty of bills that we would love to get paid off before we have the baby expense. :-) But, hopefully it will speed up just a little..... Well I think that's about it for the wait...... The picture below is a picture of Hannah Joe's first teddy bear.... I took his portrait but we haven't named him yet......

Hannah's Room

We have slowly began putting together Hannah's Room. We have paint picked out (thanks to my fabulous Stepmama) and we have bedding ( again thanks to Sandra and Daddy). We have converted our over sized Laundry Room into the spare bedroom the house plans intended it to be. I don't want to go too fast, I just don't want to be staring at an empty room for a year. I have included some pictures of the bedding with this post please remember that you can leave comments or questions at the bottom of each post.

Love ya,

Denise

P.S. Joe says hey.......

Short version of a long journey

Well this is our first post. I am excited about having a place everyone can see our progress. I will start with a little bit about our adoption journey thus far. It all started with a meeting at Children's Home Society about adopting. We met a wonderful lady named Helen Irvin. After several conversations with Helen about the frustrations of domestic adoption we chose China. I think we knew instantly that it was the choice we were destined to make all along. We applied with Chinese Children Adoption Agency (CCAI) in April of 2006. On May 5th we were approved. We then started our paper chase.... And what a chase it was. It was 5 months of collecting every piece of paper that had anything to do with our lives. We had to have a Home Study, we hired Children's Home Society to do the Home Study, which is more paper chasing and several meetings with Helen at her office and our home. I remember never being more nervous than the day she first came to our home. I drove Joe nuts.... hehe

Now once you have everything together, you have to get approval from the department of immigration to make a foreign in child a U.S. citizen. That is so stressful. They pick you apart. Let me tell you that it is like watching your life flash before you and answering to all the bad things you have ever done. When they finally approved us we received our most important piece of paper called the I600A. This is Hannah's ticket to become a citizen. Now when all that was done we had to get all of the paper work together and that is called a Dossier (daw-see-ey). We then sent our Dossier to our adoption agency on 10/05/2006 exactly 5 months from approval. Then our Dossier went through critical review then it was translated into Chinese and mailed to China on 10/11/2006. China logged us in for our wait to start on 11/08/2006 YEAH!!!!! This was a huge day for us. Well, I hope that sort of gets you to where we are now.......... I will post about the wait later... :-(