Trying to get the boys in the Christmas spirit!!!

Ummmm....I don't think Bailey is too full of Christmas joy just yet. (ROFL)


Here he looks just plain disgusted (He actually looks like the dog on The Grinch). :)


Jack refused to look at the camera.


It's Rein-Bo


Either he ate more berries....or he's waiting for Santa

Emilia's Care Package

Emilia's care package is all packed and ready to leave for China tomorrow. I had so much fun putting this together, but when I was finished - and it really sunk in what I had just put together, I balled like a baby. This package is going to OUR child!!! Man, there I go again getting all teary eyed.

Here's a picture of the gifts we are sending our princess. The little orange thing on the bottom is a phone that I recorded: "We love you Ling Cha Ni" (in Chinese) and I taped a small picture of us where the sound comes out. :)

Gifts for the Orphanage Director, Nannies and/or Foster Parent(s)

Picture of the letter we sent to the Orphanage Director thanking her and the nannies and/or foster parents for caring for our child, and asking that the camera be used to take pictures of her, her living arrangements, and the people in her life.

I even wrote Emilia's name in Chinese!!! See - those Chinese classes did pay off (hee hee).

Sweet new ladybug ride, cool new slippers, & HOW am I going to pack that?!?!?

Isn't this just the cutest?!?!?! Doug, Amy, & Baby Chapin sent Emilia this precious little ladybug ride. I never saw one of these before - and I just love it!!!

John wanted to ride it - but I put my foot down on that one. ROFL!!! :)

I just HAD to have these!!! John says I look like a dork wearing them - but I think they're cool!! (And they are soooo comfortable)

I have been picking up stuff that we need to take to China for months, and yesterday I took everything out of their respective Walmart, Target, Kmart, Babies R Us, etc. bags....and my what a pile it all made. Now keep in mind, this is not everything, and there are no clothes here yet!!! I probably have things here that we don't necessarily need - but I'd rather have it and leave it when we get there, then get there and wish we had it. :)

I tend to be a slight overpacker, but I'm not as bad as my mother....yet. :)

Playing catch up

WOW!! The days since "THE CALL" have just flown by. I don't know if it's because I have so much I want/need to get done, but on one hand time is going fast....on the other hand though, it's not going fast enough because I want to get to China and get our girl!!!!

We have decided on Emilia's full name, and here it is: Emilia Dawn ChaNi (our last name here).



On previous posts I failed to translate her Chinese name, and it means:

Ling - a family surname; means clever, effective, quick

Cha - means tea (I love this because I drink tea every morning!!)

Ni - means feminine; a cute name for a little girl

Emily is going to be our Little Tea Girl!!! (is that too cute or what?!)

__________________________________________________________________

Here are pictures from our dinner at Bo Ling's on 11/02/06 where the Grandparents and Aunt Angee got to see Emilia's picture for the first time.



The happy parents (prior to the unveiling)



Grandma H. seeing Emilia for the first time (Grandpa was taking the pics so we didn't get his reaction)



Grandma S. and Aunt Angee seeing Emilia for the first time



The happy parents (after the unveiling)

_________________________________________________________________

ROAD TRIP

We were suppose to go to Wichita on Friday (11/3) to sign the adoption papers, but something got mixed up with Fedex, so we weren't able to go until Saturday (11/4). It was all good though, it was a beautiful day and we had an enjoyable trip.






Emilia went with us - and Daddy made sure she was buckeled in :)



We received this from Kim at our agency. She presented the Chinese takeout box to us, and inside it was the panda bear and an overly large fortune cookie. I opened the cookie and written on the ribbon was Emilia's information: name, DOB, where she is, etc. It was the best fortune cookie I've ever gotten in my life!!! :)



John (aka Daddy) signing the adoption acceptance letter



Dawn (aka Mommy) signing the adoption acceptance letter



The long ride home



________________________________________________________________

How do we disciple in our household??? HUMILIATION!!! ROFL (just the dogs - and just this once, but boy was it funny).

Two weekends ago I started putting out the Christmas decorations, and unfortunately we have a dog that likes/liked to destroy my pretties. Well, we came home the other day to find that Bo had decided to use my NEW wreath as a chew toy and eat/tear off the holly berries, and I had had enough. I told him that if he wanted it he could have it, but he was going to wear it. I put it around his neck and he looked so humiliated - John and I were laughing so hard, I just had to get a picture. I only left it on him long enough to get the picture, but you know what???? I haven't had any more problems with my decorations. LOL :)



He looks like he's auditioning for the Broadway play 'Lion King' :)

SO IN LOVE

I cannot stop looking at or thinking about this beautiful child!!! I want to be with her NOW!!!

Last night John and I went out for Chinese again (hey - we're still celebrating, LOL) and had a wonderful time. We went to Bo Ling's (the North location - where as on Thursday we had been at the Bo Ling's South location) and when our waiter Kevin brought us our check, I held out the keychain I'd made with Emily's pictures and said, "See our daughter?!" He grabbed that thing out of my hand and had the biggest grin on his face. Then another waiter (Devin) came over to see what was going on and he too broke out in a big grin and started firing away with the questions. Well...I pulled out the untranslated medical and personal info that I just happed to have with us (LOL) and they were more than excited to help us understand what it said.

Kevin and Devin confirmed some things we already knew, but told us many other things - and we are so greatful to them for that.

Confirmation and new info we learned:

1) Confirmation = Her name is Ling Cha Ni
2) Confirmation = She is in the Jiangxi Province, Shangrao SWI
3) Confirmation = DOB 12/25/05 (They loved this - "She Christmas Baby!!")
4) New = All health issues are marked normal on her medical report
5) New = The boo boo on her cheek is/was a mosquito bite
6) New = She was found 12/27/05 outside a building with a half bottle of milk
7) Confirmation = Her favorite toy is/was a doll

The guys were/are so excited for us - and made us promise to bring her in. Of course, we told them we would have absolutely no problem with that request seeing that it is our FAVORITE place. :)

I would like to thank everyone who has stopped by and left such wonderful comments and/or sent an email. They are appreciated and received by a heart that is overflowing with joy and love for a little girl so many miles away - but soon will be home with Mommy and Daddy!!

Happy 43 Brother!!!

Happy Birthday Doug!!! We hope you have a wonderful birthday (and don't forget to give Tony a kiss for Dawn - hee hee). (Doug is in Dallas for the NASCAR races this weekend just in case you were wondering how he'd get to give Tony a kiss. LOL)

Love you,
John, Dawn & Emilia :)

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN THE WORLD!!!!

It is with the utmost praise and thanksgiving that we introduce you to Ling Cha Ni (soon to be known as Emilia Dawn Ni - we think). :) We think she is the most beautiful girl in the world - and can't wait to get her in our arms!!!!

At the time of her last medical (7/18/06) she weighed 13.64 pounds, was 25 inches long, had no teeth at the time, and her birthdate is......CHRISTMAS DAY!!!! 12/25/05!!!!

She is in an orphanage in the Jiangxi Province (and months ago I told John that I had a feeling our girl would be from that province). Did I mention that we think she is the most beautiful girl in the world?!?!?!

In her picture - she appears to have a little boo boo on her cheek, and I think she needs her mommy there stat to give her all kinds of healing kisses. :)

WE ARE SOOOOOO IN LOVE!!!!

We celebrated with our families tonight eating Chinese (we missed you Doug, Amy & Chapin), and the grandparents, Aunt Angee, and cousin Anna went wild for her. The waiter and waitresses were excited for us too. They even translated some of her info for us (we don't have all the translated info on her just yet).

We're off to Wichita tomorrow (road trip) to pick up her file and sign papers. I can't remember if I mentioned that we love her so and think she is absolutely beautiful. :)

OH MY WORD - IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!!

Last night (or actually very early this morning) I had my first dream regarding LID's, but it wasn't a good one. I practically woke up in tears at 2:30 am because in my dream China only got through 8/13!!! UGGGG!!! I forced myself to stay in bed and not run to the computer - but you know what I did as soon as my alarm clock went off this morning?!?!? Yup, ran to the computer and was so overjoyed to see that CCAA had finally updated their site with the awesome news that in fact our date is included in the new batch of referrals that should be arriving at agencies today.

I GOT GOOSEBUMPS ON TOP OF GOOSEBUMPS!!!

The stork is flying!!! The stork is flying!!!

Word on the street is that referrals are on their way. I've had so many ups & downs the past 2 weeks I don't know whether to be happy, anxious, cautious, or just plain sick to my stomach!!!

I'm going to gorge myself with Mexican tonight -and pray that CCAA updates their site and gives us some good news!!!

BRING ON THE TACOS & CHEESE DIP!!! :)

The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

My nephew is just too darn cute!!!

New baby, great finds, and yummy pics

Nope, still no referral news...but I have other fun and exciting things to share:

1) My friend Hilary and her husband Kelly welcomed their first child to the world yesterday, and I went by and saw them today. Little Walker Grant is an absolute doll, and I could barely take my eyes off of him. He was making the cutest faces. :)





Congratulations Hilary and Kelly & welcome to the world Walker!!!!


2) Some of you long time followers may remember that in February '06 I found the softest teddy bear (dressed as a bunny) at Hallmark (picture of said bear below) - well, I have been mulling over that fact that depending on her size it may be a tad too big for her to handle very well, but I don't have to worry about that anymore because.....................



I FOUND AN ITTY BITTY ONE!!!! Now I know for sure that this one is going with us.


(Isn't it too cute?!?!)




I also found this really soft mini blanket for her (now if I could find one of these bad boys in a king size, I'd be in hog heaven)



Then, because I just HAVE to go into hospital gift shops when I'm by one, I popped in after visiting the little family...and by golly look what I found for Emily - Trumpette socks!! I love these little socks. They look little ballerina shoes. Needless to say I got her 6 pairs!!

AND #3) These aren't pictures of my baby (the ones I really would have liked to have gotten today) - but I sure do enjoy them (hee hee). My pal Sandy brought these to me and boy o boy!!

In case you don't know who this fine looking gentleman is...it's Dierks Bentley. He's one of my favorite country singers, and he's pretty much all I've been listening to for a couple months. John affectionately calls him Jerks, but he says it in love (hee hee).





Well, that's about it for my excitement. Oh, I hit some kind of bug on the way home - and I have never seen anything like it. I didn't see what exactly it was, but judging by the carnage the thing had to be the size of a small bird. I literally almost lost my Taco Bell. It was sooooo gross!!! YUCK!!!

Tomorrow is the big 37 for me - and I'm really hoping for news of our girl. I don't know how much longer my stomach can stand these knots!!!

Ain't nobody gonna grab these by mistake

To start off with - NO - no word yet on our girl. My stomach has been in knots, I haven't been able to sleep worth a darn...but boy have I been in a good mood!!! LOL

John on the other hand has had his share of...well, let's just say tension filled moments. It has struck me funny, because this whole time he has basically been Mr. Mellow Man ("It'll happen when it happens") but the past 2 weeks he's been kinda nutty. LOL!! I knew the wait would get to him eventually. :)

Check out these bad babies!! Yesterday I bought what will hopefully be the luggage that nobody will grab but us. I don't think there will be too many people with neon lime green luggage at the luggage-go-round in China (at least I hope not). LOL





















I am not the type of gal that likes to check luggage (I like to get on the plane, get to where I'm going, grab my bag from the overhead compartment, and be on my way) but on my return trip from San Diego a couple months ago, I had checked my bag (my black bag) and swore at the luggage carousel that I would never go through that again, "Is that my bag....NO....is that my bag!??!?!" Considering that we need to pack for 2 weeks for 3 people, we will be checking bags --- so here' s hoping that our lovely luggage will stick out like a sore thumb!!! :)

__________________________________________________________

Today marks the 2-year anniversary of our "officially" starting the Journey to Emilia. It was 10/26/04 that I requested information from the agency that we would wind up using - HIS Kids Adoptions International.

It has been a long journey, but we are in the home stretch now, and to know that we are so close to our baby - well, it brings tears to my eyes.

HANG ON BABY GIRL....WE'RE COMING!!!!

I'M SO EXCITED I CAN HARDLY STAND IT!!!!

Word is hitting the adoption boards that the cutoff is 8/23!!!! We just spoke with our agency and a package is on it's way from China!!!!

OH MY WORD!!! WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT ABOUT OUR GIRL (HOPEFULLY) NEXT WEEK!!!! (My insides are doing flippies off the dock here!!!!)

WHOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!

9/30/06 Busch Race Day

Mom and I arrived at the track around 9:30 am and headed for the garage/pit area. Dad was going to join us later, because with his terrible back problems he wouldn't be able to stand all day. John was suppose to be there with us too - but he's been off work for several weeks already with severe back problems, and wouldn't have been able to do all the standing and walking so he opted to stay home. (Note: In case you are wondering, besides the pit boxes, there is no place to sit in the garage/pit area.)

When we got there the Cup guys were getting in their final practice before Sunday, and the Busch drivers were awaiting qualifying.

Here are some of my favorite pics from Saturday:


I love this picture. Ashton's #25 car awaiting qualifying while Tony zooms by in the background practicing.


Here comes TTTTTTTTony!!!!


Now I know I'm one to be talking, but this picture just cracks me up. Tony's belt is pooching a bit, and looks as though it may be a tad snug. ROFL!!! I did hear he's got a personal trainer now though - so good on him. Wish I could have one of those!!! :)


Reed Sorenson with a dude that has a Tom Cruise profile. Now I don't throw that comparison around lightly (cause you know I love my Tommy) but he does have a T.C. profile. :)


Asthon Lewis Jr.


I just cannot say enough nice things about Ashton. He is an absolute doll and so sweet.

Mom and I were trying to figure out if the guy hanging with Aston was Gary Weisbaum (Co-owner/partner Team Rensi Motorsports) who we were to meet. Mom catches Asthon's eye and starts mouthing, "Is that Gary Weisbaum??" It was so funny. You could tell Ashton had no idea what she was saying....I started laughing....and here he comes. Mom asked him again if the man with him was Gary, and he said, "No - that's my dad." We introduced ourselves to him, and he stayed and talked with us for quite a bit. I have to just reiterate here that he is a doll!!! So nice!!!


Mom and Ashton


Me and Ashton

WOW!!! Do I have nerve. I picked on Tony and then I look at this picture and I make up almost 2 Ashton's!!!! Where's my personal trainer?!?!?!? :)


#35 McDonald's driver Regan Smith (Team Rensi Motorsports)


At last...Gary Weisbaum (dark blue shirt) with Ashton, and Ashton's dad (LOL)

Gary is peeps with my brother, and he is such a nice man. He treated us so well, and I can't thank him enough for his hospitality.


Now those are some gas cans!!!


Pops enjoying some BBQ in front of the McDonald's hauler before we head out for driver introductions


Rob Winchester

I don't know what's up with the look on Rob's face, but now knowing his personality (ornery), I could put a few captions - but I'll refrain. (How about you Doug?!?!?) LOL

Rob is also friends with my brother and was the man responsible for getting us our admission passes. He is a super nice guy (did I mention ornery?) and he also treated us so well. He took us out so we could watch the driver introductions from the track, and hooked us up with scanners during the race.

Gary, Rob and Ashton are 3 definate assets to the racing community. Great guys!!!


Ashton and his dad walking through the garage area


Rob getting us hooked up with scanners


The flaggy guy's stand :)


A view of the stands from the track, and the Mustangs that will take the drivers to their cars after they're introduced.


Mom and Pops


This picture cracks me up because it's like 'Where's Waldo?' In this picture is Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne. I took the picture because of Tony (of course) but didn't notice Kasey was even there until I downloaded the pictures.

DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS


Greg Biffle BIFFLE!!!!


J.J. Yeley


Tony




Belts not wantn' to stay tight on this one either!!! ROFL (what is with me tonight?!?!)


Regan Smith


Asthon




Kasey Kahne




Local favorite Clint Bowyer (I used to watch him race at Lakeside here in KC)


Kevin Harvick


Carl Edwards




Kyle Busch


Reed Sorenson


Denny Hamlin


Jeff Burton


Matt Kenseth


View of the crowd from the infield


Mom and Pops waiting for the race to start (we're in the Marine's pit area here)


Fly over (I always love these!!!)


Ed Rensi (Rensi Motorsports)


View of the start/finish line from the pit area


I like this picture HOORAH!!!


Team Marine ready for Ashton to pit


Mom and I were able to get up on the pit box for most of the race. Pops back started hurting, so he decided to leave. That's Lloyd Wideman with us who does sports management and works with Team Rensi.


The pit box. It was really cool being able to sit up there. The scary part was we were told that if the #25 car crashed (thank GOD it didn't - I was praying) we were to drop everything from our hands and get off the cart pronto. Let's just say that when I first got up there I was figuring out where I could jump. LOL


View of Team Marine from the pit box


Picture of Tony (#33) and Ashton (#25) as they pass by


Asthon coming in for a pit


Ashton tearing out after a pit


Where Harvick takes the lead from Kyle Busch and holds on to win the race


Gotta hate it when pieces of your car just fall off. LOL


And the winning #'s are:

1. Harvick
2. Kenseth
3. Busch (Kyle)
4. Stewart
5. Bowyer
6. Edwards
7. Sorenson
8. Biffle (BIFFLE!!!!)
9. Labonte
10. Menard
11. Yeley
12. Leicht
13. Reutimann
14. Lewis Jr.
15. Jon Wood


Now that's one heck of a souvenier!!! (and yes - that is the actual hood off the wrecked Kingsford car) ROFL!!!


On my way home from dropping off the Momma - I saw the McDonald's hauler getting ready to get on the highway to head out.


And right in front of it was the Marine's hauler.

Well, in case you couldn't tell - I had a wonderful time at the Kansas Speedway (from Wednesday right on thru to Saturday).

My SIL Angee called me Sunday morning and said she could get us in to see the Cup race - but that we wouldn't have a seat - and because my feet were still screaming and John's back being as it is, I passed - but boy did I miss a race. AND MY BOY WON!!!!

I would just like to thank everyone again who made all this possible. You all are all awesome - and you definately helped make some memories that will last forever!!