The family went to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Mike was practicing with the stroller. Kenedy was finally at an age to enjoy some adult rides.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Ms. Sun Bather. . .
Kenedy and I were able to spend the day alone at the beach. It was fun. She collected some shells and splashed around.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Mother's Day Dessert. . . .
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!!!!
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.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
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. . . . . ..
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
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!!!
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
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 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.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
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.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Almost done!
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!!!
Friday, March 03, 2006
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.
In the adoption world, everything is taking much longer than expected, however; I think Mike and I have enough to keep our minds busy.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Do the boxes ever end?
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.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Happy New Year 2006
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.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
The digging has begun
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.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
We are getting there!
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.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Christmas Ornament
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.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Our newest addition... Marley
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.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
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.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Kenedy and Torey
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.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Mia's bench
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!
Friday, October 21, 2005
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Friday, September 23, 2005
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
Monday, September 19, 2005
Our new house!
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.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Cybershower
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!!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Friday, August 05, 2005
Aunt Barbara Uncle Mike ---AGAIN!!
Torey Cameron Lucas
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!!!!!
Saturday, July 23, 2005
The Famous Brown Envelope
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
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!!!!!
Sunday, July 10, 2005
We got our permits!!!!
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
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.
Friday, June 24, 2005
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!
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
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!
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!
Saturday, June 11, 2005
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.
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.
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