Do you remember when you were a kid and the year 2000 was like at the end of all time and we would be flying with jet packs--if we were still alive and not nuked by then? Well we are still here--no jet packs--just hybrid cars. We were so very blessed this past year. Following is a list of random highlights of 2008:
Austin had another good Cardiologist checkup.
Shannon turned double digits.
I turned 40.
Dwayne finally built a dining room table and bench (after promising for 10 years to do so). I love, love, love it.
I celebrated 18 years of blissful marriage to my best friend.
Took (too few) "wine walks" with friends.
Lots of Family and extended Family gatherings.
Summer days in the back yard.
Trips to the beach.
Kayaking.
Wii came home.
AND...we started on the road to China that leads to our baby girl. We wish you a blessed Happy New Year. Suggestion for a New Year's Resolution--Choose Joy. Think about what that means, it's a huge thing when applied to so many areas of life. Instead of complaining about something, look for a good thing about it. Instead of pointing out faults, compliment, but be sincere.
Deb
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Merry Christmas--Third Day
I know, quite sappy--try not to cry. Good Luck!
The band Third Day recorded a song entitled "Merry Christmas". The guitarist from the band adopted a daughter from China; the song is about his wait to bring her home.
This video puts a family's pictures to the song.
MERRY CHRISTMAS -- THIRD DAY
There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for momma's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town
There the forgotten are
But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine
It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas
As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white,
Make angels in the snow
But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that heaven's angels come to carry you here
It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas
Christmas is a time to celebrate the holy child and we celebrate his perfect gift of love
He came to earth to give his life and prepare a place for us so we could have a home with him above
It's Christmas time again and now you're home
Your family is here so you will never be alone
So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms
And I'll tell you from my heart, and I'll you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas
The band Third Day recorded a song entitled "Merry Christmas". The guitarist from the band adopted a daughter from China; the song is about his wait to bring her home.
This video puts a family's pictures to the song.
MERRY CHRISTMAS -- THIRD DAY
There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for momma's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town
There the forgotten are
But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine
It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas
As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white,
Make angels in the snow
But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that heaven's angels come to carry you here
It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas
Christmas is a time to celebrate the holy child and we celebrate his perfect gift of love
He came to earth to give his life and prepare a place for us so we could have a home with him above
It's Christmas time again and now you're home
Your family is here so you will never be alone
So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms
And I'll tell you from my heart, and I'll you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas
More Paperwork
Last week we submitted our application to Bethany's Child of Promise Program. This is where families are matched (by Bethany's China Team)with children who have certain health issues that prevent them from being in the regular adoption program. We filled out a bunch of papers stating conditions or "needs" that we would be comfortable with--like heart condition, orthopedic issues, even birthmarks are considered special needs in some cases. We also wrote a letter about how and why we would parent such a child. The way I see it--all children have "special needs". You probably know Austin has a heart condition, and Shannon has/had a "murmur". When we are matched with our baby girl, we will have some medical information explaining health issues and we will be able to have that info assessed by medical professionals.
So meanwhile, we are still waiting on USCIS for our pre-approval to adopt from China--and then.....we can actually submit our application to China, blah, blah, blah.
Christmas shopping is almost done, the house is about decorated. I love this time of year! Maybe next year we will have #3, maybe not.
I know I have signed Dwayne's name before, but I think we all know his computer skill level and who the acutal blogger is.
Deb
So meanwhile, we are still waiting on USCIS for our pre-approval to adopt from China--and then.....we can actually submit our application to China, blah, blah, blah.
Christmas shopping is almost done, the house is about decorated. I love this time of year! Maybe next year we will have #3, maybe not.
I know I have signed Dwayne's name before, but I think we all know his computer skill level and who the acutal blogger is.
Deb
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Our Adoption Process, and Probably Some You Didn't.
How long will it be till you go to China to pick her up? We are expecting it to be between anywhere between 6 months to 3 years before we travel. I am trying NOT to get hooked on a date.
How does the adoption process for China work? I will do my best to tell you our process. I am just learning the process for myself though. So I can't promise everything is right.
DTC- Dossier To China- When all your paperwork (including your I 171-H- US permission to adopt an orphan from China and is the paper we are currently waiting on) is done you mail it to China and wait for a log in date.
LID- Log In Date- Getting a log in date means that day is when your file is officially logged in to China. This time seems to vary a bit. I think it is usually a month or so after the DTC date. From LID we wait to be reviewed.
LOI- Letter of Intent- This is the big step. You send your letter of intent to China declaring your desire to adopt a particular child that you have been matched with through the Child of Promise Program at Bethany. The CCAA(China Center of Adoption Affairs) reviews your LOI and gives you Pre-Approval if they believe you will be a good match for the child.
PA- Pre-approval - This is the CCAA stating that as long as your dossier backs up your statements in the LOI you will be approved. This step usually takes a few weeks from LOI.
LOA - Letter Of Acceptance- This letter says that you are approved to adopt this child. You sign it and send it back to China as a final acceptance. These times frames vary because right now there are so many dossiers in China waiting for review (China is currently working on March 2007 dossiers in review) and matching through the regular program, that when they have to pull one out of order, it can take a while. So sending an LOI for a pre-identified child (waiting child) gets your file looked at and reviewed to be approved, hence the LOA. Usually you will travel about 6 weeks weeks after LOA.
TA- Travel Approval- comes maybe 2-4 weeks after LOA... Once your agency secures an appointment for you at the Consulate in China, you can buy your tickets and get on a plane to go get your baby! Of course, it's not quite that simple because there has to be arrangements made for lodging and in country travel and GOTCHA DAY. You will travel about a few weeks after TA.
How long will you be gone? When you travel, you usually fly into Bejing and meet up with a group of people who will also be meeting their children at the same time. The travel group typically stays and tours together in Beijing and then breaks up to their childs various provinces and then meet up again in Guangzhou. In the adoption community, the first meeting is called GOTCHA DAY, and is usually at a government office, hotel or Orphanage. At that point she is yours--after a day(usually) you go and finalize the adoption and wait in her province until everything is approved locally. Then after that, you go to Guangzhou (the consulate is there) to finalize everything. Total travel time is about 2 weeks. Then you go home!!!!
Feel free to comment or question.
Deb
How does the adoption process for China work? I will do my best to tell you our process. I am just learning the process for myself though. So I can't promise everything is right.
DTC- Dossier To China- When all your paperwork (including your I 171-H- US permission to adopt an orphan from China and is the paper we are currently waiting on) is done you mail it to China and wait for a log in date.
LID- Log In Date- Getting a log in date means that day is when your file is officially logged in to China. This time seems to vary a bit. I think it is usually a month or so after the DTC date. From LID we wait to be reviewed.
LOI- Letter of Intent- This is the big step. You send your letter of intent to China declaring your desire to adopt a particular child that you have been matched with through the Child of Promise Program at Bethany. The CCAA(China Center of Adoption Affairs) reviews your LOI and gives you Pre-Approval if they believe you will be a good match for the child.
PA- Pre-approval - This is the CCAA stating that as long as your dossier backs up your statements in the LOI you will be approved. This step usually takes a few weeks from LOI.
LOA - Letter Of Acceptance- This letter says that you are approved to adopt this child. You sign it and send it back to China as a final acceptance. These times frames vary because right now there are so many dossiers in China waiting for review (China is currently working on March 2007 dossiers in review) and matching through the regular program, that when they have to pull one out of order, it can take a while. So sending an LOI for a pre-identified child (waiting child) gets your file looked at and reviewed to be approved, hence the LOA. Usually you will travel about 6 weeks weeks after LOA.
TA- Travel Approval- comes maybe 2-4 weeks after LOA... Once your agency secures an appointment for you at the Consulate in China, you can buy your tickets and get on a plane to go get your baby! Of course, it's not quite that simple because there has to be arrangements made for lodging and in country travel and GOTCHA DAY. You will travel about a few weeks after TA.
How long will you be gone? When you travel, you usually fly into Bejing and meet up with a group of people who will also be meeting their children at the same time. The travel group typically stays and tours together in Beijing and then breaks up to their childs various provinces and then meet up again in Guangzhou. In the adoption community, the first meeting is called GOTCHA DAY, and is usually at a government office, hotel or Orphanage. At that point she is yours--after a day(usually) you go and finalize the adoption and wait in her province until everything is approved locally. Then after that, you go to Guangzhou (the consulate is there) to finalize everything. Total travel time is about 2 weeks. Then you go home!!!!
Feel free to comment or question.
Deb
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Fingerprints
This photo was taken by Townline Lake at Ford-Lincoln Camp in August.
Today we got fingerprinted by the Unites States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). What started out with us being 40 minutes early, ironically turned into us being 5 minutes late. FYI--When heading South on Ind. Blvd at 7:30 a.m., one should remember that if, for any reason, you have to turn around and head back 5 miles North, that it will take you at least 3 times as long to get back. So, we find the place in an obscure corner of Hammond only to observe the small waiting line outside the door--they weren't even open yet. Two minutes later the desk guy opens up and starts YELLING directions in English to the 7 Mexicans in front of us. Just a little confusion for them. The whole ordeal took us about 8 minutes and we were back to business as usual. We are expecting to hear back from USCIS anywhere from 30 to 90 days from now. (Come on 30!!!) So we need this final paper to show China that we have been approved from the US to adopt abroad. Recently, with the implementing of the Hague Treaty, there have been a bunch of new procedures and the government agencies are trying to keep up with the new applications while still dealing with the old grandfathered ones. Crazy.
Deb & Dwayne
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Different Perspectives
Last week was our final HomeStudy meeting. A HomeStudy is simply where a licensed agency compiles much general and very personal data into one report. There are 4 required meetings to gather such info and evaluate us. Once that is compiled and approved, it can be sent to USCIS(immigration) so that they can pre-approve us bringing home Baby Girl from China. Yep, we need their permission, too.
So the different perspectives title of this entry refers to those people we have to inconvenience to sign and notarize forms. To us it's one step closer to China and realistically it is just a signature and stamp. To them it's usually an...."I don't think we do that" and if they accidentally find out that they can--it takes several days or weeks to get it done. So I(Deb) have decided to try and think about others' motives for asking me to do slightly inconvenient tasks before backing away as a first response--who knows, maybe they are looking to get one step closer to something very important in their lives.
Today I mailed out our USCIS 800a form with a big money order, and really nothing happens until we hear back from them and it could take a few months. We will, however continue to gather the rest of our Dossier(fancy word for a bunch of papers we need that prove who we are and are authenticated).
Shannon and Austin are excited about a Baby Sister and we talk about her all the time. We all pray for Baby Sister and realize she could already be born and living in an orphanage or foster care. Hmmmmmmmmm.
Deb & Dwayne
So the different perspectives title of this entry refers to those people we have to inconvenience to sign and notarize forms. To us it's one step closer to China and realistically it is just a signature and stamp. To them it's usually an...."I don't think we do that" and if they accidentally find out that they can--it takes several days or weeks to get it done. So I(Deb) have decided to try and think about others' motives for asking me to do slightly inconvenient tasks before backing away as a first response--who knows, maybe they are looking to get one step closer to something very important in their lives.
Today I mailed out our USCIS 800a form with a big money order, and really nothing happens until we hear back from them and it could take a few months. We will, however continue to gather the rest of our Dossier(fancy word for a bunch of papers we need that prove who we are and are authenticated).
Shannon and Austin are excited about a Baby Sister and we talk about her all the time. We all pray for Baby Sister and realize she could already be born and living in an orphanage or foster care. Hmmmmmmmmm.
Deb & Dwayne
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
They Call it a Paper Chase
So we were talking with some friends one day about their experiences with the foster care system of another country. That conversation brought up a lot of feelings and questions like: there are a bunch of children without families how about we have one of them? Sure, we are comfortable now, but are we really called to be comfortable? We have always wanted children, why stop with 2? There must be a good reason we are so consumed with this! It's called conviction--not to save the world, but more like the same way that some (non-pregnancy challenged) families just know it's time to have another baby. Well, after much research and prayer, we have decided to adopt a daughter from China.
We chose Bethany Christian Services as our agency, and currently we are in the process of homestudy and document gathering. There is a ton of paperwork involved and a bunch of documents that have to have certified, notorized and authenticated before even submitting documents to China. So hence, the name of our current situation is "paper chase". So far we have gathered birth certificates, marriage certificates, vet records, financial statements, certificates of good conduct as well as employment verifications, letters of reference, well water certification and I am probably leaving out a few, but you get the point.
This blog is intended for us to share our journey to our newest daughter with you: our family and friends. Feel free to leave us comments or send an e-mail.
Deb & Dwayne
We chose Bethany Christian Services as our agency, and currently we are in the process of homestudy and document gathering. There is a ton of paperwork involved and a bunch of documents that have to have certified, notorized and authenticated before even submitting documents to China. So hence, the name of our current situation is "paper chase". So far we have gathered birth certificates, marriage certificates, vet records, financial statements, certificates of good conduct as well as employment verifications, letters of reference, well water certification and I am probably leaving out a few, but you get the point.
This blog is intended for us to share our journey to our newest daughter with you: our family and friends. Feel free to leave us comments or send an e-mail.
Deb & Dwayne
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
