Adoption News!

We had our final visit for our 2008 homestudy update today. It was pretty easy. We filled out some paperwork then today Sarah, our social worker with Lutheran Family Services, our local agency, came over and went over everything.

We are through the review room. When our paperwork went to China it was placed in line to be reviewed by the China Center for Adoption Affairs. They make sure everything was done properly and if they see any situations where they might need more info. I was convinced that they would want more information from my doctor since I have had diabetes for 30 years. We went through without a hitch so now we are in the matching room. In the matching room they go through our file and match us with our Lila! It's a big step to make it into the matching room. We still have a long wait ahead but are relieved to have made it to this milestone.

Still waiting for our immigration approval. Last time I emailed Des Moines they needed more information from Lutheran Family then she would mail our approval right away. LFS faxed what she needed in November so we know it will be soon. I feel for the lady at Citizenship/Immigraton, I have been at that point at work where you can't get 1 thing done before 10 more come in the door. That overwhelmed, drowning, feeling is not fun.

Also our main agency, Children's Hope, had some delays with their approval for the Hague Treaty. They were reviewed again and have now received their accreditation. We were concerened for a few months that we would have to be transferred to a different agency. We are happy & excited for them & for us to be back on track.

So we are still waiting and praying that Lila is being cared for as best as can be, wherever she is, in China. I hope she will be home for the holidays next year.

Finally pictures of the parade!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

An answer to that really annoying question

We live in Iowa but are only a few miles from the Nebraska border. So often I have been asked, "What do you DO there for fun?"

http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Butt-Bandit-of-Valentine--Nebraska

This made my husband, sister, brother-in-law, and I laugh hysterically. I had to share.

Chrissy

Parade

The parade was this morning. We had fabulous seats right on the curb by Neiman Marcus. I'll post pictures when we get home!

We are really in the Christmas spirit now.

Over the river &

through Kansas! We are leaving in 2 weeks to go to Dallas! We are so excited to go to my sister's house, see her family, and go to the Neiman-Marcus Christmas parade. I have to survive hosting Bunko here Friday, Thanksgiving with Gerry's family here next Thursday, and helping my dad get the house ready for Thanksgiving Friday. I hate dusting and have dusted more in the past couple days than in my whole life. We went to the grocery store yesterday with 3 lists, stuff for home, stuff for Thanksgiving, and stuff for Bunko.

Here's a link to the Neiman-Marcus parade. Grace & I looked at all the pictures and can't wait to see it all in person.

http://www.childrens.com/parade/index.cfm

Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween Pictures

It was a fun, busy, weekend as predicted and as you can see from the photo. I'm the green witch.

I applied for a few work-from-home positions this week. My hours conflicted with the one that seemed the most promising. The others seem like they might not be legit so we'll see.

We're ready!

The costumes are ready, the pumpkins are carved (Gerry always does the intricate carvings, I stick to the traditional), the cookies are decorated. We're ready for Halloween!

Grace will be in fairy-garb all day tomorrow. I'll be wearing my jack-o-lantern t-shirt. Saturday I'll be a witch and Gerry will be Jason for our friends' adult Halloween party. This will be a great weekend!

Hope you all enjoy it too.

!BOO!

Chrissy