Waiting......

May 12, 2009

Sarah's Feet Fixed-2wm3

Today marks 36 months of waiting.......Our dossier has been sitting in China since May 12, 2005......THREE YEARS!!!

Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would still be here waiting for a referral. I wish we had some sort of idea or timeframe as to when this was going to finally happen for us, but no one can predict the future and when or IF things are going to speed up.

For the most part, I am a very positive and happy go lucky person who does not let things like this get to me. I feel fortunate to have a very full and busy life....and I know we are getting close, but as each month passes us by, the reality of this adoption seems to get further and further away. I would be lying to myself and to you all if I said that this wait is not wearing on me.....Because it IS.

Even though it could very well be another year or more, we are in this for the LONG haul. In my mind I know that when we finally do see her smiling face, this wait will seem trivial and it will be worth every second and then some, but it is hard to feel that way in my heart when I am sitting here waiting, waiting, waiting......... with no anwers and no end in sight.


59 comments:

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

I hear you my friend.

Lea
xo

Sandra said...

LOVE that picture!!

Kim said...

Happy 3 years...
LOVE the photo..
Every day is a day closer..
Hugs..
Have a great evening..

Launa said...

Oh Lisa, I can't even pretend to know how hard the wait is, I can only imagine. I know the Lord has a special little girl for you and His timing is perfect. (((hugs)))

~Launa

Missy said...

Lisa,
I can only imagine how incredibly hard the wait is. Three years is an insane amount of time to wait, but I know she will be worth every minute. Once you hold her, see her little almond eyes, the wait will seem a distant memory!
Hugs, my friend!

Marla said...

Holy moly. 3 years. Congrats on getting that all behind you though, your girl gets closer with each passing month. Hugs, my friend. And imagine the celebration we're going to have when that referral does come! :)

Shell in your Pocket said...

My goodness...3 years????
sandy toe

Lisa said...

Wow, 3 years...that's crazy! I guess I didn't realize that it was backed up so far. Do you have any clue or guess as to when you will get your referral? I'm so sorry my friend!!! Hang in there! I can't wait until the day that you have news on your sweet daughter....she will definitely be worth the wait. You have a great attitude! I just love it!

Jodee said...

Lisa -- I, too, can only imagine how hard the long wait must be. Hang in there -- she will be sooooo worth the wait! In the meantime, count your blessings along the way!

Hurry up, China!

Suzie said...

Never, did I ever imagine that this wait would be so long. I just passed 32 months (LID 9/4/2006) and there is no end in sight. Like you, I will wait for as long as it takes. Hang in there!

PS - That photo is FABULOUS!!!!

Briana's Mom said...

Oh Lisa - 3 years. I can't believe you had waited so long. It is just crazy. I'm thinking of you...

"Hello... It's Me Again..." said...

That is a long time to wait, but everything happens in the right time. She'll be "home" soon then you won't remember a day without her in your lives.

Kam said...

3 years...hard to imagine. I scour the Rumor Queen almost every day just to hear a tidbit of news for all of you. I'm not even adopting from China and I read it! Because I just want to hear good news for all of you who are. Hang in there. Some agencies think they may make it to 3.15 or 3.16.06 this time. Here's hoping.
Beautiful piggies btw.
Hugs~

Shari said...

Love that picture! Know that each day brings you closer - even if it seems unreachable.

Rachel said...

3 years - yikes. I feel for you. Our wait was a little over 2 and that was tough. I hope the highly anticipated speed up happens at some point for so many reasons including you!

She is getting closer and she will be perfect for your family.

Ivy Shaffer said...

HI my friend,
I too was taken when you told me three years of waiting! As I told you earlier, it takes an incredible amount of fortitude to continue on and girl, you have it! Also it's so true, once you finally have that baby girl in your arms, you'll forget about the wait and then want time to slow down so you can cherish all the special moments of this amazing journey.

I'm in it with you for the"Long road"

((((((HUGS))))))))

IVY

PS crazy how you took that pic and it's so appropriate for this post! Nice clean, petite feet:))

Julie said...

Unbelievable that it's been 3 years. A dear friend of mine is (still waiting) logged in March 28 2006 - 4 months from our LID of Nov 7, 2005 and we have had our daughter for almost 2 years!!

Michelle R Photography said...

Another year or more?!? You are absolutely right that you will forget about the wait the moment she is placed in your arms, but I just can't imagine how difficult the wait is for you now. Sending you big hugs, Lisa.

BTW, AWESOME picture. You have such a great eye.

fleur de lis cottage said...

Hang in there my friend. Each day is a day closer to holding your sweet daughter! Hugs!

Denise said...

Big hugs to you Lisa! We need to have that visit and I would love to be one of your first customers and have you photograph Maggie~

Jboo said...

Wow -- that is a really long wait. I'm sure it will be worth it, but I know the waiting is still hard. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers and hoping for a speed up.

Janet

Patricia said...

Oh, my heart goes out to you Lisa...I cannot even imagine how difficult this wait must be...hang in there, girl! Every day is one day closer, & the Lord's timing is always perfect. Big hugs to you!!

Kerry said...

Hugs to you, Lisa. I know that there is nothing that I can say to you to ease this wait. I have struggled to find words for so many friends.

Please know that I am thinking of you and will rejoice with you when your day comes.
Hugs

Lori said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Hi Lisa,

I am on a blogging break since I have been so busy with graduation open house planning, end of year school stuff, baseball and the list goes on....BUT, I just had to check in on you. 3 years, so long of a wait, too long!!! I am sure, though, that once you receive your referral and look into her eyes, you will know that the perfect child was matched for you and why the wait is taking soooo long!!! I do hope the "speed up" is soon from the CCAA.

I also have not taken the time to comment on your new venture and the name!! I am so excited for you. You have unbelievable talent with your pictures and I just LOVE the name that you picked out....very trendy and eye catching!

Happy Belated Mothers Day!!

Take Care,

Dawn

Lori said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
a Tonggu Momma said...

I'm with you, my friend, just a month and a day behind. Sigh. But every day IS a day closer.

Mei Mei s and Mayhem said...

Love the pic. {{Hugs}} It is so hard but you are getting closer! It is definitely the slow boat to China, what a great attitude you have about it.

Dita said...

I wish there were a way to have China speed the process up for all the waiting families but mostly for the children who wait. It seems almost unconscionable that they could ask families to wait 3-4 years to be united with their child.

I can't speed the process but I can say that I'm happy to be here waiting by your side and anytime you need a distraction just holler!

Kayce said...

I know just where you're at. While it is wearing, there is hope and a positive heart will guide you through....Happy 36! Keep the faith.

Wanda said...

Uh huh - I totally hear you. We hit 3 years back on March 15th and now - swine flu!?? You're right - we will hang in there but it's really, really tough.

TM is right - every day is a day closer.

Colleen said...

Wow, 3 years! You must be getting pretty close now, huh?? I know it is so hard, but you will one day know that the timing was perfect.
Love the photo!

Lisa and Tate said...

Happy thirty-sixth! Three years really is a long time to wait. Like you, I am a happy go lucky girl, but still this wait is so hard. I do not know what is harder, the wait to see that smiling face or after when you have the long wait until travel. All I know is that when I saw Tate's smiling face I felt complete.

Love the pic!

Christy said...

It is the hardest thing I ever had to do and Im sure you are feeling that burn==ouch!! She will come!!!

Christy :)

Shelly and Family said...

Oh Lisa...I do know what it is like to wait...we waited for both our daughters and now...well you know...but our wait just wasn't by any means as long as you guys are waiting. I can't imagine what you and these other waiting parents are going through. Hang in there friend (even though I know it is harder than we all think)...HUGS coming your way....If you get a chance, call me this morning. We'll be home most of the morning...

Leslie said...

Man....3 years!!!!
I'm so sorry you have to indure this wait. Hopefully your new business will keep you super busy, and the this wait will fly by. I'm truly sorry, because I know the wind has been knocked out of that sail by now. Keep on swimmin...keep on going.

Love this picture!!!

Cindy said...

What a long, difficult journey this China adoption process is. I so wish it was easier. I know our 2 year wait felt like an eternity so I definitely feel for you.

t~ said...

Welcome to the 3 year club. Nobody could have predicted this ridiculous wait. I look forward to the day that you see the sweet face of your child. Dreams do come true.

Special K said...

Next month will be my 3 yr mark, too. So I get everything you just said. We're getting closer day by day. Trying hard to hang in there.

Happy 3 Years!

Kate said...

Three years....dauntinig to say the least. We are only 1 1/2 years in...and it seems like forever.

I can tell you that nothing is the same after they place that baby in your arms...it really does make the wait SO worth it.

Alicia W. said...

Fingers and toes crossed for you to get a referral VERY SOON. Much love from SC.

Gail said...

I know the wait is agonizing at times, it's like you have to put this child on the back burner and forget about her for a long, long time. But she is there, I've been right where you are to want something so badly and don't know when it'll happen. But it will. Not that it helps to say that Lisa. Your time will come and this wait will be a memory. I tell people this a lot and since I have BTDT I can say that when you see her sweet face the first time, you'll see why you waited so long. And she'll be worth the wait.

I'll be here right beside you waiting with you I promise.

Naomi said...

I just wanted to say hello. I am also an ovarian cancer survivor.... I had the tumour removed while pregnant with our third child, 25 weeks pregnant. It was a miracle. I am British and my husband is American (Italian) and we live in the UK. We are waiting to travel to China to adopt a little girl with a heart defect. I am so sorry for your long wait... it is heart wrenching and I pray that God will carry you through.

Naomi
www.lydiahope.blogspot.com

Jeni said...

I can only imagine...but whoever gets lucky enough to get you for a mommy will always be grateful!

Super cute picture too.

Kristy said...

Happy 36th LIDversary!! We are getting ready to cross over to 37. Everything you just said is exactly how I feel and you said it all perfectly. There is an end in sight...this wait will be over soon.
Love and blessings, Kristy

Our Complete Family said...

Oh Lisa,
3 years? My prayers are with you that your little girl can come home to yoru sweet family soon.
I don't know how all of this works, but it must be terribly painful this wait...
Love ya oodles.
The pic of Miss Sarah is darling.
Your kiddos will be awesome big bro/big sis when the day comes!!!
xo Les

Steffie B. said...

I can't imagine Lisa and I only had to wait two years....all I can say is keep your positive attitude....it is all worth it in the end and the 3 years waiting will fade.....your photography skills have taken right off.....I hope I can do as well as you after my work shop! ;)

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

Ho hum... I feel your pain... as you know... I am so close but still far and now with this little 'halt' in things... errrr... and so I keep myself busy and I too am 'positive' for the most part and try to not be negative but right now, I am feeling somewhat negative...but trying to not pass it on... hugs to ya...

The Byrd's Nest said...

This wait is terribly terribly long. It would have been three years for us in August waiting in China if we wouldn't have found Emma Jane in South Korea.

Each day is closer like other people have said....God is in control and knows the perfect child and will send you at the most perfect moment. Big Hugs.

day by day said...

I really can not even imagine waiting that long and my heart goes out to all of you stuck in this LONG wait.

Hang in there...it won't be long until you will be taking pictures of your China princess!!

wife.mom.nurse said...

praying for you as you wait...

~Julie

jenbusymom said...

you're little girl will be so loved and adored by her new family once she arrives. I can't imagine the three year wait, your time will come!

Laura said...

Lisa and Family,
I don't know what to say. Three years is a long time but, you have kept yourself busy with work, Sara, Nick, vacations, cooking, blogging and photography. With that said, no void can fill the waiting process. Please know that I'm thinking of you and all others who are waiting and pray each day that CCAA will speed up their process to find homes for all their beautiful children.
xoxoxox,
Laura

Anonymous said...

You hang on! It will steal your breath away when you meet the one God has planned this timing for!

Sharon said...

Hugs to you. Our dossier was sent to our agency that very same date. Then somehow we got L from VN and then M from China. Boy how time changes things!

Casey said...

Oh Lisa... I can't imagine. We waited a year and that was hard enough. I'm praying hard you see your daughter's face before another year. You are right... the wait will be worth it.... but waiting is definately NOT easy. Hang tight!!

Bridget said...

I am so far behind in reading posts - but just wanted to say I wish you all the best for the rest of your wait. I know how very hard it is - and we didn't wait nearly as long. I echo what everyone else says that every minute of the wait will be worth it when they put your beautiful daughter in our arms! Although I realize you know that - just wanted to say hang in there as your day will come and I will be so happy for you!

Hope all's well!

Bridget

Unknown said...

Three years. Wow. Sometimes it is so hard to understand God's plan and timing, isn't it? And I know that is so much easier for me to type than it is for you to read! Praying!

M,R,J1,J2 said...

I'm right there with you :-(
Right now, I prefer not to think about it anymore...
Hugs,
Michaela
LID: 05/24/06