Final Home Study on Saturday

This Saturday, October 18 is circled in red on our calendar. It marks the day of our final home study visit with our social worker. If you have been following the list along the right side of this blog you have seen all of those home study items move from the to-do list to the done list. (another example of my wonderful wife's persistence and multi-tasking skills, you amaze me Shmoopie).

Saturday's visit is one of the final hurdles in the home study process. Once the visit is completed our social worker Trish will write the home study report, which is then translated and sent to the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs).

Each day brings us closer to our little Shania.

Adoption Fundraising

Adoptive families describe adoption as a significant, amazing and life-changing experience. They also say that it is expensive. I am absolutely amazed at families that have adopted two, three or more kids over a short period of time. How do they pull that off financially? My guess is that it is resourcefulness and the following blog supports that. Touching Lives... One at a Time is a site dedicated to promoting fundraisers for adoptive families. Check out the creative ways people come up with to fund their own Shania Projects.

Sheri's amazing jewelry received a mention this week. Thanks Lady in Waiting!

To our little Shania: add one more to the list of people that love you and care about you. Come see us soon little peanut.

Fenced in...

or out, depending on how you look at. The pool fence is in. A little weird, 9 years without a pool fence and voila, the fence is in. I think I like it. I was concerned that it would bother me but I barely notice it. It looks nice! Not sure that Louie (Missy's dog) and Rock Star know what to think of it, especially because it has still been pretty warm here and we keep them out of the pool area most of time. They like to swim on demand. It's all for you little Shania (:

Etsy is up and running

I am so excited! I have been soldering for a week now, and with the help of my patient, smart and kind husband I now have some of my latest solder pieces on the web. So please go take a look. These are just a few of the latest designs. I will work on getting my initials and little girl designs up soon! Have fun (Oh, and buy something too!)

www.charmaddiction.etsy.com

Our Photo Page

Three photo pages are required for our dossier for China. The CCAA is very specific on what they want to see. Here are our photo pages, approved and ready to go to China!

Whew!

This week we are making big exciting (sometimes stressful) strides!

The pool fence will be installed on Thursday (Rockey and Louie will not be happy ):

I have given blood and other samples more times in the last week than I care to give. For those of you that know me (and this is where the stress comes in), you know that needles and doctors are not my thing - I have avoided them for a very long time...longer than I care to admit. But for this particular project - avoidance was defiantly not an option. Between my physical (that I worried myself almost sick over - but passed with flying colors!) and life insurance requirements I saw more doctors, needles, scales ): and vials then I have probably seen in my entire life.

Today, I count my blessing and thank god for all he has provided me and especially my health, my husband and His grace.

Baby Girl

So grandma Bublitz along with the rest of us are so ready to shop. A bit early for the real shopping but she cheated just a little this past week. This is your first official and adorable little outfit! Pink, Sweet and oh so cute!!!