Stalking the Mailbox

Nothing new to report. We've had our prints done for a month now. Based on what I've been reading on other boards and blogs it could be anyday now or another six weeks before the coveted I-171 makes it to our door. Maybe it has something to do when the groundhog sees his shadow?

When Do You Get Kayla?

The short answer is approximately May or June of 2006. But if you really want to see what all is involved in the adoption process, check out "Our Timeline" link on the right. The timing should work out perfectly since Bobby will graduate in April (if he gets a grip on Spanish) and I'll be finished with the bulk of tax season before we have to start packing for the trip.

Even so, at times it's frustrating knowing that we're wading through paperwork and bureaucracy while she's waiting in a crowded orphanage. Of course, God's timing is perfect. He has already chosen the baby that will join our family even as she was formed in the womb.

So we'll wait....but I didn't say I'd wait patiently.

Introducing Miss Kitty and Tigger Too!

We love our dogs (oh, excuse me...Miss Kitty just informed me she prefers to be called a "poodle"...dog is soooo common). They are truly our fur babies and rule the house. We're a special breed of pet owners, and I know there are others like us out there whether you readily admit it or not, who really do miss our pets when we're at work and wonder if they miss us too. Hmmm....from the looks of the house when I get home, I'm pretty sure I was the last thing on their mind.

Miss Kitty is our apricot born June 1995. She has a sweet personality, hates to walk in wet grass, but enjoys playing in the waves at the beach (go figure!).

Tigger Too was born in June 1997. He loves attention and is full of energy. He also has quite the jealous streak.

We hope they take well to the new addition to our family. I doubt we'll be able to do the traditional send-a-blanket-that-smells-like-the-baby home. And I don't know any new moms who are willing to drop off their baby as a test case. So, I guess we'll just play it by ear when the time comes.

Gotta go....Tigger wants to play fetch.

Guess what? We're paper pregnant (almost)!

Welcome to the kickoff of our paper pregnancy. That's right, we're having a baby! Our official "pregnancy" begins when all of our documents are in China (aka "Dossier to China" or "DTC"). But I just had to start writing about it sooner (especially since Bobby won't let me start the nursery until its official).

We're looking forward to sharing this experience with family and friends (virtual friends included) through this diary. I hope you'll post comments as we go along. I'm planning to make this a part of Kayla's baby book and I'm sure she'll enjoy reading your posts when she's older. (Yep, we finally settled on a name.)

I have enjoyed reading about many other families journeys to their children in China and have used these stories for inspiration during the bumps in our paperchase. So here's our contribution to others researching, paperchasing, or waiting. God bless all our journeys and keep our babies safe while they wait for their forever families.