I've come across this poem on a bunch of other adoption websites and I wanted to post it here, too. It will be something I'll share with Gracie when she's old enough to understand the meaning of adoption.

THE GIFT OF LIFE

I didn'’t give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know
The love I feel is deep and real as if it had been so.
For us to have each other is
Like a dream come true.
No, I did not give you the gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.
-author unknown-

I've spent the last few nights shopping for baby stuff. What I really should be doing is making a packing list and figuring out what needs to be done before we travel. But shopping is so much more fun!

I'll post pictures of Gracie's room after this weekend. It's almost done - just need to hang things on the wall and move her dresser in.

Introducing:
Grace Isabelle
Chinese Name: Meng Yun Nui
Born: December 4, 2005
From: Hubei Province, China
A few interesting things aboug Gracie:
She's a deep sleeper - good
She can bang two blocks together - future drummer?
She's active - I better get all the sleep I can right now!
She's restless - this should be good for the plane trip home
She likes music - I bet country is her favorite.
She has a ready smile - I can't wait to see it!
She's impatient sometimes - hmmmm, sounds like someone else I know.
She's perfect - OK, that wasn't on the form.

NEWS FLASH
The stork has landed. Gracie's info is at CHI in St. Louis. I'm waiting on pins and needles - afraid to leave my desk - for the phone to ring. I can't wait to see her adorable little face and find out all about her.

Yesterday I went to the Rumor Queen blog and it was overloaded. I knew something was up so I kept trying to get on. Finally it loaded and there it was "Referrals are Here"!

Within minutes I was calling our agency and they hadn't heard anything. About a half hour later they called me to say they were expecting a package. I had major butterflies!

So here I sit, just waiting for the AMAZING news. I'll post pictures as soon as I can!

I'm almost a Mom - just a few more good pushes!!