Sydney's Second Birthday

Why are we Adopting?

If I had a dollar everytime someone said to me "are you nuts", I could pay for this adoption. (well part of it). All a person has to do is get on the computer and start researching adoption and it's all over.
Last August Sydney Jade our grand-daughter was brought home from Guatemala and joined our family. What a blessing she has been. When Andrew and Gina bring her to see us, I see how happy and loved she is and I can't help but remember the sadness and poverty that she left behind. What a lucky little girl she is now but, also what a lucky family we are to have her. To know Sydney explains the true meaning of adoption.
Robin and myself felt in our hearts adoption is what we needed to do. We knew we still had so much we could give a child. A child living in an orphanage in China has very little food, has no clothes or toys of there own, no one to rock and kiss them good-night and no one to read them stories and tell them they are loved.
Are Robin and I going to be tired at night when we get Ali? Heck yes, we already are now. We just set and watch the clock to see when we can go to bed and hope that it is dark enough outside so we can get to sleep. Are we going to have bags under our eyes from not getting enough sleep? They are already there from being up several times a night to go to the bathroom. (why do you think we go to bed so early). Are we going to have a rough time helping with homework in this day and age?. Chinese Children are very smart. (We Hope). Are we going to be the oldest parents at the P.T.A. meetings? Probably but, we will be the ones that have been there and done that. (experienced parents).
When Ali feels that her old fashion Mom and Dad just don't get it, she can go and complain to her sister and brothers. Then they can come and tell us to lighten up. So yes we will be the older Mom and Dad dropping her off at school, but I guess that is better then not having a Mom and Dad at all, even though she will probably have us drop her off a block away!.

Waiting for Ali

Anxious Family 

Follow our Journey to Ali

Welcome, These next few months are going to be fun. Our lives are about to change and we want everyone to enjoy this with us. We are hoping that this website will capture our hopes, dreams, panic, fear, excitement and starvation, (We don't care for Chinese food). Our journey started in September 2004, when the paperwork nightmare began. We worked as fast and hard as we could knowing that everyday the paperwork took, was another day longer that we were going to wait for Ali. Our dossier arrived in China on Dec. 23, 2004 and we were logged in with the CCAA on Jan. 6th, 2005. (This is the date that is most important). From this date we should wait 6 months until referral. So we are expecting a picture and referral of our little Ali, sometime in July and travel to get her the end of August or first of September.

We will spend 10 to 12 days in China. All we know at this point is, it is about a 15 hour plane trip. We will probably fly into Beijing where we will spend a couple days. We will get to see the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City. (whatever that is). Also most people get to go to the Pearl Market. Now that's more like what I want to see. There will be several couples with us so we won't be in China by ourselves. Robin is going to stick out like a sore thumb. They will think he is a giant. We then will travel to the Provience where the orphanage is and spend a few days. Everyone that adopts ends up in Guangzhou. That will be the last leg of our journey. Guangzhou is where the U.S. consulate is and the final paperwork takes place. We will spend a few days there and then home with Ali. (Can't wait).

Everyone say a prayer for us on this journey, the way things happen to us we will need them.

Untill I have some good news I will sign off.

Love, Vickie