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!