Thursday, July 06, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Mia Michele Li Harrell
We are so blessed, we now have a daughter!!
Her name is Li Tong Qian
Date of Birth: October 7, 2005 (8 months)
She weighed (at 6 mos.) 15.25lbs and is 26" long
She is in foster care in Qianjiang, Chongqing
I was shaking when I took the call and our agencies director called himself! He said, "Hi I have good news" I forgot to ask about her weight and height. They are Fed-Exing her picture, medical information, etc. tomorrow. I will post her picture once we get off cloud 9.
The wait is over and I can't wait to get our Mia in August. I am now going to get some info on her hometown. I understand that the meaning of Chongqing means 'constant celebrations' and if you know the Harrell's, there are always celebrations going on in our house!!
Thank you for the calls and the emails, I can't wait for you to meet our little girl.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
That's What I'm Talking About!!!
Here is what we wanted to see. We should get the call soon. We just needed to know exactly when the CCAA was releasing the information to the individual agencies. Our next post will be information about our daughter. (doesn't that sounds good)? . . . . . .
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
The contractions have started. . .
Our agency just called to advise us that we are getting "the call" with the next week or so. We are tentatively traveling early to mid August. They have given us our instructions so they can get our visas and our consulate appointments once we receive our notice. Once we formally accept our little Mia, they notify the proper authorities in China and the travel dates will be confirmed. The next call is the big one! They will tell us about her age, weight, health, height and which province of China she is from. I can't wait to find out all the little details. I called Mike after I received the first call (he was fishing with my dad) and I told him my water broke. He said "what happened to your water?".
I cannot believe that the time has arrived and Mike and I will be parents soon. Being a mom has always been a dream of mine and I can't wait. I can only imagine the feelings I will have when she is finally placed in our arms or when she says mommy and daddy for the first time.
I cannot believe that the time has arrived and Mike and I will be parents soon. Being a mom has always been a dream of mine and I can't wait. I can only imagine the feelings I will have when she is finally placed in our arms or when she says mommy and daddy for the first time.
Monday, June 19, 2006
ITS SHOWTIME ! ! !
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Last vacation as a family of 2 (hopefully)
OK Mike is now officially retired, he bought his first set of golf clubs.....
Because it was raining, we decided to go shopping. Mike had promised my dad that if he and my mom moved closer to us, that he would take up golf so he could join my dad. We went to a golf store that was having a closeout. 
Of course the guys that went shopping with us sealed the deal. We went back to the dock once the rain stopped and the guys started hitting balls into the water. What a site that was !!!!
Sunday, May 28, 2006
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.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
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.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Grandpa and Kenedy
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. . . .
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Mike is getting ready
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.
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.
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