Rumors At Last!

It was beginning to feel like rumors would never happen this month. But today when I checked into Rumor Queen's blog--my first mouse click each morning these days--there was finally a rumor concerning cutoff dates. Not that we need to worry about that, since we will be in this time, but it was a rumor. And where there are rumors, referrals are not far behind.

CCAI, our agency, has posted this evening that they believe matches are being made now. That means that at this moment, approximately 11 a.m. Thursday Nov. 29th in Beijing, someone could be matching our dossier to Ilah's file. That kind of gives me goosebumps. I'm hoping it also means that they are very close to shipping those referral packets around the world. I really hope we'll see her picture early next week. I'm hoping for Monday or Tuesday but I'll be happy with any day next week. Oh who am I kidding, I'll be happy whenever it shows up. I just can't believe it is FINALLY our turn!!

Well, Mara is waiting for me to read her a story and get her tucked into bed so I'll end for now. I just had to share my excitement. Here's hoping that next week at this time, we'll know who our child is, how old she is and where she is. We already know that God has chosen her because she is the perfect fit for our family. I just can't wait to see what she looks like!!

Are We Almost There?

Wow, this month is going by just about as slowly as time can creep. I thought with Thanksgiving and Black Friday and all the "special projects" I had lined up that it would fly by. In reality it has seemed slower than normal. We still have over a week before we can really expect to see our referral. But I know that when I'm sitting here a year from now talking about Thanksgiving 2008, it will seem impossible another year has escaped us so quickly.

Meanwhile, what have we been doing? Last weekend we all went to the Denver Museum to see the Titanic Artifacts "special exhibit" and to shop for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. The show was interesting and Mara loved viewing the dinosaur, space and gemstones exhibits afterwards. It was a fun family time.

This week was, of course, Thanksgiving and I was very thankful to have all of my wonderful family surrounding me. Nikki had the entire week off so she's been home since last Friday. Katelynn and Jeff had Thursday and Friday off and Mara and I are always off, so we're enjoying a nice long weekend together. Mom and Lyle hosted a great Thanksgiving dinner and we were joined by Michael and Aunt Marilyn. As always, I am most thankful to have been given the blessing of beautiful children and a wonderful husband. I just couldn't love them more.

Yesterday Jeff and Katy got up in the pre-dawn hours to hit sales at stores which shall remain nameless for items that shall remain nameless until December 25. (Don't want to give away any secrets, just in case any gift recipients are reading this.) Then we all headed to Denver to Colorado Mills to do our annual Christmas shopping extravaganza. The mall was not at all crowded and we had a very relaxing time shopping together. We completed the evening with dinner at the Black-Eyed Pea--one of our favorite restaurants--on our way home. A good time was had by all.

I've had two ongoing projects over the last month. First I determined that I would get all of my cabinetry cleaned out and reorganized before we travel. I've completed our bathroom and all but two kitchen cabinets. I only have those two and Mara's bathroom (only a few cabinets) to go. They are tidy and spic and span, and we have 4 new boxes of stuff for garage sale. (Or the ARC, depending on our mood come spring.) I've also been working on the 100 Wishes Quilts for Mara and Ilah. To my astonishment, it has gone much more quickly than I imagined. I originally hoped to get Mara's done before we leave but if I push myself just a little, I think I can probably get both done. Because I've been waiting for those "I'm sorry but they are on their way now" squares, I decided to get as much done on Ilah's as possible while waiting for the last few of Mara's squares. All the "construction" of Mara's squares that I've received is complete, I just have to actually put the thing together. My goal is to be able to include a picture of Mara's quilt in our Christmas newsletter so you can all see to what you have contributed. Thanks for everyone who joined into this with me. Our girls will be greatly blessed for years to come when they read all the wonderful thoughts people have sent.

I'm hoping that the next time I post it will be to show off our newest addition. We should have referral in less than two weeks! We just can't wait!! Check in soon for news!

November in Pictures

At the Museum

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention our first snow of the year--Nikki is not a patient snowman builder but it is darned cute, isn't it?

Our unauthorized picture of Mara talking to Santa. I just refuse to spend $20 for one picture.

After shopping repast at the Black-Eyed Pea. Nikki and Dad.

Not This Time

Last week at this time our hopes were riding high that we might get a referral this week. Rumors were reaching all the way to December 12, 2005 LID's. So with our 12/9/05 LID we thought we would get in even if the 12th turned out to be too good to be true. Alas, the 9th turned out to be too good to be true and the November referral batch is cut off at 12/8/05. One day. After some tears and a few good rants at my patient family, I have adjusted to the idea and we are moving on with plans for how to handle travel in January instead of December. On the up side, we are going to be home with the girls for Christmas, an idea that received whoops of joy from Mara. On the down side it will take some creative thinking to provide for Mara's care while we are gone. But many, many friends and Grandma have offered to help and we just need to sort it all out so that Mara is in a place where she is comfortable during the week and with her sisters for the weekends. I keep telling myself that God knows what he is doing and that he has a plan. I'm hoping we can tap into that plan soon so we can follow it carefully.

So for the first time since our dossier went to China we have some confidence in our predictions. Since we are the next available date for referrals we will get a referral in December 2007, a full two years after our dossier arrived at the CCAA. WE ARE NEXT!!!!! Wow, I've waited a long, long time to say that.

Now for the real reason I popped in here today to post. I promised Katelynn to post a picture of Mara in her Halloween costume. This year Mara went as a princess. Surprise! Her basic costume was a recycling of Kelsey's old Maid Marion costume from 15 years ago, when the twins were 4, mixed with new accessories created by Katy and Mara. The beautiful crown was decorated by the two of them and looked just perfect. They also found "slippers" that matched perfectly and who would know they are from a "fairy" costume? A new belt, cape button and beads completed the ensemble.

I took Mara to The Bridge Assisted Living facility for early trick or treating. It was very crowded but Mara still had the opportunity to visit a little bit with a few of the residents. She did a great job of speaking up so they could hear her and she politely answered all questions and said thanks when candy was popped into her pumpkin. She was pronounced royalty by one very sweet resident who said "you look better than a princess, I think you are a queen." That got a great big smile from Mara. Later, after dark, Jeff took Mara around the neighborhood in the traditional manner and she brought home way more candy than she will ever eat. Of course, the evening was ended in our usual visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house for cider, donuts and a "special" treat from Grandma. The weather was perfect and the evening was declared a success by a very weary princess.

Our Little Princess