"On Deck!"

Today we participated in what our agency refers to as an "On Deck Referral Procedure" conference call. Basically they invited all those families who might receive their referral in the next few months to participate in a call that would explain the referral day procedure to us and allow us to ask any questions we might have. Not an earth shattering event, but after waiting for almost 4 years it was a huge sign that within months we'll be getting our first glimpses of Emily and finally learn about her history to this point. We are very exicted now and really energized again after so many months of limbo. Just please continue to remember us in your prayers as we wait out these final weeks and please remember Emily as we are all but certain that somewhere in China is a little dark haired girl waiting to be united with her forever family. We don't know where she might be at this moment or what her current living conditions are, but we just know that she is already loved and a part of this family.

More Progress

Well, we've taken a few more positive steps this week. Our homestudy update is complete so we're good on that for another year. Today we received our "on deck" email from our agency. They send this out when it starts getting close to time for a referral to let their families know what to expect. To us this was a very positive step and just really brought on that feeling that in just a few months we'll finally see Emily.

Busy But Productive Week

This has been a busy week for us. Mickey and Mindy both had surgery and we've spent a good bit of time getting ready for a home study update. Hopefully this will be the final time we have to go through this. All went well and once our social worker gets it written up, we should be good to go.

Good Referral Month

For once the rumors we heard were actually right. The CCAA matched thru April 11th LID's so that covered six more days. That will leave us 17 more to finish before they get to us. It is really beginning to get exciting again after such long periods of little to no movement. We have optimism that in just a few months we will finally see Emily's face for the first time.

Potentially Good News

We have heard rumor that the CCAA has mailed another batch of referrals that may start arriving in the U.S. tomorrow. The rumor has them completing thru April 11th or 12th. We hope this is true and a sign that we don't have much longer to wait.

Mickey Gets A Little Sister

After being an only child for 3 years, Mickey finally has a little sister...but not from China. Mindy became a part of our family on January 16th. We saw her and it was love at first sight. Now we just have to wait a little while longer for Emily to finally be home.

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

When this journey began back in 2005, we never imagined that our wait would be so long. Back then the wait was only about 6 months from completion of paperwork until you received a referral. After 5 years of waiting, we are beginning to see a faint light at the end of the tunnel. The CCAA has finally started processing files in our month. What is yet to be seen is how long it will take them to get through 25 more days worth of other families' paperwork so that it will be our turn. We just hope that 2010 will finally be the year we see Emily's face for the first time. Follow along with us as we wait out these finally days. (We can now truly say we know what it means to be on a slow boat to China)