HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Once agian it is time for little ghosts and goblins to come a knockin'....

Hoping you get more treats than tricks!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

HOCUS POCUS

My Little Halloween Traditon......


Own it, Watch it each year .... Love it!!!!

BABY FINGER AND TOES

The other day I was standing in line at the bank.... In front of me was a momma and a bare footed 3 month old baby in a car seat settled on the floor next her momma..... Three months is the age where babies are discovering their hands. The unrestricted JOY and wonderment of this new discovery showed on this baby's face. Each uncoordinated movement cause an avalanche of other jittery joyful movements. While this little sweet thing stared, watched, moved and sucked her hands, her tiny little toes were clenching and kicking. Her hugh eyes would move from furloughed brow to bright smiley joy. I stared in facsination taking in all that I saw. ME, as a total stranger, was in awe of each and every movement this unknown baby was doing. Tiny pink toes and dimpled fingers. Normally I would have gone along with my business, not giving this baby a second thought. This time however, I started thinking of Tate. Was there anyone who was so lovingly admiring in facsination her discoveries of hand and feet? Did someone kissing and playing with those toes? Tate, momma has a lot of catching up to do with you when you are finally in my arms. There will be admiration, astonishment, and joy in your every movement no matter how old you will be when you are finally with me. This I will promise.... to admire and accept the perfectness of who you are.

FAVORITE FOTO FRIDAY

This is not the picture quality or the composition....

It is the SUBJECT....

I saw this in the airport in Newark (NY) on the way back from Norway. I had to go back with my camera and snap a shot of it.... TOO FUNNY!!! Will this trip won include a side trip to Guangzhou????

SO MUCH TO BE EXCITED ABOUT....

One by one, good friends are getting their referrals and leaving to picking up their babies!!!

First up is Team Salsa, Mary-Mia and Rod, who are leaving for China right now.

Then Tiffany recieved her Travel Approval (TA) for November 7. She should be hugging and kissing her Eliza on November 12th!!!

ANY SECOND NOW... Lisa and Eammon should be getting their referral and seeing the beautiful face of Baby M..... Breathe Lisa, breathe!!!

AND... fingers, eyes, and legs crossed for Julie who is LID August 24.... Rumors are saying referrals are through at least August 23... come on CCAA, just one for day for Julie and Tess!!!! At lease through August 24???? PLEASE???!!! I have offered Julie that I would be willing to give a visit to the CCAA director (wink, wink) IF that would help her get her referral this month....

NESTING?????

I'm not too sure what it is.... The colder Autumn weather hitting the Wasatch Mountains??? Wanting to be "MORE on BUDGET"??? The fact that I went to Costco and bought a huge bag of broccoli... Whatever it is .... I am cooking HEALTHY meals at home. Tonight is no exception. On the stove is Bear Creek potato soup with a few healthy additions. Sauteed onions, chopped parsley, boiled pototoes and steamed BROCCOLI. Also on the week cooking expedition was meatloaf, brimming with veggies. Chicken-rice curry with added BROCCOLI. All neatly packaged and waiting in my freezer to be pulled out and ZAPPED in the micro when tiredness, unplanning or brain dead kicks in. All this is in preparation for when I will be a single working momma with Tate and hopefully a sibling. You know the sayings... "practice makes perfect" and "it take 30 days for a habit to be formed". Practice or Habit... either way, it just feels GOOD!!!

GREENLAND

On the flight back from Norway, I got to experience something unique and quite special. About half way into our flight, the Captain came on the intercom interrupting all who slept. He was a seasoned Pilot of 30 years and has flown this routing often. Only one time before has he flown over Greenland when it was not fogged over. We were blessed with a CLEAR and sunny day in Greenland. The sight was amazing and something that I didn't want to waste time by hunting in my carry-on for my camera. So y'all will have to just take my word. As I gazed down, you could see a layer of white with variances of grey. Small fishing villages lined the edge of the water. Meeting the ocean were glasiers where you could see the cracks just ready to split off and plummet to the sea. Floating all along the coastline, were Icebergs. Some so large that you could actally view where they submerged into the water. INCREDIBLE!!! Oh man, I love Nature and the wonders it presents to me.

PURGING

It finally happened today. I sat down with nothing to do…. NO commitments to anyone, NO jobs to go to, NO sickness to get over…. It was just me and the Mayflower pup. Heavy on my mind is all the STUFF that I need to get done.

PROJECTS, BUDGET, a PLAN!!!

I kind of approached it erraticly at first. I opened the pantry cupboard and started moving shelves around.

TRASHING… ORGANIZING!!!

Liked what I saw and the feeling that I had. “Hmmmmm,” I thought, “got to get a system so I can be on track and get it all done in an organized way.” Down I sat with pen to paper and deep in my thoughts. The motivator was to get Tate’s Kingdom (nursery) done. On the top of the paper I put "Nursery" and each step that I needed to DO to get this accomplished and to have it completed by my goal before Christmas. Why Christmas??? I wanted to have it done so that I could share this amazingly cute room with my sister and niece visiting for Christmas. Also visiting will be my friends from Norway, Ingeborg, Scott and the kiddos. Normally for these projects I just move the stuff out of the way into another area and deal with it another time. This time I will move each piece strategically. I have Tate coming home and I need to be organized to be most effective as a single parent. Moving the computer will entail getting the laundry room ready with phone lines, antennae and electricity. I have to move the dryer power which will require framing. I have been using Tate’s closet for my clothes. My house is 100 years old and back in those days they didn’t do the built in closet…. In my room is the only original closet which is eight feet long with a two feet opening…..So, a sledge hammer to the walls and custom closeting before I move my clothes out of Tate’s Kingdom.

Furniture???? That is another posting…..

FAVORITE FOTO FRIDAY

AHHHH.... A dog and her "comfort ball".....

Mesa seems to always have a tennis ball with her when she naps. Comfort??? Or is she just making sure if the occasion occurs she is ready??? You be the judge.

MORE FROM NORWAY

THIS STUFF WAS TOO GOOD TO PASS UP BLOGGING ABOUT.....
First, this is M, Ingeborg and Scott's second child. M loves animals. When she heard I was coming to visit, her first concern was "Who was going to take care of Mesa?" For three years now she has been taking weekly riding lessons. I just love this picture of her. She is only 8 yrs old, but look at the elegance and beauty this little horse gals has!!! It was so much fun going and watching her riding lesson!!!

As I said before I left for my trip to Norway.... I did not plan of doing too much shopping.... I really HATE to shop and everything is so expensive in Norway with the poor US Dollar to Norwegian kroner exchange. However, there were three things I wanted to buy or check into buying while in Norway.

The first ITEM was a crib size down comforter for Tate's Kingdom---Stephe recommended The Company Store- I will be buying one there.

The next ITEM was yarn to knit Tate a sweater. I did not even see a knit shop in my walking in the forests so this I am buying here at a local knit shop. I will do a whole posting on this when I can scan the picture of the sweater and the yarn I had picked ... (Ah, something to look forward too!!!)

AND finally and the most important thing I wanted was a Norwegian tradional dress (BUNAD) for my Tate. As mentioned before. Tate will be a melting pot of three cultures. First and formost she is AMERICAN and will the most proud of this. By birth and ethnic origin, she is Chinese and I will do my BEST to involve her in as much Chinese culture as I can. A finally she is Norwegian by adoption into our family..... We have so many Norwegian traditions that it would seem unnatural for her not to be part of this heritage and learn to love what makes her so unique and special.

You might wonder why I am so determined to get Tate a dress??? I guess all mommas want for their daughters what they did not have. My parents were not into keeping memories for us kiddos..... They always thought that once it was not needed by me then someone else could use it. I would say they are in the opposite side of the scale when it comes to being packrats. When I was a youngin, I never was bought a Norwegian costume. My younger sister has two. A very simple one was given to her when she was a toddler by a visiting Aunt from Norway. I think I got a book on Norway's industry from her. The other dress is from Germany and was bought when the family went to Europe. Am I Bitter???? Just a little, but I will provide my daughter with one of the things I wished for the most.

The little girl costumes are quite expensive and can be so adorable. I can get a cheaper version here in SLC at a local Norwegian shop but they are so ordinary and simple..... SO everywhere I went in Norway I would asked if they had BUNADS for kids. Most places said that they would have some in April and May because that is when these costumes are worn for the 17th of May of Norway's Independence Day. Another option was to have my friends and family keep an eye out in the thrifties for one someone was selling.

When my friend Ingeborg lived on my street, she had her sister send two Bunads to her girls. Both Ingeborg's little girls (B and M) wore this BUNAD pictured on the left. Just before Ingeborg and Scott moved to Norway, I borrowed both Ingeborg's daughter's BUNADS and had my nieces Twinkle Toes and Sparkles photographed in them to give as a surprise picture gift to my mom. When I was asking Ingeborg if she knew where I could get a dress, Ingeborg disappeared and came to me with THIS DRESS!!!! I was teary and speechless, and those who know me, know this does not happen too often. This dress represents a history to me.... Good friends and loved snuggle girls, and my own nieces in this dress!!! Tate will always have a connection to Ingeborg, Scott, B, M and Snuggle boy. This is the cutest Norwegian Costume BUNAD that I have ever seen!!! In the close up, you will see a sterling silver broach or SOULYA (spelled wrong but ou sound is a special letter in the Norwegian alphabet). My mom and Tate's nana bought her this and will give her the gift when she is big enough to wear this dress. It should fit a 3-4 yr old.

Hurry Tate... We all are waiting and preparing for you to join our lives!!!

THE THREE RRRs

RELAXED and RESTED and READY

TO START THE NEXT 5 MONTH WAIT.

(side note, today is my 7th month anniversay since LID)

(view off of friend's deck on Oslo fjord)

Sorry it took so long to post and talk about my trip to Norway.... Ahhhh, the reason I feel sooooooo good right now by trip to NORGE (as they say in their native language). I really did nothing touristy..... been there, done that on my other trips!!! When I left home that Thursday evening, I was a bundle of kinks and aches. Slowly as I sat basking and breathing in the beauty of Norway, I felt my head clear and my body relax. I had not a care in the world, just to enjoy my mom, family and friends.

Our first stop was a weekish stay with my Uncle Kaare and Aunt Ingeborg. There we ate like royality and talked and talked in Norwegian (I listened and listened). I never knew how much my mom could talk and even in my sleep I could hear her talking in Norwegian, my head was so full of it!!! Uncle Kaare lives in the area that my mom grew up in. Here all eight brothers and sisters shared a large farm which included acres of forest. The only wish my mom had was to take a walk in her childhood forest. This forest was a major part of her childhood memories. Both my parents grew up during WWII and the occupation of Norway by the Nazi Germany. There were a lot of sacrifices and things she went without, soooooo this forest provided hours of fun, imagination, and a sense of protection. All this she and my Uncle talked about while we "walked" in her forest. Sadly, my 82 yr old Uncle Kaara (Cora) was recently diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. We were so happy that we could visit with him while he was still his high energy FUN self!!! On my mom's side of the gene pool, there are tons of artists. My mom's oldest (deceased) brother Bjarne, was a very successful and well know artist in Norway and other parts of Europe. My Uncle Kaare is a great local artist. I have hanging in my dining room an original oil painting by him..... something that I love and cherish especially because he let me pick out my favorite painting and gave it to me, a gift from my much beloved Uncle. My Aunt Ingeborg was from an ocean harbor area that is know for its local charm and beauty refered to as "the End of the World". Here we spend time in a little cabin owned by them eating pounds of peeled-your-self shrimp right out of the ocean, laughing and MORE talking. We hiked to the top of this cliff place where one of the most interesting Lighthouses is located. I have been to all sort of lighthouses on the East Coast, but none have been as unique and interesting as this one. This is a lighthouse of old. The way this works is, you would lower the metal basket down and build a raging fire in it and raise it up where is would mark the way for passing (??VIKING??) ships??? Hey, I might be stretching here with this Viking stuff, but it does make it kind of exciting doesn't it??? One day my mom and I headed for a ride along HER beach and play area while Aunt Ingeborg and Uncle Kaare was preparing for a big (delicious) dinner party in our honor. It was such a clear and beautiful SUNNY day and we headed along a beach road really unknowing where we would end up. I love being tumble weeds and just going where ever the road takes us. We had a general direction and destination point which was the town that my mom played in the ocean and on the beach. Also the place where she got a glimpse at age 12 of the five year older and breathtakingly amazingly handsome man that later became my dad. That is another story in itself. Along our journey we stopped at a beach were 3rd and 4th grader kids were playing. I love the way the Norwegians raise their kids with respect to nature, the weather elements and the excersise. This class had walked for one hour while wearing their rubber (called Gummie) boots and rubber overalls. There they studies ocean sciences and had a big bonfire where they were roasting bread dough on sticks and splashing and playing in the cold ocean. To my surprise, one of these Norwegian students was a Chinese adopted daughter. Here you can see her roasting bread dough and the some of the other kids playing in the freezing ocean water. The teacher in the navy (background) told us that in other grades, these kids go to a 6 week course in ocean science where they learn everything with the ocean, to fish and ocean kayak, to learn eco preservation, and just learn to love the outdoors. You could just tell by the faces and the energy that these young students showed that school was FUN and any weather was reason to head out and enjoy their childhood. Rounding out this day trip, we made it to our final destination... Asgardstrand summer place of Edvard Munch (the Scream) and most importantly my mom. Here you see my mom and I hanging our enjoying the views, history of my mom's, sun and especially EACH OTHER. I am not sure how many more of these pricelss days I will be blessed with spending time with my Mother. So ends the first week in Norway.......

second week in norway

The day we left Tonsberg (childhood area of my mom) we headed via train to a quick lay over for five hours spent with my mom's cousin Gunborg. Gunborg is an amazing sculptor and photographer is has had countless of shows selling as well has received many awards for her work. She is now in her late seventies, loosing her eye sight and has arthritis. Even though she has aches and pains in her hands, she is still sculpting a little and her past work is being requested by Oslo galaries and sold like hotcakes. There you have that artistic gene on my mom's side again. I only wish I had taken my camera out, shot some digital pictures of the sculptors and her and my mom. I do have pictures from other times visiting, but those need to be scanned and uploaded..... Something I will have to do later.

In Oslo we were met at the pier by my friend Ingeborg. This is a trip with TWO Ingeborgs.... my Aunt and my friend. Ingeborg, my friend, used to live on my street with her husband Scott. Scott is American and Ingeborg grew up in Telemark Norway. They met while Ingeborg was here in college, fell in love, married, move to a house on my street and had THREE BEAUTIFUL BABIES... all of which I got to snuggle and hold as newborns. The joke is that on my day off, I would knock on the door, see if the kiddos were awake, and either go in to snuggle, and play or head home with the explaination that I had lots to do..... These kids were so cute and it was so much fun hanging out with Scott and Ingeborg. Ingeborg was the one who challenged me to adopt. First by keeping the plant she gave me alive, then get a dog, and then to adopt a baby!!! When they decided to move to Norway, I sooooo missed them and was delighted that I could hang out with them in their beautiful home and see those amazing and beautiful kids. The kids are now 10 (B in white), 8 (M in pink) and the snuggle boy who I used to kiss and hug all the time, now is too big (just turned 5) and too cool for me to snuggle with..... I did gradually get a hug and snuggle by the end of the week. Scott and Ingeborg live in a beautiful house overlooking the Oslo fjord. To get to work, Scott takes a 20 minute ferry to Oslo and will have a 10 minute walk to his office. Life is so healthy and active in Norway!!! Besides the beautiful views, right out their door is forests that families walk (hike cause it has incline) in the Summer and Cross country ski in the Winter. The schools are right on the edge of the forest and the kids will spend all day learning and playing in these forests. While I was there, the snuggle boy who is in pre-school spend two full days hiking into the forest to play and prepare for the winter by building lean-tos of pine bows for winter shelter and play. The snuggle boy was full of excitement telling me of his adventures each day after Barnehagen (Children's preschool)..... What a healthy way for children to grow up. I really can only think of one time that these kids had the TV on.... this was to distract a cranky 5 year old because his best friend and my new boyfriend could not play. In the blue above you see the snuggle boy and in the green is the buddy (S who is almost 5) and my new boyfriend. The snuggle boy had a Birthday party on the Saturday I was there. It was so precious because the kids all came dressed up. One little boy came in a dark blue suit.... kind of looked like when the Jehovah Witnesses come a knocking. S decided to dress up in his Hawaiian shirt, long khaki shorts and two mismatched blue socks..... SPORTING THIS FIN..... and looking so cute and COOL!!!! I asked if he would be missed if I took him home.... Unfortuately he would have and those plans were squached!!! Ingeborg took me to Ikea and we shopped and ate lunch and shopped some more. We will be getting an Ikea here in SLC next year so this just wet my appetite for clever storage solutions and house stuff!!! I will post more soon with pictures of the yarn and Norwegian dress that I got (from Ingeborg and her girls)..... caused teary eyes.... MORE TO FOLLOW!!!!

TRAVEL LOG TO NORWAY

Coming soon!!!! Still thinking and processing my trip.... will share soon.

FEBRUARY SECRET PAL

AUTUMN-EE AWESOMENESS.......

A harvest of thoughtful and amazing gifts!!! So thoughtful is my SP that she waited for me to return from my trip to assure Mesa and me of the FUN of the mailman knocking on the door, Mesa barking knowingly that she has a treat and present waiting on the other side of the door and the anticipation of ripping open the box to the gleefully wrapped gifts!!! I am sitting her sucking on the most amazingly DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES!!! How did you know my deep dark secret passion for truffles??? Halloween cookie cutters for a little seasonal baking and decorating next Halloween when Tate will be here for her first Halloween with me.....

And for Tate??? Can you just imagine my Raven haired beauty in those vibrant autumn colors of red, yellow and orange!!! The pictures does not give the details of this most adorable outfit with puffed sleeves, buttons and ruffled blouse and applicated flowers and bow tied belted pants. And my first pair of PJ's!!!! Hmmmm, I mean Tate's first pair!!! I LOVE MOM!!!! The most beautiful words to me!!! And for snuggle time reading??? A snuggle touchy feely puppy book!!!



If you look closely at the first picture, you will see the Chew lotta treat is missing. Mesa said "just one little taste"... famous last words as she grabbed it and high-tailed it outside disappearing into the yard for hours!!! Missing also in the top picture is the silver bounceeeee ball..... This ball has not left her side since I gave it to her. Look at the puppy party wrapping paper!!! I had to include this in Mesa's pictures!!!


THANK YOU FEBRUARY SECRET PAL!!! FOR THE BOUNTY OF BLESSINGS THAT YOU ADD TO MY AND MESA'S LIFE....the fun, the anticipation, the generousity, and the thoughtfulness..... My words cannot express what you add to this time of waiting!!!

FAVORITE FOTO FRIDAY

It doesn't get any cuter than this.... Mesa the day I got her at 8 weeks old. The ball is a racquet ball. She was 11.5 lbs of snuggle lovin'.....



Enjoy the pictures of Mesa...

I just got back from my trip to Norway and am getting over my jetlag. I missed Mesa, blogging, and have tons to tell about my trip, my hiates on my adoption obscessing.... Oh and have got to get back to thinking, hearing, and talking English.....

Will post trip pictures and travel journel later!!!

CONGRATS TO ALL THE NEW MOMMAS!!!!!

TWO WEEKS IN

NORWAY....

Land of the Midnight Sun, Vikings, Trolls, Friends and Family.

What plans do I have, you might ask???

NOTHING.... NADA.... ZIP!!!

Just a little relaxin', talkin', hikin', hangin' and CHOCOLATEin'... with just a touch of shoppin'.

I am looking for a crib size down comforter.... a Traditional Norwegian Dress

for Tate..... How cute is it to see my CHINESE SWEETNESS in a Norwegian dress?? I have plans on getting yarn in just the OH SO PERFECT color for a sweater I want to knit for Tate.

AND OF COURSE I WILL GO TO .....

Mesa???? She is too big to go as a pet in cabin, so she is staying home with friends who will shower her with walks, loves, and snuggles. I have been so worried leaving her for too long. I am beyond happy that she will be so loved..... I just have one concern... these friends will never want to give Mesa back.... SHE IS SO SWEET!!!

I am a YING YANG symbol when it comes to the adoption, bloggin' , rumors, and REFERRALS.... I sooooo need a break from all this. Need to get my life back into perspective. Step back and smell the CHOCOLATE. Ponder, read, think, and reconnect to ME. BUT I need my bloggee friends, information, connection, and the joy... OH THE JOY of when my friends start to get their referrals. Two sides of me... both equally needed and in balance. Somehow, I cannot see myself staying away for two weeks from the Computer yet I relish the thought of the respite of this seperation.

THE LAST SWIM

I headed up to Park City to Mesa's favorite "for dogs only" swimming hole today. The leaves up in the higher elevations are changing and there is kind of a "bite" in the air. I sense in the reluctance in Mesa to jump in after the ball, there must be a chill to the water. Sadly this will be the last swim for Mesa the season of 2006. I am heading out of town (posting to follow where) for two weeks and since Mesa will be spending time in someone elses home, she will get a GOOD BATH today.... Nothing like someone else's stinkin' dog to deal with for two weeks. I am kind of worried that Mesa will be TOO sweet and Carolyn will not want to give her back. But I know that Mesa will be well taken care of and loved and I will deal with the ownership of Mesa when I get back!!!..... Hmmmmmmm where did I put Mesa's AKC papers anyway????

JUST BECAUSE

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!

(borrowed from Christi)

IT'S TIME FOR

THE UTAH STATE FAIR....
I just "celebrated" my 6th month LID anniversary with a little lump in my throat. Last year when I started my adoption, the referrals were taking 6 months or so.... you know the rest of that story..... SO as each monumental holiday passed through 2005, I would say " Next year at Halloween, I will have Tate..... Thanksgiving, Christmas... blah blah...."

Driving yesterday, I passed by families heading for the STATE FAIR..... towards smelly pigs and cows.... Bleating sheep, ugly poultry and CROWDS... OH the CROWDS!!!!

NOISY. STICKY. HOT.

Never in a million years would you find me in the likes of that place.... Blairing Country Music. Amateur Photography and Artwork. Tacky crocket doilies in Ungodly colors. SHEESH!!! I pity these POOR FOOLS. Then as I passed these families I saw the children's faces.... beaming in anticipation of seeing, smelling, hearing and touching... To experience the STATE FAIR!!! Then my heart, people, my shriveled dried up heart started beating and swelling... I will come.... I will bring.... AND I will LOVE..... sharing all this Americana with Tate.

BEAMING. ANTICIPATING. EXCITED.

Will be on the face of my very own ........

BEAUTIFUL. BELOVED. TATE.

And so I say...."NEXT YEAR"

MONTHS SINCE LID....

MONTHS!!!!..... Almost half there OR one third there..... Whatever the time, hang in there Tate... MOMMA is a COMIN' as soon as she can!!!

PREDICTING THE FUTURE of CHINA ADOPTION

This was directly copied from another blog (Kim) from My Chinese Dream. I thought it was so helpful for me and others reading this blog who are not in the IA universe .....

With ALL the RUMORS that are going around right now about adopting from China, I thought I would post this that I read today(thanks Dawn for the heads-up). This was written by and taken off Brian Stuy's blog. Brian has 3 adopted daughters from China and writes interesting research articles....he can also do research on your adopted daughter such as Finding Ads in the newspapers.

A cursory view of nearly every adoption blog and newsgroup shows that the air is abuzz with speculation and rumors of what the future holds for China adoption. Although there is significant data and history on which accurate assessments can be based, it seems that nearly everyone is at a loss to explain why things are changing so dramatically.As adoptive families, it is helpful to assess the current situation with tools learned in basic Economics 101. It is clear that China's international adoption program is experiencing a supply "crunch", which is to say that there are too few children available for immediate adoption to waiting foreign families. The immediate cause of this crunch was the Hunan stoppage that began in December 2005, and is just now ending. But a longer view shows that it has been building for years.It is a misperception to think that this situation appeared overnight. In fact, a glance at the Yahoogroups dedicated to the various orphanages shows that each year orphanages have been added to the International Adoption program to bring in additional supply of children. This was done to compensate for the falling abandonment rates in the existing member orphanages. The goal is to keep the supply as constant and predictable as possible, and it has worked pretty well.It is well-known that three Provinces provide a majority of the children adopted through the IA program -- Guangdong, Jiangxi and Hunan. When Hunan adoptions were paused in late December 2005, it took 20-25% of the adoptable children out of the supply pool. China's options were limited, especially since this was a very temporary problem. It was forced to let the "demand" back up, leading to longer and longer referral wait times. The DTC to referral wait times now stand at approximately 14 months.With Hunan Province now coming back on line (we should see substantial Hunan referrals in the next month or so), the supply-demand equation should normalize. But China still faces a demand imbalance. Hunan doesn't totally explain the longer DTC referral wait times, just a portion of it. Thus, China is taking further actions to bring things into line.It seems likely at this point that one step China will make in the near-term is the dramatic reduction, if not outright elimination, of the singles program. China has had ambivalent attitudes towards this program for years, and has taken periodic steps to reduce the number of singles that could adopt. This ambivalence stems from the cultural belief that children should be raised by two-parent families, coupled with the desire that China's children not be raised by homosexuals. Letters of Declarations (required by single applicants declaring their heterosexuality) aside, it is widely believed that gay parents continue to apply for adoption. Thus, it should come as no surprise to anyone that the first step to reducing the number of families permitted to adopt would be the elimination of the singles program (A compromise solution to outright elimination of these families would be the requirement that they apply for a waiting child).Additional restrictions seem likely, perhaps health restrictions, income requirements, lowering upper-age limits for parents, and other means of reducing the number of families eligible to adopt. Additionally, new orphanages will probably be brought into the IA program. These changes are intended to bring the supply-demand equation back into balance.But the referral wait time will not be brought back below 12 months, the stated goal of the CCAA, because simply put the longer wait times work to China's favor. As wait times increase, more families look to alternative options, and one option that will be presented in ever more favorable light is the waiting children program. Expedited referrals will be used to improve the attractiveness of this program, and many families will opt to adopt a Special Needs child, thereby reducing the demand for the healthy young children that are becoming increasingly more difficult for China to supply.If viewed through the prism of simple supply-demand models, the events of the last 12 months become understandable. Often as waiting families we focus on each months referals, feverishly projecting the past to try and ascertain the future (one website has projected the wait time for a family submitting their paperwork today at 2 1/2 years!). By stepping back, we can see the larger picture, and see how the steps being taken by China will impact how adoptions are done. With most of China's orphanages now in modern, third-generation facilities, the "need" for monies derived from the IA program is diminishing. It still exists, and for that reason the IA program will continue. But we must realize that it is China's right, and perogative, to alter the program as they see fit to insure the life-long well-being of her children.

NEW LOOK

Donna did this new look as well as my previous look!!!! She has such talent for design, computer stuff, and color combinations.....I just love it!!! I cannot even take ONE OUNCE of credit for the beauty and creativity of the style and the colors!!!! The colors are so soothing......

Thank you so much DONNA!!!

A MOUSE IN MY HOUSE

This is not the beginning of a children's story I am writing for Tate.... As I walked into the kitchen this afternoon a little (HUGE) brown mouse (MONSTER) ran across my path and down into the cold air return. If there is one mouse (MONSTER) there has got to be others!!! How am I going to sleep tonight knowing that just maybe a mouse will get me in the night??? I guess I will be going to Home Depot tomorrow and getting something to take care of this problem... it is getting to be colder at night, and these little (HUGE) cute (HORRIBLE) critters (MONSTERS) have to winter somewhere.... JUST NOT IN MY HOUSE!!!

THE BIG DREAD....

Once upon a time there was a family of like a zillions cousins (47 to ge exact) who grew up and had kids of their own, who had kids and so as not to let their tribe disappear, they had large families..... LOUD. FUN. TALENTED. but tons of them. One day after many years, the Matriarch decided that it was time once again to gather all together. Far and wide these cousins gathered bringing salads, cookies, brownies, baked beans and chicken. They fested and played and chatted and got reacquainted with each other. And in the mist of this fun, there was one girl cousin who did not add to these numbers.....for she had not had children. She was much loved and cherished by these cousins, and there was a loud cry that went far and wide when this loved cousin decide to adopt a daughter from China. The cousins cried "Bring her a daughter from China!!! Everyone is welcome to join our tribe!!!" The long wait between the proclamation had passed, and at this gathering everyone anticipated the late arrival of this beloved cousin, with the wonderful news of a babe soon in her arms. Each one of the cousins approached lovingly and hugged and asked. Each one of the cousins were interested and supportive.....not one cousin professed that they knew a thing about International Adoption, or had stories to share of others. Each cousin had words of love and hope..... And the girl cousin went home with love in her heart and renewed hope that her dream of adding to this tribe will become true. And she lived happily ever after that night blogging about this great time.

the end

TRIPPIN'

I have been working non-stop these last four days..... and MESA just cannot seem to get over this lack of ME around here....
This is what I see looking up at me constantly..... She will not leave my side and looks and waits for my attention. This is not a neglected puppy I tell you... I hire someone to take care of her when I do these long days..... I guess I am the leader of her dog pack. My dogs await me, it is time for me to throw the ball at the dog park with Mesa and two of her PUPPY BUDDIES. A promise I made to MESA this morning....

SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR MOMMA

This is the theme for this month's FEBRUARY SECRET PAL exchange.......

OH MAN, did my SP make me feel special!!!!

This is what was given to me.... SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR TATE'S MOMMA!!!
On the outside of the envelope for the card, there was instructions to open the three gifts in order before I open the card for the reasons each gift was given......

First I needed to open the LADY BUG papered gift, then the flowered then the Chinese take out box.... This was so much fun....

In the lady bug wrapping was this...... It is a microphone for me to use next time the "Ladies" get together for the next Summit and I decide to sing like Louie Armstrong. I am not sure how to link that video clip of me singing, but if you all go to m3 she had it posted there...... The singing is not limited to the "SUMMIT" and I will sing on demand if you met me.... Unless this will scare Tate and then all singing is OFF!!!

In the flowered paper was this mug.... How appropriate because it is from my SECRET PAL...with the cutest picture...I am trying to imagine how you look based on this picture. I imagine you are a DOLL!!! The mug has sayings " the bonds we have are everlasting" and " you may wonder who sent you this, but know for sure how special you are." I will cherish this as I drink my morning O'Cup A....

In the Chinese food container was this necklace!!!! It is so beautiful and the wish that accompanied it made the necklace so special. The necklace (from China) was to remind me daily of the precious treasure waiting for me. "Just like this pearl, your Tate will be your precious and unique treasure."

Thank YOU!!!! You really made my feel like a special MOMMA, and really helped my SO SAD mood with this month's deminishing referrals!!!!

I cannot wait for you to be revealed to me.... BUT THIS SUSPENSE IS SO MUCH OF THE FUN!!!!

TATE AND MESA GIFTS

This is what I have to deal with whenever my SP packages come.....

Fully inspected my MESA as she anticipates her surprises!!! Take a guess who gets to open her gifts first???


This is what the 90 lbs of SNUGGLE Loving got from HER secret pal!! She got this fun chew ball and this is massive chew treat.
I gave her the treat and she disappeared all day only to surface when the treat was justly taken care of. There was a promise made to Mesa in a note that said "hope your treat does not hurt your girlish figure... but do no worry cause Mesa's secret pal will NEVER send her low fat treats!!!!" Mesa loves you FEBRUARY SECRET PAL and sends you her "special" snuggles and licks and a big WOOF!!!


BUT WHAT WOULD THIS WHOLE ADOPTION FUN BE WITHOUT MY SWEET LITTLE TATE??? Even though Momma was the QUEEN for the Month, Tate was not forgotten.....

Tate was given this bib that says My Mommy is Special and this snuggle woobie blanket. In the past, the woobies kind of freaked me out cause there was an animal head with a blanket coming out of the neck.... Somehow my SP had help and knew this and sent me this woobie that has a teddy bear holding the blanket.... Much less disturbing and so cute!!!!

THANK YOU TATE'S and MESA'S February SECRET PAL!!! You are way beyond thoughful and so appreciated by us all in the Winger home!!!

TWINS!!!!

TWINS!!!!!!!

CONGRATS TO MARY-MIA AND ROD!!!!!

TWO BEAUTIFUL TWIN DAUGHTERS!!!!

ROSE (in pink) and MARIE (in blue)