And the beat goes on...

Don't you find it funny... when you are waiting for something huge to happen. Some date, or a party, the world just keeps on going... does the world not realize that we leave in like 24 days to pick up our DAUGHTER! Jeesh...
Anyways, it's been awhile since I have had any time to post! Although there isn't much to tell. We hare happily preparing for our trip to China. Kyle and I are both a little freaked out, nervous, excited, scared, overwhelmed and extremely excited!We are surrounded with so much love and support, it's crazy! Some people are truly as excited as we are. Kyle has become MISTER fix it! To know Kyle (and to love Kyle) you need to understand how NOT handy he is. I am not writing anything that he doesn't know to be true! He does not have a "fix it" bone... never has. Over the years I have come to appreciate Kyle's clumsy, spastic attempts at fixing things... that's what the yellow pages are for... right? Well in the last little while, Kyle has fixed a window, changed a VERY high up outdoor light bulb, gotten rid of birds that were building nests in our vents (thankfully no eggs yet!!!) These birds were building nests in our vents from our house to the outside... we could hear them in the walls!!. Kyle has also washed our outside windows, changed the handle on a stubborn toilet that kept running, and CHANGED OUR KITCHEN TAPS! I know! Amazing!Couldn't' get over it.We have had lengthy discussions about Lauryn. She is just so precious. I have organized all her doctors visits for when she is home. I can't wait to get her all set up.One thing that is stressing me out totally is that we are still waiting for her citizenship part one application to be processed. We can't travel without this... makes me nervous. The call centre reps thinks I am nuts! I have called at least 6 times, and have also sent a letter with a copy of our e-tickets as proof we leave on May 22nd. Getting nervous about this one.I am wrapping things up at work. 12 more days until my vacation starts! I will be on vacation for almost 4 weeks... then my parental leave kicks in. YAHOO! Off until Feb. 26! What will I do? So excited about this, you really haven't any idea!This weekend I am locking myself in our spare room, starting to pack and get organized! I am really looking forward to doing all Lauryn's laundry... I wonder if I will feel the same in a year or two! LOL!There you have it folks... all for now.Keep happy!xo

Patience of a Saint... or not!

Is not a term you would use to describe me! Kyle maybe...

Just in case you would like to join our countdown...

38 days
or
3,283,200 seconds
or
54,720 minutes
or
912 hours
or
5 weeks (rounded down)

Until Lauryn is in our arms! OMG! We will meet Lauryn on Monday May 24, 2010.

She will be 1 year, 10 months, 12 days old when we meet her.

Kyle and I stare at each other a lot in pure wonderment! I know we certainly aren't the only couple that has gone through this. We are just so proud of us! lol!
Keep Happy!
xo

What are we doing in 39 days...

...GOING TO CHINA!
It happened we got the letter. The magic LOA has arrived. We are finally going to CHINA. That's right folks... up up and away!
The tickets have been purchased, our visa's are being prepared and we are leaving for the far away place that now holds everything dear to us. Our daughter, Lauryn!
We leave on May 22nd! 39 days away! We arrive home on June 3rd.
We are now in the middle of panic, excitement, anxiety, tears of joy and well... panic! I can't believe the day has come and our world as we know it has changed forever!
Lots going on! Wanted to make sure that all that follow our blog were in the loop of Lauryn!
Thanks so much for all the well wishes! We are surrounded with positive, happy, helpful people that we rely on daily!
Is it to early to pack?
Keep Happy
xo

Care packages and more pictures!

I think I am nesting. One of my dearest friends has mentioned this to me. I think she is right. I am a homebody usually. Lately, all I want to so is be in my house. I don't know why. I want to make it perfect for Lauryn. I want to have everything cleaner than clean, pretty, cozy and just give her the wonderful gift of home. There really is nothing better! I have made lists and more lists about what I want to do, what I should be doing and why it has to be done. I think I am driving Kyle crazy. He just takes it all in stride! Such a great guy!

WE were able to send Lauryn a care package. We used Red Thread China and we were assisted by Ann. She is amazing and I can't say enough about her. We sent Lauryn some pj's, a blanket, a couple of books, a pair of shoes, a disposable camera, a baby doll, Kyle chose an Ernie doll for her, some cakes and tea for the nannies at the orphanage, a photo album and some other little trinkets! We were also able to write her a letter. It is still pretty crazy to us that we are now a Mommy and a Daddy! It's all been so wonderful! I don't think we have had a conversation that hasn't included Lauryn!

Just going through all of our adoption paper work. WOWOWOW! We have done a lot of planning. I guess when are in the thick of it, it just becomes part of your day. When I look at the amount of paper we have accumulated... it's crazy!

Ann from Red Thread sent us some new pictures of baby Lauryn. This seems to be the most recent...

What a beauty! She is all ours... I can't believe.

Alright... back to my nest!

Keep Happy!

One more thing... Baby Carter came into the world on Friday morning! 8:02 he was born. Kyle and I went to see our friends and their new little bundle. He is a beauty! Welcome to the world little guy! xo

WE ARE OUT OF REVIEW

HUGE step for the Thomson's!
Our LID is out of review.
The CCAA has reviewed files up to and including December 21, 2008!
Our LID (logged in date) is August 26, 2008.

Now we are waiting for our LSC (Letter Seeking Confirmation). This is sent to us from CCAA and once we sign it and send it back to the CCAA they will give us a TRAVEL ANNOUNCEMENT!

Hang on to your hat baby Lauryn! Mommy and Daddy are coming!

Wow!
xo

LOI approved! Here's a little bit about our girl

We have been in a whirl wind around the Thomson house! On Friday February 19, our SW came and presented Lauryn to us formally. Then our letter of intent was approved by China.

We are now waiting for our dossier to be approved and the ministry of Ontario to approve us specifically for Lauryn. We have our first doctors appointment for Lauryn on March 23 at 11:00.

Here is some information on our girl, Baby Lauryn!

Her birthday is July 12, 2008

She is in Guandong Provice, Shantou City (sp.??)

Her Chinese name is Xiaoxia - pronounced shousha, translates to little shrimp!

She is about 20lbs and 30 inches tall.

She loves the water.

She loves to play outside.

She is cooperative when getting dressed.

She loves company, and will cry when a nanny at the orphanage takes kids away from the playroom (ahhh!)

She is closest to her caregivers. They describe her as a lovely child with a ready smile!

She is a moderate sleeper - interesting... Mommy and Daddy are both DEEEEEEEP sleepers!

She is sometimes impatient and obstinate.

She is active, and can walk when one hand is being held.

She rubs her blanket against her cheek when sleeping. Kyle does this too!

She says "Oh, Oh!" like only a precious almost two year old can!

She knows what NO means! haha!

Her favourite toy is a doll that she cuddles in her arms!

She likes to play on the swings.

She likes to eat fish and veggies, milk paste and congee.

She loves to imitate.

When playing, she will sometimes put a box on her head and giggle!!

She likes to be teased!

Kyle and I are over the moon in love. The support from our family and friends has been amazing! Thank you one and all for making this time so filled with joy!

Thanks especially to my Mom and Dad. We have been up many a night talking about how cute everything she does is.

To my wonderful husband who has never worked harder. You are the light of my life, I am so blessed to be sharing this with you!

Hopefully we will travel in a couple of months to bring our girl home! WOW!

Keep Happy

xo

Kyle and I would like you to meet...

Our girl! That's right. OUR GIRL. Is she not the most precious, sweet, darling, angelic, smart, curious, miraculous, adoring, lovable little thing that you have ever laid eyes on?

We think so.

This is Lauryn! We got our referral! She will be presented to us formally on Friday!

Her birthday is July 12, 2008! She is about 20 lbs and about 30 inches tall.

Sorry to have been so quiet about all this. I can't hold it in one second more...

We have our daughter!

Thanks to our family and friends for the loads of support and all the well wishes at such a special time.

She is healthy and happy and just like we imagined her to be. Cute as a button!
She looks full of spirit. I think our hearts have grown triple in size overnight. We are so full of emotion its very hard to post.

Wanted to let the world know that we are mere months away from travelling to bring our baby girl home. If only I could put into words what this means to us. We have a dream come true.

Keep Happy everyone.

xo