I am happy to report that we have an actual date to begin our homestudy. August 15th. We met with the pediatrician today to request a letter on our behalf for our report. It isn't mandatory, but as our SW said, it cannot hurt our case!

Aside from that news, nothing really new on the adoption front. I bought my red thread bracelet in Chinatown on Sunday... As a firm believer in signs, ancient beliefs, I feel that it is a special tie to our baby. This time-honored Chinese legend underscores the belief that when a child is born invisible red threads connect that child's soul to all those people - present and in the future - who will play a part in that child's life. As each birthday passes, those threads shorten and tighten, bringing closer those people who are fated to be together. The China Adoption community has taken this legend to heart, and has embraced the tradition of the red thread bracelet as a means of connecting with the children who wait to be united with their new families. Moms-to-be generally wear their bracelets from the time they begin the paperchase to the day they meet their new daughter or son. It is said that often when united with their children, the bracelet will fall of on its own. I must say that although NEVER taking mine off last time, the night that I met Miss Mara it slipped off.

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet,regardless of time, place, or circumstance.The thread may stretch or tangle,but it will never break."- an ancient Chinese belief