Marking the days...

26 months waiting today and that is NOT an April Fool's day joke, oops it is, it is ONLY 25 months. Silly me, just can't keep count anymore - it is over two years since LID anyway. Just marking the day...

Oh, and I am posting on the 1st even thought the date says that today is March 31st. Wierd!!!

Thank you's are in order!!

First, thanks to Sam for the cute little pick me up package. You always seem to know when I need it!!!! The dark chocolate eggs didn't last long but I love the little candles. They are in our little Easter box for next year!!! I can't wait to try the apricot tea - Yummy!!!!!!

Second, I want to thank Cyndi for the lovely gifts for our Spring Exchange in our Waiting for our First Child from China group. The outfits are adorable (lavender and butterflies no less!!) and I love the little hippo!! So sweet. The candy won't last long in this house!!!! Cyndi, I didn't realize until after your gifts were purchased, that you like fairies!! You will have to impart some of your wisdom because we keep looking for circles here!!!!

I love to do the exchanges because I love to shop for people. It really seems to pass the time. Our very close friends have just announced that they are pregnant so even though we won't be shopping for the March DTC exchange, we will be shopping for them. Sam also has a package on the way soon - just putting it together!!!!!

Thank you Marsha, Larry and Courtney!!

For well over a year now, we have been part of our March DTC Secret Pal exchange. This exchange happens every month and we have enjoyed every minute!!! I have changed from a person who was terrified of going shopping in the "baby" section of stores to a person who enjoys the shopping and chatting with other Moms!! Not to mention the building of friendships with our pals that I hope will last. It is such a personal thing to shop for a couple and their child that you cannot help but imagine them using or wearing the items you have so carefully chosen. I am sad to say that we have found that time has just not allowed us to be the kind of pals that we aspire to be and we have decided not to continue with the monthly exchanges.

Our last pals for the March DTC exchange are a wonderful family of three who are waiting for Nora to join them. Marsha has been so generous and as

you can see by the photo, she has done a wonderful job of choosing goodies for both the February (cooking) and March (rainy days) themes. She has even included a few ladybugs!!! Thank you so much for the great cookbooks, outfits, cooking toys, raincoat and boots, toys and other goodies. Your letter was very kind too!!!!! It has been a pleasure to be part of this exchange and we are going to miss it but hopefully we will have Isabel home this year to enjoy all of these wonderful gifts that she has received!!!!

Signs...

I was reading Little Maple's Mom's blog and she was discussing signs. I do believe in signs and I have been open to experiencing them for some time. So today, Shawn and I were discussing being a single income family and right at the moment I said that it would be a wonderful thing, two bubbles floated by our living room windows. They were so pretty and when we looked outside (we thought that our neighbor's daughters might have been playing in the yard), we couldn't find their origins. Hmnnn, a good sign I would say!!
This past week has been a particularly difficult week at work for a variety of reasons which include grievances against my department (read: Me, as department head), infighting and ill co-workers (read: LOTS of extra work for Kristine). Ugh. I am really finished with this career and can't wait for our daughter to come home. There are jobs popping up all around me but I don't want to start something new as my job is all about relationship building blah, blah, blah... and to only be in a new position for 8 months tops, just wouldn't bring me any job satisfaction. So, I stay put and bide my time. I digress...
Oh yes, so on the worst day of this week, I notice that one of my diamonds is missing from my wedding band:( When we took it in that evening to get it fixed, the salesperson showed us a beautiful new ring and Shawn decided that I should have it. Ahhh. Then we went on to do more shopping and my favorite perfume that we haven't been able to find was at Sears of all places (our microwave died and we were looking for a replacement) and Shawn decided that I should have that too. Soooo sweet.
Signs. Well I put a number of financial plans that we had made into action this past week and then we get the bubble signs. My work week is the worst week but the loss of a diamond in my ring allows for Shawn to spoil me with a beautiful new ring and my fav perfume. A sign that good can come out of sadness (I was REALLY upset to find that diamond missing).
Can't wait to see what this next week holds... hopefully some good signs!!!

A thought...

My friend Kathy and I were out for lunch today at JJ Noodle House and we both had the giant prawn szechuan garlic noodle soup for lunch. YUMMY!!! We were talking about a variety of things and then I said, hmmnn, hope that my girl is spicy!!! We then had a good conversation about the different provinces in China. Just wanted to record this as it was very spontaneous because lately my mind has wandered away from our adoption.
As well, we have 56 LID days in front of us now - it looks good for a fall referral but as always I will have to see it to believe it!!!
Oh and happy 2 year LIDversary to us, a little late.

Waiting...

I found this through a link and just wanted to share:

I Will Wait for You...

"I know how difficult it is for you while you wait for me, because I have been waiting, too. I have waited to be held, to be fed, to be loved. I have found comfort in those who have been caring for me, and in those I have come to call my friend.

Do not feel saddened, for this is the only life that I have known. I have adapted. I know of no other way to spend my day. I am content, because I know not of what I might be missing.

As you await the sound of my laughter, I carry on, learning every day. From friends, and caretakers. Because I am not alone, I wait my turn, learning patience and enjoying every moment that comes my way.

Some friends are no longer here, so I make new friends. We keep each other company.

The day will come when your waiting will finally be over, as will mine. When that day arrives, my friends will need to make a new friend, as I will no longer be there. I will discover a life that I never knew existed. I might seem frightened at first, but once again I will quickly adapt and realize that my waiting to be held, to be fed, to be loved is over. I will be cared for like never before. I will learn so many new things.

I will have a forever family!

Until that day, I will be content to live the only life that I have known, and to spend time with my friends. Waiting ...

I will be here for you when your waiting has finally ended. You will hear my laughter and I will feel your loving touch. And we will both be content with the new life that we will share, together ... "

Still waiting for our little:

Rest...

I can't believe that I haven't posted since Feb. 1st and then again I can!!! We have been so busy with visitors the past few weeks, it has been crazy!! Everyone is coming from the East in February it seems but it has been wonderful to see some old friends and family. Donika, Cam and their two kids were here and their 7 year old loves KIS.S - Fraser and Shawn had LOTS to talk about!!!! Oh and I had the best birthday party with lost of family, friends and chocolate. Thanks for the "great" photos V!! You are a nut!!!
My darling neice, the Divine Miss Em came from Toronto with my Mom for a week and we had a blast swimming, having afternoon tea, searching for faire circles, celebrating Chinese New year and swimming. Did I mention swimming, yes with a five year old who adores swimming and a beautiful pool down the road, we did alot of it!!! We are two peas in a pod, my neice and I. We both cried our hearts out when she left... Air Canad.a was no help. They cancelled both of their flights and made my sick Mommy wait in an airport with a sad and determined 5 year old for 4 1/2 hours, not to mention the 6 1/2 hour flight with no food!!!!! Horrible!!!! Luckily we sent lots of provisions in Em's bag and Mom's cell phone - we talked ALOT during their wait!!!
This past weekend was spent with my step-mom who flew into Vancouver last week for a conference and then tried to come over on the Island hopper (20 min flight) on Friday. She ended up 5 1/2 hours later, arriving by ferry and bus. No food vouchers for the ferry, no "so sorry". I don't think that I will ever fly Air Canad.a again. They cancelled her flight out here last week too and she almost missed her presentation at the conference - she had to do it in her running shoes and if you know Carolyn, that wasn't fun!! Horrible. BUT we had a great weekend and met up with her neice and our friend Jaqueline and her partner Claude for dinner last night. They have been out here on a holiday, enjoying our mild climate. It was great.
So, today I rest. Poor Shawn has to work but I am doing laundry, watching my BBC soaps and catching up on some reading. Back to work tomorrow!! Oh and the sun is shining, all is right with the world!!