Making sandcastles

lucas May 2006 058
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Ms. Sun Bather. . .

lucas May 2006 064
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Kenedy and I were able to spend the day alone at the beach. It was fun. She collected some shells and splashed around.

Mother's Day Dessert. . . .

Mother's Day Dessert. . . .
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Kenedy and I made a special dessert for Mother's Day. We spent the day at our house. It was great spending Mother's Day with my mom and my sister. Deanna got me a nice card and a beautiful bracelet and Kenedy and Torey gave me a beautiful card. We relaxed by the pool and grilled dinner. It was truly an enjoyable day. . . . .

TTTAAAAADDDDDAAAAA!!!!

Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

This is the final product! It is a chocolate pudding pie with chocolate chips cookies on the rim. We added Cool Whip and strawberries just before serving. Kenedy is such a great helper.

Mia WHERE ARE YOU? ? ?

Mia we can't wait to meet you! You have certainly taken the SLOW route to get to us. Your grandma's and grandpa's, aunt's and uncle's, cousins, and many many friends want to meet you as well.

The latest placement of children had a majority born in August. I wonder what Mia's birthday will be. My co-workers have a pool going to see who gets closest to the date. In the meantime we will keep our spirits up and hope to hear something soon. My sister is coming with her family for a visit soon and they will be here on Mother's Day, so I am sure they will keep my mind busy and get me through this Mother's Day. I always thought I would have at least seen her picture by now. I would never have thought it would have taken this long.

Just keeping the faith. . . . . ..

News on the arrival of Mia. . .

The saga continues and the CCAA (Chinese Center of Adoption Affairs) has placed all children who's paperwork was logged in by June 6th. Although we are next with our agency, our agency sends out all paperwork once a month. It leaves the US for China on the 5th of each month. We can only estimate that our paperwork got logged in sometime around June 12-16. At this pace, we may not even hear by June. When we first researched and looked into the adoption possibility, all children were placed with their families within 6 months. The slow down has really dragged out. I know that she is worth the wait, however; it getting really old now. We are in our new house and Mia's furniture should arrive within the next few weeks. Mike and I are going on a 2 week vacation and we leave the first week in June. Maybe we can just relax and let it all play it out when it is supposed to be. In the meantime, we have plenty of projects that need to get done, we will take this time to take advantage of that!!!

We are next!!

The group before us just got their call. That means we are the next group to be called. I cannot believe it! This whole process has taken much longer than expected, yet I can't believe the time has finally come. We are still uncertain what the time frame between groups is, but still the reality that we are next is settling in. Our friends Chris and Laura bought Mia her highchair and my sister and family bought us our carseat. We definately need some things before the shower. My mother and sister are planning my shower and anticipate having it after we return from China so that our out of town guests can attend and see Mia on the same trip. It looks like we will be traveling sometime in the summer. On the positive side, that means lighter packing but others have mentioned the heat and the humidity. I say bring it on, we live in Florida and Mike and I are quite used to the humidity and most of our clothes will be appropriate. No bulky sweatshirts and sweaters to pack. More room in the suitcases for souveniers.

We are slowly unpacking and getting organized. Mia's room got painted and her furniture is ordered. It should be arriving in 4-6 weeks. We are working hard to get the house ready to have our friends come for the weekend.

We got our CO ! !

We just got word from our builder that the county has issued our certificate of occupancy. You know what that means, unpacking, painting, organizing and many many trips to Home Depot. We are so excited and can't wait for Mia to see her new room. Once its done I will post photos for all to see. The end of the month is nearing and thats when the CCAA (Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs) places children with waiting families. I pray that we are included in the next batch. If we are not and the cut off date does not include us, I am pretty sure we will hear next. It seems like it is taking soooooo long. I know I have to wait to travel and such, however; Mike and I just want to see her face. I wonder if she will be fair skinned, a little tan (like me). Will she have curly hair?? I doubt it! I hope she likes water. Her father has plans for her already.

Almost done!

Almost done!
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

I can't believe the time has come to finally move into our house. We received a call from our builder that we passed the final inspection and we should be getting our CO late today or tommorow. WHHHOOOOOO!!!

We CLOSED!!

Today at 4:00pm we closed on our house. It is a bitter sweet feeling. Mike has owned this home for 17 years and has been through a lot in this house so he especially has some sentimental feelings about this house. Everything went smoothly at closing thanks to our friend Stacy who handled the closing. Mike will be retiring on March 17th and he can't wait to finally move. He will be staying with our friend Joe for the last 2 weeks. I have already left for Sebastian with the dogs and the bird. I started a new job which I needed to go up and start.

In the adoption world, everything is taking much longer than expected, however; I think Mike and I have enough to keep our minds busy.

Packing Away

Packing Away
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Thanks to our friends Chris, Gary, Joe, and Mike's dad Wayne for their help!

Coming to get our Stuff

Coming to get our Stuff
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Do the boxes ever end?

Do the boxes ever end?
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

I can't believe how much stuff we have accumulated over the years. I told Mike that we can't move for at least another 15 years. I can only imagine how much stuff we will have with anothe family member.

Happy Valentines Day!!
We've got a buyer for our current house so that means we should close by March 3rd. I think our new house will be complete shortly after that. I cannot believe that it is actually starting to come together. It looks like we should be hearing something in or about March about Mia. March must be the magic month for us. We closed on our construction loan last March and hopefully this March we will have several reasons to celebrate. All children have been placed with their families whose paperwork arrived in China and logged in by May 13, 2005. Our paperwork should have arrived within the first 2 weeks in June 2005.

I found this picture while surfing through the China adoption stuff and just couldn't resist. I think it is great!

Happy New Year 2006

Happy New Year 2006
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

This year was an emotional New Years Eve. At midnight I immediately started to cry. I looked at Mike and gave him a big kiss and said this is our year. We have so many things to be thankful for and many new and exciting things to come. I can't believe in just a few months we will be parents. I know it has taken a lot of time but it also feels like we just shared our decision to adopt with our family and friends. I pray that Mia is safe and is being well taken care of. We know she is born and just waiting for us and we can't wait to meet her. Everyday Mike and I think of different things we want her to experience. I can't wait for our families and friends to meet her.

The digging has begun

The digging has begun
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

They finally started digging for the pool, so you know what that means. We are in the final stretch of the house. We are getting nervous and excited at the same time. We have our current house for sale right now and have had some people who are interested. I just pray it will all work out smoothly.

We are getting there!

We are getting there!
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

It is starting to come together now. The outside was painted and we are getting so excited. I have already picked out Mia's bedroom furniture and can't wait to paint her room and get ready for her arrival.

Christmas Ornament

Christmas Ornament
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

My secret pal sent me a package this week and one of the gifts was this christmas ornament. If you look closely, she has a pink bow with a ladybug on her head. It is adorable.

December Secret Pal Gifts

December Secret Pal Gifts
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Our newest addition... Marley

Our newest addition Marley
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Marley is the newest addition to the Harrell family. She is only 4 months old and likes to squawk. We have taught her to whistle and she give kisses and makes the kissing noise when she kisses you. I know we must be crazy, but we definately are animal lovers.

Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Here is an updated picture of our house. The windows are in and the drywall is going up this week. Our builder has given us a late January/early February finish date.

Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Mike and I at our front door.

WE HAVE POWER!!

We finally got power back this afternoon. It is our 3-year anniversary and what a gift! We were without for 16 days. The sounds of generators are long gone and the neighborhood is so quiet now. We actually did pretty good during the storm. Mike had to report to work at midnight before the storm and I rode the storm out with the dogs. It definitely was a nerve racking experience. We are grateful for friends and family who shared their showers and laundry rooms.

Kenedy and Torey

Kenedy and Torey
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Big Sister Kenedy!

Torey is getting big and his sister loves him. I can't believe how much he has grown since I last saw him. I can't wait to see them playing together when Mia arrives. Kenedy is always asking me when we talk on the phone, "Is Mia here yet?" She can't wait to meet her cousin.

Mia's bench

Mia's bench
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Courtesy of Hurricane Wilma, Our neighbor Joe's Maple tree went down and he decided to make a bench for Mia. He is so talented. The piece he is carving is the seat. He cut 2 blocks for the bench seat to sit on. He is going to seal it and give it to us to take to our new house. Her uncle Joe Joe loves her already!

Here we go again!

Need I say anymore. . . .

Little steps getting closer and closer!

Little steps getting closer and closer!
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

The Roof Is ON !!!

DSCN0475
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Oh my God! I've got packing to do. Time is flying by and I am not complaining.

DSCN0490
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

September Secret Pal Gifts

These gifts are from my secret pal. This months topic was "The Labor of Love" Mia got some cute PJ's, and a soft pink bunny, and I got a Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul book. I love my gifts and I can't wait until my secret pal can be revealed

DSCN0446
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Our new house!

Our new house!
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

I went up to visit my parents this weekend and of course I had to check out the status of the house. Last I saw was a cleared lot getting ready for the foundation. I can't believe how things change so quickly. Let's hope the rest of the building moves as fast.

Moving right along.....

Moving right along.....
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Cybershower

Cybershower gift
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Last night was my Cybershower. A Cybershower is a baby shower that is conducted on line. I am a member of a Yahoo group of families that have their Documents to China (DTC) in June 2005. We are formed together by our document dates. This group is compromised of families using different agencies and the members are worldwide. I have seen members from as far away as Norway and Australia. We also have a secret pal exchange where every month there is a theme and we send a little something to our secret pal until we reveal ourselves at the end. It is sort of a way to pass the time during our wait. This was my gift . It is a mix of things and has turtles on it. Very cute!!

Kenedy and her baby brother Torey 9/2005

Kenedy and her baby brother Torey 9/2005
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Aunt Barbara Uncle Mike ---AGAIN!!

Torey Cameron Lucas

Aunt Barbara Uncle Mike ---AGAIN!!
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Deanna and Vince had their baby yesterday 8-4-05. Torey was born @ 10:16am in Philadelphia. I am flying out to meet our newest addition on the 17th, I cannot wait! My parents will be grandparents to 3 now. They will jump from 1 to 3 in one year. I hope they are ready!!!!!

The Famous Brown Envelope

The Famous Brown Envelope
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

The brown envelope contains information about our interview at the US Consulate's office in China. It describes info on Mia's medical exam and vaccinations, etc.

Welcome Letter

Welcome Letter
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

This letter from the US Consulate General-Guangzhou. Our packet has a case number and various forms for us to fill out for Mia's visa to enter America and automatically become a US citizen as soon as she touches American soil!!!!!

We got our permits!!!!

Our New House-July 2005
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Our property is getting cleared and that means we are officially underway. Let's pray for good weather so things can go as planned. We hope to be in our house before Mia arrives!!!

Our New House- July 2005

Our New House- July 2005
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

The builder is trying to save as many oak trees as possible. I met with the pool contractor yesterday to pick out colors and options. So much to learn and choose. Very exciting and nerve racking at the same time. Mike and I can't believe we are finally at the land clearing stage.

South Florida Meeting

Last night Mike and I went to a South Florida Waiting Families meeting. It is a meeting for families who have children from China or are in the waiting part of their adoption. This group was just put together and last night was the first meeting. We had a great turn out, it was unbelievable, there were 45 people in attendance. Some people were local and some came from West Palm Beach and a lady drove from Key West. We met at a chinese restaurant in Pembroke Pines and it was so awesome to see the children playing. They are all so beautiful and played so good together. Many of them know each other from different play groups, and some just met last night. We sat with a lovely family who have adopted 2 girls and have 4 biological children already. What a nice family!

The group will meet monthly and we want to invite the grandparents next meeting, I know they will enjoy!

Dossier to China

We just received a letter from USAA, our adoption agency to confirm that our Dossier has been sent to China. We are group #111. We are grouped with other families who sent in their paperwork when we did. Usually this group will travel together to get their child. All of the families from Group #111 will be in touch so we can get to know them prior to our travels. It will be very interesting to see how many are in our group as well as finding out where everyone is from. Most of the families who use USAA are from California.

We didn't hear from USAA regarding anything about our paperwork when we submitted originally, so I guess we did good! No problems and the papers are off!

adoption-a gift of love

In Marco Island doing what we love to do, hanging out on the boat and relaxing 6/2005

after dinner at the Sand Bar

Marco Sunset

Marco Island, here we come. . . .

Mike and I take this week every year at our timeshare in Marco Island. We meet several other families there that we have been vacationing with for several years now. Most of the families knew Mike and I when we were dating and have been through our engagement, our wedding, and through our desires to have a family. All the families have children and they are like our nieces and nephews. We often let them dye Mike's hair, jump off our shoulders in the pool, our yearly pottery class, and last but not least ICE CREAM!!

I could not wait to get there and share the good news. As I expected, everyone responded with such enthusiasm and joy for us. We cannot wait to bring her next year to meet the extended family. I have had offers for babysitting already.

Throughout the week I was often asked about the adoption process and the obvious question, WHEN? I told them if all goes well she be our newest member of the Marco week #23 crew.

At the end of the week, all the kids were in one room with the door locked. I wanted to go check on something that we were cooking for the group dinner. They told me I couldn't come in and I was obviously curious. A few minutes later all the kids appeared with a tote bag that they decorated with paints. They wrote Mia's name on one side and everyone signed the other side. They also made her a bracelet with shells and an adorable door hanger with rhinestones and a starfish. Their thoughtfulness brought me to tears. Week #23 is an incredible group of people and we love them all. Mike and I always look forward to our Marco Island vacation.

goodluck ladybugs

171-H !

The 171-H is the approval that INS gives you to adopt. After running home everyday on my lunch hour to almost jump the mailman. It finally came!

My mother and I were leaving to go meet my sister Deanna and my brother in-law Vince and of course Kenedy in Disney. My mother picked me up at work and I asked her to swing by my house on the way to the Turnpike so I can check the mail. When I opened the mailbox and looked thru the pile and saw Department of Homeland Security I started to get butterflies. I opened it and started jumping up and down. I called Mike at work and he was so excited. Our second major hurdle down.

Disney was great. I enjoyed going on the rides with Kenedy and seeing her interact with the characters. I can't wait for Mia to go with her cousins. It was amazing to see so many families with little girls from China. I couldn't stop dreaming about us with our little girl.

Disney 6/2005

Kenedy

Mom, Deanna, Vince and Kenedy
Animal Kingdom

Dossier to USAA

A dossier is our file with all the completed paperwork needed by the Chinese government. It includes copy of our homestudy report, and all the other information we have been gathering for several months now. This file is being sent to our agency USAA for authentication on the state level as well as authentication by the Chinese Consulate and then translation of all documents into Chinese.

We mailed out our Dossier Fed-Ex overnight, and I was a nervous wreck checking and double checking that everything on my checklist was in the folder. I was so nervous that while I was at the counter filling out the shipping slip, I sealed everything in the envelope and realized I omitted the check which was right under the Fed-Ex mailer. I had to open the mailer and ask the girl for another envelope.

I really could not believe how nervous I was. I hope my double and triple checking was worth it.

Fingerprinting Day

Today Mike and I went to the INS building in Davie and had our fingerprints done for the FBI check that is all a part of the approval. Very high tech, no ink pad, all electronical.

Thank you to everyone who has been very supported and called us after every step of the way. We appreciate it and can't wait for you to meet Mia!

Wrapping up the paperchase. . .

We are just completing everything and getting a few documents notarized. Thanks to Soris who works with Mike, she lived with her ink pad and stamp in her hand for almost 2 months straight, notarizing everything we had. I just completed my child and infant CPR and need to get our papers back from Mike physician and we are done.

Mia's grandfather Wayne is so excited for his granddaughter, he can hardly stand it. He is already planning a car seat in his truck. Can't wait to see that!

Mia's other grandparents are planning to join Mike and I in China. My father is going for sure, but my mom is a little nervous about the flight. I'll think she'll go, I told her to take some pills and sleep the 15 hour flight away. My dad says he won't go without her. Everyone she meets tells her its a trip of a lifetime.

Construction Mortgage

We closed on the new house today. Although we do not have the house yet, the construction portion is just beginning. (Like our life isn't busy already). If I make another copy of a bank statement or a w2 I think I'll scream. Between the adoption and the mortgage I have papers flying everywhere.

We hope our home is done before Mia arrives. We want to get her room ready and get our boxes unpacked before our trip to China. Lots of action happening at the Harrell house. As I told Mike, It's all good things!

Mike is still hanging on at the police department and is looking forward to retiring. We both have a light at the end of our tunnel. Tomorrow we go to the builder to pick out our colors and choices for flooring, cabinets, etc.

Psychological Evaluation

Today was the psych test and we were definitely very nervous. The test consists of 563 questions, which were very odd, however; they say they can tell a lot about you from your answers. Mike was most concerned about the test because he said "After 22 years as a police officer, you do not think like a normal person". Our social worker, Nohra told us not to worry and just answer the questions honestly. So we did and 3 hours later we were done. The test is multiple choice and after testing he sat with us to talk about our lives and our relationship.

After the test which was in a beautiful part of Fort Lauderdale on the intracostal, we had a nice lunch at a restaurant down the street. Of course, all we did is compare answers to the questions that really stood out. It was very interesting to see the difference in our answers and our rational for answering that way.

Mike is very relieved that we have that behind us and Dr. Demartini said he did not foresee a problem and he would grade the test within a couple of days and call with the results.

We'll see.........

"Our Home" visit

Nohra came today to visit us in our home. She spent about 4 hours visiting with us. She spent some time with Mike alone, myself alone, and then she talked with us together. She said we have a lovely home and she has no reservations in recommending us as parents. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, it was very casual and relaxing.

I was hoping it wasn't going to be all day. I bought Marlins Spring Training tickets for this afternoon and we were able to go and have a great afternoon. The weather was great! We needed it.

Slowly but surely, we are making our way down the papertrail checkoff list. Thank GOD!

Meeting with social worker

Today we met with Nohra. She will be creating our homestudy. Our homestudy will be a short story of our lives, from childhood to now, our family life growing up, our view on disciplining our children, our education, our relationship with our family and friends, our hobbies. It's basically a biography of our lives to date. We are required to have 5 letters of reference. 2 from family and 3 from friends, we have asked Tommy and Stacia, Joey and Rich, Chief Magill, Mike's dad Wayne and Deanna and Vince. Their letters were so thoughtful and most made me cry. We are so grateful!

This has been very excited and emotional. Mike and I cannot wait to have a child. We have so many things that we want to share with her. We cannot wait until we can say we are a family.

Homestudy

Today I dropped off our application for the homestudy part of our adoption. The homestudy is required by China and US Citizenship and Immigration. The homestudy has very many parts to it, one being document collection, a home visit, drug and alcohol screening, psychological evaluations, more background checks, FBI fingerprinting and a parenting class. WHEW!!!! More checks than Mike needed to be hired at the police department it seems.

We have our first meeting in a couple of weeks with our social worker, Nohra. Wish us luck 0:)

Scrapbooking

I have started Mia's scrapbook and it is coming out so nice. I started one for my niece Kenedy when she was born. I have made her pages for the major events in her life. I told Deanna that I will continue until she's is 18.

Deanna is pregnant and due in August, so she asked if I would do the same for the new baby. I told her that the next one is hers, I now have one of my own to do!! I will attach a picture of the book. It is titled, "Once upon a time". Sounds like a good theme for the nursery huh????

Passports

Today we received our passports and our official paperchase has begun!!
Lots and lots of documents to gather:
Birth certificates/marriage certificates/tax records/medical forms/FDLE background checks/employment letters/bank letters/financial statements, the list goes on and on. . . . .