Sydney is OK!

Thanks everyone for all of your concern for the safety of our daughter. I have been assured that her orphanage is unharmed. They most likely felt the earthquake but did not sustain injury. I am so thankful that our daughter is far enough away from the disaster area.

I am praying for all of the people, orphanages, and panda reserve that were affected and if you would like to help in any way please click HERE.

Thank you so much for all of your support!

Sydney's First Adoption Shower

I had an amazing adoption shower for Sydney. The event was held at my house but was hosted by several of my close friends and family. They did an amazing job and almost 50 people showed up to celebrate Sydney's arrival. It is so wonderful to have so much support from my friends and family. Thanks everyone!

My wonderful cousin, Shelly, did an awesome job on the food! Notice how the watermelon matches the cake...too cool!
My mom and wonderful friend, Christi, got the coolest cake ever! Another good friend of mine, Laurie had an amazing punch that everyone loved. My sister, Stacey, sent out the beautiful invitations!

Wow, Sydney got so many perfect gifts!

Wonderful friends!

Trying Something

Click for more pictures from today: Photos of Sydney

Happy 6th Birthday Dear Child

Today our little girl turns 6 years old. We wish we could be with her to celebrate but we sent gifts, party favors, and a cake. One more month!

Someone Has a Birthday Coming Up....

Yes, Sydney will turn 6 on May 1st!

I have arranged for a birthday cake to be delivered to her on her birthday. Actually since May 1st is a holiday in China, it will be delivered to her on April 30th. (Close enough)

Hopefully they will take lots of pictures!

Sydney Gets a Private Tutor!!!

How cool is this? We were able to arrange for Sydney to receive 2 hours a day 5 days a week of private tutoring for English. she will be tutored until she is with us. That is such a blessing!! Our agency contacted the Chinese government and Sydney's orphanage of our request to have her tutored. They agreed and hopefully she began her private instruction yesterday.

We do not expect her to be fluent or anything but at least our language will not seem so foreign to her. And it will be wonderful if she can communicate with us a little. We will see!!!

I have heard from others that have had their children tutored in China that they loved it and felt "special". They enjoyed the individual attention and learning experience. I sure hope Sydney enjoys her tutoring.

I can't wait to hear her sing her ABC's!!

Dear Sydney,

Not flesh of my flesh

Nor bone of my bone,

But still miraculously

My own.

Never forget

For a single minute:

You didn't grow under my heart

But in it.

Our Flights Are Booked!

Well, We purchased our tickets last night and all I can say is OUCH!

But what did we really expect traveling to Beijing 2 months before the Olympics?

This trip will be worth every penny though and the kids are so excited that we are all going as a family.

Less than 2 months....

We Have Our CA!

Today is my birthday and what better present than our official Consulate Appointment!! It will be June 17, 2008 and our agency sent us the email that the CCAA confirmed this date for us this morning.

China here we come!! Time to book our travel arrangements!!

Sydney's Room

We are not completely finished with her room but it is close. I have been busy hand painting all her decorations so that they would match perfectly. I have had tons of fun doing it too! I think I did a pretty good job considering it was my first run at it.

It's hard to tell in the pictures due to bad lighting, but her room is a very pretty pale yellow color. Since she is not a "girly-girl" I picked out bedding that was fun and bright rather than flowers, etc.