And The Fortune Cookie Says....

Once a week we venture over to Royal Dynasty in Wilmington for some luncheon plates. This week, I was very surprised to read my and Olivia's fortune.

While waiting for my INS renewal to come through, my fortune read:

"Your present plans are going to succeed"

And, Olivia's read:

"Happy events will take place shortly in your home"

Hmmm, so you have to wonder, is there some one out there tugging on My Invisible Thread?

Oh, What is an invisible thread?

Chinese Folklore has been adapted for adoptive families and the saying is:

An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.

This is also the reason I keep a red thread bracelet close to me. To remind me that there is a little girl tugging on the other end and to remind me to be patient during this long wait. All things come to those who wait and if you believe in destiny, destiny will happen.

Do you believe in destiny? Take a minute and look back on your life, think about all the decisions you made whether wrong or right at the time, and you probably wouldn't change a thing now. I know some of you out there perhaps weren't quite ready to have a family. Or, you were devastated when your boyfriend broke up with you. Or, you took a chance and tried something that you wouldn't normally do, like start a business or quit your job!

Whether your aware of it or not, your invisible red thread connects you to the people you have met (and who have made you who you are today), the people currently in your life (the love and support of your family and friends) and the people yet to have met you. Maybe there is someone out there that your connected to and you haven't met them yet. Perhaps it isn't your life that will change, but the guidance you give to someone else, will help change their destiny for the better.

So the morale of this story is two fold.

1. Be aware of your invisible thread as you go forward through life.

and,

2. Go eat some Chinese Food and see what your fortune says!!

INS Renewal APPROVED!!

Anyone who has talked to me lately, knows that I have been down in the dumps waiting to hear from the Department of Homeland Security on my refile.

Being a total pessimistic, I even had Olivia all prepared for not being approved and getting the big red stamp "REJECTED" on the envelope.

But, shit can't roll down hill forever for us.... therefore I am pleased to announce that today I received my APPROVAL notice, stating that I am still approved to continue the adoption. (YEAH, YEAH!!!)

Now, I am glued to the Rumor Queen site, watching any inclination of referrals on their way. The latest rumors are that referrals will be here next week. Now, let's not count our chickens too fast. I don't believe my referral will be in this batch. But, I do believe I will be in the next batch. So, that just put us 4-5 weeks away from getting Lexi's picture.

Time to start getting ready... now if I can just remember where I planted that money tree, I would be all set.

Referrals Through Sept 27 LID

The CCAA has posted that they have finished placement of children for those families whose dossiers were logged in prior to September 27, 2005. Again, just to remind everyone my log in date is October 21, 2005. So we are getting closer. I expect Lexi's picture not to be in the next batch end of Jan/first week of Feb, but to be in the following, end of Feb/first week of March. Which is really just 50+ days away! Then estimated travel would be 6-8 weeks after that, so I guess some time in April.

If the moons and stars align quicker and somehow my paperwork gets put back in the right place, perhaps I would see her picture next time. But, I doubt it at this point. I probably should have been in this batch that just got issued.

Still waiting to hear from my agency if they received any referrals this time. I thought they mentioned they had 1 family in September and 2 in October.

Twas The Morning of Christmas...

Twas the morning of Christmas and all through the house, just me and my pets were stirring, we were quiet as a mouse.

The stockings were filled to their rims with presents and hopes that they would be opened for everyone to cherish.

With Nana at work and Papa and Auntie still in bed. Olivia fast asleep, I knew the dogs had to be fed.

I couldn't wait another minute as 6:30 came around. I creeped up the stairs to tell Olivia without making a sound.

"Mommy" she said, "Is it true, is it true. Did Santa really come for me and you?"

I said with a big fat grin on my face, check under your pillow and see if it's the case.

From Santa she found a small letter. A one dollar bill she shouted, nothing could be better.

I said you won't believe what is downstairs. Many gifts for you and for the rest of us it appears!

I rushed down the stairs to get hold of my camera, when Olivia slowly slid down the stairs to see what was the matter.

So surpised was my princess, with thoughts of it all. All these gifts are for me and maybe my doll.

We woke Papa and Auntie up from their naps and told them to come and see perhaps.

We watched Olivia open presents for the next hour or two. It was just as she wanted and didn't forget to say thank you.

I enjoyed this last Christmas all the memories, I wouldn't miss. And to Lexi, all we can give to you is a our far away kiss.

As I lay down my head after along Christmas night. Merry Christmas to all and to all the babies in China sleep tight.