Smudge Update

Smudge is now 6 months old and is almost all grown up. She still loves to play and loves to sit in the windows behind the blinds to keep an eye on the neighbors!

Christmas with my family!

Since most of my sisters posted Christmas pictures, I tried not to duplicate them. These are mostly random snapshots.

Christmas with the In-laws!

We were all able to get together at Susie and Wesley's house. Had a great time except for getting sick and sharing it with everyone!

Christmas at our House!

A little late I know, but hey it's not as late as Christmas in July!!

There's still hope

Thank you to all who left kind comments on my last post. I spent some time crying and praying about all this and then spent several hours online the other night checking out different agencies, countries and requirements, etc. I found an agency I think is for us and another country. I requested an info and application packet and received it today. The agency is in PA, not far from the other one. I also talked to someone at that office yesterday and she was very kind and very helpful. Sooo... we are going to fill out this application, send it in and see what happens. I must say I am even more excited about the prospect of adopting from this country than China, and so is my husband. The country requirements are not near as strict, so Mike being one handed should not be a problem. The lady I talked with at the agency said she was sure it wouldn't be, but she would double check with that country for our peace of mind. This adoption could possibly go even much quicker than China, provided we can come up with all the fees in time. I'm not sure whether to say which country or not until I find out if we'll be accepted or not. So hang in there with me and I will let you know!!

Rejected

We have been officially rejected by China for adoption, because Mike is one handed. We are not even allowed to adopt a child with a similar physical problem. That hurt, also made me quite blue. It is one of China's newest requirements for prospective parents. Our agency really tried. They petitioned the CCAA for us several times but the answer was still NO. Now, it means starting the process all over with another agency and another country. We are looking at Bethany Christian Services as a possibility. Anybody know anything about them??

Catching up a little!

Just a little late posting I know, but we did have a good Christmas. We were able to see both of our families. Now that's pretty good for living so far away from everyone!! It's hard to believe January is almost over. Where does the time go?? We've started pursuing our adoption a little harder only to have possibly run into a wall. With China's newest rules, we may not be eligible for adoption. We are still waiting to hear from our agency who was contacting China's Center for Adoption Affairs. We will be disappointed if we can't adopt from China for that means we will have to find a new agency to adopt from another country as our current agency does only China adoptions. I don't mind trying another country but we both really like the agency we're working with. They have a wonderful staff of caring people.
I read so many stories in the news about parents who have killed their children and it makes me want to cry. I love kids and would love to have a couple and can't, while so many parents are "throwing their children away." Sin has created many monsters in this world, sad to say.
Not trying to get morbid here, so on another note I will try to post some pics of our Christmas and the time that has elapsed since my last post almost two months ago! Wow! has it really been that long since I posted??? It has been busy. Hopefully my pictures will be up before the weekend is over.