WHAT'S ONE MORE?

I was looking at the paper on Friday and came across the local animal shelter advertising animals that needed a home. I read that there was a 10 year old German Shepherd that needed a home. I was so upset that an animal would end up at the dog pound after being a family pet for 10 years. The local dog pound keeps them for 3 days and then they gas them. Yep, they still use gas. I wasn't going to have that happen to the Shepherd SOOOOOOOO....... Jeff and I made a quick stop after work on Friday. I told Jeff to go in and Luna, Bella & I would wait out in the car. Jeff was in there a long time so I decided to call him on his cell phone. A few minutes later I see Jeff stick his hand out the door and make a hand motion for me to come in. The German Shepherd was no longer available. I guess her owners had a change of heart and decided to pick her back up. This is who greeted me when I opened the door. This is Hank.
Jeff said that there was 1/2 dozen dogs there and everyone was barking except for Hank. Hank just cocked his head and their eyes met. Rumor has it.....It was love at first site.
Hank was just brought in to the pound that day. Someone had captured Hank after witnessing him being abused. Hank's owner would throw him over a 6 foot fence and kick him. We were fortunate that the officer had a soft heart and made Hank available for adoption that day. Hank wants to wish all of you a Happy New Year.........Hank's New Year is going to be VERY Happy with his new family.

Hank is a 6-8 month old (Bella is 7 months old) Sharpei/Chow. Rumor has it his name used to be Tank.

PICTURES OF THE CCAA

The CCAA moved to a new office several months ago. Here are a few pictures of their new digs. The first photo shows the new building.
This is a picture of the entrance of the CCAA.
This is a sign on the front door.
This is the Matching Room (I hope our file will be in there VERY soon).
This is a picture of all the dossiers of waiting families.
This is a view from the CCAA building.

I know that I'm a little early in wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I just know that things are getting a little hectic around here and I'm trying to get all sorts of last minute things done before the big day. I don't want time to get away from me and miss out on wishing all of you a VERY Merry Christmas! I am so thankful for each of you for taking this journey with us and being there to put a smile on my face each time I read your blogs & comments. May this be the last Christmas without our little ones! Have a safe and happy holiday!

Love,
Lisa, Jeff, Hope, Griffin & Ian

OUR ANNIVERSARY

Jeff and I were married 17 years ago today. As you may have noticed....We haven't changed a bit!

Our best friends, Lauren & Doug stood up for us in our wedding. Lauren & I have been friends since kindergarten.

This is Jeff and I with my mother & brother on the left and Jeff's mother is pictured on the right.

Melissa wrote a poem for her hubby on their anniversary a few weeks ago. I took her poem and tweaked it a little. Some of it didn't need to be changed because it was fitting for both of our husbands. My changes are in green.

I love looking into your beautiful baby blues,
You love all our animals and our house is a zoo,

I love you for your smokin’ hot bod,
You’ve got the cutest butt - and for that I thank god,

I love the way you hold me tight,
You’re a very smart man - you always let me win our fights,

I knew from the moment that I first heard your name,
You would be a part of my life, I know that sounds lame,

On our wedding day there was a huge blizzard in the air,
I have never ever cared that you're losing your hair,

Over 17 years ago, you picked out my ring,
YOUR mother said her fingers are small, she don't need too much bling,

Do you have any idea what a wonderful father you are?
Don’t worry - I won’t tell anyone that the 1st time you said ‘I love you’ you were drunk at a bar,

Over the years I have nicknamed you Peaches, The kids and I run for cover in fear of your long winded speeches.

Though we have walked through some really rough weather, We have grown so strong - and even better together,

I guess what I'm really trying to say - I'll be serious - not your usual wise cracking wife,
Is that you are what fills my heart - the very love of my life.

SNOW DAY

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This is my first attempt at posting video to my blog. This was taken a couple weeks ago when we had are first HUGE snow. As you can see Bella LOVES the snow and Luna........she only goes out when she's has a "need".

9 MONTHS DOWN

Well........ In another 3 days this pregnancy will officially become my longest yet. I remember after we became DTC (date to China), I thought that I was going to just sit back and relax. Silly me, I thought that it was going to be so easy.....I'd go about my life and in a few months I would be handed this beautiful baby girl.....I was enjoying the idea of taking on the role of Jeff as it played out in our previous pregnancies! Who knew that this pregnancy would BY FAR be the toughest thing I have ever done in my life. Who would have guessed that being paper pregnant you can still have weight gain, suffer from mood swings that include crying at the drop of a hat (usually when some sad song comes on the radio) and worry and wonder if it is ever going to end. It was so easy when my babies were inside of me, I always knew where they were. I'm not lying when I say that I would gladly give birth 10 times (fully medicated) if that would bring my Ava here.

As time passes, it gets more and more difficult with each passing day. I wonder now more than ever if Ava is okay. Is she warm enough? Is someone holding her when she cries? I think it has been really difficult because in my heart, I feel that she has already been born. I woke up one night in September and had this peace that came over me......I felt that Ava had been born. It may have been that someone had found her and she was finally safe and warm. This Christmas season is very difficult for me even though I have three other children. It is really hard knowing that my daughter will most likely spend her first Christmas in an orphanage. I pray that Ava is feeling loved and that her Aunties will take care of her until her Daddy & I get there. I have to believe that.

So, as of today we have been logged in for 9 months. Are we 1/2 there......God, I hope so. I want my baby girl.

PRESENTS

It's like Christmas has come early at our house. I have received several gifts and I a couple people that I would like to thank. First, Mary sent me a Christmas card and this ornament that says Journey to Ava, 2006! The picture didn't turn out very well but, trust me, it's adorable! Thank you, Mary!!!! I hung it right next to my ladybug ornament and the ornament I bought last year that says........Waiting for Ava, 2005. Sadly, I will be buying another this year that says......Still waiting for Ava, 2006.
Have I told you guys that I have the BEST Secret Pal ever??!!! My SP sent this mug filled with my favorite Bath & Body Works scent......Vanilla! My pal sure knows the kind of stuff that I like!
My SP sent this Dad hat for Ava's Daddy. I wanted to post these pictures sooner but Jeff wasn't feeling well this weekend. He seemed to pick up some flu virus while in Chicago a month ago..... I had him throw on the hat when he came home last night so I could get a picture. Thank you, SP.....Ava's Daddy is going to stand out in the crowd!

AND MORE PRESENTS!

This is the adorable lamp that my Secret Pal sent for Ava. I just love it and the colors are perfect for her room!
I thought I would let you guys take a peek at Ava's dresser. We have had it stored away in our closet for the last 3 or 4 years. All my kids have used this dresser and I still love it as much today as the day I picked it out almost 16 years ago.
Ian went to the Secret Santa shop at school today. Of course, we HAD to open the presents as soon as we came home. We didn't even get to take our coats off when Ian came running up with the presents. Ian had picked out a presents for the entire family. The dogs even had new bones to chew on AND Grandma is now the proud owner of a hippo bath scrubby (sorry, no pictures were taken). Ian wanted to be the one to open the present he picked out for Ava. As you can see....Ava is the proud owner of a new sippy cup!
Mommy has a new keychain and I was VERY pleased.........It's not many people MY age that can be members of the Ladies Red Hat Society!
I think their youngest members are about sixty! I can't wait to put my keys on it!
Griffin was trying to give Ian a big hug for his present. Ian gave Griffin a tiny radio that has earphones.
Hope is also trying to give her brother a big squeeze! Ian picked out some lip gloss for his Sissy.
We had Daddy open his present as soon as he came home from work!
Daddy is giving Ian a big hug and was very happy with the clip on watch that Ian picked out!

Christmas has already started at our house! Thank you, Mary, Secret Pal & Ian!

For some reason, the screen goes black after the 2nd picture.....Keep watching....There's more.....Much more.


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CHINA ADOPTION FORECAST

I came across a website that you can type in your LID and it will give you a projected date that you will receive your referral. With a LID of 3/8/06, this is what it said:

Our best guess - a weighted average of recent CCAA velocities, guessing that CCAA will perform about as well in the future as they are performing now, but might return to previous trends: 2007-11-17

I'M REALLY HOPING (NOT TO MENTION, I HAVE A STRONG FEELING) THAT WE WILL RECEIVE OUR REFERRAL BEFORE NEXT NOVEMBER. THE ONE (AND ONLY) COOL THING ABOUT THE PROJECTED DATE OF 11-17-07 .......... IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

IT'S DECEMBER!!!

I knew our above normal temps weren't going to stick around. We have a snow/ice day today and I believe most schools in Michigan are closed. Bella saw her very first snow in October and she really couldn't have cared less.....Today, she can't seem to get enough of it! She bounces and tries to bite each flake as it is falling and when she is inside (IF I can get her to come in) she stares out the window in amazement.

Luna on the other hand was born & raised in Miami, Florida. She saw her very first snow last year and didn't even want to walk in it. It took us a few days to get her to walk out in the yard to go to the bathroom. She would do her business on the front porch. As you can see, she did her business and is watching for that young pup to come back inside with her.

Luna says......To hell with her, I'm going inside. Young skulls full of mush.....