July Photos

Don't you think that in the above image he's thinking exactly what we're thinking? This judge sucks. He just doesn't have the language to say it yet, but you can see it on his face.

He continues to grow:

• height: 32.28" / 82 cm
• weight: 26.01 lb / 11.8 kg
• head: 18.7" / 47.5 cm

And we heard that St. Lucy's did call the judge again, confirming once again that she had all the information that she needed, which she does. So why not just do the right thing and issue the decree! Paper-pushing bureauocrat? Mean old wench? Control freak? Prejudiced?

But we have to remember that he looks happy. This is about his journey to us, as much as it might appear that it's only about our or my journey to him. Blessings on this little boy. (And curses on all who stand in his way.)

Fire's Burning

A raging wildfire is the perfect partner to a slow adoption, don't you think?

Just over the hills a couple of miles from us is burning the 15,000-acre Horse Fire. I've been watching this area on the south edge of town -- a big beautiful valley that sprawls south to the Mexican border -- since the massive 2004 Cedar Fire burned right up to the north side of our town. That area hasn't (I mean hadn't) seen any fires since 1970, so there's quite the build up of dry timber. My paranoia appears to have been justified.

We're under evacuation advisement, but we're not worried. We packed up our irreplaceables this morning -- photos, documents, keepsakes -- and will add a rat, three cats, some hermit crabs, and my pc to the list if we get a mandatory evacuation this afternoon. Que sera sera, right?

Oh, don't bother telling me that this could be the reason that our adoption journey is taking so long. There is no justification for it.

A quick visit (but not by us)

Another waiting mother, Lynne Brown, traveled to St. Lucy's today. Her son, Chien Lu, has some medical conditions, so she made a visit to consult with doctors there. Her situation is similar to ours, as far as we're both stuck with the same judge, Madame Molasses (as slow as). While we envy the fact that Lynne got to travel and see her son, I can't imagine how difficult it must be for her to pack her bags and head home without him. Not sure I could handle that. I'd probably hire a boat and steal away in the middle of the night.

So, thanks to Lynne for this photo. If you're reading this, please make a visit to the evil judge of ours and sincerely threaten her. It's ridiculous that so many families are getting their first decree in a matter of eight weeks when we're looking at three times that. She is either evil or incompetent, or maybe just plain callous. But there is no excuse.

No Comment Necessary

Held By Someone We Know

Amanda and her husband submitted their paperwork about the same time that we did. They got their call in mid June and were able to pick up their son, Zack, on the 11th. Congratulations to them! We're so happy that their journey is winding to an end. (And, of course, just beginning.) And we appreciate that they took the time to snap some photos of Jasper Lu-Yu while they were there. We are in your debt -- and we look forward to reuniting these two playmates in the not-to-distant future!

Per Amanda...

"Oh you two.....He is just precious. He was wakling all around the jointlike he owned it!!! Everybody just loves him and he is beautiful. That little face of his will just melt ya. He was very happy and relaxed. He and Zack are indeed best buds. The staff just kept saying that they were good friends and Zack imitates Lu Yu always. They are the two oldest and were right next to each other in their cribs. In fact, Lu Yu tried to steal a rice cracker from Zack while we were there. Very sweet. They look a lot alike when you see them together. I took as many photos as I could. I may have to send them in two emails because the connection here is a bit slow. The staff at St. Lucy's is very kind and truly care for the babies. They were very sweet to us and Zack and allowed us to stay for 4 & 1/2 hours!! Lu Yu went down for his nap while we were there so I didn't get to spend as long as I would have liked with him. They did mention that your case was moving slowly and that they were trying to speed up your "slow judge". Nice to hear that you have lots of folks working on your behalf... I toldthem that we knew you and they were very pleased to hear that the babies may remain friends. I'll send you more nuts and bolts travel tips after we get home... just wanted to be sure you had the photos right away."