FIRST RULING!

Tien emailed today - our first ruling! YAY! They expect us to travel around 10/29. Of course, now I'm really panicking because so much has to be done. I think I'm actually getting nervous for the first time during this whole process. The reports say she's looking forward to meeting us, I hope they didn't just put that in there for our benefit........

It's time to rest. I have a list to things that need to be done. My heart is pounding with excitement each time I think about being 4-5 weeks away from traveling--we're really going to meet her! The way I've been sleeping lately, it may as well be powernaps but the afternoons sure are tough...........

New pictures--finally!!!!!

Harley on one side of the Pacific and Melanie on the other....

We got home tonight and had a notice from the Post Office that we had a package. Well, what do you know? It's from Taiwan!!!!! The disposable cameras we sent were used and returned to us so we could develop them and see how things are going in Taiwan. We rushed out and turned them in for 1 hour developing and we patiently waited (not!) for the photos to be ready for pick up. Well - to our amazement we now have about 125 new pictures of Harley with her foster family and extended friends, family and acquaintences (I'm guessing) to look at and start her own photo album. We were so happy to see photos of her with things we had sent over. Melanie's gift to Harley was a sparkly giraffe stuffy that shows up in many, many photos so it's nice to know she's enjoying it. Some pictures show her holding the soft blankets and books we've sent. I think the one thing that really struck us was the photos of her sitting in front of her Birthday cake. I'm so sorry we weren't able to spend it with her but it's nice to see that she was celebrating when we were thinking of her :) These are really cute "Hollywood" poses in their sunglasses.


It's interesting that so many photos of Harley and her foster family are of things we've been doing here at home like riding quads for Melanie and riding a scooter for Harley or pictures of each of them on their bikes smiling. It's so funny to see the two girls with pictures so similar on opposite sides of the world. We have these great photos of both of them playing in the sand and on the beach - on separate sides of the ocean. Looking into that window of her life in Taiwan and seeing the smile on her face is so reassuring. It's nice knowing that she's taking these great pictures knowing that they're coming to her new family and we're hoping she's as excited to meet us as we are to meet her.


Harley on a scooter and Melanie on the Quad with Daddy.



Anyways, I still haven't posted the Labor Day photos but I wanted to get these on here as soon as possible. Beaming mommy and daddy are thrilled to get new pictures and hope you enjoy them, too.


Sweet dreams to my little angels. I pray you will be sleeping in the same room soon..........

Happy 6th Birthday, Melanie!

Melanie is 6. It's hard to believe we're celebrating the 6th birthday with her. She is growing into the lovliest young lady and she is so excited to start First Grade with her new teacher, Mrs. Jewett. We met her teacher on Monday, toured the class and found her desk.

Melanie is undecided on which bed she wants as her own. She bounces between the two and hasn't made up her mind if she wants to have the Bratz or Fluorescent Green bedding. One day she wants her stuffies surrounding her and the next day, they're carefully sitting in a quiet corner on the other side of the room. She'll probably change her mind a hundred times between the colors, which side of the room and whether or not she has her friends on the bed of off...... Today she's enjoying doing her make-overs on the newest Bratz in her collection. Hey, I think they're not the prettiest things in the world but then again my parents probably thought the same about my sister's Barbie dolls, right? I wasn't much of a Barbie-playing girl so I don't quite get it. Enjoy your holiday weekend and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BIG GIRL, MELANIE :0)

ALSO, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SAVANNAH - 18 YEARS OLD! WOW!

Two beds ready

Well, this weekend Betty brought over the other bunk bed so we could put one more step of this room together. It's a little bit more real each time we add one more element of another child coming home. Melanie and Briana slept in the beds on Saturday night. It was so cute to look in and see them sleeping. I'll soon be kissing Melanie and Harley goodnight to the glow of the cutest little Tinkerbelle nightlight that's plugged in between the two beds.

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to us :) Today is our 17th Anniversary and exactly 2 years ago today (8/23/05) we were sitting in the USCIS building getting our fingerprints for the now-expired I-171H. What are the odds that we would get a letter from the USCIS today for our fingerprint appointment? I wonder if we get our First Ruling on her birthday 8/29? Now wouldn't that just beat all????? I have to sit down and put these coincidental dates together so I can list them. Okay, I promised pictures and I will deliver :)



The fair last weekend with Papa, Nana and Daddy.



Running in the sprinklers and filling her watergun :)





Take care everyone!!!!! ~Nancy~

Our first update

We were not expecting an update so this was a big surprise to get an email with information about Harley :0) Well, she's definitely getting our packages. The update says "Although she has seen the pictures many times, she she still asks the foster mother to show her the pictures. For the toys and gifts, she ways holds them in her hands and plays with that." When they describe her personality, her demeaner is so much like Melanie. I call Melanie "my best helper ever" and Harley's foster mom calls Harley "the housekeeper in our home" so they should keep us in line pretty good! She's also a Nature-Girl like Melanie. Camping and exploring adventures will be so much fun. Guess I need to practice my Treasure Hunting skills and map drawing (Mel and I love playing Treasure Hunt).

Above all, I also have to say we are thrilled beyond words that our dearest friends Scott, Shelby and Sawyer will be traveling to China within a few weeks to pick up their other cute-as-a-button son Saxton. I have to say, these boys are precious!

Take care and I promise to post pictures next time I write!

Congrats to Teri!

I talked with Teri and she has started her new job in Graphic Arts! Congratulations and I hope you enjoy your new career :0)

HS mailed to USCIS

The review process was lightning quick and the Home Study was notarized and mailed to USCIS (Immigration) so we can get fingerprinted. Well, that will be the last of our stuff and it's up to the judges to make their Final Ruling and assign the AIT appointment date.


I'm still working on the play room but have found every excuse to put it off so far. In the back of my mind I wonder if she'll want her own room and will hate the Lime Green walls! Actually, more than that I just want her involved in creating the playroom so the "space" has input from both of my girls :-D


Still no updates from the Taiwan Gov't, Cathwell or the foster family. I wonder what she thinks when she gets these packages from us.......I hope she's excited. I guess it's no different than getting a letter or card from friends and family knowing they were thinking of you. I hope she knows we definitely think of her many, many times every day. We're already starting to talk about our next family vacation. How much of a blast will that be?????

The "To Do" list is getting shorter!

Well, we met with Kathy to finish up the Home Study visits. We feel like old friends now, we've known her since we began with Melanie's paperwork way back in 2000. I felt so relieved when we heard she would be the one we worked with. I love working with the old New Hope people. I do miss the New Hope Agency very much and wish they could have been involved in the whole process for Harley - they were all so awesome.

Back to the Home Study - this is a record for us. We're pretty much done, except to review it, then it goes to USCIS so they can finish processing our I171H so we have their permission to bring Harley home. I really can't wait to get her home! Sisters playing and giggling and running and screaming and doing make-overs and just having a great time being kids. I'llreally enjoy hearing that - what a beautiful noise!

Well, time to kick it into high gear. With the hearing happening on Wednesday, we need to finish getting the room ready. The shared closet is now split down the middle with Melanie's clothes on the right side and Harley's clothes on the left. The playroom colors have been picked out and we'll be painting! Lime green is what we'll be using.

Pray for fast judges, that's what we're doing. The faster we get there the better!

Two at a time :)

Well, I've been shopping. 'nough said. Not really! I've been picking up matching clothes for Melanie and Harley so they're dressed alike when we're in Taiwan! I want the world to know that they are sisters and they belong together--we're family :)

The real reason I'm on the blog is because I've been talking about two of everything lately. Yes, here's one more. I received two phone calls on Thursday (8/2) for two separate things. First was Kathy - ready to meet so we can redo our Home Study because the other one was so old now - darn this long wait! The other was Tien letting us know that Harley's hearing is scheduled for Wednesday (8/15) with the first judge! Well, we're one step closer and our hearts are overflowing with love more and more each day for our girl waiting on the other side of the world. We've been sending lots of photos, books, etc. hoping to ease her mind. We know she's scared to pieces of what is coming her way. The change will be wonderful but that transition could be devastating if we don't do it right. We don't get a "do over" in this chapter of our lives.

Cathwel must have noticed that we think of her often (YES!) and send things each chance we get. We've received no updates from the Government but they (Cathwell) asked us to write questions we would like to get answered by Harley and her Foster Family - WOW! According to Tien, that's highly unusual! So........we will be asking, What's your favorite color? Do you prefer dresses or pants? What do you like to do for fun? Do you enjoy coloring? Would you rather play with dolls or stuffed animals? What kind of music do you listen to? Would you like to play the drums (look out neighborhood--that will make Mike, Melanie and Harley drummers!) or piano? Do you want to take dance classes or Tai Kwon Do classes when you get home? Do you have an favorite book?

Of course, we'll ask the foster family a ton of questions! How tall? Weight? Eating habits? Her favorite......her favorite everything! I'm in the mood for spoiling Harley. She just turned 4 years old and will be moving in with her new family, new house, new room, new clothes, new everything.......the everything needs to be everything that she thinks are her favorites, right? Okay, I'll pull back. I will spoil her but I'll do my best to be reasonable :) I will also be sending more disposable cameras so she has a TON of pictures taken in Taiwan while she waits to come home. I hope to put it together so she has that momento of her time with the family she has grown to love. My baby girl is one step closer to home - I wonder what she's up to and thinking this very moment...........hmmm

My two front teeth.......

I keep thinking about all of the things we need 2 of......beds, bikes, skates, helmets, carseats, travel bags. Well, speaking of 2 of everything, this is quickly becoming a theme in our family........Melanie lost her first AND second tooth today. Yup, you heard right, two at one time. With a little help with the sitter's daughters, they were out and she was ready for the Tooth Fairy to come to her pillow!

One more step in watching her grow up! Wonder if her top two fall out before Christmas? Shall we break out into song together????? Whether it happens or not, I can't wait for the holidays this year - the girls are going to have a blast and I can't wait to share it with them. Take care everyone!

Today our baby girl turned 4 years old. I sent the birthday gifts but would give anything to be with her right now! Pray for fast judges so she can come home soon. I hope like crazy we get more pictures and an update this month.

Happy Birthday, Harley. We love you more than you can imagine :)

Summer Vacation starts.....NOW!

Here are some photos of the girls the last few weeks. Graduations all over the place this year :) Savannah's High School, Briana's Grade School and Melanie's Kindergarten Graduations.



One of the best plans we had this year was to go camping on Memorial Day Weekend in Astoria/Seaside. It was a ton of fun hanging out.

We're all still waiting patiently (sigh) and sending homemade DVD movies reading and talking to Harley with lots of pictures of the things we've done throughout the week. Can't wait to take photos with her and the kids all together. She'll think they're crazy but I'm sure she'll ease right in, showing that silly side of herself to us!

2007 Graduates from Kindergarten and High School!

Well, this was a beautiful weekend and we visited with family while celebrating the first grandchild on the DeLizo side of the family to graduate from High School. We are immensely proud of her.

It was fun to finally share pictures of Harley with everyone. We're all already looking forward to the holidays - we're half-way there! Ah, here's a great photo of Melanie and Savannah. She graduates from Kindergarten on Friday and moves on to First Grade. I also have to say, she has the best teacher in the world and Mrs. Boyle will always be her favorite :)

The two most beautiful girls in the world!

Proud big sister Melanie, smiling that pretty smile :)

***** Here are pictures of Harley *****
The first glimpse of our baby girl!


Can't wait to go camping together!
So silly--what a cute grin! We can't wait to hear her laugh.
Looking forward to our next trip to Remlinger Farms :-D

Today's the day that we saw her face for the very first time. It's hard to believe we have to wait - it's the hardest thing ever knowing she's on the other side of the world where you can only reach her through your heart wishing you could reach her with your arms to hold and hug her. I can't wait for my family to be together.

Harley's foster family has loved her and taken very good care of her. They'll miss each other and that makes me sad. I only know hope she adjusts well and learns that we have loved her all her life - she has been in our hearts always! It's such a strange feeling when you look at the picture for the first time and you recognize the person staring back at you. Those dark eyes are so familiar. It's family, simple as that!

Take care everyone and keep in touch. Really, the journey has only begun......