1 boy = 1 car; 1 girl = 1 HUGE WARDROBE

The weekend before THE BIG CALL, I started picking up some new clothes for Gracyn. I bought a little big, thinking if she wasn't home in time for the rest of summer, she could wear these next spring. Since she's coming home, and she's taller than I expected, we might get some use.

As you can see, I've started pulling everything out so I can take inventory, go BUY more (at Ramona's suggestion), and I've made a mess. There's one outfit I know we bought and I can't find it so I'm going crazy.

Peyton got a "new car" - No, we didn't buy it - we need to pay for airline tickets. His Grandpa (Gong-Gong) bought it for him. The thing goes 5MPH, and has a radio that really works. . .1 boy = 1 car, and a very happy boy at that.

1 girl = an abundance of clothes, shoes, accessories. . .it's all new to me. . .for those who have boys, what happened to the 5 pairs of shorts, and 5 T's that go with almost any of the shorts. Hair Clips? Socks? Matching Sweaters? Matching Shoes? Geez, this is complicated. . .who am I kidding?! I LOVE IT.

PIF - Have some fun!

I received Gracyn's Pay It Forward gift in the mail yesterday from Ramona. A neat way to get to know one another and to pass the time.

Super cute stuff! Love it all. A darling and much needed sweater, pink romper, flower socks (no more plain white and gray ones for this household!), headband (can't forget the accessories), a sweet puppy, and of course goodies for Mom! My favorite Burt's Bees Lip Balm!

First 3 Moms to sign this post will be recipients of PIF gifts. Once you receive your gift, you "pay it forward" to 3 new moms! (I will need you to e-mail your mailing address of course!) Anyone out there want to recieve a gift?!

Thank you Valorie!

Val, my "five minute friend" who's worse than me when it comes to shopping went and bought Gracyn a new "Americana" outfit, as she calls it, and a cute black 2-piece linen outfit to celebrate our first decree. Yes, "our" first decree - she's just as emotionally invested in this journey as I am.

Thank you "Auntie Valorie" - We love you!

YIKES - I've been tagged. . .I get to join in the fun!

I've been tagged by Lucy's Mommy Jackie. . .
Jackie's question: Does this make me one of the cool kids now? (To answer that Jackie, yes, we're cool now! We've finally arrived. LOL)

I'm it. . .here it goes!

What were you doing ten years ago?:
Ten years ago, I was 22 years old, had just graduated from UCI, and was "taking a break" while I found the "right" job - luckily it only took me a few weeks. I've been in the same industry, and almost the same company (we got bought out) ever since.

Five Items on My To-Do List:
Pack for Taiwan
Figure out who I'm going to TAG
Continue my "Pay it Forward"
Buy more PINK, and more shoes for Gracyn
Finish my Gracyn's Life Book

Snacks I Enjoy:
York Peppermint Patties (no more 5 patty days - Gracyn's comin' home!
Any kind of granola bar, snack bar, etc.
Chips Ahoy 100 calorie packs (I know why bother!)
Kettle-cooked Chips
Light Mint Mocha Frap no whip (I know, is it really light??)

Places I would Live:
Irvine
Seattle
Right where I am
Wherever God takes me
Wherever my kids move to when I get old

What would you do if you were a billionaire?:
Set up multiple grants for adoptive families
Set up an adoption agency or ministry
Adopt several villages through World Vision
Ensure more people had clean water to drink
Adopt more children myself

Jobs I've Had:
Dim Sum Waitress (yes, the kind where you push the cart and yell in Chinese)
Order Taker/Cashier at a Pizza Parlor
Nordstrom Brass Plum (The job where your picture gets hung up on the wall)
Waitress at a Chinese Restaurant (WOW - best paying job - seriously good tips)
Peer Counselor in College
Internal Wholesaler for a Mutual Fund Company
Mom to one child (WOO HOO - about to be Mom to 2!)

Rules: Each player posts the answers about themselves, then tags five people to do the same at the end of the post.

If you enjoyed reading this - join in the fun. I Tag: Valorie (yes miss 5 minute friend, that's you - who else would spell their name with an "O"), Tami Joy (Noah's Mommy), Kristy (my newest SLC group friend), Megan (Kimi's Mommy - thanks to her, I met Jackie!), Sarah (Mommy to Hannah Claire) - I don't think any of you have been tagged yet, but if you have, play again. . .LOL (Jackie tagged Ramona already. . .but I'll double tag her and challenge her to tag a few more!

Hallelujah! First Decree

Last night we went to pick up a motorized jeep for Peyton. A long overdue gift that we've been holding off on. When we came out of the store it was so humid! Our area doesn't get humid typically - Hot, yes, but DRY heat.

I told Darryl that it was God saying, "Tiffanie, are you sure you want to go to Taiwan in this type of weather?" - My reply - YES, in a heartbeat!

I was running behind this morning, opted to toast a muffing which put me off schedule even further, and then the phone rang. Home phone, not cell. . .I look at Caller ID and it's "(925)" - Could it be?!

Agency says: I think you got first decree
Me: NO WAY!
Agency says: Wait, what's your baby's name again? (OH GEEZ, talk about cliff-hanger)
Me: I reply with her Chinese name (thank goodness I've been practicing!)
Agency says: Yes, you got first decree
Me: BLAH, blah, we're so happy, oh my goodness, we'll have her home for her birthday, blah, blah, blah. . .
Agency says: You must have let go a little. . .
Me: Yeah, I did. . .

And there you have it. . .trust in Him, and He will deliver. His plan.

Darryl and Peyton were with me which was amazing. I started to cry! Peyton asked who it was, and I think he thought is was Gracyn! It's all a blur. Oh, and what happened to my well-rehearsed "Hallelujah!" ????

Okay - so what if it wasn't our baby - I would have been devastated! Luckily it was, and that means we get to travel in about a month which means. . .

We'll be able to celebrate Gracyn's birthday as a family!!!!!!!!

Oh my - 30 days. . .I know what these other mom's mean now - you just have to go into overdrive and GET READY!

THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER!!!!!! You are so good to us.

What does Chih-Yun mean?

We've attempted to figure out what Chih-Yun means for quite some time. We've gotten pieces of it translated, but this weekend, a friend of our cousin was able to help us!!

". . .here is my interpretation of the name Chi Yun in Chinese. Chi could have several meanings in Chinese. It means "to grow" when used as a verb; "this" or "that" when used as a pronoun; "of" when used as a particle; or "zigzag" when used as a adjective. Yun means "Rue", or a type of citrus tree with strong aromatic scents, in Chinese. It is commonly used in girl names. Therefore, I think the name means she is a growing tree. Also, aboriginal Taiwanese like to name their offspring with plant and animal names. That probably has something to do with the environment they live in. My guess is the person who gave Chi Yun the name wishes her to grow up as tall and as strong as a tree. . ."

The pronounciation is very difficult. I've been practicing, but am certain I'm not saying it correctly. We've never intended to make this her middle name, but will always cherish it. We're wondering if her Foster Family has another name they refer to her as. Guessing that the Foster Family is aboriginal, and if so, Mandarin may only be the second language.

A lot to look forward to.

This time it's for REAL. . .

My baby is walking, smiling, and getting our care packages. Happy 4th of July BABY!

I came home from my in-laws, and as usual, I went to check e-mail. I opened an e-mail, moved on, saw from our agency "Happy 4th of July" and I thought - oh, that's odd, but nice, I suppose. . .then I saw the paperclip, and the size of the attachment.

I opened it, and there were pictures of GRACYN! Jennifer, our local Director didn't want us to have to wait the long weekend. Apparently they were mailed and received late this afternoon, and she was kind enough to send them to me this evening!

I just sat there waiting for them to load. . .crying. . .finally they opened. . .Peyton said, "Oh my gosh, she's so cute!" - Daddy thinks she's so big! But then I realized she's wearing the clothes I sent which were 12 months and she fits them, so she really isn't "that" big yet. . .I was so amazed, that I didn't even realize that she's walking!!!! WOO HOO!!! She's walking!

I'm over the moon. . .for once in our adoption journey I was pleasantly surprised. Not one, but 3 GREAT photos. I am so comforted to know that she's with a happy family who care for her, and that she's getting our pictures - more importantly seeing our faces!

I'm definitely going to take Ramona up on her offer and send more stuff this time around!! Including PINK sandals! :)

Thank you Father for this wonderful surprise. . .my heart swells with love for this little girl.