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Friday, March 30, 2007

Thinking of you, Tracey!!


Yesterday one of my favourite bloggy friends Tracey lost her dear mother. What a very difficult time for her and her family. I hope that she feels all the love and support I am sending her way and if you get a chance, pop by her blog and send some caring thoughts to her.
There will come a day when your tears of sorrow
will softly flow into tears of remembrance...
and your heart will begin to heal itself...
and grieving will be interrupted by episodes of joy...
and you will hear the whisper of hope.
There will come a day when
you will welcome the tears of remembrance...
as a sunshower of the soul...
a turning of the tide...
a promise of peace.
There will come a day when you will...
risk loving...
go on believing...
and treasure the tears of remembering.
~~Author Unknown

Grandmothers hold our tiny hands for just a little while,

but our hearts forever.

~Author Unknown~

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/30/2007 03:16:00 PM 4 comments

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Secret Pal Goodies


Thank you so much to my Secret Pal for the goodies this month!! This months theme was DVD/CD's and my Secret Pal sent one of each.
Channing received the Dora World Adventure DVD (H calls it "Dora China") and also a Toddler Time CD. I do have the DVD already (had to tell you since I posted about it not long ago), but that is OK as having a place at the lake you almost need double of everything!! So this DVD is already at the lake!! Again, thank you so much Secret Pal for your gifts and beautiful card!!

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/28/2007 12:38:00 PM 9 comments

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Driving in China!!!!!!



Found this video too!! I have heard the driving in China is CRAZY!!! You pretty much risk your life once you step onto the streets.....enjoy!!!

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/27/2007 05:09:00 PM 6 comments

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Turn Your Speakers Up!!

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/25/2007 08:54:00 PM 12 comments

Friday, March 23, 2007

Channing's bedding!!!

Last month I came across this sweet bedding set!!! I fell in love with it as soon as I seen it.....how perfect for my little girl!! I knew this was the bedding I wanted for Channing!!! I was having a hard time finding the perfect set as I'm not a big character fan like Dora, Princess and stuff like that. So I emailed the company Kukunest and Tracey was so wonderful she answered all my questions within minutes. I placed my order and it was sent from the US to me within a week.
The bedding is called "Lantern Festival" and its actually not a comforter, its a duvet cover. So now that I have the duvet cover I have to find a good duvet. Then on the bed it will go.
This bedding will look so cute in Channing's room. I have the walls painted a "Georgian Green" color (Benjamin Moore) which is very similar to the green color on the duvet and then Channing's furniture is all white. I also have some paper lanterns to hang from the ceiling......oh I cant wait!!!

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/23/2007 09:41:00 AM 28 comments

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Getting closer!!!

OK....here is the update on the shirt situation!!! Dawn mentioned that she got a long sleeve shirt sent to her from a US blogger buddy. So I went and snooped Dawn's blog out and here is a picture of the shirt with long sleeves....I love it!! Carla left me a comment and said she had a shirt that she could send to me. Unfortunately the shirt is too small. So she will look tonight when she goes out shopping for a bigger size. Tracey is still going to look for me. Soooo I'm hoping I will end up with a handful of these shirts.....as they would be fun to send out to some of my blogger buddies who are looking for one too!! Soooo if anyone else has seen that their Target still has some left (Connie sounded like you could get some still)....let me know!!! It will also be nice to have a few different sizes for Channing!!! They are too darn cute!!!

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/22/2007 01:27:00 PM 4 comments

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

I WANT ONE!!!!

(photo borrowed from Colleen's blog.......Thanks Colleen)

OK......I know I have tons of shop-o-holic bloggy friends that live in the US, so I'm calling in you troops for a little help! I have already called in my Florida pal Tracey so she is on the look out for me, but I'm also going to call all of you gals in. I would love to get my hands on this shirt for Channing......so if anyone out there makes there way to TARGET I would love it if you picked one up for me. I will pay for the shipping and cost of the shirt!!! I also heard they have long sleeved ones too, so either or......maybe one of each!!! Let me know if you have any luck......I would be looking for a size 4 or 5!!!! Thanks!!!!

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/21/2007 09:28:00 PM 7 comments

Another for the collection!!


Last week another Baby Einstein DVD was released!!! I love these movies and so does H. So the day this movie was out I made my way to Walmart and bought it. I had H for a sleep over last Saturday, so Sunday morning we watched this. It was so cute watching H "sign"......he was shy at first and the more the kids did it on TV, the more H would do it!!!
I also thought that this DVD may be good for Channing. I'm thinking about using basic signing when we first meet to help her communicate with me and vise versa....but we will see!!
Anyone have any advice to share on adopting a 3 year old and how to communicate????

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/21/2007 02:05:00 PM 11 comments

Friday, March 16, 2007

CONGRATS Lisa & Pierre!!!

(Shirts designed & made by Lisa)


I'm really excited to do this post!! Every since I found out about "blogs" I have been so fortunate to meet so many wonderful people who are adopting. Most of my new "bloggy" friends are adopting from China, but I have met a few who are adopting from other countries too!!

One of my favourite blogs to follow is
Lisa & Pierre's. Lisa and Pierre live in Canada and are adopting from Ethiopia. Lisa and Pierre are 2 remarkable people!! While waiting for their referral(s) they were busy fundraising for the children in Ethiopia buy having garage sales and setting up tables at crafts shows. They also have been sponsoring a little girl in Ethiopia for the past year!!!
The beginning of February Lisa went to Ethiopia for a 10 day trip with a friend to do humanitarian work with the children through CHOIR (Canadian Humanitarian Organization for International Relief). While she was in Ethiopia she got the most exciting news on Valenitine's Day!!! Her and Pierre have been referred 2 beautiful little girls!!! So since she was in Ethiopia, she got to see, hold and kiss her beautiful, and I mean BEAUTIFUL daughters!!! Lisa is now back in Canada and hopefully in a few months they will be heading back to Ethiopia to bring her little girls home.
Please visit Lisa & Pierre's blog to read more on their journey to their daughters. Lisa is also posting so many video's and pictures about her recent trip to Ethiopia. It truly is amazing to read about all the beautiful children in Ethiopia!!!

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/16/2007 09:30:00 AM 8 comments

Oprah.......Amazing!!!

"Education is the way to move mountains, to build bridges, to change the world. Education is the path to the future. I believe that education is indeed freedom. With God's help, these girls will be the future leaders on the path to peace in South Africa and the world."
~~ Oprah


A few weeks back I got in from the lake and turned on the TV. I noticed a Oprah special was about to begin so I waited a few minutes for it to come on. It was AMAZING!!! Oprah's Building a Dream was about a Leadership Academy that Oprah started/built in South Africa. The $40 Million Dollar school was build and 152 students aged11&12 were selected from over 35,000 applicants!! If your in Canada, I know on CTV they are re-playing this Oprah Special tonight......its a MUST watch!!!

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/16/2007 08:51:00 AM 0 comments

Monday, March 12, 2007

Perfect Gift!!!!

After I received my referral I joined the Yahoo Group for Channing's orphanage. I posted about my referral of Channing and met so many wonderful other families who have adopted or are adopting from the same orphanage. A few weeks back I was contacted by a woman who is part of this group. Last June she had taken her daughter back to China for a Homeland tour and they went to visit the orphanage. They got to go inside and visit with the children. Anyways, this lady took some pictures of the children and the pre-school room. So too my surprise this lady had taken some pictures of my sweet Channing!!!! WOW....she looks so little compared to her referral pictures!!!

I'm just amazed! These pictures are so special to me since I have very few!!! This same lady also sent me other pictures of the orphanage and some of Channing's friends in her class!! I have started a photo album now for Channing as I'm sure she will treasure all of these once she is older!!! THANKS again to this special lady!!!!

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/12/2007 03:50:00 PM 24 comments

Saturday, March 10, 2007

7 Months LID

So, as of yesterday, I have officially been logged in with the CCAA for 7 months! On one hand, it seems like forever, on the other - I wonder how it is possible that I have been logged in for 7 months! Through all the waiting and wondering...time just continues to tick on.
So, I thought I'd list a few adoption "milestones"coming up:
PA- Pre-Approval: Not all Canadians get pre-approval from China, but I'm hoping I will get one very soon!!!
Seeking Confirmation Letter- CCAA will send this letter for me to sign. Once I sign and send the letter back, I will start to officially pack for China!!!
TA- Travel Approval: Once China gets my Seeking Confirmation Letter back they will then issue my TA!!!
Some other "milestones' coming up are:
Birth of my Nephew Brogan: Brogan will be born near the end of April
Hunter's 3rd birthday in April
And hopefully, I will be bringing Channing home in early summer (June or July)!! It's going to be a great summer!!

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/10/2007 06:27:00 PM 8 comments

Friday, March 09, 2007

Blahhhhhh

Well this is how I have been feeling the last 2 days!! Thanks to my sister-in-law, brother and nephew, I have now gotten the flu from them.............sorry that I havent been blogging, emailing or phoning......I cannot move!!!!!
I have that great fever, cough, sore throat, sore ears, and aching bones EVERYWHERE!!
Thanks to those who I have chatted with the last few days.....you are all so sweet!! And Kate, your offer was sooo sweet but dont worry....my parents are taking great care of me!!!!

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/09/2007 12:47:00 PM 10 comments

Monday, March 05, 2007

Care Package

OMG, who knew that sending a care package to your child in China would be so much work!! I never thought it would take so much time to prepare, organize and decide what to send. I have litterly spent about 10 hours on this package, but every minute was well worth it!!

Yulin from my agency is heading to China at the end of the week and she has offered to take Channing's care package with her. I'm not sure if Yulin will hand deliver the package to the orphange or just mail it from China to Channing.

So this is what I have sent to Channing:
1) Taggie blanket made by Catherine that I have slept with for a month
2) Panda beanie that I also slept with for a month
3) Dora doll
4) Little girls necklace and braclet with 2 hair pretties
5) Bubbles
6) Dora book
7) Disposable camera
8) Candies and chocolate for the Nannies
9) Canada pencils for the older kids
10) Lanyard with a picture of Channing on one side and a picture of me & Saige on the other side
11) Picture book of her new forever family
12) Letter to the Orphanage Director (in Chinese and English)
13) Questions for the Orphanage Director and Nannies to answer about Channing (in Chinese and English)

With the picture book for Channing I sent 29 pictures of her family. I also made it kindof like a story book. I started the book off by writing a short letter to Channing which is translated into Chinese and also I included an English copy. I wrote a short note explaining her new family, Grandpa & Grandpa, Saige, Hunter, house, lake, and my friends. After each note I included some pictures!!


My letter to Channing!!


Letter about Saige....Now isnt that picture so cute of

Saige and Channing's picture???

Letter about her new Cousin Hunter!!!


And I also found a Dora the Explorer book. It is sooo cute and perfect for Channing!! It's called I Love My Mami!! I translated each page into Chinese so her nannies can read the book to her and her friends!! Its a short book and one that a 3 year old can understand!!!

I was going to send Channing a cute little sundress and sandles but after reading more about what others recommend and have sent I have decided not to send any clothing. In pictures that I have seen from her orphanage the kids look clean and well dressed. Also I have heard that if you do send an outfit the child will only be dressed in it the day they come and meet you. And I really want Channing to come to me dressed in an outfit from her orphanage.....when I take the outfit off Channing I will seal it in a ziploc bag. And if Channing needs to be soothed or comforted I can let her hold onto her outfit. The smell of her orphanage will be there on it and its something familiar to her. Also the outfit will be a special keepsake for Channing when she is older!!!

Sooo.....off the package will go today!!! I do know that there is NO GUARANTEES that Channing will receive the package but my heart tells me she WILL and I know my agency will do everything possible to make sure Channing gets it!! It will be such a BIG help if her nannies work with her daily showing her the photo book and help prepare her for her adoption day!!!

posted by Tao's Mommy at 3/05/2007 11:06:00 AM 23 comments

About Me

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Name: Tao's Mommy

Welcome to my online journal. I have created this blog so my family & friends can follow this amazing journey to my daughter in China.

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      Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Who's Online Now

        Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting My Travel Group

        • Channing
        • Ran
        • Aidan
        • Aidan(Private)
        • Daniel
        • Larkyn
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        • Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting All About Channing...

          • Channing's Blog
          • Last Updated July 3, 2007
          • Timeline
          • DTC- July 14, 2006
          • LID- August 9, 2006
          • Referral- January 12, 2007
          • LOI- February 24, 2007
          • LOA/SCL- June 8, 2007
          • TA- July 6, 2007
          • Travel Date- August 8-23rd
          • Channing Day- August 13th
          • Wuzhou SWI
          • Guangxi Websites of SWI
          • Wuzhou City
          • Half The Sky

          Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Red Thread

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            Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting 100 Good Wishes Quilt

            • Quilt- Friends & Family
            • Last Updated February 22, 2007
            • Quilt- July DTC Group
            • Last Updated February 22, 2007

            Photobucket - Video and Image HostingFamily & Friends

            • Jodi
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            • Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting China Links

              • My Agency- Family Outreach International
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              Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting FOI Family Blogs

              • Cari-DTC
              • Liam & Sherry-LID 12/14/06
              • Marc & Dina-LID 09/04/06
              • Kim & Terry -LID 09/28/06
              • Kevin & Stacey-LID 09/28/06
              • Albert & Melinda-LID 08/09/06
              • Cindy & Brian-LID 08/09/06
              • Jason & Claudette-LID 08/08/06
              • Anthony & Janet-LID 07/22/06
              • Krista & Martin-LID 07/12/06
              • Drea & Luigi-LID 07/12/06
              • Patti & Joel-LID 07/05/06
              • Debbie & Shane-LID 06/16/06
              • Jenn & Jeff-LID 05/19/06
              • Randy & Cara-LID 05/19/06
              • Tracey & Geoff-LID 04/11/06
              • Kris & Shawn-LID 03/01/06

              Photobucket - Video and Image HostingWaiting For Referral

              • Waiting for Referral
              • Journey to Elena-LID 02/16/06
              • Giorgia-LID 02/17/06
              • Lauren-LID 02/17/06
              • Waiting for Bella-LID 02/22/06
              • Journey to Jaydn-LID 02/24/06
              • Our Journey to Mia Lin-LID 02/27/06
              • Laurens Journey Home-LID 03/07/06
              • Our Unforgotten Daughter-LID 03/07/06
              • Tate-R-Bug-LID 03/07/06
              • Awaiting Ava-LID 03/08/06
              • Following the Thread-LID 03/14/06
              • Waiting for Hannah-LID 03/23/06
              • Waiting for Zoey-LOI 03/27/06
              • Journey to Daphne-LID 03/28/06
              • Adoption of Keira-LID 03/29/06
              • Journey to Annaliese-LID 04/05/06
              • Jeff & Cory-LID 04/11/06
              • Journey to Victoria-LOI 04/12/06
              • Seeking Sloan-LOI 05/16/06
              • Waiting for Chloe-LID 05/18/06
              • Mia Renee-LID 06/14/06
              • Journey to Summer-LID 06/22/06
              • One Life Changing Experience-LID 06/28/06
              • Waiting for our Ladybug
              • Journey to Chloe-LID 08/14/06
              • Little Maple-LID 09/13/06
              • Little Miracle-LID 10/18/06
              • Nothing Like A Dream-LID 11/03/06
              • Waiting for Pumpkin-LID 12/06/06
              • Huckleberries & Rice-LID 12/13/06
              • Digging A Hole To China-LID 12/29/06
              • Seventh Diamond-LID 02/06/07
              • Wanton Wishes&Fortune Cookie Dreams-Pprchs
              • Julia Rae-DTC
              • China 4~1 More-DTC
              • Pandapalooza-LID??
              • Vietnamese Princess (Vietnam)
              • Taiwan Treasure (Taiwan)
              • Kate (Guatemala)

              Photobucket - Video and Image HostingWAITING TO TRAVEL

              • Ready to Go

              Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting July/06 DTC Fireflies

              • Group Blog
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              • Liptacks & Ladybugs
              • Pickle Chatter
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              • Cook Family

              Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting In China Now!!!!

              • Families In China

              Photobucket - Video and Image HostingTHE WAIT IS OVER...HOME SWEET HOME

              • Sophie Lu
              • Ollie
              • Mali
              • Jazzie & Tahlia
              • Journey to Alyssa Li-FOI
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              • Mya-FOI
              • Sadie-FOI
              • Meg & Kate-FOI
              • Rebecca-FOI
              • Taiya-FOI
              • Olivia-FOI
              • Kiyomi-CB
              • Jenna-CB
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              • Isabelle Yang Ting
              • Sydney
              • Always in My Heart
              • Teague Family
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              • Kacey
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              • Maggie
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              • Gabbie
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              • Deb
              • Adia-FOI
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              Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Previous Posts

              • Updates....
              • CANADA DAY
              • Visit from Catherine
              • It's SYDNEY DAY!!!
              • Birthdays & More
              • Tragedy In China.....
              • SNOW FUN!!!
              • Weekend at the lake
              • MY "SUNSHINES"
              • 1st Valentines together!!!

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