Saturday, July 12, 2008

Good Morning Everyone and Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group!

Good Morning Everyone! There is a lot going on in our group, so hopefully I don't forget anything this morning.


Next Saturday I am hosting a baby shower for Dawn at 'Our Little China Girl' to welcome her beautiful daughter Lucy Joy. Please let me know if you would like to display this darling sidebar graphic to get the word out. Thank you Daleea for designing it, it is absolutely darling!

April at 'The Road to Siji' is selling her taggies to make money for her adoption. These are the ones you all have been bidding on at the auction. They have bringing in some wonderful bids. So, if you want one, get over to her blog and place an order!


Lastly, Marina is home with her beautiful daughter Sarah, Congratulations to the family! Their blog is 'Over the Rainbow'. Please drop by and welcome their new child.

*THE CHAT ROOM IS NOW CLOSED...HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!

165 comments:

Unknown said...

Good morning, anyone here?

redmaryjanes said...

Good Morning Amy!

redmaryjanes said...

I've just been hanging out with myself this morning.

Unknown said...

geez, where is everyone?

redmaryjanes said...

I don't know. It's summertime, so a lot of families are probably out enjoying the sunshine. It's pouring rain here.

Unknown said...

so how have you been?

redmaryjanes said...

I've been good. My Grandmother is doing very well with her chemo. She is done with her first set of treatments and her tumor has shrunk 75% which is fantastic. She has suffered very little side effects.

Zach turned 16 this week and got his driver's license yesterday. I just can't believe it.

How are you and Michael?

Unknown said...

Glad about your GMa and your son, you guys have certainly been busy. WE are good. Just waiting on a referral!! I cant believe I am even writing that!

redmaryjanes said...

Do you think you could have a baby soon???

~verna said...

Good Morning. Just stopped by to say hi. Gotta work this afternoon.

Unknown said...

HI verna, RMJ< no we do not anticipate but as more people are getting ASN referrals, it just gives me some hope!

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there Verna! How are you guys?

redmaryjanes said...

We're trying to keep our hope up too.

My favorite consignment shop is closing and the lady who owns it let me purchase whatever I wanted from a special section for $2. I stocked up on little girl clothes!

Unknown said...

I want to just go stock up but for some reason I am hesitant. We have a great consignment shop here plus I love the clearing racks at Pennys, Macys and stuff like that

~verna said...

We're doing pretty well here. Still seem to be on edge -- I ran out of coffee. So I can't get my fix. Guess I'll be in daze for a bit.

redmaryjanes said...

After 17 months of waiting and 9 months of paperwork before that, I am just beginning to shop. We are able to see our first SN list in Sept., I don't think we will be matched from it, but for some reason I feel it's time to start preparing.

Unknown said...

IM so glad you feel like that RMJ, now do you get to pick, and what ages are you looking at?

redmaryjanes said...

Tim's making coffee right now, so I should have my first cup soon. I am totally dependant on coffee in the morning : )

Unknown said...

Verna, how are your sweet babies?

I wish I could get into coffee

redmaryjanes said...

It looks like I'm going to have to order the next set of LID graphics...I only have one left.

redmaryjanes said...

I'm not really sure what we are looking for regarding SN. We are open to quite a bit. I would like our daughter to be younger than Eli who is turning 4 in December.

Unknown said...

Ok, so thats where you get your LID graphis, Verna?

Unknown said...

Ill be right back. What size clothes are you buying?

redmaryjanes said...

Yes, I get all of my LID graphics from Verna.

redmaryjanes said...

So far I don't have much. I have 2 outfits that are 12 months, and the rest are 18 months and 2T. I have a couple of 3T dresses..they were $2, so I bought them : )

Dannye said...

morning all....just got my lazy bones out of bed

Dannye said...

amy when are you coming to O-town?

Unknown said...

dannye, how are you feeling?

Dannye said...

kim, I'm so excited that you are finally gonna be able to look at the SN list....

Unknown said...

We have a few 12-18 month outfits. I think I will shop for 12-24 months and if we needed younger then I can shop again and at least have good stock up!

Dannye said...

okay i suppose, thanks!! my head is currently pounding but .....i'm out of bed and chatting with you guys

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there Dannye~

I am excited about it too. But there are over 100 families who look at it and they match based on time waiting, so there families who have waited longer. If we find a baby that no one else is looking at we'll be matched, but if a family has more seniority, we won't.

Dannye said...

our outfits for Chynna are mostly 12-18 mos....and i figure if they are too small, well I can donate them to others adopting (I buy them so cheap it really won't be that big a deal)

Dannye said...

that makes sense and does seem fair....

Amy, does your agency do that too?

redmaryjanes said...

I agree Dannye, if Sophia is too big for some of what I have, I will pass it along to someone else.

Unknown said...

I love the idea of donating what we dont need (perhaps to an orphanage?\\We are hitting OTOWN Mon Aug 11th and will staying a week I think..Cant wait to see guys again and meet Joanna Mei!
Its gonna rock!

Dannye said...

our friends Don and Be, and Angie and Mike are both over in China right now getting their daughters, Angie will get Sadena I think tonite or tomorrow, and Don and Be will get Joanna Mei the next day....so cool, and since they both live here....well I can't wait to see them in person!!

The Johnson Family said...

Good morning!

Dannye said...

Amy, today is Ginnie's birthday, if you get a chance send her some birthday wishes...she is feeling pretty down lately, we are gonna try to get together today and have a late lunch/early dinner

Dannye said...

morning Crystal!! how is the Johnson family today?

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there Crystal! How are you? Did you get my e-mail regarding my gift for Savannah? I need your address to get it to you. Robin has it all finished. It is a 2T.

Unknown said...

I dontnthink I know MIke and ANgie, do I?


Our WCP with our agency does the matching for us and there have been several referrals which has gotten me pretty excited!

redmaryjanes said...

My agency doesn't work like the others. We wait MUCH longer. I'll bet Amy has a referral within the next 4 months.

Dannye said...

i don't think you do know Mike and Angie, Angie is our pediatric nurse friend, she had just gotten off work that day we met for lunch, so she couldn't make it for lunch....she's part of the "posse" that get together about once a month for lunch or whatever...

Unknown said...

Thats really hard to read RMJ, I just cant believe it!

Dannye, whats her email and or blog?

RMJ, are you with one of the big agencies?

Dannye said...

Kim, when you do find your daughter, she will be perfect for you guys...just keep the faith!!

Monday will be our 24-LID-versary..... wow, I can't believe it, and we still have many more months to go!!

redmaryjanes said...

Yes, we are with a big agency.

redmaryjanes said...

I think you are much better off with a smaller agency if you want to go SN.

Unknown said...

Im with CCAI, do you consider that big or little?

Dannye said...

Amy Ginnie's email is ginnie003@yahoo.com and her blog address is on my side bar under Fla. families section

Angie's blog is www.wishuponastork.org under the China adoptions, in China section

redmaryjanes said...

The smaller agencies seem to get the same about of babies on the SN lists as the larger, and there are more families waiting with the larger.

BUT the key now is the shared list and if your agency is on board and willing to have someone up in the middle of the night to refer babies who may be a good fit for one of their families.

My agency is still not on board with the shared list.

redmaryjanes said...

Amy,

Ask if they are monitoring the shared list. That is where the CCAA is posting the majority of the SN babies now. You are going to see the SN lists start to fade out. Most of Amanda at Starfish's babies are going on the shared list now. I know that a lot of families are being referred quickly because that has really sped things up.

Dannye said...

alright guys I better get going, gotta get dressed, pick up Mom, and do our Saturday routine...

Amy I'll try to catch up with you on Facebook later!!

redmaryjanes said...

Have a great day Dannye! Tell you Mom hi from us!

Dannye said...

Kim, keep the faith....

talk with you guys during the week, and hope to catch you next week before my nail appt.!!

redmaryjanes said...

Sounds good! Have a great week Dannye!

Unknown said...

bye Dannye, see ya in O town next month friend!

redmaryjanes said...

Ok, where is O town? Is that Orlando?

Unknown said...

SO what kinds of things are you doing RMJ this week, are you going to keep shopping? Do you have a bed/crib picked out or are you waiting?

Leigh Ann said...

Just stopped by to catch up...hope everyone has a great weekend!

Your blog makes me :)

Unknown said...

yes Orlando, sorry. WE are heading down there in AUgust to see a new nephew, family and some adoption friends

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there Leigh Ann! I need your e-mail to get Amanda's address out to you.

redmaryjanes said...

I am jealous, I would love to meet you Southern ladies.

redmaryjanes said...

And I did talk to Amanda about your friends coming down to help out. I think that is fantastic...I think you should go Amy...it would change your life.

polkadot said...

Good morning from the California people who are struggling to get some coffee down and open their eyes!

Unknown said...

Hi Leigh Ann!!!

Very cool and I am going to talk to my friends about books for Amanda

I wwould love to go but if we are getting a referral in a few months, we can not afford two trips to China. Is there a button for the books?

Unknown said...

Heloo that girl!

RMJ, im checking the auction site out and thinking I may have to bid on one of these darling outfits.

Ya know as long as we have waited, the idea of LynnMarie coming home quicker than originally expected really freaks me out!

redmaryjanes said...

Hey there Shelly! How are you? I see that you are getting some more donations. I can guarantee that you are going to Ethiopia!

redmaryjanes said...

You guys are so ready to be parents Amy. I will be thrilled to see your baby come home.

polkadot said...

I'm just reading about your shopping -- both of my SN kids were around 2 years old -- my son was stocky, but Catherine as you know was teeny even at 2.5 years old. She has no waist and no behind, skiiiny. So she wore 24 mo pants with a 3T shirt.

I guess my advice is to buy mix & match separates or dresses. Dresses worked great.

redmaryjanes said...

I don't have a sidebar graphic for the book drive. It has been so successful that I really haven't been pushing it a lot. But I think it would be great for your First Fridays group to join in and kind of introduce themselves before they get there : )

redmaryjanes said...

Ok, so when Catherine came she wore 2T pants and a 3T top? I need to start buying some bigger clothes.

polkadot said...

sorry - more clothing advice - the shoes for kids are so much cuter there and cost $2 or $3 USD unless prices have changed. Guangzou is the the place to shop. Save your yuen and the little shops downtown have great things!

Unknown said...

Great advice from both of you

Little Hoffman said...

Hi THATGIRL.

If you promise to go to Ethiopia I KNOW my mommy & daddy will give you the rest of the money you need for your application. They love Ethiopia. They just brought me home from there. Let us know...

Love ~ Meron Asher

polkadot said...

well the main reason Catherine was in the 2T was that she is tall -- Hangzhou girls are, I think! Don't know where your girlie will be from. I really liked Nanchang, too. Ooooh I cannot WAIT to follow your journey. Your referral has been in my prayers a lot lately. I know you are getting weary of waiting. It is so hard near the end!

redmaryjanes said...

Yes, THAT GIRL...your funds will be there by your cut-off. So, there is your sign, now make some plans!

Unknown said...

Little HOFFMAN!

I can not wait to meet you! So glad to see you here. I hope you are feeling better!

Your mom and dad rock!

Gail said...

Hi everyone, been reading your posts. Just wanted to drop in for a little while, I'm still waking up.

polkadot said...

listen to all of you ethiopia baby pushers ;) I am kidding of course.

I am terrified to go to ethiopia! God is really in my ear though, no matter what I do.

The money we are raising ($250) is really "faith" money, because y'all know it costs a few dollars more than that to adopt. I just needed a tangible sign, and we are asking for lots of prayer. I have no idea what is happening. I don't understand why He isn't sending me to somewhere comfortable like China. This is fish wayyyy out of water right now!

Sorry long comments today!

Unknown said...

Hi Gail!

RMJ, just sent an email to our FF coordinators about the book drive. What a cool way to help out if we cant actually go to China!

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there Gail!
7 more sleeps until China!

redmaryjanes said...

Good Morning Little Hoffman, do I know you?

redmaryjanes said...

Shelly,

I understand what you are saying. If God wants you there, you will be there. I can tell that he is working on you though. You are noticing little babies all around you and researching.

Gail said...

LOL,now 5 more sleeps until China!

That Girl I sure hope you'll be going to Ethiopia, I was one of the ppl that contributed to your fund and want you to go.

Little Hoffman said...

Email my dad. He'll tell you why you need to go to Ethiopia. God did the same thing to him and my mom.

Comfort is over-rated. The people you'll meet there and the experience you will have will easily make up for the lack of comfort.

I am thankful there are people like you considering my country - I have a lot of friends there that need a family.

God bless you...

Love ~ Meron Asher

polkadot said...

Little Hoffman, ask your Mommy which agency she used...

Unknown said...

RMJ, you have read about littlehoffman before!

Gail, you will be in my prayers today. Im so glad God is talking to ya!

polkadot said...

I didn't mean physical comfort ;) I meant that I'm out of my mental comfort zone. Wasn't planning on 5 kids. God laughs when we make plans?!

polkadot said...

Hello, Gail! Good morning. Yes, I was shocked at your donation. You are quite a family. I was/am humbled!

Unknown said...

Gods plans far outweigh our own. Who would have thought I would adopt from China. I would not change it for the world. Who is going to China sooo soon?

polkadot said...

So, when are the next SN lists due from China? I heartily endorse ASD/VSD babies! Two of my own, totally healthy!

Gail said...

That girl you have QUITE the family, I'd like to email you and read your other blogs if you don't mind. I think I saw your email address on the blog.

Gail said...

As a former RN, I agree about the ASD/VSD babies. William has a repaired cleft lip/palate and I felt good about that too.

redmaryjanes said...

Shelly,

My top choice is ASD/VSD. I will come to you when the list comes out. I believe the next one is slotted for September. They only had 4 new babies on their last list though. So, we'll see what happens.

polkadot said...

Gail, our email is shuey6(at)comcast(dot)net

You are always welcome!

Little Hoffman, do you have a blog?

redmaryjanes said...

Yes, we are open to quite a few SN's. You really just don't know until the list comes out and you research the conditions of the children on the list. I have no idea at this time what we will be matched with.

Gail said...

Kim and Amy you are in my prayers that you find your little girls very soon. I really think you will!

And thanks for the email address That Girl.

redmaryjanes said...

Gail,
I am just thrilled with where Will is. What an amazing place! And he can speak English. That is going to make his transition so much easier.

polkadot said...

Well, as far as SN lists go, if there is a child you are interested in, hold her file asap because I lost out on a wonderful child by being a few hours late in my decision -- but we have Bennett, so I could not be happier. The exact same thing just happened to Steffie B.

Unknown said...

Another RN? very cool, Im a peds nurse who specializes in cleft lip/palate and other deformities and other things
Thanks for your advice on the heart stuff!

Unknown said...

Im so confused, the shared list only had 4 children on it? ugh

polkadot said...

RMJ - Is there a chance you will be matched with a baby before the next SN list comes out? As in, a "healthy" baby?

Did you originally request AYAP?

That puts the clothes shopping in a new light ;)

Gail said...

Yes I think that biggest barrier has been eliminated by Will being able to speak English. I know he'll be sad though, he's been with these people for 2 years. His foster family has emailed me frequently about what he's like personality wise, etc. I'm a little concerned about Grace, she's going to be a jealous woman for a while. ;)

Unknown said...

little hoffman is a friend close by who just got home and I have yet to meet!

Unknown said...

Hey, can I join in here? I am new (saw post on Amy's blog a while ago and finally got a chance to check it out).
Patti

Little Hoffman said...

Okay - my mommy just said she used a small agency in Atlanta to come get me - called Illien International.

She said to email us at tymm(at)comcast(dot)net

She also said to feel free to visit our bloggie thingie - it is at littlehoffman(dot)blogspot(dot)com or you can also go to www(dot)babyhoffman(dot)com

I gotta go. The nurse is coming to squeegee my nose with that devilish suction thing on the wall. I am going to cry extra hard - just to make her feel bad. She is a new one this morning - I have to break her in.

bye bye.

Love ~ Meron Asher

Mav said...

Good Morning all

redmaryjanes said...

No, there is no chance in us being matched before the next list comes out because our agency isn't on board with the shared list yet.
I doubt we will be matched even in September as our agency has over 100 families waiting for an SN referral and they only got 4 new babies on last months list.

We requested 18 months, but that's not really important to me. I would like our daughter to be younger than Eli who turns 4 in December.

I don't know what to with clothes shopping. I am looking for bargains right now since I don't know if I'll be using them or passing along to someone else if Sophia is too big for them.

Unknown said...

NIce to see you here Meron Asher. I can not wait to meet you!

GOod morning Mav and newbies!

OH MY #6 said...

Good morning every one,

Hope you all have a good weekend!

Lea
xo

redmaryjanes said...

Thanks for being here today Little Hoffman, keep the pressure on THAT GIRL!

redmaryjanes said...

Good Morning Mav! Where is your sidekick K1?

redmaryjanes said...

Good Morning Patti!
You are definitely welcome. Jump right in. Glad to have you here!

polkadot said...

OK, tears are flowing over here -- just opened Gail's blog and saw her new son. Reminds me so much of Bennett (age 2.5 now) and Gail, I can tell you from experience, that boy will own your heart!

Subscribed to your blog! So excited for you! Why am I such a crybaby all of a sudden?

Unknown said...

I have to admit, I have gone a little overboard on the clothes shopping. Before we left Virginia, I used to work a kids consignment sale. Got lots of bargains.

Shoes are my weakness though. I bet half of the ones I have bought will be too small for Maddy. I like the donation idea too.

Out LID is 3/1/06 so we are getting closer (but not close enough!)

Unknown said...

that girl,

you have such a sweet spirit. I am so glad you are here this morning!

redmaryjanes said...

Patti,
I was just over at your blog and saw that you are getting quite close to your referral! Very exciting!

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there Lea!

No dragonboat racing today?

Gail said...

That Girl, Will already has my heart, I don't know what else to say. Before we traveled to get our dd Grace I was so nervous and this time I'm so calm. It's so different. Hey I cry all the time!

Gail said...

Hi Lea, hope your weekend is a good one!

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

Good morning everyone!

I have a busy day ahead but wanted to stop in and wish you all a blessed Saturday!! Enjoy your weekend!

Smiles! :o)
Nikki

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there Nikki! Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

Finally...it has been a long wait (preaching to the choir, I know!)

Now we are in a mad rush to finish updating paperwork...waited because we moved last summer and didn't want to update twice.

On advice of our FC we let our 171H expire and now with the new Hague rules we have to take a 10 hour course before we can get our update with USCIS

Very frustrating!!

Unknown said...

Hello to all the people I dont know. I have probably read your blogs and you guys rock!

polkadot said...

thank you amy!

redmaryjanes said...

Oh man Patti,

OK, THERE IS A NEWSFLASH FOR EVERYONE. DO NOT LET YOUR 171H EXPIRE OR YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE A 10 HOUR COURSE TO UPDATE WITH USCIS.

redmaryjanes said...

Amy rocks big time, her blogs are fabulous.

Unknown said...

we just had our homestudy done and our agency has our paperwork so we are hoping to have that done before 8.21

please please please!!!

I so want to go bargain shopping today!

OH MY #6 said...

No dragon boating today. We are having a garage sale as we are doing a reno. I am not loving the mess!

Gail, I can't believe this time next week you will be there.

Gotta go man my garage sale station.

Love you guys!

Lea

Unknown said...

No, RMJ, you rock. If I could an award for blogger for having the biggest,selfless, most organized heart you would have gotten it by now!

polkadot said...

amy - I give you permission to SHOP!

rmj - I am really digging the music today!

Unknown said...

It is online, which helps, but it i an additional $175.

And our FC said they have been sending these into USCIS since April and have yet to get one back. Our agency doesn't even know what the new document is called (old 171H) because they haven;t got one back yet. And we can;t update fingerprints until we get this unnamed for. It is a little nervewracking.

They told us we had 90 days after we received our referral to travel in the event we were not paper ready. But I can't think of anything worse than FINALLY getting our referral and not being paper ready. YIKES!!

Gail said...

Bargain shopping sounds fun Amy. I found some great clothes for Will at a second hand shop here. It's been fun buying boy clothes after having so many girl clothes here for the last 5 years.

Unknown said...

We have a great consignment shop here called tadpoles.

So, where do you guys shop for clothes?

What about other nursery stuff?

polkadot said...

OK don't go to baby Hoffman's blog unless you want to fall pretty seriously in love with that baby...

Unknown said...

isn't she beautiful! The whole family is just awesome and what a blessing they have been to me during our weight. They were some of our first community friends in this adoption world and have had sooo many emotional ups and downs since then

redmaryjanes said...

Have a great weekend Lea!

~verna said...

OK, Ladies as you can see, I got distracted and this is the first I made it back. I've made it to the local market for coffee now. The kids are doing well. We are still in a whining state but I think a lot has to do with being tired cuz I feel grumpy too. The kitty is doing well. She is a copy of the other one so we called her Kinko. Probably won't be checking back because I've got a few things to get done before work. So have a great weekend and I will keep checking your blogs!!

redmaryjanes said...

I'll have to get over there.

Unknown said...

Kinko is a great name!

SO do you have any favorite websites you like to shop at?

Gail said...

Clothes, I shop at all kinds of places. Grace has a mixture of second hand clothes and some new. I've always been a pretty good sale shopper for my kid's clothes and even shoes. Target, Old Navy, Gymboree(good sale stuff), Children's Place sometimes.

Gail said...

Kinko, is that a new name of one of your patient's? LOL

Unknown said...

Amy-
Try www.pumpkinpatchusa.com

I love their clothes and they are having a summer clearance. Another adoptive mom whoe blog I follow told me about it.

redmaryjanes said...

Have a great weekend Verna!

Unknown said...

WE are going to have to set boundaries. I have a friend who says never pay more tha 10 bucks online for an outfit and that includes shipping...

I love the consignement store. I think that seer sucker material looks so comfortable!

Mav said...

RMJ, prob. sleeping in. We are to do the clean up at the church in a few. Been looking at her blog and surf'n so I have to get moving.

redmaryjanes said...

I'll have to check out pumkinpat. I get a lot of the kids clothes from The Rocking Horse here, but she is retiring in the fall.

Unknown said...

that girl, what is your blog? Id love to keep on top of all this. YOu have such a peace and a beautiful spirit

Gail said...

Well I've got to be going too, have plenty to do. I'll be posting to my blog a couple of times before we leave for China on Thursday. Everyone have a great weekend. I'll be posting from China, maybe from Hong Kong but definitely from Fuzhou.
Take care!

Unknown said...

Thanks for letting me join in. It was fun. I have added many blogs here to my bloglines and I'd love to come back another time. Have a great weekend everyone.

Unknown said...

what a great site, thanks

polkadot said...

well my blog (which is not so peaceful) is http://letters2myfriends.blogspot.com but it will be changing in August (surprise) to www.thatgirlblogs.com

Links to my adoption blogs are there.

Mav said...

have a great weekend all

Unknown said...

you too my friend!

redmaryjanes said...

Have a great weekend Patti! Come back next week.

redmaryjanes said...

You too Mav!

polkadot said...

have a great weekend, we are off to the Farmer's Market.

{{{ Group Hug }}}

Unknown said...

I feel like I have met some new friends today. Cant wait to keep in touch!@

Thanks for the advice!

Unknown said...

RMJ,
I am talking to my FF lady now. What types of books does Amanda like? Paperback, Christian fiction, self help?

Unknown said...

I guess I will leave and get productive and maybe go window shopping..You guys rock!

Hope you will email me sometimes

amyschristopher@comcast.net

redmaryjanes said...

Amy, she likes Robert Ludlum and Chinese adoption stories.

Have a great weekend!

April said...

Good morning! Yes, late as usual. Thank you so much for mentioning the tag blankets this morning. I would love to have the shower widget. I thought Daleea designed it. She is such a wonderful friend. I have to go check out Over the Rainbow now. Sorry for missing the chat.

Have a great day.

Desiree' said...

How do I get in on the baby shower for Dawn? Not sure how it works.
I have been praying for sweet Lucy forever!! Our time line are similar but we still do not have that wonderfull LOA!!!

Desiree' said...

Just wanted to let you know I got the html code from Daleea, it's on my blog. How does it work?