First batch of 100 good wishes fabrics!!

Check it out and see what I got!

Cautiously Optimistic

We got an email today from our agency addressing the very issues that I have had with them (in terms of how they maneuver around the shared list). They have a new person designated to watch the shared list during China's daytime-- and she speaks Chinese AND she understands medical terminology! This is SUCH good news because DH and I first were saying that we would just go for the agency switch at the end of the month assuming we had not received a referral. We have applications ready and everything. Really, though, it would be so much easier to just stay with our current agency since we're USCIS approved, our home study is through them, blah, blah, blah. However, I say "cautiously optimistic" because they are new at locking files during this time of day and it could take some time for them to get used to it. I was so happy, though, that they responded to my, umm, requests. I think that says a lot about them as an agency and how they handle their clients needs.

SO, as of right now, we're sticking with ASIA-- stay tuned... Now, if I could just get our FREAKIN home study back (that's a different social worker-- he is contracted by ASIA) since it has been THREE WEEKS for our update to be finished!!!! ARGHHHHH.

A Bit Overdue

Silly, amazing, beautiful boys speak for themselves... I LOVE these little guys.

My Latest Project

I think it must be quilt season. I currently have 4 quilting projects on my mind and not really a lot of time to do any of them. Oh well, at least I have a deadline for 3 of them-- 2 of them are baby quilts (my sister and I are co-quilting one), both of which are "due" at basically the same time and one is for Samuel's preschool auction in April. Guess I better get crackin, eh? The one I really want to tell you all about, though, happens to be the one that may not be needed for a while yet! I'm going to be making a Bai Jia Bei or 100 Good Wishes Quilt for our soon-to-be daughter! It will be a pretty simple scrap quilt, since I'll be getting fabrics of all kinds that do not necessarily "go" together. If you would like to join in the fun, please feel free to email me and let me know! So many of you in the adoption community have become such a special part of this whole process for us that I would love to include each and every one of you. Also, if you want to follow along on the progress of the quilt, I have another blog specifically designated to it. There's not much there yet, but check it out and you'll get the specifics on what to do!

Be blessed!

p.s. I'm so sorry I've been such a downer these last few entries! You all have been so encouraging and I needed it. We are *SO CLOSE* to being done with the paperchase. We're waiting for our updated home study and a re-notarized physical form from my physician (long story) and then we're off to authenticate!! I'm really praying we'll have all that by the end of the week...

If you can't say anything nice...

I know, I've been quiet lately. I was talking with a friend today about this very thing and I have to admit, I have nothing nice to say. I'm tired of the paperchase. I'm tired of taking one step forward 10 steps back. I'm tired of doing something only to find that I did it wrong and have to do it again. So, to give you all a break, I'm going to let you in on a little something that God has been revealing to me lately.

Something huge that I have noticed in myself these days of stressful paper-gathering and child-finding, instead of running to Jesus where I know my hope lies, I have been running to the internet for answers. I write emails to agencies, I chat on the group forums, I gaze at lists of waiting children-- all expecting and hoping to hear news of something, anything remotely resembling good news on the adoption front. I put off reading a book to my little boy because "I need to finish this email and then we'll read..." I haven't been going outside to enjoy the beautiful days because "what if so-and-so gets back to me about..." I want to be doing this the right way because our little girl is out there-- waiting. But I know I am going about it all wrong. I don't want to be like this. I have things to do, boys to play with, a life to live, not to mention a prayer to pray, a Bible to read, and a relationship with the Lord to nurture.

Now that I have realized this, what should I do? I have an obvious answer, but not an easy one. Samuel and Timothy deserve more from me. DH deserves more from me. Jesus deserves more from me. So, I guess the first step is to get down on my knees. It's been a while.