LID Anniversary and Referrals Came Yesterday

Today is my 30 month LID'iversary. 2-1/2 years and I'm still who knows how long away from referral. What can I do but wait...

And yesterday referrals came for LID's through March 14, 2006. Still a lot of LID's left in March though. I do think it will get a little faster once March is through, but I've been wrong before.

We're heading out for a Memorial Day camping trip later this afternoon. We're going to Shades of Sherwood where we've been before on Memorial Day weekend. We're all very excited.

29th LID-iversary

So it's been 29 months and there's no end in sight. I've decided to not think about it as much and just go on and enjoy life and my kids. Amanda's name still comes up every now and then. I'm still waiting, just not obsessed anymore. I'll have to renew my I-600a again in October. Oh well, not many other choices and no reason not to keep waiting...

Family Day!!

Wow, 9 years ago today I walked into the Civil Affairs office in Chongqing and met my daughter for the first time. What a peanut! She was so curious. And I fell in love for the first time. She was mine, the baby meant to be mine and I knew it as soon as I held her in my arms.

After getting to know her for a little bit, we took a family picture and then went upstairs and filed the adoption paperwork. It almost seems like yesterday, but my baby is no longer a baby. She'll be 10 in July. Time really does fly and they grown up so fast.

UGH!

Things are crawling at a snail's pace!

And I feel like we're all running up against a brick wall!

Referrals are arriving for LID's of March 3rd through March 6th, 2006. So for the second month in a row, my large China-only agency has been skipped for referrals. Unbelievable!

I completely missed my 27th LID-iversary month. We've been extremely busy.

YOU MIGHT BE ADOPTING FROM CHINA IF......

you know that I-600 & I-171 aren't highways....
you've been expecting a baby for over 3 years....
you understand that it's 2006 in some parts of the world....
you've "paid for" 3 citizenships, but never brought anyone into the U.S....
you know that waiting for China has nothing to do with Dillards or dishes...
your homestudy is followed by a number (i.e. #3 or #4)...
you never know how many days next month will have...
you know that babies come in batches...
you've been fingerprinted four times, but never committed a crime...
you automatically assume everyone who is expecting is having a girl...
you own new clothing in 3 little sizes for all 4 seasons (because you don't know when or how big)...
you look twice when you see a lady bug...
you're more interested in what will happen in March 2006 than in March 2009...
you know people who understand when you talk about 2 day months & 5 day months...
your due date hasn't changed by days, but by years...
you know who the Rumor Queen is ... AND ... you don't know who she is...
you know that forecast doesn't have anything to do with the weather...
you've waited so long, they re-checked your fingerprints to see if they changed...
trying to understand why they're printing you again, you study your own fingerprints and wonder if fingerprints grow wrinkles...
when you speak of "that time of month" you're talking about CCAA updates & referrals...
And finally...
You might be adopting from China if you love someone you've never met with all your heart.

Planning

Do you ever get in one of those moods when you want to plan something? I think I'm there today. All the things I've been thinking about today:

1. Summer Camps/Daycare for my girls. I have a booklet from one YMCA, but the one closest to where I work doesn't have it available on the web yet. The Summer Spark for my city's community ed won't be out until the end of March. I'm sure we won't know anything about Dance Camp until around March.

2. February Cabin Fever event with my SMC (Single Mother's By Choice) group. We know the when and where, but I think we'll need one person to make a reservation so we can all try to get rooms near each other. I think I have a discount or waterpark passes at home, but I want to be sure.

3. Summer vacation to the Black Hills. Lodging is set, so there's not much to do until closer to the event - the second week of July.

4. When might I ever get a referral. The referral calculator says:
Our prediction for LID 2006-11-22
China has 265 days of dossiers to be processed before they get to your dossier. China currently processes about 5.6 days of dossiers each month.

Our best guess: 2012-11-21
I can't even imagine another 3+ years.

So I guess there's nothing to plan at this point other than the next few days activities.

Yearly Horoscope for Pig (in the Year of the Ox)

My Yearly Horoscope per http://chinese.astrology.com

Pig Ratings

53% (2 favorable 9 neutral and 1 unfavorable month)
The Pig has many opportunities to shine this year. Your generous nature is apparent in all aspects of your life. It is an admired quality that people respect. This year, your inherent generosity plays a large role in areas that you may not even be aware and may pave the way to a possible career change. You have an abundance of friends and you are well loved by your family. this year will only enhance these relations. One area that may create some issues is that you seem to overextend yourself to a point where there isn't any time left for you. This could lead to a change in priorities and could promote some better organizational skills.
Pig Career

The Pig may feel complacency in your current job position. This could be a year that you may need a change towards something that is more suitable for your needs. You may gravitate towards something that is more of a position that provides service to others, perhaps a non-profit organization or a customer service based position. Your busy schedule will also play a part in your work. You may be forced to choose between certain activities, as there are only seven, not eight days in a week. Whatever the course may be for your career, you will fit in well with your endearing personality.

Pig Relationships

Personally, 2009 will be a year that the Pig will enjoy much happiness. Both your social and domestic life will be endearing to you, providing you with encouragement and advice. Your family and friends will be the source of many memorable occasions this year. For the unattached Pig, there will be some romantic opportunities. Be careful who you let into your circle, as you tend to give others too much credit. July is a particularly favorable month for all Pigs.

Pig Health

The Pig would do well to watch your health this year. There may be an unforeseen incident that arises sometime during the year, most likely in late April or early May. This may cause you to look at your habits relating to your health. One area in particular is your diet. This year could provide a change in your eating habits, which could help other areas of your health.

Pig Wealth

There may be times this year when you are uncertain about your financial future, but there are things in your life that take precedence over money. You will be taken care of, but there may be times of financial uncertainty. A change will come in the second half of the year that will provide greater financial comfort and allow you to live at a means that is more accustomed to your liking. Be patient, as the change will come.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!!

Happy Chinese New Year!! The year of the Ox.

Another LID and 2 Whole Days :(

Yesterday was the 26th anniversary of my LID. I forgot again. Sad.

And yesterday referrals arrived for some. For those who received referrals, I know if was one of the happiest days of their lives. But CCAA appears to only have sent referrals for 2 days worth of LID's: March 1st - 2nd, 2006. March looks to be a HUGE month. I figured it would take at least 7 months to refer March, but again, my agency didn't receive any. Let's hope this was just an attempt to get some referrals out before the long Chinese New Year holiday. Maybe next month will be better. We can always hope, right?!

Just So Busy!

Sorry I haven't kept up with my posts. I'm now on my 48 hour work week schedule. I run around alot because I'm still trying to get by with no daycare. The girls are in a big Chinese New Year show on the 24th, so they have rehearsals Wednesday, Friday and then Saturday before the show. Jessica has Girl Scouts once a month on Mondays. Anna has Brownies every other week and we missed last night. They both have dance on Saturdays, but Jessica also has dance on Friday nights. Jessica has trumpet lessons Tuesday afternoons, and I have band practice Tuesday evenings. The girls both have religion class on Wednesday nights, but Anna has also had to be at church the last 2 Saturday mornings. And Anna still wants to do gymnastics, but I just can't see coming up with the time and money for that. I told her maybe this summer.

I got a new camera for my birthday, but I'm still trying to figure out how to work it, and I still need to get the program on my computer. I'll have to have Jessica teach me how to work the camera as she seems to have figured most of it out. Once I get it straight, I hope to be able to post a lot more pictures.