Happy Memorial Day !

We had Mike's goddaughter Makenzie come for a visit. We had a wonderful time and she did not want to leave. We hope her and Molly can come up again anytime for another visit soon. We were able to spend some time at the beach and just hanging around. We barb-qued at our house one night and she helped my dad at the grill. She also tried to strike her uncle Mike out. . . They love our town and the drive is not that far so we hope they come up often.

Patiently Waiting !

The CCAA just updated their website and AGAIN we have to wait. It took them 1 month to complete 1 weeks worth of paperwork. That goes to show you how many people and paperwork goes through their hands. We are next in the matching room. We hope to have some exciting new soon. To all of you who have been following our blog, Hang In There, she'll be here soon. Our agency has a projected July travel date. In the menatime, I will just keep humming along. I will post pictures of Mia's room once it is in order. I hung her curtains and made up the crib. We have boxes of clothes on the floor that I can't unpack and organize until I know her age.

Kenedy and her friends by the pool

Kenedy and her friends by the pool
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Deanna Vince and Torey

Deanna Vince and Torey
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Hanging out in the pool.

Grandpa and Kenedy

Grandpa and Kenedy
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Kenedy is a fish. I wish Deanna and family lived in Florida. I reallly enjoy spending time with her. Torey is too young, but if he turns out to be anything like Kenedy, having them around will be great. Mia will enjoy visits from her cousins for sure. She loved the pool. She didn't want to even come out for lunch. . . .

Mike is getting ready

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Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

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.

Kenedy getting her face painted

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Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Finally she is sitting still

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Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Princess Kenedy

Princess Kenedy
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Uncle Mike and Kenedy at Islands of Adventure

Uncle Mike and Kenedy at Islands of Adventure
Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Torey is getting so BIG!

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Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Making sandcastles

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Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

Ms. Sun Bather. . .

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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 !!!

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Originally uploaded by cygnal20.

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

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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

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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.