Congratulations!

My college roommate Betteenia, whom I lovingly call Teen-Teen, has been trying to get ahold of me since Friday. I finally called her back this afternoon. I'm so glad I did because.........SHE'S PREGNANT!!!! Betteenia has a son, Ashra, who is nine years old and is such a GREAT kid. He'll be a wonderful older brother! Ryan and I are so happy for Teen and her husband Damian. I can't wait to see if she's carrying a boy, or a girl, or maybe even twins(Did I mention that Damian is a twin?)


Betteenia and her husband Damian



College Roommates(14 years since we've been in college) Betteenia and I

Updated Pictures of Our Girl!

Today we received updated pictures of Ally through Ann at Red Thread China. Ann has been an absolute godsend. The services she provides are invaluable to adoptive families. I'm so thankful I heard about her.

My Babies

Four years ago I taught all Spanish One classes. This was intended to be an 'easy' teaching schedule because I was planning on being on Maternity Leave during the Spring semester. I remember explaining to my students, then Freshmen, that if they didn't like me they were in luck because I would be gone during the Spring adn they would have a substitute.

As the wait increased and increased, my students grew up. Now, they are Seniors. I only have 3 more days with them. They have been with me during this whole adoption process. They've asked SO MANY TIMES, "Mrs. Fenton, when are you going to get your baby?' They've been concerned for this child every step of the way.

Two weeks ago I got to introduce these students to the picture of my Ally. They are excited for me and still ask, "Mrs. Fenton, when are you going to get your baby?"

As a teacher, I'm lucky enough to have students like my Seniors who have compassion, great senses of humor, maturity, and sympathy for certain depressing situations. Don't let any teacher try to fool you. No teacher stays in this profession because of the summers off. We stay in this profession because we enjoy our students. Students make us want to come to school. Without great kids, no teacher would enjoy their job.

So, for a certain group of kids, they've been students of mine each day of their high school year. I don't know what I'm going to do when they graduate. I will miss them horribly.

Our Baby Shower

Today my sister Whitney and my step-mom Amy threw Ryan and me a baby shower. I've had visions and plans of what I wanted our shower to be, and luckily I was able to bring everything to fruition. Our closest friends and family attended. They gave us so many lavish and generous gifts. We are truly blessed to have these wonderful people in our lives. I'll let the pictures tell the story.

This was the delicious cake! My sister ordered it, she did such a great job! It was strawberry-flavored. Yum!!!

I had the Engineering class at school enlarge a map of China for me. Ryan and I took a picture of Ally's head and glued it on the map next to Nanchange which is the Province she was born and has lived. (I apologize for the glar, but I had to use a flash.) We titled it "Where is Ally?"

This is me standing next to Ally's 100 Good Wishes Quilt.

Ryan and me opening up gifts with the help of Abby. She had a blast!

More me and Abby opening up gifts.

This is the room where we ate all of the goodies. We had bright tableclothes, gerber daisy arrangements(artificial), and jar votive candle holders on each table. It was VERY festive!

This is what greeted people as they entered the building. Ryan had Ally's "buddha" picture(which is what I have nicknamed it) enlarged.

It's a new day.

The past 4 days have been extremely difficult. On Thursday night Ryan and I were elated with seeing our daughter for the first time, 24 hours later we were both at the hospital when one mother saw her daughter alive for the last time.

I don't try to know why, it just makes me angry.

Over the past four year I've wanted this adoption to just happen already! At the beginning of the school year I thought I would be in China at this time and have the whole summer off with my baby. But, maybe God does have a plan. If I had been in China when the accident happened and not been here to support my kids, I would've been heart-broken.

So, it's time to start focusing on getting our Ally home to her Mommy and Daddy. This morning I over-nighted to our Kentucky agency(KAS):
1)The Letter of Acceptance
2)The Letter of Seeking Confirmation from Adopter
3)The Letter of Seeking Confirmation
4)The Family Profile

Next on my agenda is to print out a VISA application and begin to understand what I need to do to get those finished for Ryan and me.

I think tonight I'm going to email someone from Red Thread China about sending a care package to Ally. For those that don't know, a care package usually has an outfit, some candy for the nannies, a baby blanket, a disposable camera, and a translated letter from the adoptive parents. We can also request additional information about our daughter from the orphanage. The price is very reasonable too.

Some sadness....

Two days ago I was on top of the world. I had finally seen my daughter's face. Ryan and I sent 'birth announcements' to all our friends and families. Last night we drove to Lexington to celebrate my niece Abby's 8th birthday then we went to Babies 'R Us and started a gift registry. Once we got back home we realized we needed some cat food. We were in the check-out line at Wal-Mart when a student asked me if I had heard about the accident.

Four of our band kids were involved in a terrible car accident, only three survived. Brittany Cordray, a Senior, one of my colorguard girls passed away. I met Brittany when she was only 11 years old. She was trying out to be in the Harrison Co. Marching Band's Colorguard. She was SO SHORT. It was hard for her to spin a flag without the pole hitting the ground. Six years later she became one of our captains.

I'll remember her laugh most of all. It was loud and contagious. Many times on the guard bus I would have to turn around and ask Brittany and Rachel to quiet down. They loved to laugh.

Brittany would do anything I asked of her, as a guard member and captain. She performed her heart out each and every time she took the field. I LOVED to watch her perform, she was pure perfection.

Being a teacher is difficult. We have students who hate school, hate teachers, are surly and rude. It's those rare times when a student smiles, says thank you, lets you motivate them, and encourages those around them. Although rare, it's these exact moments that dignify my job. Brittany made me love my job!

I have been blessed to know this child for the time I did. And, I will always remember her.

This was taken at Senior Night this past fall. Brittany was escorted by her parents, Mike and Pan into the field for recognition.

This picture was taken less than a month ago at the Senior Prom. Brittany is the first girl on the left. Her dress was so punkish-cute, short and sassy, just like her.

This picture was taken at the Football Homecoming this past Fall. My niece Abby was the Little Miss HCHS. She stood on the field with the band during the "tunnel" pre-game festivities. Brittany is on the far right.

This picture was taken at our annual "night before State Finals" guard get-together in Mrs. Fenton's hotel room. Brittany is the young lady in the blue shirt, second girl on the right.

Introducing Ms. Allyson Marie Fenton

Here's our beautiful daughter...................

This is her Daddy's favorite

Look at those long fingers!

It's a girl!!!!

I received the phone call this afternoon. She was born on Nov 8, 2009 (only 6 months old!). She is in the YuganCounty Orphanage in Jiangxi Province. Her name is Yue Mei Dong. More info later........

Still waiting and Piggly Wiggly.

Last night Ryan and I received an email from Emily, our China Coordinator, she was letting us know that West Sands as of yesterday's mail, had not received our referral. So, we're still waiting. I can't wait until I can post some good news on this blog! It kind of feels like the Pony Express is bringing our referral package. I hope those ponies hurry up!


Onto another totally unrelated topic........................Have any of you ever heard of the grocery store chain the Piggly Wiggly? I had never seen one until I went to college. I rarely shopped there while at Murray State, I had no reason to. Well, each year when our family goes to Hilton Head, South Carolina for summer vacation, we stop by Piggly Wiggly to stock up on supplies. Last summer my sister and I really wanted to buy a t-shirt from there because they were so 'different' for lack of a better term. Fast forward to a few months ago when one of my students got back from Spring Break from Savannah, Georgia. This young lady came to school wearing a Piggly Wiggly shirt. She got excited that I knew exactly what the store was. So, we decided that today we would both wear our Piggly Wiggly t-shirts. We're going to take a picture(I'll post on here later.)

Oh, the excitement of my little world...............................................

Still waiting......somewhat patiently

Last night our wonderful China coordinator Emily emailed us to let us know that West Sands was still waiting on their package of referrals. The email explained that West Sands (which is located in St. George, Utah) doesn't have DHL in their city. So, the referrals have to come through the regular mail. Part of me is trying to remain patient and just let things happen as they happen, but there's another part of me that wants to scream that in the year 2010 we're waiting for snail mail to deliver the most precious news of our life. It's very frustrating and emotionally debilitating. I know I'm probably just being dramatic. Lo Siento.(I'm sorry).

In other news, Cynthiana got over an inch of rain in a little over an hour today. So, when I go home tonight I'm fully expecting to see Max and Lucky(our cats) doing the backstroke in our basement!

Still no phone call.....

We still haven't received a phone call. I'm at school trying to focus on something other than waiting for the phone to ring. I decided I couldn't focus on teaching today so my students are getting a day away from Spanish. I'm letting them watch a movie. This is rare, so it's their lucky day!

I'm trying to stay patient and positive.

Phone Calls!!!

The Rumor Queen is reporting that Phone Calls are being made!! I've talked with our agency and they've called West Sands(our placement agency) and they haven't received referrals yet. Every time I get an email or my phone vibrates my heart skips a beat! So exciting!

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday was a very special day for our family. It was Abby's First Communion! She looked like an angel in her dress and veil. I thought she was the prettiest girl there and when I told her this she said, "I thought the same thing." Ha!

As we were driving to the church Ryan and I hit some MAJOR traffic. This brought out the absolute worst in me. I really didn't want to miss seeing Abby's big day especially since we had missed Emma's baptism last week(due to the flooding of our basement!). Every route we took took to get to the church had so much traffic. I was at my wit's end! I began to cry and may have said a few choice words about Lexington, my life, and even God himself. (It wasn't one of my better moments) Ryan was equally as upset, but he did manage to say the sweetest thing to me. (Keep in mind this "sweet" thing was in between his constant urging nag for me to "GO 65 mph" and "Just execute") One of my cussing rants had to do with my deceased mammaw and Ryan's recently deceased grandfather never being able to meet our daughter Ally. Ryan then assured me, "Honey they've already met Ally. In fact, they've been taking care of her until we get her." Amazing words and so comforting to me! I love imagining mammaw holding ally and watching over her while we are here waiting to see her picture. And, I know Ryan's grandfather, Robert is teaching her how to pray the Rosary.

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom Mary, My step-mom Amy, and my Mother-in-law Jan! Ryan and I couldn't have survived the past 4 years without their emotional and spirtual support. They are great role models for us!

Espana and Referrals

All that Spanish education of mine is coming in handy! If my translations are correct...According to the Spanish Rumor Queen, referrals have made it to the Madrid-Barajas Airport. Hopefully this rumor is true and referrals are making their way to airports here in the United States!

Oh, my, could it be..........?

The Rumor Queen has an R1 rumor that referrals may be on their way. I don't know what to think. Just thinking that this time tomorrow Ryan and I could possibly have a picture of our daughter Ally, takes my breath away. I can't stop smiling. I'm actually a little giddy with excitement. Could I spend this Mother's Day as a soon to be Mom? Who knows? I'm ready for "The Phone Call" Cross your fingers!

Ladybugs......

No news from China today. Hopefully tomorrow we will start to hear some positive rumors!

Some of you may know that the ladybug is a mascot of China adoptions, of sorts. This afternoon my sister said she had a ladybug land on her shoulder and it stayed on there for a very long time. She couldn't get it to fly away. So, maybe, just maybe, this is a very good sign. Bring on the ladybugs!!!!!