Church lady

I went to church this morning. I haven't been for quite a while and I was a little nervous (maybe they changed the secret handshake or something) but it was a good experience.

I went to the cathedral downtown - my they do love their incense!

And wouldn't you know it, they had a baptism as part of Mass today. Very elaborate, with two annointings and the inclusion of the family and godparents in the the processional.

I liked it but it looked like it was a bit unnerving for the parents. Klutz that I am I'm afraid I'd fall or trip.

Nice start to a beautiful day.

m

4th time's a charm

I just sent my fourth I-600A form off to the U.S. department of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This gets me a renewed I-171H - required for the finalization of an international adoption.

The I-171H is only good for 18 months, fine for other countries' adoption processes. For China - eh, not so much!

Every once in a while someone opinions to me that international adoption is a financial windfall for the foreign country. I enjoy telling that person that 75% of the money (excluding the travel cost) stays in the U.S.

If the Federal government goes broke, don't blame me - I'm giving them money all the time!


m

Fours years gone - and I forgot to mark the date!

August 10, 2006 - August 10, 2010!

In my defense - I was gearing up for a minor surgery two days later. Two weeks passed and I'm all better and I can reflect on the anniversary.

It's hard to keep from playing the forecasting game - "if they keep referring X many days, it could be as soon as . . . " which gets me excited.

Every time I do they change things up and slow it down again. Last month they referred 10 days worth, this month, only 3 days. Argh.

On the upside, my nephew Adam has added a beautiful baby daughter to the family - so I have another little girl to shop for!

Congrats to Adam, Krystal, and their little girl Jayden!

m

CCAA progress

Referrals for families with dossiers registered May 10, 2006 or earlier.

65 possible LIDs in front of me.

Faster, please!

m

A few stats and a little bit of blues

August will mark the 4th anniversary of my LID.

There are 3+ months, or 75 days, of possible LIDs before mine still waiting for referral. The most recent referrals were for dossiers on or before: April 26, 2006.

I've completed my 3rd Homestudy: my 3rd I-171H will expire this fall.

I turn another year older in 2 days.

I went into the nursery today and for the first time, found cobwebs on the baby clothes in the closet.

Could everyone put in a good word with their personal higher power and get this thing moving!?

Get out there are light some candles.

Thanks,

m

I said I needed a hobby - not torture

Still haven't come up with a new hobby/ activity/ take-my-mind off-the-wait thing.

I did, however, come up with something to engage my mind.

Meditation? No. Training for a marathon? No way.

Torture myself by giving up my only real vice? Ding-ding-ding-ding!

I gave up soft drinks. Goodbye Coca Cola, my best-est friend.

Along with the soft drinks went fast food; I just can't roll through a McD's and order a burger, fries, and a water. It would ruin a perfectly good bad meal.

Withdrawal was sooooooo ugly.


m

The ladybug myth

Some people are really into this idea, me not so much.

Oddly enough, I bought a spring garden flag this year and picked one with ladybugs. It was the least cutesie, bunny-ie, cheesy one I could find.

Today it's in the 70s here so I'm cleaning the porch, picking up new pillows, etc. Generally enjoying spring.

What appears? Eight ladybugs clinging comfortably on the inside screens.

I do hope good luck is coming this way.


m