Preparations

We have had quite a week spreading the news and sharing photos with family and friends. Everyone is excited to meet the newest member of our family. We posted a package for Leila to the Chenzhou SWI containing a photo book of our family, a blanket, some stuffed toys, and a camera - with hopes her caretakers will take pictures of her, her friends and surroundings at the orphanage. We also sent four passports off to NY for visa stamps. The three of us will be traveling to China along with our niece Keryn, one of Olivia's godmothers.

Olivia is now understanding a little better that her sister will soon be home. She told me she is "very cited" and that the baby is hers, not mine. We are trying to enjoy these last weeks alone with her; life will soon change!




"Hello little sister
I love you!"

Referral Day

She has arrived in our hearts. We received a referral of a beautiful baby girl named Chen Yi Ren. We thought the day was going to pass without word, but at the eleventh hour the phone reang with the news. We were at Trader Joe's when Tommy's pager went off with his father's number and when he called Larry told him to call the agency right away. I couldn't get out of the store fast enough and almost got us killed on the way back to pick Olivia up at ballet to tell her the news. We are filled with joy!


Here we are on referral day (or in our case, day 2 of referral day) with our new extended family: Marilyn, Paul, PJ and [Christopher missing] Rhude. Our daughters are residents of the Chenzhou Social Welfare Institute and will be forever sisters.

Waiting....

Well, here we are waiting for a referral. I know this feeling all too well and it has its similarities and differences. Waiting is a bit easier this time, in a way - but also more difficult. We began this journey 19 months ago with paperwork, but officially have been waiting for 14 months since logged in at the CCAA office July 26, 2005. It has been a year full of one delay after another but we are finally nearing the end - referrals are expected soon. And after being slighted by 4 days last month, our heartbreak is mending with this months pending batch. All is quiet on line and no rumors flying about to speak of. We sit and wait once again...