Do not be afraid, for I am with you,

I will bring your children from the east

and gather you from the west.

Isaiah 43:5

STILL WAITING!!!!!!!!

Well I am still waiting to here from the ministry. Passing the time away at the cottage with family and friends, enjoying the beautiful weather, watching the sunsets, and eating and drinking too much.

"LADYBUG FEVER"

STILL WAITING FOR PROVINCIAL APPROVAL

Still waiting for provincial approval......so what better time to shop....my favoriate passtime. Well between Alanna and I, I think we've hit every childrens consignment shop between Toronto and Ottawa!!!!! Everything is sooo cute, how can I resist. Of course I'm keeping my eyes peeled for anything "LADY BUG" as anyone in the China adoption world knows ladybugs are a sign of good luck and good news usually follows shortly after spotting one......so I figured if I find ladybug clothing it's the next best thing.

50 YEARS SINCE BRIDGE REPLACED FERRY

2006 marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the ferry boat service and the construction of the interprovincial bridges linking Allumette Island Quebec and the provence of Ontario.

My grandfather, Thomas Morris started as the purser on the SS "Pontiac" and became captain in 1948 until its final voyage on October 14, 1956.

The ferry carried 13 cars and passengers and was powered by wood.

There was a memorial service today at the site of the ferry docking.

SLEEPY CANADIAN

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!

WHAT A PROUD CANADIAN!!!!!

I spent Canada Day weekend at the cottage with my sister Cathy, her friend Janet and her kids. We went to the Canada Day Parade in Sheenboro where we also met my cousin Tara and her little boy Mathieu(our very proud canadian). With the main street of Sheen being only about two blocks long I have never seen a bigger or more enthusiastic Canada Day Parade. My cousin Annemarie, her husband Jim and their son Patrick were also there. Patrick rode on one of the floats. My aunt Janet was also on one of the floats playing with the fiddlers. It was a great day.

LAST SOCIAL WORKER MEETING

Well I passed the Home Study!!!!!!!!!!!!! according to my social worker anyway.......now the written up Home Study report has to Ministry of Ontario for approval in province before it can be sent to China for their approval......MORE WAITING!!!!!! but I am getting closer.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Had my third meeting with Bonnie my social worker tonight. All the paperwork is in, she just needs to write up report now and have one more meeting, this time at my house so she can check everything out....safety issues, separate room for baby, fenced yard etc. I hope the dogs are good and don't MAUL her to death!! She does have two dogs of her own, so I think we'll be OK.

CRIB BEDDING

I found this crib bedding set on the Target website and my friend Ann in Florida has offered to pick it up for me and bring with her the next time she comes home.

Had my last class of "Adopt Talk" this evening. Alanna went with me as this evening the topics were "Journey of a Lifetime" and "Trip Preparation". It's going to be hard to wait so long before I myself will be traveling after talking with those in the class who are very close to going to get their daughters. There was even a couple with their daughter at tonights class to give a little talk about their whole experience with the whole process. They were only back a few months ago. There little girl is so cute.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

ADOPT TALK SEMINAR AGENDA

• Coming Home
• Health Matters
• Bonding and Attachment
• Interracial Issues in Adoptive Families
• Talking to Your Child About Adoption
• Journey of a Lifetime and Trip Preparation

I signed up for the adoption seminar "ADOPT TALK" that Children's Bridge offers. It is a five week course that runs every Thursday evening and covers several topics.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!

I started to redecorate the spare room today. I decided on a pastel yellow for the walls with a butterfly theme. It's a pretty big room so I think I'll leave the 3/4 bed in the room also......especially if I end up sleeping there for the first while home....hopefully she's a good sleeper and I don't have to. I got a really nice quilt at Winner's for the bed. It's all white with appliqued pastel coloured butterflies on it, with a window valance to match. Also have some wire with nylon material butterflys for the walls. Just have to keep my eye open for a crib set that is similar. And maybe a few area rugs.

Had my second meeting with my social worker today. The reference letters are rolling in. I had my physical for the medical forms and my local police clearance check is underway. I was able to get the fingerprinting done and the forms sent off to the RCMP for my interpol clearance as well as my passport done. So I guess things are on their way and I just need to be patient...........I guess it will be good training for when the new additon to the family arrives!!!!

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY

THE PAPERWORK STARTS NOW

The papertrail started today!!!!!!!!!! I had my first meeting with my social worker, Bonnie. It lasted well over 4hrs, but the time flew by. Even though my life was now an open book, Bonnie being very layed back and easy going made the whole process much less threatening or intimidating than I had anticipated......needless to say I now have a list of documents the lenght of my arm that I need to start getting in order.

-References-1 family member

-2 longtime references

-2 work references

-1 employment reference

-1 personell department reference to verify employment

-Extensive Medical Forms-for both in province and China

-Local Police Clearance

-Fingerprinting and Interpol Clearance

-Financial Statement

-A signed Guardianship Statement

- A signed Statement of being Single and not in a same sex relationship

-Written Autobiography

- Five pages of Pictures depicting Myself, my Home, Family, Friends, Interests, Leisure Activities

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Well, the journey now begins. After longing for a child for many years I have made the decision to go ahead with an international adoption of a little girl from China.

As many of you know I am not blessed with the "techy" skills in my family!! But I am taking the plunge and am attempting to set up a blog and maintain it so I can have a record of my "JOURNEY OF A LIFE TIME" to get my daughter, both for her to look back at and also for family and friends to share the experience with me.