I'D LIKE YOU TO MEET MIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We got the call today ~ our LOA is here!

This is our China Princess ~ she is currently living in the Guiping SWI.

Her name is Jin Yudan (Yu means "Jade", and dan means "only") ~ her nannies call her Dan Dan. We will call her Mia Hope Yudan.


When I saw my agency come up on the caller Id I yelled to the boys (I had mine plus 3 others at this point) "this is it, this is the call I've been waiting for ~ everybody quiet!!".

I grabbed the phone and heard, "guess what I got in the mail today? She's all yours.....". I laughed, screamed, cried and jumped up and down like a complete lunatic!
When we hung up I ran into the playroom to tell Anthony. He hugged me and we jumped around and then Eddie grabbed onto us and we all just jumped in a big circle!!! (Anthony's friends could not figure out what was happening!)

What a wonderful day!

We should be traveling next month!!!

Sweet girl, mommy is coming for you. I am so very proud to finally show you to the world. My heart is bursting with joy!

~ BIG BROTHERS ~

Time keeps moving forward ~ although in a way it is standing still ~

I keep looking at my "ticker" on the top of my blog, each day the number goes up, but not enough for our LOA (letter of approval) to come!

I actually counted the number of days on the calendar yesterday, we are at day 39! I know, it sounds like A LOT of days; but in the land of LOA's it is NOT. Our agency said it could take 100 days or less. Of course, we'll take the "less"!!

Mia is going to be 18 months old on August 2nd . . . I wonder every night when I go to bed how her day will be. Is she out of her crib? Is she playing with another child? Is she touching the doll I sent?

But, I wish she knew that she already has a family. We are SO anxious to bring her home. Her brothers are so excited to meet her ~ I wish she knew how loved she is already~

Sleepover ~

"E" had his very first sleepover in "A's" room last night - on the trundle bed. The brothers watched some TV and listened to music. I heard giggles and whispers and could feel myself smile from ear to ear ~ they will remember these moments . . . and so will I.

*Of course, I am PAYING for the sleepover today. ("E" is usually in bed by 8:30pm and gets at least 10 hours of sleep each night - I did make an exception for the big sleepover though). Yes, I am in cranky-ville with Mr. Whiny-pants today!

Is it 8:30 pm yet???

FISHING ~

First time fisherman . . .











"A" is ready . . .










We've got one!










It got away?!










Climbing the rocks . . .












Mommy's fisherman . . .

Dear Mia,

We are so excited for you to come home. We are getting your room ready and adding some special touches. We all love you so much.

Love, Mommy, Daddy, "A", "E" and Penny.

I really wanted a PINK room, after having two boys....however, is there such a thing as too pink??? DH may "kill" me if I have him change it now... I'll keep you posted!

STATUE OF "LIVERY"

We took the boys to the city yesterday ~ "A" has been interested in the Statue of Liberty (or "Livery", as "E" would say). We took a nice little cruise around the harbor. Afterwards, we ate at Planet Hollywood; which the boys thought was "cool" and "fun". Getting around the city was crazy and hectic; but we enjoyed our day and were ready for bed when we returned home :)

*We decided to get our Visa for China while we were in the "area" ~ one step closer to our girl! Since the rates go up starting August 1st our agency sent out an email saying we could get this done now (since it's good for 6 mos.) - it's a good sign ~ Mia will be home BEFORE 6 months!!

"A" took this photo for Mia's scrapbook ~ it was about 95 degrees and we'd just walked about 5 Avenue's! It was hot and we were tired. Oh, and after this picture we had to walk back again to the subway ~ Mia is definetly worth it :)

THE moments

I just love when the camera is handy (or make a mad dash for it!) and I catch these very special, meaningful moments in my boys lives.

It makes me ache for Mia to join our family. I cannot wait to catch all The moments she will have with her brothers.

You are in my heart already, my precious girl; but I need you in my arms . . .

THE GIRLS ARE BACK IN TOWN!

It's that time of year again ~ the nieces have come to visit :)
We've been busy seeing movies, eating, shopping, eating, swimming, eating; and we have a trip planned to the water park this weekend.
I enjoy their visits SO much and each time they come it's more fun than the last ~ amazing!











The boys just adore their cousins too - there's always a lot of silliness going on. I cannot wait for Mia to meet them. The girls had me print out pictures of Mia for them to keep and show around - so sweet. It just warms my heart to see how much EVERYONE loves Mia already :)

CARE PACKAGE, A GOOD CRY & HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Anthony and I packed up some goodies to send Mia yesterday. As you can see, we had a photo shoot in the middle of the post office.

I enlarged her chinese name to put on the package, so there was no mistaken who this is for. I found chinese symbols for "We" and "LOVE" and "YOU" and put them all over the package. We also taped her picture to the inside of the box!

I didn't realize how emotional this was until we stepped up to the counter and I started talking to the post-woman ~ I lost it! Poor Anthony kept saying, "mommy, please stop crying", but the tears just rolled down my cheeks.
This package was actually going to MY Mia, MY daughter ~ it is as close to her as I can get at this time. I finally calmed down, but even as I write this I am tearing up!?

I hope everyone has a very happy and safe 4th of July!!

MIA is 17 months old today!

A Half a World Away
~Jill Marshall-Work

A half a world away,
Sometimes it seems we're so far apart.
But a half a world away,
Is not too far for a journey of the heart.
My little one, my precious joy,
I'm waiting for you.
My precious daughter, my little girl,
I know you're waiting too.

A half a world away,
A child waits for a family of her own.
While half a world away,
A family waits to come bring her home.
My little one, my precious joy,
I'm whispering a prayer.

My precious daugher, my little girl,
I hope to soon be there.

It is such a strange concept to know that you have a daughter a half a world away.
To wonder what she looks like, right now
To wonder what she is doing, right now
To wonder what it is like to hug her, right now . . .

Mia is another month older ~
We are so anxious to "come bring you home, our precious daughter, our little girl" . . .

KARA COMES TO VISIT

My wonderful friend, Kara came for a visit the other day. She moved to Chicago a few years ago, but she comes to NY about twice a year. We met when "A" was 9 months old and her son, Ryan was 6 months old in a Gymboree class. The rest is history!

She has 3 children: Ryan, Kacie and Connor ~ Anthony & Ryan had fun playing video games and in the pool.

Eddie had a ball with Kacie & Connor - it was a beautiful, sunny day!

I look forward to your next visit, Kara!