Day 51...

We're still waiting for LOA. Just had to put it in black & white for myself.

Today is a happy day...

I'm filled with joy this morning. This is a big day for two of my favorite people!

The first is my little sister. Have I mentioned she is pregnant with her first baby? Yay!! Today is her first OB appt. I remember how excited and nervous I was when I went in for that 1st appt. with Lily. Carrie, you're going to do great! You will, of course, be an awesome mamma. And your doctors will take great care of you. I'm excited to hear all about it later today! I love you sis!

The other person I'm thrilled for is my dear, dear friend Jess. She is adopting 3 gorgeous kids from Ethiopia (see my blog list below and click on "Jess' 3 from E" for more info on her cool journey.) Anyway, today is the BIG court appointment day when her kids will officially become part of the Vega Forever Family. Woo hoo! I love you Jess and I am so thrilled for you. You are the kind of mom that inspires me!

Day 48....

It seems that the average LOA has been taking 90 days to arrive. Technically, we're over the half-way point. I keep praying we get our news much earlier than that, but we'll see. I have to keep popping in and making a note of how long we've waited so far, to remind myself of reality. It feels like much longer.

A wonderful surprise....

When Landry was younger, I finally hit upon my favorite baby carrier. (This was after trying several different carriers!) It's a Mei Tai-style carrier, and it's made by Robyn at BabyHawk. Robyn's fabrics are amazing and her workmanship is impeccable. I had one (chocolate straps -- Hawaiian fabric) that I loved and used for Landry. I gave it away to a friend who had just adopted from China. I figured I had plenty of time to order another one...not thinking we would get our referral for at least 2 years! Well, Miss Laney Kate Rao made her appearance blissfully early and I found myself looking at heading to China BabyHawk-less.

My sweet friend, Kristin, told me, "I want to buy you a new baby carrier!" She is such a dear friend. I was thrilled and I just received it recently. It's awesome! Pink straps & cool funky polka-dot fabric. You'll see it on me when we're in China. :) Anyway, for those of you who are looking for a Mei Tai carrier, check out Robyn's website. I can't endorse her products enough. Incredibly comfortable, versatile and always well-made!

My little Landry got her first haircut today!

Here is a picture of the sisters -- both with new trims! (The sun was shining so Landry was struggling to look at the camera).

And I couldn't leave Colby out. His hair is always the same -- short & neat, but here he is last week at our local children's zoo. :)

I smiled this morning...

when I logged in to check my email. I realized I've never moved the email from our agency (the one giving us the first information on Laney & her pictures) to a different file. It's still in my inbox. It makes me smile every time I see it. I can't believe we're so blessed!

I also wanted to mention that I've added some banners to my blog. Both for One and Red. These organizations work to eradicate suffering in the world...poverty & AIDS specifically. I have supported both for some time now and I urge you to read over their information and think about how you might help. Our planet is hurting and God has put us here, at this time, for a reason. Let's do the most with what we have.
Reach out and give in whatever way you can.
If not us, then who?
If not now, when?
Spread the word.
Seek social justice.
Work for peace.
Touch others with Love.

I belong...

to this wonderful email loop of other CCAI families who are waiting to go and pick up their children. I've learned so much from the btdt families, and so much support and understanding from those who are waiting for the first time...like me.

Yesterday I posted to the group and this is what I said, "This is the hardest wait I've ever
had! I've had three birth children, and pregnancy was NEVER this tough! I really feel like my brain is split in half. I can't think straight. I can't concentrate. I can't focus on anything. I'm totally excited, completely nervous, utterly happy, irrevocably smitten, all-together READY TO BE ON A PLANE!"

Yep sweet Laney, that pretty much sums up what your mama is going through. Love you though ~ and you're SO worth it!

I'm really struggling today...

the wait is so hard. Some days seem easier than others. Today is crazy-hard. The kind of tough that makes your heart ache. But then I stare at her face and I remember. It's 3 in the morning in China right now. My sweet baby daughter is sleeping...and I just want to be there to hold her and rock her and love on her.

I'm praying that we are able to really enjoy our family vacation we're taking in a couple of weeks. I need to calm down and focus on enjoying each day we have as a family...even though we aren't all together yet. Hopefully, when we return mid-July, we'll be coming home to more news about when we'll be traveling.

Day 40 of the LOA/TA wait...

and still no word on when we'll be traveling. This waiting game is so hard! I can't wait to book those tickets and board that plane.

Read this today....

I thought it was powerful.

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world.
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

I was at Target today...

and I bought things for both of my little daughters. Landry was the VERY proud recipient of her first pack of "big girl" panties. She now owns 7 pairs of pink Elmo panties and I've never seen anyone grinning so wide. :) I was really wanting to wait for potty training until after Laney comes home. I just don't want to go through all of that work and then have Landry regress...but she seems adamant that she doesn't want to wear diapers anymore...SO, we're embarking on the adventure.

The other thing I picked up was a Bumbo seat for Laney. I know she is sitting up some on her own, but the seat looks like the perfect thing to help her gain balance and strength. It's soft but sturdy and Landry is enjoying sitting in it in the meantime. Everybody needs a Bumbo.

Sent off a 2nd care package this morning...

This one wasn't quite as elaborate as the 1st, but I did tuck in a few containers of Gerber Puffs (Cherry, Strawberry-Banana and Sweet Potato) for my sweet baby girl (I wanted to tuck in a canned ham and some scrambled eggs, but I didn't. LOL!!) ...and some fancy candies for her nannies. The main thing I included was two more disposable cameras. I'm really hoping we'll get all 3 of them back when we go to get Laney. I'm anxious for every picture I can get of her.

Today lots of new referrals are flying in for families and it's so much fun to watch the referral photos going up on blogs! I'm just loving seeing these sweet children finding forever families...and watching families have their dreams come true!

33 days...

since we filed our LOI. While we're waiting for TA, I've been busy "working" on getting some things bought & packed for Miss Laney. I use the word working very loosely, since buying clothes for my girls is pure fun...no work. Here are just a couple of the outfits I've picked up for my sweet girl.