Happy Birthday To Me!! and Catch-Up Time!

Here I sit with so much to say, I'm not sure where to start. This wouldn't happen if I'd post more often. I will make a concerted effort to do just that. I am also going to start to carry my camera with me at all times, just in case something exciting or interesting happens. I feel kinda dopey to say I've been here or there, or done this or that, and then can't show you any photographic evidence. I don't know about you, but I'm a very visual person and a picture "speaks a thousand words".

So...let me start with the picture above. Tomorrow is my birthday!! The flowers on the left were delivered yesterday from my wonderful husband, gosh I love ya honey!!
I have to work tomorrow, but on Saturday night we're going to my favorite Sushi restaurant, yummo!!! No I didn't forget to tell you how old I'll be, I just forgot myself :-)!


This past Saturday was our 4 month!!! LID anniversary. Our "dossier" has been logged in with the CCAA for 4 whole months!!!! Let's not talk about how long this is taking, I'm trying not to think about that.

Last Friday was my last day at my old job. The flowers above on the right are from my colleagues. They also gave me a gift certificate to Toys R US Baby, how cool! I finished off my traveling for the job last week in Maryland. I brought my niece and nephew with me so they could visit with my Dad and Colleen. We all had a great time. The kids were great for both 4 hour drives to and from.

Today I started my new job! No rest for the weary this summer, I need to accrue all the time off I can for the trip to China.

It looks like some July O5 LID's are just about to receive their referrals, I wish them much congratulations and pray they see the pictures of their precious little ones very soon.

Birthday photos to follow, I promise :-).

Sniffle, Sniffle...

Well, I did it. I caught John's "summer cold". Sorry honey it's not your fault. Not your fault that you brought the germs home to begin with. Only kidding. Only problem is that I'm not home. I'm now in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Before that I was in Charleston, West Virginia. Both areas are very green, very beautiful and actually mountainous. This from a girl who is not even used to small hills, living as close as we do to the south shore of Long Island. One thing about West Virginia that I noticed was that people are allowed to smoke in restaurants/bars. In NY, you are not allowed to smoke in restaurants and even bars as well. A lot of people complained initially, but now it's just generally accepted. I'm not a smoker, never have been, so cigarette smoke bothers me a lot, and with a cold to boot...yuck.
What I noticed about northeast Pennsylvania, is that people drive really fast on the interstate, faster than I do at any rate. And I'm doing 65, wow, not to mention the constant big rigs passing me by too. I'm driving a Chrysler Sebring convertible (my rental car). It's really nice, only it's been cloudy and stormy since I've been here, so no taking the top down :-(. I'm flying home today, just hope I can stop sneezing long enough to get on the plane. I feel sorry for the poor people around me. I hope I don't spread my cold to them.
Been reading the many rumors on the web concerning how the referrals with go for July and how that will carry over for future months. It's like riding a roller coaster actually. One minute you're up thinking things will speed up, only to read something else that says things will remain slow and possibly slow further. It's enough to drive you nuts. John and I just pray everyday that this journey progress as the Lord directs. We know this journey is in His hands.
Got to get going, got to get ready and get back to the airport.

You Lord are all I have and you give me all I need,
my future is in your hand.
How wonderful are your gifts to me;
how good they are. Psalm 16:5-6

Trying to Perfect My Blogging Technique

I hope you can view the video it was my first attempt. I'm learning how to "blog" as I go along. I'm still trying to figure out how to do a couple of things that I have seen other bloggers do. I wonder if there is a course on blogging?? :-).
I'd love to take it, it gets frustrating sometimes when things to come out like I'd like them to.

Happy Belated July 4th

Tuesday was a great fun filled day. I spent the morning "boating" with Anthony, Karen and the kids, as well as Corey and his parents. We set the anchor and just "lounged" for a couple of hours, enjoying the scenery and the weather (warm and hazy). I didn't realize how strong the sun actually was, with sunscreen, I got a nice burn on my back that I didn't feel till well into the evening :-(.
John went to see Amanda march in the annual Massapequa Fourth of July Parade and joined me later on.
Here is Karen, Cheryl and I.

Dana taking a snooze!

Here's Anthony Sr, Jr and Corey


Later that afternoon we went to Karen and Anthony's house for a BBQ, with lots of good food, yum (oops I enjoyed and started my diet again on the 5th :-))

Later in the evening we saw some great fireworks, not only on TV (the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks display was awesome), but also in our neighborhood. New Yorkers love this holiday and set off a lot of colorful fireworks to celebrate.

A Big Decision Made This Week

Two posts today. Last post was about a fun trip to Las Vegas with my company. This post is to tell you of a big decision I made (with John's help) this week. I've decided to take a new job and leave this wonderful company that I've been working for, for almost the past 2 years.
Why would I leave a job that I love?? Well if you notice I'm always talking about trips to other states, and freqent trips at that. When John and I decided to start this adoption process, many people asked me how I was going to be able to travel once we brought Renee home. Well, we both hadn't thought that far.
I came to realize that I would need to work close to home. Renee would have enough issues with bonding after leaving China, my frequent trips away would not help the process, but could cause more harm as well.
So, I was told of a position in my nurse speciality (I'm a clinical nurse specialist) at a hospital in the area. I decided to take it, especially when I researched that they had on site day care available. So I'll start my new job at the end of July.
On a happy note...the June referrals went out the beginning of this week.
Visit www.salsainchina.blogspot.com to see the blogs of families who received the gift of a life time this week.

The Red Rock Inn In Las Vegas

This is where I went for my "mid-year" meeting with my company. I know I'm a bit late, I was there over 2 weeks ago, but wanted to show the pictures of my room because I didn't think I could describe how wonderful it was. The only problem was that John wasn't there to enjoy it with me :-(. Don't know if you can make it out, but the Vegas strip is in the distance.


Now that's what I call a bed!!


How about that bathroom!!


How about the tub??


By the way, note the flat screen TV above the tub, I was in TV heaven!! John knows, I'd put a TV in every room if I could!!
I was there for 4 days, working hard, but had a great time!!!

I'm Still Here!

Gosh, I didn't realize how long it's been since my last post. It's been almost 3 weeks. If any of my blog partners did that, I'd be so frustrated. I love reading the other blogs. Thank you to everyone for allowing me to share in your experiences as we travel a similar journey, with the same goal at the end: our child.
Well I'm still here, haven't posted in almost 3 weeks, so sorry for that. Multiple reasons, one major one is that I've been doing a lot of traveling.
2 weeks ago I was in the Las Vegas for my company's mid-year meeting. We stayed at the Red Rock Hotel, Spa and Casino. It's about 25 minutes from the strip. I took pictures of my room because I needed photographic evidence of how awesome it was. I'll post those pictures when I get home. Hint, Hint...I'm not in New York at the moment... Getting back to Las Vegas. The meeting took up all day, but did get a little pool time on the first day there, but after about 45 minutes felt like I was charbroiling even with an SPF of 30, probably needed 100 :-)!
We did get to the strip one evening and a bunch of my work colleagues and I ate at a really nice sushi restaurant in Ceasar's Forum Shops Mall. Then we walked around till we couldn't walk anymore and taxied back to our hotel.
After I got back to New York, I'm ashamed to admit that it took me at least 3 days to get over my jet lag. That was just a 3 hour difference. Traveling to China will be at least a 12 hour difference. Sue, you gotta get with the program!!!!
Well, last week I traveled to Norfolk, Virginia. It was hot and humid. Then from there flew to Boston. Flew home on Thursday, Friday was a quickie, then on Saturday I flew to Minneapolis, Minnesota where I sit right now!
I am attending a big nursing conference, for the speciality I am a part of. I'm a CWOCN (I'll explain another time)
My full title is Susan Guschel RN, MS, NP, CWOCN.
I'm attending the conference, though, as an exhibitor. I worked the exhibit booth last night till 8P. After standing for about 3 straight hours in one place, my back was so sore and I was ready for a glass of Zinfandel :-)!
I'll be here till tomorrow, then I think I have to drive to Philadelphia on Thursday. I'll know for sure later today.
Well, just wanted to catch up. I'm not sure why I waited so long to post, I think that sometimes it's just that the journey just seeems so long and that get's me down. But then I'll visit someones blog that just received their referral, or is in China getting their child, and I feel so much better.
We are 3 months in to the wait now, that looks to be at least 12 months or more. When people ask I say I just finished my first trimester :-), their mouths gape open till I tell them it's my "paper pregnancy"!!!!
Well, time to get ready, gotta go back to the exhibit booth shortly.

God Bless America

So sorry, haven't posted in a while. Have a lot of catching up to do.
Found this sign at Joanne's Crafts and put it on the front door for Memorial Day. I'm leaving it up because I think it's appropriate everyday, and also it will be perfect for July 4th too! Please remember to keep our country in your prayers every day and please pray for our soldiers who have given their lives to keep our country safe.
Memorial Day weekend was beautiful here in Long Island. Every day was sunny and warm (I can remember a few where you needed long sleeves, long pants, jackets and an umbrella, ugh). On Sunday Amanda visited, and our neighbors Jim and Ellen had there annual Memorial Day BBQ and party. Now that's how you know summer has really begun!
We set up our Volley ball/ Badminton net on our front lawn and before you knew it all the kids from the party (and the block) came over to play ball. I still think I have some toys left behind by the neighborhood kids!

Here's John playing Badminton with Amanda


Here's Amanda returning a serve.

Amanda is Renee's big sister, she's a black belt in Karate since she's 13 (she's 14 now). I have great shots of her competing at a Karate tournament that I need to post.

On Monday John and I went fishing with my sister Karen, brother in law Anthony,and my niece and nephew, Dana and Anthony Jr., on their boat. It's a beautiful Proline, and as I joke with John all the time, has the necessities that I want in a boat should we ever buy one, namely a cabin to get out of the elements if necessary and most important, a bathroom!!!! John would be happy with a row boat :-) !!
Got to take pictures next time we're on board.
We caught fluke but none were keepers, they were all too small. I caught a skate, yuck. It was breezy on the water, but a gorgeous day. Looking forward to more boat trips this summer. Thanks Anthony and Karen!!!!!!!!

The Stork Had Made More Deliveries!!

I'd like to start letting everyone know monthly, when the CCAA (China Center For Adoption Affairs) sends out referrals. Well I'm happy to report that the stork made some "special deliveries" this week. I check the CCAA's website daily, and the box to the left was updated with new dates. Note also that they have finished reviewing dossiers up to September 30th 2005 and just finished placing babies with families whose Log In Dates were June 7th through the 15th 2005. How wonderful for all of these families. John and I are so excited for them. The pictures of their babies are just beautiful. I'd like to try to put some links to their blog sites on this blog so you to can see these beautiful babies. Although I've learned alot in the "blogging" process, I haven't figured out the fine tuning parts, so bear with me. I think the easiest thing to do would be to visit a fellow blogger that I visit often who helps me to keep abreast of what's happening in the China Adoption world.
This is Mary Mia's site ! www.salsainchina.blogspot.com
Copy and paste to visit this site and then go to the individual links and you'll see many of those families who just received their referrals. Enjoy!
John and I can't wait for the day when it will be our turn to post the picture of our precious Renee. We know it will take longer than first expected, but we also know it is all in God's plan.

"Be assured that if God takes longer than you wish, it is only to make the blessing more precious."- Unknown

16.2

16.2 is the number of pounds I have lost since April 3rd! I neglected to mention that I joined LA Weight Loss right after the Women's Retreat I attended the last weekend in March. I just got tired of failing everytime I tried to lose weight on my own. And I couldn't believe how much weight had crept it's way on to this body in just a couple of years.
My goal is not only to be physically fit and trim so I can run after a toddler :-), but also to try to make it to the top of the Great Wall of China. Lofty goal for someone who is not big into excercise, but I've got time to work on it before we get to China and I'm very dedicated.
The ladies at LA Weight Loss are really impressed with this goal (and I intend to reach 160 pounds by or before September 2006), they are all excited about the adoption. I've got 27.4 pounds left to lose (you do the math).
Another interesting tidbit, related to losing weight. I saw an email today on my March DTC yahoo group that said the CCAA refused to match to someone who was overweight. Now I never heard that before and I've noted a lot of overweight people receiving referrals, so I'm taking this as an unsubstantiated rumor, but geesh, if that's the case a lot of Americans could be turned away. I'm guess I'm glad I'm losing weight, now I have to work on John....

The Brown Envelope!!!!!!!

Wow there was a big stack of mail in the mail box yesterday. I started going through it and then all of a sudden I noticed...the big brown envelope!!! I screamed!, I laughed!! I called John immediately!! I said honey guess what???
The brown envelope has arrived!!!! OK, you may be wondering, what is all the excitement about getting a big brown envelope in the mail. Well, this isn't just any brown envelope, this is "THE" brown envelope from the American Consulate in Guangzhou, China...Yes, I said China!! This envelope contains the forms necessary to make Renee our "immediate relative". It includes the physical form for the medical exam she will have in Guangzho before we head back to the United States. It has a lot of what I am assuming to be Mandarin Chinese writing on it. How surreal!!
Why is this a big deal?? Well in the big scheme of things, we still have months to wait, but this is just another mile stone (just like our Log In Date), reminding us that we are firmly in the process, that we have a case # with the American Consulate, and that this journey of hope, will truly lead us to our daughter.

Kisses In The Wind

So sorry for the lack of posting over this past week. Have traveled much for work. I was in Philadelphia and Boston this past week. I'm hoping to be pretty close to home till I leave for Henderson, Nevada in 2 weeks, then Minneapolis, Minnesota at the end of June.
Meant to post for Mother's Day last week, but the day, and then the week :-)got away from me. Mother's Day has always been a hard day for me, as it reminded me of what I wasn't and couldn't achieve. I would try to be cheerful for all the other Mom's in my life, but deep inside I ached so.
Well this year was so different from the first moment I got up in the morning. John had 2 cards for me (he always gives me more than one card !!) and a box. One card was to the "Mother to Be" and the other was from Renee!! In the box was a beautiful frame that said on the top "I LOVE MOMMY". Oh to realize that one day soon Renee will be here and will one day say that she loves me and call me Mommy. That will be a dream come true.
Well we went to church, visited John's Mom and then we met my sister Karen, brother in law Anthony and my niece and nephew, Dana and Anthony Jr. for a late "brunch" buffet at the 56th Fighter Group (weird name but great restaurant!) in Farmingdale, NY. It was absolutely delicious, we had a great time and Anthony and Dana gave me a beautiful frame and a pink impatient plant that believe it or not is still alive and thriving :-).
After that, Anthony and Dana came home with me and we watched The Chronicles of Narnia, The Witch, The Lion and the Wardrobe (sorry if they are out of order!!).
Just think, hopefully this time next year, Renee will be celebrating with us!!

This week, I received an email from La Vida with an attached document "While You Wait Activities". Things to do before we travel to bring Renee home. It's 5 pages long!!!!! The first on the list is..."Deep clean and organize!! Clean the garage and every closet in your home...organize everything..." Well that was my plan, lot's to do in the next 6 months. We started today by shampooing the living room, dining room, and hall way rug. Wow, what a difference and it only cost $34.00 (rental from Home Depot!!), way to go John, great job sweetie!!

If you note the title of today's posting, I want to finish by including a poem that was sent to me with one of the quilt pieces and wishes I have received. (And I've received many!!) It brought tears to my eyes and still does everytime I read it. It captures the essence of our wait for Renee. Here it is...

Kisses In The Wind

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.

You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder were we are...what's taking us so long.

But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...

Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.

I promise darling, I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.

But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.

And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.

---Unknown--

"Where In The World is Matt Lauer, no I mean Susan Guschel!!!!

Well everyone, I have entered into my busy season at work. I left home Monday morning at 5:45am and won't see home again till tomorrow night at about 9:00pm.
Where have I been you may ask? Well OK here goes...
Monday flew into Baltimore and drove to Bethesda for meeting. Then drove that evening to Phildelphia.
Tuesday spent day in Philadelphia and NJ.
Wednesday flew to Charlottesville, VA early that morning.
Did presentation that evening till almost 10pm.
Thursday (today) I drove from Charlottesville to Columbia, MD.
So right now I am in my hotel room and It's time to get ready for my presentation this evening.
Tomorrow, I will be able to go visit with my Dad and Colleen in Catonsville because they live close by,and that's great because I haven't seen them since I think December because they spend the winter in Florida. After our brief visit (but I'll be back!), then I fly home to good ole Islip, NY and my wonderful hubby will pick me up!!!
Phewww!

I Just Love Spring in NY!

Other than Summer which is my ultimate favorite season (I think that's because I was born at the end of July!), Spring is my next favorite season. It's wonderful to see how the trees, bushes and shrubbery have bloomed.
I should have taken this picture sooner, because the light pink azalea bush has already past its peak, but I think you get the gist. John admires his handiwork here, as he should considering the hard work it took putting in all the plants and building the stone wall. He's also especially proud now on how green the lawn is getting! Good work Honey!, now it's time to start on the backyard :-). The back yard is how should I say, in a state of flux at the moment. John is about three quarters finished with our deck, then we need to finish the shed in the corner and make the area completely child safe for Renee (with a swing set of course!). I'll take a picture of the backyard once John finishes the deck, I promise! We definitely have a few projects to finish before Renee comes home.

Later today John and I will be going to our first FCC (Families With Children From China) Long Island Waiting Families meeting in Sayville, Long Island.
I am just so excited to be going, there will be families there that have just gotten home from China. I'll take my camera and tell you all about it!

It's A Small World After All...

Those of you who have followed this blog, will notice that I've again posted above the "Chinese Legend Of The Red Thread". I was just thinking about how I've come to start this blog and how that has lead me to the FCC (Families With Children From China) Long Island Group, to the two Yahoo chat groups I now belong to: March06DTC (Dossier To China) and the FCC LI Waiting groups. How this lead me to the secret pal swap and 100 Good Wish Quilt swap (I'll explain on another posting). And if you might ask me how this all began, I'd have to say again that "It's the Legend Of the Red Thread!"
You see if you go back to the very first posting I made back in March, I mentioned that I learned about "blogging" from a new friend that I met. I've been remiss in that I've never told the story. Well here it is:
In the beginning of March (just after our dossier had left for China, I traveled to Virginia Beach to assist a work colleague at a nursing conference. I was helping her work our exhibit booth. Yes I'm a nurse and I'm in sales, what a combination :-).
Well, while standing at our booth, I eyed across the room a woman carrying an absolutely gorgeous little Asian baby. Well without even thinking, I left the booth and rushed over and said..." I hope you don't think I'm being forward, but did you adopt your daughter from China?" Her reply was "No I don't think you are being forward and yes I did, this is Amy and we just got back from China 2 weeks ago!!"
On further conversations with Janet (Amy's Mom), I found out that she also used La Vida International as her adoption agency.
I can't describe how wonderful it was to meet them both, and to be able to hold and play with Amy. She is the sweetest baby!! Janet's blog is listed under my favorite blogs. Go take a look and you'll see how beautiful she is!
I truly believe that the Lord had it in his infinite plan for Janet and I to meet.
It is thanks to her that this blog even exists. Meeting them helped me realize that this precious dream of adopting a baby will actually come true. I got to see what it will be like (for a brief moment in time), when we bring our baby Renee home.
So remember, there is a red thread that connects those who are destined to meet, just as I was destined to meet Janet and Amy, so are John and I destined to meet our precious little girl Renee.

It's Official We're Expecting!!!!

Isn't this sonogram picture a hoot!!
If you take a look above at the "Ticker Counter" with the little lady bug counting the days through the tulips!, you'll notice that it dosen't say "since Dossier to China" anymore, but now says "since Log In Date"! Yes it's official we're paper pregnant!!!
We just received the official email from La Vida letting us know that our dossier was "logged in with the CCAA (China Center For Adoption Affairs) on 3/22/06!! ". Now we have an "LID". This is the date that are referrral is based on, so... we are already over one month into our wait!
We still have many months to go but........
It's Official, We're Expecting!!!

If This Is Tuesday It Must Be Vermont!!!!

I flew to Boston on Monday (for work), rented a car and on Tuesday drove 3 hours north to Randolph, Vermont. It's about an hour south of Burlington and Montpelier.
What a beautiful state! Not to mention they have great maple syrup too! This is the view from behind the "Three Stallion Inn" where I stayed. Believe it or not the pool is up and running but it's only in the 40's (dip anyone??) Notice the rock formations in the hill, awesome!

It had rained a bit on the way up, no major downpours or anything, but the sky got dark and dreary. I thought we may even have a thunder storm. I took this shot at the front of the inn. Also, the views on the way up to Vermont were breath taking, I only wish I could have photographed them too, but I was driving and needed both hands on the wheel LOL!


These are pictures of my room in the Three Stallion Inn, it was lovely, but after being spoiled by all the Courtyard Marriotts I've been in, I missed the TV and the blowdryer!! Still, it was lovely and I was blessed to be able to get the chance to visit Vermont while I'm working. Wish John was there too, but we'll go back again, now that I know how to get there :-)

How Could I Forget Precious Brayden!

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I had forgotten to post this adorable picture of Brayden. Here he is at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Baiting Hollow on Easter Sunday. We (Lynette, Karen, Dana and I) were going to take a walk before we ate dinner. Actually we walked and Brayden of course got to take the "stroll" in his "stroller". Believe it or not he was asleep before we got down to the end of the drive way, lucky boy!!!
After that we ate and ate and ate and ate...... And I was supposed to be on a diet!!
The next day I went right back on and have lost almost 10 pounds. My plan is to loose another 30 pounds by Christmas. I'd like to make it up to the top of the Great Wall of China, and be able to run after Renee too!!!

Out Came The Sun And Dried Up All The Rain.....

It has been raining the entire weekend!! I shouldn't complain because the NY Metropolitan area has been behind when it comes to rainfall this spring, and there was a bad brush fire in Dix Hills just last week. Ok, I'm happy it rained, we definitely needed it, but... I'm glad it's clearing up now, just in time for Monday and work, yuck!
Here's some landscape pictures as the front of the house proceeds to experience it's spring time bloom!!!

Here is our Japanese Maple last week.

Here is the Japanese Maple today!!

Here is how things looked last week.

Here is today!

And Here is our Home Sweet Home in Lindenhurst, Long Island!

If This Is Tuesday, It Must Be...

Sorry I haven't posted since April 11th! I've been so busy! I clocked 1000 miles this week. Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey. Next week I'll be in Massachussets and Vermont. I'll bring my camera I promise! In May I'll be in 5 different states in 5 days, now that's got to be a record.
Well we're still waiting for our "LID". I guess being busy is a good thing because maybe I won't think about the adoption that much...WRONG!! It's always just a thought away from whatever I've been doing.
We got an email from LaVida this past week, basically letting us know that China has slowed in making referrals. What a bummer!! I know I've got to trust that my Lord knows the perfect time for Renee to join our family, and I pray for His peace in accepting the longer wait.
Well back to work, no rest for the weary!!

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength"- Philippians 4:13