Summer Creativity

Have three silly girls hanging out today, and I needed to get them outside playing.  Got the playhouse cleaned out (thanks J-girl!) and set up a play town outside.

 Here's the salon...

Here's the flower shop...

This is the beach...

We even have a zoo...

And a rock garden...

I didn't get a picture of the grocery store, but it has a shopping cart and lot's of play food.  The hammock is also up as a sleeping area.

Now...if I could just get them to STAY out there.  I need a sheriff to guard the back door.

Isn't She Lovely?

We are over the moon Happy!

Yipppeeeeee!!!!!

We got THE CALL!

It's a girl!

(OK, we knew that part)

Birthdate 9/22/09

Her name is (removed until acceptance finalized).  I got skeered that Ch*na would see this personal info and not be happy.

Further info coming tomorrow after her file is translated, along with pictures!

Can't wait to see her sweet face!

Very Very Happy Mommy, Daddy and Big Sister!

A Better Day

Thank you for all the loving comments, here and on FB. I needed that, and it helped.

I'm definitely feeling more optimistic today. Yesterday, I coped several ways: I lost myself in reading, went to exercise class, snuggled with the dog (Alex the dog is here for a couple of days) and cat, looked at amazing storm clouds (they stayed away thankfully), ate an entire Hershey's bar, went to bed early, got 9 hours of sleep and counted many other blessings in my life.

So...what's another day or two waiting when I can do those things?!

And music to my ears from my hubby first thing this morning? "There's a rumor of one family reporting receiving "The Call" and another of an agency having received their referrals".

I've got my cellphone charged, made sure hubby's cell phone is charged, paper and pen ready, vocal cords warmed up (for happy yelling), leg muscles warmed up (for happy jumping), an attitude of nothing is gonna get in my way today, and I'm ready for some GOOD news!!

This rollercoaster ride is about to make it's last round! And I'm in the front seat and not giving it up!

Nothing yet

It sounds like Ch*na is done matching us with a child, but no word yet on when they are being mailed. Maybe Thursday or Friday we will get "the call".

Until last month, referral calls were being made the first week of each month. We are now at mid-month. Just another way to stomp down our joyous hearts.

I'm done with this wait. It has won. It has worn me down, made me cynical, taken the wind out of my sails. I'm supposed to be happy and excited. But it's feeling like some bizarre test of faith and patience, and it's screwing with my mind and heart.

We get your message. Ever since you changed the rules. Even though our paperwork was accepted before you changed the rules. You gave us your commitment to help fulfill our dreams, and we've done everything asked of us. I don't think you realize our hearts break over and over with each delay.

And still. The wait just does. not. end.

We will get there somehow!

We should be getting a very special phone call any day in the next 2 weeks, telling us we've been matched with our 2nd daughter and seeing her face for the very first time. In over 4 years of waiting, we've had plenty of time to consider our transportation options...

The Swiper Sweeper is extremely fast, but whiplash is a concern.

We tried the cow, but it MOOOOOOves too slow. It does have excellent methane gas mileage though.

We thought the for-sale sign said "Runs well on gas"... not "grass".

We tried clicking our heals together and repeating "There's no place like China, there's no place like China" but that didn't work. Toto is a great traveller and Rose a great pedaler, but it's not the best option.

The carousel horse was a GREAT idea, until we all got dizzy from going in circles. The music got annoying after a while too.

Receiving many votes for most creative mode of transportation to China, Auntie M and Rose demonstrated their method of Flamingo riding.

I think we will stick with taking an airplane, hopefully traveling sometime in September.

Now. If that phone call would only come...