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.

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.

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!

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.

There I was, minding my own business, pulling weeds in the backyard. Not exactly my favorite thing to do! I felt something around my head and swatted, assuming it was a menacing insect. Something landed on my shirt, I looked down and it was a beautiful ladybug! I held him a minute, as he struggled to find freedom and fly away. He was so red (duh) and covered with lots of black spots. Could this be a special day in Lainey’s life…maybe she’s been born?

If you’re reading this and thinking “what in the world is she talking about?”, let me explain. For some reason, ladybugs have become somewhat of a good luck charm in the China adoption world. Years ago, right after a big ladybug season (I remember when there were tons in our bonus room in NC years back!), referrals for babies in China sped up dramatically. So, people have come to believe (or like to pretend they believe) that ladybugs are a sign of good luck, or something good happening in regards to the adoption.

Okay, so I don’t believe all that. I know ladybugs have nothing to do with how my adoption is going! But, hey, it’s fun and there’s no harm in having a little red spotted bug bring a smile to your face. It made me think of the precious gift that our family will eventually receive! Anything that brightens up this wait time…I’m all for!