Love me some pie!!

I saw this on another blog so I took the test!! Go see what kind of pie you are.

You Are Apple Pie

You're the perfect combo of comforting and traditional. You prefer things the way you've always known them. You'll admit that you're old fashioned, and you don't see anything wrong with that. Your tastes and preferences are classic. And classic never goes out of style. Those who like you crave security. People can rely on you to be true to yourself - and true to them. You're loyal, trustworthy, and comfortable in your own skin. And because of these qualities, you've definitely earned a lot of respect.

What Kind of Pie Are You?

Accidental Adoption?

I read this about a year ago and stumbled upon it again today. I think it is hilarious! Of course, you may need to understand international adoption lingo to fully "get" it but still worth the read.

THE ACCIDENTAL ADOPTION

Have you every noticed that you hear all the time about "accidental" pregnancies, but never about couples who experience "accidental" adoptions? Can you imagine: Honey, sit down. I have some news for you. What is it? Well, I don't know how to say this, so I'll just come out with it. I went out to the mailbox today and . . . well, we got an I-171H. A what?!?! An I-171H? As in, we're going to have another baby?!? It looks that way. But how? We've been so careful! I put away all the blank 1-600A forms. Didn't you hide our home study update? Of course I did. But don't forget, there was that one night . . . What night? (pauses) Ohhh, that night. But it was only once. We were just messing around. I didn't print clearly. I didn't even use black ink! (pauses again) But it was kind of fun. (giggles) It was, wasn't it? I'll never forget how cute you looked getting your fingerprints. So now we've got our I171H, eh? But that doesn't always mean you'll adopt, does it? I mean, shouldn't you see the agency or something, make sure everything's okay? I already did. And? I'm five documents along. Five documents! And they're all notarized, certified and authenticated, okay? Just great. There was one small scare when the agency couldn't see the notary's middle initial, but it showed up just fine under the magnifying glass. Thank God. And you, honey? Are you feeling okay? I'm feeling fine. As long as I know you're happy about this. Happy? I'm thrilled! It's always a shock at first when something like this happens, but of course I'm happy.

Ridgedon's 7th birthday party

Don't you just love watching your kids have so much fun at their birthday parties? I mean...those of you who have kids, that is. I love to watch them feeling special! And the excitement...OH, the excitement that builds anticipating the day of the party! Well that was today! Today we celebrated Ridgedon's 7th birthday with his friends from school and church. Could it really be that my baby boy is 7 years old? Technically he is not 7 until next Sunday. But let me tell you how throwing a birthday party on Thanksgiving weekend is not such a great idea! Not many friends would be in attendance! Ridgedon went back and forth about what he wanted to do for his party and finally settled on a bowling/Star Wars party. Makes sense, I think. He really had a great time and Brian and I REALLY had a great time walking away from the mess after the party was over! That totally rocks! Anyway, Happy Birthday Ridgedon! I love you so much! I love the way your smile ignites a room! I love the joy you walk around with. I love that you have a heart that bursts with compassion for others! I love how you REALLY believe that you can do ANYTHING you set your mind to. ANYTHING! I love how God leaks out of you onto others! You amaze me, Ridge!

The birthday boy with his Star Wars cake!


Such great form, don't you think?

The birthday crew! Logan, Kyle, Natalie, Emily(*not sure where she was in this picture), Cullen, Rees, and Ridgedon.

Can you see the excitement in his face? He got some heelies from his mom and dad! Such joy!! *I do NOT want to receive any emails about how dangerous heelies are. His friend, Logan, has already informed me of this fact!!*

My two favorite men!! I love these boys!!

We've been Pre-Approved!!

We're so excited to say we've been pre-approved to adopt Xi Meng Liang!! This is a very small step but it basically says that we are moving into the "room" (if there is such a thing) where they issue RA's!! I can't wait to get my hands on that little girl!! Here is the english portion of the letter we received from our agency. This was sent to them from the CCAA(China Center of Adoption Affairs).

Timeline

Don't forget to scroll down to the last post and take a peek at the sweet little pumpkin!!

Isn't she a doll? I've been wanting to post our timeline for the adoption for quite sometime. Now that all the kids are in bed, the husband is asleep, laundry is washing, lunches for tomorrow are made, the house is quiet...for awhile, I thought now would be a good time. Just for those who wonder and for me later down the line. Brian was in a near fatal car accident in June 2004. He stayed home for about 1 year recovering. During that time we really had the opportunity to sit and be still. The Lord planted the seed of adoption during that time.

November 2005- begin praying about and researching adoption
Early January 2006- announced to families that we are adopting from China; discovered Sara and Matt are going to adopt from there too! Already know what we will name her- Adiah Hope!
January 25, 2006- mailed application to America World Adoption Association(AWAA)
February 2, 2006-AWAA called- we're accepted!
February 8, 2006- Texas Chosen Heritage(home study agency) contracts arrived
February 11, 2006- cried ALL day! Very emotional thinking about the road ahead of us...in a good way!
February 20, 2006- fire inspection done for home study
March 3, 2006- attend AWAA seminar in Grapevine, TX
March 13, 2006- Brian and Amy get physicals for home study
March 22, 2006- kids get physicals for home study
April 2006-continue gathering documents for dossier(paperwork sending to China)
May 25, 2006- 1st visit with social worker for home study
May 26, 2006- 2nd visit with social worker for home study
May 28, 2006- 3rd visit with social worker for home study
June 20, 2006- final draft of home study arrives
June 23, 2006- Mailed I-600A form
July and August 2006- check the mailbox everyday for the long awaited I171-H form(the mail man thinks I have a thing for him!); supposed to take around 60-90 days from day they receive the I- 600A form to receive this.
July 19, 2006- fingerprints done
August 29, 2006- apply for the Special Needs program; trying for either healthy baby or special needs baby
August 31, 2006- send documents to Louisiana to be certified
September 6, 2006- send documents to California and Texas to be certified
September 20,2006- THE GOLDEN TICKET ARRIVES!!! I171-H arrives in the mail!! Mail it to Austin for certification right away!!; mail other documents to California for authentication
September 25, 2006- I171-H back!; mail it to Houston for authentication
September 29, 2006- California docs back!
October 6, 2006- mail all documents to AWAA!!!
October 9, 2006- Allison Kraftson called- everything looks great!
October 13, 2006- DTC!!(documents to China)
November 11, 2006- Dream #1 about adoption ( A girl named Tabitha called and said we would be hearing about our baby soon. I ask her if we need to be doing anything to prepare. She says "3". That's it.)
November 12, 2006-Dream #2( I tell a girl that we are adopting from China. She says she heard that. See a sign on the wall that says "Standing Angel")
November 13, 2006- Log In Date(LID)
November 14, 2006- Dream #3(I see her face in this dream! An asian woman hands her to me and says "Here. She is yours.")
November 16, 2006- I actually hear about our LID through email on this day. Guess what the woman's name is that emailed us about our LID???? TABITHA!! (*see dream #1) I freaked out!! Just a fabulous God thing!
December 2006-October 2007- Pray that we would know or have Adiah by December, 2007
October 1, 2007- get email that AWAA just received another "group" of special needs referrals- 33 to be exact!
October 5, 2007-pray that morning that when we get the call that we could all be together; Kids get out of school at 1:00; 1:15-REFERRAL CALL!!! Yes, we got the call!!! Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow! Xi Meng Liang, we are coming for you!
October 9, 2007- updated fire inspection for home study update
October 15, 2007- mail acceptance letter to AWAA for Xi Meng Liang
October 17, 2007- updated physicals done for home study update
October 18, 2007- Letter of Intent(LOI) sent electronically by AWAA
November 7, 2007- paint nursery with friend, Lorisa Littlejohn(pictures below)
November 11, 2007- Home study update 2-3:30pm

Now we wait for RA(referral acceptance) which is when we know that the Chinese government has officially matched us with Adiah. After that its the TA(travel approval) and then we go!! Lets pray for a quick turnaround!! In case you are wondering, Adiah means "adorned by God". Her official full name will become Adiah Hope LoLiang Woods!






My friend, Lorisa, helping me paint the nursery. She had to go to work afterwards so she wore a shower cap as to not get paint in her hair. Lovely!! Its her best look! I'm sure she would appreciate me showing you what she really looks like so...



Here is a picture of her at Britney Kerley's wedding. From left to right, Sarah, Lorisa, Karye, and Tracy!