What does it mean?

I know, I haven't posted in so long. I really have no excuse other than the wait is driving me bonkers and there is nothing I can do about it.

I thought I would post this as I've been turning it around in my mind now for a few days.

I've read many blogs over the last 3 years and I've noticed that many people always say they have had vivid feelings or dreams about their babies. In these dreams they know their age, appearance, provinve in which they wrere born etc.

Now, I always dismissed them with a hearty 'phffft... whatever', which is kind of funny in itself becuase I am a great believer in fate etc. yet, I never put much stock in it any time I read it.

Up to the last two weeks I've never have experienced such feeling/dream other than the fact that three years ago I told my sw that the China program was going to change and that I truely believed that'the hubby'and I would be the last few to get to China. (look how that's turning out!)

Anyhow, back to three weeks ago. Yup, I had my first dream. I vividly dreamt that we were in China meeting our daughter. We were in Guang Dong and she was 15 months old. I remember being happy and excited. There was no mention of a name nor can I remember the details of her appearance only that she was healthy and robust.

Fast foreward to two nights after the first dream. Again, I had a vivid dream that we were in China. This time we were meeting our son. I can clearly see his precious face. He was tall, slim, had beautiful deep chocolate eyes and a beautiful smile that radiated happiness. I too was beaming. The only thing was he was 9 years old! We were all estatic and although it was not apparent which province we were in I do distinctly remember discussing names with my new son. We were having a great time carefully considering and ultimately rejecting each name together.

Now I ask you, what does this mean? Let's hope it is all good!

Monkeying Around and French Toast

I know, I know. I'm still bad. I haven't posted in like FOREVER! and I promised too! tisk tisk... To tell you the truth I really have nothing to post on the adoption front. Well, that's not entirely true. We are FINALLY out of review since
November 30, 2007. As of the first week in February the CCAA has matched up to December 27, 2005. Yup, that's what I said. They are still matching 2005! In addition to all of this our agency recently sent out a letter stating that China has really slowed down their referrals (ahh, no kidding!), wait times continue to increase drastically and that anyone who might be open to special needs should consider it. Also, anyone who is willing to consider other countries should do so. Hmmm.... there's a mouthful for you. The hubby and I decided to stick with China for the long haul. So, we wait... and wait... and wait.... Check back with me sometime in 2009 or 2010. Perhaps I'll be going to China then if I'm lucky.
Now you know why I haven't posted. I'm just so tired of posting crappy news.

On to french toast!

I've decided to take a hiatus from China and post other things that are dear to my heart. Anyone who knows me knows I love to cook so I've decided to begin posting some of my favorite recipes. After all, when you feel crappy, what do you do? You eat! So with that being said, pull out your oven mitts and start cooking!

I'm going to start with one of my favorites "Baked Blueberry French Toast"

This is SOOOOO good! Assemble it the night before and in the morning just bake it!

Please note though that this recipe feeds a crowd (12). If you are cooking for a smaller group then I suggest you half the recipe.

"Baked Blueberry French Toast"

(if you don't like blueberries then you can substitute with raspberries or bananas)

1 loaf of French or Italian bread
1 block of cream cheese softened and cut in chunks
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
12 eggs
2 cups of milk
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Tear bread into 1 inch cubes and grease a 13x9 baking pan. (If cooking for a smaller group then use a 11x7 dish.)

place 1/2 the bread cubes in the pan and evenly distribute the cream cheese chunks over the bread. Sprinkle the blueberries on. Place remaining bread over the top.

Beat together the eggs, milk, syrup and cinnamon and pour the mixture over the bread. Cover with foil or saran wrap and refrigerate overnight (8 hours)

Remove from the fridge. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake, covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake additional 30 minutes or until lightly browned on top and center is set. Cut into squares and serve with maple syrup. Serves 12.

Enjoy and I'll be back soon with another yummy recipe! I promise, no more monkeying around...

I should have been on Santa's Naughty list

I just checked my blog and realized I haven't posted in quite a while. I've been bad asI haven't been keeping my avid followers up to date with the current happenings.

Well, let's see. Since the last time I posted the hubby and I finally made it out of the Review Room and have since moved into the matching room. Thank goodness! I thought this would never happen. This was the last test to pass so to speak. Whew! The CCAA has now gone over our file with a magnifying glass and actually approved us! Now, all we have to do is continue to wait. Easier said than done I think. Christmas day marked 15 months for our file being logged in China. I wonder how many more months will we have to wait? I better not think too much abut that one. It's amazing how time can fly and at the same time continue on at a snail's pace.

I was browsing though my older posts and noticed that the first estimate of wait time to referral given to us by our agency was 16 months and if that had proved true the hubby and I would be expecting to see Jade's face for the first time this month and traveling to get her in February, 2008. Alas, that was not to be. The next quoted time to referral given to us was 24 months. I highly doubt this will ring true either because rumors are flying that the CCAA will completely halt referring babies 2 weeks before the Olympics and does not mention when/if they will restart.

I also noticed that in my previous posts I had mentioned that we would begin to see a shift of focus in IA from NSN ( non-special needs) to Special needs. This was one thing that did ring true in late 2007. Its a double edged sword for me because while I'm glad to see these children getting the homes they deserve I find that I get frustrated and angry because my line for NSN seems to be stuck. It's like it hardly moves anymore.

In addition, the CCAA posted that they would allow concurrent adoptions for those families waiting in line for referral. While great news, this is also double edged for me due to a number of reasons which I refuse to go into because if I did I'd be here forever.

Anyhow folks, that's an update/recap of the end of 2007 as it pertains to me and the hubby. What 2008 will bring I don't know, all I can say I hope it's fun, safe, happy and healthy and I hope your's is too. I'd like to say that I see a trip to China for me in 2008 but it seems too far away at the moment. If not 2008 then perhaps 2009?
I know I'm drinking from that fountain of eternal hope again.

Take care everyone and enjoy 2008, I know I plan to.