Friday, December 31, 2004
Goodbye 2004!
This is the last day of 2004. It's hard to believe we are almost halfway through the 2000's! It's hard to imagine that I will be 35 next month! And in about two months we should know who our daughter is, where she is, her age, weight, height, etc. I cannot wait for that day!
We purchased the baby crib, mattress and matching dresser last night. I don't know why, but in line to check out at Babies 'R Us I was shaking! I think it hit me that this is all very real and will happen soon. We brought home the mattress but I have to figure out how to transport the crib and dresser (yes Brett, we do need an F-150). Hopefully by next weekend it will all be put together. The room is turning out very nice (look for pictures here soon).
2004 was a good year because we decided to take this amazing journey. I pray that 2005 will be even better! Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve! I will see you all in 2005!
We purchased the baby crib, mattress and matching dresser last night. I don't know why, but in line to check out at Babies 'R Us I was shaking! I think it hit me that this is all very real and will happen soon. We brought home the mattress but I have to figure out how to transport the crib and dresser (yes Brett, we do need an F-150). Hopefully by next weekend it will all be put together. The room is turning out very nice (look for pictures here soon).
2004 was a good year because we decided to take this amazing journey. I pray that 2005 will be even better! Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve! I will see you all in 2005!
# posted by JDonnals : 9:45 AM
Monday, December 27, 2004
Merry Christmas
OK... so I'm a couple of days late. That has been the overall theme this holiday season. I had intentions of baking lots of cookies (they ended up being pan cookies!), sending out Christmas cards (Brett printed about 30 pictures of us to insert into the cards), and going to the Zoo to see the lights (we're members after all!). But life kind of got in the way. It's funny how that happens. Anyway, to all of our family and friends around the country...we wish you a very Merry Christmas from Memphis! We can't wait for you to meet our new daughter in the new year!
# posted by JDonnals : 11:39 AM
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Home for the Holidays
I just watched an excellent program on CBS called "Home for the Holidays." It was a celebration of adoption, and although it focused on children in the U.S. foster care system and not international adoption, I balled my eyes out! This was such a positive and uplifting show. It was sponsored by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption which is an organization I contacted to learn about adoption benefits.
While watching the show, I couldn't help but think of our little girl in China who will not be celebrating the holidays this year. I will think about her a lot over the coming weekend and pray that she is healthy, warm and happy until we can get her into our arms. I can't wait to celebrate the holidays with her next year. She may even be home in time to celebrate another popular holiday...Memorial Day!
While watching the show, I couldn't help but think of our little girl in China who will not be celebrating the holidays this year. I will think about her a lot over the coming weekend and pray that she is healthy, warm and happy until we can get her into our arms. I can't wait to celebrate the holidays with her next year. She may even be home in time to celebrate another popular holiday...Memorial Day!
# posted by JDonnals : 9:27 PM
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
The waiting game
This story just about sums it up. Just substitute our names for the names of the author and her husband (and ignore the part about their older children) and you may get a better sense of what Brett and I are going through. Enjoy!
# posted by JDonnals : 9:49 PM
Monday, December 20, 2004
Stop the presses!
Another family's adoption blog made the front page of their hometown newspaper. I won't hold my breath waiting for the CA to call us! Hope you enjoy their story.
# posted by JDonnals : 9:06 PM
Friday, December 17, 2004
An American girl...with a Chinese heritage
There is no doubt that Hallie will be an American girl. But we want her to know and understand the culture of her home country. Brett and I are learning all we can about the culture and history of the country. We've read many books. I bought her a Chinese doll and some other Chinese things. We hope to be able to actually take Hallie back to China someday. This is a nice story about a family that did just that--ten years after adopting a baby girl. The story explains the young girl's experience. Enjoy!
# posted by JDonnals : 10:39 PM
Monday, December 13, 2004
One step closer
Tonight we are one step closer to bringing home our baby! The CCAA has just sent out the referrals for families who had their dossiers registered in China in the month of June. Ours was logged in on September 6, 2004 (Labor Day). That means we are still on track to get a March referral. Of course, Chinese New Year in February will slow things down a bit.
Most of the babies I've read about this time around are 10-12 months at time of referral--so I am preparing myself for a baby around a year old. Brett and I requested 0-9 months, but I know that we will get the baby that is meant for us. As the ancient Chinese belief says, "An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break."
Most of the babies I've read about this time around are 10-12 months at time of referral--so I am preparing myself for a baby around a year old. Brett and I requested 0-9 months, but I know that we will get the baby that is meant for us. As the ancient Chinese belief says, "An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break."
# posted by JDonnals : 8:50 PM
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Our house at night with Christmas tree in the front window. Didn't Brett do a great job?
# posted by JDonnals : 9:58 PM
Holiday spirit
Until this weekend, it's been hard for me to get into the holiday spirit. I listened to carols, and did some shopping, but I really didn't feel in the mood. My mom asked me for a list of gifts I wanted--but I told her I didn't really want anything. Well, Brett and I both want one thing, but we will have to wait a few more months for her.
For a short while I considered not putting up our tree at all this year. Especially after being sick this past week (bronchitis). But we sucked it up, put up the tree, decked the halls, and lit up the house this weekend. I am so glad! Our house looks so nice! The tree includes two new ornaments for Hallie. Even though she won't be with us this year, she's with us in spirit. So this year I have a different type of holiday spirit... one that will keep me going these next few months.
For a short while I considered not putting up our tree at all this year. Especially after being sick this past week (bronchitis). But we sucked it up, put up the tree, decked the halls, and lit up the house this weekend. I am so glad! Our house looks so nice! The tree includes two new ornaments for Hallie. Even though she won't be with us this year, she's with us in spirit. So this year I have a different type of holiday spirit... one that will keep me going these next few months.
# posted by JDonnals : 9:34 PM
Sunday, December 05, 2004
A weekend of paint, parties, and preparing
We just finished (re) painting Hallie's room! The final color is "Coconut Scent." It's a very pale yellow and will match the Classic Pooh theme. I can't wait to get that room cleaned up so we can move all of the baby shower gifts off the kitchen table and into the room. We want to start decorating for the holidays, but I want everything put back together first.
Yesterday we went to the FCC Memphis Christmas Ornament Exchange. It was so fun to see all of the children playing together and opening their ornaments. FCC is really a great group. I'm glad they include waiting families in on their activities. It makes the experience seem that much more real. Next year we will be there celebrating with Hallie! Brett went to the Bluff City Brewers Christmas party later in the evening, but I stayed home sick!
I have come down with some kind of crud-coughing, sneezing, sore throat, ringing ears. I want to take it easy today because I don't want to have to use a sick day tomorrow. Shelby County employees who don't use a sick day or have an unexcused absence (vacations don't count) for three consecutive months, earn a bonus off-day! I need to save up all of those days that I can, as well as vacation and sick days, to use when we get Hallie.
Yesterday we went to the FCC Memphis Christmas Ornament Exchange. It was so fun to see all of the children playing together and opening their ornaments. FCC is really a great group. I'm glad they include waiting families in on their activities. It makes the experience seem that much more real. Next year we will be there celebrating with Hallie! Brett went to the Bluff City Brewers Christmas party later in the evening, but I stayed home sick!
I have come down with some kind of crud-coughing, sneezing, sore throat, ringing ears. I want to take it easy today because I don't want to have to use a sick day tomorrow. Shelby County employees who don't use a sick day or have an unexcused absence (vacations don't count) for three consecutive months, earn a bonus off-day! I need to save up all of those days that I can, as well as vacation and sick days, to use when we get Hallie.
# posted by JDonnals : 1:23 PM
