LIDDDDD Wheeerreee AAAREEE YOOOUUUU!!!

A quick update for you all!  Our dossier was received in Beijing on May 6th.  This week we found out that our dossier has been logged with the CCCWA, but our agency could not access our Log In Date which is necessary before they can start the matching process...happy that our paperwork is logged in...yes, frustrated that they couldn't access our LID.....a touch!  You see just as our dossier was logged in, the CCCWA (The China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption) decided that would be a good time to update their database systems, which put matching and dossier processing on hold for what was supposed to be a week...it was longer that.  In the world of adoption you NEVER want to wait longer than you should because let's face it we do enough of that already!

So we waited this week, somewhat patiently, praying believing and speaking scripture over their systems to be fixed.  We got word from our agency on Friday that the systems are now completely up and running and we should have our LID Monday which means America World can start the matching process for us!!!!!!!   WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and no that was not an overuse of exclamation points..some of you can relate).  PLease keep use in prayer for:   * the matching process to be quick
        * we will travel quickly
        * all our needs will be met with overabundance

We love you all and if you have not sponsored a puzzle piece to help bring our babies home please check out the puzzle icon on the right for more info or donate through our PayPal button on the top right!  We need as much support as possible!  Love you all!

God is Good and we are BLESSED!

He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily!

Isaiah 5:26

Fun Times with Family!

Over Memorial Day Weekend AJ and I took the long drive upstate to Rochester, NY to visit AJ's side of the family!  We had been away from them since Thanksgiving and it was a WAAAAAAYYY overdue visit.  We had such an awesome time catching up with friends and family and just simply hanging out and laughing (we do a lot of that when we are together)!  AJ and his sister have such great senses of humor and the two of them together will get you laughing so hard you might just tinkle your pants!  Most of the humor, though, is at the expense of their mom, but still funny all the same (sorry Peggy).

The first night we were there, AJ took his Dad to an all you can eat Chinese Buffet and the Ladies (my MIL and SIL) got to spend the evening together at Black and Blue...yummmmmmm. Us ladies definitely got the way better end of the deal and had such a great night...love these gals!!!

Meaghann and I have such a special bond...love this gorgeous girl!

Not too many people can say they can't wait to hang with their MIL, but I CAN!!!!  Love her!

Always a great dinner when you have these too to chat with!

 We spent almost a full week up in Rochester and enjoyed the gorgeous weather even though it was a bit chilly.  I love upstate New York. The pace is soooooo much slower than New Jersey and I feel like I can breathe when I am up there.  We are not constantly rushing here and rushing there...there is definitely a huge emphasis on family up there and people's lives center around it...I love that!  Here in New Jersey it's all about running to the next thing and WORK..which is not the life either of us want for our children. NOT A FAN OF NEW JERSEY at all!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had so much fun relaxing and visiting with family.  AJ's cousin Neal and his wife Lisa came to visit us and check in on how our adoption process is going.  It was awesome seeing them and getting the chance to visit!  We spent Sunday dinner at AJ's dad's house and usually it is a HUGE Italian feast with many MANY family members, but this time it was just a HUGE Italian feast minus the family members....you can never have too much food!  He made a delicious dinner filled with copious amounts of grilled meats, salads and of course bread.  We always leave with bellies full and doggie bags!

The Pilato Men!

This is one of the smaller meals I have seen at his Dad's house and there was enough food for 50 people!

meat...lots of meat

We had so much fun being with friends and family,  most importantly our family.  For AJ and I, family is one of the most important things in our lives, God being first.  We enjoy spending our time with them and CANNOT wait to add to the bunch!  Everyone is soooooo excited to welcome the Pilato babies home!   Love your family, enjoy them, forgive them, support them, teach your children how to be a part of a family and honor your family.  There are 147 million children out there that would LOVE the chance to have one to call their own...don't ever let anything come between the strong bond of family!

 GOD IS GOOD AND WE ARE BLESSED!!!

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 

Exodus 20:12