Daddy's Little Girl!

The other night, Keith was playing around with Francesca's hair (she loves when he styles it). When he was finished, she was too adorable for words! Here are some photos that Keith had taken for you to enjoy. Isn't she beautiful (that's really not a question...I know she is)!!!

I love my hair Daddy!


Almost done with the photos, Daddy?


(not paying attention to Daddy anymore...) I want to watch my show!


Now I got some wonderful news and not so wonderful news...the not so wonderful news first, we still haven't received our 171H/797C approval (it is now on week 7 since they received our home study)...now onto the wonderful news, Keith received his HS diploma yesterday! After completing some classes, passing a couple of tests and writing a few essays, it arrived yesterday! I am so proud of him! (now we need to get our butt in gear & update our home study)

Gung-Hey-Fat-Choy! Happy New Year!

This weekend was a very important weekend for my daughter & our family. We had two wonderful family gatherings in honor of the Chinese New Year! Saturday's celebration was at our favorite restaurant, Twigs, and Sunday's celebration was at my Mom's house (in which she made a fantastic meal).

Our Beautiful Daughter!


Daddy and his little girl!


(we are trying to get Francesca to smile...)


Aunt Lisa & Little Scotty


How Do I Look?


Francesca in her New Chinese Outfit!


How many Red Envelopes do I have?


Just had to add this one...Check out my nephew's little face! He sure loved his macaroni & gravy!
You're too cute Scotty!



We had such a wonderful time this past weekend celebrating with our daughter the start of a new Chinese year! Like I mention in the beginning of this post, we had a great lunch at our favorite restaurant, Twigs, yesterday with our very supportive family...Grandma, Auntie, Aunt Lisa, Uncle Scott and Scotty Jr. (G.G wasn't feeling well so she wasn't able to make it...)

Today's celebration was again another wonderful day with some amazing food! Grandma had a special meal made just for Francesca(thank you ma!)...home-made macaroni with gravy (that's what we call red sauce) and "to-die-for" chocolate cake with butter cream icing! Her house was decorated with so many Chinese decorations and everything was in the color red. Francesca even received a few red envelopes from other family members that came to join in on the celebration.

Francesca wore two different outfits...one for each day. The first one that is shown in the photos above was purchased at Kmart (can you believe it) and the second outfit was purchased at Walmart when we were in Nanchang back in November 2005!

This weekend was truly a weekend that we will never forget! I can't thank my family & friends for being so supportive, caring and loving! You guys are the best!

PS...we finally received our mail yesterday & yes...there was no 171H/797C approval included...UGH

Where is our mail?

My poor Land Rover...check out all the snow we got...maybe that's why we haven't gotten any mail? That LR3 is amazing in the snow. It can go anywhere! I just love it!!!



Snow! Snow! and more Snow! (view from our front porch)


(Sorry Francesca isn't in any of the photos. It is way too cold out there and she has some very dry skin and her poor lips are all cracked...my poor baby.)

For the past two days, we have not received any mail & I am getting a little worried! If we weren't waiting on our 171H/797C approval, I wouldn't care if we ever got mail again...especially any bills...but since we are waiting on one very important letter...I had to call the USPS this morning and find out whats going on.

Well...because of the major snow storm, no mail was delivered the past two days, but they are out today & according to Jim at USPS office, it is going to take a little longer than usual to get our mail because each carrier's load is double and they have to watch with the snow that is still out there! I just hope we get ours soon. This wait is driving me crazy!

(and no mail on Monday...another holiday ugh....)

Cabin Fever!

Well...we got slammed yesterday with the Valentine's Day Snow Storm! We got over 2 feet of snow! Francesca and I have been enjoying the indoors these past two days, seeing how the snow would be up to her shoulders. This morning she wanted to get dressed up for Halloween (funny since the day of Halloween she wanted nothing to do with getting dressed up), so she put on her pumpkin shirt, her JoJo hat and Wiggles slippers! She is too freak'n cute...I can't stand it!!!







OK...in some of the photos Francesca is more interested in watching the TV...one of her favorite shows....Mickey Mouse ClubHouse on Disney!

Francesca is my funny Petunia-Belle!

Our little "just between you & me" fun!
Check out those lips! That's my Petunia-Belle!









Recently, Francesca has been mimicking me on everything I do (so now I really have to watch myself), but we started this thing that when I am helping her with getting out of the car seat...I make a funny face...and now she gives it right back to me! It is so cute that if we both weren't laughing so hard...I would be crying tears of joy (I have always dreamed of sharing moments like this with my daughter and now my dreams are coming true). It has become part of a routine for us...every time I am getting her out of the car seat...we do it...and it always cracks me up as well as her. We now make about 3 or 4 different funny faces and it could take up to 5 minutes of me standing out in minus degree weather, but it is so well worth it! Just to hear her laugh & see her smile...is everything!

Received a response back from USCIS!

Just wanted you to know that the USCIS has replied to my email that I sent last week regarding my 171H/797C approval! I must admit...I never expected them to respond. They mention that they have received my home study as of January 4th 2007 and it is taking 6 - 8 weeks to process clearances. I know the process is longer than I was hoping for, but I now know for sure that they did receive our home study and that it should be process soon...at least I hope?

Note to my darling Janie...

I know it seems like forever since I last "spoken" to you, but as you will soon discover...life in your future home is always nutty!!! There has been so much going on, especially with all the drama from the USCIS wait on approval, but I have been combating it by shopping & spending Daddy's money (which is always a good thing)! There other day I was able to purchase some great stuff for you & Francesca at the Disney Store...even got a few Mulan items and I also did some shopping at Penney's while I was at the mall (they too had some adorable stuff). Since your sister was much bigger than your Daddy and I both expected...and we only had 6-9 month size clothing...when we actually needed 12 month size clothing...I have been purchasing a ton of 9-12 month size clothing. My thought is that sooner or later...you'll fit into them!

Well, that's about it my darling little one! The wait time is getting so long...it feels like forever since we will be able to finally meet, but that day is forever holding a place in my heart and it is a day I am so looking froward to.