tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55117876599902467232024-03-04T20:11:54.728-08:00Waiting for our babyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-81050205739405061332010-06-25T05:21:00.000-07:002010-06-25T05:30:18.669-07:00Detour<a href="http://www.youbelong.net/waitingforpenny"></a><br />Blog detour:<br />http://www.youbelong.net/waitingforpenny<br /><br />Please go to my new blog for Penny updates. Thanks!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-26122777073248967002010-06-17T08:35:00.000-07:002010-06-17T11:15:35.721-07:00If you don't know the whole storyLet me take a moment and remind you of how we came to adopt Penny, or where "fictitious" Penny came from rather.<br /> <br />Back in 2005, we decided to adopt a child. A, "one" child! After much research, we decided on China. We applied for a healthy baby girl, ages 6-12 months. We decided to name this child Penelope Ray, after my mom and dad. Mind you, this child is "fictitious," as your child might not have been born yet. People tend to think, that what the age of the child is when you get them, you've been waiting for that particular child, for that long. 3 years old, 3 year wait, not the case. Ok, back to the story. As the wait went on, it got longer and longer then what our agency anticipated. The year we chose to do this, is when the slow down started to happen. There was much speculation for why the process was at a stand still, and I'm talking like stand still, tumble weeds, the sound of the wind and hawks squawking in the background, zip, ziltch, nada, nothing. So we wait, and we wait, with no reasons or end in site. <br /><br />We decided to again, to look into domestic adoption in May 2007. We found a great attorney agency, recommended by a friend.<br />We signed on with them immediately. It took about 2 weeks to get all our info switched over to domestic adoption, mind you, we still have China going. At this time we're estimated another 2 years for China. We got the call from our domestic agency, 2 weeks later, "we've been chosen by a birth mother." OMG. That week June 15th, Samantha Jackson was being born. <br /><br />In Oct. 2008, we decided to switch over to the Waiting Child adoption program in China. After researching all the medical conditions on the check lists, we elected a bunch of conditions we were open to, switched to up to 4 yrs old and either gender. It was a tough decision, since 2005, I had a picture in my mind of my little Chinese baby. Letting go of that was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. I really never got over it. OBVIOUSLY!!!! After about 3 weeks of the switch, we received Felix's file. We had the file, before a picture, which is better. The we got his pictures, what a cutie. We were in. We went to adopt Felix in Zhengzhou, China in Feb 2009, during the Chinese New Year. BTW, fireworks are non stop for 2 weeks of the celebration. And they are not the type that we are use to here, they are basically bombs. I think they stopped from about 3am-7am.<br /><br />In the summer of 2009, I got the bug........I started on the boards again, realized I needed my Penny. You start talking with these crazy selfless people that adopt child after child w/ major medical conditions, it's insane, they are angels. We signed up AGAIN. This time we went right into the Waiting Child program. I have the best husband BTW. We were actually placed w/ Penny before we started the paperwork. While on the yahoo group to my agency, someone had recommended I view this little girls file, cleft lip/palete, 17 months old. I called my coordinator, she said "yah, this little girl is perfect, I can't believe she's still on the list." As soon as I saw her picture, I knew it was her, chills up the spine and everything. I could have cared less, if she had any other medical conditions then the clefts. Luck for us, that all we're dealing with. So here we are today, getting ready to go get our Penny.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-49347439626807294832010-06-10T14:22:00.001-07:002010-06-10T14:25:38.406-07:00Starfish PoemI'm posting the Starfish Poem again, as I've been asked for it recently by a few of you. It was tucked back in 2009 posts, so here it is. I love this poem, I think we all forget sometimes, what a difference we can make.<br /><br /><br />Once upon a time there was a wise man<br />who used to go to the ocean<br />to do his writing.<br />He had a habit of walking<br />on the beach<br />before he began his work.<br />One day he was walking along<br />the shore.<br />As he looked down the beach,<br />he saw a human<br />figure moving like a dancer.<br />He smiled to himself to think<br />of someone who would<br />dance to the day.<br />So he began to walk faster<br />to catch up.<br />As he got closer, he saw<br />that it was a young man<br />and the young man wasn't dancing,<br />but instead he was reaching<br />down to the shore,<br />picking up something<br />and very gently throwing it<br />into the ocean.<br />As he got closer he called out,<br />"Good morning! What are you doing?"<br />The young man paused,<br />looked up and replied,<br />"Throwing starfish in the ocean."<br />"I guess I should have asked,<br />why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"<br />"The sun is up and the tide is going out.<br />And if I don't throw them in they'll die."<br />"But, young man, don't you realize that<br />there are miles and miles of beach<br />and starfish all along it.<br />You can't possibly make a difference!"<br />The young man listened politely.<br />Then bent down, picked up another starfish<br />and threw it into the sea,<br />past the breaking waves and said-<br />"It made a difference for that one."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-68628494123242099242010-06-08T08:08:00.000-07:002010-06-08T08:12:53.120-07:00Itinerary in GuangzhouWho how much more simple this itinerary is then last trip! There were several in China flight during last trip as Felix was in Zhengzhou. Yahoo!<br /><br />The itinerary for family adopting Bao Xin Qin (2008/01/11)<br /><br />June 20: Flying to Guangzhou by CZ328 at 06:20<br /> Staying at the Garden Hotel<br /> Having breakfast at the hotel<br />June 21: Meet the child <br />June 22: Registration and Notarization<br />June 23: Applying for passport<br />June 24: Local sightseeing at the Liu Hua Lake Park<br />June 25: Local sightseeing at the Family Chen’s Temple(or visiting ShenZhen SWI)<br />June 26: Photo for the child & Physical test for the child & TB test for the child<br />June 27: Local sightseeing at Yuntai Garden<br />June 28: Get medical result and passport<br />June 29: Visa application at 10:30am <br />June 30: Swearing in ceremony at the Consulate (the family will wait to be informed to go there)<br />July 1st: Local sightseeing at the Zoo and pick up visa<br />July 2nd: Fly home by CZ327 at 21:00. The family will have a late check-out to 18:00.<br /><br />HOTEL INFORMATION<br /><br />1. 花园饭店 The Garden Hotel<br />Address: No. 368 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou<br />Telephone: 0086-20-83338989<br />Fax: 0086-20-83350467Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-76499515326415754152010-06-07T13:16:00.000-07:002010-06-08T13:59:53.691-07:00Recent PicturesI just got some recent pictures of Penny. We're at the finish line "kinda," and I couldn't wait any longer. Had to see her now, now, now. Next week they will probably be getting her prepped to go, any toys she'll be leaving with, clothes, etc. They've been showing her our photo album we made for her, therefore she'll be a little familiar with us. Although I'm sad to leave the kiddos behind, I'm looking forward to spending some alone "ish" time with Johnny. We haven't been on a plane solo in 3 years, certainly haven't gone away together either. We'll probably get Penny a couple days into the trip. Sometimes you get your child the day you get in, sometimes not for days. We should know soon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdifYJN7cu5Pfllu1Q_CmkyFw2UIlnI3N3AfSf54RtSA3jZFPI1JaK250wI4yz0r-znUqH9vOR1-K6rE_I2OnoORhnWxxzd1-FUZDgXcj-_ZHtsteuXdEbyvPRbg0PFjX28EQP7wQRNI/s1600/pennygrass.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdifYJN7cu5Pfllu1Q_CmkyFw2UIlnI3N3AfSf54RtSA3jZFPI1JaK250wI4yz0r-znUqH9vOR1-K6rE_I2OnoORhnWxxzd1-FUZDgXcj-_ZHtsteuXdEbyvPRbg0PFjX28EQP7wQRNI/s200/pennygrass.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480509982248385906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH6_rL-5gcr2tCeBFiqqvz2PrVkrGvd7juMPBuvgIRzbdUlhekj85OfGEua0VWjiQr1o_A3o4Ba61HiVXyPdcXoPh9s4730QifGJddP9-6VDxzXnFGlDT8GK3EM25RkCXKjUdub_XziY/s1600/pennypark.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH6_rL-5gcr2tCeBFiqqvz2PrVkrGvd7juMPBuvgIRzbdUlhekj85OfGEua0VWjiQr1o_A3o4Ba61HiVXyPdcXoPh9s4730QifGJddP9-6VDxzXnFGlDT8GK3EM25RkCXKjUdub_XziY/s200/pennypark.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480509977802550450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHivbZcknjl3t0bacL4jDP4QSzzmaSuADMldRe-7qWRu6bBEQGHaDitjKEwuBMvnqbjT7sAIRRrdSnzs3VZzpYwwolys7aJIh-fmUWAuAolcQbiEFkTO56dVjr5LswNgXHQSbQcVrzQQ/s1600/grassstand.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHivbZcknjl3t0bacL4jDP4QSzzmaSuADMldRe-7qWRu6bBEQGHaDitjKEwuBMvnqbjT7sAIRRrdSnzs3VZzpYwwolys7aJIh-fmUWAuAolcQbiEFkTO56dVjr5LswNgXHQSbQcVrzQQ/s200/grassstand.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480509967303207906" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-73317060540508838282010-06-06T18:57:00.000-07:002010-06-06T19:16:18.792-07:00MAJOR updatesThis week has been a whirlwind. We received our LONG awaited TA "travel approval" and our CA "consulate appt" the following day. Isn't it just the way it goes with this whole process? You're in limbo, waiting, having no idea when the next milestone will fall. Then it comes down to the final steps, it's go time. The chaos start now, "hold on to your seats, we have just lost cabin pressure." Ok, sorry, movie reference. We will get our itinerary Monday. Apparently, because if construction on Shaimen Island, we need to stay in Guangzhou. I guess it will be a nice change from last trip, although, it was great being able to just step out and grab something safe and easy to eat, or shop for. We'll figure it out. I got an email today from one of my cyber friends from BAAS for over a year now and probably for who knows how long on rumor queen, we're on the same flight!!! She from Houston, I from San Diego, her daughter from a different province then Penny, but we meet on the 18th in LAX. Amazing!!! We're also on the same flight back. In case you were not aware, everyone ends up in Guangzhou at some point, even if their child is from a different province as the Consulate is in GZ. The Consulate is where the adoption is finalize and the child is signed off to go to the US.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-21073848067072752132010-05-13T20:19:00.000-07:002010-05-13T20:38:26.917-07:00Article 5, SERIOUSLY!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><pre style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Dear April:<br /><br />Your Article 5 has been picked up and overnighted to CWTS and CWTS is<br />hand delivery it to CCAA today. You are now just wait for your TA which<br />will take about two weeks.<br /><br />Have a good weekend.<br /><br /></span><br /></pre></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-35492700125315528322010-05-03T20:04:00.000-07:002010-05-03T20:30:42.119-07:00Most recent update<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKUJVkbQRwg5ZoWzZSfPZP5tgKML7pkW7RreWHBlMkSQbVgMcfdTdALslRJ4B8xd-PtpnDSnSps0WmYmXyvsiVAwpzd_6BXuhVK57yZDu3rKgsISptHJtIIIBStr1DdIdhjZwgtgDTLw/s200/baoxinqin1045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467251260541788802" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aX2NmxLaGZVgew0iXuMWvaIBnbvs9HeK0IirCx638Qe4YJYr34zsOC2BqrKkoeCVG84D-xPFd3NNEaVO7kYEMojyqkR5530GxsATngZU6z65inw5FR4EUvHLmzEqoqTiM11CY55TMe8/s200/baoxinqin1046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467251272405128018" /><br /><br />Our agency got us a development report and a few new photos of our girl. As for the report, everything seems on target. Not a fan of the late bed time 9:30. What??? Ok, well I am master of child sleep routine so I'm not too concerned. Felix was on track 2 weeks home. I love the picture playing music. Maybe she takes after her mama's natural musical abilities. She's healthy and that's all that matter. We are looking at travel in July now as Consulate appts for June seems to be filling up. July in Guangzhou will be hot and SO humid. Can't wait!! As for those of you following in the community, I will update the timeline. Take a look, we received our wire notice last week. I have to say, when I gave up checking my emails every second, things really started to move for us. I know it's hard, BTDT 3 times now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-86652076811167215582010-03-26T17:50:00.000-07:002010-03-26T18:10:11.120-07:00LOAWe received our LOA today. We've waited 77 days from LID. We though it would have been more in the 40-50's but now that it's here, who cares. I'm obviously thrilled, but also numb as this wait just wears on you. Who knows when our TA will come. Any where from 5-8 weeks. I'm am an optimistic person by nature, but the adoption process has made me question my optimism.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-77615296811907914112010-02-23T17:14:00.001-08:002010-02-23T17:26:00.702-08:00New Pictures of Penny<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwFInvbU7LKyAjlT5137pnWLNrQ5nnDjC25gV4CK0v7KnN1bKcQnZKh8smeBjuZFiyLU53JN3sPR2I8bFixk74pcGz9nvp7vH7WwKcaXtUNBKtFL7lHB61Gz8quLvIszxykRkbnkyeT8/s1600-h/DSC00025.JPG.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwFInvbU7LKyAjlT5137pnWLNrQ5nnDjC25gV4CK0v7KnN1bKcQnZKh8smeBjuZFiyLU53JN3sPR2I8bFixk74pcGz9nvp7vH7WwKcaXtUNBKtFL7lHB61Gz8quLvIszxykRkbnkyeT8/s200/DSC00025.JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441614257179734722" /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Nc_gJ00_REr0TbwR6sZESt_d7rpBqvvZinIkVR8ahbvVn-f6cCdCgDCSOsdSJOKJufQivqfN0m1nHiHzWd5YIlUAO5SQwc9QFQVUiC1ZEb914YVY6SsdDugAH60ZZg7Da63zrp5HxIE/s200/DSC00015.JPG.jpg" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Nc_gJ00_REr0TbwR6sZESt_d7rpBqvvZinIkVR8ahbvVn-f6cCdCgDCSOsdSJOKJufQivqfN0m1nHiHzWd5YIlUAO5SQwc9QFQVUiC1ZEb914YVY6SsdDugAH60ZZg7Da63zrp5HxIE/s1600-h/DSC00015.JPG.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Nc_gJ00_REr0TbwR6sZESt_d7rpBqvvZinIkVR8ahbvVn-f6cCdCgDCSOsdSJOKJufQivqfN0m1nHiHzWd5YIlUAO5SQwc9QFQVUiC1ZEb914YVY6SsdDugAH60ZZg7Da63zrp5HxIE/s200/DSC00015.JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441614254454685474" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 20px; font-size:13px;">Today to my surprise I received new pictures of Penny. I was elated to say the least, as one of the pictures has her smiling. FINALLY. In all the handful of pictures we have, she looks so sad. I know that it's difficult to get them to smile as they are not use to a camera. I also got an update that she's doing well, healthy and received our Chinese New Year package. I can't be more thankful to the sources that get me this information as contact is prohibited. Of course that doesn't stop me from finding ways around this. I did it with Felix and I'm doing it again with Penny. Having technical difficulties with the pics, I'm aware of the double.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-72577286698526080752010-02-22T20:17:00.000-08:002010-02-22T21:14:15.355-08:00AdoptingI haven't posted in a while as there really is nothing to talk about, so I thought. Any one who has gone through an adoption process international or domestic, would know that it's difficult to stay positive and/or think talk about anything other then the next phase. <div><br /></div><div>I thought that the wait through the Chinese New Year was going to be much more difficult, knowing that the CCAA shuts down for 2 weeks. Well one week technically, but they are short staffed until the New Year is over. We're one week into CNY and I feel very much at peace with the wait. Can't tell you the cause for the sudden equanimity. Who knows.</div><div><br /></div><div>I thought I'd mention a topic that I often get approach with. It's the fact that people tell me I'm a great roll model for others whom should consider adoption and/or special needs children adoption. I appreciate the fact that someone sees me as this, that being said, I would never talk someone into adoption. And who are these people that should consider adoption? Is it people whom are infertile, impregnating through IVF, older couples? I often advocate within the adoption community for children or agencies. Never outside of it. I will tell anyone who asks me, adopting a child IS NOT FOR EVERYONE! People are surprised of my response, assuming I will respond with much more avidity. As for adopting a child with a medical condition(s), you really need to soul search here. Here's the deal, you have to ask yourself if you are ready for:</div><div>Months, days, years of uncertainty? Disappointment? Highs and low? A medical condition your not prepared to handle after accepting the file? Significant developmental/physical delays? Paperwork, dossiers, appointments for medical check ups, police clearance reports, FBI finger prints, USCIS clearances, scrutiny of a social worker for days, months or years? Keeping in mind that depending how long you are to wait, you might need to renew all and more of the above. Finally, the cost? It's not for the faint of heart. You need to know going into the uncertainty, there will be a long road ahead. Whether your starting with paperwork and no referral "child," as we did with Felix and Sami, whom was originally Penny. Or starting with a referral, as with Penny now. Is still just a long road. I thought it would be easier knowing the child that exists at the end of this road, but it's not. </div><div><br /></div><div> We in the adoption community write these posts for the people that come in to the yahoo groups to visit and inquire about adoption. So for some of the readers, this post will not apply. Sorry to have wasted your time. Good Night </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-87689274373755164232010-01-14T08:20:00.000-08:002010-05-13T20:43:12.308-07:00Penny Bday Pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXDXGEGZqAcPetLzJCyhHBXuJwJ14p47h6J82RToqG_jviTIRwnQenim_CBelze6W37PZCBDiAeWTNZgwYSj-ZSQGGYQKpw8G_oYPT_qf3sGHLgjFBeeatlHKSbOFXZLXtrKTZgEt1Is/s1600-h/IMG_4122.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426632714874109458" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXDXGEGZqAcPetLzJCyhHBXuJwJ14p47h6J82RToqG_jviTIRwnQenim_CBelze6W37PZCBDiAeWTNZgwYSj-ZSQGGYQKpw8G_oYPT_qf3sGHLgjFBeeatlHKSbOFXZLXtrKTZgEt1Is/s200/IMG_4122.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScQBFOvV53C3hI-H-vRZnjgpMaveMfUWQ8xEbu8SE47MKfdGLq1RDaeA1JDGEKMFxSqIY_lxJCI9GQZW8jmPhe8tEGai5cVfS4tGGj2O46E0w81p-lrjaDMRDJqv0d9nysKTEuJLtjtY/s1600-h/IMG_4128.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426632706295716354" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScQBFOvV53C3hI-H-vRZnjgpMaveMfUWQ8xEbu8SE47MKfdGLq1RDaeA1JDGEKMFxSqIY_lxJCI9GQZW8jmPhe8tEGai5cVfS4tGGj2O46E0w81p-lrjaDMRDJqv0d9nysKTEuJLtjtY/s200/IMG_4128.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArAhwYJi3H_no6LG8NoBmQ3Uuyl8tH4OX8uLisBhaquzw9yPChgA53al1y6KuDlabnqlR-uag0EvKjK2hZsrx2rTlobO5bvDZ-I3uz0IPPTbBurjygxE0dkFE2g0-eGIoksQzzv41Llc/s1600-h/IMG_4106.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426632679299189570" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArAhwYJi3H_no6LG8NoBmQ3Uuyl8tH4OX8uLisBhaquzw9yPChgA53al1y6KuDlabnqlR-uag0EvKjK2hZsrx2rTlobO5bvDZ-I3uz0IPPTbBurjygxE0dkFE2g0-eGIoksQzzv41Llc/s200/IMG_4106.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsK_CglnCOr2pN9hZJ5JbvBQtFUJ4D_tsSlw4lXMgv3tyF-D6L3dNLeAU_JsADT1OcRb5WDObIXqPH-PrBspn3IDj9geYDssGgfqftrFjGXW4uxUgDUqafCNuEEnB9M1FUA2nTJHhc1g/s1600-h/IMG_4112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426632685763035250" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsK_CglnCOr2pN9hZJ5JbvBQtFUJ4D_tsSlw4lXMgv3tyF-D6L3dNLeAU_JsADT1OcRb5WDObIXqPH-PrBspn3IDj9geYDssGgfqftrFjGXW4uxUgDUqafCNuEEnB9M1FUA2nTJHhc1g/s200/IMG_4112.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWdYLHbEVLfxjE_lz01H5dLTxGC1w-GbAnI5A5aDiGbzv6F0AApal73HOojGaShwTQCm1T5lwwYZr3RBaEtU3QYUpksGAwM4myXCJeBMqD0ASI5mZWgknGZVvEKyBm0rbihESh00YmPs/s1600-h/IMG_4127.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426632695539073202" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWdYLHbEVLfxjE_lz01H5dLTxGC1w-GbAnI5A5aDiGbzv6F0AApal73HOojGaShwTQCm1T5lwwYZr3RBaEtU3QYUpksGAwM4myXCJeBMqD0ASI5mZWgknGZVvEKyBm0rbihESh00YmPs/s200/IMG_4127.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to Angela at LadybugnLove, we got a cake and some pictures of our girl. She looks SO much bigger then last pictures from November. No pig tails this time. Looks like she's gotten a hair cut since then. I can't see her little collapsed nostril. I guess as the surgery heals, it gets better. I really like that imperfection though. I got so use to it. <div><div> </div><div> She looks confused by the cake. I'm sure she figured it out quickly. I'm assuming they bring it all out to the others after they take the pictures. They never put any other kids in the photos there.<br />Side note-someone just got their LOA in 34 days "record." I'm thinking it's a trend as we've seen some days in the 40's last batch. We could get ours soon!!!!</div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-76832224552287514382010-01-11T10:00:00.000-08:002010-01-11T10:02:18.579-08:00LID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We got our LID "log in date" today for 1/08/2010. I knew it was coming today. AND it's Penny's 2nd birthday. Oh Happy Birthday. Now we are shifted to the next pile for LOA. Basically the BIG one. It can take anywhere from 30-100 days. We'll know when we'll be traveling to get her after LOA.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-28868515201923251542010-01-07T15:00:00.000-08:002010-01-07T15:02:25.571-08:00Lastest Measurements of Penny25 lbs.<br />31.9 inch. Tall<br />4.7 inch. Feet "shrunk, LOL"<br />18.1 inch. Chest<br />18.7 inch. HeadUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-52524342020534761312009-12-30T15:40:00.000-08:002009-12-30T15:43:48.502-08:00DTC!!Our 797 approval FINALLY came back from the Chinese Consulate authenticated yesterday, the 29th. I sent it off immediately to our coodinator. She received our document today and is sending out dossier to China tomorrow 12/31/09. We made it by the end of the year. Can't believe it!!!!! Now we wait for out LID "log in date" which is when China actually puts it in the process, then our LOA "letter of approval," which is approving us again. And some more approvals after that. But the big one is the LOA. It usually takes the longest of all the A's.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-14868701268164681622009-12-15T19:57:00.000-08:002009-12-30T15:39:58.031-08:003rd Care PackageWe sent out Penny's Christmas care package on the 7th. I had her doll, barbie 'both with brown hair because someone told me you can't find brown haired dolls in China," a few wintery outfits, Sami's last years Christmas dress "which I was really sad sending away but I knew it was going to a good place," a puffer jacket, her bday plates and stuff for her bday party/tinkerbell themed " her bday is in Jan and I will be sending a cake through a 3rd party service," planet earth horses, pocket puppies, stuffed animal squirrel thing, fuzzy crocs, socks and some gifts for the nannies. I think that's it. Oh, and cany canes and granola bars. He, he!! Oh and a few DVD's. She should be covered until her bday.<br /><br />We are waiting for our final document to come back from Autentication at the Consulate. They received it yesterday the 14th. I am hoping to get it by Thurs so I can overnight it to my agency and they can send off our dossier finally to China.<br /><br /><br />UPDATES: Bao'An received Penn'ys package on the 16th. Said they were so thankful for all the things we sent. Hope Penny's likes her toys and dollie.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-724054058186135862009-12-06T12:57:00.001-08:002009-12-06T13:49:12.504-08:00How do you know??We in the adoption community often get asked the question, "how did you know it was your child?," or "did you know right away, it was your child?" This of course is referring to when you get a referral "child's file." It's hard to answer. For many, they fell that they knew the second they saw the picture, for other, it took some time and for some, even not until they actually met. It is OK no matter how it goes. I think it's more your gutt. If your doing a Special Needs program, it should be about the medical conditions and if your able to care for the child. But I guess that sometimes goes out the window as did with our son Felix. His conditions were not on our acceptance list. When we saw his face, we knew. I was nervous and did think for a minute after we accepted if I'd be able to deal with his conditions. We know now, thank goodness we accepted. He is a pefect fit into our family. As for our daughter that we know await, I knew the second I saw her face. I can't even remember who told me about her. I belong to so many yahoo groups that I can't keep track. Someone told me about a little girl 18 months with a cleft lip/palate. I called the agency and that was it. Done deal. Someone on a site that I go to for information said she actually turned down our daughters referral but fell in love with her. She said that they were looking for cleft lip only and were placed with their daughter 3 weeks later. I asked her if she was the one that referred me to my agency but she never responded back. I truley felt it was an angel guiding me to our little girl. I write about all this today because I was staring at our latest updated picture of our daughter and feel like I've know it was her forever. I stare deeply into those dark puppy like eyes and know it's her we've been waiting for. Having said that, I think it's ok to not know it is your child right away. Sometimes you feel it in different ways then just looking at a picture or the sign comes from somewhere else. It's up to you to recognize it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-17528432810778926532009-12-01T09:08:00.000-08:002009-12-01T09:10:48.492-08:00800A approval!!!!!!!!We were notified today that our 800A approval was sent out yesterday. I can't believe it. It took 2 1/2 months to get our approval with the finger prints not going through and other docs we needed because of it. Ugggggg. Now onto the next wait. AlmostUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-81031039579483611362009-11-24T14:24:00.001-08:002009-11-24T14:32:19.387-08:00Penny Updates<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFfH4hsVpnY4HWzvNGwIGKJKbb7n6ck5aycP6gPl3Sl2ORk5hFXkpHPNqnUOtDyRIsd01yUv-jMuqEtZHK7xojXlmL7eGROv6_tXwsh6l7qF0239veZUrCUpp0EtYjU7CK0l77DDJXeg/s1600/pennynov2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407801216407264450" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFfH4hsVpnY4HWzvNGwIGKJKbb7n6ck5aycP6gPl3Sl2ORk5hFXkpHPNqnUOtDyRIsd01yUv-jMuqEtZHK7xojXlmL7eGROv6_tXwsh6l7qF0239veZUrCUpp0EtYjU7CK0l77DDJXeg/s200/pennynov2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnxsO5nIBaGGVugFHBXxS7eWhRbZUJd1Je1x1SNAzYRZO2PKXTcBUmAa0_iso3JYNNKFd_BJxkRBJLOYmugFpSdusi3jWC_sGFV7QuPRfkPrDXUxgZYwkiB5MHlNgAxmMclYPUiHVEc8/s1600/baoxinqin09112.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407801208973098802" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnxsO5nIBaGGVugFHBXxS7eWhRbZUJd1Je1x1SNAzYRZO2PKXTcBUmAa0_iso3JYNNKFd_BJxkRBJLOYmugFpSdusi3jWC_sGFV7QuPRfkPrDXUxgZYwkiB5MHlNgAxmMclYPUiHVEc8/s200/baoxinqin09112.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_KzrDH51d12geAPPlgacmD2ZXSDsX9y_o2XCY1TP4OvGYWH6OmWlCK-KLrdIHF6cwmqiiA-h4fFmTEkrts8OIlrX-VDjWRwn7GhUVEf6piSlE2KwWwMRsIWoFiVniZvo6BSTitpFYwg/s1600/pennyNov1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407801199498912546" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_KzrDH51d12geAPPlgacmD2ZXSDsX9y_o2XCY1TP4OvGYWH6OmWlCK-KLrdIHF6cwmqiiA-h4fFmTEkrts8OIlrX-VDjWRwn7GhUVEf6piSlE2KwWwMRsIWoFiVniZvo6BSTitpFYwg/s200/pennyNov1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_KzrDH51d12geAPPlgacmD2ZXSDsX9y_o2XCY1TP4OvGYWH6OmWlCK-KLrdIHF6cwmqiiA-h4fFmTEkrts8OIlrX-VDjWRwn7GhUVEf6piSlE2KwWwMRsIWoFiVniZvo6BSTitpFYwg/s1600/pennyNov1.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div>Just what I needed to get me through this long week. We are still waiting on our immigration 800A approval. I just got word today that our application is still being reviewed even though I've submitted all the additional required docs. I thought I'd have it sent out for certification/authentication by Wed, but that will not happen now. BUT just as I was feeling down, I got updated info about our little girl from our agency. She's looking cuter then ever and not that far off on the size that a 22 month old should be. I need to compare her size to August updates:</div><br /><div>As of now she's</div><div>30 inches</div><div>21.3 lbs</div><div>4.9 inch Feet</div><div>17.3 inch chest</div><div>18.8 head</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-23011349550298275432009-11-11T19:38:00.000-08:002009-11-11T19:42:20.124-08:00Dossier sentOk, well not really. I got the OK to send in my dossier, payments and all other materials to my agency today. Of course it is less our 800A approval. I'm glad it's going out of my hands though and to my agency. I wanted them to review everything while we sit and wait for the 800A approval, then to send it out to get certified, then authenticated. We could be looking at another 3 weeks here before it gets to our agency. They said ok, send it in, we'll review it. So I march down to get my cashiers check, oh, bank closed, post office closed, Veteran's Day. So it goes out tomorrow. Yippy. First thing. My coordinator will have it in her hands Friday AM.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-20665486037904369162009-11-03T20:18:00.000-08:002009-11-03T20:28:55.798-08:00Penny's package received!!Yay. We found out today that Penny's care package was received yesterday. Yippy!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-77888051978357594822009-10-29T17:49:00.000-07:002009-11-13T20:36:19.349-08:00Finger Prints Done!!!Today we had our fingerprint appt. Hopefully they both went through ok as sometimes the scan system doesn't take them clear enough.<br /><br />So much for that. I found out 4 days later that my prints need to be redone. This happens sometimes for some reason. I received my appt notice to get them done again. Only it wasn't until 12/1. I went into our immigration office the next day, 11/10 and they took me. I was in and out in 20 min and it was not busy at all. The security guard thought it redicules they gave me such a far out date. I have been in contact with my USCIS officer and he will fax me the approval when he gets it.<br /><br />OK, yet another hiccup. I got message today 11/13 that my fingerprints came back unclassified yet AGAIN. I'm so glad I didn't wait for the 12/1 date to do my prints to find out 3 weeks from now, they didn't go through. I am asked to now get police clearance reports from every city I've lived in for the past 5 years. Thankfully, it's only 2. Of course I have my current one as it's needed for our process. I'm driving to the other city on Monday to get the report. Sheshhh. What's next? Nothing. It's all going to be perfectly smooth sailing from here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-68241313933952027012009-10-22T15:51:00.000-07:002009-10-22T16:03:58.913-07:00Penny's Care Package<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSR-sTDwz6_StP0Moz1PEBG7YhjQ_iWAgVE00yEKoINWJadc3WEbBkMVHdWRElKnb_KHiPTTbol_-_vCE_QebmtQkYWKkqqlE4Q9qQ5h9uNlU1SMBoNEe3rEWgdUaJwz8Vs7FWnbBPjg/s1600-h/IMG_4514.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395563856375312242" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSR-sTDwz6_StP0Moz1PEBG7YhjQ_iWAgVE00yEKoINWJadc3WEbBkMVHdWRElKnb_KHiPTTbol_-_vCE_QebmtQkYWKkqqlE4Q9qQ5h9uNlU1SMBoNEe3rEWgdUaJwz8Vs7FWnbBPjg/s200/IMG_4514.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br />We sent our first personal care package to Penny on 10/20. It's suppose to get there in 5-10 business days. We'll see. I put the phone number to the orphanage in there, the address that we have in hopes it gets to where it should. I will have Ann from redthreadchina.com check in 2 weeks to see if they received it. I promised Ann I would order another package or 2 from her in the upcoming months.<br /><br /><br />As we were putting the package together, I noticed 2 pairs of Tinkerbell undies missing and a teddy snugglie. Hmmmmm. I've been collecting these items for about 4 weeks now and Sami has ben in and out of the bags. I'm sure the undies ended up in Samis draw as she loves Tinkerbell. As for the snugglie, we found him in the dirty laundry basket in the garage. It was fine because I wanted to wash it anyway. I rubbed some of the essential oils that the kids use after baths on the tessy so Penny can be familiar with her new smells. It smells SO good.<br /><br /><br />My moms cyber friend from her knitting group Anne, translated a letter for me in Chinese. So that went in the box too along with a pack of Lolli's and camera. All under 4 lbs costing me 28.00 to ship a tiny box. Not so bad. Totally worth it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-72447288425517139332009-10-22T15:47:00.001-07:002009-10-22T15:49:21.215-07:00Documents in hand<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYS0j4mEyDHefJrkgEaUpnyjj1c0p_pTXSpMou2DiRxpabcmTOK653ig0enJrcK6kxzaf0yGQNt3VkcDlNoJ6vQICQyRkWgpLX_aL67s7p4H8rlmrB8q41tJ5u3toVJKI2OeHE4-iMiE/s1600-h/IMG_4633.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395560125732097106" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYS0j4mEyDHefJrkgEaUpnyjj1c0p_pTXSpMou2DiRxpabcmTOK653ig0enJrcK6kxzaf0yGQNt3VkcDlNoJ6vQICQyRkWgpLX_aL67s7p4H8rlmrB8q41tJ5u3toVJKI2OeHE4-iMiE/s200/IMG_4633.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>IT CAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511787659990246723.post-30424651227232304392009-10-21T17:58:00.000-07:002009-10-21T18:04:23.893-07:00Docs at the Consulate in Los AngelesMy agency coordinator suggested we fax the Consulate regarding our documents being as though you can't speak with a person. I did so yesrterday. They called me back in a hour and told me they sent them back to me that afternoon. Ok Great. I still haven't got them and the return envelope I gave to them was express. It better get here tomorrow or I think somethings going on. I can't believe it took over 2 weeks to get our document authenticated. I hope being as though our final document to get authenticated is only one document, it will be faster. And now we know the other 2 pieces of documents they need personally. Shesh. Almost there. Finger print appt is 10/29/09. Finally, next week. Feels like forever since I got the notice.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0