Well....The 7 week diet total is ...... 21.6 pounds down. I am averaging a little over 3 pounds per
week, and I am THRILLED !!!!!
The folks in my Baptist Health Diet class are wonderful. I have met some really neat people.
In my class tonite, there was 1 girl who has lost 121 pounds in about a year and a half. There was a guy in class tonite who hit the 100 pound mark today.
It just goes to show that it can be done. To be at my ideal body weight, I should drop about 150 pounds. I will be thrilled to be down 75 pounds...that will put me at a BMI<40.
I believe in being realistic. Weighing 130 pounds is not realistic for me. I'd be thrilled being a size 16-18...that way I could shop anywhere, and my butt will fit in a plane seat !!!!
So...wish me luck as I continue this journey.
Oh ... by the way ... My sister has lost 27.5 pounds on the same diet.
Have a great day.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
Review room ... what's a review room????
At the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs ... we get our referrals in 2 steps.
1) The review room ... this is where the chinese officials review the dossier to make sure
all documents are complete and acceptable. Sometimes, they request additional information, but most dossiers are approved and sent to the referral stage.
2) The match process. This is where the Chinese officials review the children available for adoption and match them with a dossier. Once this process is completed ... it is referral time.
In the referral, I will receive a few pictures of the child, her basic medical condition ... which of course is limited to only what is known by the orphanage officials, her birthdate, or best estimate of her birthdate.
Here is where we stand in the process as of today ... JUNE 22, 2007.
The CCAA has REVIEWED all dossiers submitted before April 30, 2006. WHOO HOO ... that means I am 4 months away from being reviewed in the review room.
The CCAA has processed referrals on all dossiers submitted before November 7, 2005. BOO HOO .... still a very long way from referral !!!!!!!!!!
1) The review room ... this is where the chinese officials review the dossier to make sure
all documents are complete and acceptable. Sometimes, they request additional information, but most dossiers are approved and sent to the referral stage.
2) The match process. This is where the Chinese officials review the children available for adoption and match them with a dossier. Once this process is completed ... it is referral time.
In the referral, I will receive a few pictures of the child, her basic medical condition ... which of course is limited to only what is known by the orphanage officials, her birthdate, or best estimate of her birthdate.
Here is where we stand in the process as of today ... JUNE 22, 2007.
The CCAA has REVIEWED all dossiers submitted before April 30, 2006. WHOO HOO ... that means I am 4 months away from being reviewed in the review room.
The CCAA has processed referrals on all dossiers submitted before November 7, 2005. BOO HOO .... still a very long way from referral !!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Cyber Showers/Hair Bow Swaps/Secret Pals ... OH MY !!!!
I have been so blessed to get involved with some wonderful Yahoo Groups. My August DTC group has a "cyber shower" every even number month. In odd number months we swap hats and hair bows.
There is also an August/September Secret Pal Group. Every other month, we send and receive gifts. I have gotten some great stuff....and I am having a blast.
There is also an August/September Secret Pal Group. Every other month, we send and receive gifts. I have gotten some great stuff....and I am having a blast.
Monday, June 18, 2007
My wishes for my Daughter
As I sit here ... thinking about my adoption ... I found this list of wishes I made for Mari-Grace. I decided to share them ... just because you guys ... the readers of this blog ... my family and friends ... you will be the ones who can help me make these wishes a reality.
1. I want you to know that you are loved. I did not have the opportunity to feel you grow in my tummy, but I did have the chance for you to grow in my heart. I waited, a very long time to hold you in my arms. I want you to know that I love you, with my whole heart, and that we will forever be a family.
2. I want you to understand that I am not perfect. I will mess up. I will make mistakes. There will be times that you don’t like me very well … because I am your mom. Just remember that I love you. This is a learning experience … for both of us … and we will get thru it together.
3. I hope that you know that you were not created by accident. God has a purpose for you on this earth … after all … he guided me to you … and you have made such a wonderful difference in my life.
4. I hope that you know God … not just as a higher power … but really know him. I want you to know that he created you … by special design … and there is no one exactly like you. God knows your heart … share it with him … allow him to be present in your heart, your thoughts, your words. I hope that you talk with him, and let him be your best friend. Share your secrets, your hopes, your dreams, your fears. God will always be with you.
5. I want you to know that you have inspired me to think outside the boundaries of my own little world. I’ve learned so much about a culture so very different from my own. My wish is that I can successfully teach you what I have learned about the people, traditions, and culture of China. I have learned to think about your homeland with an open mind and open heart … I want for you the same thing.
6. I want you to know that you have inspired me to learn new things, for example … scrap booking …. I’ve made 3 for you already. I am also learning to sew. I desparately want to make this quilt for you by myself…as a heart gift. Why is this important to know? It goes to show you that interests change as life circumstances change. 10 years ago, if asked if I’d be sewing, scrap booking, and planning for a daughter, my answer would be NO WAY … but here I am ….waiting on you, and doing things I never thought of before. It is an example of knowing that with the right motivation…anything is possible.
“ I didn’t give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know,
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.
For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn’t give you the gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.”
author unknown
1. I want you to know that you are loved. I did not have the opportunity to feel you grow in my tummy, but I did have the chance for you to grow in my heart. I waited, a very long time to hold you in my arms. I want you to know that I love you, with my whole heart, and that we will forever be a family.
2. I want you to understand that I am not perfect. I will mess up. I will make mistakes. There will be times that you don’t like me very well … because I am your mom. Just remember that I love you. This is a learning experience … for both of us … and we will get thru it together.
3. I hope that you know that you were not created by accident. God has a purpose for you on this earth … after all … he guided me to you … and you have made such a wonderful difference in my life.
4. I hope that you know God … not just as a higher power … but really know him. I want you to know that he created you … by special design … and there is no one exactly like you. God knows your heart … share it with him … allow him to be present in your heart, your thoughts, your words. I hope that you talk with him, and let him be your best friend. Share your secrets, your hopes, your dreams, your fears. God will always be with you.
5. I want you to know that you have inspired me to think outside the boundaries of my own little world. I’ve learned so much about a culture so very different from my own. My wish is that I can successfully teach you what I have learned about the people, traditions, and culture of China. I have learned to think about your homeland with an open mind and open heart … I want for you the same thing.
6. I want you to know that you have inspired me to learn new things, for example … scrap booking …. I’ve made 3 for you already. I am also learning to sew. I desparately want to make this quilt for you by myself…as a heart gift. Why is this important to know? It goes to show you that interests change as life circumstances change. 10 years ago, if asked if I’d be sewing, scrap booking, and planning for a daughter, my answer would be NO WAY … but here I am ….waiting on you, and doing things I never thought of before. It is an example of knowing that with the right motivation…anything is possible.
“ I didn’t give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know,
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.
For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn’t give you the gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.”
author unknown
A Poem for the Wait
Just a waitin’
By Kammy K. 08-12-06
There’s a little girl
Across the ocean wide
She’s got pretty black hair
And almond shaped dark eyes.
Although I’ve never seen her
She’s destined to be mine,
Red threads connect our hearts
Over space and throughout time.
I’m going to go and get her
When I finally get the call
But it’s a really long wait
It will drive me up the wall !!!!
I’m just a waitin’
Just a waitin’.
By Kammy K. 08-12-06
There’s a little girl
Across the ocean wide
She’s got pretty black hair
And almond shaped dark eyes.
Although I’ve never seen her
She’s destined to be mine,
Red threads connect our hearts
Over space and throughout time.
I’m going to go and get her
When I finally get the call
But it’s a really long wait
It will drive me up the wall !!!!
I’m just a waitin’
Just a waitin’.
Why China ????
If I only had a nickel for everytime I have been asked this question. The following is something I wrote to go in a scrapbook for Mari-Grace.
Why did I choose China?
November 12, 2006
Someday, you will ask “Why did you choose China?”
Well, to be quite honest, I didn’t choose China, China chose me.
I prayed that God would open the doors for this adoption process and show me where to go. I read a lot about international adoption, and the programs that are available to single moms are very limited. As a single mom, I could choose Guatemala, Vietnam, China, or the USA.
With research on each country, I found myself being pulled toward China. I felt this unexplained tug at my heart … with each picture I saw, article I read, and meeting I went to … the tug grew more and more. With the other countries, I didn’t feel this tug at my heart.
I prayed that God would show me which country I was meant adopt from, and he opened the door to China.
I can’t really explain the reasons I chose China. It is very difficult to put into words. All I can say is I feel like a part of me is missing … there is a part of my heart that is incomplete, and I feel like you are that piece. There is something drawing us together, and the force is strong. I feel very strongly that God has created you for me and I won’t feel complete until you are in my arms. I was told once to always follow my heart, and that is exactly what I am doing now. I chose to listen to that tug, and I am following my heart.
By faith, I stepped into this process, and by faith I am being led. I have been chosen by God to be your mother … and you were chosen by God to be my daughter. He has guided me to China, and thru a paper chase, and a long wait, over 1000’s of miles, and a long journey, he will bring us together.
I didn’t choose China, by the grace of God, China chose me.
Why did I choose China?
November 12, 2006
Someday, you will ask “Why did you choose China?”
Well, to be quite honest, I didn’t choose China, China chose me.
I prayed that God would open the doors for this adoption process and show me where to go. I read a lot about international adoption, and the programs that are available to single moms are very limited. As a single mom, I could choose Guatemala, Vietnam, China, or the USA.
With research on each country, I found myself being pulled toward China. I felt this unexplained tug at my heart … with each picture I saw, article I read, and meeting I went to … the tug grew more and more. With the other countries, I didn’t feel this tug at my heart.
I prayed that God would show me which country I was meant adopt from, and he opened the door to China.
I can’t really explain the reasons I chose China. It is very difficult to put into words. All I can say is I feel like a part of me is missing … there is a part of my heart that is incomplete, and I feel like you are that piece. There is something drawing us together, and the force is strong. I feel very strongly that God has created you for me and I won’t feel complete until you are in my arms. I was told once to always follow my heart, and that is exactly what I am doing now. I chose to listen to that tug, and I am following my heart.
By faith, I stepped into this process, and by faith I am being led. I have been chosen by God to be your mother … and you were chosen by God to be my daughter. He has guided me to China, and thru a paper chase, and a long wait, over 1000’s of miles, and a long journey, he will bring us together.
I didn’t choose China, by the grace of God, China chose me.
10 Months Down
Well...today is June18,2007. As of today, it has been 10 months since my log-in date. On one hand ... the wait has flown by ... but on the other it is dragging. Today wasn't a sad day ... even though it rained, and I gained 0.7 lbs. I received a great gift from my secret pal today. I'll post a picture later. I don't have DSL (yes ... I'm too cheap to upgrade), so it takes forever to upload photos at home. Not much else to report. So I'll sign off.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
The Rest of my Family
BMI 30 Here I come
This is me ... January 2007 .I was lucky ... my paperwork went DTC in August 06 ... I will not be affected by the new regulations regarding Chinese adoption that went into effect May 1, 2007.
The new regulations would eliminate me on 2 accounts: 1) I am single and 2) I have a body mass index greater than 40.
I decided it was time to get in shape ... so in May 2007, I started the Baptist Med System weight loss program. I eat 2 entrees a day ... I drink 3 shakes a day ... and that's it. I weigh in once weekly ... see a doctor once a week...and have lab-work every other week. It is a very low calorie diet ... about 900 per day ... that is why there is so much medical monitoring.
WOO HOO ... I have lost 18.8 pounds in 5 weeks. I am thrilled. It is a 13 week program ... I have the potential to lose about 60 pounds. My goal is 75.
Kelley, my sis, is also doing the program ... she has lost 23 lbs. Our hind ends are gonna fit in those plane seats if it kills us !!!! (ha ha ha ha)
My "babies"
These are my favorite kiddos .... my nephew, Caleb, will be 18 in July. My niece, Hannah turned 13 in February.
They are thrilled at becoming cousins... Caleb is planning on taking Mari-Grace fishing, and to Walmart.
Hannah just wants to take her everywhere. Hannah loves coming over and looking thru the
closet and drawers to see what new baby stuff has arrived.
The Red Thread Legend
The legend reads:An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of me, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.
This is a cross-stitch pattern I found online. I should have ironed it before taking a photo, but I didn't ... sorry for the wrinkles.
If you would like a red thread poem cross-stitched for you, I am willing to do this to help pass my time. I will do the cross stitch for $30 each ... that covers material, thread, and time. It will be sent to you un-framed. It takes about 3 weeks to complete a cross-stitch, since it is done in my time off. The procedes will go toward travel expenses for the adoption.
E-mail me at kmkrx72@aol.com if you are interested.
100 Good Wishes Quilt
In Feb 2007, I decided to create a "100 Good Wishes Quilt" for Mari-Grace.
It is a tradition in Northern China to give a pregnant woman pieces of fabric for a quilt. With each piece of fabric comes a good wish. It is said that when the child is wrapped in the quilt, she will be wrapped in the good wishes and good fortune of all of those who contributed.
I finished collecting my squares in June 2007. I have 165 from friends, family, and members of the yahoo group for the 100 good wishes quilt. I have posted pictures of the quilt lay-out.
In the center are 4 squares ... one represents God, as he should be the center of our lives. Next is a square that represents me, Mari-Grace, and her birth parents. These 4 squares are then surrounded by immediate family, extended family, friends, and on the outermost part are the squares from strangers who cared enough to send good wishes.
The quilt is going to be sewn with red thread ... in honor of the legend of the Red Thread.
I am very fortunate to have enough fabric to make a queen size quilt and a crib size quilt.
I have a scrapbook containing the wishes, with fabric samples, so that as Mari-Grace grows up, she can read the good wishes, and pick out who contributed what fabric.
The Room
Being excitied about being a Mama ... I decided to do the room early on in the adoption process.
I chose to paint the walls a sage green color ... to me it is restful. Her curtains are white, with a pink bacground and flowers embroidered. Her baby bed and furniture is a cherry wood ... and the bed converts to a full size bed, so we will get lots of use out of it !!!!!! I chose a quilted baby set, that is very girly. Hopefully the pictures will show what it looks like.
The Paper Chase
I made the decision to adopt my daughter from China in February 2006. I set about to find an agency that would work with a single mom. Most agencies I spoke with told me the wait for a slot in the singles quota for China would be 18 months. So, I resigned myself to start the process as soon as a slot was available.
I attended several informational meetings, and decided that I would use Holt International.
At one of the informational meetings for Dillon International, I met a great lady .. Mrs. Christy Horne. On April 24,2006, she made a trip to the pharmacy where I work to tell me that Dillon had received notice of an unexpected opening for a single mom. She asked if I wanted to consider the spot .... My answer, an over-whelming YES !!!!!!
I prayed that God would show me what he wanted me to do .... and that he did.
First came the unexpected opening in the quota.
April 26, 2006 ... my pre-application was approved. I had 90-120 days to complete my formal application. It was completed on May 13, and approved shortly after.
June 9, 2006 I completed my home studies ... China requires 4 ... with 1 in home visit.
July 14, 2006 I filed my I-600a .... the application with UCSIS to adopt a foreign child.
At the time I filed, I was lucky to get to use the Fort Smith, AR USCIS office. It took 10 days to get my I-171h approved and returned. The wait time average, for most people, was 3-4 months to get the I-171h .... the last document necessary for the dossier.
Around July 25, I fedex'd my dossier to the Dillon office in Tulsa. And much to my surprise, I was DTC to China on August 7, 2006.
I waited anxiously for a log-in-date. It was mid-September when i found out my LID was
August 18, 2006.
My paper-chase was finished ..... roughly 4 months start to finish ... and now the wait began.
One thing I learned .... DON'T ASK GOD TO OPEN DOORS IF YOU ARE NOT READY TO WALK THRU THEM !!!!!!!! When you ask for God's help .... have the faith to step out and believe in his guidance.
In the paperchase phase of this adoption .... God provided the money when I needed it, thru an opportunity to work for a friend on my days off. He provided the space in the quota ... in much less than 18 months ... and more than that ... He has provided wonderful support thru my family, friends, co-workers, and customers.
I am going to be a Mama !!!!!!
I attended several informational meetings, and decided that I would use Holt International.
At one of the informational meetings for Dillon International, I met a great lady .. Mrs. Christy Horne. On April 24,2006, she made a trip to the pharmacy where I work to tell me that Dillon had received notice of an unexpected opening for a single mom. She asked if I wanted to consider the spot .... My answer, an over-whelming YES !!!!!!
I prayed that God would show me what he wanted me to do .... and that he did.
First came the unexpected opening in the quota.
April 26, 2006 ... my pre-application was approved. I had 90-120 days to complete my formal application. It was completed on May 13, and approved shortly after.
June 9, 2006 I completed my home studies ... China requires 4 ... with 1 in home visit.
July 14, 2006 I filed my I-600a .... the application with UCSIS to adopt a foreign child.
At the time I filed, I was lucky to get to use the Fort Smith, AR USCIS office. It took 10 days to get my I-171h approved and returned. The wait time average, for most people, was 3-4 months to get the I-171h .... the last document necessary for the dossier.
Around July 25, I fedex'd my dossier to the Dillon office in Tulsa. And much to my surprise, I was DTC to China on August 7, 2006.
I waited anxiously for a log-in-date. It was mid-September when i found out my LID was
August 18, 2006.
My paper-chase was finished ..... roughly 4 months start to finish ... and now the wait began.
One thing I learned .... DON'T ASK GOD TO OPEN DOORS IF YOU ARE NOT READY TO WALK THRU THEM !!!!!!!! When you ask for God's help .... have the faith to step out and believe in his guidance.
In the paperchase phase of this adoption .... God provided the money when I needed it, thru an opportunity to work for a friend on my days off. He provided the space in the quota ... in much less than 18 months ... and more than that ... He has provided wonderful support thru my family, friends, co-workers, and customers.
I am going to be a Mama !!!!!!
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