Our family's journey to adopt our daughter in China.: 2008-08-03

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Well, we are one step closer to Ella! We received our travel approval from China today!!. We started our application for our visas and we are still waiting for our fingerprinting appointment. Our agency is really trying to help expidite this and has really been great to work with. We also need our Consulate appointment and we will be ready to go. We found out today we probably will not be going to Beijing because the Olympics will still have a lot of activity there in September even though the games will be over. Our agency will not be sending any groups to Beijing in August and September and if it means skipping Beijing to get Ella a month sooner, you bet I will. I don't want to wait until October just to go to Beijing. We will probably go back to China when she is older and we will for sure go there then. But until that time comes, I don't care what I miss to be with her sooner. More news when we hear something.

Priscella

UNTIL FOREVER

This morning in China a mother cries
She'll never forget her daughter's eyes
Her heart is broken and filled with pain
Her tears run down like the falling rain.
She has no choice but to leave her there
The cost of keeping is too much to bear.
She hopes her daughter will one day know
True love can be found in letting her go.

This morning in China a baby cries
Hungry and scared as tears fill her eyes
Her mother has left her in this public place
Another lost daughter of the Chinese race.
Someone passing has heard her soft moan
She is soon taken to a foster home.
It's here she'll reside in the care of another
Until she's adopted by a brand new mother.

That very same day in the U.S.A.
A woman cries as she starts to pray
Her heart is heavy but filled with much love
She prays for a daughter she thinks the world of
"Dear Jesus, I ask that your arms would be
Wrapped tightly around the one picked for me
Guard her in China until I make my way
and then in my arms she'll forever stay."

-Tom Fisher

Legacy of an Adopted Child

Once there were two women who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other you call mother.
Two different lives, shaped to make your one...
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
The first gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love, and the second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name.
One gave you a seed of talent, the other gave you an aim.
One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
One gave you up ... that's all she could do.
The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.
And now you ask me, through your fears, the age old question unanswered throughout the years...
Heredity or environment...
Which are you the product of ?
Neither, my darling ... neither...
just two different kinds of love.

-Author Unknown

The Chosen Heart

Longing for a child to love,
I'd wish upon the stars above.
In my heart I always knew,
A part of me was meant for you.
I think how happy we will be,
Once I adopt you, and you adopt me.

I dream of all the joy you'll bring,
Imagining even the littlest things.
The way it will feel to hold you tight,
And tuck you in every night.
The drawings on the refrigerator door,
And childhood toys across the floor.
The favorite stories read again and again,
And hours of games with make-believe friends.

The day you took my outstretched hand,
A journey ended, but our lives began.
Still mesmerized by your sweet face,
Still warmed inside by our first embrace.
I promised to give you a happy home,
And a loving family all your own.
A house you've now made complete,
With laughter, smiles, and tiny feet.

A parent is one who guides the way,
Know I will be there everyday.
Rest easy as each night you sleep,
A lifetime of love is yours to keep.

Longing for a child to love,
I'd wish upon the stars above.
In my heart I always knew,
A part of me belonged to you.

-Author Unknown

Our Journey

April 2006 Made decision to adopt
May 2006 Found our agency-GWCA
June 2006 Started paperchasing
July 2006 Homestudy
August 2006 Fingerprinting
Sept 22, 2006 Dossier to China
Oct 19, 2006 Dossier Log in Date
Sept 7, 2007 Changed to Special Needs
June 12, 2008 Referral for Ella
June 13, 2008 Letter of Intent
June 25, 2008 Pre-Approval
July 10, 2008 Letter Seeking Confirmation
August 7, 2008 Travel Approval
August 20, 2008 Visas
August 26, 2008 Fingerprinting renewal
September 10, 2008 I171H
September 29, 2008 I800
October 1, 2008 Travel to China
October 3, 2008 Beijing Zoo
October 4, 2008 Great Wall, Forbidden City
October 5, 2008 Fly to Inner Mongolia
Gotcha Day 4:00 pm
October 6, 2008 Paperwork for Passport
October 8, 2008 Paperwork for Visa
October 10, 2008 Get Ella's passport/Museum tour
October 11, 2008 Fly to Guangzhou
October 12, 2008 Tour Chen family temple
October 13, 2008 Medical exam
October 14, 2008 Visit Yuntai Park
October 16, 2008 Consolate Appt.
October 18, 2008 Fly home