Wonderful Memories

Exactly one year ago today, at a little after 2:00 p.m., Scott sat across from me at a Chinese restaurant in Miami. I can still, a year later, hear his words clearly in my mind. "Please don't get mad at me, but what do you think about calling J. (the girl that told us about AJ's birthmom) and asking her if that baby is still available!"

I couldn't believe it, because it had only been a couple of weeks before when I was approached about this girl's pregnancy and the possibility of us adopting domestically when Scott adamantly said "No! We just found our son (Kai) and we will have our hands full. We agreed to only adopting one, and we both have agreed about the horrors of adopting domestically." I sat at the restaurant table almost in disbelief of the words I had just heard. Mad? Was he crazy? After the intial shock of his question, I came back to reality and within seconds, I was dialing our "intermediary" and asking if the birthmom would still be interested and if the baby was still available. The response I got was "I don't know since she told me she was going to an agency to have the baby placed." I remember being so very nervous and asking her to PLEASEEEEEEE get back to me as soon as possible. When I got off the phone we said a quick prayer that God's will be done (and of course, I added a little bit of ..."Lord, and if at all possible, may your will be that this be our baby!" We were in no way prepared for a newborn and had no clue if it was a boy or a girl. Maybe if AJ would have been a girl, we'd never be going back to China. God is so good! Sorry...digressed.

It was New Year's eve so I was sure everyone involved was busy with their party plans. Later that evening around 6 pm, I got a call back on my cell phone that said, "Yes! She never went thru the arrangements with the agency and the baby is still available. She is very happy that you guys are interested!" Interested? Oh my gosh! I was ready for her to deliver the baby that day!

As in all of our adoptions, this is another one of those amazing God stories of Him leading us to our babies. With AJ, God was busy working on both sides. We found out afterwards that the birthmother had received all the paperwork from the agency, but it was too voluminous and she had put off writing it all out and sending it back. THAT WAS GOD!! After Scott's initial reaction of saying NO, God must've placed 5 newborns in a two week period in our path. Everywhere we went, there was a newborn baby. The topper? That same morning, we went to visit a friend in Miami who had a 2 year old little boy, but and lo and behold, there in her living room when we walked in, was a 2 week old baby boy who had been dropped off for her to watch. While I played with her older little boy, Scott held the newborn.....and I just know that it was at that moment that God spoke to his heart.

The end of the journey, as you all know, is that less than 3 months later, we were holding our beautiful son, Arthur Joseph Bombardier, whom we lovingly call "AJ". He has been an incredible blessing in our lives and has filled our every day with unending joy. Thank you, Lord!

Auld Lang Syne

Tonight, I sit here reflecting on this passing year. As we quickly approach the closing of 2006 and start heading towards the wide-open doors of 2007, my thoughts turn to how much this year has changed our lives. Not only with the boys, but also with our older children, my marriage, family and friends. The words I began our original family site, Formed By Love, with still ring true..."my heart swells with so much love and pride, I think it would burst...." Yet, here I am, three years later, with a heart filled to overflowing with two more precious additions.

The past 3 years' New Years celebrations have been bittersweet because each year I thought "this is the year. This will be the one where we will bring home our child." Yet, it wasn't. 2006 is so different! Yes, we still have a daughter to bring home, but we have so very much to be thankful for this year.

Reflecting on my marriage and my wonderful husband, there is no doubt that it has been a trying 3 years. But, I give God the glory and honor for those trials in my marriage, because He has made us stronger and binded us in Him. He is our rock and our fortress and that is how strong our marriage is...because of those trials. I remember many times when I thought Scott may be at his wits end with my anxieties about the entire process, the wait, the disappointments and the hurdles. He wasn't. He gave it to God and God gave him the grace to love me through my weak moments, which in turn, allowed me to see what an amazing man I am married to, and in return love him even more.

Our biological children, who must've thought that I have these imaginary children I keep saying will be their siblings also amaze me. Their patience and support have strengthened me and my relationship with them. Their mother's crazy repertoire of excuses about the delays finally ceased, and God's plan came to fruition. They love their baby brothers and I am so very grateful for that. They now look forward to sharing that love with a baby sister.

This year also brought much healing to our family. With the loss of my precious nephew three years ago, also came the breakdown of a very close relationship I had with my sister and her husband. There's been a lot of pain and hurt on both sides. God used Kai to mend that relationship and through His grace of forgiveness to both of us, my sister is now, again, my best friend. I have missed her so much! It is such a blessing to have our relationship intact again, and stronger than ever. I can't wait to meet their precious Isabella who should be coming home from China next year. A gift from God through that healing.

Along with healing my sister's relationship, my Mom going to China with us to bring home Kai was an amazing witness of God's works. I can't even begin to count how many times she and other family members told me I was "too old" for more kids or that I wouldn't have the patience. Many of my families' thoughts were "why do you want to add all that baggage to your life?" The end result? They LOVE my children more than I could have EVER imagined. My Mom is truly a grandmother now. Again, I am so very grateful to our Lord for that! You see, my grandmother passed away almost 5 years ago and she was everything to me. She was the definition of a grandmother. My Mom, although they have mutual love for each other, never had that relationship with my older kids. Today, with Kai, AJ and Amanda, my Mom has filled the shoes that my grandmother had with my older kids. God has given us all a second opportunity with the boys to have those relationships. She ADORES them and they love her to pieces. She is their "Po-Po" and I love her now more than ever. All this because of God's plan in her going to China with us, visiting the orphanage and seeing how much these children need love and how much love they have to give. They are His children. I think after Scott and I, she is Anna Grace's biggest cheerleader and cannot wait to go back with us to bring her home! Thank you, Jesus!

AJ's birth opened a whole new world to our heart and taught us a very valuable lesson. Our predisposed beliefs that birthmothers in the U.S. just "gave away their children" were so very wrong. God not only let us meet AJ's birth family, but we spent three days with them. We shared their pain in letting him go and learned humbleness and humility from the very people we least expected to. We have a closed adoption, but we pray daily for his birthmother's peace and are eternally grateful to God for creating AJ for us and to both AJ and Kai's birthmother for having said "yes" and given them life. The gift of joy they have allowed our family and extended family to have could never be repaid. I look forward to the day that I can share our children's stories with them and they can truly see that their birthmothers offered them a better life, out of love.

This year also brought many new "friends" into my life from all over the planet. God puts people in your path at times when you need them most, or even when they need you, although I honestly don't believe that I have much to offer anyone except prayers, support and friendship. But, His rewards are plentiful. Those friends, as I mentioned in an earlier post, have been a lifeline to me. Each one contributing their special gifts to my life. As we moved on to the process of bringing home our beautiful daughter, Anna Grace, I have met even more friends, some of whom I hope to share a lifetime of memories with since their children share the same orphanage as she does, others that I have met in person, and yet others who I know will always be in my life and whom I may never get to meet in person. I am so very thankful for those friends. Your prayers, love and support have pulled me through very dark moments and your genuine caring and friendship has made moments of elation even sweeter. You are true blessings in my life.

And lastly, I cannot close this year without thinking about and again giving God the glory for putting Anna Grace in our path. From the first moment I saw her on September 4, when I was told she wasn't available, my heart did leaps. At the time, I believed she would never be ours. Yet, here we are, through His grace, each day a bit closer to holding her.

Yes, this year has been filled with moments of sadness, hurt, anger, fear and anxiety, but I wouldn't change a thing. I praise and thank our God for all of those trials and tribulations. It is because of those moments that we have also celebrated many occasions filled with pure utter joy, bliss, happiness, peace and moments that just took our breath away. So, we are not looking back on 2006 and dwelling on what we missed. Instead, we are looking back in total awe of the blessings that have been showered upon us. We can't wait to see what God has in store for 2007!

From the entire Bombardier family, may your New Year be filled with much love, peace, health and happiness. Remember to always praise Him for the good and the bad because "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.

Have a blessed and happy New Year with much love....

Words of wisdom

Today I went into an office building. As I was passing one of the offices, they had a sign posted on their door that read:

"People may not remember exactly what you said or did,

but they will always remember how you made them feel."

What a poignant and true statement!

More Christmas pictures

Cool Slideshows

CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO STOP THE HEXAGON FROM SPINNING!

Christmas Fun!

I can't take all this cuteness!

Hmmm...should I smile for her or not?

All dressed up and ready to go!

CHEEEEEESE!!

We love our babies!

Hey! Check this out!

Wow! This place is cool!

Po Po (Grandma) and her beautiful grandbabies!

Recovering...

Well, as I wade through the mountains of toys, clothes and boxes...I am relieved to say that it is over and our first Christmas wth the boys was a huge hit!

Ayi & Shu-Shu, grandparents, more aunts and uncles and siblings have added to making sure these boys lack NOTHING...literally nothing. Maybe a little help from Mama and Daddy, too. :) From phones to portable DVD players so that they (Heaven forbid!) not be bored in the car, to cars, trains, helicopters and automobiles, it was all there. Scott and I were discussing renting storage space for their toys! I really tried to discourage all the gifts and even we tried to stick to the 3 gift rule. But, I don't know what happened.

Truly, it was an amazing Christmas. We started off with the traditional Cuban "Noche Buena" (Christmas Eve) at Po Po's (Grandma) house where we ate of course, what else...roasted pig! Yummy!! We even had a visit from Santa (Thank you, Shu-Shu!!) and the boys were in awe of it all. It was a great evening which was closed with of course, our traditional singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and cutting the birthday cake. We've been talking to Kai now for a few weeks about the REAL reason for the season, Jesus' birth. So, he was pretty aware that all the celebration revolved around our Savior coming into the world. My sister even caught him a couple of times kneeling before the Baby Jesus at my Mom's nativity scene. God has big plans for this little guy....I can't wait to see!

AJ was just soooooo cute!! He wasn't much into the unwrapping, but loved the rustling of all the shiney paper and the boxes. Although with three teeth on top trying their best to break through, EVERYTHING ended up as a meal. I even had to drop everything as I noticed him chewing on something. When I ran over, he was devouring a styrofoam peanut! UGH! Fortunately, none of it went down. He loved Santa and had no fears.

The next morning we went to Christmas mass and hurried off to Miami to see the rest of the family. Where we all exchanged more gifts!

We spent the entire two days with family. Seeing the smiles and hearing the squeals of joy coming from the kids were worth every second of the wait we endured for them. I will be adding pictures later when I can find the camera. I believe it's buried somewhere where the floor used to be but is now covered in toys and wrapping paper so we can't see it!

Hugs to all...

Ohilda

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

Merry Christmas!

That's what friends are for....

I just want to say a very BIG thank you to all of my friends, many of which have been my lifeline during this process. Every single one of you have meant so much. Before, during AND AFTER our babies came home. You are there to share the laughs, the tears, and the frustrations. You join me in prayer and you rejoice with me. You don't tire of hearing me brag about my babies as I continuously love sharing about yours! You are true friends. I am now blessed again that you are on the journey with me to Anna Grace. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!!

This includes, not only friends, but family....especially my wonderful sister, Ily, who God-willing, will have her own little Asian treasure this time next year.

Wishing you all a very blessed and merry Christmas!

She knows we love her!

Thank you to our wonderful agency director and The LeComptes, another traveling family, Anna Grace now "officially" knows she has a Mommy & Daddy and lots of siblings! She has received our packages of goodies! We are so excited that now her foster family will be preparing her for our arrival. Here are some pictures of what Anna Grace received from us:

A little Elmo backpack (thanks Tia Rosa) filled with PJs, hair ribbons, a blankie, and lollipops!

The 2nd package contained cookies, candy, a family photo album, a stuffed animal, a disposable camera, more hair ribbons and questions for the orphanage director.

Her little album with pictures of her new family.

We translated who-was-who into Chinese so that the

foster family can point out her new family members.

The album also included Ayi & Shu-Shu (auntie & uncle) and

Wai Po-po and Gong-Gong (Grandma & Grandpa).

Lastly, we included a little pillow for her to sleep

with that has a picture of her Mama & Baba (Daddy)

and of course, their beautiful baby girl, Anna Grace Fengqin.

Front of 2nd package all ready to go.

Back of package

More! More! More!

What a wonderful gift we received today! More pictures of our beautiful Anna Grace! We are so very grateful. She again looks very healthy and well taken care of. Not to mention...BEAUTIFUL! Enjoy!!

I love this picture biting her bottom lip!

Too sweet!

I just cannot wait to love her up!!

More China News

The following article appeared in the Chinadaily today.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-12/19/content_762799.htm

China tightens child adoptions to bar singles, obese

By Dune Lawrence and Steven Bodzin (Bloomberg)Updated: 2006-12-19 15:11

China, the largest source of overseas children adopted in the US, plans to bar would-be parents who are obese, single or over 50, according to notices posted on the Web sites of three leading US adoption agencies.

Under rules effective from May 1, applicants must be married for more than two years with at least a high school education. The measures also ban multiple divorcees, the blind and those taking depression medication from becoming parents, according to the postings.

The changes come as the government wants to ensure Chinese children get the best possible homes while demand for the children outstrips the number available for overseas adoption.

The government "is doing what they see as the best thing for their children and their country," said Kristine Altwies Nicholson, who runs Hawaii International Child, a Honolulu-based adoption agency.

The rules were described on the Web sites of Spring, Texas-based Harrah's Adoption International Mission, which has placed 1,200 orphans from Asia since 1995; New Beginnings Family & Children's Services Inc. in Mineola, New York; and Evansville, Indiana-based Families Thru International Adoption. Nicholson said she had heard the same information from people who had met Chinese authorities.

The postings said the China Center of Adoption Affairs briefed overseas agencies on the new rules at a Dec. 8 meeting, without specifying where it was held. The center, part of the Beijing-based Ministry of Civil Affairs, hasn't made the changes public. A man who answered the telephone at the center declined to comment or to give his name.

'Model Program'

"The Chinese government's adoption program is considered a model program in terms of efficiency," Susan Soon-keum Cox, vice president of public policy and external affairs at Holt International Children's Services, testified in June to a subcommittee of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in Washington. Eugene, Oregon-based Holt has placed almost 40,000 children in the US since the 1950s.

China placed 13,000 children with overseas families last year, ministry statistics show. In 2001, the ministry received just 8,000 applications for international adoptions.

A total of 62,000 children entered Chinese welfare institutions such as orphanages last year, down from 66,000 in 2004, according to the ministry. Only certain orphanages can arrange international adoptions.

Guatemala Second

China, the world's most populous nation, has been the leading source of overseas adoptions in the US since 2000. It provided 6,493 children in the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 57 percent more than second-placed Guatemala, visa statistics from the US Department of State show.

US families adopted about half of all Chinese babies available in fiscal 2005, according to US figures and Chinese totals. China does not make public the destinations of adoptees.

Overseas applications last year doubled from 2004, and adoption affairs center officials said they don't have enough children to meet the increase, according to Harrah's Web site.

"It's a supply-demand issue," said Jane Liedtke, chief executive officer in Beijing of Our Chinese Daughters Foundation, which works with 10 US adoption agencies.

China's main rule changes disqualify single parents, anyone divorced more than twice, people aged over 50 and families with net assets of less than US$80,000.
Couples must have been married for at least two years.
For couples adopting a child with special needs, the age limit remains 55.
Depression, Anxiety

Also excluded are people with a body mass index more than 40 -- translating to about 5 feet 7 inches (170 centimeters) tall and weighing about 262 pounds (119 kilograms) -- the blind or severely nearsighted and those who have taken depression or anxiety medication in the past two years, the Web sites said.

Previously, rules stated that parents had to be aged over 30. Priority went to those 30 to 45 for children about 1 year old, and applicants 50 to 55 for children above 3 years old.

Health qualifications weren't specifically defined, and there were no education or marriage requirements. The government limited applications by single parents to 8 percent of the total, said Nicholson in Hawaii and Liedtke in Beijing.

About 30 percent of Chinese children went to single parents in 2001, before the quota system went into effect, according to Families with Children from China, a New-York-based support organization.

Mary...and our Lord's birth.

As we entered the third week of Advent, the beginning of the liturgical year, someone shared this song with me and it has moved my heart so much. I often think of the moment that our Blessed Mother, a teenager who had agreed to bear God's son, said "yes". She had no idea where her saying "yes" would lead, but she continued to do God's work and God's will, no matter how difficult or fearful it was. We believe that she was sinless. Her courage and obedience has always been a shining example to me of what our Lord wants from us. How fortunate we are to have her help us have the courage we need as well, to say "yes" to God in our own lives.

... And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38

Here are the lyrics to this beautiful song:

Mary Did You KnowLyrics by Green, Buddy & Lowry, Mark
Mary did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know

That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby
You've kissed the face of God
Mary did you know?

The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am.

ONE YEAR AGO

I'd like to take you back to one year ago today. On December 16, 2005 at 1:45 p.m., one of the happiest moments of our life, we received "The Call" confirming that Kai was our son. We now take you back to that very special moment....


(In order to stop the background music either scroll down and hit the pause key on the recorder or click on the red "X" next to your address bar on your menu on the top of the screen).

You can follow the rest of our journey to Kai at:

http://www.formedbylove.com

EIGHT MONTHS

What a difference eight months make!

These are pictures of Kai and AJ taken on the first

day we held them, and pictures of them taken this week.

They speak for themselves!

CUTENESS AT CHRISTMAS TIME!

Are these little guys precious or what?

The boys visited Santa today! Kai was sooo excited! He couldn't get enough of him and kept trying to creep through the line to peek at him. I thought AJ would cry, but nope...he loved him! Kept smiling and tugging on the beard, which by the way, was real! Yikes!!

It was really a heartwarming moment, and I said to my sister, who was with us, that I was trying hard to fight back tears. I stood there remembering how much I wanted these babies and how it was no longer a dream. I can't believe I am so very lucky to have these two beautiful babies in my life.

One year ago yesterday, we saw Kai's adorable little face for the first time on a waiting child list, and were praying fervently that he would be ours. We didn't even know about AJ yet.

We are so very blessed! Thank you, Jesus!

Our Chinese Elf

Oh my goodness! Talk about CUTE!!!!! You must check out our little guy dressed as an Elf dancing to JINGLE BELLS! CLICK HERE!

Enjoy!!!

LETTER FROM GOD....

(on how to handle the Holiday Season with those who do not believe as you do.)

Dear children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday and replace what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered - anytime!How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just TRY TO GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that, let Me continue.If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8. If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts, and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember I LOVE YOU.

Have a blessed Merry Christmas with My love,

Your friend and protector,

God

Sadly, CCAA changes their policies

I am so very sad with the upcoming changes CCAA is implementing. First, we need to get on the ball and be logged in by May 1, 2007, otherwise Anna Grace will not be coming home to us. We have been assured that we will be DTC on February 16, but now I'm worried about how long our I171H will take to arrive.

I remember at the beginning of our journey for Anna Grace how I said that since this was our last, I was going to savor every moment of it. UGH!! Well, I hate the taste! LOL! I know it's all in God's timing and His will....so, Ohilda, keep repeating that to yourself. All in God's time.....all in God's time....all....

I've totally digressed. Here are the new rules for CCAA. It also saddens me that singles will no longer be able to adopt. There are so many children in those orphanages, and limiting who can or cannot adopt just seems unjust, if the children are going home to a good family.

Lastly, please pray for us that our baby girl make it home to us and that we have no further delays in this process. Due to the divorce ruling, this is definitely our last adoption from China. I feel blessed that we will at least be able to raise 2 beautiful Asian babies. There is something so very special about this magical country where are children were born. I feel like a part of me is there.

On December 8, CCAA held a meeting for all agency representatives to outline changes that CCAA has agreed upon to ease the current dossier congestion situation that has significantly lengthened the China adoption process.

CCAA has come up with new policies regarding family requirements. These new policies will put into effect for all dossiers submitted (and logged in) on or after May 1, 2007. The following are CCAA's new policies:

1. MARRIAGE: Only married couples will be allowed to adopt; no singlesdossiers will be accepted. Agencies may continue to submit single's dossiers for log-in prior to May 1, 2007, but agencies must stay within the 8% of their total dossiers. No single's dossier may be submitted after May 1, 2007. This includes the Waiting Child program. If this is the first marriage for both the husband and wife, they must have been married for two years prior to submittal. If the husband or wife has had a previous divorce or annulment, the couple must have been married for five years prior to submittal. The total number of divorces/annulments for the couple can total no more than two. Therefore, if the husband or wife has had two divorces and otherpartner none, the family is acceptable. If the husband and wife each have one divorce, the family is acceptable. Any more divorces are unacceptable.

2. AGE: Each and every parent must be between 30 and 50 years of age. No parent can be under 30 or over 50. The CCAA will not accept any parent outside of this range. If the family applies to adopt a Waiting Child, the upper age limit can be 55 years of age depending on the age of the child requested.

3. MEDICAL: CCAA will only approve parents who are healthy. They will not accept any parent with any infectious disease, mental disease, serious disease, or disability. If either parent is taking medication for anxiety or depression, they are disqualified. If a parent has experienced a serious health related problem in the past, he or she must have been free of this problem for 10 years prior to submittal.

4. WEIGHT: Both parents must have body mass indexes (BMI) under 40.

5. FINANCIAL: At least one parent must have a stable job that provides the majority of the family's income. Families whose income is derived from retirement, disability, or insurance settlement, will no longer be allowed to adopt. The family's income must exceed $10,000 perfamily member (including the to-be-adopted child) and their net worth must exceed $80,000.

6. EDUCATION: Each parent must have at least a high school education.

7. FAMILY SIZE: No family can have more than 5 children in the home, including the child to be adopted. The youngest child currently in thehome must be over 1 year old. Exceptions to the 5 children in the homerule might be made for the Waiting Child program.

8. CRIMINAL: Neither parent can have any criminal record.

CCAA is also increasing its dossier submittal fees. As of January 1,2007, all dossiers for regular children must be accompanied by paymentto CCAA (for registration) of $620 and payment to BLAS (fortranslation) of $200, for a total dossier submittal fee of $820. For families applying to adopt Waiting Children, the dossier submittal feewill also be raised. The CCAA registration fee will now be $540 andthe BLAS translation fee will continue to be waived.

WAITING CHILD PROGRAM:

CCAA will begin assigning low birth weight and developmentally delayed children to agencies as part of their waiting child program. However, CCAA will not give a Waiting Child discount for these children but will hope to keep the processing time similar to that for Waiting Children. CCAA hopes to launch an internet Waiting Children project in Februaryof 2007. The CCAAis still working on this project. CCAA is also in the process of launching a new email communication system between US agencies and CCAA and will offer this service to agencies for an additional fee.

WOW! What a day!!!!

Gosh, I don't even know where to begin. God has sent us such an outpouring of blessings today that I am pretty much at a loss for words. Let's start with the first 15 minutes I was awake. I came to check my email right away because 2 more wonderful families were visiting Hefei SWI today and were going to try and take some more pictures of our beautiful Anna Grace. And sure enough, there was this precious little face staring back at me. Again, wearing her cute little green coat. Oh my goodness! This little girl sends my heart spinning. I just cannot wait to have her in my arms! I also found out that she is definitely in foster care. I was told she was very sweet and likes cartoons! A girl after her Daddy's own heart. Scott loves cartoons! So, my day started off great seeing my beautiful little girl doing so well and knowing that she's being loved!

Here are some pictures! I will continue the day after you oooohhh and ahhhh over our angel! :)




Ok! Now that you've had a chance to catch your breath, let me continue on with my day. A couple of weeks ago I went to the doctor for those typical...you know, woman check ups. Well, the doctor was quite concerned after he did my exam. He suggested we do a procedure and send it to the lab for a biopsy. Of course, that sent my mind flying thinking I may have cancer. I prayed hard and began a novena to St. Ann (Jesus' grandmother). Without realizing it, the novena ended today, the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. This morning, I spoke to the doctor. He had my pathology report back. EVERYTHING WAS NEGATIVE!! I am perfectly healthy! Praise God!! I know I've said this before, but it is just baffling to me that there could be people out there that function in this life without Christ in their lives. How do they do it? Who do they turn to when the darkness surrounds them? God keeps me grounded. I couldn't imagine my life without Him in it...every aspect of it! So, thank you, Lord! Thank you for keeping your promises! Thank you for your love. Thank you for the gift of such powerful intercessors, such as your Blessed Mother and your loving grandmother, St. Ann. And again, most of all, thank you for being in my life...front and center!

And for the icing on the cake! We received our completed and notarized homestudy today! Wooooohoooooo!!!!! Tomorrow morning, I am off to FedEx to mail our homestudy to USCIS, and we are now just officially waiting for our I171H. Life is good and it's all because God is good.....ALL THE TIME!!!!

May His blessings fill your hearts and homes as he fills ours.

Christmas thru the eyes of a child

I cannot even put into words what trimming the tree and putting together our Christmas decorations was like this year, especially with Kai. As each large box (close to 20 of them!) was being taken down from the attic and hauled by "Santa's helpers", Adam & Amanda, into the living room, his eyes would get wider and wider. He had that same curious look that I first saw in our little boy 8 months ago in a government office in Hangzhou, China. This time, without the fear. Then, as the boxes were being opened, and ribbons, ornaments, and decorations were being distributed throughout the room, with Christmas carols playing in the background, the excitement grew! He definitely recognizes Santa now and just kept running from decoration to decoration. The tree at first wasn't a big deal, until Daddy tested the lights on it, then the look of awe, in both AJ & Kai's eyes, was inspiring. To see Christmas thru the eyes of a child, can we ask for anything more? As I was enjoying the moment that I have waited so very long for, it was hard not to think about Anna Grace and how she would be mesmerized by the same things the boys were experiencing. But I know, it's all in God's time, and next year, she will be here and our family will be complete. I have posted a few pictures of our home Christmas decorations. Amanda says it's like walking into Macys. :)

I still do have to take a picture of the outside lit up at night. Scott did a fantastic job and Kai and AJ go out there every night and marvel at the giant Santa and the sleigh with the reindeers. Every year I want to set up a big nativity set outside with a large stable and all of the figures of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and the entire entourage, incuding sheep, cows and the 3 wise men. But, alas...money is never sufficient to buy them all at once, so the dream continues.

Before I finish, I wanted to comment on what to me is just such a blessing. We all know at the Bombardier household that if Kai is awake and there is silence that he is DEFINITELY up to something. Well, going back to Sunday when we were putting up the decorations, I have several nativity scenes inside, but one specifically stands out. It was a gift from my sister a couple of years ago and it's a beautiful, handcrafted ceramic scene of the Holy Family surrounded by the three wise men. I took Kai over to see it and I pointed out "Baby Jesus". Kai knows without a doubt who Jesus is because of the many times that we pray together. He recognizes him as the resurrected Christ, Christ on the crucifix, and even as the Sacred Heart. But, he's never seen Jesus as a "baby". I didn't expect him to associate the two. So, when I told him, "Look, Kai. This is Jesus when he was a little baby". He gave me a bit of a baffled look and slid out of my arms and back to where the Santa dolls were. We left it at that.

Last night, Scott and I were in the office and all of a sudden, I notice the silence. It's hard with 3 kids in the house for there to be silence, but AJ was asleep and Amanda was in her room. Kai was ummmm..... up to something! So, I figured I'd "catch him in the act". I quietly get up and tip-toe thru the house to see where he could be. It's usually my room and pulling stuff out of drawers, but this time we had the sneaky suspicion that he'd be pulling ornaments off the tree, since it was now a novelty. The house was dark except for the office and the living room that was lit by the glow of the tree lights and all of the decorations. As we quietly make our way into the living room, I peek from around the corner towards the tree. Hmmm...no Kai.

Then, I look over to my left where the big nativity scene is, and there KNEELING before the baby Jesus, was our little boy. My eyes watered as I saw that he was on his knees, eyes closed, and little hands clasped together in prayer. Does he pray? Who knows...but I know the Lord sees it. I am once again humbled to think that Scott and I were chosen and allowed the honor to teach him about Christ. He then heard us and opened his eyes and did his version of the sign of the cross (takes his little right hand and puts it to his forehead and then his lips). I said thru tears, "Kai, were you praying?" He nodded. I swept him up and thanked God for allowing me to see Christmas, the true meaning of it, the birth of our Savior, thru the eyes of a child, His child.

Our Little Dancer

My life in words

Jesus opens my eyes...AGAIN!!!!!

Yes, that's what He's done. Sometimes I think He must sit on His throne and just shake His head in disbelief as He mutters, "When is she going to learn?" After I posted and ranted and raved yesterday about my homestudy, I got a post from my sister on Anna Grace's guestbook that really reminded me that I'm not in control, and that when I plunge into the depths of darkness (as I seem to do when things don't go my way), I am allowing the enemy to block any blossoming of our Lord's light that may shine through me.

I then remembered that we were invited to a special Night of Adoration at our church last night. To me, going before the Blessed Sacrament is the one of the most awesome moments of my life. As they exposed the Body of Christ, I could feel the Holy Spirit stirring my soul. I was kneeling before our Lord and bowed my head as tears just started pouring. Tears for my daughter, who sits in an orphanage without a family; tears for my children's birthmothers who's heart must wonder how they are, tears for the struggles that Kai is going through in his speech, but most of all, tears for not trusting 100% in our Lord and for wanting to take control of what is happening. I know His love for me is unconditional and He reminds us in His word in Jeremiah 29:11-13, (For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.) that He will not leave me alone. His plans were laid out way before I was conceived, and they are always perfect. It is such a huge sigh of relief to have left those burdens last night at the foot of the cross. I no longer carry that weight. He took it from me and I am so filled with peace.

Lord Jesus, Heavenly Father, I thank you!! I thank you for your love, for your constant vigilence over my life and those that have searched for you and found you. For loving me without ceasing, although it seems like I am constantly disappointing you. Thank you for watching over all of my children, our marriage, and especially our beautiful angel, Anna Grace, who is so very far away from us. But, most of all, thank you for the opportunity and honor to be able to raise these children in your name. To be trusted enough to be given that mission by you is something that makes my heart so filled with joy. That You, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, trust me, a mere servant of yours, to raise Your children! I am honored and I love you with every fiber of my being. I am yours.

WHAT IS IN A WORD?

According to Webster's Dictionary the definition of CONTROL is:

1. to exercise restraint or direction over; dominate; command.

Well, you'd think that being on my third adoption in three plus years, I'd realize that I have NONE of this! Yes, ultimately I know that God is in total control...but there are some things in which I feel I can grasp and run with. I've come to realize that my freaking homestudy is not one of those!!! I am sooooo darn flustered with my SW! Luckily, he never reads this, but on the same token, he never even turns on his computer! So, how fortunate am I?

The final revisions to our homestudy were sent to him on Monday of this week.....do you think he's checked email? Ummm...No!!! Gee, how hard could it be? And this is past history that we are revising here, not any new things. You ask how can you "revise past history"? Does history change? Isn't that why it's called HISTORY?

Hmmm....let's see what Mr. Webster says about HISTORY:

1. the record of past events and times, esp. in connection with the human race.

Well, we've already sat with this man easily 10x in the past 3 years...of which he's left with a check in hand almost every single time. So, why can't our history remain the same as it was in the past 4 homestudies? Could it be because he feels he needs to "earn" his money? Well, guess what! Make me happy, appease me! Earn your money by leaving it the same and giving me my completed homestudy!!!! Whew! Do I feel better now!! Venting to the world somehow gives me relief at times when I have lost ALL CONTROL! Maybe today will be the day that it's over. I'm off to pray!