Lily Mei Block is waiting for us

As many of you already know, we received a call from our adoption agency several weeks ago. This came as a great surprise, as we had started a concurrent adoption process with Vietnam several months ago. Although we had left our Chinese adoption request active, we had no expectation of getting a call.

But the call came! A little 10 month old baby girl was waiting for us. We were told that there were some health issues we would need to address when she got to America.

After talking to several doctors we decided we very much wanted this little girl, and that we could take care of her health issues. We said "Yes!" and immediately accepted her into our hearts.

We are now waiting for her official paperwork from China, in adoption terms it's called the LOA or Letter of Acceptance. We will tell you more when we can, and post a picture. When we travel to China we plan to add posts to our blog each day we are there.

We can't wait to introduce you to Lily!

Chinese New Year 2008

The oldest and most important festival in China is called the Spring Festival. Many people call it the Chinese New Year. No matter what you call it, it is a time of celebration for millions of Chinese people all over the world.
The Spring Festival celebrates the Earth coming back to life and the beginning of plowing and planting. Because the Chinese use a lunar calendar, the date of the Spring Festival changes each year. It takes place at some time during the end of January or the beginning of February.
The Chinese calendar has a 12 year cycle and each year is named after an animal. People born in each of these years are said to have certain characteristics. The year 2008 (year 4706 on the Chinese calendar) is the Year of the Rat. People born in the Year of the Rat are said to be charming, hard-working, passionate, and practical.
Families make great preparations for this special celebration. Before the new year, families settle debts and buy new clothes. The house is cleaned and food is prepared. Homes are filled with flowers and fruit. Oranges, tangerines, and pomeloes are picked and displayed . The colors symbolize good luck and joy.
Blossoms symbolize longevity and courage. Some Chinese believe that if flowers blossom on New Years Day good fortune will be theirs for the next year. Candy trays of candied melon, coconut, lotus seed and watermelon seed are offered. They signify growth, good health, abundance and togetherness.
Scrolls or couplets are hung on walls or doorways to carry messages of good health, luck, long life, prosperity, and happiness. A popular one reads “May everything be according to your wishes.”
Children behave impeccably because they are warned that what happens the first day of the year may decide events for the coming year. Everyone takes care to say and do the right things and think good thoughts. If only every day was Chinese New Year, eh?
Gung Hay Fat Choy (May prosperity be with you)!