Daddy is on a mission!

As you may of heard, the CCAA (China Council of Adoption Affairs) are going to change the regulations for parents submitting their dossier for adoptions as of May 1, 2007 and because of these changes, Keith & I will no longer be eligible to adopt. With all the new regulations, there is only one that would affect us. That one is both parents need at least an HS educational degree. While I did graduate HS and college, Keith's story is so different. It was because of total hardship at a young age, that Keith had to leave his former education and help support his family. He has been blessed with a skill that has supported his family & himself for over the past 25 years...and we are so very grateful of that skill...but after much time & consideration, Keith has decided to go back to school & get his HS diploma. We are all very excited about this & according to him, it is something he has always wanted to do. I know part of it is because of the new regulations going into affect by the CCAA, but I also know it is something that he has wanted to do for some time now. I did contact CCAI and they told me that this would be a big help in our 2nd adoption quest. After doing some research, we found a great institution via the Internet and Keith has filled out the the necessary paper work and application this weekend. Now it is a matter of hearing back from them to see if Keith has been accepted and how fast it can be for him to get his diploma.

When talking to CCAI (and knowing that we already have our home study notarized, certified & authenticated) I was a little concerned about having to do that process all over again, but CCAI told me that all we would need is an amendment added to our home study, have that amendment notarized by the same person who notarized the first one, and include it in our dossier. I was totally relieved and ecstatic over the fact that now we don't have to worried about getting our paper work logged in by May 1st and that it is so easy to do. We are still really trying for a DTC in March or April, but because of the USCIS approval taking so long (we are hearing it can take up to 2 months)...you just never know.

I am so very proud of my husband! He has worked extremely hard his whole life and has provided for us beyond our means because of his skill, determination, and passion. I love him so very much and I am so very proud of him!

Girls' First Over Night Trip!

After returning home from two days of fun with Aunt Lisa, Uncle Scott and little Scotty, we are just trying to get back into the groove of things. Nothing much to report here but I am postings some photos of our time away! We are calling it "girls first over night trip"! It was the first time Francesca and I stayed in a hotel room all by ourselves! It was so much fun!

Francesca & little Scotty...trying to sit long enough for me to take there photo!


Our Little Safe Crackers..I hope this isn't what lies ahead for them in their future?


My little angel all ready for bed.



I had enough of you, Aunt Shell, always trying to take my picture!

My darling little nephew, Scotty Jr.


Oh my darling Janie, I can't wait until you are home and you, me, and Francesca can be enjoying all these little pleasures that life has to offer. I thought about you so much while we were away and Francesca & I talked about you constantly. Our time is coming, I can feel it almost every second of the day that you'll soon be here with us right where you belong.....

Contacted USCIS & Some Interesting Chinese New Year Beliefs!

It has been a few days since I posted anything to this journal...so I guess I am making up for it today posting more than one entry! I do have some news regarding our USCIS approval. I have been trying to call USCIS office in Philadelphia all afternoon with no getting through. I found another number to call & when I did...a woman answered! Now before you go & get excited over this...I called the Newark office in New Jersey & she wasn't able to help me, but did give me another number to call...which again, no one ever answered. So I finally decided to email them. I did receive a reply back that they have received my email, but it is not guaranteed that they will contact me back. It is a good thing I am going away tomorrow until Friday to Mt. Laurel New Jersey & meeting up with my sister Lisa and her family or I would be going crazy checking my emails constantly! According to USCIS, it could take up to 3 days to hear a response...if you do....

On a more joyous note...Kuo Cheng, a man that my mom works with, is Chinese and has taken such an interest in Francesca. Kuo is always willing to help us & is so very helpful when it comes to Chinese holidays/celebrations. Today, he gave Francesca a Red Envelope in honor of this Chinese New Year that is approaching & also gave us some wonderful information on what to do before & during the Chinese New Year's celebration & what not to do...so here it goes...

*Make sure on the eve of the Chinese New Year that you have a family dinner (it doesn't have to be Chinese...it is only important that your whole family is there).

*Make sure you wear something new...brand new article of clothing...on the first day of the New Year's celebrations. It is so the evil spirits can not recognize you.

*Don't take out any trash on New Year's Day (it is believed that it symbolizes you are giving away all that you have).

*Can't buy anything on New Year's Day (belief is that you'll loose all your money).

and...

*You can't take a bath! (the belief is that you'll wash away all your good health).

I do find these customs so interesting & it really helps us in keeping Francesca's Chinese culture alive and active within our own family. Kuo also told me that he & his family (his wife is American) practices these beliefs above every Chinese New Year.

Still no 171H/797C & I am going crazy!

As of today, we still have not received our 171H/797C approval yet, but I am hearing from other adopting families...who also are on the same time line as we are & dealing with the Philadelphia USCIS office...that they too are waiting on their approvals. Yes...I am still worrying about when I am going to get it, but I know it is out of my hands. I am going to try & call their office (after hearing others have) and see if I can get...any information!

In the meantime, enjoy some photos of our time at the Winkler's resident during this past Christmas season! Francesca & Katie had such a great time...and so did the parents (considering we sat around in our pj's most of the time talking non-stop!) We all can't wait to do it again...really soon!

Happy New Year 2007...Check out those glasses!



Together...FOREVER FRIENDS! They are too cute for words....

Our First Snow Fall of 2007!

Here are a few photos to enjoy of Francesca playing in the snow! She loves being outside, but our time was limited today because it was so cold out there (and she was too interested in how her uggs looked in the snow)!

Having Some Fun!


I can't feel my cheeks!


Mommy and Francesca (and Francesca is more interested in checking out her & Mommy's uggs)!

Remembering....

On a happier note, I was just reading Francesca's travel journal from back in November 2005. Wow, what a change she has made! In case you want to view it again, just click on the link below.

Francesca's Travel Journal from November 5th - the 18th 2005!

Enjoy! I know I have...reading it again after all this time & crying my eyes out...all over again.

I needed something to make my day brighter & since Francesca is still napping...this is the best next thing!

Getting worried....

OK...I am really starting to worry here! The mail arrived nine o'clock this morning and no 171H/797C approval. It has now been over 1 month(one month & five days to be exact according to what CSS told me) since CSS said that they sent it in! I am getting very worried here that it wasn't sent to the correct office. I wish I could find out if they have received our completed home study. I am a nervous wreck here! If we don't receive it within the next week...I am going to start making some phone calls. I know there have been two federal holidays since being sent...New Year's and M.L. King Day, but would those two days of closing actually cause a delay?