Ladybug Sighting!

This cute ladybug magnet "winged" it's way over all the way from Utah, right to my mailbox! What a great surprise...totally smacked that grouchy looks-like-more-bills-and-junkmail frown right off my face! Thank you Ladybug Sighting Friend! What a cheery and heartwarming surprise! When blogger cooperates again, I'll post a picture of the back, too.
For those of you not familiar with the ladybug lore...the international adoption community has kind of taken over any sightings of ladybugs to mean good luck. Yes, I might dryly add, that we are in need of torrential swarms of ladybug sightings these days. Here's hoping this ladybug ushers in some goodness! I have a particular fondness for the total rumor that all 2005 LID's need to be completed by May 1st. Even though I am rolling on the floor over that one, I would be ok at being proven wrong. This once. =)
I stopped by the bank today to get my big chunk 'o change money order for the wonderful Department that handles our nation's security. I'm interested in purchasing a new picture of the same fingerprints and a piece of paper. Maybe this time I'll even get the infamous Brown Envelope from the U.S. Embassy in Guangzhou!! I know, it's not imperative that I get it, but 1.) I could blog about it (haha) 2.) I've certainly given them enough for postage and 3.) I LOVE getting things in the mail (see above!)
Thanks again Ladybug Friend!

Xin Nian Hao and Gung Hay Fat Choy 2007!

Thanks to my niece K. and SIL D. for attending the local Families with Children from China Chinese New Year. We went last year and knew it would be a lovely event. Even so, a second year without actually being a family with a child from China is the pits. "Hi, I'm Shannon and I'm a waiting parent. Yes, 12 months since LID. No, no idea when." It will take mucho willpower to go next year if Ellie isn't here!
I did meet and reconnect with wonderful families. And I heard some great "gotcha" stories and saw many precious children-boys and girls of all ages- running around. I know, it does happen!
Year of the Pig. The pig balloons (and last year's dog balloons) are so cute!)

As beautiful as she is, K. is not into having her picture taken right now!
Show me your beautiful bracelet! The FCC had very nice silk goodie bags for all the children.
As tired as we were, we couldn't leave before the Dragon made his appearance.
"Shoes for me?" K. got her new outfit the day before. The lady who sells all the Chinese goodies did not have the right size shoes at her booth so she brought them to the CNY event just for K!
Very talented musicians. Can't recall the name of the instrument right now. Any takers? Update: guzheng or Chinese zither

K's favorite part of the event! Dancing. She even unconsciously bowed after the song was over. Made us giggle!

Update: Haven't found anything definitive, but I think both Xin Nian Hao and Gung Hay Fat Choy work. One means literally Happy New Year and the other something like Good Fortune to You! Feel free to correct.

Twelve

Just marking my one year LID. Thanks to all of you who keep stopping by, despite the lack of news. One day...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Busy day today. Making chocolate fondue with my preschoolers. Can you say "messy"?
Thanks to Kaitlin and Davis for the sweet card and yummy See's chocolate heart! My favorite! (And worth every calorie!) Sharing will have to wait til next year.

For those gentlemen sending me flowers tomorrow...

You Are a Yellow Flower

A yellow flower tends to represent joy, friendship, and playfulness. At times, you are childlike, as a buttercup is. And at other times, you are fickle, like a dahlia. And more than you wish, you tend to feel bittersweet, like a marigold.

What Color Flower Are You?

Fickle? Me???!!! =)

Special Delivery for Kim!!

Kim has a daughter, Channing BaoTao, nicknamed Tao Tao!!! She is a cutie! Wishing you the speediest TA EVAH!!!!

Elena posted in the comments!

In my emails I noticed that one of the comments was from Elena! My heart skipped a beat! This particular comment was from Elena in Barcelona, a new member of the Singles Adopt group. Her comment "Elena comes from Greece. Means, sun splendour (brilliance). Dreamer, loving adventure, sweet person, pretty and smart."
Elena from Barcelona
Pretty cool, huh?!!
Thanks, Elena from Barcelona!

A special shout-out to Connie as she celebrates her last birthday without Jadyn to blow her candles out for her! It's gonna be a great birthday year, Connie!


In this photo released by China's official Xinhua news agency, giant panda Bai Xue holds its baby at their enclosure at the Wolong Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in southwest China's Sichuan province, on Friday February 9, 2007. Seventeen panda cubs born last year in the center will be weaned from their mothers from February 10, Xinhua said.

For those who asked: The clip below of the Pirates of the Great Salt Lakes clip is an actual movie. It's just on limited release/festival viewing though. Check out piratesofthegreatsaltlake.com

A Very Cool Pee-rat Movie

Can't wait til this comes out in the theatres!

A year ago today I received a letter from my agency stating my dossier had been delivered to CC**. In May I found out I wasn't LID until 2/16.

Baby Fix

Wait too long? Need a pick me up? How about an adorable baby fix? Or maybe you just want to see what a trip to China to meet your child might be like? These families are in China now!
Kennedy
Elise
Violet
Lottie
Kylie
Caia
Olivia

Countdown Starts Now?

Last Friday (after the exciting late Thursday night CC** update!) my Dad called to congratulate me on moving forward in the adoption process. Then he called my brother & SIL and told them "Shannon's pregnant!" I still can't believe he did that...shocks me and cracks me up! Who would've thunk he would be calling up family and excitedly informing them his single daughter is pg?!
I think we all feel better knowing I've made it through the review room and that now everything should be good to go, so to speak. So now that I'm "really" pg (and not just LID pg!), I should be expecting Ellie in nine months or less, right?!
This shirt from Adoptionmama.com speaks volumes, but doesn't explain the weight/wait gain!
Also, in between boogie-ing down to the new Miko song, my Mom picked up Ellie's 100 wishes quilt squares. She's been dreaming up possible quilt patterns and I think the winning design has been chosen! Giggy is going to look for other pieces of fabric to coordinate the many different designs and types of fabrics. All that fabric has been in a big heap on the floor for what seems like forever. (Kind of like the dossiers at the CC**.) There's not a lot of time to waste, really, before getting the 100 wishes quilt and a million other things done...pregnancy lasting only nine months and all. =) Ok, more likely within twelve months...but one can hope!
When you look at twelve months versus adding the "already have waited almost twelve," it kind of seems manageable. Sort of.
Just moving along and trying to stay positive. I just need some excitement and fun in my life. Good excitement only need apply.

A Present for the Near Future

This is a picture of my birthday present! In April I will be on fabulous trip to St. George with my friend Angie. Total hiking and spa-ing oasis! Counting the days! Oh, yeah, does anyone know anything about hiking?!?!? I've got the spa part down...
I also got an IPOD shuffle for my trip (thanks Ang!)so I'm loading up on my favorite new songs.
Right now I'm lovin' this new Grace Kelly tune by Mika-conjures up images of Freddie Mercury. The interaction between Mika and the little girl is too cute! I was in England at University when Freddie passed away. The whole student body went into mourning. As if more pints could be tossed back in the University pub! =)
I could be brown. I could be blue. I could be violet sky.....

Music Video:

Grace Kelly - MIKA Videos

Get Yours: Music Video Codes & Flash Games

OUT OF REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before March 22, 2006.

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before October 13, 2005.


WHOOOOO-HOOOOOOO!!!! February is out of review!!!!!!!! As Debbie sang in the last post comments...Happy Birthday to me!!! And to all of us Feb (and well into March!!) LIDers!! WHOOOOOO-HOOOOOO!!!! This totally made my day!!! Thank you everyone who wrote me about it!!
Oops, something went wrong with the copy/paste of the graphic, but I don't care!!!!!!!!!!!
See ya'll in the morning!!