Thursday, August 31, 2006

Ernesto cuts its vacation to Fla. short

Thankfully Tropical Depression Ernesto packed its bags and left Fla., deciding to leave behind a few "presents" for Floridians in the form of water, water, everywhere, Ernesto did take with it my "hurricane anxieties".

We got our much needed rain, which made our grass and the ducks down the street quite happy (the ducks are so content swimming around in the ditches, they make quite the sight).




So now that our unwanted "guest" Ernesto has "left the building" we can focus on the upcoming weekend (Labor day) making for a wonderfully long weekend, allowing for spending time with loved ones, cooking out, possibly shopping for more baby items (my favorite "hobby"), reading adoption journals/blogsites, cutting quilt squares, and just plain enjoying ourselves.

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Weather Ernesto (Tropical Storm or Hurricane??)

One of the joys (or is it disadvantages) of being a native Floridian is the weather (be it boiling hot, so humid your hair looks like you stuck your finger in a light socket, or hoping to avoid those hurricanes).

A couple of years ago, we had 3 hurricanes come right through Central Fla. (Charlie, Francis, and Jeanne), and I thought Charlie was the worst of the 3 (since he was the first we had to endure and we lost our electricity for 7 days in the heat of the summer. We were quite grateful for the numerous cold showers we took and that the house was tile floors--which was cooler to sleep on).

Also, during Charlie, our tree in the front yard (which Ray and I didn't like anyway) fell onto our house (thankfully not going all the way through our house and just partially damaging the roof). And then Charlie caused 3 tornadoes to travel down our street, which thankfully didn't do much damage to our neighborhood.

However, as a result of the '04 hurricanes, we Floridians did learn a few things:

- Coffee and frozen pizzas can be made on a BBQ grill.

- No matter how many times you flick the switch, lights don't work without electricity.

- He who has the biggest generator wins.

- A new method of non-lethal torture - showers without hot water. This is for the lucky ones on city water. If you have a well and no generator, it's time to bathe in the pool!

- TV is an addiction and the withdrawal symptoms are painful.

- A 7 lb bag of ice will chill 6-12 oz Budweiser's to a drinkable temperature in 11 minutes, and still keep a 14-pound turkey frozen for 8 more hours.

- There are a lot of trees in Fla.

- Flood plan drawings on some mortgage documents were seriously wrong.

- Contrary to most Florida natives' beliefs, the speed limit on roads without traffic lights does not increase.

- Aluminum siding, while aesthetically pleasing, is definitely not required to keep your house standing,and during wind surges becomes flying weapons.

- Just because you're over 21 doesn't mean you can stay out as late as you want. At least that's what the cops told me during a curfew stop.

- Crickets can increase their volume to overcome the sound of 14 generators.

- People will get in a line that has already formed without having any idea what the line is for.

- When required, most any vehicle will float--doesn't steer well, but floats just the same.

- Hurricanes do keep the mailman from his appointed rounds.

- Telemarketers function no matter what the weather is doing.

- Cell phones sometimes work when land lines are down, but only as long as the battery remains charged.

- Twenty-seven of your neighbors are fed from a different transformer than you, and they are quick to point that out!

- If we had a store that sold only ice, chainsaws, gas, and generators...we'd be rich.

- The price of a bag of ice rises 200% after a hurricane.

- Tree service companies are under appreciated.

- MATH 101: 30 days in month minus 6 days w/o power equals 30% higher electric bill ?????


Now that we are more "educated" in the hurricane department, we understand there is another storm headed our way, Ernesto. So all of our anxieties of approaching "storms" is starting to kick in. Our weather channel news reporters are getting all excited and "geared" up to "hunker down". The grocery stores are turning into a mad house with people fighting over canned goods such as baked beans and spam (what a combo, wonder if Publix is handing out recipes with these as your "main ingredients" and I missed out on them, just my luck, hehe). And not to mention the roads (guess we are practicing for when we have no electricity to power the traffic signals, or maybe it is just a typical day on the road in Fla., hard to tell the difference).

So as your day progresses today, think of us Floridians watching and waiting to see what will happen with Ernesto, and whether we will be having grilled spam burgers with baked beans for dinner (can things really get that desperate???).

Monday, August 28, 2006

Congrats to Mary-Mia and Rod

Today we all saw what we ourselves are waiting for, a referral. Mary-Mia and Rod (the owners of salsainchina.blogspot.com) after much waiting themselves got their referrals (no that's not a typo). Congratulations Mary-Mia and Rod !!! Your twin babygirls are absolutely beautiful.


We have added to this posting a copy of their twins Da and Xiao so you all can share in their joys and "Funshines".



Some day we will be posting pictures of our Chynna, until then we will just live through others referrals and share in their joys and happiness.

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Cyber shower gifting is a great way to pass time

As part of our wonderful DTC group (fellow Fireflies), Ray and I are participating in the Cyber Showers (as well as the Secret Pal gift exchange). Today was the day we were finally able to open our gift. It was Christmas day for Ray and me. It was quite a humorous site with Ray and I both opening the gift together (and since we haven't yet taught Freckles to take pictures, unfortunately we don't have the photographic evidence of this event).

Each gift coming out of the gorgeous butterfly gift bag was just as beautiful and exciting as the previous one. Kristin Minor (and her wonderful family) have provided Chynna with her first swimming equipment (thank you ever so much Minor family).


Chynna is now the proud owner of a cute pink bathing suit (with purple bows and purple on it), a cutie putootie pink hat (with purple and a ladybug on it) that matches, a dolphin swim ring, and the ever important sunscreen. We can't wait to get our Chynna and try this on her.

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Chynna's nursery is coming along....


My dh Ray and my wonderful dad Joe worked really hard on Chynna's room today to put down new tile, and boy what a difference the new tile makes. It really changed the appearance.


Freckles of course couldn't be left out, so he tried to help the guys out too, but learned it is better to sit and watch so that became his contribution.

And of course all that watching makes him quite tired so he did of course take a nap, but was really close by in case he was needed.

Fairies made an appearance today too and helped hang the adorable mobile my wonderful sister Katy, my nephew Adam, and brother-in-law David bought for Chynna while on their summer "outing" in Sweden. It really was quite special to see them "flying" around the room, adding their special touches.

Next we will be working on getting the baby furniture for our sweet Chynna (a crib, a dresser with changing table, closet organizers, etc) . I am of course hoping that all this will keep us busy enough to pass the time by until it is our time to "get that call". We really hope referrals start to speed up. We got our "report" from GWCA today and we understand that this last batch of referrals was only for 7/20/05 and there were only 14 referrals (all of which were girls).

Dear babygirl, you are so loved already, and we aren't even sure if you are born yet, but know you already hold a really special place in our hearts and we are sooooo excited and can't wait to hold you, kiss you, and love you with all our hearts and soul.

Friday, August 25, 2006

Somewhere over the rainbow....


way up high, there's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby. Somewhere over the rainbow Skies are blue,,,And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.


The referrals are here, the referrals are here. I guess congratulations are in order for all of those whose dreams are coming true, this morning, this afternoon, and soon to come true by Monday (good luck Mary Mia at salsainchina.blogspot.com, and all others waiting on pins and needles).


This calls for a party, a celebration, a ladybug sighting. So let the partying begin....





Someday it will be our turn to get up and start dancing and sharing in the joy of getting our referral. Until then we will just celebrate everyone else's joy.

Keep on dancing.....

Saturday, August 19, 2006

It's finally arrived, our 100th square and wish


We finally received what we have been waiting for a couple of months for... no it's not our referral (if that happened you would have heard our screams of excitement all the way from Florida to Canada), it's our 100th square and wish. And the lucky winner of sending our 100th square and wish.... it's Karen Newsome from Doerun Georgia. Now tell her what she has won.

Well Karen, you have won....okay we won't ruin the surprise, but be checking your mailbox for your "winnings". And thanks.

Now for those of you who have no idea what in this world I am babbling on about, well, part of the Chinese tradition is a 100 Good Wishes Quilt.

What is a 100 Good Wishes Quilt?

To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in Northern China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or a 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It is a custom to invite friends and family to contribute a patch of a cloth with a wish for the baby. Part of the patch of the cloth goes into the quilt for the baby, and the other part of the cloth can go into a memory notebook/journal with the wish for the child. The quilt contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of the fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.

We have found out about the 100 Good Wishes Quilt through friends we have "met" in our Yahoo Groups who have previously adopted from China. It is a tradition to greet the new baby with a quilt. As we want to help Chynna preserve part of her heritage, we wanted to participate in this tradition, and we have now achieved our 100th piece of fabric.

Now we are trying to locate that special someone who knows how to quilt, so we will have our baby's blankie ready when we go to get her. Quilter applications are being accepted =)

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Reason to celebrate

Ray and I have a great reason to celebrate, and celebrating we are doing, we are shouting from the rooftops, we are sharing the good news with everyone, and we feel like we will burst from the excitement.

What is it that has gotten us so excited...well no it's not the adoption speeding up, and no it's not our receipt of our referral, no it is...............

Our wedding anniversary, and all we can say is wow. I can't believe 5 years ago (8/18/01) we were married. It seems like just yesterday that I was so nervous, and anxious, and excited (those roller coaster emotions going round and round) that even at the reception, I could hardy swallow the wonderful food and wedding cake. But knowing that "yummy" and I are officially a family calmed my nerves right down. He is my support, best friend, and the one who "completes me". I remember Dad walking me down the aisle sharing with me the "traditional" father/daughter moment (Dad told me and my sister the same thing while walking us down the aisle). What is this insightful observation he shared with us, "whatever you do, don't pass gas" (gotta love his sense of humor). This of course took my mind off my nerves, and calmed me right down to enjoy the wedding ceremony to its fullest. Thanks Dad.

Ray of course tells us that he too will keep that tradition alive, and give Chynna that same advice while walking her down the aisle. Besides a tradition has to start somewhere. Guess this is the beginning of "traditions" to come.

So if you too are in this situation yourselves, please feel free to use this "fatherly wedding advice". It is sure to be a hit with your daughter.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

With thanks for the gifts to Chynna

I wanted to give thanks for the recent gifts we received for our Chynna.

First off I wanted to send a thanks to Cousins Eileen, Jay, Ari, and Boomer for the wonderful books you have given us for our baby girl. We were quite thrilled to receive the White Swan Express, the Over the Moon, Adoption is for Always, and the Mommy Dance. We really can't wait to be able to read them to our little girl, and are looking forward to the day that she too will read them to us. We also wanted to thank you for being there to support us in every way possible during this territory which is unknown to us, although we are thrilled you are sharing your experiences with us and greatly appreciate all you do.

Secondly, we wanted to give a shout out thanks to our friends and family, who are also so supportive in our journey to Chynna, be it sharing their own experiences, being there for us in every way possible, or just encouraging us during this long wait.

And lastly, we wanted to thank CVS Pharmacy. Yes that's right a Pharmacy....for the wonderful free stroller for our Chynna. Ray is going to practice with this stroller so when it finally comes time, he will be a pro. I have put his practice "baby" in the stroller. And as the saying goes, practice makes perfect.




Of course Ray (and my dad too) didn't believe the stroller really was free, but I set them straight, and showed them the stroller (or the stroller ad, you know what I really mean right?). Now we are working on getting one for Mom's house too. You can never have too many free strollers, is my motto.

Tuesday, August 8, 2006

Hip Hip Hooray


As promised, the long awaited bib that was a "just had to have", the cheerleader bib.


Seeing this bib, it made me realize all the wonderful opportunities that I was allowed growing up, all the wonderful activities my parents allowed me to participate in (such as cheerleading when I was quite little for the pee-wee football league with my older sister where my cousin played football, playing softball starting when I was about 5, doing gymnastic, taking ballet lessons) and knowing that I will be able to teach our daughter the same things (and/or involving her in other activities as she may choose). She may decide she doesn't want to cheer, but yet "play golf" with her daddy and vavo (her grandpa), as Ray has decided this will be her "passion" (hehe), or maybe she will want to play soccer, or be a runner, or none of these activities. Oh the possibilities.

Ray and I just love to sit and "day dream" about these things, and about what she will look like, about what she may like and dislike, about how we will "parent" her, and about bringing her home, where she belongs, with us.

Our dream will come true someday, but in our eyes, it just isn't coming soon enough. We will go to get you Chynna baby as quickly as they allow us to do so. Mommy and Daddy love you.

Thursday, August 3, 2006

Proud to be....



With all the emails we have coming in, we just wanted to thank each and every person for their "kind" words of encouragement in our journey to finally become parents.

We also wanted to thank our military service men and women for fighting so hard for our country so we can have the freedoms that we enjoy each and every day of our lives.

The freedom of speech, the freedom of choice, the freedom to be who or what we want to be.

We hope to instill in our Chynna to be proud of who she is, of her heritage (just as we are proud of our heritage), and the freedoms to do whatever it is her little heart wants to do (of course within reason, hehe).

We will be proud of our daughter and support her in whatever life choices she may have, the unconditional love and commitment that parents so willingly give to their children each and every day that passes.

So thank you all for reminding me of these freedoms that we enjoy in this wonderful country of the U.S. of A.

Tuesday, August 1, 2006

We are now officially "pregnant"


I am now a true believer in the lucky ladybug sightings. While at work today (and having an awful day there), I get a phone call from Mom telling my assistant that I need to go online and check my email. So after getting a moment to actually go online (of course while the boss is away, the mice will play), I see it, the email we have been waiting on pins and needles for... Chynna's LID, 7/14/06, exactly one week from our DTC. Upon reviewing the email, my eyes misted over as I read the email to Mom, I shared the news with co-workers, I called Ray to tell him the good news (of course of all days for him to forget his cell phone at home so he doesn't find out until he gets home from work himself), and I quickly email our 7/06 DTC Yahoo group. I am so on cloud 9 that I wonder how long it will take to get my feet back on the ground.

So now we wait, and wait, and wait. But we do have a LID and hopefully our referral will be sooner than expected, and then we can travel to China to get our precious Chynna.