The latest rumors are that referrals are on their way. I may get to see a picture of my daughter on Monday! I am getting very excited and at the same time it is kind of hard to believe it is finally going to happen. This whole process has taken three years. At times it seemed like this point would never arrive. Now it is going to happen.

You may have questions about what the referral contains. It will have the name, sex, and birthdate of my child along with some other information - for example if she has been in an orphanage or in foster care, what part of China she is from, her medical history (as much as they know) and of course a couple pictures of her. The pictures are usually a couple months old but it is something to hang on to.

After we get our referrals then the next wait begins - the wait to travel to China to bring her home. That usually happens about six to eight weeks after referral. During that time there will be lots of planning and shopping to do!

Well spring has arrived. Just look at the crocus that are blooming just outside my front door! It has put me in the mood for summer and since it is verrrry likely that I will be getting my referral in the next couple weeks I will be a MOM this summer. That means I will need a little swimming pool for the back yard - never fear, I picked it up this evening. Just a little one. I did hold off on the swimming suit for her, but I did check them out. I will wait to get some idea of the size I will need before I buy one. After the swimming pool I got practical and picked up a little comb and brush set and nail clippers. Then I saw the things to make your home childproof. I have had outlet protectors in since before my first home study visit but tonight I found this thing to put on the toilet paper roll so a child can't unroll the paper. I bought it! I am installing it tonight! Boo has this habit of unrolling the toilet paper while I am taking my shower. Hopefully this will help! Twinkle is demanding some mommy time so I had better give him some attention. I must not forget my oldest two "children".

Referrals came out last week and I am getting closer. China has now given referrals for people whose dossiers were logged in by October 24th, 2005. My log in date is October 28, 2005 ........so it looks very likely that I will get my referral in the next batch. That should be the end of March or beginning of April. Suddenly I have realized that after all this time I am not ready!!! I need to make a list of people to call when I get that important phone call! I need to make sure my cell phone is charged at all times! What if I am in the middle of the phone call and the battery goes dead? And I need to carry my camera with me so I can take pictures of what is going on when I get the phone call. And speaking of cameras they asked me at work today if I have a decent camera to take to China with me and how many memory cards I will take. I thought I had enough but I am going to take everything in tomorrow and get their advice at work.

I am also starting to think about being a parent. Now I know you may think this one is funny. I have been working on this for several years now but IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I am going to be a parent! What do I do? I have stuff - crib, toys, books, clothes, stroller, Tylenol, etc but what about being a parent! I subscribed to Parenting Magazine the other day. I may get Parents also. I have already been through What to Expect the First Year and What to Expect the Toddler Years but that was a while ago. I need a review. I have a couple months left and then as everyone is telling me - my life will never be the same!!! I can't wait!