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
Video sent by cladstrife

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.

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.