When It's Hard to Wait...

The domestic duo, Luke cooking and Sam cleaning

Boys camping in the back yard

...I have to be careful not to lose sight of the immense riches we already have right here at home. Here are a few pictures of our darling boys. How fortunate we are!

More Referrals = More Emotions

Our program received 4 girl referrals this month! That means we move up 4 more places on the list! We think we are now number 5 or 6 although we can't be entirely sure. People who have adopted internationally know all about the feelings that accompany this process, but for those who have not let me tell you, it is quite the emotional roller coaster. I am filled with excitement and relief when new referrals arrive but a little disappointed that there are not MORE. And yet, it's odd to have those feelings too knowing that every referral means there is another baby born into the world who is unable to remain with their birth family and culture. What a profound loss for these innocents and their families. I think about our baby and her mother, who is surely very pregnant by now, or perhaps has even given birth. It makes me feel very sad. And still I can't wait to meet our daughter. More than anything, I sincerely hope I have the opportunity to meet with and talk to our daughter's birth mother, as often happens in adoptions from Taiwan. I already have a list of questions to ask her on behalf of our daughter (hers and mine) but mostly I want to try to impart as best I can despite cultural and language barriers that we are a loving family who want to give this child the best life possible. I want her to be able to look into my eyes and know that this child will be cherished and well cared for. I hope I have that chance.

I-171H - What's That You Ask? Well Let Me Tell You!

I've taken some heat lately for not posting. I'm a believer in trying not to bore people with posts unless I REALLY have something to say and now...I finally do! [this is for you Shannon B. = ) ]Today we received our I-171H in the mail which is another step in the right direction. This is the document you receive from the INS which states the U.S. government has reviewed all previous documentation including your homestudy and fingerprints and decided you are eligible to adopt a foreign born orphan. So, we are A-OK with the USA. Hurrah!

Following is a little adoption humor regarding the I-171H which I stole from another site, but I don't think they'll mind (thanks Joe and Jane) Enjoy!

Honey, sit down. I have some news for you. What is it? Well, I don't know how to say this, so I'll just come out with it. I went out to the mailbox today and ... well, we got an I-171H. A what?!? An I-171H? As in, we're going to have another baby?!?It looks that way. But how? We've been so careful! I put away all the blank I-600A forms. Didn't you hide our homestudy update?Of course I did. But don't forget, there was that one night...What night? (pauses) Ohhh, that night. But it was only once. We were just messing around. I didn't print clearly. I didn't even use ink! (pauses again) But it was kind of fun.(giggles)It was, wasn't it? I'll never forget how cute you looked getting your fingerprints.So now we've got our I-171H, eh? But that doesn't always mean you'll adopt, does it? I mean, shouldn't you see the agency or something, make sure everything's okay?bI already did, and?I'm five documents along! Five documents! And they're all notarized, certified and authenticated okay?Just great! There was one small scare when the agency couldn't see the Notary's middle initial, but it showed up just fine under the magnifying glass. Thank God. And you honey? Are you feeling okay? I'm feeling fine. As long as I know you're happy about this. Happy? I'm thrilled! It's always a shock at first when something like this happens, but of course I'm happy.~Anonymous