D, B & JM to Sit On Adoption Q&A Panel

Our agency, Bethany Christian Services, has scheduled us for participation on a discussion panel taking questions about our adoption journey. The event takes place this Saturday, October 11 in Orlando. Below is the information that we have about the panel. If you are in the Orlando area, come on by if you can - we'd love to meet with you and discuss our adoption journey.

INFORMATIONAL MEETING

Bethany Christian Services is hosting an Informational Meeting on Domestic and International Adoptions on Saturday,
October 11, 2008
From 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Location: Trinity Lutheran Church
427 N. Magnolia Avenue
Orlando, FL
RSVP (407) 877-4006

DIRECTIONS

From Tampa:
Take I-4 East to Robinson St exit. You will exit onto Garland Ave. Continue on Garland to Livingston St. Turn right onto Livingston St. and follow road. Turn left onto Rosalind/Magnolia. Church office is a brown brick building across from the backside of the Court House.

From Daytona:
Take I-4 west to Amelia St. exit. Exit on to Hughey Ave. Follow Hughey to Livingston St. and turn left. Follow Livingston St and turn left on to Rosalind/Magnolia Ave. The church office is in a brown brick building across from the backside of the Court House.

From the Beach:
Take the Beachline (528) to 417 North. Take the 417 to SR 408 toward Orlando. Follow the 408 to I-4. Take I-4 East to Robinson St exit. Exit onto Garland Ave.
Follow Garland to Livingston St. Turn right on to Livingston Street and turn left onto Rosalind/Magnolia. Church office is a brown brick building across from the backside of the Court House.


From the South:
Take Florida Turnpike North to Orlando and exit onto I-4 East toward Daytona. Stay on
I-4 to Robinson St. exit. Exit onto Garland Avenue. Follow Garland to Livingston St. and
turn right. Follow Livingston St to Roslind Ave./Magnolia Ave. and turn left. Church office is a brown brick building across from the backside of the Court House.

The Weather in Central Florida is Breaking!

We have experienced the first hint of fall! The air has a bit of a nip and the breeze is just delightful! Neighbors are coming out of their houses just to enjoy the weather!
This past summer, when we visited China during the adoption procedings of our daughter,
the weather was hot (real hot!), humid and polluted in the cities.
"I should be used to this!" I said to myself as we toured the Forbidden City, climbed The Great Wall and stood atop the solid heat absorbing concrete in Tienemman Square.
After all, I live in Central Florida, the humidity capital of the US - then it dawned on me -
"I don't go outside in this weather when I'm at home!"
And here I was, playing tourist in the equivalent of a steam room!
Anyway, the peasants are rejoicing - fall will be here soon!

What is Your Favorite "Most Annoying Song of All Time?"

Recently, we took our daughter to The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

We went on that ride which features, in my opinion, "The Most Annoying Song of All Time".

I can't even say the name of the song without getting annoyed, so here's a picture.......

It was her favorite ride - she smiled throughout and screamed with delight at some of the scenes. Since we have Annual Passes, I imagine I'll be hearing the song many times over.

It's just one of those lessons in tolerance in parenthood.

So, what's your nomination for

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The Most Annoying Song of All Time

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Leave a comment indicating your nomination .....

and, if you feel led ...... why do you find it so annoying?

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No contest .... no prizes .... just for fun

"Catherine's Chatter" Author Interviewed for Toronto Star

Fellow Blogsters - Head on over to the Toronto Star and take a look at the article on international adoptions. Our friend and blogger, Catherine, was interviewed to participate in a pretty good article where she lends her upbeat view on the subject. Go Catherine - you're the best!

A Letter to J Mei

Several weeks back, our wonderful friend of 20+ years (number of years we've been friends - not necessarily referring to age) Molly, gave J Mei a welcoming party attended by many of my co-workers and retirees (such as myself). She surprized us with a beautiful letter, written from the hearts of parents longing to have her in their lives. Here is her letter .......

..........

Little girl of our dreams, you come from a land so far away..A land of magical dragons and bright colors all covered in mist.How could you know we wished for you over the years, day by day? Though the years of our lives were busy and full, we worked so hard to make our way, while keeping in our hearts the Lord's pathway of light. We served Him and praised Him with song. We knew all along we had an abundance of love we needed to share. As we studied His Word and followed His path, our hearts were opened to the Message He sent..."And a little child shall lead them." So, Joanna Mei, our journey to find you began. We searched the world over, we prayed night and day for the sweetest of God's little angels to come our way. Our hearts and our home are ready to welcome you now...where you will thrive in His Love and His Light. You are all we could wish for - our heart's delight. You are our dream come true......We love you so much! Mommy and Daddy.

..........

The letter is now framed and hangs over her crib. Thank you, Molly for your thoughtfulness and friendship.

Another Theory of the Adoption Showdown

Fewer Kids Available for Adoption by Foreigners

from "The China Daily"

A view of the adoption slowdown by a Chinese journalist

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-08/20/content_6952813.htm

Larry King Reflects on the Chapman Family

......scroll on down to the bottom of the page for Larry King's reaction to his interview with the Steven Curtis Chapman family.

In Search of the Right Men's Diaper Bag

Several months back, a wonderful friend threw us a brunch/shower for Joanna Mei.

One of the beautiful gifts was a pink diaper bag. Be really likes it. I don't do pink.

I'm going to be the stay-at-home-dad. I will not be carrying a pink diaper bag.

Be says she'll carry it. Fine. But what do I do when Be's not with me?

I need MY OWN diaper bag......and it has to meet MY specifications.

* it must double as a personal 'carry-on' bag when Joanna Mei is not flying with us.

*must have a flap to accommodate airline boarding passes and baggage receipts.

* it must hold a lap top.

* it must double as a beach bag for our Hawaiian vacation

the week before Joanna Mei's adoption.

*it must have compartments for easy accessability

to cell phones, CD players, keys and sunglasses.

* it must not look like a diaper bag when not being used as a diaper bag.

The bag we chose was the "Eddie Bauer" model pictured above. It actually looks like a regular tote type bag disguising the fact that contained within it's synthetic fabric walls there are wipes, a sippy cup, emergency diapers, an airtight plastic pouch for dirty diapers (Yuk! Does anyone actually carry around a diaper defiled by baby poopie inside their diaper bag? What kind of a wacko thing is that? Perhaps it's there as a conversation piece ...... Guess what I have in my diaper bag? Yikes! There's GOT to be some other use for the airtight plastic pouch!), Pediassure, apple juice as well as

sunglasses, cell phone, water bottle and change of shoes for dad.It's a great piece of luggage for the discriminating DiaperBaggist.

Along the way, I discovered that there are several versions available to taste specific men. I have included several examples below for your shopping pleasure ......

The Camouflage Diaper Bag
In case you need to change your baby while hunting.




The Ninja Diaper Bag
(also comes with orange trim and dragon)
The packaging includes the warning

"Ninja practices not to be used while diapering baby."





The Peace Sign Diaper Bag

Caution: Users of this diaper bag may be subject to additional SW questioning.




The Flamingo Diaper Bag

For the man with a good self image.






For some reason, during my internet search for "Men's Diaper Bags", this
manual came up. I thought "What the heck!" I ordered it.



The Skull and Crossbones Diaper Bag

Aarrgh!






The Diaper Vest
Now who the heck came up with this one?
Here's something that'll really disguise the fact that you're carrying baby equipment
much the same way the combover disguises baldness.
This brilliantly designed garment includes pockets for diapers, wipes, bottles, cell phones and the piece de resistance ----
a slim design diaper changing pad in a hidden pocket in the back of the vest!!!!
Isn't that fabulous? Maybe for someone who doesn't mind being called "Lumpy"!
Actually, I thought of buying it but alas ......
Some fool didn't include an airtight pouch for poopied diapers!

I'm outtahere.

You Know You Are An Old First-Time Parent If .......

........ wine glasses and sippy cups occupy the same shelf in your kitchen cabinet.

Any other suggestions for

You Know You Are An Old First -Time Parent If .........

Congratulations!! January 2006 Referrals!!

CCAA Update!

LID’s through the review room: JANUARY 31, 2007 (no change)

LID’s through referral: JANUARY 31, 2006

CCAA advanced 6 calendar days

(4 business days + 2 weekend days; landing during the CNY), from January 25, 2006.

SW Follow Up

The Empress was on her best behavior last Friday as we had our post adoption follow-up visit. She could charm just about anyone as she babbled like Pebbles Flintstone and demonstrated how a triangular block fits into a round hole quite unsuccessfully.

Everything seemed to be status quo so our SW invited us to sit on a panel at an adoption event the agency is hosting in October. We'll take questions on "Special Needs" adoption (our agency calls SN kids "Children of Promise") and our experiences until that point.

Why Is It Taking So Long?

I wish I had this vid while going through the 3+ year adoption process.
This is all information that prospective adoptive parents already know, but get SSOO tired of explaining. Next time, just tell them I'll send you a link ........

Today Show video on China adoption......

Here's some great advice for new parents - tuck it away for future reference....
Most of America 's populace think it improper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of 'those moments.' One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk.Some say it's the vibration from the car, others say it's the time away from any distractions such as TV, Video Games, Computer, IPod, etc.Either way, my kids usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together. I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the technique.

I think this will work with grandchildren, nieces, and nephews as well.

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

Jet lagged and jazzed, we have returned from China with our beautiful little daughter, Joanna Mei. The pic was taken at Orlando Airport where JM entertained our welcoming friends for about an hour. Our entire journey has been journaled on our blog http://joannamei.blogspot.com/ - what an incredible event in our lives! Our family is complete!
We've been homenow for 2 days and jet lag is doing a real number on all of us - we don't know what time to eat or sleep. Hopefully, we'll have recovered by Monday - SW visits Friday for initial adoption follow up.
Drop us an e-mail if you're not on the list for the secure site and you too can be in with the in crowd. Please use your server's e-mail instead of a Blogger response. Keying off Blogger results in a 'no reply' response.

Ringo Starr

You'd better dial 911 - I'm naming the light fixtures in Joanna's room - I must be losin' it during this wait - first, I'm naming the gopher tortoises on my daily walks in the park with Diva - now, I'm naming light fixtures. Oy!

On a recent trip to IKEA

(Be is going to issue a restraining order keeping me at least one mile from IKEA),

I saw the star light pictured above. I'm a Beatles fan, and somehow, the ceiling light, in the shape of the sun, became "Good Day Sunshine".

The moon light became known as "Mr Moonlight", a lesser known Beatles song.

So, it's only natural that the most recent addition be named "Ringo Starr".

Get this guy to China and back quick before his head explodes!

Wonder what those doo-dads on the electric cords are?

Electrician alligator clips with stars and moons super glued on.

Answer to the Mystery Item

Another IKEA find .........

The product information says .......

A colorful cushion with pockets that can keep a child's feet warm.

We howled when we saw it and had to have it for Joanna Mei.

Nifty Gifties for the Nannies

The purchase of the obligatory gifts for care givers and such has been accomplished.

Looks like they'll get Mickey Mouse soaps.

I've seen pictures of the presentation of the gifts to the different adoption personnel and

it appears that they are set aside and pooled amongst the recipients.

One official was pictured surrounded by red gift bags with tissues flowing out the top of each,

as she signed off the docs.

OK - it's time that the whole journey sees it's end and Joanna Mei is in her

new home. I'm getting a bit tired of all this red tape.

Take a Guess - What is It?

We bought the item pictured on the left for Joanna Mei.
We laughed out loud when we saw it and realized what it was.
Any guesses?
We'll reveal the true identity and use for the object in question on July 14.

Thank You

.....to all who made it posible!

Another Adoption Meet-Up

We were SSOO jazzed to have the opportunity to meet up with Brian, Dawn & Courtney Mei at EPCOT this past weekend. Their China adoption travel group had a reunion at the park and we were invited to have dinner with the families. What a hoot! It was hotter than fish grease outside but it was sure a cool bunch of people.
Don was able to meet the trio back in April when he passed through their hometown, so it was a treat for Be.
In addition, we met other families with beautiful little girls adopted from China and have already started planning to hook up with a family from the Tampa area from their group.
Click here for more of Dawn & Brian's pics from the event.