Wednesday, September 29, 2010

CHRIS

Of all the kids on the current agency list, Paul, (listed earlier) and Chris are the two that I really just cannot get away from...I find myself thinking of them constantly and just want to tell you a little about Chris...he has the absolute sweetest face...I can only imagine what a different countenance he would have after a little love and attention from a loving family!! Could YOUR FAMILY be that family???

His need is the absence of his right upper limb and the absence of his index finger and ring finger but has normal intellectual and physical development. He is stated to like to watch tv and listen to children’s music. He also likes to take toys and plays with them one at a time.

If you are interested in finding out more about Chris please leave me a comment or message me:)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

My Max turns 6:)

I seriously cannot believe that my Max turns 6 today....the time has flown by and he is growing up....I will never forget holding him as a baby and praying over him...I truly know that God has a beautiful plan for his life! He is so witty, is always making everyone laugh and has a laugh that just feels so good to hear...you can't help but smile! He is smart, fiesty, strongwilled, gentle, affectionate, inquisitive and is just a wonderful blend of so many things...I am so glad he is mine...he loves to snuggle and has always been my little snugglebug...we have our secret little bedtime routine and the times we have together are so precious to me....I can't believe God would let me be the mother to such wonderful children and today I am especially thankful for my Max:)







Happy Birthday sweet Max,

Monday, September 27, 2010

Happy Monday...

Word today is that our Article 5 has been dropped off to the consulate in Guangzhou....it is scheduled to be picked up Oct 14th, due to a holiday on the 11th....once picked up on the 14th, our Article 5 is overnighted to the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) and we begin the countdown to our TA (travel approval)...sounds like a plan to me:)

Friday, September 24, 2010

PAUL

This is Paul...and he has stolen my heart....please take a look at the video link that is at the bottom (password is listed) and watch all the way to the end....he desperately needs a family and someone to tuck him into a warm, soft bed with lots of love....

Paul-Age 2 1/2, Male

deformity of hands and feet/ varus limb deformity

Paul is stated to be mentally and physically healthy. He talks a lot and is very active. He follows instructions. Despite his medical special need he is very independent.
VIDEO: http://vimeo.com/15030705 pw= llcs0916


Thursday, September 23, 2010

CABLED

Found out today that our NVC letter/I800 approval was cabled to Guangzhou....our Article 5 will be dropped off the 27th and is usually picked up (I think from the consulate) in 2 weeks....then, we wait on our travel approval (TA)....we are getting close!!!! So glad to be done with the immigration stuff, you just have no idea what a pain it has been...praise the LORD!!!:)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Friday, September 17, 2010

Family Portrait 2010-Part 1

My very talented sister (see sidebar for a link to her website) took our family pictures over Labor Day at our favorite place to be in the summer...the river....I really wanted to get some done because we havent had any done in a while and wanted to do one last one right before Alice came home....here are a few....I am going to do another post with more but didn't want to overwhelm you with them all at once....there were ALOT to choose from...not sure how I am going to make a decision...they are awesome, thanks Regan...:)












Randoms

Here are a few pictures of what we've been up to....I know I haven't posted much lately, but that is only because I figure nobody really wants to hear the ramblings of my daily encounters with USCIS (immigration)....things are NOT yet settled on that front, but I have high hopes for a productive next week:) A sweet friend of mine gave me a verse today that she found in Psalms and I think it fits in many areas of my life rather nicely!!;) Thanks Derinda...the verse is "MAKE HASTE, O LORD!!!" Psalm 70:1....that's a good one:) Here are some randoms of the kids....

Here is my Max playing flag football...

Lucy with one of her FAVORITE cousins, Kylar...

My favorite 4 year old...man, she is growing up....

Charlie, playing the violin...makes my heart smile...

He absolutely LOVES it:)

Enjoy the weekend!!!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Good News and Bad News...

The GOOD news is, 4 of the children on our agency list have families that have placed a hold on them...that means they are strongly considering adopting them and are probably having their files and medical histories checked out by doctors or specialists...that is such good news, but there are still several children left. These kids have got my heart and I wish that I could personally bring them all home.....please, let me know if you have any questions and I appreciate those that have messaged me so far and are considering what they can do for one of these children...keep spreading the word until they all have families....we are especially in need of parents for BOYS!!!!!!! I personally have my eye on Chris and Paul:) They are beautiful and I would just love to get ahold of them both....


The BAD news is, we got our I800 approval in the mail today and they had Alice's birthdate wrong, and no, I am not kidding...I contacted my officer and we will deal with that tomorrow when she gets to work. I am ok....I actually laughed...at this point, it is honestly humorous and I said, "yes, I understand Lord, I heard you the first time....I have NO control over this...." It is in His timing and sometimes it really is just humorous....so, I treated myself to 2 episodes of Hoarders and a big glass of milk with chocolate cake....then, I kind of felt nauseous with the combination of the two....I will keep you posted on the I800 situation. I truly anticipate it being resolved quickly. Have a happy Monday,

Thursday, September 9, 2010

I800 approval

FINALLY!!!! After the little mishap earlier about thinking we had this approval, when it came today, I will be honest...I was scared to get excited even though my officer said that we were approved...I know I am a weirdo. The process really has been a great one. For whatever reason the past week or so, I have just been at a great peace about things, and I have also been strangely laid back for a change...anyway, we got it. I am happy. bring on the next wait...

Monday, September 6, 2010

What can YOU do?

It is my honor to be able to advocate for these precious children with the permission of our agency, Lifeline Children's Services....China has started a new program called the "Special Focus" . This means that Lifeline has partnered with the CCAA and will have these children on their agency specific list and will be able to advocate for them for 90 days, at which time, the files will be returned. These children need a home. If they are not adopted, they will spend their lives never knowing what a loving family is. At age 14, a child that is in an orphanage is turned out into the streets and will NEVER have the chance to be adopted. They will have little to no chance of leading a productive life. Please consider what you could do to change the life of one of these children. If you are interested in finding out more about any of these kids, please feel free to message me or leave me a comment and I will help find out all that I can. Sometimes, there may even be a way to get more information or updated pictures from the orphanage if there is something specific that you would like to know. If you are interested in adopting one of these children, but have not yet started the process, that is perfectly fine....you will have 6 months to submit your dossier to the Chinese government and Lifeline will walk you through every single step of that and help you get it done in time. I know the thoughts of 'special needs' can seem overwhelming, but many of the needs are not what you think of when you think of what 'special needs' means here in the US. Many of the medical needs are easily repaired in the U.S. and simply have not been addressed in the orphanage due to a lack of resources. Now that we have almost completed the process to adopt Alice, I cannot tell you how my eyes and heart have been opened to needs that I thought I would never be open to. Do some research on the different needs and I think you will be surprised to see how manageable many of them are...I LOVE to talk about adoption and will talk to you or help you answer any questions you have. Now, take a look at these precious kids....to see their beautiful faces click on this link.


Alice-Age 2, Female
Congenital atresia of external acoustic meatus

Alice is stated to be extroverted, likes to cuddle and is full of facial expressions. She is also fond of playing with toys.

Ben-Age 4, Male (HOLD)
CHD

Ben is stated to like to listen to stories told by his teacher’s. He also likes to play with toys.

Brady-Age 4, Male
Post-operative Spina Bifida

It is stated that Brady loves to play hide and seek. He can stand without help and walk freely.

Chris-Age 3 1/2, Male
Absence of right upper limb; absence of index finger and ring finger; normal intelectual and physical development.

Chris is stated to like to watch tv and listen to children’s music. He also likes to take toys and play with them one at a time.

Grace – Age 5, Female
Post-operative cleft lip and palate, partial defect of finger and toes

Grace is stated to like to sing, dance and play games. . She is active and talkative. She likes to watch cartoons and she knows how
to share with other kids.

Henley – Age 4, Female
Hemiplegia on left side, Schizencephaly on right side

Henley is stated to like playing with others. She can name all of the other children in her class. She is lovely, quiet, and very clever.
It is stated that all of the care takers like her.

Kent-Age 10, Male
Qualified PE, Healthy

Kent is stated to be active and outgoing. He always tries to help the caregivers. He is very good at performances. He enjoys playing iwith his
friends, playing games, football, or hide and seek.

Leigh Ann- Age 10, Female
Post-operative cleft lip and palate

Leigh Ann is stated to take initiative to help her caretakers do housework. She likes to play with other children. She has normal develpment both physically and intellectualy.

Libby-Age 3, Female
Post-operative left equinovarus and lumbosacral adipose spinal myelomingocele

Libby is stated to be a bright and lovely girl. She is an extovert and has a ready smile.

Maggie – Age 2 1/2, Female (HOLD)
Repaired meningocele

Maggie is stated to be doing well after her surgery. She can say two word phrases and can walk with some help. She is quiet and loves to listen to music.

Maria – Age 11, Female (HOLD)
Partial deficiency of growth hormone; normal physical development

Maria is stated to have won many educational awards for calligraphy, reading, and excellent school record. She is active, mischievious, clever, confident, beautiful, and loveley.



Natalie – Age 9, Female
Generally healthy

Natalie is stated to dance beautifully. She likes to share and has a gentle personality. She also likes to help take care of the other children.

Nick-Age 6 1/2, Male
Post-operative CHD

Nick is stated to have normal physical and mental development. He is strong and likes to play games and sing. He is extroverted and likes to learn.

Olivia
- Age 5, Female (HOLD)
Deformity of limbs, 2 fingers on left hand and 3 fingers on right hand, left lower limb 45 cm and right lower limb 51 cm

Olivia is stated to be clever. She likes to answer the teacher’s questions and all the people like her.

Paul-Age 2 1/2, Male
deformity of hands and feet/ varus limb deformity

Paul is stated tobe mentally and physically healthy. He talks alot and is very active. He follows instructions. Despite his medical special need he is very independent.

Pierce-Age 5, Male
Post-operative cleft lip, unrepaired cleft palate

Pierce is stated to be outgoing and curious to the things around him. He also enjoys watching T.V.

Saige – Age 6, Female (HOLD)
1 CHD; tetralogy of Fallot 2 WBC and NEUT # go up 3 hypochromic microcytic anemia

Video taken in March 2009: http://vimeo.com/4314201

Password = llcs424


Tim-Age 5, Male
Congenital absence of toes on right foot/syndactylia; right lower limb is shorter than left side;

delayed physical development, normal intelligence


Whitney-age 2 1/2, Female
Albinism



Wednesday, September 1, 2010

SIKE!!!!

Well. the rollercoaster ride isn't over yet.......we DID NOT get our I800 approved today like I posted earlier....our officer said we were approved, but she meant that our SUPPLEMENT 3 was approved, which is still good news. Our coordinator thought she meant the I800 because they had talked about it today...it felt good while it lasted...*sigh*...I am ready to be done with this part. SERIOUSLY. I am bummed a little, but I am fine...I know it won't be much longer......I am trusting you Lord....

On an extremely good note, my dear friend, Stephanie, got her TA today....she should know tomorrow when they leave:) We prayed together about these adoptions forever it seems like...and we are finally getting close to seeing the fruit of all of the prayers and paperwork...Praise the Lord!!!

I had a good feeling about today...

at almost 1:00, "Lifeline" popped up on my cell phone caller id...I had a knot in the pit of my stomach...last time I got a call, it was to tell me about the age range on our homestudy and how we needed to file the Supplement 3 and do the addendum-not good news....so, I nervously answered. Up until today, it was really up in the air if they were going to accept all that we had sent, plus, with the mistake I made on my I800, I had calculated that my immigration officer might have my paperwork by middle to late next week. But, the Lord exceeded my expectations once again and Karla called today to say that we are APPROVED!!!!!!!!!! I was giddy to say the least....all in all, all of the problems we have encountered lately only set us back maybe 2 days...so, really, not at all....here are the next steps until our last big approval, the travel approval (TA)...once we get the approval we got today 'in hand', then, we are waiting on:
**NVC cable to Guangzhou ( avg 7-10 days)
**Article 5 (avg 19 days)
**Travel Approval (TA) (art 5 to ta avg is about 2 weeks but could take a few weeks longer)
The end is in sight!!! Thank you to everyone that is praying for us...we truly appreciate it...please continue to pray for God's favor and expediency throughout these last few steps...I believe the miracle of October/early Nov travel can happen!!!!

Happy, Happy Wednesday:)