LET THE TRICK-OR-TREATING BEGIN...

"HAPPY HALLOWEEN"!, from, Penny-Riding Hood!

*We are thinking of Madison (my dear niece) today...for her operation to go quickly and smoothly. We love you Maddy and you are in our prayers!

PUMPKIN CARVING!

Create Your Own!

"MOM'S NIGHT" - OUR FIRST MEETING WITH THE FCC-LI

Future mom's to Mia, "Paige", and Meaghan!

Families with Children from China has a L.I. division and we went to our first meeting together. There were a TON of mom's, some waiting for their babies and some who just came home from China. It was very intereting to hear different views, opinions and experiences. We all had a potluck dinner and dessert (yummy) and then introduced ourselves and discussed a few topics. Two women started their own business, which should be up and running soon (afamiliesheart.com). They make China-related quilts, fleece blankets, red thread braclets, aprons from mommy and child, etc. ~ I look forward to checking out their website!

What a fun night spent with others who have so much in common; and who really understand the waiting, wondering and excitment that goes along with adopting from China.

However, what really touches me is how 3 baby girls from China, whom we don't even know yet, formed 3 bonds that their mommies will forever be greatful for...thanks girls!

HAPPY 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

Wow, it's been 10 years since we were married on a very stormy day (actually it was a noreaster, however you spell it!). It was a exactly a year ago that I brought up the idea of adopting a baby girl from China ~ hubby was shocked (to say the least!) and it took "some" convincing, but once he understood where I was coming from...well, the rest is history!

This is for my wonderful husband, thanks for believing in me and Happy Anniversary!

MY PRINCE WILL COME

Every girl waits for her prince to come,

mommy says she is one of the lucky ones.

Daddy, you don't even know me yet,

I know it sounds funny, but we haven't even met.

You will be my dad and I will be your girl,

you will come for me from around the world!

You see, mommy prays every night for me,

she is anxious for me to join the family.

Mommy tells me you are the very best,

and that my brothers and I are so blessed.

I will wait for my prince to come,

I would like to be one of the lucky ones!

In time I know you will come for me,

my prince will come, his name is DADDY!

~by Mia's Mommy!

PLEASE GIVE ME A LOG IN DATE...SOON ~

"Dossiers waiting to be logged in" ~ do you see mine??

"Wall of dossiers" ~ is mine here??

My agency recently sent out an email explaining why it takes so long for a log in date. My dossier was sent to our office in Beijing, which is down the road from the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs). They actually walk the dossiers to the CCAA to ensure it's safe arrival, which I really appreciate! The CCAA will register the dossiers within 30 days...they are basically put in a pile (mine is probably on the bottom of that pile) and they go through the dossiers in order and register each one. It can take up to 8 weeks for the CCAA to send my agency the LID...let's see, my "ticker" on the top of the blog says it's been a little over a month ~ I promise I won't whine for the next 3 weeks about this-

*CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW WHINNY THIS BLOG WILL BECOME ONCE I GET MY LID AND I'M WAITING FOR OUR REFERRAL!? You may want to stop reading China Princess...I hope not, we are enjoying your company during this wait :)

THE DAYS GO BY...STILL NO "LID"!

The "Ed's" enjoyed the Giants game on Sunday...

Anthony started the school "spirit-week" with "pajama day"~ the kids were so excited to actually wear their pajamas to school! Today was "time travel" ~ he brought in some old baseball cards and a Joe DiMaggio book! We'll see what tomorrow brings, as it is "western Wednesday"!

And STILL no LID ! I knew it would take a while, and I am prepared for it to be an October Log In Date and not September (that dream is over!), but I would still like a date. Then when I get that - I will want the next on my list ~ The Referral and we all know that's going to be a l-o-n-g wait!!

I do plan on doing A LOT of reading during my wait. I have already begun! I just finished reading "Daughter from afar".

It was so very interesting that I read it in a day and a half! The mother was very honest and spoke of her daughters' lack of sleep and constant waking at night after they got her home. The poor baby had gone through so much during her first few months that it was all coming out at night and keeping the poor thing and her parents up most of the night!!!

For those of you who know me...well that's the scariest part of all!!! (You know I'm referring to the not sleeping part of this story!!). I'M UP FOR IT THOUGH ~ CAN'T WAIT FOR MY GIRL! (It would be nice if she was a good sleeper like her brothers...I can dream, can't I?)

PUMPKINS, GORDS & MUMS, "OH MY!"

THE DAUGHTER'S OF CHINA, Tim Chauvin

There's an unseen tie that binds them,
A red thread that will not break.
They are woven in a tapestry
It took five thousand years to make.

Their eyes are wide with wonder
Tiny hands reach out to touch
The faces of the families
Who have wanted them so much.

The daughters of China, they fly across the seas,
Off to unseen places and possibilities.
They are gifts to those who cherish them
By those who just could not.
Acts of hope and faith and love
That we never will forget.

They were given up for reasons
That most will never know.
Now they're daughters to the families
Who have come to take them home.

And someday they'll too be mothers
And have children and a home.
Thread by thread they will tie the knots
To weave new tapestries all their own.

The daughters of China, they fly across the seas,
Off to unseen places and possibilities.
They are gifts to those who cherish them
By those who just could not.
Acts of hope and faith and love
That we never will forget.

*Mia is so blessed...she will have two "China sisters" living in her neighborhood! I am also so blessed to have their mommies to share this special time with. We are just getting to know each other, but we share so much already!
So glad to have you guys to share this amazing journey with "M" and "L" (thought you would appreciate this poem too!)

CHINA 101 ~ Learning about our daughter's birth country!

CHINESE MOON FESTIVAL

The Chinese Moon Festival (or the Mid-Autumn Festival) is on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month; which falls on October 6th this year. Chinese culture is deeply imbedded in traditional festivals. Just like Christmas and Thanksgiving in the West, the Moon Festival is one of the most important traditional events for the Chinese. The Moon Festival is full of legendary stories.

For example, legend says that Chang Er flew to the moon, where she has lived ever since. You might see her dancing on the moon during the Moon Festival. The Moon Festival is also an occasion for family reunions. When the full moon rises, families get together to watch the full moon, eat moon cakes, and sing moon poems. The moon cake, which is pictured above, is the food for the Moon Festival. The Chinese eat the moon cake at night with the full moon in the sky.

*During our looooooong wait, I will try to learn as much as possible about Mia's birth country. Come along for the ride...