New CCAA Pictures

I thought I would post some pictures for my family and friends to see where my dossier is in China. These are the new pictures that were taken at CCAA (China Centre of Adoption Affairs) in Beijing, China. CCAA is where all the "Magic" happens!!! Channing's dossier is too!! The above picture is of the new building where CCAA moved last fall. Looks beautiful!!!


This is a picture of the front enternace!!!!








Pictures of all the dossiers waiting to be reviewed!! I understand that all dossiers are color coded according to agencies.









More dossiers!!!! I wonder where mine is sitting right now????

Here is a dossier being "reviewed" or "matched". They now upload all our info in a computer database and review it like this!!!

Piles of dossiers on someones desk!!!! You can see all the other people working away.

TGIF

All I can say is TGIF!!! Even though its been a short week with Monday being a holiday....I'm pooped!!

We are in a mini-blizzard again this weekend so my plan is to hang low. Tomorrow I think we are heading into Regina to shop and then I have Hunter coming over to spend the night.

Here is my exciting plan for him....It's been awhile since he first watched Big Bird in China so we are going to watch it again. I think I bought it last summer and I have only watched it once. Plus I heard the other day that some of the scenes from China are filmed in Channing's province...Guangxi!!

Next, we will watch Dora. Hunter LOVES this movie and we watch it almost every time he comes over to my house. Lastnight Hunter was talking a lot about Channing. He would say "Channing lives in China", "I want to go to China too", "you go in the sky to Channing's house". I sure wish he was a few years older and then I would take him with when we go. I dont think he would do well being 3 and away from his parents for 2 weeks. PLUS I think I can only handle one 3 year old at a time in China!!

Then once Hunter goes to bed I will watch my FAVOURITE DVD!!! I think I have watched this DVD at least 25 times. Everytime I watch it, it feels more and more real. I cant believe this will be me in a few months....in China getting my daughter!!!

CNY Commercials

Cant understand the song, but it sounds cute!!!



Coca-Cola China Chinese New Year 2007 tv ad

Secret Pal Goodies

Thank you so much SP for the great Feb gift!! This months theme was anything from "head-to-toe". My SP thought of everything. Look at the great shirt, vest, toque & mitts, socks for mom & Channing and of course all those hair pretties!!!

The shirt is awesome. This was the first shirt I bought when I recieved Channing's referral....it is too cute!! Hopefully I can return one.....SP you have great taste...lol!! It has African, Asian and a Caucasian little girls on the front!!

Cant wait to see Channing sporting those hair pretties!!! Thanks again SP.....

YEAR OF THE PIG

Happy Chinese New Year Everyone.......

Today is the start of the YEAR OF THE PIG!!!

New Song- China Rescue

After seeing this video it just makes me hold onto Channing's picture even tighter!! Thankfully there are people out there such as these ones in the video who go around and help in the orphanages and give love to the children waiting for their forever families!!

Thank You!!

I have added a better scanned picture of my little girl (thanks to Cory). I just love the black & white one!!!

These past few days have been a blur......I cannot imagine how the first few days will be once I have Channing in my arms!! Thank you all so much for all your nice comments, emails and phone calls these past few days!! One thing I know fursure, I couldnt have survied this journey (roller coaster ride) without you all. I have meet so many wonderful friends, many whom I havent even met in person yet!! This blogging, chat groups and adoption support groups are a lifesaver and now I can go pretty much anywhere in Canada & US and know someone. Hopefully one day Channing and I will meet you all!!!

Referral!!!!

Finally the moment I have dreamed of

for soooooo long .......

My little girl.....CHANNING!!

(This photo was taken August 2006)

Seeing my little girl's precious face for the first time was the most amazing moment in my life!!! My first word was she is "beautiful". Channing is living in the Guangxi Province which is in the southern part of China right above Vietnam.

I received a wonderful package on her with lots of information!! Channing spent her first years living in a foster family and recently she is being cared for at the Social Welfare Institute (orphanage) so she can attend the pre-school program. Channing is one healthy girl and has the most kissable lips in the world!!!

D.O.B: January 2004

I cant stop looking at her picture, I'm absolutley in love!! I cant wait to see a smile on her adorable face for the first time!!!

Not flesh of my flesh

Nor bone of my bone,

But still miraculouslyMy own.

Never forget For a single minute:You didn't grow under my heart

But in it.

~~Fleur Conkling Heyliger

Today was the day!!!!

I thought I would give you all a quick update!! I am now back at work after meeting with my Social Worker. I HAVE A DAUGHTER!!! She is absolutley beautiful!!! I will post here shortly and of course show a picture of Channing. I can now officially say I HAVE A DAUGHTER....I signed the acceptance letters and handed in my LOI (Letter of Intent).. Can you tell I'm excited, I can hardly sit still!!!

Right before I was heading to my Social Worker, I stopped by my house. I went in to get the mail and there was my 1st issue of Today's Parent. I forgot I had bought the subscription as it was way back in October. Then I hopped back into the car and as I was driving away the song
"How to Save a Life" by the Frey came on.......Once I was in my Social Workers office it was like a sense of calm came over me (exactly how you explained it Carolyn).......OK.....I have to go but real soon I will post!!! Thanks everyone for all your support, well wishes, cards, phone calls and gifts these past few weeks. I could'nt have made it without my family, friends and of course all my special bloggy friends.......I love ya all!!!!

6 Months LID

WOW......Today is my 6 month LID-iversary!! Time seems to be clipping right along. At the beginning of my journey waaaaay back when I was waiting to turn 30, I struggled to make it through each day... Now a month seems to be going by in the blink of an eye, but of course not fast enough either!!

Soon sweet Channing, SOON!!!

Update!!!

This is me watching the clock

and

counting down the minutes!!!

I talked to my Social Worker today and my proposal has arrived at DCRE (Ssocial Services) in Regina. It will be sent to my Social Worker tomorrow, which could arrive, but my Social Worker wont be in the office to present it to me. Soooo we have scheduled a time for Monday.......Monday will be the day I will see my sweet girls face and learn all about her!! All I can say is....NOT A NOTHER WEEKEND TO GET THROUGH!!! But my Social Worker has been wonderful and so supportive throughout my journey!!!

YIPPEE....my sweet Channing has made her first "apperance" in Saskatchewan today!!!

My STORK did arrive!!

Sorry to keep you all on pins & needles these past few weeks!!! Trust me it hasnt been easy to keep my mouth zipped. I would'nt have done it to you all, but when you deal with the Governement you have to abide by their rules!!!

YES, I received a match!!! Yes, I have a daughter!!! But since I didnt get an EXACT match with my daughter (as per what I was requesting vs proposed) I had to get an adendum done to my homestudy. And after "key" people returning from holidays I can now say....today I received my Provincial Approval and my daughters proposal should be flying from my agency in Ottawa tonight to the Sask Gov't in Regina. They will then forward it to my Social Worker to "officially" propose her to me....and of course I will sign her acceptance papers!!

So hopefully by friday I can share all the juicy details about Channing and of course her sweet face!!!

Note: This is NOT Channing, I just could'nt resist posting it!!

Ohhh....and if your my Secret Pal......you may want to wait until I post her referral before you shop for this months gifts!!!!

Better Practice.....LOTS!!

While doing my blog surfing today I came across this blog that had instructions on how to use Chopsticks. I thought since my "attempt" on Saturday really sucked I better start to study and practise. I have heard that over in China if you want to use a fork or knife you better take your own, because all that they supply are chopsticks!!

When we went out for supper last Saturday in Saskatoon we ate at Saskatoon Asian. It was very good and I would go back in a minute. So there was about 12 of us eating and at one point I looked around the table and I was the only one eating with a fork, everyone else was using chopsticks. So we had a little laugh and then Cory made me this contraption.






I will admitt it WORKED. Later that night in our hotel room we ordered BP's and I even used the chopsticks to eat my cactus cut potatoes!!! I wonder if I would get some looks if I used these in China....hmmm. Heck Channing will be better using them than me!!










And of course here is Cory.....I will also say that these pictures were taken after a "few" drinks!!