ONE OF MY FAVORITE VIDEOS

You Bring Me Hope
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AVA'S ROOM FINISHED

Everyone has been asking if I have Ava's room finished yet and what colours I did it in so I thought I'd post a few pictures for those interested. Enjoy!!

LID(Log in Date)

Today my dossier was logged into the CCAA(China Centre of Adoption Affairs). At present the waiting child families have been getting their notice to travel about three months from the time their file was logged in.....so I could be going to get Ava by mid February!!! These are pictures of the actual CCAA where the matching of children to parents takes place.

AVA'S FAMILY

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MORE GIFTS FOR AVA

More gifts for Ava.....boy are they spoiling you!!

I haven't even brought you home yet and your closet is already full of gifts and clothes. My aunt Alanna who will be travelling to China with me gave me these cute little ladybug shoes for Ava. The ladybug windmill ornament is a gift from my friend Sherri, who will also be travelling with me and her daughter Shauna who can't wait to be Ava's Jie Jie (big sister)

GIFTS FOR AVA

Ava has received some lovely gifts. My friend Maureen's mother, Elli made her this lovely yellow blanket and Maureen gave her the little panda bear. My friend Rita gave me this beautiful ladybug mug. Evertime I drink out of it I think of you Ava. The ladybug robeez were a gift from my sister Cathy and her partner Janet and the ladybug t-shirt and ladybut bookmark were from my friend Cathy at work and her daughter Emily. I'd like to thank you all for your extreme thoughtfulness. I will treasure these gifts and I sure Ava will also.

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

"A WAITING MOTHER"

A Waiting Mother's Prayer

Dear Lord,
Now I lay me down to rest,
My dossier is finished, I've done my best!
I've chased this form and then another
All in hopes to be a mother.
And now that I have finished this task
I have but only one favour to ask.
Please keep my daughter in your embrace
Until I can come and take your place.
I will raise her as she is my own,
and try to provide a loving home.
I'll tell her of her mother's love,
A love that could only come from above.
So as I lay me down to rest,
I know that you will do your best,
To keep her and love her in every way
Until I arrive on Gotcha Day.
Amen
~Unknown Author~

D.T.C (Dossier to China)

My dossier has been translated into Chinese by staff at Children's Bridge and was sent out today to the CCAA(China Centre of Adoption Affairs). It usually takes about a month to get a LID(log in date) for your dossier in China at which time the approval process starts. Hope all goes well!

Today I received a beautiful card from my cousin Anita congratulating me on Ava's referal and with it was this little willow tree figurine of a child holding a wire balloon with the work "hope" in it. Thanks so much Anita, that was so thoughtful of you. I can't wait for Ava to spend some time with you at the cottage this summer.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY

AVA'S ANNOUNCEMENT CARD

YEAR OF THE ROOSTER

Ava was born in the year of the rooster. People born in the year of the rooster are deep thinkers, capable and talented. They like to be busy, are very devoted, and very dissapointed with failure. They are often a bit eccentric and often have difficult relationships with others. They always think they are right(oh I can see I'll have problems with this!) and usually are! They are frequently loners and are timid. There emotions swing very high and low. They can be selfish and too outspoken but are always interesting and can be extremely brave. They are most compatible with Ox, Snake and Dragon. This is the chinese character for rooster.

Chinese Characters for Ava Grace (love and affection in red character)

AVA WITH HER FOSTER FAMILY

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CELEBRATING AVA!!

After receiving the referal package Mom and Dad came over to see the pictures of their new granddaughter. We all cheered Ava with a bottle of champagne. After work ended my friends Sherri, who will be traveling to China with me and Tracey and her daughter Emma came over for some bubbley to help me celebrate. Emma also got to try out the new playroom full of toys......she had a blast and didn't want to go home so Tracey gave her her "tubbie" bath at my house and she broke in Ava's tubbie toes. It was a nice end to an exciting and joyous day. Sleep well my Ava, sweet dreams.

"ADOPTION"

ADOPTION

You first came to us in an envelope with letters, forms and such.
Just two tiny little pictures with nothing warm to touch
You grew in our imagination in our hearts and in our minds.
You brought us greater joy than we ever thought we'd find.
A phone call started labor pains which lasted 'til we met.
Strangers brought together a day we won't forget.
You bloomed as you were planned in our hearts, our lives, our home.
Our child of chance, of plan, of will your're now our very own.

Author Unknown

"SHE'S BEAUTIFUL!!"

Introducing Ava Grace YaHan! She was born on May 28,2005 in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, Peoples Republic of China. These pictures were taken at exactly 10 months of age. She was 6kg(13lbs) and 60cm long. Her head circumference was 40.5cm and chest circumference was 42.5cm. Her routine is as follows, she gets up around 0730, naps 1230 and 1-2:00 in the morning and afternoon respectively and is in bed by 1900. She takes a bottle 4-5 times a day and has boiled rice water, rice panada and noodles between milk meals. She is a fair sleeper, she can now crawl on her own, she can reach out her hand for an object, she can sit up from lying face while led by one hand. She can stand up immediately while gently pulled at both hands. She can also take steps forward. She can sit fairly tight. She can hold a toy in each hand. She can pass a toy from one hand to the other. She can tear paper. She can turn pages. She can tell acquaintances from a stranger. She can understand facial expressions of an adult. She doesn't have a ready smile but she seldom cries either. She is fond of playing with others' company or amusement. She is gentle, quiet, an timid. She is fairly introverted. She is closest to her caregiver and the child who shares her bed. Her favorite toys are catties and bears.

"REFERAL IS COMING TOMORROW"!!!!!!!!

Cathy Murphy from Children's Bridge called me today at work to tell me that my referal will be arriving by Purolator tomorrow some time between noon and 4pm. I can't wait to see pictures of my daughter.

Savage garden - I Knew I Loved You
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PROVINCIAL APPROVAL

WAITING

Waiting

I haven't met you yet or seen your face,
but in my heart you hold a place.
My hopes grow with each passing day,
even though you're miles away.
I know your're there waiting for me,
as I am here waiting to see,
the child God has sent from above,
to make me a mother and share all my love.

~Karen Cooper~

FILE TO THE MINISTRY

My file, after being reviewed at Children's Bridge was sent to the Ontario Ministry today. I must be approved to adopt by the Ontario Ministry before my file can be sent to China and get approval in China. The ministry is taking 3-4 weeks to approve the waiting child files right now. So I just have to wait and see.

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CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL

Sherri, her daughter Shauna and I went to the Chinese Lantern Festival at Ontario Place in Toronto. It was quite a site to see, just amazing. The pictures don't do it justice. You need to see it in person. I got Ava a little Chinese lantern that lights up. She can hang it from the ceiling in her room.