handsful

If you haven’t yet, go check out the “100 Good Wishes Quilt” page on our site. Every square that we’ve received so far is pictured there, with name and place of origin. We have loved every square we’ve received…how is that possible? Honestly, there’s not a “dud” in the bunch. The kids and I look forward to visiting the mailbox everyday, hoping for a new fabric square and wish. The squares we’ve received so far come from the ladies in my Yahoo July DTC “July Fireflies” group. I’m also planning on swapping with 2 other Yahoo groups, so we shouldn’t have any problems collecting those 100 squares. We’re also hoping that our families (hint) contribute squares to Lainey’s quilt. And, no, I’m not making the quilt myself. Though my mother in law attempted to teach me to sew, I’ve only mastered crochet (which she also taught me…thanks, Ann!). I’m working on finding someone to quilt it for me (you know who you are!). I’ll continue to add pictures of upcoming quilt squares, so check back. Enjoy!

Referrals for this month started coming in yesterday and the good news is that the CCAA got through 18 days worth of LID dates! We were hoping for a full months worth, but 18 days is an improvement! To get more information, click on the link to the “Salsa in China” site in my Friends Adoption Sites links. They’ve kept referral statistics for quite some time and you can see the history of it all. She also keeps a list of all the new referrals and their web sites…I love seeing all those new babies!

Average wait time for these referrals was 14 months. I’m hoping that the wait time goes back down to 12 months. Time will tell.

I was looking through old pictures today and thought I’d post one of the kids when they were little. This was November, 2003, so Abbey (last on the right) would have been 7 and Payton, Marley, and Ethan would have been 5. They look so young! I can’t wait to go through the “little years” with Lainey!

Today marks 6 months since our adoption application was approved by our agency, Chinese Children Adoption International! We got the call on March 13th. It’s hard to believe it’s been 6 months; but at the same time I feel like I’ve been “doing” this adoption thing for ages! Yesterday was our 6 week mark for our LID. I’m anxious to see how the September referrals go…will they only get to a few days or weeks? Each referral batch gives us a little more insight into what our wait time will be.

Every year, Randy’s dad and step mom put on “Cousin’s Day” at their home. They welcome all 16 grandchildren to their home for devotions, games, crafts, and unlimited kid-food! My kids love it and look so forward to seeing their cousins each year. They range in age from 16 years down to 1 year old! Lainey has no idea what’s coming her way!!

Our our last trip home to NC last weekend, I was able to meet Holly from my Yahoo July DTC group! When she joined the group, she mentioned she lived in NC. After a few emails back and forth, we discovered that she lives in the neighborhood across the street from parents! So, my family of 6 descended on her doorstep for a quick visit. Holly and her husband Joel are so nice and you should see their nursery!! As my husband mentioned upon seeing it, what a difference between what Kassidy will come from and where she will live with her forever family. We exchanged our quilt squares, I gave her a pair of beaded socks I made, and she gave me the kid’s adoption book “Shaoey and Dot”! Thanks, Holly!

At the end of August, myself and my 3 youngest children did something really cool….we were baptized at the beach! Our church holds a beach baptism once a year and it is the coolest thing. The kids asked Jesus into their hearts when they were 4 1/2 (Marley) and 6 1/2 (Payton and Ethan). I was baptized as a preteen, but it didn’t mean what it should have back then. I was so excited to be able to experience baptism as a true believer. Aren’t these pictures great? (By the way, the guy with the hat is my husband/their daddy!)