handsful

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!)

Now that we’re all in the waiting game for our daughters, the gals in my Yahoo July DTC group (which means, all of our adoption paperwork arrived in China in July ’06) held a Cyber Baby Shower. We all exchanged names and sent presents! Here is mine, from Shandra! Lainey will look awfully cute in that birthday tiara!

I’ll be posting more present pictures too, because we’re also doing a Secret Pal swap for the next year in my July DTC group (gals across any and all agencies) and my June/July CCAI group (only gals from our adoption agency). Shopping is a fun way to pass the time.

My online friend, Jessica, has “tagged” me! This is sort of a cyber game of “You’re It”. The “wait” refers to the time between our Logged In Date (LID) and the date in the (far off? near??) future that we’ll be matched with our child. Here goes, and in no certain order of importance…

1. Take a few fun trips with my family.

2. Work on Lainey’s afghan and beaded socks.

3. Read as many adoption related books as possible!

4. Start a Journal and scrapbook for Lainey.

5. Work on decorating her room (painting, etc.)

6. Finish house projects (landscape backyard, paint inside, kitchen counters??)

7. Enjoy the many Secret pal swaps, Cyber baby showers, etc. with my adoption Yahoo email groups.

8. Find some sweet soul to make Lainey’s 100 Good Wishes Quilt.

9. Meet with other prospective adoptive parents here in Jacksonville.

10. Constantly remind myself that God has this whole wait in His hands; and that our Lainey will be a reality one day.