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!!!!!!

It's that Time of the Month Again...Referral Time

Well, it's time for referrals to be posted again. The Rumor Queen website predicts that they will pick up on Aug. 9 and referrals should go through Aug. 23 or 24. I hope they get further, but I'm not holding my breath. Troy and I were just talking today how we can't wait to hold Karsynn in our arms. I know that this long wait will seem like nothing when they hand her to me, but goodness has it ever been hard. We were in Bob Evans today and saw a couple who have adopted a little boy from Guatemala. He was a CUTIE! Troy and I have talked and we DEFINITELY want TWO, so we'll start paperwork for another as soon as we possibly can. Troy is an only child and he is SPOILED. I can't let Karsynn grow up as an only child. She needs to have someone to be her very best friend, like a little sister from China. Oh well, we'll see. Let's just get her here first. Come on CHINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We're waiting and trying so very hard to be patient.

A Beautiful Poem

I found this poem on a family's website that I follow. The words are simply beautiful and express the feelings and thoughts that we have as we wait.

A Moment in Time

You take a child from a far away land
You take a mother with a photo in hand
You put them together in a special way
It's a moment in time-called Gotcha Day.

Some children cry out, others just stare
They don't comprehend what's happening there
But God in His love and mercy proclaims
It's time for these babies to have some new names.

A name with a face, your child now embraced
The heart ache of waiting is quickly erased
That half empty feeling is filled to the brim
The love that's expressed spills over the rim.

If you've been in that room and seen the display
Of love flowing out in this marvelous way
You'll never forget for the rest of your years
The gallons and gallons of joyous spent tears.

This moment won't end, a family now starts
The love just keeps coming direct from the hearts
Of mothers whose dreams have now become true
A great moment in time, its love's grand debut.

Tom Fisher C March 7, 2006

Time Together

Today was a great day. Troy and I got up early this morning with plans on spending the day at Keeneland to watch horseracing. We began the day with breakfast at Bob Evans. While there, we began talking about how in just a few short months our lives will change drastically. With the arrival of Karsynn, we will totally have to rethink the way we do things, but that's ok. We're ready for the changes. We discussed who would get up first in the mornings, who would get Karsynn dressed and fed, and who would take her to Mamaw's, Grandma's or Jane's (a friend's mom who will keep her 2 days a week). Life will certainly become interesting. After arriving at Keeneland, the day became more and more interesting. I left the house with $25 and came home with $20. Not too bad for a day of fun!!! Troy, on the other hand, had a very good day, and that's all we'll say about that. Let's just say that the golf club he's been wanting will be purchased this coming week. We were able to hold a 7 month old little boy today named Ryder Gage. He was an absolute darling, but he weighed 23 lbs. Can you believe it? I think Troy and I need to start packing around some heavy weights, or there's no way we'll be ready to pack Karsynn around in China. I hope she doesn't weigh 23 lbs. Surely she won't???? Overall, it was a super day!