Next Halloween....

Last October I saw this costume in a catalog. I knew it HAD to be The One for Mia's first trick-or-treat. But I hesitated in buying it. First, because I wasn't really sure when she'd be home or how old she'd be when her first Halloween rolled around. Second, because everywhere I looked it was priced between $40-$60. That's a lot of money. Especially when taking a risk that I'd choose the wrong size and she'd not be able to wear it.But after Halloween I saw it on sale! For only $17.99 with free shipping. I did some calculations and took a guess that the 12-18 mth size would probably fit. For less than $20 I was willing to take the chance. And with the most likely scenario now being that I'll get a referral just after the first of the year and travel to bring her home in the spring, I'm confident I guessed right.

So next year.... Mia will be an adorable little top hat wearing penguin as she finally gets to go trick-or-treating with her cousins for the very first time. Which will be a dream a long time coming. And I'm so looking forward to it.

New Curtains

For anyone who pays attention to my decorating projects, you may have noticed a couple posts ago that I had different curtains in the living room. While I did like the original project, I had grown tired of them. So I asked my mom to make another set. That way I can switch them out from time to time.
This is the original set. I was really a little sad that I wasn't in love with them anymore since I hand beaded that valance...which was a nightmare. Oh well. You live and learn.
Here are the new ones. I luv luv luv them! Two totally different looks to suit my different moods. Thanks again for your sewing skills, mom.

The Ugly Side of a Country I Have Come To Love

A woman was taken from her home by government officials. Her crime? According to the officials, she had violated the one child policy imposed by her government. She already had a 9 year old daughter. But this woman was from the countryside, where families are allowed to have a second child if the firstborn is a daughter. However, her husband is from the city where the policy is enforced. So there was some confusion about which part of the policy should apply to their situation. Instead of being offered an alternate solution, such as paying a fine, she received a much harsher punishment. A forced abortion. She was 8 months pregnant.

This cruel and inhumane practice still takes place in modern day China. In fact, this family's ordeal just happened about a week ago. This is one of the many reasons I chose to adopt a baby girl from this country. So that I can raise her as a strong, empowered, valued woman who has the freedom to make her own choices.

Watch the video below of the father being interviewed by a journalist about the incident. There is no freedom of speech in his country. Speaking out could come at great consequence to him. But I applaud his bravery. So I chose to allow his voice to be heard here in my little space of the cyberworld. I pray this violent practice of dragging women from their homes and forcing them into abortions or sterilization stops. There has to be a better solution.

Read a news article about this family here.

Learn more about China's One Child Policy here.


And always remember to be grateful for your freedom.

The Dining Room

In preparation for Mia's arrival and the lack of time, energy and money that will surely follow, I've been trying to get as many little projects done around the house as I possibly can. I'm pleased to report that I'm finally officially finished with the dining room. From floor to ceiling. Complete.
Although I currently don't actually "dine" in there much. Generally only when I have company. I'm a single girl on the go. My meals at home are almost always eaten in front of the TV. That practice will have to stop when I go from being just me to a family of two.
I recently added this bookcase. It and the baskets were white but I wasn't satisfied with that so they became black. The baskets are gonna be an attempt to keep Mia's toys under control. I have a small house so a lot of her toys will end up downstairs.
Above I added a stemware rack. Toys and cocktails. A solution for both Mia and mommy. LOL!
Some pretty little decor items. The "G" is for our last name. I really like the shape of the 3 tiered serving tower. I'm not sure if I should leave it be or put something on it for decoration. Any ideas? Thoughts?
My old computer armoire was evicted from what used to be my office as that room transitions back into a spare bedroom. The armoire ended up here. I like the mix of black and pine furniture together in the room.
I adore my china cabinet. It's gargantuan. But somehow it still works, I think. I love all the pretty dishes it displays.
So remember the small house issue? This is the only place in the entire house that I could fit a play kitchen. It works here because I'll be able to sit in the living room and do my own thing but still supervise and be close to her.
Plus..I mean LOOK at it. How could I not get this fabulous PINK retro kitchen for my baby girl?! Her chair will move into the living room when she comes home. But for now remains shoved in the corner to keep me from tripping over it.
So there ya have it. More projects to follow. The clock is ticking and momma has more work to do. Oh and one other thing I've discovered. I need a better camera. My little point and shoot sucks. Wonder if I have enough time to learn how to operate one of those fancy DSLR cameras?

Congratulations Lisa!

It's always exciting to share this moment. This moment when another adoptive mother meets her child for the first time. And because of the long wait in China adoption there seem to be fewer and fewer people traveling. So these moments aren't as common in blogland like they once were. Today was the day that Lisa met Reagan. Click here to follow along on the rest of their journey. Congratulations again, my friend! She's absolutely breathtaking.

It Was Meant To Be

A couple months ago, I realized I had almost 3 weeks of vacation time I had to burn up by the end of the year or I'd lose it. Seems that trip to China I was saving it for is a little further off than I'd estimated.

(Insert eye roll.)

I decided to get away for awhile. My first thought was to spend some time at the ocean. So I googled "beach house rental" and look what popped up on the very first page of the very first site I clicked on.
This PINK beach house!

With hot pink beach chairs even. Oh be still my heart! I think I'm in love.

When we arrived and saw this amazingly, spectacular, breathtaking view it was a unanimous decision.....we'd found heaven on earth.

I say "we" cuz look who came to join me.
Well, not just my furry little soulmate. My sister and my friend (aka my hairdresser) Jessica also came along. There's nothing like sitting by the ocean with a cocktail and having your hair colored. LOL! No seriously... she really is my hairdresser and she brought her gear to do my hair while we were down there. Carla even let Jessica give her a little cut.

I also finally got to meet my good friend, Suzie, who came to stay a couple days with us. She's another single China mom-to-be with an '06 LID. We share the same agency and found each other years ago through our blogs. We've bonded during this incredibly difficult and crazy wait for our daughters. And helped keep each other sane during the transition when we were forced to change agencies. That was an especially stressful time and I was so grateful to have someone else weathering that storm with me. So even though we just officially "met"...we've been friends for a few years now.
Isn't this adorable? Aunt Suzie brought this backpack and lunch bag set for Mia. I love it!
There aren't many photos of our time at the house. Cameras were off limits because there was a strict "no make up and no curling iron" rule in effect. But Griffey always looks good, doesn't he? Except that he almost got me arrested. Apparently, there's also a "no dogs on the beach" rule. Which I think is stupid....but apparently the beach patrol does not. So we just waited until "the Hoff" was out of sight and snuck back out on the sand. Cuz that's how we roll.
This was our week long "slumber party at the beach". Our days were spent in swimsuits with our feet up enjoying the views, the smell of the ocean and the sound of the surf.
Many cocktails were consumed. Including mucho margaritas, of course. But boy do they melt fast under that sun. Which means we just had to drink them faster. LOL!
Most of all we Relaxed.....with a capital R. We laid around and were as lazy as we possibly could be soaking up the sun, reading books, watching TV, swimming in the ocean, walking on the sand, enjoying lots of girl talk and eating, eating and did I mention eating? Although some of us chose to nap....
We're all busy women with busy, stressful lives and this was exactly what we needed to refresh and recharge our batteries.
I spent a lot of time that week in the peacefulness just reflecting on the last 52 months (as of today actually) of waiting for Mia. I also spent a lot of time thinking about how much my life is about to change. After all, this is sure to be my last vacation as a single, carefree woman with only a little dog to look after.Next time I visit the ocean... I'll be a mom.And I'll stand on the beach introducing all of this beauty to my daughter. I can't wait!