Another Baby Shower!

While we were in Missouri, we were surprised with ANOTHER baby shower by Troy's family.

We got our Travel Acceptance Letter (TA)!!!

Oh my, good news comes again. We've been waiting on our travel letter and they came today!!!!!! AAAHHHHHH! Our travel coordinator has applied for a Consulate Appt. in Guangzhou for either Aug. 8 or 9th, so we will leave on July 26. It looks as if we'll return on Aug. 11th. We are so excited that I can't even tell you. This was a pleasant surprise to come home to today after a 10 hr. drive from visiting Troy's family in Missouri. It looks as if the next few weeks will be very busy!!! Stay tuned!

How Much Longer?

Ok, I've been asked a lot lately, "so, you have her pictures, now what?" So, I thought it was time to do another one of my prediction posts. So, here goes:

1. We received our referral on June 6th, 2007 (pictures, medical information, etc.)
2. We had our first pre-travel meeting on Monday, June 11th, at AHH in Lexington.

• There will be 8 families traveling with us to Chongqing (Chong-Ching) and 6 other Special Needs parents will do part of the trip with us, but will go to a different province to get their child.

3. All paperwork was due at AHH by Thursday, June 14th, by all families.

4. On Friday, June 15th, all acceptance letters were mailed to China and we now wait on our TA (Travel Approval Letter) which takes 30-40 days.

5. On Friday, the travel coordinator also sent all Passports, via Courier Service, to get our Chinese Visas.

6. After our TA arrives from China, we can then apply for a Consulate Appt. with the U.S. Embassy in Guangzhou, China. Once we know our CA date, then we can back up two weeks from that date and decide the date we depart. Right now, if things go as hoped, it looks as if we will leave on Aug. 2nd and will return on Aug. 16th. We could leave a week earlier, if the paperwork we're waiting on arrives sooner, so please pray.

This is all we know right now. Once again, we're waiting, but we are SO CLOSE!!!!!!!!!!

Recent Pictures from Karsynn's Orphanage

A lady on our Yahoo Group site just received updated pics of her SN child she's adopting. I'm posting a few that show some kids in Karsynn's orphanage. The little girl in pink has hair like Karsynn, but Troy and I think she's too big to be Karsynn. One family from our group does believe their little girl is in one of the pictures.

AHH Picnic with New and Old Friends

We had a blast today. I won't say much, but will post lots of pictures! Enjoy some snapshots of us and our adoption family.

It's Time for the AHH Picnic!

Well, it's time for the annual A Helping Hand picnic. This year will be different, though. Last year, Troy and I were "lurkers" who walked around watching all the families enjoy themselves and talking to others about their journey to China. This year, we don't have Karsynn, but we are closer. We have a referral. We had t-shirts made with Karsynn's referral picture on them and they say, "Karsynn's Mommy and Karsynn's Daddy." We figure, this way we won't be pulling her picture out to show her off. She'll be right there in plain view. Can you tell we're proud? I'll post pictures of the t-shirts and picnic later. There are no updates to tell you about yet. Our paperwork for a Chinese Visa has been sent to Washington, D.C. and we're waiting on Travel Acceptance Letters from China. As soon as we get those, we can apply for a Consulate Appointment date in Guangzhou, China, and then we'll schedule our travel. So, until then, we wait...the story of our lives for the past 19 months.

Happy Father's Day!!!!!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads and Dads-to-Be that are so special in my life! Enjoy your day! You all deserve it! To Karsynn's daddy, we love you very much and appreciate all that you do for us! Happy Father's Day!

Map of Chongqing Where Karsynn Is!

Karsynn is the city of Nanchuan, which is southeast of the largest city in her province, Chongqing. Click on the map to make it larger, so that you can see Nanchuan.

We had our 1st Travel Meeting

Yesterday was a day that we thought might never come. We had our first official travel meeting at AHH in Lexington. It appears there will be 14 families traveling with our group, eight that received referrals this June and 6 that are adopting Special Needs children. Our dates are tentative and apt to change, but right now it looks as if we may leave for China on August 2nd and return August 16th. These dates are very sketchy right now, as we are still waiting on a Travel Approval Letter from China and will need to apply for a Consulate Appt. in Guangzhou. Things have been so crazy since receiving Karsynn's referall, but hopefully they will calm down for a least a little while. Troy and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind words of encouragement since we received her referral. My heart just flutters when I look at that beautiful face. So many of you brag about how beautiful Karsynn is (and she is) and that really makes my heart smile. I'm a proud Mama!!! We'll keep you posted on the next steps!

More Pics from Today

Here are some more pictures from our eventful day. Troy is pointing to Karsynn's province and Beijing, which will be two stops we'll make while in China. The two babies are Karsynn and CJ (Cynthia Jane), whose parents will travel with us and are from Ohio. We all met today at AHH to receive our referral information and pictures. What a day!!!!

We Got the Call!!!!

Karsynn's picture is HERE!!! Oh my gosh! We're on our way to Lexington to pick it up right now! We'll post later!!!!! YEAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Karsynn's Chinese Name: Nan Min Bao
She's 6 months and 24 days old today, June 6, 2007
She was born November 12, 2006, just two days before our anniversary.

Karsynn is from the Nanchuan Social Welfare Orphanage in the Chonquing Province

No Phone Call YET!

Ok, so I did manage a bit of sleep last night. However, I've been cleaning house like a crazy woman since I woke up this morning. I've done laundry, cleaned the bathroom, picked up around the rest of the house. I need this kind of excitement a little more often, it seems. I emailed our Family Advocate this a.m. and said, "I'm not going to ask, but her are some numbers for you to call in a specific order, just in case." His reply to me was "okie dokie," so he seemed to be in a good mood for some reason. I've sent Troy to Wal-Mart for video tapes and a broom (crack me up!). I told him not to be gone long, but we know how Troy is when he runs in to someone he knows. Lord help us all!!! Now, this is all for this post. As soon as I know more, then I'll update again. Will this be the day we finally see Karsynn's face...Stay Tuned!!!!!!

Is this REALLY happening?????

Oh my goodness! We just checked the Rumor Queen website, and she has already posted that our family is expecting a referral this month. It just doesn't seem real. I'm not sure how much sleep I'll manage tonight, but my schedule is clear tomorrow for "the call!!!!" When, and if, we get the call tomorrow, Troy and I will travel to Lexington to our adoption agency, A Helping Hand, to pick up Karsynn's birth information and pictures. We are planning a big celebration with a couple of friends who will travel to China with us. Here is a rough plan for our next steps:

• Get the call and travel to Lexington to get her pictures this week (hopefully tomorrow!)
• Take it all in, then make an appointment for a pediatrician in Lexington, who specializes in International Adoption, to look over Karsynn's birth information
• Accept our referral with A Helping Hand within a week
• Our Acceptance will be sent to China and we will receive a Travel Acceptance letter within weeks, hopefully
• Send a care package of goodies to Karsynn at her orphanage
• Wait for a Consulate Appointment in Guangzhou, China
• Begin making travel arrangements to China
• Hopefully leaving for China at the end of July or 1st of August
• "Gotcha Day" in China (the day we've been waiting for)

Someone pinch me...

Referrals are beginning to arrive on the West Coast!

Ok, so at least 4 people have posted that they've received "the call" from their agency that their referral has arrived. All of these were logged in on November 7, 2005, so that means we must be in. I'm not going to "jump the gun" here, because we have not received our call yet. Could it be that we'll see Karsynn's face tomorrow? Could her picture and birth information actually be here on U.S. soil right now as I type? OH MY GOSH!!! I am a "mess" right now. Troy had to go umpire tonight, but I made him promise to keep his cell phone turned on. I don't think we'll hear anything tonight, but tomorrow could be the day we've been dreaming of for so long. Tomorrow is June 6th, quite possibly the happiest day of our lives. I'll keep you posted.

No News Yet!

Well, it's Saturday evening (Sunday Morning) now, and no news whatsoever on Rumor Queen's website. It's eerily quiet. I'm hoping that maybe she'll start to hear some rumors tomorrow evening, which will be Monday morning in China. We did receive our final document from USCIS today in Louisville. We've been waiting for it since April 20th, so it took over a month to process it. This is the document that approves us for a child. A copy is also sent to the consulate in China. This is the 2nd time we've had to apply for this paper because the adoption process slowed down dramatically. Our fingerprints are good through 12/07, so let's HOPE we travel to China before then. If not, then just "put me out of my misery!" I'll keep you posted.

Nothing yet...

Well, we have not received the call yet. No pictures, no nothing. UGGGHHHHHH! I've waited 18+ months, so what's a few more days, right? NOT!!!! I want to see my baby's face! If we don't hear anything tomorrow, then it will be next week before we know anything. As soon as they contact us and we get pics, I'll post them, I PROMISE! This baby has no idea how many people are waiting to meet her. How funny!!!!

It Looks Like they made it to Nov 7th!

Well, it is with very mixed emotions that I post this today. It looks like the cut-off for referrals this month is Nov. 7th, which means WE MADE IT IN THIS TIME!!!!!!!!! Oh my God!!!!!! However, it is with a heavy and sad heart that I don't think our friends, the Hartnett's will be included. We wanted to travel with them so badly, but that is not God's plan, I'm afraid. I wish it could be different, but it's not, and I know there's a reason. We may not understand it today, but will understand it someday. There's a reason. I've dreamed of this time for so many long months, that I can't hardly believe it has arrived. We actually made it in this month. We should see Karsynn's face very, very soon. As soon as I can, I'll post pictures...that is if I can remember how to even turn the computer on after seeing that sweet face. Keep praying!!!!!

Could this really be the week?

Well, it is officially Tuesday morning in China. I can hardly believe that this may be the week that we finally put a face with a name that we've been dreaming of for so many months. I can hardly wrap my mind around the thought of receiving "the call" saying that we have a daughter. This journey has been so long, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. There are so many things we've missed out on that pregnant parents go through, but there are also so many things that we've experienced that others will never know the feeling of. I can't say whether one or the other experience is better...just different. I don't anticipate hearing anything form AHH until at least Friday, but it could very well be next Monday or Tuesday, too. Hopefully, Rumor Queen, an adoptive families website lifeline, will begin to hear some rumors from other countries this week. She rates her rumors from R1 (not very reliable) to an R5 (very reliable source and rumor). So, we're right now at an R3 that this will be a larger batch of referrals than we've seen in months past. YEAH!!! Our prayers may actually be answered this week or next. We'll keep you posted! Keep praying!

Troy and I

Troy and I at the baby shower at my school. This is the first picture that I can actually tell I've lost 35 lbs. YEAH!!!! My 3-4 miles a day is finally paying off.

Our 2nd Baby Shower!

Well, we had our 2nd baby shower today at Mt. Sterling Elementary, and I cannot believe how generous everyone was. They have already begun to spoil Karsynn rotten. The cake was beautiful! My friends who threw the shower for me went with a Lucky Ladybug theme. My heart melted when I saw the beautiful decorations. Enjoy the pictures. I have the best friends a person could ever ask for. I'm not sure how I would have handled this 18 month wait had it not been for them. They will NEVER know what they mean to Troy and I.

Our 1st Baby Shower at CMS!!!!!

It was so nice to be the "mommy to be!!!!" Everyone at Troy's school was so very generous. We had the best time, and we received so many things that we didn't already have.

15 Days and counting down!!

My heart can't handle much more of this wait! 15 days until we see our daughter's face, or at least we hope!!!!! Rumor has it that they may make it as far as Nov. 16th. OH MY!! That would be a welcomed surprise!!!!

19 Days to Go...

Only 19 days until the end of May, so we are that much closer to seeing Karsynn's face for the first time. The first rumors are out on the Rumor Queen website, and the earliest rumors lead us to believe that CCAA may do more referrals this month than they've done in the past several. This rumor cannot be substantiated, but someone states that they will get to Nov. 15 or 16???? Could this really be? I would be absolutely thrilled, for our good friends, Steve and Alese would be traveling with John and Nila and Troy and I. I just know that things will work out. Until next time...

We're next...I just feel it!

Where in China is Karsynn H.?

Ok, so today we received an email from a couple different people at our agency, and they really think we'll be in this next batch, at the end of May. So, here are my predictions, and I hope this is the last time I have to make predictions:

May 30-June (first week)-Referrals will be issued for Nov. 2nd-Nov. 12 LID's ***Nov. 4th!!!***

Travel usually occurs somewhere between 5-8 weeks after receiving referral, so, with that being said:

Travel to China: Last week of July or first week of August (hopefully July!!!!!)

I cannot believe that we're so close. This is going to be the longest month of my life. I'm already crossing off days on the calendar. Keep sending up prayers!!! There are so many families waiting for their children, so please pray for them, too.

November 1st is the Cut-Off Date

I am heartbroken to announce that we did not make it in this time...AGAIN. I'm not sure why Troy and I have had such a long and difficult wait, but I know that there must be a reason. They referred babies from Oct. 26-Nov. 1st and we are Nov. 4th. So, who knows what will happen next month. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

The End of Another Month...

Well, here we are at the end of another month, so we can expect referrals any day now. I don't know what to anticipate, but I'm certainly hoping for more than two days like last month. I'm not going to get my hopes up to high, though. As I said in my last post, God has the ultimate plan, so what will be will be. Keep praying.

Sammi

I hear you God...

Ok, so with the devastating news last week that CCAA only did two days worth of referrals, I was really heartbroken. Being human, I began to second guess whether or not our daughter was actually in China. I began to question whether we were really listening to God speak to our hearts or whether we just thought this was what we were to do. So, as I went to bed I said a simple prayer. I prayed to God to send me a sign to let me know what we were supposed to do. I left it at that. I planned to use the next couple of days clearing my mind and repairing my heart from the discouraging news. Well, God spoke to me quickly. Out of the blue, over the next two days, I received a cute bath towel with a huge ladybug (a symbol of goodluck in the Chinese adoption community) on it, a board book about Chinese adoption titled, "I Love you Like Crazy Cakes," a book titled, "Are you my Mother," and a Little Golden Book about adoption titled, "A Blessing from Above." Ok God, you have my attention. I knew at that point that we were doing what God had planned for us to do. I also realized that good things come to those who wait. So, with that being said, we wait and try to wait patiently. I know that God has the perfect child chosen for Troy and I, and I know for certain that she is in China. We will go when God is ready for us to go. For those of you who came bearing gifts, we thank you for assisting God in answering our prayers. He works in mysterious ways!

Yet another disappointment!

Well, CCAA finally updated their website. They only did two days worth of referrals. They only made it to 10/26. I am in shock. This is the least amount of days they've ever referred before. My heart is broken. I just knew that this was our month. I'm not sure what to think from here. Things are even more up in the air than we originally thought. I'm so crushed. My spirit is low, so please pray that we receive good news soon. Thank you all for being so patient with both Troy and I. I know this whole long process is confusing to all of you, but trust us when we say that it is almost as confusing to us. The only difference is that we know the process inside and out, so we knew this long wait was a possibility.

Pray for Good News this week!

Well, as we prepare to go to bed on this Easter Sunday night, we hope and pray to wake up to good news tomorrow. I pray that the many rumors we've been hearing over this long weekend aren't true. I pray that referrals come this week and they did make it to us (11/04). We'll let you know something as soon as we know something. Please pray!

It's NOT looking good for 11/04

Well, rumors are beginning to surface on Rumor Queen, but they are all over the place as far as the cut off date. Some agencies have contacted clients stating that they received referrals through 10/26, which is only TWO DAYS!!! UGGHHHHHHHHHH! A few other agencies have reported six days worth of referrals, which still doesn't get to us. A Helping Hand was closed today in observance of Good Friday. They won't open again until Monday morning. So, I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens next week. As bad as my heart wants it, I just don't believe that we're in this time. I'm not sure why China did so few days, but it makes me physically ill. We hoped beyond hope that this was our month, but I guess God has a different plan for us. Please pray for God to give Troy and I patience and lots of it. As we get closer, the wait gets harder. I think it will be easier when we have her pictures and know that she's waiting. We know she's waiting for us now, but we still have a name without a face. I need patience. I need to be able to look at this in a positive way right now, because God knows I feel so many negative feelings. I have to remember that my plan is not God's plan. He holds that Master Plan. Karsynn simply isn't ready for us yet, as hard as that is to swallow. Until next week...

Updated Pics of my Niece, Shelby Elaine

Isn't she a cutie???

It's been awhile...

I found a pic of our first ultrasound, and I thought I'd attach it to the blog again. Enjoy!

I Wonder...

Here is a map of the Provinces in China. I wonder which Province Karsynn will come from? I'd love to hear your predictions. I predict she'll be from southern China, I'm going to say Guangxi. Let me know what you think.

The Anticipation is Killing Me!!!

Ok, so I stayed as busy as I could yesterday painting our family room downstairs. All day long, up the ladder, down the ladder, tape off baseboards, tape off ceiling... You get the picture. Karsynn was on my mind every single minute. I couldn't sleep at all last night. Was I just so tired from all the painting or was it something else? Here we are, it's 9:15 A.M. on Monday morning, our first day of Spring Break. Where am I? Sitting here glued to the computer hoping and praying for any little bit of news. Are we in? Did they make it to 11/4? AAHHHHHHHHH!!!!! I'm going crazy with anticipation. I'll keep you posted as to what happens today. Troy and I are praying for "THE phone call" today from A Helping Hand. If the call comes, then we'll drive to Lexington and pick up her pictures. I'll post them later today, that is if I can remember how to turn on the computer and log on. Please pray!!!!!!!

Rumors are "Flying"

Well, according to the latest rumors on Chinaadopttalk, AKA Rumor Queen, at least one agency believes that both 11/04 and 11/05 are in this batch of referrals. Again, this is simply an early rumor, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high. We should know something Monday, at least by Monday afternoon, if, in fact, referrals were mailed on Thursday, as reported. If not, then we may not hear anything until the end of the week??? After such a long wait, I'm afraid to believe that our time has come. The best thing is that we know that God has had the ultimate plan for our lives since the day we were born. I, for one, never believed that I'd ever be an adoptive mother traveling halfway around the world to pick up my first child, but here I am. We give God all the praise and honor that He so graciously deserves. All we can do now is pray and wait. Will we get "the call?" Tune in to find out...

The End is Nearing...or should I say The Beginning

Well, here we are after 17 LONG months and our wait may soon be over. Referrals should be arriving this week at the agencies, or so we hope. The question is, "Will we make it in this round?" I have no idea, but oh how I hope. They ended last month at Oct. 24 and we are Nov. 4th, so I'm not sure whether they will make it to us or not. If they do, "OH MY GOODNESS!!!!" and if they don't, We're Next!!!!!!!! Either way, our long wait is almost over. I'm not one to wish time away, but I cannot wait until this weekend is over. Oh how I pray that we get a call on Monday saying, "Troy and Sammi, you're daughter's picture has arrived." I'm not sure what I'll do. Can this really be about to happen? Are we about to put a face with a name that we've dreamed of for so long? Someone pinch me, please! Until Monday...

The End of March is coming...

Throughout our long wait, we have learned all too well that you can never predict what CCAA will do, as far as referrals are concerned. As the end of the month approaches, I can't help but wonder if our 11/04 date will show up on the CCAA website. Will we make it in this time? Could this really be happening? There are so many unknowns. So, without further anticipation, here are my predictions for this next batch of referrals:

End of March Referrals (Arriving 1st week of April) 10/24/05-10/31/05

End of April Referrals (Arriving 1st week of May) 11/01/05-11/10/05 (We are 11/04/05)

My hearts prays so hard for a March referral, but I've been let down so many times before that I'm afraid to believe. If we do indeed get our referral in this next batch, then we would probably travel the end of May. If we don't get our referral until April, then it will be the end of June before we go. I cannot wait until the anticipation is over. I cannot wait to see Karsynn's face. I cannot wait to hold Karsynn in my arms.

We're Getting Excited!

As our referral day draws near, we are so excited that I can't even begin to explain. Depending on how CCAA does things, the end of this month could actually be "our day." We could actually be seeing our daughter's face for the first time. I cannot explain how this makes us feel inside. It's amazing. When you've wanted something so bad for so long and you know that it's drawing near, the anticipation kills you. I find myself daydreaming about what Karsynn will look like, how big she'll be, and whether she'll love us as much as we already love her. Today, I began to think a bit about how much of Karsynn's early life Troy and I will have missed. That made me really sad. We won't have the luxury of bonding with our daughter from birth, but my prayer is that God will allow Karsynn to attach quickly and smoothly. Surely, once she is placed in our lives she'll be able to feel that love that Troy and I have had for her for so long. I'm certain of it. There have been so many news stories lately about parents abandoning, hurting or even killing their own children, and my heart and mind cannot even fathom this. I can't understand the desperation that must go through one's mind to do something like that. I guess that's why I don't understand, and probably never will, why good people like Troy and I have had such a difficult time. I suppose only God knows. What I do understand is that His plan is the ultimate. My prayer is that He will help Troy and I be all that we can for Karsynn, and any other little ones that He has planned for us. Please continue to pray that our referral will come at the end of this month.

Referrals have Arrived for February!

CCAA has issued referrals for the end of February. They contacted parents logged in from Oct. 14-24th, so they didn't do as many referral days as we had hoped. However, this was their first batch since being off for a two week Chinese New Year celebration. We are still hoping beyond hope that we see Karsynn's face in a picture at the end of March. We are logged in Nov. 4th, so we're SO CLOSE!!! Please pray that CCAA makes it to us. We are so out of control with excitement about becoming parents that we cannot stand it. I cannot believe that we will finally meet our daughter this year. The wait has been long and painful, but it has been a trip of a lifetime. Our dream of being parents is finally coming true. We'll keep you posted!

Love and prayers,
Sammi and Troy

Referrals are Here!

CCAA has updated the site and they have issued referrals for those families logged in from Sept. 29-Oct. 13. So, here are my predictions for the upcoming months. Remember, there are so many factors to consider, so these are only my predictions. We cannot control what CCAA does. Only God knows when Karsynn will be ready for us to come get her.



Good Case Scenario:
End of Feb. Referrals (Oct. 14-Oct. 28)
End of March Ref. (Oct. 29-Nov. 12) WE ARE NOV. 4th!!!!!!!!!
Travel to China in May

Bad Case Scenario:
No Referrals in Feb. due to Chinese New Year celebration
End of March Referrals: (Oct. 14-Oct. 28)
End of April Referrals: (Oct. 29-Nov. 12) This would include us!
Travel in June to China

We hope and pray for pictures in March and travel in May, but God's will be done. Thank you for following our journey to Karsynn!

A Proud Daddy holding Shelby! I can't believe my baby brother is a Daddy!!!!

A Close Up of Shelby!

Aunt Sammi loves you!

Welcome Miss Shelby Elaine!

It's official! I'm an Aunt again. My brother and his girlfriend welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world on January 17, 2007. Her name is Shelby Elaine and she is simply beautiful! I just know she and Karsynn will be best friends as they grow up together.

Referrals are In!

CCAA issued referrals for all those families LID 9/9-9/27. We were hoping they'd make it through 9/29, since that is a day with tons of families logged in, but they didn't. Oh well, we're that many days closer to seeing Karsynn's face. We are LID 11/04, so here are my predictions:

End of Jan. Referrals: 9/28-10/12
End of Feb. Referrals: 10/13-10/28
End of March Referrals: 10/29-11/10 (11/04 is our LID...YEAH!!!!)
I'm anticipating us receiving pics of Karsynn at the end of March. If not, then certainly by April.

If we receive pics at the end of March, then we could possibly travel by the end of May. Please send up prayers that Karsynn will be in our arms before summer ends.

Merry Christmas to You!!!!

Mommy, Daddy and Bentley are SO ready to bring Karsynn home forever! Merry Christmas Baby Girl!!!!

Christmas 2006

We NEED a playroom!!!!
Christmas Memories 2006

Here are the lyrics to the Third Day song called Merry Christmas. The lyrics speak straight from my heart, as we spend yet another Christmas waiting to bring Karsynn home. Please pray that it won't be much longer!

There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for momma's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town
There the forgotten are
But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas

As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white,
Make angels in the snow
But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that heaven's angels come to carry you here

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate the holy child and
we celebrate his perfect gift of love
He came to earth to give his life and prepare a place for us
so we could have a home with him above

It's Christmas time again and now you're home
Your family is here so you will never be alone
So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms
And I'll tell you from my heart, and I'll you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas

Another Christmas Comes and Goes...

As another Christmas comes and goes without our precious daughter being home with us, our hearts are heavy but filled with hope for the upcoming changes that 2007 will bring to our home. If someone had told me in March 2005 that we would still be waiting to bring Karsynn home when 2006 came to an end, I would have NEVER believed them. When Troy and I began this journey in 2005, we were prepared to wait until God was ready for us to go and get Karsynn, and we truly feel that the time is drawing near. As we prepare to say good-bye to 2006, we are hopeful that this will be our final year as a family of two. We pray that 2007 will hold many firsts for us as parents: our first time seeing our daughter's sweet face, our first time having her placed in our arms where she'll be safe forever, our first time feeding her and changing her diaper, our first time singing and rocking her to sleep at night and waking to her sweet smile, and finally, our first time hearing a small, sweet voice call us mommy and daddy; something we've been awaiting for so many years. Karsynn was born in our hearts a long time ago, and we can't wait to bring her home forever. Karsynn, wherever you are right now, we pray that you are safe and well taken care of. Mommy and Daddy will come get you as soon as we can. We love you sweet girl.

Referrals have been Issued

Well, I allowed myself to get too excited about the rumor of the whole month of Sept. being referred. They only made it to Sept. 8th, so I'm crushed. My heart is so heavy each month during this time, because it seems as if we will NEVER get to see our daughter's face. This has been the longest "pregnancy" ever...we've been logged in with China for over a year. I am so thrilled for those families who will finally see their child's face in the next few days as referral pictures arrive, but I'm sad for those who missed the cut-off this time. Until next time... (SIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Rumors are Starting to Surface!

Ok, I'm really trying to stay "real" here, so that I'm not too let down, but rumor has it that the CCAA MIGHT actually make it through ALL of SEPTEMBER this round. If you remember, they left off on 8/25. That would mean they'd finish Aug. and all of Sept. Oh my goodness, how I hope this is true. If so, that could mean we are seeing things speed back up a bit. So, let's see here. If they do make it all the way through Sept., then this is the potential road map:

End of Nov.-Finish Aug. and do all September
End of Dec.-Do part of Oct.
End of Jan.-Do rest of Oct.
End of Feb.-Do part of Nov. (Which would include us Nov. 4th LID)

If this is how things play out, then we could potentially be on our way to China at the beginning of May. OH MY GOODNESS! OH MY GOODNESS! Ok Sammi, don't get too optimistic. Be realistic! Please pray!

Bring Me Hope Video

Bring Me Hope Video
Video sent by hittle

An emotional look into the heart of a Chinese mother who is faced with giving up her child.

Referrals are Arriving!!!

Well, finally some good news. I didn't say GREAT news, because that would mean our referral is arriving, but it is better than we expected. CCAA updated their site FINALLY and they issued referrals for Aug. 9th to Aug. 25th. YEAH!!! They were only expected to make it to Aug. 23, so we did get two extra days and there were LOTS of people logged in on Aug. 24th. Now, we are still behind and referrals are still backed up, but this may be a sign that things may be speeding up a bit. Lord how I pray this is true. In just two days, Nov. 4th, our paperwork will have been logged in with China for a year. The past year has been long and stressful, but we can finally see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Karsynn, I'm not sure where you are or if you are even born, but Mommy and Daddy will be there as soon as we possibly can. All they need to do is say the word and we'll hop on a plane and be on our way. We think about you daily. You are never far from my thoughts and dreams. We love you so much now, that I can't even imagine how we will be able to love you any more when they put you in our arms. Bring on Nov. 4th referrals...PLEASE!!!!!!