Our family's journey to adopt our daughter in China.

Friday, October 3, 2008

WOW! We are actually here. I can't believe it. Our trip here was good, long but good. Eleven hours on the flight from Minnesota to Japan was hard on all of us. It was crazy. We ate three times on just that one flight. We had a wonderful day today. We had a free day to relax and do what we wanted before we start the tours of the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. We decided to be adventurous and we took the subway and a taxi to the Beijing Zoo. It was hard but everyone who spoke english was very helpful. The zoo was beautiful and the pandas were adorable. Saw lots of animals but we were the big attraction. Everyone wanted to take their picture with our kids. It was cute. Noah got a big kick out of it. The weather is wonderful. It's in the 70s and I'm luvin it. Of course the room is another story. They turn the air off after summer cause it's almost "winta-time"...go figure. We have the windows open but it's still hot. I can hear the sounds down below of China. How cool is this. I'M IN CHINA. Can't believe it. Well, we'll get Ella in three days. I'm counting the minutes until I have her. All the adorable little girls we saw today was torture. I wanted to have my Ella with me while we were there. She would have loved seeing all the animals. We're going to have to bring her to the Houston Zoo soon.

Well, that's all for now. I'll post more tomorrow.

Priscella

Thursday, September 18, 2008

WE ARE OFFICIALLY LEAVING FOR CHINA!!!! October 1st at 10:42 we will be off for China to go get our girl!! We finally got our Consolate Appointment for October 16th which means Gotcha Day will be October 5th or 6th. I can hardly wait. It feels like a dream and I don't want to wake up. I need to start packing but I don't know where to begin.

We survived Hurricane Ike without any damage but some of my family didn't fair so well but all are safe and sound so we are blessed. Keep everyone in your prayers. Some are just without power and some need to find another place to live. They are all staying here for now and I am enjoying their company and glad to be able to help them in this small way.

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