Merci to the Rescue!

I think pretty much every version of Merci riding this magnificent steed will have to, at some point, make it on to the blog. I never get tired of it...

So, I gotta say, Dad's second birthday party was fun, but very sedate compared to the family event: not a ginger snap in sight. A couple of his friends did get rather fresh with the fake Dad cutout... but, again, nothing compared to Dad's tagging Sara out at first base.

Tim and I are off to Chicago this weekend, to celebrate his father's 80th birthday. His oldest sister liked the idea of the cutout so much she's trying to get him to make one of their father. She hasn't given him much time, but he might just be able to work some magic. Meanwhile, his flying lessons are going great. His description of learning to come out of a stall made me a bit nauseous, but I'm not the one in the plane, so that's okay.

I'm still very much hoping others will jump in and post on this blog, by the way. I'd love to help, if you want to post and are having some trouble.

Otherwise, I'll just have to keep putting up more pix of Merci, and you know how shy and retiring she is...

love ya, Merci!

Linda

More Family to Come!

Tim and I received a letter yesterday from the facilitator for our Chinese adoption, US Asian Affairs (USAA). First home, and first to get the mail, I saw that envelope and was suddenly scared. So I sorted the mail, fed the cats, put out the trash, checked the answering machine, sat down to my desk, and stared at the envelope. My little list of online buddies showed Tim was available on instant messenger, so I IM'd him, and told him about the envelope. He said go ahead and open it, read the letter -- so I gulped, and did: We got our group number! We have been assigned to US Asian Affairs Group No. 127!

The letter reads, "As of today, the estimated waiting time for placement of your child from DTC (Document to China) to your referral is approximately 12-18 months." I promptly burst into tears.

To get the group number makes it feel that we are now truly in the process. To be told that the wait will be a year to a year and a half makes it feel like one of Dante's circles of Hell -- or maybe just endlessly traversing the spiral. We have already been on this journey to build a family for over six years. But friends tell us this is the road to the child who is meant for us.

So, whoever gets to organize the next Brown Family reunion, be ready for one more mouth to feed! Hey, anyone up for a trip to China in 2007 or 2008?

By the way, the symbol on the bib means “love.” And suddenly I am reminded of one of my favorite pictures of Rick: he was just a baby, eating spaghetti with red sauce, and, naturally, there was food everywhere. What a mess, but he’s still with us. Now that’s love!

Linda

The Gathering

The pictures are starting to come in -- this one came from Sharon and Bob. I just got back from another trip to Wisconsin (this time for business), and Brookfield is still recovering from the reunion. The gingersnap supply has not yet been replenished -- but don't worry, George, they'll restock the B&B so we can try another taste test. I have some great pix on hand of the Calling of the Clan and the Haggis Toss -- Merci, Alex, Michelle, fair warning: I can be bribed... Linda