October China update....

China referred babies up to 2/15/06 - which is still good news. That is 5 days away from our 2/20/06 LID. AND in 2006, there is 2 weekend days in those 5 days so if China can get through 3 more business days in their November referrals, then we'll receive our referral! Our agency is pretty confident that we'll get our referral in the beginning of November and travel in mid - December. I really hope they are right! That would be a great Christmas gift..... :)

We just returned from our California vacation and we're working on organizing our pictures. Once I download them, I'll post some here. We had a great trip!

China....

We are currently waiting for our I-600a form to be extended another year. Even though it's our 3rd time of doing this, there is a new form that must be approved by the DCFS regarding our homestudy. There is nothing wrong.. just a new form. This new form must be received by October 15th or we would have to start the form all over again which would be terrible! Our social worker says that she's confident it will be approved by then. There is a rumor that China may get to 2/17/06 in their October referrals. We should find out the 1st week of October. If that is the case, then it's almost positive that we would receive our referral in November because that is only 3 days away from our date. I guess we better get started on getting her room ready! :-)

Sept China update...

China has completed referrals for Feb 1-9th, 2006. Soooo... they have to get through 11 more days for us to receive a referral! (reminder: we are 2/20/06) I have a feeling that it will be November when we finally see a picture of our baby girl... and then travel 6-8 weeks later. We'll see but at least it's moving forward. :)

1st spelling test

Grayson had his 1st spelling test today and he received 100% AND the "Best Handwriting Award!" We're going out to eat tonight to celebrate. He worked very hard this week practicing his spelling words. :-)

1st day of school

Grayson had a good 1st day of 1st grade! He has his own desk this year which is exciting (instead of tables). I didn't get much else from him. He wasn't in the mood to talk. I think he was exhausted! He said PE was boring because the teacher talked about rules that he already knew and they didn't get to play. :-)

OH.. one other thing - he didn't like wearing his "fancy pants" to school. He just wanted to wear jean shorts "like all the other kids." He never wants to wear "fancy pants" again!!! LOL

China update.... :(

Well, August is not a good month for China adoption referrals.. thanks to the olympics. They only matched 2 days in Aug - the average has been 6-7 days a month. They are now up to to LIDs on Jan 27th, 2006. We need China to get through a little over three weeks before they get to our LID of 2/20/06. It sounds so close.... but then so very far away... seeing they are taking a whole month to get through 2-6 days of referrals. Maybe I'll have better news next month.

Spa day!

We celebrated Stacey's birthday with a girls day at the spa today! We had lunch at Moe's Grill and then headed to the spa for facials, pedicures and/or manicures all afternoon. After the spa, we hung out at Stacey's house and ate more food! It was a good day!!!! :)