Busy on the Cape...

So we've been here for almost a week and Gary and I have been busy as usual. Here's our week so far:

Saturday:
Arrived on the Cape about 10:00AM. Went down by Falmouth and Mashpee and then met Steve and Beth and the boys Ron & Judy at the restaurant "Not Your Average Joes" for lunch before heading to the house. Got settled at the house and took a nap, we left at 3:00AM so we needed a rest. We all had dinner together and that was it for Day 1.

Sunday:
Gary and I headed out and about we walked 4 miles to the National Seashore, sat on the beach for awhile and ended up in Provincetown in the afternoon. We had lunch and walked around P-town for awhile. Got a cool windchime for Avery's room and headed back to the house around 7:00PM. We spent most of the day out and had a great day just the two of us. We've needed some couple time lately.

Monday:
Gary and I headed out again just around locally. We went and looked at some bike stuff for Gary and some dance stuff for me. I got a new pair of ballet shoes and a new leotard, Gary got some new things for his helmet, a bell for the Rail Trail and a rack for the bike. We went to Sam Diegos Mexican Restaurant for lunch. Great Mexican food and cheap! Just ended up meandering around most of the day. Gary went for a 22 mile bike ride and I went for a 4 mile walk.

Tuesday:
This was beach day. Spent all day at the beach and came home and had dinner together. Ice cream for dessert.

Wednesday:
Went out and about. Rode 13.5 miles on the canal bike path and had lunch at Mashpee Commons. Found an awesome cupcake place for dessert and came home and ate dinner together. Ice cream for dessert at the Smuggler.

Today is Thursday and it's raining. That's why I'm updating the blog. Gary is reading his magazine. I'm blogging and the boys are building a fort in the livingroom. Sammy is sleeping. Steve is playing Wii, Beth is in the kitchen reading and Ron is on the phone and Judy is doing dishes. We are all waiting for the rain to stop.

Two days left and then back to reality...
Hope everyone is well. We've gotten some cute things for Avery and I'll talk more about that later.
Love to everyone,
Alli:)

Cape Cod

Taken at Seagull Beach.

On the Cape with the Newton family...

So we are here in Cape Cod on our annual Newton famy vacation. This is our 4th year of going to the Cape in the Summertime. Ron and Judy and Steve and Beth and the boys and Gary and I all rent a house here for a week. We started doing this in lu of buying so many Christmas gifts. We all decided that we would spend time together instead. We always have a great time
while we are here.

Gary and I went on a 4 mile walk today and went to Coast guard Beach on the National Seashore and put our toes in the sand. It was great!! Then we ended up in Provincetown for lunch and a little shopping. I love all the little shops there and if you know anything about P town you know that the atmosphere is shall we say entertaining. A lot of fun to say the least. We left the house this morning at 10:15 and got back at 7:00PM. We had a great day together just the 2 of us.

I think we are heading to the beach tomorrow it's supossed to be hot and humid. We may get a bike ride in in the morning.

We're having a good time. We got a really cute windchime for Avery's room in P-town today. The colors match her room perfectly.

Will try to update as we go this week!!

Can't wait to have Avery with us one of these Summers. We are still asking for many prayers and good thoughts sent our way so she hopefully gets here as soon as possible.

Thank you to those who have left comments and continue to follow along with us on this journey.

Love to everyone,
Allison & Gary

I'm going with 10 months...

It's past the 3rd of the month. I didn't forget, just been really busy with classes. So I'm going with 10 months closer to Avery. I know I may be wrong and it may be longer but that way of thinking is not productive for us.

So remember, we're not counting up anymore, just down...join in our countdown.

Leaving for vacation this weekend, a week away, and a week to relax and chill out, and be hopefully stress free!

The packing goes into full swing tonight! Cape Cod here we come!!!

Love to all,
~Alli:)

So everything happens for a reason right?

Throughout this journey we have been on we have had many ups and downs. Typically in the Summer we get an email that upsets us a little and it is typically around this time...I don't know why. We got the latest update from New Life, our adoption agency and for getting people into the matching room, they are through up to the end of August 2007. As far as people receiving referrals we are a bit behind schedule again. I'm not going to say how much behind because I don't want to answer all the questions of why, and what makes this happen, and why can't they get dossiers through in a faster time...I can't answer those questions because I don't know the answers...nobody really does. But every Summer they seem to get behind in referrals.

We actually found out about this last Monday. Gary got the news before I did. I came home at 6:45 after camps and he had just gotten home from a really hard ride and blurted out the information. He was really upset and frustrated this time. There's usually one email or notice a year that really gets to Gary and this one was it. He said he was so frustrated that he went for a really hard ride, to get some of the frustration out. Me, it took about 2 days for the information to really sink in and then I was in a bad mood for about 3 days.

I am thankful to be going on our Cape Cod vacation next weekend. I think Gary and I need some us time and some real time to relax and absorb all of this, and somehow find the positive in it all. We are planning a lot of beach time and a lot of us time in the evening getting drinks somewhere, and just chilling out for the two of us. It is much needed at this point.

I do believe in my heart of hearts that the time is going to catch back up and get shorter. I don't know why but I truly believe this. I think at this point people are starting to wonder if this will really ever happen...believe me it will happen. We chose China for many reasons and the journey has been long...longer than first anticipated, but there must be a reason ...right?

I am going to start getting done all the things that we've been putting off. Things like, putting her quilt together, starting her lifebook, making the 2 ladybug blankets I have all the material for and have just set aside. Getting her nursery done, and setting up her room, finishing my China adoption books. We need to get our shots for the travel. Start learning Chinese, and reading up on attachment disorders so I can be more prepared for her arrival, and know a little more of what to expect in that arena.

I think if I start, we start, and finish some of these tasks in some way time will speed up and her arrival will be sooner. I don't know, I am big on karma, and putting out positive to get positive back in return. We will pay off the other tiers of the adoption in the Fall, and start saving for our trip to China, and the orphanage gift we need to take with us.

So we are asking for many prayers, and often, and much positive energy sent our way. I know we've asked before and we thank all who always respond, but we're asking for everyone to respond, and help us out.

Thank you for listening...love to all,
~Alli


May you be safe while you're waiting...

May you be safe and sleep soundly through the night
May you be safe as you wake to the morning's light
May you feel our love from so far away,
May it comfort and protect you throughout each day.

We will pray for you my little one,
Until our time of waiting is done.
We will pray that the Lord keep you safe from harm,
Until the child of our hearts becomes the child in our arms.
~Anonymous