We just found out about this today, and I thought I would share. For a little background information that a few of the newer folks may not know, my husband and I are in the process of adopting a baby girl from China.
James has a female cousin that he was very close to as a child -- in fact, they shared what was described as an "uncanny" closeness, more like twins than cousins. They were born on the same day, even took their first steps together as infants, and were able to read each others thoughts during much of their childhood. Through the years, they lost touch a little, she was busy with her family (six kids! ), and he was busy with college and a career.
No one had thought to tell James' cousin about our adoption. However, about a week ago, she had a dream in which her younger little girls were playing with a little Chinese girl at a family get together. The dream was so vivid, she called her mother and described the dream. She said at first she wondered if the child in the dream was a future child of her own, and why in the world it was Chinese -- . That was when her mother told her about our adoption. She dropped by to see James today to tell him about what had happened -- I think they were both pretty amazed!
Another coincidence that I shared with Kell a while back -- I have always loved ladybugs (a Chinese symbol for good luck), but very seldom saw them around our property. Since we started the adoption, we have been over run with them! Not a week goes by that I don't see one crawling around either inside or out, even in 40 degree weather. Today, as James was talking to his cousin, three lit on him all at once. Sounds like someone is sending a message!

Carrie, that's so special that James and his cousin still have that connection. That is such a neat story. I didn't know that about the ladybugs but I too have always thought them to be special, I wouldn't kill one for anything. That's so neat that your getting a message through them.

Oh Carrie that is a neat story. Chinese girls are such pretty little things. I am so happy for you. It truly sounds like James's cousin is still in line with James in the pshychic sceme of things. Is there any news as to how long until you will get her.
How exciting.
((((hugs))))
Mary

Ooooooooh, that is so neat, Carrie! I'll bet James was surprised! Hey, does she have a history of prophetic dreams? If so, here comes Princess Yum Yum!

Can't wait for Princess Yum Yum to arrive! WHEEEEE!!

Kell

Hey guys! The long awaited Princess Yum Yum may be arriving as early as this spring, or it could be fall. Our dossier went to China in early September, so now we just play the waiting game. China had a quota for a while on how many babies could be adopted thru each agency because they had experienced a tremendous backlog in their paperwork. However, we received news about a week ago that the quota had been lifted, and that referrals should speed up especially after Chinese New Year. I would gladly get her anytime we got the call, but I really hope it is in the spring or fall -- the heat in China is supposed to be horrific in the summer, even by Texas'standards.
James' cousin does have a history of unusual dreams and contact with spirits, according to James, she has since childhood. I just wish he would have asked her what the little one looked like!

That's great news Carrie!
I think it is so neat that James' cousin had the dream even though they had drifted apart.
Maybe we need to call Princess Yum Yum....Ladybug,LOL.
Hopefully, the lift on the quota will speed things up for you a great deal.
Best of luck to you for this to happen!

Congratulations! That is so wonderful of you to adopt from China. It is also a little sad to know why there are so many girls available to adopt from China. It is because they want sons, and because limits to family size exist, girls are given up so that the couple can try for a boy. Old customs to not go easily, even in our modern world. Females are still second class citizens in China. So welcome to North America Yum Yum!

Tess, I've already decided for her first Halloween, she will be going as a ladybug!
Kathleen, you are right, it is a real tragedy. Most of these little girls that are up for adoption are abandoned, and most come from the rural villages of China where farming is the primary occupation and the families need the boys as farmhands. Also, it is Chinese tradition for boys to care for their parents in their old age, while girls traditionally care for their husband's family. The baby girls are most often abandoned in public places where they are more likely to be found -- markets, department stores, etc... It is illegal to abandon a child in China, but with the one child system (two in rural, farm areas), authorities have tended to look the other way. However, an ad has to be placed in a local paper with a picture of the child and where it was found, if no one steps forward (and who would, with impending jail time), after a certain time period the child can be adopted. I believe there are over 2,000,000 children in orphanages in China. About 5,000 are adopted each year in the U.S.
It is a sad situation. I mourn for those little ones stuck in orphanages, and I feel compassion for the birth parents who in most cases have to make this agonizing decision; but I'm certainly glad for the opportunity to take one of these special children into my family.

Carrie how wonderfully blessed you are to be able to receive such a gift! I'm so happy for you and your husband. Being a parent is the most important role you will ever play in life.

James' cousin's dream and the ladybugs are both confirmation...I'm sure you don't need any though, that you are doing the right thing Thanks for sharing that great story with us!

Make sure to get lots of sleep now, because once she arrives, you will hardly sleep again for the next 18 years It's all worth it though!

Fantastic, Carrie! I can hardly wait for the arrival of Princess Yum Yum! ::excited happy dance:: It is very sad how female children are given up so readily in China, but I know she'll enjoy a wonderful life with you and James! ::hugs::

Kell

[ December 19, 2002, 08:15 AM: Message edited by: KellKell ]

With my faith in these kind of dreams I'd be counting the chickens before they hatch!!!
That's wonderful Carrie. A dream like that under these kind of circumstances bodes so wonderfully well for your plans. This is fantastic.

many, many dancing bananas!!!!



You must post a picture of Princess Yum Yum as soon as you get one.
Good gosh, think of all the aunties and uncles she'll have on the web. All those well wishes and bright and positive energies coming her way.

Well guys, I'm sitting here watching yet another lady bug crawl across the ceiling of my sunroom.
Nakis, I will most definitely post a picture as soon as I get one -- I'm really hoping they speed up the process!
With all of her cyber aunts and uncles, Princess Yum Yum will be one well loved little girl!
I just got through reading an email from my adoption group that I found interesting -- The Chinese Adoption Affairs department supposedly has a person who "reads" the faces of applicants, looking for certain personality traits, and matches them with a baby of similar temperment. I have heard so many people who adopt these children remark on how well matched the babies were to them. I thought the matching process was just pot luck, but maybe there is a little more to it!