The Great Blog of China

Accepted

2008-12-11T21:49:00.001-08:00

Well we are pre approved to start the process. So hopefully daddy will sign soon.

Update again

2008-09-12T23:13:00.000-07:00

Well the homestudy agency contacted Holt because of what I told them and maybe just maybe they will become the agency Holt uses in Nevada.

We are checking still into other Holt options, domestic and foster care.

We won't decide anything for awhile just getting information and numbers.

Saving for Hawaii comes first

Update

2008-09-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

Well Nepal, China or somewhere domestic are our options.

We are looking into foster care also and catholic charities here in southern nevada.

WHo knows which way, won't start anythign until after Christmas but really want to continue researching so we know timeframe and costs this time

UGGGGGGGGGGGGG

2008-09-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

The US signed the Hague our options are dwindling since where we live there are NO accrediated agencies and NO international agencies.

SO putting out the feelers to see if we would even qualify for domestic and looking into foster/adopt. Which I really don't want to do because we DO NOT want to foster we want to adopt.

I am down to three countries to adopt from so I guess we keep looking. Maybe the domestic agencies will accept an old folk but most want childless (we have two kids) and in 20's or 30's I justt hit the big 40.

But when one door slams shut one opens. So we are looking into Nepal. It is a new country and just reopening so lots of unknowns.

If this one just doesn't pan out we will do foster/adopt and pray that we can be matched and adopt but the US system of foster care is a hard one. Reunification is the goal (which I understand) and I especially DO NOT WANT to just foster. SO the risk and emotions attached for me and my other kids just really scare me.

What a difference a YEAR makes

2008-09-06T22:10:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture taken this spring. CHECK below and see what a difference a year makes.

We are Finally able to Access the site again

2008-09-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

We finally accessed the blog again. Here we will post about the happenings of the littlest M. She is spicy and full of life and we are so glad we followed the promptings from Heavnly Father and found her.

I remember knowing she was to come home. A special story to share with her some day.

She is all girl and this SPRING she will start dancing and tumbling. She is excited (MOM MISSED THE LAST CUT OFFS BY ONE DAY). I will need to pay better attention.

What a difference a year makes.

2007-03-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

Spring 2007
Spring 2006

Our Sweet "Strawberry Shortcake" Girl

2007-03-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

Here is our little one, in her Strawberry Shortcake, she keeps saying its me in my pretty strawberry shortcake. I finally got her to hold still to snap this picture.

Our Pretty Gitl

2007-03-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

Marielle at the basketball games

McKenna playing basketball

2007-03-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

GOLDEN THUNDER

Happy Birthday !!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-01-10T11:55:00.001-08:00

We love you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Grandma Rowley, check back for more pictures soon.

Love you baby girl,

Mommy

Happy Birthday !!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-01-10T11:55:00.000-08:00

We love you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Grandma Rowley, check back for more pictures soon.

Love you baby girl,

Mommy

New Birthday Pictures COming SOON

2007-01-09T22:13:00.000-08:00

Stay tuned MOMMY will post pictures.

I am turning two soon.

Happy New YEAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-01-01T19:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone.

Natalie, McKenna, Marielle and Jason

PIGTAILS

2006-12-30T10:22:00.000-08:00

Here is Marielle with pig tails FINALLY, still has strands that won't stay in BUT we have her, she is holding her bitty baby.

BIKE RIDING

2006-12-29T21:30:00.000-08:00

McKenna has learned to ride her BIKE. We are so proud of her.

2006-12-29T21:29:00.000-08:00

McKenna at basketball practice

Marielle outside

2006-12-29T21:27:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of Marielle showing us her rock treasures and her smile,.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

2006-12-21T16:06:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas !!!!!!!!!!

Hope the new year brings your wishes and dreams to life.

2006-12-19T14:58:00.000-08:00

Here is our little snowman.

2006-12-19T14:57:00.000-08:00

Here she is getting ready for the snowball fight. She had a great two hours in the snow.

2006-12-19T14:56:00.000-08:00

MOMMY, I don't think I like the snow anymore. It is too cold.

2006-12-19T14:54:00.000-08:00

Where do you think the girls are????? Thats right we had snow here in Nevada. I know it does not look like much but we had fun in this once in awhile happening. McKenna loves her little snowman. To bad when the sun comes out later today, all the snow will be gone. THe girls LOVED having their snowball fight with the kids next door.

2006-12-14T22:01:00.000-08:00

Heres a picture of me and daddy last year at LEGOLAND. He hasn't changed much but he still tries to avoid being caught looking at the camera.

2006-12-14T21:58:00.000-08:00

Here we are helping daddy make Christmas Treats to take out to friends.

2006-12-14T21:56:00.000-08:00

Daddys Birthday is December 13. THis is the icecream cake we picked out for his birthday. We tried to get pictures of daddy four times but everytime the camera would shut off. Mommy tried and McKenna tried. Daddy hates getting his picture taken anyway but it was funny how everytime we tried to take his picture, the camera would not work. Mommy thinks he has some electronic gadget that was blocking the picture. HAHA

2006-12-14T21:55:00.000-08:00

This is a cute picture from last summer

2006-12-05T09:34:00.000-08:00

Here is the award for the A Honor Roll. You had to get straight A's for the Semester. She said her goal is to be on the A Honor Roll the whole year.
Here she is standing with the rest of the A Honor ROll students it is Kind of Dark. Sorry about that Grandma.

2006-12-05T09:33:00.000-08:00

Sitting by some Santa Decorations on the morning before the award assembly

2006-12-01T10:27:00.000-08:00

This is the famous dora outfit. It is very loved. Lately when you say "Ok, smile big for the picture," this is the darling smile our little beauty gives. Just wanted to share. Oh the pink shirt poking out is the Dora undershirt that must be worn at ALL TIMES.

The Great Blog of China

2006-12-01T10:24:00.000-08:00

Well it has been awhile since we have posted any pictures, so here are a few from the last month. Mommy had to work on thanksgiving so we don't have any pictures from then. We will put up pictures of our tree soon. Mommy has to take them. And we will update on Monday, since that is the big day McKenna gets her award.

Update on McKenna. She is doing so well in school and the teacher says she is a great student.

Update on Marielle she is growing like a week and is starting to talk more and more she even know will speak in short two to three word sentences. Her favorite is DORA and mommy usually has to wash Dora so she can put outfits back on the next day. Needless to say MOMMY can quote DORA now, as it is the background noise when she is cleaning but Marielle has fun and when she wants to watch it she comes up and says "Mom, DDDD DORA."

2006-12-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

Mommy are you done taking this picture YET? I am ready to jump in your arms.

2006-12-01T10:12:00.000-08:00

This is my new fall dress mommy bought for me. I am so happy. GUESS what grandma and everyone. I am getting an award for getting all A's on the honor roll. We are so proud of our little girl. Our family motto is DO YOUR BEST and BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. We are so proud of how well McKenna did for the first sememster. She can hardly wait for SCIENCE FAIR which is coming up.

2006-12-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

This is a new dress mommy got me, as you can see I hate posing for pictures.

2006-12-01T10:08:00.000-08:00

Mommy just caught me eating spaghetti, I look so serious here but this is the face we all love. She had opened the fridege and got her bowl of spagetti and put it in her dolly plates and was feeding her dolls.

The Blue Ninja

2006-11-02T18:00:00.000-08:00

Halloween 2006
Here Marielle is holding onto sister because she doesn't know if she likes the trick or treating and costumes.
McKenna and her best friend Ashley in their costumes at Halloween.

Our Beautiful Minnie Mouse

2006-11-01T14:48:00.000-08:00

2006-10-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

McKenna, Travis, Justyne, Kyearra, Cedric and Marielle

2006-10-29T11:34:00.000-08:00

The ANderson Family at the Temple for Marielle's Sealing
The Rowleys at the temple for Marielles Sealing
Natalie, Jason, McKenna and Marielle
My little princess, McKenna

2006-10-29T11:29:00.000-08:00

McKenna and Daddy just prior to be baptized.

2006-10-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

This is McKenna's baptism dress. She looks very beaututiful. We love you McKenna !!!!!

Marielle Comforting McKenna

2006-10-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

McKenna fell down and Marielle rushed over to comfort her. Sisters who love each other. We are so happy to have them. Later that night we gazed at the moom and sent wishes to our family.

Having Fun at the Park at the Moon Festival Picnic

2006-10-11T15:43:00.000-07:00

McKenna going down the slide.
WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO--my daredevils
Catch me mom !!!!!

2006-10-11T15:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Grandma, I am learning how to use the computer with mommy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-09-30T16:52:00.001-07:00

Hey I just finished my hot dog. Is it my turn to bowl yet? Hi grandma !!!!!!!!

2006-09-30T16:52:00.000-07:00

McKenna Bowling, DADDY got in trouble taking these shots

2006-09-30T16:51:00.000-07:00

Pictures from McKennas Party at the Bowling Alley

Junior Chef

2006-09-29T21:29:00.000-07:00

McKenna was the top student in her class this month and received the Junior Chef award. This award is given from the school and the children chosen get to make a special treat with the Principal. They made pizza. We are sooooo proud of McKenna for believing in herself and always doing her best. McKenna also wanted everyone to know she was the first junior chef of the year and that it happened on her birthday, What a great day she had.

2006-09-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

Pictures from Gotcha Day September 28, 2005

One Year Anniversary of Family Day

2006-09-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

Well one year ago today a shy, little girl was handed to me in a hot room in Changsha, Hunan. She took one look at me and one look at her dad and went to him. I was afraid I would not recognize her and when they brought her in all I saw was the toy and the back of her head. For three days she was daddy's girl, oh I would be there but if left alone, guess who would cry until daddy came back. The first day as you can see she was scared and quiet, looking back I think she just shut down. She had gone to bed the night before with her loving nannies and woke up to a strange room and sounds and being handed to someones whose face she had not seen before. Even though she was little she was very strong. Later that day we went to walmart to get some supplies adn seh fell asleep in my arms facing away from me, if she even looked at me those small silent tears would fall. Fast forward a year to a loving bubbly little girl who comes running and laughing.

What a difference a year makes, now we have a happy bubbly little girl. She still prefers daddy to this day. She is our daddy's girl.

We are getting a family picture today so when we have it we will post a side by side picture to show you the difference a year makes.

She is still our little peanut. WE love her and are happy that she is part of our family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MCKENNA

2006-09-26T18:59:00.000-07:00

Today is McKenna's birthday. We just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY and WE LOVE YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tag! I'm It!!

2006-09-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

1. FIRST NAME? Natalie
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? NO
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Saturday
. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? YES
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Turkey
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? OF COURSE
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? yes 8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? YES
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Hate Cereal.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? NO
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Depends on the situation
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Pralines and Carmel
14. SHOE Size? 8
15. RED OR PINK? RED
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My toes
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? MOM
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Bare feet and NO pants, nightgown for bed tonight
19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Crimal Intent on TV
20. WHERE IS THE ONE PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE RIGHT NOW? China, adopting again
21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Brick RED
22. FAVORITE SMELL? Vanilla
23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Jessica
24. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eye or their butts
25. FAVORITE DRINK? Water
26. FAVORITE SPORT? Love watching basketball and football
27. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? Green
28. HAT SIZE? DOn't know
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? NO
30. FAVORITE FOOD? pizza
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings
32. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? blue and orange nightgown
33. SUMMER OR WINTER? Well here in NEvada Winter, summers are TOOOOOOOO hot
34. HUGS OR KISSES? Kissess
35. FAVORITE DESSERT? chocolate
36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? The Proer Care and Feeding of Husbands
37. WHAT'S ON THE MOUSE PAD? Patritic Flag etc
38. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? CSI Miami
39. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SOUNDS? chidlren calling MOMMY
40. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? CHINA
41. WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIAL TALENTS? Piano and Scrapbooking
42 AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Virginia
43. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? SAM 44. WHAT DAY IS IT? September 19

My 9th Wedding Anniversary

2006-09-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

Well today is the big day our 9th wedding anniversary. It has been a great day and my sweet hubby gave me roses today.

12 Month Post Placement Visit

2006-09-15T06:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had our 12 month post placement visit. It went well Marielle was on her best behavior and went around showing her dolly and it and singing to her dolly. It is such a relief to have that done and it felt like YES, she really is ours.

Last year at this time we were just getting our itinerary. In just a few weeks it will be one year as a family.

We just want to thank again GWCA, China and God for leading us to China for this little miracle who we love so much.

We also want to thank God for the miracle her older sister is in our lifes also as she two according to the doctors shouldn't be here on earth with the fertility problems we had.

Thanks to MOM for talking to me and making me realize what I know all over again.

2006-09-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

Mommy loves me !!!!!!!!!

Mommy loves my smile

2006-09-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

Marielle smiling. She is so cute !!!!

2006-09-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

Here is my new outfit for school. Boy morning comes early. I love school this year.

SISTERS

2006-09-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

Here are my beautiful girls. In their new outfits for the day. Marielle goes around the house while her sister is at school, calling for her sister. They have fun together.

2006-09-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

Family At Church

2006-09-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

McKenna getting ready to get on the bus. HI GRANDMA ROWLEY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No more pictures today MOM

2006-09-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

Do you have to take pictures of me every day, LOOK at my hair, I have been having fun playing at school today

No more pictures

Lets Go Pick Up Sissy MOM

2006-09-07T18:33:00.000-07:00

Lets get rolling MOM
Lets go get McKenna
I am so excited for her to get home from school

2006-09-06T14:40:00.000-07:00

Hi, my mommy is dressed for work and I don't like it one bit. Maybe she will be sent home early.
This is my mommy's favorite outfit. She bought it for me. I look soooooo cute in yellow.

2006-09-06T14:37:00.000-07:00

This is one of mommy's favorite outfits

Funny Faces
Mommy thinks I am beautiful

A new outfit, YES we missed the bus AGAIN, mommy overslept

2006-09-05T10:25:00.000-07:00

Labor Day Fun

2006-09-04T16:47:00.000-07:00

Third Day Of School

2006-09-02T05:55:00.000-07:00

Well today is just a post, not picture but she did wear her blue pants and light blue uniform shirt and looked soooooooo cute.

She LOVES the bus, as she came bounding off the bus she wanted to ride it every day.

The third day of school we went to the side of the school, YES yesterday the bus we watched not turn in and go on WAS her bus. Unfortuneatly she had a new bus driver and got off at the wrong school, but they put her back on another bus which dropped her off. I can foresee a few missed times, so I have to tell the bus driver to tell her what to do in the mornings. Or maybe I will end up taking her, she does not act happy about the kids grouping in the morning.

So far she seems to like the first week of school and doesn't ask to go back to her old school. She likes her teachers etc. She just got her homework assignmnet sheets and she will be busy this year. Her little shoulders don't slump like they did last year walking into school and she smiles more.

WE will see what this year brings and can always pull her back if it doesn't work out.
And to answer my question from my last post MOMMY is the one with the SEPARATION ANXIETY.

I am so glad little Marielle is here, she will be twenty months soon and is alwasy so happy and smiling, well except when I try to take pictures then she turns her head.

Hope all have a great LABOR DAY WEEKEND. We will post pictures on Monday from the weekend, although we are just staying home.

Second day of school

2006-08-31T12:28:00.000-07:00

Here is the outfit from the second day of school.

Second Day of School

2006-08-31T12:22:00.000-07:00

So here it is the second day of school and McKenna picked another uniform to wear. Today was Supposed to be the first bus ride. Well any one who knows me knows how I HATE to be late. So as you can see McKenna was not to thrilled to get up just a bit earlier. So what happens.....you guessed it the BUS does not come for her and so there I was racing down the freeway to get her to school JUST in the nick of time.

Into the office I went, after a few phone calls, it was determined that Yes we had the right place and the right numbers and that because she was not there yesterday they assumed she was not coming. So I left her a note with all the appropriate numbers and left the numbers with the office and teacher AGAIN.

I will let you know tomorrow if I go down to the school just to make sure she gets on the bus and follow it home. LOL.

That firefly cell phone that daddy has been talking about for her birthday just may be purchased tonight. So who do you think does not deal well with separation and has the anxiety me or McKenna.

2006-08-29T22:34:00.000-07:00

Mommy and ME (I just want to get down and play) I don't want any more pictures taken

2006-08-29T22:33:00.000-07:00

Sleeping Beauties

2006-08-29T22:25:00.000-07:00

McKenna and her outfit for the first day of school, doesn't she look cute in her uniform. At her new school uniforms are optional so we bought her some of both. Watch the blog for the next little bit and we will be posting her outfits for school.

First Day of School

2006-08-29T22:22:00.000-07:00

Here is McKenna ready for her first day of school. She is excited to go to her new school. But a little nervous because she is meeting a whole new set of friends.

2006-08-29T22:17:00.000-07:00

Look at my cute shoes, I am having fun at the lake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-08-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

McKenna 2006 at her school open house to meet her teacher. She is really excited to go there this year. It is a magnet school specializing in Math and Science through Technology
She is standing by one of the murals on the wall.

2006-08-19T20:48:00.000-07:00

Pictures of McKenna and few of Marielle. Our beautiful Princesses.

2006-08-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

This is a collage of pictures from referral day to present. Boy how time flies and you can see how much our little Marielle has changed.

New Pictures

2006-08-14T21:25:00.000-07:00

Summer 2006

Fourth of July

2006-08-03T22:35:00.000-07:00

When I stopped posting I did not tell you her name`

2006-08-03T21:35:00.000-07:00

It is Marielle Ming-Le.

What a difference a year makes

2006-08-03T21:22:00.000-07:00

Well it has been awhile since I have posted CHINA was awesome. We have been home eleven months and she has grown so much.

McKenna will be starting second grade. I will have to update more often now.Our second and final post placement visit is coming up soon. We have our readoption done and she is recognized as our daughter by the state of Nevada and all fifty states.

We will soon have her sealed to our family for time and all eternity. I will be better about keeping up on the blog. Adding pictures.

WE HAVE OUR DATES

2005-09-10T17:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the day we had been hoping for we have our dates.

We are excited to travel but will be there a few extra dates with the holiday the first week on October.

We made all the flight arrangements and now are awaiting the intra china interary.

Update

2005-09-08T22:05:00.000-07:00

Again no new news, I guess the consulate is backlogged no one really understands why. THey also have about the same amount of requests at teh same time. Hopefully we will hear something tomorrow BUT at this point I expect a STILL NO CONFIRMED DATES email yet again.

McKenna is doing well in school.

I am doing better and will find out in the next few days if I will need surgery yet again.

Update

2005-09-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

Still awaiting word on confirmed consulate appointment dates.

From the general email today it appears we will be traveling in October or even November.

Still awaiting confirmation for travel

2005-09-06T07:55:00.000-07:00

Well some of the families received good news and will leave next weekend. THe rest of us hopefully will hear good news tomorrow. I know that the week they requested for us is REALLY FULL, so it looks like October 6th will be our consulate date. Which is yucky because it puts us there EXTRA three days. This is going to cost more than expected with travel in October and the FEE increase which we will have to pay. Oh well we will hope for good news tomorrow morning.

Labor Day

2005-09-05T11:07:00.000-07:00

Today McKenna wanted to go to subway and the zoo so that is what we will be doing. She is so excited.

Hopefully we will have confirmed dates tomorrow when I wake up and we can post our travel and actually book something.

TRAVEL APPROVALS CAME TODAY

2005-09-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

They are requesting a consulate date the week of the 26th. They estimate us leaving around the 17th. We will post when we have firm dates.

We are so excited.

UPDATE

2005-08-31T16:42:00.000-07:00

Well our VISA's came today. Hopefully tomorrow we will have the announcement that our Travel Approval is here. ALso travel dates, it is getting closer. We have started to pack.

McKenna started first grade and seems to like it for the first three weeks of school her teacher is Mr. McCasland. After the first track break she may get a new teacher we will see.

I am feeling better and better each day.

UPDATE

2005-08-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

TA"S are on their way here. Probably get here to the agency thursday or friday and we will have official travel dates early next week.

Update

2005-08-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

Still no word on TA's.

Update

2005-08-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

Well nothing new with the adoption still awaiting travel approval to come from CHina.

I am still recuperating and doing better everyday.

McKenna starts first grade in one week.

Update

2005-08-15T02:07:00.000-07:00

Well on August 4 we received word that our acceptance letters had been sent back to China from this point 3-4 weeks to receive travel approval and then 2-4 weeks until travel. It at times seems so unreal. THe fed ex package with Marielle stuff came on August 2 and two hours later we sent back the acceptance package.

We received on August 6 or so the translated version of another form. Her name means Bright Happiness. We are leaning towards Marielle Ming Le.

August 5 back into hospital out on August 11. Had to have hysterectomy. Doing well.

Today is my official birthday. YEAH, I guess. I am feeling better everyday. I am hoping to be recuperated enough to get on the plane to china to pick up Marielle.

Acceptance Forms

2005-08-02T22:57:00.000-07:00

Well we signed and sent back the forms. Oh I hope that this is HF will. SOmetimes I get nervous.

She is a deep sleeper and active when awake. In May she weighed 12.1 pounds. I hope when we get her home our family and especially McKenna stays together.

Fed eX

2005-08-02T03:55:00.000-07:00

the fed ex package should arrive today.

We will finish the forms and return them to the agency and hopefully it won't be to long before Marielle is in our arms.

We say Jayne and Jacob yesterday it was really neat. She looks very good. Unless they change their mind they are naming their little girl Ellen. Melissa is engaged to someone named Ryan he has a three year old.

Marielle's Name

2005-07-30T20:35:00.000-07:00

Well just found out tonight that the LE in Marielles chinese name is not pronounced "lee" but more like LUH.

So back to the drawing board for a middle name
the options being considered are Cate, Leigh, or Ming-Le and find out the correct pronunciation later.

Will let you know what we decide.

McKenna is doing well.

I am doing well.

Now the 4-6 week wait for travel begins.

Natalie

WE HAVE OUR REFERRAL

2005-07-30T01:35:00.000-07:00

This has been a great week. Throughout the week we received updates that referrals were coming and they thought we were included.

July 29,2005-We received the stork alert that referrals were here and we were included.

1000 AM: Carrie from GWCA called and gave us the info
Chinese Name: Shao Ming Le
DOB: 1/10/2005 only 6 1/2 months
Province: Hunan
SWI: Shaoyang

WIll update more next week when we have the packet

Will have Jason post the pictures

Her name: Marielle Leigh Anderson

UPDATE

2005-07-22T07:55:00.000-07:00

Rumor has it referrals are on their way. Spain received theirs through 1/27. We expect ours anyday now.

Update

2005-07-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

Received two emails from GWCA this week. One we are officially in the matching room and the second saying that based on the number of referrals they are expecting that they THINK the cut off will be 1/26/2005. 67 families are getting referrals. With that date WE WILL GET OUR REFERRAL, probably next week. SO big news is coming.

McKenna is doing great at school.

I continue to recover slowly but feel better everyday.

Update

2005-07-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

We are in the Matching Room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UPDATE

2005-07-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

We are doing well and have an update.

As far as referrals they came at the end of JUne and included up to 12/28. A third of our group have their referrals and the babies are very cute. They will most likely travel in August. With our date it looks like August and I hope that is when it will be.

McKenna is back in school and is likeing it, they have a graduation of sorts tomorrow. It is because TRACK 5 is leaving for the summer.

Jason is doing well.

I have had some health problems but am turning the corner. It has been a long stressful month. It seems like there is no end in site but I know there is. The bad thing is I am using up all my FMLA leave. I hate it, hate it, hate it. As it is I will have to take 30 day personal leave to go to China. It is hard I just wish we would be blessed with Jason being offered a job which would allow me to not have to work. But that is just a dream.

The CCAA director is coming to GW at the end of July. I will update when we have a places email. We still have not received any word about being in the matching room, so I am sure we are in the review room still.