Safely in Shanghai

We took Katy to the airport yesterday morning for a very long flight to Shanghai for her summer study abroad program. She called us this morning at a little after 6 to let us know she had arrived safely and was in her apartment. Very good news and now I can breathe a little bit easier. She says the apartment is very nice and she has the biggest room which includes a bathroom! Wow! Not what I was expecting after our experiences with tiny hotel rooms and all one hears about close living conditions in China. I guess this must be the westernizing of China.

Today we had an enjoyable day celebrating the 30 years of marriage of our friends John and Paula Pickle. They started out with renewing of vows and then we went to their home for a BBQ. Best ribs I've ever tasted! They live in Conifer so it was a beautiful setting to enjoy a very pleasant day. Mara was the life of the party and kept the menfolk and young female adults responding to her beck and call. Kind of a nice break for Jeff and I. We were able to enjoy visiting with little interruption. She got to ride on an ATV with "Uncle Pickle," learned to use empty shell casings as whistles, collected sticks to her heart's content and somehow managed to bring home a young spruce for the yard. She had a blast and as soon as we got in the car to leave said, "Let's do it again."

As usual, no news on the adoption front. Just waiting and trying to do it patiently. Supposed to be some big announcement on the CCAA site this weekend, but nothing. I'm really getting sick to death of the rumor mill. It just causes an emotional roller coaster. Most of the time I just stay away from it but every once in the while I find myself checking in. Stupidly I did so this last week. Time to ignore it for another month. I keep reminding myself I never participated in one Yahoo group or checked one blog through the entire first adoption until we had our referral. And I was so much more relaxed! Need to return to that way of life to preserve my sanity.

That's it for now.