Third times the charm

02/05/09 UPDATE: We got our amended fingerprint extension letter in the mail today. Less than a week after having them taken!! Way to go Detroit USCIS office.


We went and had our fingerprints re-done for the third time this morning. They actual are good for 15-months and ours just happened to expire today. I had mailed a letter to the USCIS office on January 9th requesting new fingerprint appointments and the appointment letters came last Thursday the 23rd. The same day our LOI went to China. Everything is coming together. Finally.

One more thing to check off our to-do list.

No shower for you....by choice

So the million dollar question the past few days has been when is the shower and make sure I'm invited. We have decided that we are not comfortable having a baby shower since I -- Sherry....the guilty one -- have been shopping for Cassie for about three years now. She literally has one dresser, two closets, and 12 storage boxes of clothes -- in sizes from 3 - 6 months to 4T. And another 4 storage boxes of dishes, shoes, stuffed animals, toys, and misc stuff. Plus, two toy boxes/bookcase/shelf units in her bed room and one in the living room.

So how can we possibly have a shower and ask people to buy us stuff. Oh, and her room is completely done -- see this post: http://springbabies.blogspot.com/2008/07/girls-room-completed.html

Sorry - but all this shopping has kept me sane during the wait. And that's all we are going to say on my sanity. So since Sonny doesn't have the password to update this post -- I'm safe on that topic.

But, because some people are insisting on buying our wonderful baby girl something to welcome her home we did register on Target.com (available in the store too). However --- just to be very clear -- we don't need anything for her. There are a few things I need to pick up for the trip but other than that she's really all set. This info is not meant to have anyone feel like they have to buy her something. She is already our spoiled little princess. But, I had to at least do something to please the masses -- who are so wonderful for asking what our little girl needs.

Again --- she really needs nothing -- but her mom and dad to come get her.

Steps to bring our daughter home

Here are the steps we need to go through before we can bring Cassie home.

1. LOI -- Letter of Intent. The letter to the CCAA telling them we want to adopt a specific child from the Waiting Child list. This letter was sent to China through our agency on Friday night -- the 23rd of January.
2. PA -- Pre-Approval. Confirmation that the CCAA has decided to review our dossier and consider us for the child on our LOI.
3. LOA/LSC -- Letter Seeking Confirmation. Our official referral letter. Basically saying that the CCAA has approved us to adopt Cassie.
4. TA -- Travel Approval. Confirmation that we are approved to come get Cassie. This will trigger our agency to start making the arrangements for our trip.
5. CA -- Consulate Appointment. The day of our swearing in at the American Consulate. Once we have this appointment we can make our airline reservations.

The timeline from LOI to traveling is about 3 - 6 months on average.

Pray for our paperwork to speed through the steps.

After 31 months and 3 day...........................

We have a daughter!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, you read that correct -- a daughter -- of our very own -- our little girl -- who loves mommy the best -- sorry daddy -- just get used to it -- it's mommy's blog and her delusions!

We will post more info about her when we can -- until we go through all the steps/process of the adoption we have to keep her pictures, name, birthday, etc off the blog.

But I can tell you this -- she's simply adorable!!! And I'm not just saying that -- she really is.

And she's ours.
We are the luckiest two people around.

And we are so very blessed and thankful for getting the honor to raise this little wonder. Words cannot express the joy in our hearts. God has been so good to us.

Quotes for the day

There's a thin person inside of me screaming to get out, but I keep her sedated with chocolate.

If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

31 months of waiting.................

Today marks the 31st anniversary of our LID.

All I can do is let out a big sigh.
And pray that 2009 will be our year.


Have I told you guys that I really want to be a mom?

I really do.
Honest - I do.

Brrrrr...........

Baby it's cold outside!!!!

Actual temp: 9 below zero!!
With the wind: 27 below zero!!!!

What's up with that?!?!?!?!?!

I so shouldn't have to go to work in this kind of weather.

Note to self -- buy lottery tickets tonight after work.

Stay warm everyone!

Shopping again!

~~~~ UPDATE #2 ~~~~

Just got the FedEx package with the clothes. They are adorable -- I just love the little jumper/dress -- SO cute. And it's lined too!!!! I think that's my favorite piece that I ordered. But the skirt is really cute too. And the pants are lined and have an adjustable waist. Ok -- I really like everything!!!

~~~~~~~~~

Ok -- I'll admit it. I'm back to my old ways again. I've been doing some stress relief shopping.....again. Back in December -- you know -- a long time ago -- last year -- I found a cool new site for some adorable clothes -- kids clothes -- what else is there?!?

It's: http://www.cocobonbons.com/

In December I bought three outfits from the Owl collection. I bought 3T's since I'm clueless on what size our daughter will be. But I'm sure she'll be smaller than that when we get her. The clothes are all adorable. Got them right after Christmas -- I love them -- very cute. And you all know how I love orange -- I do -- just in case you haven't noticed from the blog.

I checked the site this morning -- and they are having another sale. Like 70% off! So I bought 4 outfits in the BonBon collection. I bought 24 months -- since that's what I could get all 4 outfits in. I just love pink and brown together. And this way they will mix and match -- right? And who can resist 70% off? Their boy collections are really cute too.

I so need to get this package before Sonny does.

~~~~ UPDATE ~~~~
Conversation after dinner:
Me -- I did a tiny bit of shopping today. (in my soft I love you voice)
Sonny -- I know, I read the blog.
Me -- No comment -- too shocked to know what to say.

Note to self -- hubby reads the blog.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wishing everyone a wonderful year to come -- may all your dreams and wishes come true.

I'm toasting to some of mine coming true too!