A Surprise

Today my son went to a birthday party at a friend's home. The friend's mother adopted a beautiful little girl from Guatemala last year and works for Journeytome. She is a wonderful artist and designs many adoption pieces for their website. (Wallenvy.com)

Anyway, today she sent me a lovely card with the story of the starfish on it and a necklace with a picture of Quinn in it. It was such a suprise. I cried when I saw it. I will wear it until it rots off my neck!

Also this evening I sent our first care package to Quinn. It contained a doll, letter, pajamas, blanket and candies for her nannies. I hope she gets it soon! Here is a picture of what I sent her:

I hope she likes it!!

INTRODUCING....ELIZABETH QUINN YU ASBELL

She's here!!
Name: (Qian Yu) Elizabeth Quinn Yu Asbell
Date of Birth: May 6, 2007
Finding Spot: Yongsheng Auto Repair Factory
Favorite Toy: Her red toy that makes a lot of noise.
Favorite Activity: Following around the adults in the orphanage playground.
Description from caregivers: At the age of 1-3 months she slept in most of the time, would cry noisily and kick with both feet with strength when being hungry, was quiet in the other times. At the age of 4-5 months she tried to roll over but can not succeed. When the adult talking to her she would smile at the person. She had grasping actions with both hands. At the age of 6-7 months she was restless, can roll over from back to stomach easily, liked adults staying with her to play. When called she would smile at you with wide open mouth. At the age of 8-9 months she can sit with support, roll over easily, tried to grasp the feeding bottle when having milk, but can not hold it. At the age of 10-11 months she can sit with support for a long time, had rich facial expressions. Seeing familiar people she would show smile on her face at once. Now she can sit alone, hold toys to play with both hands, laugh aloud when teased.
3 Personalities and interests
Qian Yu is active, restless, has a ready smile. Normally she likes to listen to music as well as adults holding her to play together.
4 Medical History
Qian Yu is has not got serious illness since her admission, has only occasionally suffered common diseases of children like cold and minor indigestion. But she recovered soon after careful medical treatment by our medical staff. Qian Yu is a child sponsored by ¡®Tomorrow Plan¡¯ to have operations. She had bilateral cleft lip repair operation successfully in the operation room of Donghua Hospital in this city on Dec.19 2007 with good postoperative incision healing. The child has no history of drug allergy.
I WANT TO GET HER RIGHT NOW!!!! IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!

All Is Quiet.....

It's been a week since we sent our LOI. It can take up to 10 weeks for pre-approval but lately they have only been taking one to two weeks. I'm nervous. I emailed our agency yesterday and she said not to worry; they've never had a PA denied. What if we're the first? I'm scared.

I can't wait to post our China Baby's beautiful picture!! She's beautiful. Keep us all in your prayers, and keep our little one in your prayers too.

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west." - Isaiah 43:5

We Sent Our LOI

Okay, so I know I shouldn't say anything yet, but we sent our LOI (Letter of Intent) today to our adoption agency. She is a very cute little girl with a repaired cleft lip and unrepaired cleft palette. She is beautiful and I hope we get our acceptance letter soon. Until then, I'm keeping my fingers crossed, saying my prayers and hopefully soon we will have another addition to our family of five. Woo Hoo!!

Review Room?

Well, the latest gossip says that February 07' LIDDERS might be in the review room! That means that China might actually be looking at our dossier! Even though we are about 100 year out until we see our China Baby, at least a human being is looking at it!!
I'm really looking forward to summer and bonding time with my family. I've been so overwhelmed with the adoption process and lack of a process quite frankly, that I feel that mentally I haven't been there for my own family. I've decided that I'm not going to let this adoption consume my life any longer. TIME TO GET IT TOGETHER AND LET WHATEVER HAPPENS HAPPEN!! And it will....I know it.

2006 Referrals......Woo Hoo!

Okay, so this isn't really a woo hoo moment, but I have a really good feeling about this year. Call me optimistic, crazy; whatever, but I feel that we will find Elizabeth this year. We're currently on a Waiting Child list through our adoption agency, so I think she might be there. We're just leaving things in God's hands for now. Waiting is hard; even harder if you are the future sibling of an adoptee. The little just don't understand why we just can't go over a get her now....It makes sense, doesn't it?

On a brighter note, spring is in the air and with that, our annual trek to Gulf Shores, Alabama with family and friends. Looking forward to hanging out by our pool watching the kids swim and build enormous sand castles on the beach. Here is our view from our pool....Life is good.

Merry Christmas

New referrals came last week with the cut-off being December 14th, 2005. Jeez, I'm hoping the new year speeds things up for our Elizabeth. It' almost been a year now since we logged in to China. Will we ever see her? I keep the faith that she's just not ready for us yet. I think about her every day.

Here's hoping you all have blessed and joyous new year!