DTC TODAY

Well, it may be insane, but my papers have officially been sent for adoption #2. I hadn't planned on doing this quite so soon, but there were pretty reliable indications that China was going to cut off their adoptions to singles starting in January of 2007. So, just to be safe, I decided to go for it before the end of the year. I rushed around like crazy and got everything done early and now it is just a waiting game again. Actually, it will probably work out just great with the timing because now China has really started stretching out the time between receiving the paperwork and matching you with a child. The latest batch of 'referrals', as they are called, was between 14 to 15 months of waiting from the time they sent their papers. So, if that trend continues, that means I should get my referral sometime in the spring of 2008. Emma will be three years old and it might be just perfect. Of course the length of time might get longer than that even...and maybe I will have to travel in the winter again. But it doesn't matter - whatever the weather or timing - it will be wonderful. I am excited about adding another little one to the family...even though that seems really overwhelming! I hope to get a lot of things worked out in the next year! Anyway, thats the official news and announcement of new events of our lives.

Happy Halloween!

We enjoyed a plethora of Halloween festivities this year.... Emma's Day Care had a party. Emma wa a beautiful cow - thanks to Aunt Karen for sending the adorable costume. I made an attempt at being Cleopatra - given that I had about 20 minutes to get ready (since I just left work a little early anyway). It was a nice party and a good chance for me to meet the kids and their parents who Emma spends her days with.

There was "Trunk or Treat" at church. Here is a picture of Emma (who had ditched her cow costume after about 10 minutes) with her best friend and neighbor Matthew (the spider!)

On Halloween night we carved a pumpkin and went to our friend Andrea's house to decorate cookies and play before trick or treating. It was fun, although Emma couldn't grasp the concept of trick or treating - so we didn't do much of that...and subsequently we didn't end up with much candy. Hooray! But she really loved the pumpkin, especially how it glowed.

In the end, Emma was never terribly fond of her costumes....but she did like the witches hat that I wore to Trunk or Treat. Never underestimate the power of a good hat!

Fall changes

Mom and Emma at home, having some breakfast. See the pretty flower arrangement on the table, done by Grandpa!

Emma just gets bigger, faster, and smarter everyday. It is a joy to see her growing up! I am so proud of her!

Grandpa and Grandma Broberg came to California to visit for a whole week. It was so fun!

Emma with her cousin Dane. She really loves being with her family. This picture was taken when we were in Pocatello one more time for my dear grandma Broberg's funeral. What a wonderful woman she was and I am so glad that Emma had a chance to meet her great-grandmother a couple of times.

One year ago...

One year ago (yesterday) I received my 'referral' from China - in other words, I was told that I had been matched with a child and given her picture...in essence it was the first meeting of my Emma LuMai. That was such a sweet day, full of tears and anticipation. I fell in love with Emma immediately, but had no idea how that love could just keep growing and growing. What an amazing year it has been and I know that it will just keep getting better.

THEN:

AND NOW:

The latest news

Time to start posting again. Not only because you all need to see how miss Emma LuMai is growing and changing, but also because I have started on the process to adopt #2!! It came sooner than I had planned, but I feel it is wonderful and is the right thing. I was expecting to start later next year, but one of the agencies I was considering working with called me and told me that it looked very likely that China would be changing its policies and not accept applications from singles beginning in January 2007...so they said if I wanted to do it, then I better hurry up and get my paperwork in before December. So that is what I am doing. It actually has gone pretty smoothly and I am already practically done. I am just waiting for the Dept. of Homeland Security to issue my approval (it is known as an I-171) and I can send my stuff up to my ageny and then off to China...I expect it to be done by early to mid-November. Cool huh.

Emma is growing up!

Emma is absolutely amazing! She is running and climbing like a real pro these days. Plus she loves to sing and dance and although she isn't talking much she also loves to use American Sign Language. We started learning some basic words through a wonderful series of DVDs known as Signing Time. Emma absolutely adores the signing time videos and knows a bunch of signs. It is really fun. Here is a picture of Emma signing the word "eat" and she is being held by the creator/star of "Signing Time" - Rachel Coleman. If anyone wants to check out the videos and information about it go to www.signingtime.com

Family...isn't it great?

Emma sure loves her grandpa and grandma. They are soooo much fun!

Emma and I love spending time with grandma and grandpa and aunts, uncles and cousins and many other relatives. Emma is adored by many and she adores them right back. It is fun to see her so joyous and active.