And Then The Rain Came

It's been a long while since we've posted. A lot has happened since. First of all, I'm no longer working. As timing would have it, our adoption agency contacted us and informed us that China declined our request to adopt. This news broke our hearts. We had been waiting and hoping for so long. We had originally applied for our second adoption in October 2005, but after 20 months (or 2 pregnancies long and then some), we were informed that our journey had ended. We are trying to remain positive, but just as anyone else, some days are harder than others. I think this time, the rain is going to last a while.

Water From The Moon

There's been a few people that have told us (sometimes jokingly) that we've taken the easy way out by choosing adoption. I've always remained silent but since this is my blog, I will kindly share how I really feel. I don't think they realize that it was a long 7 years from the time we tried to conceive to the time we finally, through the miracle of adoption, had our precious daughter in our arms. 5 years of wondering each month, if this would be the month. Fertility medication, needles, hormones, mood-swings, weight gain and other medication side effects, taking temperatures, timing everything, hoping every month, mourning every month, stress on a marriage, pain and tears when I saw a baby or pregnant woman, for not feeling like a woman and although looking back, it feels silly, I did wonder if my husband would love me less or continue to love me. You can probably call this many things...time consuming, expensive, educational, roller coaster ride, etc., but somehow "easy" just doesn't seem to be the word that I would choose to describe adoption.

Although I would like to use our blog site to share our 2nd adoption, I think it's important to educate others and let them know what the adoption process entails.

Genesis 1:28 "Further, God blessed them and God said to them: "Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth..."

A Little Voice

Out of the mouth of babes....

• As my beautiful daughter sat there listening while I read her a story, she started looking at me. As her mommy, it was a proud moment. A moment that touched my heart. A moment that can only be shared by a mother and daughter. A moment that would be etched into my memory forever. That was until she asked me if I was a boy or a girl and pointed to my moustache. Thank goodness I keep my legs covered through the winter, otherwise she'd be really confused. LOL!!

CCAA Site Update - February 2007

• The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with their office before March 22, 2006.
• The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with their office before October 13, 2005.

Fact: An elephant's gestation period lasts about 22 months, the longest gestation period of any mammal.

Fact: We'll likely have to wait 22 months from the time our dossier was logged in, to the time we get to see the first picture of our new daughter. Then it will be almost another 2 months after that before we actually meet her.

Hmmm. Now which mammal again has the longest gestation (paper-gestation) period?

Terrible Two's has nothing on the Terrible Three's

Ahhhh, the never ending stories....This photo was taken after Portia helped herself to one of our friend's lipsticks (without asking of course). Then after a fairly late night we were certain Portia was going to sleep-in the next morning but nope! She snuggled in between Alex and I, and agreed that she would sit quietly and watch TV while we slept a little bit longer. Silence is never a good thing. I opened up my eyes to find Little Miss P knuckle deep into her nose and wiping all her SNOTS on Daddy's back. Then there was tonight. She shoved a Cheerio into her nose, then realized it didn't quite fit, so she pulled it out and ate it. Why I ask?! Well, she's probably asking why not?!

Monthly Adoption Referral Information

It's been over 1 month since the last batch of referrals but finally we have an update directly from the CCAA (China Centre of Adoption Affairs). According to their website it states that:

• The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before January 31, 2006.


• The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before September 27, 2005.
  

You are probably wondering what this all means. Well, as of today, they have processed and completed the applications of those who have registered with the CCAA before and including September 27, 2005. In simpler terms, these families will be expecting a call from their agencies. This is one of the big moments we all wait for....The Referral Call. It's at this point that we learn our child's Chinese name, birthdate and the name and location of the orphanage. Usually within 1 week of this call, the new parents will receive an official proposal with pictures of their new child. Since I'm going down memory lane, I thought I would share the first pictures we received of our precious Portia.

The Legacy of an Adopted Child

(This poem has really touched my heart)

"The Legacy of an Adopted Child "

Once there were two women, who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other you call mother.

Two very different lives, shaped to make yours one.
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.

The first gave you life, the second taught you how to live it.
The first gave you need for love, the second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name.
One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you aim.

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.

One gave you up.... It was all she could do.
The other prayed for a child, And God led her straight to you.

And now you ask me, through your tears.
The age-old question, through the years.

Heredity or environment, which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling, neither, just two different kinds of love.

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