Starfish Supply Raiser...

This information is posted on fellow adopter's blog Red Mary Janes to spread the word about helping out a special charity.

Starfish Foster Home is run by an angel. The dedication she has for the children is beyond any words. If you are not familiar with Amanda or the Starfish Foster Home in China, please visit their blog at 'Chinese Starfish Blog' and the Chinese Starfish Organization website for donations and information.

Starfish Foster Home is always in need of small-item donations! Some things are just difficult to get in China. At the moment, they need the following items. Due to import regulations, it is better to receive new items.

Long sleeved onesies or body suits from 0-3to 2T. We need some for next year
Winter sleepers, the ones with covered feet from about 6-9 months to 3T.
Any summer clothes, Preemie to 2T.
Summer shoes from 0 to 6 children's.
Vick's Baby rub
Infant Motrin and Tylenol
Gripe Water from Amazon.com
Pelican plastic bibs
Baby sunscreen
Plastic backed changing table covers
Plastic backed bibs
Playtex Bottles (the ones with the bags in them)
Playtex nipples (the have four different kinds some of each will do)

If you would like to help the Starfish Foster Home by supplying any of these items or any other items for small children, e-mail Kim at timnkim@gmail.com or go directly to the Chinese Starfish site to get mailing information.

She will be collecting the items throughout the month of February and then mailing them to Chinese Starfish at the end of the month.

Even if you cannot donate at this time- please check out the Chinese Starfish blog and the mission of this foster home at Chinese Starfish Foster Home. It is very inspiring to know that angels are out there.

It is 16!

This case it is not a sweet sixteen.

Right now this adoption blog is nothing more than a reminder of another month waiting.

The current wait is 24-26 months. What this means is that people who have just received a child referral have waited 24-26 months. Rumors & speculations are telling us that we have 3-5 more years. 2008 is not really possible without a miracle. 2009 is less likely to happen also.
Have Faith. I do. But not necessarily that this adoption will actually take place. I have faith that the divine power is in control and knows what is best. His plan may not include this adoption. That I am accepting. Depressed? Of course, but we have our paperwork in through 2009. Then we will see what will happen.

We are looking into other countries IA programs. We are trying to find the right fit. We started off wanting to expand our family. We decided not to add another into the world with children needing homes. So Ch*na was a perfect fit for us but we would have to wait a year. Well that changed.

We are currently researching Eth*opia. The orphanages and country is in extreme poverty. This seems to be where the need for a new life is greatest. Just some health factors and emotional issues to work through. It isn't the perfect fit but we may be led this path.

So another month waiting. Thanks for reading....see you next month.

The latest updates

The rollercoaster continues. The latest referrals were for LID up to December 19th, 2005. This was another small batch. Remember I am a Sept 2006 LID.
There is HUGE concern over what is happening with the IA program in China.
People want to know but there doesn't seem to be much information given. This is when the rumors and speculation is high. People need to figure out what is going on and many people have ideas.
I have been bouncing around to check out some.
The Olympics is probably a factor. Speculation is that China is planning on minimizing some of the IA program because image.
There are other rumors that they will only be through Feb 2006 at the end of 2008. Again, this is a tough one- drawing out a lot of emotions on all grounds.
I am going to have to trust this is the path I am meant to take.

This is part of my daily prayers & readings:

"May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. (this is really hard on some days)....
Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love....."

We are renewing our paperwork. All of our doctors reports were good & we are now waiting for the home study update. This should take us into 2009.

Another LID anniversary....

Here we go again. There isn't much to write each month. Trying to stay optimistic, empathising with fellow adopters, and keeping busy.
Not feeling very good with details lately, I sent 50 holiday cards with the wrong adoption blog address. Luckily it didn't take them to something nasty. Just nowhere. Now do I send a postcard with the right address as a follow-up?

I did buy an ornament (see below) but didn't take it out of the box- I might end up sending it to someone who actually goes through with the wait.

We are in the mist of updating our home study. Just had some doctors appointments & our police reports are cleared. There is some paperwork to file with our gov but it isn't as much as the first time. We will wait for another appointment time to be fingerprinted again.