ABC Wednesday---A Few Of My Favorite G's

ABC Wednesday is hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

Beloved husbands and soft furry kitty cats
Sweet baby girls and guys who swing baseball bats
One dear old friend who I welcome with ease
These are a few of my favorite G's

Beloved Husband, Father, and Best Friend Extraordinaire: Garry

Softest, Fluffiest, Most Gentle, Loving and Appreciative Feline Ever: Gus

Two Extremely Silly and Treasured Baby Girls AKA Baby Grovers

Grover

Mike Hargrove, former manager of The Cleveland Indians. I stopped watching baseball...and rooting for the Indians when he was "let Go". I adore him AND his wife Sharon. Two of his nicknames are "Grover" which is pretty self explanatory...and "The Human Rain Delay". That one was bestowed upon him when he was a player, describing how long it took him to run through his numerous routines before he would step into the batter's box. Both of my Girls have the nickname "Baby Grover" as they too, are human rain delays, moving only slightly faster than a Glacier.

Grant Aleksander

First and foremost you silly, Giggly readers...Grant is NOT the actor I have the crush on so just Get that out of your heads right now. However...said unnamed actor does portray a G character...

When I was Growing up I was introduced to soap operas by my babysitter. I remember watching from under her ironing board while she ironed shirts and watched the CBS line-up. By the time I hit college I tried to schedule my classes so I could be home in time to see Guiding Light. When that became impossible I saved my pennies until I could afford one of the very first front loading VCR's. That thing cost me several HUNDRED dollars...but I could watch Guiding Light...so it was ok!

Grant Aleksander first appeared on Guiding Light in the very early 80's...just a couple of years older than I was/am...and had "something" that instantly sucked me in. I know it's ridiculous but I have always felt some bizarre connection to him. If one were to believe in past lives I would speculate that at one point he was my favorite brother...or best friend. In the last 25+ years since he became a part of my world, I've had numerous dreams about him. We are always hanging out together somewhere and we are always laughing.

He has left the show several times...and returned. I Gave up soaps around the time Hope joined our family. I didn't have time to watch them and they had turned into something I didn't recognize any longer. I've kept up with my favorite actors and recently received an email telling me that Grant (who had been fired several years ago due to budget cuts) was returning. I set my DVR (my how times have changed) and sat down a week or so ago to see what's new in Springfield. I don't recognize a whole lot of faces...or names...and I have NO idea what's going on...but Grant? Grant is still Grant, or Phillip as his character is called. He looks amazing. His voice still calms me and I don't even have to listen to what he's saying. It's his accent...his cadence...his delivery. I said to Garry, "He hasn't aged a bit!" Beloved husband, in his most wonderful and endearing way, said, "Honey, he's aged...but he looks Good."

So what IS it about him? Not a clue. Is he a Great actor? I don't know...I've never seen him in any part other than that of Phillip Spaulding. Is he a nice person? Again, not a clue. I know very little about him other than what one can read in any public forum. I was talking to a lifelong friend at church on Sunday. Now she DID have a crush on him when we were in college! She said watching him brings back all the wonderful memories of when we were in college and LIVED for Guiding Light. She's right...he brings back feelings of no responsibilities...no bills...where the hardest decision you had to make was what you were Going to do on the weekend. Having him back on my small screen is like running into your best friend from college that you haven't seen in decades.

Am I going to start watching Guiding Light again? No, not really. But I did fast forward through four episodes this morning...stopping only when Grant was on screen. Should I ever run into him someday? I have no doubt I would throw my arms around him and give him a hug. Of course he'd call the police and have the crazy lady arrested...but OH what an awesome blog entry THAT would be!

Until next time y'all...

One year ago today...

I was sitting here wondering how I was going to survive for the next two weeks...

Hope was napping...

Claire was in the Qianjiang SWI...

Garry was on a plane headed for China.

Four years ago today...

Garry and I were at H.H. Gregg buying a new camcorder and packing for our trip to China...

Hope was in the Anqing CWI...

Claire...wasn't.

Today...

I got some wonderful news after battling some old demons for a couple of days...seems I won this time. Thank you God...

I dropped Hope off at preschool and when she got out of the car she said, "I love you Mama!"...

When I put Claire down for her nap I said "I loooove you Claire!"...she laughed...then babbled three syllables + Mama in the same tone I had just used with her...

I don't think I've ever had a better day.

This weekend we are going to cocoon as a family. It's going to be too cold and nasty to go out and do anything. So we made sure we accomplished all of our errands during the week, we're going to have a HUGE amount of food delivered from Zeppe's, and we're just going to be the family that we've become...and waited so long for.

Stay warm...and be blessed!

Allow me to introduce you to our newest family member. This is Wally!

I first spoke of Wally in early June. I also told you that he had his own story. Read on if you care to!

I always knew I would have another kitty after Humphrey passed. As angry as I was at God, I knew He would bring another furry soul into my life. Remember? TRUST ME.

I had decided that we would give Wendy at Kitten Krazy a call at the end of June...and I was checking the website at least once a day looking at precious little faces. Yeah, well, you know what they say about best laid plans. Suddenly I had surgery scheduled for the end of June. So, I decided the end of July. Oh...I am so funny! It appears I still haven't caught on that my timing and God's timing aren't anywhere near being in synch.

Garry took Gus for a routine vet visit and came home with a message for me from Dr. Arends. Apparently she said, "You have to PROMISE to tell Melissa. I have a cat for you." Garry said, "I don't want a cat." She said, "I know. But tell Melissa." He said, "What's wrong with it?" She said, "Absolutely nothing. That's why I'm telling you about him. You guys need a break. I've already called and talked to the foster home. He's yours if you want him." As he is relaying this information to me I ask, "What color is he?" When he said black and white I started crying. I couldn't deal with another black kitty so soon...even though Hope had told me right after Humphrey passed that our next kitty would be black. I continued asking questions through the tears and found out that he had been found in a Wal-Mart parking lot about a year ago. He was rescued by Save Ohio Strays, named Wally, and put into foster care. Dr. Arends said she had kept him for awhile until a foster home opened up. I immediately went online and located his picture on the Save Ohio Strays website. I didn't get any feelings other than I was glad to see that he seemed to be EQUAL parts black and white.

The next couple of days I'd keep checking to see if he was still available and that silly face started growing on me. Garry called and made an appointment for us to meet him on a Sunday. I filled out the adoption application online...which by the way was only SLIGHTLY less involved than what we did for our girls! LOL I started to talk about him to Hope who immediately started calling him Sam because, and I quote, "MY favorite store is Sam's Club." So we called him Sam.

Sunday arrived and the family piled into the car to go and meet Wally...errr...Sam. When we got to the nice lady's home she welcomed us into her living room. Wally was in a large cage in the center of the room. Garry and the girls sat on the couch...I sat on the floor in front of the cage. I believe the nice lady's name was Teri. She opened the cage and Wally shot out. He went behind the couch, did a slow lap around the room, came up behind me, and laid down against my back. Yeah...I started crying. He rubbed up against me, let me pet him, and purred up a storm. He really didn't want much to do with Garry and the girls but what do you expect? Hope was dying to touch him and Claire was leaping around like a jumping bean! In case you haven't already figured it out, we brought him home! On the drive home Garry and I decided that he really "looked" like a Wally and tried to persuade Hope of the same. She came around, but only if his middle name was Sam. Thus was born Wally Sam!

If you haven't seen God's Hand in this yet, read on. When Horatio passed I told Garry that when I was ready for another cat I was going to ask Dr. Arends for assistance in choosing one. I trust her...yes I TRUST her. I never said anything to her...nor did he. He stopped into the clinic one afternoon for some food and as he was talking with her she said, "I'm scared to death Melissa is going to ask me to help her choose a cat. I don't want to! There just aren't any guarantees!" So when he came home in June and said SHE had a cat for me? Well, enough said.

Still need convincing? He and Gus get along so well it is scary. They eat together, play together, wash each other, and sleep on me in the bed together. I've NEVER had two cats get along as well as they do...and so quickly. It was literally a matter of DAYS.




And in case you are wondering...Wally is VERY much like Humphrey. He has MANY behaviors that were unique to Humphrey and whenever he demonstrates them, no matter how frustrated I may be, it is like receiving a hug from Heaven. He also has his own personality as well. We've decided that Wally is really an all white cat and that his black parts are from Humphrey. He is yet another precious gift from God to our family...and yes...he likes the girls too.

God's blessings to you! ")

P.S. If you've been wondering where I've been lately...I'm hanging out at facebook.com! Yep, I'm helping to show all those youngsters that folks over 40 can have a "social network" too! Come and visit...look me up! ")

Whoo hoo! Both girls are sleeping...it's FINALLY stopped snowing outside...now we have 18 or so inches of the white stuff with below zero wind chills. Ohio is simply LOVELY! ")

As promised...here is your update...

Let me preface this by saying that the two weeks Garry was in China were probably the most harrowing of my life. It is neither a time I want to relive or think about. I was barely holding it together and by the mid-point of the trip I was finding it harder and harder *to* hold it together. For all those who prayed, called, cleared the driveway, emailed, or posted at the blog, I am eternally grateful for your support. YOU are the ones who held me together.

SO! By the time January 31st rolled around I was clutching my last thread...with my hangnails! I had joked with Garry that I would be waiting at the airport around noon...his flight wasn't due until 6. I started tracking his flight around 10 or so that morning and I actually, physically, jumped up and down when I saw it. They were already over western Canada and beginning their turn towards Detroit. NEVER has a silly little picture of a white airplane pasted over a map of Canada brought so much unfettered JOY to my life!

He called after they landed in Detroit and got through immigration and customs. Again, just seeing "Garry Cell" on my caller I.D. was enough to send me into fits of cartwheels! Claire hadn't slept, neither had he...both were tired, cranky, and hungry. Honestly, it was all I could do not to get in the car right then and drive to Akron/Canton...even though he wasn't due to leave Detroit for another 2-3 hours.

I woke Hope up from her nap around 4, got her ready, gagged down some more oyster crackers...(I don't care if I ever see another one of those things again...I lived on them for two weeks) and by that time it was a little after 4:30. I had planned on leaving around 4:45 in an attempt to avoid the heaviest traffic AND get to the airport while the sun was still shining. We left here around 4:50 and as soon as I pulled out onto the street I forgot how to get to the airport. My mind went completely blank...hand to my heart. Thank God for his grace and mercy because I figured it out before I had to get on any major highway! Traffic was pretty much a nightmare but whenever I needed to change lanes or merge, He cleared the way for me. I can't say when we arrived at the airport because, my mind being what it was, I forgot to put on a watch! DUH! I'm guessing it was close to 5:30 and his plane was due in at 5:58.

Hope and I checked the board and there was nothing listed for the status of his flight. Right away...stomach started bothering me. We sat down and waited...watched several flights worth of passengers walk past us...Hope ate the Honey Nut Cheerios that I had brought for her. When we got up to throw her trash away I checked the board again and now his flight was flashing DELAYED. We walked upstairs to the observation deck which gave us a great view of the air conditioning units. If we squinted, and looked faaaaar off into the distance I think what we were looking at were the runways...but I can't be sure! LOL Back downstairs...walk a little...check the board...still delayed...watch the time on the board change at least 6 different times from 5:58 to 6:19. The last one just about did me in. It said, "Now arriving 6:19." And the clock below it said, "6:20". I really was about to lose it. I had long since put the camera away...Hope was going completely stir crazy. We sat down again and another group of passengers made their way past us. No Garry or Claire. Hope started whining about not wanting to wait anymore...my stomach felt like it was going to make a run for it...and there they were. He had been the last one off of the plane and of course it took him longer having to carry her and get her ready for the cold.

I started WEEPING the minute I saw them. I couldn't even stand...my legs wouldn't work. I just sat there squeaking, "There they are!", and holding on tight to Hopie. She was jumping up and down and shrieking, "DADDY! DADDY!" I remember hearing his voice so I knew it was safe to let go of Hope. I remember reaching out my hand and him taking it, and I remember the stress leaving my body for the first time in a long time.

After hugs and kisses all around, I tried to get Claire's attention. She was exhausted, sick, and didn't know me from Adam. No matter HOW prepared you think you are for that, you aren't. She turned completely away from me. I started to sing the lullaby I had recorded that Garry had played for her in China. She turned her head towards me, looked me straight in the eyes, and reached out to touch my face. Yeah, I was bawling, but I think I bawled pretty much continuously from the moment I saw them coming towards us.

As we went to get their luggage and as we walked out into the deep freeze that has become NE Ohio, I don't remember a whole lot of people around us, but those who were there, were smiling and sharing our joy.

Once we were all loaded in the car we held hands and thanked God for bringing us all back together. Yeah...still crying.

Claire rode VERY well for her first time in the carseat. She was a little scared at first but her big sister, sitting right beside her, kept cooing, "Ni hao Li Lu. Ni hao." Uh-huh...crying.

When we got home and Garry carried her in the house I was completely overwhelmed with the need to hold her. I said, "Can I hold her?" He just laughed at me and handed her over. She did ok, but she didn't want Daddy to get too far away from her.

Again, what words are there to tell you what a wonderful job he did? And once we were home, it's not like he could rest either. When she cried, she wouldn't accept comfort from me, she needed Daddy. The first couple of nights home, he maybe saw three hours of shut-eye.

It has only been in the last 3-4 days that she has realized that I am Mama and I'm not going anywhere. She will hold eye contact with me now, whereas before she stared at the ceiling while I was feeding her. She'll actively try to GET my attention and then just laugh the heartiest little laugh. Her smiles are absolutely addictive! She will put her arms out to me to pick her up and she even came to me FROM Daddy.

When she first joined us she could barely roll over. She remedied that while in China. She could sit, but not for very long. That is also improving. The kid is strong. She has a WHOLE lot more upper body and trunk strength than Hope did at this point. She also had no interest or clue as to how to eat from a spoon. Again, that's been taken care of now too. Baby food...homemade or jarred is FABULOUS...as are crackers. She has four teeth and more coming in. I know I'm probably forgetting something but I'm on a deadline. She has awakened and is now on my lap! You try typing with World's Strongest and Grabbiest Baby on your lap!

Hope has her moments. She does really well most days but I don't mind telling you she's had two days this week that, well, they weren't pretty. Her two morning a week preschool has been cancelled so many times due to weather for the last two weeks...and she NEEDS that time to just be Hope away from her sister. She finally got to go today and enjoy her Valentine's Party. She was in a much better mood when I picked her up.

Garry went back to work on Monday and I did surprisingly ok. Tuesday was no school for Hope and she was just not happy...and it rubbed off on her sister! Garry stayed home yesterday due to the weather. Thank God he did...we didn't have any heat! It was quickly resolved and again, thank God for our fireplace. Today was Mama's first trip to preschool with both girls. Aye carumba. It takes 30 minutes just to get them both in their carseats!

Ok, I'm going to have to quit for now. Claire has discovered that smacking the keyboard is WICKED FUN!

Next nap, more pictures!

Claire's lullaby, Baby Mine, can be found on the music player at the bottom of the page.

Thanks to everyone for EVERYTHING! I'm sorry I've been so quiet...your emails tell me you are being as patient as you can be!

This one is going to be very brief...I promise when things even out a little I'll let you know all the wonderful little details.

You remember that Claire was sick in China...snotty nose, cough, coughing so hard she was vomiting? Before she got home, the cough had lessened so no more vomiting. She still has a snotty nose, she's still coughing, she's in a brand new country, in a brand new house, with a brand new family...she went to the doctor for her first visit last Friday...she also has an ear infection. SO, she's been getting Tylenol, antiobiotics, and did I mention they started her re-vaccinations too? So she spiked a fever and had pain in both legs. There was little to no sleep the first couple of nights...and now we know it was due to the ear infection. Once the amoxicillin kicked in she's sleeping through the night. Let's not forget she's getting over a mild case of scabies too. So all in all, she's one of the toughest kids I've ever known...along with her sister. She's giving us smiles and waves and she's decided that I'm pretty swell. I don't think she realizes that I'm Mama yet, but she likes me.

Hope is doing well. She was the only member of the family besides the kitties who slept through the night the last few days. She has her moments...mostly small meltdowns when she feels like she's being left out. But most of the time she just wants to be next to her sister. Claire cries when Hope cries...and laughs when Hope laughs. Garry said she did NOT cue into other babies in China, so this is definitely a sister thing!

Me, one day is excellent, another day isn't. I'll survive. My family is home and together and we can get through anything. My house is still a mess. You know what? I've got two kids now. I think it's probably going to be a mess for the next 20 years or so. Humphrey has his surgery tomorrow, so those of you with a soft spot for kitties, please say a little prayer for him.

Garry, the Uber-Dad? There are NO words for how proud I am of him and how he handled everything while he was gone. He's got what Claire has. He went to the doctor today...came home with a couple scripts and some chicken soup. He needs to rest and take it easy for awhile! He had a minor meltdown earlier today because he couldn't find something...thinks he left it in China. It is so not important. Chances are it's buried under one of the many piles in my kitchen! LOLOLOLOL

My girls are napping...I think I'm going to do the same. Thanks for your patience!

OMG!!! OMG!!! OMG!!!!

I just checked his flight online and they're already coming down over western Canada! I never imagined that a picture of a little white airplane stuck over Canada would make me this happy!

Can't stop crying...or praising God!!! Just a few more hours!!!!!!!!!!!

So...I guess it's ok to spill our big secret to y'all. As if the whole process isn't stressful enough, we had one added little bit of stress that we had to deal with.

Shortly after we turned in our completed dossier, our friend and attorney, Fred, passed away unexpectedly. Tragic in and of itself as he was one of the kindest, funniest, and most gentle humans to ever bless our lives. A couple of weeks after his passing, I had Garry call the agency to see if this would effect...affect...I can never remember which one is correct...our process.

Garry was told, "This is a big one. He notarized all of your documents. His notary expired on his death. At any time during the process, if anyone in China has any questions about your dossier, and finds out that he is no longer living, you will have to start over from the very beginning." As Garry sat in stunned silence he was then told, "Don't tell ANYONE."

So you see, any time from August 2005, until Garry finished the paperwork in the last couple of weeks in China, we could've lost our baby. I think the very best news we've ever received came from Zhou the night before the "official" ceremony. He told Garry, "No more worries. She yours."

Just a few more hours my friends...just a few more hours....

You know, and I'm going to mention God here, so run if you wish...

Apparently I've gotten too far from God's side lately. I know this because He's allowing the evil one to poke and prod at me. As I said to a friend of mine, "Satan is playing fast and loose with my family." God's done this before...you'd think even a stupid human like myself would've learned by now. DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO AVOID THE PAIN. He pulls me back in one of two ways...my stomach goes haywire, or one of my cats goes haywire. Last Friday it was my stomach...this Friday it was Humphrey. I'm not going to go into any details...if you want to know and you don't already, just email me. In any case, I'm about as stripped bare as I can be and still function...so all of His messages are coming through loud and clear!

Right now, He's blessed me with the most perfect peace. I don't know how long it's going to last, and I don't have the words to tell you just how sweet it is.

I miss Garry so much it hurts...we talked for over two hours this morning. Garry and I are "Binars"...pronounced "by-narz". Again, if you don't get that reference and you want to, email me. If you do get it, you watch too much TV just like I do. We function as one...when we are separated we start to weaken.

You know what? I don't even have to GO to China to lose weight! It's just like being there! I'm about 8 pounds lighter than I was when he left. And no, I haven't hit danger weight yet. I've got 3-4 more pounds before I need to worry. Today I took Hope to McDonalds for lunch. I figured it will either cure me or kill me! I ordered a cheeseburger and when we got home it was a double cheeseburger. I devoured it. I think it was from Him...I think I was SUPPOSED to eat it! LOL I've had a lot of good burgers in my life, but this one was fabulous...even from McDonalds. I just kept thinking about Ali when we got back to Chicago from our first trip to China. She hit the airport McDonalds as soon as she could and sat there cooing, "This is the best hamburger I've ever had!"

What's tomorrow going to bring? I don't know...and right now I don't care. This is a feeling I would LOVE to hang onto. God can worry about tomorrow. Today, I'm going to lay on the floor with my oldest daughter and put stickers in her Lilo & Stitch sticker book. Maybe we'll play Princess Dominoes...or Go Fish. I'm going to write in Claire's journal and tell her how much I love her even though I've never even held her yet. I'm going to curl up and read The Chronicles Of Narnia. I'm going to let the housework pile up and NOT worry about it. And I'm going to thank God for taking such good care of my family.

So what's going on on the other side of the world? They are safely in Guangzhou...shopping like fiends! LOL That part...I miss! Garry said Claire screamed the entire hour and forty minutes on the plane. Please pray she does better on the endless flight home! The babies had their medical exams this morning and their visa pictures taken after that. I believe Garry said they had their pictures taken at 10:20 this morning, and by that time, the total number of baby visa pictures just for that day was FORTY? After that shop, shop, shop! He's doing such a phenomenal job...I am so blessed to have him in my life!

He hit Sherry's Place with a vengeance. Take note first timers, DO NOT MISS SHERRY'S PLACE! She greeted him as soon as he entered and said she remembered him from our first trip. Now, I have no idea if she did or not, but what a wonderful thing to say! She is an absolute treasure...and her shops are FULL of even more treasure! I had sent him there for wedding boxes, so on top of everything else he bought from her, he asked her for wedding boxes. She showed him what she had and even talked him out of a couple different styles as "They not make the trip home!" There were only four of the other kind...and I wanted five. She said she could get it no problem. Then she told him to go back to the hotel and she would bring the fifth one to him...and she did. He's also having a zodiac chop and a granite etching done there. He says she calls him, "Garry with 2 r's!" LOL She asked to see a picture of Hope and me, said she remembered me as well. Again, just a genuinely sweet thing to say.

While in Guangzhou the group is staying at The Victory Hotel. This is the "old" Victory...the "new" Victory is around the corner and that's where you go for breakfast. The "old" Victory has had quite a few renovations and additions since we were there in February of '04. Everything is brand new...a coffee bar in the lobby...and a faucet for DRINKING WATER in each room!

Claire is doing MUCH better. She's had I believe two days in a row with no barfing! YAY! She's still just a laughing, giggly, gorgeous coconut. Ohhh...I really want to hold her!

Tomorrow is confusing to me. Zhou's intinerary says one thing, Garry says another. I'm going by Garry right now. Tomorrow is a museum and then the pearl market. OOOOO! I LOVE THE PEARL MARKET!

Until next time y'all!

Here I go stealing Kristian's pictures again...but I can't help it! LOL She can deal with me once she's back in the country!

This is Garry, Claire, Kristian and Joslyn...I'm assuming on their outing to the Three Gorges Museum.

Daddy made good on his promise to Hope and emailed her pictures of ALL three gorges. She's thrilled...and obviously my child. What a request! "What would you like Daddy to bring back from China for you?" "A picture of the three gorges." LOLOLOLOL

The museum was interesting, but Garry found the art museum contained in the same building MORE interesting. I wish I could've seen it. From what he described there were some awesome pieces. Another nod to my shopping list...Roxie from Tennessee keeps asking to take another look at it. While at the museum she spotted one of the items on my list and came running, "Mr. Garry! Mr. Garry! Here's these!" LOL

After nap he headed out with Rick and one other family to do some shopping. They visited the big book store. Garry said imagine the very worst Border's you've ever visited and multiply it by a hundred. You know how folks at Border's hang out, lay on the floor, read the entire book, then put it back? He said that most of the books he found that he would've liked to have brought home had been read "several times". That was my term. He said he wouldn't feel comfortable letting our girls even touch them. Covers were torn off, pages had been stepped on...I said, "Like an old library book?" He said, "Like a phone book at a rest stop." EWWWW!!!! He really had to work but he found two books for each of the girls and one for us. The children's floor was jam cram packed with kids. Rick had been there the day before and as they were ascending he said to Garry, "Listen." Garry says, "What *is* that?" It was the sound of all of those children running free! Apparently no parents to be found!

They stopped at a department store and he bought Claire a couple of outfits. He said it was really interesting...there were NO clothes in "little" sizes. Chongqing sees so much international adoption that there was simply nothing left that will fit the girls now. Doesn't matter...she'll grow into them!

When he called this morning Claire was sleeping...in his words, "Only one hurp today!" LOL Obviously she's taking after Alicia! He was packing. He can't wait to get to Guangzhou because, again, a direct quote, "I know that the next stop after that is home."

We can't wait for him to get home either...we're all feeling the strain. He was so broken up last night after talking to Hope on the phone he couldn't speak for a minute or two. I can't imagine the stress he must be under...and he's so worried about disappointing me.

Kristian has told me he's doing an amazing job...Roxie told him yesterday that he's more together than their entire family...and this is their THIRD trip! Know what he said? "It's because our girls have a great Mama and I have a great wife that got us organized and ready to go." CRYING!!!!!

It hits at the strangest times...ok...I have to quit...can't see the screen.

Sorry for the lack of updates...however we've...and I say "we've" like I have anything to do with it other than worry...we've had a sick baby.

I guess all of the girls have colds to some degree and Claire had the unknown rash on her back. Dr. John (thank you so very much from the bottom of my nervous Mama heart) checked her out on their Tuesday morning. She had been coughing so hard that she was throwing up...a lot. Dr. John said that she felt a little warm, she was NOT dehydrated, he felt it was just a snotty nose, and the rash, well, he said it looked more like impetego but since she had been in an institution to go ahead and use the scabies cream that Garry had brought. In Garry's words? "She's just like you! She coughs and then she throws up!" Awww...she really *is* my baby! LOL

Garry also said that he felt incredibly sorry for the maid who had to come in and strip every single piece of linen from the room covered in baby puke.

Their Tuesday was pretty laid back. I think he called me a half a dozen times. By the last call we were all feeling better. She was coughing less, keeping the Tylenol down, keeping her bottle down for longer and longer amounts of time, and sleeping more. Thank you God. Before he told me goodnight he told me what they were going to do on Wednesday...yes, they've already HAD their Wednesday. Again, in his words, "We're going to go puke on the pandas!" ROTFL!!!

He said the trip to the zoo went VERY well. She didn't puke on the pandas, but she did "spit up" a little. Hey, this is the first time he's used that term. I'm thinking we've turned the corner.

Also, at least two of the other girls have started the severe coughing/throwing up cycle and two more have presented with "The Rash". Dr. John has recommended that they all go through the two treatments of scabies cream and that if there is any left, the parents should use it as well before going home.

There is also a sign posted in the hotel lobby that Internet usage may be limited or down due to the earthquake in Taiwan. I know Garry told me this morning that he had sent me an email which I've yet to receive. He said that Kristian was complaining about not being able to post pictures as well.

The gal who lost her passport, I believe has her temporary visa. She can't travel to Guangzhou without it. As for the passport, I'm guessing that's being taken care of as well.

So what's Claire like? Through it all she's always smiling! He said the only time she's screaming or upset is when he tries to wipe her nose, or bathe her! Hey, *that's* normal, right? She doesn't have a clue yet about solid food or eating from a spoon...again...just like Hope. She's got the two bottom teeth, one coming through on the top, and ANOTHER top one appearing just below the surface. So on top of being sick and having a new Daddy, she's teething. Several of the other families have commented on what a great personality she has. Sorry to keep saying this...we heard the same about Hopie! I don't think it's anything *we* did, I just think we've been blessed beyond measure. Sandy! Remember how Garry kept calling Alice "Baby Alice with Kung-Fu Grip"? Well, Claire has apparently inherited her Kung-Fu grip. He said even Zhou has commented on how strong she is.

Garry played the DVD for her that Hope and I made. He said she sits perfectly still and watches while I sing to her, but as soon as Hopie comes on she tries to grab the camera. How perfect! She's already going after her sister! This morning he told me that he had given her the book with all of our pictures in it. He says that every time he tries to turn the page away from my picture, she turns it back...and pats my face. Oh crud...I really was fine until I typed that!

He holds the phone to her ear and I talk to her. I know very little Mandarin, but what I do know, I use with her. He said that she was trying to kiss the mouthpiece just like she gives him kisses. How awesome is that? They've been together for three days and she's already giving Daddy kisses!

The move I personally can't wait to witness is the head-bob. He says she's got this emphatic up and down "yes" deal. One is very slow and serious, and the other is two very short yet firm up and downs. He said if you watch the Chinese, it's how they greet each other. In any case it sounds too cute for words.

Thanks to Rick for watching her so Daddy can partake of the breakfast buffet without a baby on his hip. And I *know* he would without complaining, but it's just nice that Rick is there to help too! I'm not sure I could balance a plate and fill it AND hold a baby...but I'm willing to try!

The grandmother who is traveling with the family from Tennessee picked Claire up. She said she couldn't help herself! I completely understand...I can't wait to get my hands on her either. Garry reminded her of my "No women get to hold her rule"! LOL

I guess my shopping list is a big hit too. At least one family has asked if they can have a copy! LOLOLOLOLOL

Well, it is time to feed jie-jie! Thanks to all for your prayers, emails, and support through this entire journey.

Later y'all! ")

One happy Daddy!!! Check out her tongue!

Sleepy baby...with Billy Idol hair! ")

It's a girl!

No pictures yet...they just got back to the hotel. Zhou promised to post some at Zhou's Kids and also email me some. Garry will also email his when he is able. Believe me, NO ONE wants to see her any more than *I* do!

Right now she's smiling at her Daddy and keeps pushing her foot through the crib slats.

I'll try to recount what he just told me...but my mind is swimming...and it's early!

Everything went off right on schedule and they received their babies at 4:30 p.m....which was 3:30 a.m. for us...and God saw to it to wake me up at exactly 3:31 this morning. No big...I actually thanked Him for it. Somehow it made me feel included.

She smiled at him immediately and there were no tears! The director was either unable or not willing to answer many questions so we have basically no information about her time at the orphanage other than what is in her official report. They also would not take the disposable cameras that the parents had purchased. We were told that they would take those back to the orphanage and fill them with photos of the rooms, caretakers etc. and then send them to the families when they were in Guangzhou. (The trip to and from the orphanage is anywhere from 6-8 hours long each way and that would be too stressful for the babies to make yet again. So no orphanage visit this trip.) Zhou said he got the director to agree to take pictures of certain areas and of the caretakers and send them to him which he will share with the families.

She has Billy Idol hair...think style not color! She is tiny, the updated measurements we were given were padded...but we already suspected that! Two bottom teeth just like Hope when she joined us...and she loves to suck her fist! She's trying to roll over (Hope did for the first time in Guangzhou) and she's unable to sit by herself. She's got a snotty nose and a pretty decent cough...which I heard! She also has some red spots on her back that Garry is going to have checked out first thing in THEIR morning.

She was gurgling and cooing over the phone...he said that the new sleeper we bought for her fits her perfectly. We guessed right at 6-9 months...same size Hope wore!

Ohhhhh...I don't know how to describe how I'm feeling! It's the strangest combination of joy and sadness. I want to see the crooked little smile that her Daddy was describing to me...and I really want to see her roll her tongue and blow raspberries!

I have tabs currently open to Zhou's Kids, Kristian's blog, and Kristian's photo account...nothing yet.

She had gone to sleep about half way into our phone call...bless her heart. Garry kept calling her "Hopie 2" because she kept sticking her feet out of the crib...just like her sister.

For those of you following the story of the missing purse that Kristian had in her blog...

One of the new parents brought her sister with her. The sister left her purse on the airplane and didn't realize it until they were on the bus to the hotel in Chongqing. Zhou stopped the bus, made some phone calls, both sisters and Zhou's assistant got off the bus and went back to the airport to search the plane themselves.

The purse was never found and it contained cash, credit cards, and passport. When the sisters arrived back at the hotel at 1 a.m. they reported that the airport police have issued a reward for the return of the passport...and I believe the cards...sorry...mind is fuzzy! In the meantime, her husband is back home busily cancelling her cards. She and Zhou's assistant take off in the morning for a four hour train ride so she can apply for a visa as basically, it appears she is now in the country illegally.

Please pray for these gals...as if the whole trip isn't stressful enough.

All right folks...still no pictures to be seen and I've got to wake my oldest daughter! I'll post them whenever they arrive!!!

Picture time! Yeah...don't get too excited yet!

This first picture is the lobby decorated for Chinese New Year at the Holiday Inn Downtown Beijing. Garry and the group stayed there while touring Beijing. You can check out the hotel's website here.

The next shot is from The Great Wall. Garry says it was still pretty cold and now the vendors are becoming more agressive. Instead of just shouting "HALLO!" to get your attention, they will come up and pinch you. Gee, the worst thing I had happen was when one of them wrapped a scarf around my face...that had been wrapped around heaven only knows how many other faces! SARS anyone? ")


Garry reports that lunch at the cloisonne factory was worse than last time. My apologies to Kristian and John who enjoyed it immensely! However, the story of the dead fish having its spine ripped from its body and then tossed into the brown sauce did nothing for my appetite. I believe that picture is posted on Kristian's blog. Garry said there was no way he was eating anything that looked like it had been run over by a bus! LOL I remember eating well (for me in China) at the cloisonne factory. There were lots of recognizable vegetables in mild sauces...it was yummy.

Tiananmen Square was "Great Wall Cold". For those of you who don't get that weather reference, when we went to China to get Hope we visited The Great Wall. We had dressed warmly as it was in the low 40's and very windy. I had lost all sensation in my mittened hands before we even got to the ENTRANCE. For all intents and purposes it felt like I had forgotten to get dressed! Neither one of us have ever been that cold before or planned to be again...until Garry visited Tiananmen Square for the second time. He said that there are Olympic signs everywhere and that a great portion of The Forbidden City is closed off for refurbishing. Have to make everything pretty for the olympics! He said certain areas were covered with a screen/net type deal. However, the screen/net was painted exactly like what was behind it so you didn't feel you were missing anything. My memories of The Forbidden City? Let's walk the length of this place as quickly as possible, get on the bus and go get our baby! ")

He also made return trips to The Hard Rock Beijing, the Chinese Acrobats performance, and the silk factory. And yes, for those of you who remember, he learned again about "The pupers! Yah!" Only THIS time everyone was given a "puper" of their very own. One stop that was new for him/us was a jade carving workshop. I had sent a list...a rather long detailed list (LOL)...of things I wanted him to buy while there. One of those requests was a small jade figurine for each of our Chinese zodiac signs. Got 'em...check...next!

He called this morning to let me know they had safely arrived in Chongqing. For those of you who work with him, I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that "Sarcastic Guy" has put in an appearance. I don't know if it took him this long to acclimate or this morning was just the first time he's told me about it. The group is staying at The Marriott JW Chongqing for the next few days.

He said that the bathroom was pretty impressive...separate shower and tub. He also said that the group isn't staying together. Meaning, when we went the first time everyone was on the same floor and right next to each other. This trip, a lot of different floors. When he called this morning he was waiting for the staff to deliver his luggage. As soon as they did he was going to unpack the gifts for the orphanage staff and deliver those, along with the dreaded moneybelt to Zhou's room. Getting rid of the dreaded moneybelt is only slightly less exciting than receiving your baby. It is HIGHLY stressful toting around thousands of dollars strapped to your person.

So! Tomorrow is Gotcha Day! I've had several people ask me how I'm holding up and wondering how I'm going to get through tomorrow. Folks, I'm fine. Right now I'm more than fine. I'm downright happy. My baby is going to be placed safely in her father's arms in a little over 13 hours. I'll be able to see pictures...I'll be able to hear her over the phone. It may not be the ideal situation, or the one we all had planned out in our minds, but right now it sounds like paradise. I believe Garry is the one who is going to need some help. The babies don't arrive until 4:30 in the afternoon. I'm afraid he's going to be climbing the walls by that time. He'll call tonight...which will be his tomorrow morning...and then the next time he calls he'll have Claire! Hey Cheri...I'm kind of feeling the excitement finally! And Bon? NOW I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

One of my very favorite movies is Miracle on 34th Street. I discovered it as a child and have loved it ever since. It is filled with so many beautiful little pearls of wisdom. For Christmas this year, Garry bought me one of those Hallmark cards with the sound chips in them...you know...they play a bit of music or a sound bite? On the cover is a picture of Edmund Gwenn, dressed as Santa. Below him is a lamppost supporting the street sign that reads "W 34th ST". Below that is the sentiment "May you always believe..." Beautiful in and of itself. However, when you open it you hear little Natalie Wood's voice...so loud and clear and so full of joy saying, "Mommy told me if things don't turn out just the way you want them to the first time you still got to believe! And I kept believing and you were right Mommy! Mr. Kringle IS Santa Claus!"

I wept when I opened it on Christmas morning and I'm weeping now. For our family, Santa comes tomorrow.

Blessings and peace to y'all.

Hi y'all,

I promise to write more tomorrow and post some pictures that Garry sent us. Today was kind of worthless...I was sick last night and slept most of today.

Extra special thanks to Carol and Helen for taking care of Mama and Hopie...and Humphrey, while Daddy is away.

In the meantime, check out Kristian's blog at http://www.jksweber.blogspot.com/ See if you recognize anyone! ")

Peace has returned to our home. ::sigh:: It is a wonderful feeling.

Yesterday was possibly the longest day of my life...and I didn't spend it trapped on an airplane. We had to be out of the door by 5 a.m. to get Garry to the airport on time. I woke Hope up, put her on the potty, and went into her room to get her some clothes. When I went back into the bathroom she was sitting there, quiet as a mouse, with tears streaming down her face. When I asked her what was wrong she said, "Nothin!" I asked her if she was sad. She said, "Yes!" Daddy came around the corner and she just wept..."I don't want Daddy to go to China!" Her heart was breaking...my heart was breaking...I can't even imagine what Garry felt like.

When we got to the airport, we waited for Garry while he checked in. We stood beside a group of 6-8 young Asian men who were in love with Hopie. They were all smiles and kept waving at her trying to get her to wave back. One of them looked at me and said, "She crying!" Yes...she was. But nothing like what she was doing about 20 minutes after that when we were saying good-bye to Daddy before he went through security. It was just tragic. She was screaming and freaking out...she was doing exactly what I felt like doing but couldn't. I couldn't even look at Garry because I knew I would lose it completely. We hugged him good-bye, then I picked her up and we walked off through the airport and out into the frigid morning air with tears streaming down both of our faces. Again, I don't know how Garry managed to get on the plane...he's a strong man.

We spent the day doing quiet things. She wanted to look for pictures of The Three Gorges. Don't ask...physically she's three...mentally I'm thinking in her thirties. We couldn't find any so I went online and printed out one for her. She says it's ok for now, but she wants Daddy to email her one from China. The reason? When I showed her the picture of The Three Gorges she said, "I can only see two."

We made a paper chain to hang in her room. Last night before bed she got to take off one link to symbolize her first day without Daddy was over. We have little presents ready for her...one for each day he is gone. (Thank you Sandy for the idea!) Each morning I make a big deal out of "finding a present that Daddy and Claire hid for her." She loves unwrapping them and so far, each day has asked if there are any more! We also bought her some of those individual boxes of cereal. I have them lined up on the kitchen counter so she can choose one each morning and watch the boxes dwindle each day until Daddy & Claire get home.

Me? I just play games in my head...you only have to clean the bathrooms two times and then they'll be home! You get the idea.

I spent A LOT of time yesterday online tracking his flights. He had promised to call during a layover and didn't. I was freaking out big time. You can imagine the things I had going through my head. When I talked to him this morning I asked what had happened. He said that he was afraid him calling so soon would upset Hope. He's such a good Daddy. She talked to him this morning and was just the picture of total cuteness. As soon as she heard his voice her face lit up with the brightest smile. She stood there talking to him, smiling, and wringing her little hands. It was adorable.

Thanks to everyone who has offered to help should we need you. We appreciate it! So far so good. We're a pretty independent bunch...but we will certainly give you a call if we need something.

Many of you have asked us for specific dates. When we went through the process for Hope we published all the important trip dates, passed out our itinerary...why nothing this time? Well...this time is different! This time it is all about a family of three having the time to bond and become a family of four. Hope had BOTH of her parents with her in China. She had to depend on both of us to take care of her. By the time we got home, she had bonded with us and knew that we were Mama and Daddy. Claire isn't going to have that luxury. We are sure she will bond with Garry as she will have to trust him to care for her in China. But once they get off that plane back home, she's not going to know Mama or Hope from any of the other strangers that are milling around her at the airport. More than likely it will be a rough couple of weeks as she adjusts not only to her new surroundings but as she learns that I am her Mama and I'm not leaving her. And let's not forget she's got a big sister who's jumping up and down to get ahold of her!

I have given Garry "STRICT INSTRUCTIONS" (LOL) that he is not to let ANY women hold her. I keep remembering what we were told in our attachment and bonding class that we had to take the first time through. Babies will bond three times before they start to distrust. The first time is with their birth parents. And yes, even those who are put up for adoption at such a young age have bonded with their birth parents. Both of my girls will forever be bonded to their birth mothers if only by the simple fact that they carried them inside their bodies for nine months. The second bonding has already occurred with the caretakers at the orphanage. In both cases, those she has bonded with have "left" her. The third bonding occurs with their new parents. So you see...with Hope and I not making the trip, it looks like we're going to miss the third bonding period.

In an attempt to at least "introduce" ourselves to her, I prepared a book with pictures of all of us for Garry to take with him. I also made a video of me singing a lullaby to Claire, and one of Hope talking and singing to her. In this way he can play them over and over for her while we are apart.

Another thing that I hear a lot is, "You must be so excited!" Not really. For over two years now we've had to keep our emotions in check. Anger and frustration became the only emotions we knew. But now, ever so slightly...especially after hearing that Garry was safely in Beijing...things are starting to change. I am still guarded...you can't help be with this whole process...but I'm starting to believe that this just may happen. No excitement yet, but something much more wonderful...inner peace.

Until next time!

P.S. You can hear Allison Krauss singing her version of Claire's lullaby at the bottom of the page.

I'm on the phone with Garry right now! He is safely in his hotel in Beijing...where it is late...tonight!

He is exhausted as you can well imagine. He flew in with a family from our group from Tennessee of five...mother, father, mother in law, and two little Chinese sisters. One of them has already started calling him "Mr. Garry" and holding his hand. What a blessing from God above...he's missing his own little Chinese princess something awful.

More later...I am just so relieved and grateful to God for getting him there safely.

It is official! Garry leaves next week!

As you can well imagine we are afraid to even hope that this is finally going to happen.

Stay tuned...I will try to update as often as I can.

As always, prayers and good thoughts are always welcome.

Ohhhh...the cockeyed, whirling, jumble that is this entire process just continues!

Word has it that our TA's are in hand at the agency. This information came into *my* hot little hands just before noon. Has anyone from THE AGENCY called? Heavens no! If they didn't call when they received our referral, why would they call when our TA arrived? Which, by the way, Garry asked why we weren't called about our referral. Are you ready? "I already knew you were coming in to take a picture of the wall after work. It was one less call I needed to make."

SO! The phone rings about ten minutes ago and it's Gateway Travel...the travel agency that books all of our agency's flights. Bless her heart...she said her name is "Carol". I would bet you everything I've got that that is not her birth name. Her given name is probably something closer to Hua Mei or Ming Na. And I am *not* a racist! I'm simply pointing out that she had a VERY pronounced Chinese accent. Hey, when we went through this before, our agent's name was "Marvin". You guessed it...I had a really hard time understanding him too.

Anyway...Carol calls here and wants to talk to Garry. I ask if I can take a message, she gives me her phone number and starts to hang up. I say, "And this is about?" She says, "Your trip to China!" I immediately gave her Garry's cell phone number and told her to call him. She wanted to know if we were both going. I told her no, just him. Then she wants to know if he wants "extra seat for baby on flight home". Again I told her, "Call Garry. He's the one who's going. He's the one who knows the answers to your questions."

About five minutes after I hang up with Carol, Garry calls me. *HE* hasn't heard anything from THE AGENCY yet but Carol has called him. So...he asks Carol, "So what date is it that we are supposed to be leaving on?" She says, in a rather exasperated tone, "Well the 18th!"

At this point, Garry and I are laughing so hard that there isn't a single sound escaping from our lungs. How par for the course *is* this latest development? Hmmm...so we *may* have TA but we don't know...and he *may* be leaving on the 18th...but again...we don't know.

Am I excited? No. Am I mad? No. I believe the only word that describes it is numb. I refuse to get excited or upset or depressed or joyous until my youngest daughter is physically *in* my arms. I will tell you this, our family can't take much more of this. We are holding onto our sanity by our cuticles.

God bless each and every one of you out there that continue to wait for your chosen child. Our hearts and prayers are with you!

UPDATE: Garry just called again after getting off the phone with someone at the agency. I can't remember if he said that they called him or vice versa. At any rate, they do have TA's and they have been faxed to the consulate. They are expecting/hoping/predicting/WA guessing that our consulate appointment date will be faxed back to them overnight. Everyone is hoping for a departure on the 18th...if not they are looking at the 25th. Told you...God's sense of humor times 10.

Emotions are getting through. Mostly fear...lots of tears...and just afraid to hope.

UPDATE #2: Technically, this is an update on the update! The agency never did call about our TA. Garry is the one who called them. ::sigh:: I cannot WAIT to get off Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

No...we don't have our TA yet...and we're not happy about it!

We were told on December 27th that our agency was expecting them the next day. If we didn't hear anything we were to call in two days. Garry called. We were told that CCAA hadn't even started on ours and it would be another week. Call then. Garry called. More excuses...storms...delays...more complicated paperwork...all adds up to still no TA and still no idea as to when we can bring Claire home.

Garry's visa came today! So hey, he's ready...and has 30 days to get in and out of China before we need to buy another one of those. He put January 10th as his date of departure per the agency's instructions. I think we all know he's not going to make that! We've been told that we could leave on January 12th or January 19th. Other folks in the group were told the 11th or the 18th...and now the 25th. The 25th is God's sense of humor times 10. We left to bring Hope home on January 25th, 2004.

THE AGENCY isn't returning phone calls...I found an email in our old account today that we haven't used in over a year from them, apologizing for not returning our call last Thursday. Apparently not returning our call from last Wednesday didn't rate an apology. Again, they've been told numerous times over the last year that we don't use that email address and please update our file...you know the drill.

The email also wanted to let us know that there was no news on TA's yet and that we should be getting our I171H soon as USCIS had sent it out on 12/27. FAX them a copy as soon as we get it. I was as nice as I could be folks...honestly...but I still think my message came off way past snarky. I begged them to once again change our email address. I told them that we've had our I171H since 12/28 and that we notified THE AGENCY on the same day. I won't even go into what I said about the FAX.

I'm done...truly done. It does no good to even try and communicate with them, so I'm done. Sorry Garry but it's all you from here on out. And truthfully, it's been mostly him for quite awhile because I'm just gonna go off on someone.

People whose agencies sent their acceptance letters back weeks after the date we were told ours were sent already have their TA's, consulate appointments, and are leaving as soon as this week. SO! Who knows where this mix-up lies...LIE being the operative word...and yes...I am beyond angry.

I'm going back into drifting in a fog mode...

CORRECTION: In my AGENCY and Paula Zahn inspired ire yesterday I fear I made a mistake concerning Garry's visa. So, with a somewhat clearer head, here is the lowdown on that topic.

Garry's visa is good until June of 2007. He can make two trips to China from now until June and each trip can last up to thirty days.

I felt better for about two seconds after clearing that up then I just got mad again...I hope to God in Heaven that we won't be waiting until June now. : p

Haven't heard about the Paula Zahn thing yet? Well, she had several "experts" on her show last Friday expounding on adopting from China. Basically, I learned that I am only going through this process because it is the "in" thing to do, and I am a racist. (Hey, who wouldn't want to go through this easy, quick, painless process?! International adoption is FUN!!!) It was a simply lovely broadcast. LAST night she had a couple of the panelists back, along with two more who, well, had a clue! It was slightly better but...well...go to the CNN site and read the transcripts.

All right...I have calmed down considerably and will now attempt to tell you about the latest chapter in "Our I171H---Part Two---The Terror Continues". I also liked "Electric Boogaloo" but "The Terror Continues" was a more appropriate title for the sequel.

Let's start with yesterday. The person at our agency who was supposed to call Garry...didn't. He spent most of his day leaving messages on numerous agency employees' voicemail. None of them called him back either. He was set to start dialing again today when the first person he called, called me! Of course, I was on my way out the door to pick up Hope from preschool at the time...and all of the messages that we left said to call Garry on his cell...and our file states that Garry's cell is our main contact number...sorry...slipped into another rant...

So she calls and tells me that Garry has left several messages on her voicemail asking about the length of the wait for the I171H from Cleveland USCIS. My mind snapped...actually heard it break...much like a dry twig used for kindling. As nicely as I could I told her that was NOT what we were asking. I told her that USCIS doesn't have our home study. "Yes they do." Ummm...noooo...they sent us a letter on Friday saying they couldn't process our request because they don't have our home study. "They have it." At this point, you want to know what I'm hearing in my head? Raucous cackling followed by a singsong voice saying, "We've got your baby and you're not going to get her" over and over and over. She said ALL of their families are receiving this letter and all she can do is put me on a list...and on...and on... I asked her if she would please call Garry on his cell because I had to go pick up Hope. She apologized, said she would call, checked the number, I hung up and shook all the way to preschool.

On the way home we stopped to share Claire's pictures with a friend who happens to be one of the sweetest women God has ever placed on this Earth. Hey, I needed to absorb some of her positive energy before I went back home to deal with the dark side again.

We got home about an hour after our agency called me. I called Garry and said, "So what's going on?" He didn't have a clue. No one had called him. I explained to him what had happened and he said he was going to call THEM as soon as we hung up.

About 20 minutes later he called back. Six of our agency's families who are trying to renew their I171H documents received a letter from Cleveland USCIS saying they had not received their home studies. The person who spoke with me was currently on the phone with someone AT Cleveland USCIS. This person assured her that the USCIS had EVERYONE'S home studies AND everything else they needed from the six families.

Garry was told, "It's like they are targeting this agency!" You know what? Go ahead and insert your own sarcastic remark here because my friends, this is just tooooo easy.

We were also given a piece of information that made us smile even more than knowing the USCIS had our papers. EVERYONE IN OUR GROUP HAS RETURNED THEIR ACCEPTANCE LETTERS AND THEY ARE ALREADY IN THE AIR BACK TO CHINA! The sooner they get there the sooner CCAA can do their thing and get our travel approvals sent back.

I really am a lot calmer now than what I was just 30 minutes ago. Y'all have received "The Sanitized Version" of events. It's been awhile since blood has threatened to spurt out of my eye sockets like that!

Y'all take care...

And the fun just contiues...

When the mail came on Friday I was beyond ecstatic when I saw an envelope from the USCIS in Cleveland. If you remember we had to re-apply for our I171H which expires on December 18th. If you don't have your consulate appointment in Guangzhou by that date, well...you can just go home without your baby!

We had been told by the agency to fill out another I600A and send it to USCIS with a check, MINUS the money for fingerprints since we had them redone in August. We did what our agency told us to do and in less than a week we received a BIG manila envelope from USCIS with all of our documents returned to us saying that we owed them money for fingerprints. We never even THOUGHT of calling the agency to ask them what to do. We just assumed it was a government agency not realizing that this was a renewal and whoever was looking at our paperwork didn't want to look up our case number. SO! We made a copy of our amended I171H which states very clearly that our fingerprints are good until November of 2007 and sent everything back to USCIS.

Shortly after we mailed it off for the second time, all heck broke loose on the boards AND at our agency. It seems a lot of people were getting their paperwork back from the Cleveland USCIS and were having to pay and be fingerprinted FOR A THIRD TIME. The agency was no help whatsoever. They basically told us to expect to get our papers kicked back to us yet again and expect to pay the fingerprinting fee AND be refingerprinted for the third time. They advised their other clients to pay the fee and be refingerprinted a third time...without contacting the USCIS and asking them what was going on. Well guess what? All the USCIS needs is A COPY OF YOUR AMENDED I171H to prove to them that your fingerprints are current. It is SO wonderful to do something that your gut tells you is right even when your agency tells you something different.

SO! Back to last Friday. There sat that little...notice I said LITTLE...not big old manila envelope...but a little envelope from the USCIS in Cleveland. I tore into that sucker like a kid on Christmas morning. I mean, we got our referral the day before and now here was our brand new I171H which gives us permission to adopt her and bring her home!

WRONG!!!!!

They can't process our request because...are you ready? THEY DON'T HAVE OUR HOME STUDY. Ok...we were told on November 7th by OUR agency that it had been sent. This means either THE AGENCY is lying, it was lost by the postal service, it was lost by the USCIS, or it fell through the wardrobe and is living happily somewhere in Narnia.

Garry called the agency on Friday and was told that the person he needed to speak to was away from her desk. He left a message on her voicemail...which by the way stated that she is there until 5:30 on Friday's. She didn't return his call. He called back at 5:00 and was told she had left for the day. I am ready to go up there and start SHAKING people! GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!!! YOU ARE SCREWING WITH PEOPLE'S LIVES!!!!

Ok, I'm going to go back to gazing at my beautiful Claire's face. It is impossible to be upset AND look at that silly little smile.

Until next time...