Lady Bug Siting

The ladybug is a symbol of luck in the China adoption community. You hear of ladybug sitings, signs, etc. Well, I had a ladybug siting today! I saw one on the windshield of my car this morning. Could it be that Leah is being born around now? June 29, 2006 - will that be her birthday? or maybe June some time? Just wanted to make a note of it so I don't forget. We are hoping that things are speeding up a bit with referrals - they matched a lot more dates this month than they have in the past - maybe it really will be around 12-13 months and we'll get our referral in Dec/Jan and travel in Feb/Mar. Maybe, maybe not - hard to get my hopes up - but trying to be positive!

Our Red Thread

I will be using this blog to record some of my feelings and will save it as a journal of sorts to share with Leah when she gets older. As the top of our blog mentions - there is a chinese belief that there is an invisible red thread that connects a child with people who are important to them.

I totally buy in to this - we have felt a pull to Leah since last summer. She is a huge part of our lives already - even though she may not even have been born yet. When Vince and I went to the adoption seminar in May of 2005 with our agency to find out more about adoption - they talked about Russia, Guatemala, etc - but all we were interested in was China. We hadn't totally made the decision to adopt at that seminar, but China was the only country we even considered.

When we were answering the questions for our homestudy, there was a question about why we chose China. It was interesting to try to answer that question - and I know it sounds wierd - but it's like we just knew that China was where our daughter was. So, I had to think about how to answer the question - other than just - 'cause that's what we are supposed to do - or 'cause that's where our daughter is. China is a country rich in culture and heritage, and we admire and respect where our daughter will come from. But talking about the red thread - we've felt it all along in a very powerful way.

I found out last week that a family I know of that was planning on adopting from China has now switched to the Guatemala program b/c the China wait has gotten so long. I think that is wonderful for them and I am very happy that they are doing what is right for their family. Having said that, for Vince and I, we could never imagine switching countries - because of the reasons I mentioned earlier - our Red Thread. I saw a t-shirt on someone's website that said - Why China? Because that's where my daughter is. - that about sums it up! I need to get that shirt!

Speaking of shirts - I found a t-shirt that has the word BABY and an arrow and then a picure of the country of China - it's a really cute shirt - it's my maternity shirt!

I'll post more later!

Things to do while we wait

So, I have mentioned the wait in earlier posts - and I got to thinking about how much time we have left before we go get Leah. It could be a year from now and hopefully no more - but who knows?? As many know, I like to make lists and get things done - so here's my list of things to do before the baby comes.

1 - clean out all of my closets (yeah, right)
2 - catch up on putting all pictures in photo albumns - I'm only 3 or so years behind
3 - finish Leah's room - put up crib, etc
4 - read more about China and their culture, history, etc
5 - read more about adoption and attachment
6 - oh yeah, exercise more
7 - redecorate our master bedroom

That's all for now -and I guess you could say - "good thing it's probably a year away!" it may take me that long to get all that done - but nope, the wait is not a good thing - we want to go get her today! All this stuff dosen't really matter!

more later!!!

Some pics

I took a couple of pictures just now - of the flag shirt, Leah's closet and her bedding. The bedding is way prettier in person - but thought I would show it anyway. We'll be getting started on her room soon - putting the crib up, curtains, etc. I'll post pics when we get done.

More later!!!

4th of July, 2008???

Well, I finally broke down and bought little Leah something today. It's the cutest little shirt you have ever seen - I got it at Old Navy - and it has ruffles on the front and it looks like an American Flag. I'll take a picture of it and post it when I can. I have not really bought anything yet, because it just feels like it is so far off when we will be able to go get her. So, my hope is that she will be home with us by July 4th of 2008!

I have a TON of clothes that my friend Lori has given me - she has 2 girls the same age as Guy and Grant - and just had a boy - so I gave her all of my boy stuff and she gave me all of her girl stuff. Let me just say, she got the raw end of that deal. First, those clothes went through 2 BOYS who are ruff and tumble and could care less about clothes. (needless to say, much got thrown out before it even got to her). Second, boy clothes just aren't as exciting as girl clothes - so you don't buy as many - and the stuff you get at Old Navy and Gap is great for boys since they tend to detroy things. (THANK YOU AGAIN LORI!!!!)

Needless to say, the clothes she gave me are awesome and some of the prettiest little girl clothes I have ever seen. Her girls are very nicely dressed little girls. So, here we are in Matthews, NC - waiting for a little girl who is either about to be born, or already born in China- and she has a closet FULL of clothes - I mean, you can't put another thing in her closet.

I recently had a "girl's weekend" at my house - we take turns having it at each other's house and we kick our families out. (Vince and the boys had a great "boys weekend" in Columbia with Maw Maw) When I was cleaning and straightening, I had no problem creating plenty of space in the boys closets for my friends to hang their clothes - like half the closet is available - but alas, no room in Leah's closet. How sad is that! Well, that's just the way it will have to be - she is a girl and she has a Mom who is a girlie girl and loves clothes and shoes - so, she will always have plenty of clothes and shoes.

More later!