I'm Famous! And Other Ramblings.....

I am catching up on blog readings and wanted to post a few items that caught my eye. So here's some miscellaneous "stuff" to share:

Waiting for a child is so frustrating. We know how hard it can be; the up and downs; the joy for others getting their referrals and the sadness knowing the wait continues. Our most hearty congratulations for those receiving referrals yesterday (through February 15, 2006) and now for those still waiting.... as their wait is now longer than ours was (only 30.5 months from LID). Please pray for these loving families who so look forward to having their child soon. Visit the Bison family who are celebrating 17 months since LID and their Journey to Isabella. And 3D's Adoption Journey celebrating 30 long months wait.

Rumor Queen is posting links to all the blogs with new referral. Comments are always welcome - let's congratulate these "soon to be" new parents! (check out Mike & Rhonda's surprise at Slow Boat to China).

These great people are next in line with February LID's. They are in the same boat we were in July 2008 - missing the cut off by two days or more (our extra month of frustration was due to the cut off date of 01/25/06).
Here's to their happiness next month!! Please send them lots of hugs!
Giorgia Danette, Ruby is Coming, Waiting for Lauren Elizabeth, Our Journey to Kaelie, Journey to Mei-Li, Elena, Waiting for Flora, PIPO known as The VaChina Monologues, Australia to China, Daisies, Doggies and Daddy, Looking East and West, Our Unforgotten Daughter (OK, they are March LID... hey, I wanted to include them..).
Still love reading Kris's blog, Tell Her This. We are anxiously awaiting good news for her referral.
Travel Approval is a happy time over at Journey to Kavanna's - Congrats! Also, at The Pelletier's Yearning for a Child and Waiting for Lily! Adding the Curewitz's at Wren's Story!! We love you guys!

Rebecca at "China, Baby" is raising money for her son, Owen's adoption. Lana handmade the jewelery she is raffling off. For a minimum of $3.00 you can have a chance to win the beautiful jewelery until 10/10/08.

Remember to check Robin's custom sewing shop daily for "SOS" specials. I love her clothes for our little girls and she is raising funds needed to bring her new daughter, Mia Hope, home. She made the dress in the fake magazine cover (above) - the dress was a gift from our Secret Buddy, Kim Bison.

A huge thank you to the BLOGGER of all bloggers - Seventh Diamond continues to amaze me with her charity work, her initiative to start things going where she sees the need. You can all support children and adoptions by visiting her many activities. Here's her latest one - I wish I had the energy to do the same; I had thought of it, but hadn't done anything. She DOES it, SHE MAKES it happen! Check out her new church adoption support group. Here's her words about the new adoption ministry:
We are trying to put together a very firm foundation for our group and good goals that are attainable and a timeline for when we would like to have certain projects ready to launch. We are building a list of adoptive families and are hoping that we can encourage our church to see the need for this ministry.

If any of you have started a group at your church, I would be very interested to see how you did it. Any advice would be cherished. You can e-mail me at timnkim@ gmail.com. We have Shaohannah's Hope info. Please pray for us.

China Travel Tips: We used everyone's list for packing, pre-referral tasks, travel hints, etc... I did learn two things that I would do differently... One very small detail (maybe it was on someone's list; I just missed it) and one BIG detail:
Small goof - didn't bring extra luggage tags for suitcase we bought in China (I know, small detail but worth bringing from home);
BIG Goof - Booking an international flight out of your last China city stop (usually GZ - other wise you suffer through another "in China" flight with baggage limitations). Insist on an international flight (meaning you leave for another country, not for a Chinese city like Beijing as we did).

The fake magazine cover picture is an idea from Journey to Gianna. Love the famous look to it - just what I want to make my daughter feel special! Modeling future?

Our days continue to get better. We were brave and went to our favorite pizza joint last night and met with good friend, Pam D. and local FCC family Laureen B. and daughter Izzy! How cool to see our two daughters together. Hoping for many play dates with them in the future.

One last musing; our memories are fading (just like birthing pains?) of the big China trip, but walking around in the flooded streets of GZ was something I first thought was a joke until our CCAI representative said we would be making our medical appointment.... here's the proof in case you missed it the first time around... the local newspaper caught us "foreigners" out in the streets.

This is my first "real" post; "post-China trip". I hope to be back in the swing of daily life while teaching, playing and loving my new daughter. Huge thanks to Nana Ann (my Mom, extraordinaire!) who is keeping our household together. I would recommend to everyone to have a close family member stay with you the first week home. She has been invaluable and it gives AA a chance to bond with Grandmother. Win-Win!!

I just had to add two more pictures from last night..... She's getting to be a ham and loves playing with Nana too!

Love to all, thank you for the comments; your support and love is a blessing to us! Imagine us with Alyzabeth An.... as Johnny stated... All our dreams came true!