Daddy David, Kate, and Mommy Ellen.  

David and Ellen got their Beautiful Baby Kate today!! Congratulations to the entire family.

Matt has been contacted by an agent and will be filming a commercial on Saturday. We will keep you all posted on the details when we hear more from him after the filming. His friend Carlee, who is attending University of Southern California has just been cast in an episode of Nip Tuck which will air on the second episode next month. Congratulations to you Carlee and know that we will be watching!!!

 This is Cannolli as "Salty Dog". This photo has been entered in the Georgia Lottery "Lucky Dog/Fat Cat" Contest. There will be 5 winners in each category chosen and their pictures will appear on the $2 Georgia Lottery tickets in January 2007. Wish him luck! 

So much has happened in the past week. We bought a new car, our hot water heater cracked and we had a tankless system installed, visited Matt this past weekend, today his classes started and Wednesday, I will start my new job with the EPD (Environmental Protection Division). I am sosososoooo excited. We are hoping to receive our referral for Katherine either at the end of August or end of September and may be in China for Christmas. Please keep us all in your prayers. Our friends, David and Ellen, leave on Thursday for China and will receive their baby Kate on August 21st. God Bless and have a safe trip.

 
Katherine's new carseat 

Our neighbors across the street got Katherine 2 new adorable outfits. She is definitely going to be a "clothes horse" and one of the best dressed little girls in town.Thanks so much Paige and Pete. We can't wait to see Katherine in them.

 
How long is this Roller Coaster Ride going to last? Please let the next batch of referrals include the rest of July and August!  

If you ever have the chance to visit the Georgia Aquarium, it is worth the trip.

School of Rays

School of Rays
Video sent by janetlynnperello

Watch closely and you might see one of the Whale Sharks!

Rays at the Georgia Aquarium

Rays at the Georgia Aquarium
Video sent by janetlynnperello

Watch closely and you may see a Whale Shark !

Clown Fish - Georgia Aquarium

Clown Fish - Georgia Aquarium
Video sent by janetlynnperello

Clown Fish ! You know! Remember Nemo's Mom and Dad looking for a new home in this beautiful Anemone?

Beautiful Jellyfish

Beautiful Jellyfish
Video sent by janetlynnperello

These jellyfish were mezmerizing!

More Jellyfish

More Jellyfish
Video sent by janetlynnperello

So Amazing to watch!!

Cuddle Fish

Cuddle Fish
Video sent by janetlynnperello

In 1985, we traveled to the Philippines for a 3 week scuba diving trip. I was fortunate to catch a glimpse of a cuddle fish. It changed a rainbow of colors and quickly disappeared like a torpedo shooting through the ocean. I have always wanted to see one up close.

Cuddle Fish - Georgia Aquarium

Cuddle Fish - Georgia Aquarium
Video sent by janetlynnperello

These fish were so ugly they were CUTE! They were just as fascinated with me as I was of them.

Beluga Whales at the Georgia Aquarium

Beluga Whales at the Georgia Aquarium
Video sent by janetlynnperello

Today I attended a Conference in Atlanta followed by a dinner at the Georgia Aquarium. It is the largest Aquarium in the world and is absolutely amazing. I love everything that has to do with the ocean and love scuba diving. If I can't be diving, this is the next best thing.
Aren't they beautiful!!

This weekend we moved our son into his apartment off campus. He was so excited and I have to admit that his apartment is very nice. When we returned home,we had received our Ammended I-171 with our fingerprints extended until 9/24/07. Yeah!! Now if we can just receive our referral and travel to get Katherine before everything else expires in January.

The CCAA matched families with LIDs (LOG IN DATES) through July 13th. Congratulations to all of those families who will soon be traveling to bring home their children. August 24th LIDs will be here soon!!!!

This is a video that another family took when they visited one of the Chinese orphanages (Social Welfare Institute) in May 2006.
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Today was a GREAT DAY for me. I got a new job - the best ever !!! Matt needed to do some shopping, so I decided to tag along. Well, if you know me, you know how much I love shopping for children's clothes. I found these adorable outfits and just could not resist. Katherine will have a closet full. I have to admit that I am having a blast shopping for her !  
 
  

Today our good friends, Ellen and David, received their referral pictures of their 2nd little girl. We are so excited for them!!! Congratulations to the entire family and to Lily for her new baby sister. (Ellen and David are going to be the Godparents to our little Katherine.) This is a picture of their baby girl. Isn't she BEAUTIFUL ? !! Her name will be Katherine and they plan on calling her Kate. We can't wait to meet her and for her to be friends with our little Katherine someday soon.

Her Chinese Name is: Yin Quing Xiang
DOB: November 4, 2005
Place of Birth: Yiyang (Hunan Province)

I LOVE YOU ANNA !!!
This is my little friend, Anna. Yesterday, she and her family moved away. I will miss her very much. To Anna and her family, Good luck and best wishes and please keep in touch.   

Korean Cultural Fan Dance

Korean Cultural Fan Dance
Video sent by janetlynnperello

Asian Cultural Experience Festival
at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Korean Fan Dance

Chinese Dancers

Chinese Dancers
Video sent by janetlynnperello

Video of Chinese Dancers at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Lion Dance - Asian Cultural Festival

Lion Dance - Asian Cultural Festival
Video sent by janetlynnperello

The Asian Cultural Experience Festival at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

The Asian Cultural Festival at Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Atlanta, Georgia. Pictures of the lead dancer and a group picture of the Korean Silver College Dancers.  
  

One of the most beautiful and colorful performances was the Korean Fan Dance performed by the Korean Silver College Dancers.  
 
 
  

Next was a Chinese Cultural Dance performed by a Chinese-American Cultural Performing Group.   

The next dance on stage was a Thai Classical Dance: "Manorah Buchayan" performed by a dancer from the Thai Association World Center, USA.   

These are pictures of the Chinese Lion Dance performed by Hung Sing Goon Atlanta. The Lion Costume was beautiful and the dance was lots of fun to watch as they danced through the gardens to the stage.  
 
 
  

There were exhibitions performed by groups from many different Asian countries.   

This was a display at one of the exhibits. There were also many boths with delicious foods from many different countries. Look closely at this picture and the incredible detail of the carving. It was beautiful !!   

The sculptures inside the Botanical Gardens are beautiful !!  
 
 
  

We attended an Asian Culture Festival at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens today. We had a Chinese lady paint a beautiful paper umbrella with Katherine's name in English and in Chinese characters. As you can see, it turned out beautiful. 
  

  
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!
As you can see, Cannolli enjoyed dressing up for the Holiday Celebrations.