Journey To Ladybug II

A Sweet Gift...first photo

2010-10-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

The earliest photos we have of Emma Lynn are her referral photos likely taken around her first birthday, November 2008 and after her cleft was repaired. Today I received the earliest photo I know to exist from her finding add, I am not sure of the details as far as timing and her age at this point, but look at her sweet face and then see how she has changed...

You Jing Jing (prior to cleft repair)

Date unknown at this time

You Jing Jing likely November 2008 1 year old, after cleft repair

Emma Lynn, May 17th 2010 Safely in Daddy's Arms

Emma Lynn June 12, 2008, at home 2 weeks, 2 1/2 years old

Emma Lynn 2 1/2 years old...HOME AT LAST!

Our Website for Emma Lynn

2010-05-15T07:19:00.000-07:00

We have an adoption website for Emma Lynn where we will journal our adoption journey and one day the site will be made into a keepsake cd for Emma....follow us here and leave Emma a message and encourage us as we are united as a family.

We are in Guilin...

2010-05-13T02:19:00.000-07:00

We arrived into Guangzhou at about 5 am China time on Thursday May 13th after about 27 hours of travel. Then connected on a flight to Guilin and arrived at our hotel around noon...34 hours of travel and our awesome guide Lily offered to show us around...plan A was to crash plan B was to allow Lily to show us around. She took us to the South China Sea Pearl Museum and we had a private lesson on pearls and a "pearl fashion show" then we entered into the sales floor and it was a Walmart sized room of pearls...fresh water and sea pearls all from this area. We had fun!

Then I wanted to experience a Chinese department store...after a detour to KFC...let's just say I can now say I am a member of the "squatty potty club" we went thru a 7 story department store and it was something, but it is so hard to buy something I don't know how they sell a thing. Lily helped me and made it much easier to purchase 2 cute pairs of shoes for the "girls". We are now "resting" and will leave in a bit for dinner with Lily and then the acrobat show. I will upload a few photos when we return...we have had a great trip so far and have many funnies to share..but right now you just want to know we made it and we did...will update more later.

In 20 days...

2010-04-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

In twenty days I will hold you in my arms for the very first time. I have tried to imagine this moment for nearly a year. I hope that I can comfort you and that you know...we will be with you forever. I hope that I can understand you and meet your needs. I hope that in time your little heart can open up and begin to trust us and eventually love us...we already love you. I hope that we can learn about your early life and learn to know what comforts you and what you like and what makes you smile and your favorite toy and I just can't wait to read to you and blow bubbles and make silly noises and blow rasberries on your tummy and tickle your piggies...we have so many first to experience and we have so much to learn about each other...so much to look forward to.

I pray that somehow at almost 2 1/2 your foster family is trying to prepare you for your family, we pray that we are able to meet them, either way we will keep them in your life thru letters and phone calls. In twenty short days, you will be placed in our arms and we just can't wait.

Our Itinerary...for Emma Lynn

2010-04-27T17:23:00.001-07:00

We have received our Visas which allow us to enter China. We now have our travel itinerary and in 14 short days we will be leaving for this journey that we never thought was possible and thru extraordinary events has been made possible...we are so ready and just can't wait to leave. Please join us as we travel to meet our newest daughter Emma Lynn...

We also are a bit nervous leaving Ellie Lu but she will be in GREAT hands, Aunt Sheshee will be caring for her and she will have her own adventure on the "farm: while Momma and Daddy bring Cissy home...pray for us ALL we have only been away from her for 1 night since June 22nd 2008...just typing it takes my breath away...pray that she is happy and content and doesn't even notice we are away...pray for health for us all...just pray!

May 11th: depart Chattanooga 2:10 pm est for our 2nd Journey of A Lifetime
Fly to Los Angeles and connect with China Southern departing 11:40 pm
pst to Guangzhou

May 13th: arrive Guangzhou 6:20 am(6:20 pm est May 12th) connect with China
Southern flight and arrive in Guilin 10:40 am

May 13th: private transfer to hotel, Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel rest up and sightsee on
our own

Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel

May 14th: meet our guide after breakfast and go to the Guilin City SWI and take photos of outside of orphanage, then travel by private driver to Quanzhou County to visit finding location of You Jing Jing and tour the Xiangshan Temple.

May 15th: after breakfast meet our guide and driver to embark on the Li River Cruise, arrive in Yangshuo late afternoon check into River View Hotel and shop for “Wedding ball” for each girl, then watch the evening water show Impression Liusanjie Show.

River View Hotel Yangshuo Bilian

May 16th: enjoy early morning in Yangshuo, take private transfer to Nanning via Guilin on the highway, arrive Nanning between 5-6 pm local time check into the Majestic Hotel, rest up and prepare for Emma Day!

Majestic Hotel (Mingyuan Xindu) in Nanning China

May 17th: Emma Lynn Day and Daddy’s 56th Birthday and Emma’s 2 ½ birthday! We will meet Emma Lynn at 3:30pm local time (3:30 am est) at the local Civil Affairs Office.

May 18th: Adoption registration and notarization at the local Civil Affairs Office, in the afternoon shopping for children’s supplies.

May 19th: Baby bonding…Optional sightseeing activity, offered by local guide TBA.

May 20th: Baby bonding…Optional sightseeing activity, offered by local guide TBA.

May 21st: Late check out and travel to Guangzhou arriving via China Southern arriving at 7:55 pm local time. Check into the White Swan hotel.

White Swan Hotel, Guangzhou, China

May 22nd: Medical and TB Test for Emma Lynn

May 23rd: Church and free day…sightseeing, shopping

May 24th: TB results and shop

May 25th: VISA appointment

May 26th : Oath taking ceremony

May 27th: Pick up Visa for Emma Lynn

May 28th: Free day late checkout depart Guangzhou 9 pm local time and arrive LA May 28th
6:50 pm Emma Lynn becomes a US Citizen.

May 29th: Depart LA 1:40 am pst arrive Memphis 7:22 am central and depart for
Chattanooga 9:15 am Delta flight 5176 arriving in Chattanooga
11:22 am est (if you want to welcome us home please do...we would love to see you ALL)

May 29th: Arrive Home!!!!!

May 30th: Travel to Knoxville to pick up Ellie Lu and bring her home to meet her sister…family bonding time…..adjusting to being a family of FOUR!!!!

TA...delivered by the Fedex Lady

2010-04-23T12:20:00.000-07:00

My doorbell rang on Monday mid day and not expecting anything I almost didn't answer...truth be known there was a knock on Friday that I didn't answer...same package. Turns out the actual TA arrived by FedEx...so I had to hunt down my camera and document its arrival...

Confirmed dates...finally

2010-04-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

In am not sure when I will learn this, but life would not be life if everything worked exactly like we expected or needed it to and it seems at times to be the worst thing that could possibly be happening, but all in all things do work out.

We leave for China in 28 days.....more later

TRAVEL APPROVAL HAS ARRIVED....FINALLY

2010-04-05T19:31:00.000-07:00

It only took 106 days to get here and let's not mention the chocolate that was consumed and the sleepless nights and imagining for some reason it would not come...oh and the phone call last week to our agency fearing they would run out of "spots" and we would not get to travel until June.

So now we wait to here when our consulate appointment will be and then they schedule our actual travel...hope it will be first week of May, but at this point...just tell us when and we will be there.

Day 93 since LOA...

2010-03-23T06:32:00.000-07:00

It has been 90 days since we received our LOA and back in December....the average was 90 days and you would be in China...well we ran into multiple holidays and the trade fair and a new process added so here we sit at day 93 with no word on TA and hopefully we will be traveling the first week of May.

Of course we still have tons to do and who really gets it all done before leaving RIGHT, but right now all I am thinking is I can't wait to hold my Emma Lynn and give her a big smooch....COME ON TA...WANT TO FINALIZE PLANS AND GET OUR GIRL...It has been 19 days since notification of article 5...could we hear something this week?

When Ellie Lu saw this photo she thought it was a photo of herself...how funny

Anticipated Timeline:

TA - by April 1

Emma Lynn Day - May 10

CA - May 19

Arrive home - May 21st pm

Travel Dates May 4 - May 21

VISAS...arrived today...

2010-03-08T08:39:00.001-08:00

One more thing checked off the list our VISA's arrived today...we must enter China by September 3, 2010....which we should be there and back and then some long before then. So now we wait on Travel Approval and really I don't think there is any way we are leaving any sooner than the first of May with the other various obstacles in our way...trade fair, staff training etc and I have accepted it will be about 30 additional days until we hold our sweet little Emma...what keeps me going is forever...we will have forever and we really have no choice...so we wait! This is a new photo too...is she not the cutest thing...I wonder if they have cut her hair?

Emma Lynn "Jing Jing" taken on November 20th, 2009

An Update....Finally

2010-03-05T19:10:00.000-08:00

On January 22nd I went ahead and sent in the 5 questions we were allowed to ask sensing we would be leaving for China by March I thought...well I checked back several times over the last few weeks only to be told that due to all the holidays in such nothing had arrived. Yesterday after getting the news of our article 5 I asked again and today I got an email indicating I should have gotten an email on February 4th, but I had not...overdue but an update is good anytime. Look at how our little ladybug II is growing.

1. The last photos and measurements we have are from May 2009, could we get updated measurements and photos with respect to her size?
Weight: 11kg =24.2 pounds Height: 81cm =31.9 inches Head circumference: 46cm =18.1 Chest circumference: 45cm =17.7 Feet length: 13cm =5.1 inches Teeth number: 15
Update photos please see the attachment. The last we had heard she only weighed just over 20 pounds...yeah she is close to 25 pounds. She is 1 1/2 inches taller,her chest and head about the same,her foot is slightly bigger and she has lost one tooth...maybe a miscount last time she had 16 :).

2. Does she still have asthma and what medications does she take to control or manage her symptoms?
No, and she health is much better than before. This is great news...we had worried some if she still had asthma and how it might limit her...praise the Lord!

3. What is her diet now and is she still drinking formula from a bottle or cup?
She eats rice, noodle, vegetable, meat and fruit. She likes drinking milk with cup, and adults help her to hold the cup. I still plan to give her the next step formula for 6 months to help her catch up.

4. Her medical indicated she was on target developmentally at one year, now that she is 2 is she walking and talking, how has she continued to develop?
She can speak baba(dad), mama(mom), yeye(grandpa), nainai(grandma), and she can speak two-words-sentence like come here, want water. She can count the number from one to ten. She walks freely and goes up and down stairs by self. She draws on the paper without meaning. She also can pick up a nut and take off her clothes. This is so exciting and I can't wait to hear her first words and to say some words she might understand.

5. How is she being prepared for her adoption? Will she stay with her foster family or be returned to the SWI?
She will stay in foster family before adoption, and the orphanage staff will tell her foster parents when the girl will be adopted. During the period, the foster parents will tell Jing Jing about the family members of adopted family and other information they knew. We sent a photo album of our family and it has stickers with both the English and Mandarin Chinese identifying each photo.

Since we won't be there for another...66 days this was food for this Momma's soul. I really do not know how I have endured this wait knowing our daughter is in China and growing up without us..I just keep thinking we have forever and that is what I hold too and I do know she is loved and cared for...and there is not much else that I can do. Now this is what you have been waiting for...photos taken on January 7th of this year.

Our Precious Ladybug II in her Volunteer Orange...Precious!

So Proud...

I can't wait to see her first steps she seems assured...

**Tante we need scarves like this for Emma and Ellie Lu...Mommy too!...hint hint!

Update: I asked Ellie Lu who these new photos were and she looked puzzled and hesitantly said "Ellie Lu"...and I said no honey they are Jing Jing and she said Cissy looks like Ellie Lu...oh my words to my heart...she has never said she doesn't look like Mommy or Daddy but I am happy she will have a family member she looks like...God is good!

Article 5...

2010-03-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

We received notice today that our Article 5 was sent to the CCAA today. Typically after Article 5 notification your TA arrives in 3 -4 weeks. You can see my guesstimate here from a few weeks ago. It doesn't look possible at this point that we would leave prior to April and since the trade fair is in Guangzhou nearly the whole month of April and then the last week our agency has staff training it is unlikely we will be in China prior to the first week of May...disappointed...YES, but what can you do...nothing but get prepared. So prepare we will...let the all out packing begin and finalize the girls room and purge anything that is not needed...the time will pass quickly.

I think we will get notice of TA by March26th and then we will depart for China on May 5th...looks like we will celebrate Mel's birthday in China...gotcha will likely be on May 10th. Still waiting on an update of our girl and answers to our questions....maybe those will come in the next day or two.

Emma Lynn November 2009

Something Special...for the red couch...

2010-03-02T09:53:00.000-08:00

Right before we left for China in 2008 I found the most exquisite outfit for Ellie Lu. I loved it for many reasons...to me it was very "baby" and looked like the type of outfit my Mother would have made to bring her children home from the hospital in. Well I don't think any of my Mother's creations are around and even if they were...they wouldn't fit a then 10 month old baby. So I was thrilled to find this special outfit and decided we would have Ellie Lu's red couch photo in it. Mind you white is not the color of choice in China, and most would have the traditional Chinese dress, but I thought "my find" was a nice mix of both.

Fast forward 2 years and once we received our LOA I began to think about packing and what our little ladybug II would wear on red couch photo day. I looked and looked for something sweet for a 2 year old and found nothing...nada. I will clarify nothing that met both criteria ...sweet and "Asian" like in design. So I found the manufacturer of our first outfit and called them and I was just going to inquire where I might buy something in a size 18 month or 2. Sadly no retailer would have that size...so we chatted a bit more and I mentioned I might find someone to make something special for me...and "Rita" said we do custom work. Imagine my delight...we talked back and forth and at first I was only going to get ladybug II an outfit and then Rita suggested it might be nice for the girls to have a photo done together in them....that was in December...this week I got an email they are done and on their way. I can't wait to see them! They arrived today...

Here is a little reminder of what Ellie Lu looked like on the red couch, so sweet...

Day 58 Since LOA...

2010-02-18T06:14:00.000-08:00

So today is day 59 since LOA...our I800 provisional has come, our NVC letter has come...all were sent to China on January 29th...so we have been waiting on Article 5 for 20 days....most families have their TA by day 90...so where does that leave us? I am thinking on February 22nd our article 5 will leave the consulate and then 2 weeks later we will get notification of TA...that would be March 8th.....

Our agency is very conservative and families don't often leave for China less than 3 weeks after TA so that would put us leaving for China by the week of March 29th....with the trade fair coming up in April I am thinking if we don't leave by then ....we will have to wait until May. Come on Article 5 and TA our girl is waiting....

Sleeping Arrangements...

2010-02-05T06:10:00.000-08:00

At first I thought each child must have their OWN room. Then it occurred to me that they likely would prefer to be together. So I asked around...twin Moms, Moms of children close in age and most said yes sharing a room is best and I suppose at some point if it is not working out we can separate. So it is settled they will share a room.

So then do we get another crib/toddler bed or do we get 2 new toddler beds alike and migrate Ellie Lu to a new bed prior to leaving for China. My thoughts were it is unlikely that Emma has slept in a crib, most likely she has slept with her foster Mom or another child in the home. So I thought a crib might be confining to her. Keep in mind Ellie Lu loves her bed it is her "palace" and has not tried to climb out and just has slept so well in it....so not really looking forward to her being able to get out of bed and run around and all that comes with a toddler bed, but she is 2 1/2 so I suppose it is time.

I loved this bed for many reason Jenny Lind Dream on Me in White...classic!but for some reason it has been on back order forever and it appears it is now no longer made in white. I also liked this bed, but it only had one side rail and was a little too "fru fru" overall...so this is the bed I settled on and I hope it works out for the girls. I ordered 2 and they should arrive soon. They came on February 5th...still need to get mattresses and bedding asap.

I still need to get mattresses and bedding. I asked Ellie Lu what color bedding she wanted...choices were light green, pink or a pale yellow in the minky dot...she wanted pink for her and "Jing Jing". I found a nice set at Penney's then read the review and it said it was lined with some polyester whatever so now looking for a nice Minky dot with maybe cotton or jersey or just some kind of soft lining. Otherwise the room will still look mostly the same...sans diaper changing table and possibly the rocker. I am thinking of putting both in the room next door in case I need to rock someone in the middle of the night and man I just love the changer it will be hard to let that go.

The view from the door

Of course the crib will go and her special things will move to the toddler bed

The bathroom will be the same

Just a few goodies...

2010-02-02T12:32:00.001-08:00

We have been pre-packing Emma's clothes and here are a few of the sweet goodies we have for her. She has some new things and also some sweet things that were Cissy's...enjoy!

Sweet little layette line from Gymboree "Lovebug"

Some of big Cissy's "goodies" just for Emma

Ellie Lu hardly wore this group from Gymboree with ladybugs...love it

Big Cissy's cuties again from Straasburg, Gymboree...too cute not to pass along

More pink...more big Cissy's ...more dots or ladybugs...I see a trend

All new from the Gymboree layette line "Love bug"

I have also bought some sweet matching and coordinating outfits for the girls. I have read when adding another child to the home dressing them alike or similar makes them feel apart of each other. Of course right now there is a big difference in there sizes Ellie Lu is nearly 36 inches tall and 32 pounds and last info on Emma she was 30 inches talll and 20 pounds. Can't wait to hold them both in my arms at one time....:)

Photobook....

2010-01-29T19:19:00.000-08:00

On Thursday I sent a little photo book I made for little Emma to our agency to be forwarded on. I hope it makes it to her in time for her to see it and have it be used to help her recognize us. I just can't even imagine what this transition is going to be like for her. We love her already, we know about her and we have already thought about how our lives will change with her...I pray she is resilient, that she is adventurous, that she has loved and loves, that she is determined and that she is flexible, that she is patient...actually I just pray...how sweet it will be to finally hold her and share our love for her. Even before we started this "paperwork trail" we always wanted more than 1 child and ideally 2...so she has been loved for years, before we knew she was possible, before we saw her face, before we knew her name...she was wanted and loved.

The photo book has her on the front and on the inside cover our family photo from the beach, then a photo of our house, then a photo of Mommy and Daddy, then just Big Cissy and on the back our cats. I also have a photo book where I can put 24 photos and record messages with them. I think I will put that together and take with us as we can tape Ellie Lu's voice and ours to get her used to us and also include photos of extended family and friends.

We have our letter...

2010-01-29T19:16:00.000-08:00

The letter arrived yesterday and today we got word that our LOA, I-800 Pre-Approval, DS-230 and our NVC letter all went to Guangzhou today. So where does that leave us ...at least 2 weeks until Article 5...So earliest Febuary 5th and more than likely the following week...the 8th or so and then 2-4 weeks until TA, but since the CCAA is likely closed between Febuary 13th until the end of February I am thinking March 1 is as soon as we might expect TA if then...very slim chance of traveling before the trade show in April in my mind at this point...I sure hope we are able to...I would love to leave March 30 or March 31st...prayers please....that would get us home before "tax day"...heee,heee,heee!

No Letter Yet...

2010-01-27T10:20:00.000-08:00

How many times can you check the mail in a week...well not really a week but um 5 days. Come on letter we need you to arrive asap. On a lighter note I put most of Emma's clothes in zip lock bags and organized them we had washed them a week or so ago. Ellie Lu was home from school sick and she said "Momma I help with Cissy's clothes". I don't know for sure if she really understands...but I hope when the time comes...the transition is smooth...for both.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

**just so you know our 2 year old insist on helping with everything

NVC Letter...

2010-01-22T13:21:00.000-08:00

This is a new step in an already "paper laden" process. Because it is new nobody knows...well I say it is new...the letter is now required for your information to go to the consulate which actually begins the process leading to travel approval. So today I call the "number' busy, busy, busy,busy, busy well finally I get a ring and then hold, hold, hold, hold and finally another ring and a person. She says something like can I get your "ticket number" not that but something like that...we there are no less than 4 or 5 numbers on my I800 so I begin to recite them and she says "we have no record of this case" "you need to call USCIS". Now I am like hold on trigger I haven't called gillion times and waited on hold for that...so then I give her this one last number some number that begins with 3 letters and then she grilles me, petitioner name, beneficiary name, blah, blah, blah...she found us. Then says "if you don't have your letter in a week call us back". WHAT...I just know one thing that letter better come in a week, cause they don't want to hear from me....that is all I gotta say....keeping my eye on what is important...Emma Lynn...enjoy!

This was from back in May (I think)...look how determined she looks one of my favorite photos of her...red shoes...love it

Announcing our Little Ladybug...Emma Lynn

2010-01-19T12:44:00.000-08:00

**thanks Donna for making this special little announcment for us.

I-800 Preliminary Approval...

2010-01-16T18:17:00.000-08:00

Well today I went to the mailbox and much to my surprise....I-800 Pre-approval. We had gotten a notice a day or so ago that they had received our paperwork...so now we wait for the letter from the National Visa Center and then our agency will send our LOA, I-800 and the DS-230 and send to Guangzhou to begin the process for travel approval. Beginning January 15th a new step was added...which requires this letter from the National Visa Center..it is unclear whether it will add to the amount of time it takes to get travel approval, but the thought is it could. Currently if all goes well....this is what we are thinking...
LOA:December 21,2009
I-800 approved: January 14, 2010
Letter: January 21, 2010
Cable: January 30, 2010
Article 5: March 5, 2010
TA: March 16, 2010
Travel Dates: March 30 – April 14, 2010
** Everything in light purple is a guestimate
So there is very little room to spare to get us in and out of China prior to the trade fair otherwise...it may be May before we travel...so much to do...

What Now....

2010-01-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

Well the LOA is signed and will arrive at our agency on Monday January 4th, it is my understanding it will sit their until we get our 1800 back. It has also been sent off and should arrive Monday January 4th to be processed. I have heard mixed things expect 2 weeks/month for processing so we shall see. Basically we are at day 11 since LOA and nothing has happened because we have had back to back holidays the wreck havoc on getting anything done...so in really I think Monday January 4th will be our day 1 and I believe by February 1 something will have happened and hopefully our I800 processes without the need for any additional information...with that my best guesstimate right now is we will be in and our of China prior to the trade fair which I believe begins April 14th.

To those who may stop by who have "been there done that" as in traveled to China to adopt or specifically Nanning and Guangxi and or Guilin...we would love any advice you have our little one will be 28 months old when we meet in China...the same age our "first bug" is right now.

Twas the Night Before Christmas...for a child with no family

2009-12-30T06:53:00.001-08:00

Twas the night before Christmas.. for the parentless

I am 'borrowing' this from my friend.. Thank you friend.

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
there are parentless children, with no toys in hand

No stockings to be hung by the chimney with care
no hopes for a family soon to be there

Their beds are not snug--but cold and quite bare
there are no goodnight kisses--no one to care

While we in our homes, laughing in delight
all settle down for a Merry Chistmas Eve night

When in someone's heart--there arises a clatter
there are children in need--who's lives really DO matter!

Away to the computer please go in a flash
to see the sweet face with whom YOU could be matched!

While a child you see--their beautiful face all aglow
could this be MY child--could I already know??

When in the dreams of the orphan--what always appears
is a family to love them, to care and hold dear

As you stare at that child--your heart beats real quick--
for you know in your heart that sweet face will stick

More dreams sweet children have--to call parents by name-
come mama! come daddy! come family to claim!

To the ends of the earth--your heart seems to call
now child--I'm coming--I wish for you ALL!

So on a plane to your child--over rooftops you flew
to hold this dear soul--a wish did come true

And then in a twinkling-I saw through the door
this child of my heart-that was waiting no more

As I got my camera and was turning around-
into my arms did she come with a bound!

She was dressed in many layers from her head to her foot
and into my heart her life was just put

there was no round face--no plump little belly
just sad little eyes, and legs shaking like jelly

In a swirl of a pen, and a stamp and a seal
my world became brighter--like I could suddenly feel!

We spoke not a word--they weren't needed at all
and I knew in this moment where I got this call

God layed his hands on my heart--and to the occasion I rose
and He could do it for you--this question He'll pose.....

It won't be a shout--no not even a whistle
it won't be real clear--but faint like a whisper

Can you make room in your heart--if you try with your might?
And make a difference for one--help them see the light?

I can see you exclaim as you hold your child tight--
Thank you Lord for this gift--you got it EXACTLY right!

THREE LETTERS...LOA

2009-12-21T19:23:00.000-08:00

Well on Friday I nearly quit breathing realizing that 59 days had passed in the blink of an eye and that we might really be close to hearing some news...well we missed the call, but today at 11:58 am our agency left a message that our LOA was received and it would be overnighted to us...MERRY CHRISTMAS TO US the best gift ever...and now I can't think at all. I have forms to fill out and don't even know my name...holy cow I need a secretary. Literally in 90 days...we will be in China adding to our family something that we really did not think was possible and we were chosen...HIS plan was bigger than we imagined and our girl is waiting for US! WOW...how will I ever sleep!

I guess at this point I can introduce our beautiful daughter to be named Emma Lynn .....we are so grateful and are blessed beyond measure to be invited to bring you home.

Day 59...

2009-12-18T06:40:00.000-08:00

Today is Day 59...I realized this morning that we are nearing day 60 since LID...my tummy flutters thinking we could hear something soon...as in getting LOA. I really need to get our I800 paperwork done asap as it is like 12 or more pages that has to be sent in upon recent of LOA...the clock is ticking and each day is closer to to our little "bug".

Half Way...to LOA

2009-12-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

If we are one of the "lucky ones" then we might just be half way to LOA...my heart quickens to think that in 19 days we might have our LOA in hand which begins the final preparations to travel...so Santa...what do I want for Christmas...an LOA.

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY Jing Jing...

2009-11-17T07:04:00.000-08:00

Today YOU will turn 2 years old and oh how I long to be there with you…to hold you for the first time, to look into your eyes, to hear you squeal. To see you eat cake and pinch it between your fingers oh I just can’t wait to know you and for you to know us…YOUR FAMILY!
We celebrated YOU on Saturday…we went to PFChangs and had Chinese and sang happy birthday to you. We met another family who had just come home with their 10 year old daughter Isabelle from Guangzhou…she was beautiful and said I spoke Mandarin well…I have been practicing just for you.

Your sister ate with chopsticks all by herself and I did too…Daddy tried a little too. We can’t wait for our first trip to eat Chinese together as a family…so many first to experience with YOU. It is starting to sink in that soon we will be on our way to you…there was a time when we thought we might not ever be a family and we waited what seemed to be an eternity for Ellie Lu and so many things changed during that time that we really thought there was no way for us to ever return to China to adopt again and add to our family.

Your Daddy just kept asking do you think it is possible that we might could go back…I didn’t have the heart to tell him no so one day I inquired and that started our journey to you…but really I think it started several years ago right before you were born….while we were waiting for Ellie Lu we were selected by a birth mother to adopt her baby boy…it was the middle of November 2007…it was crazy how in the world could we adopt a baby boy and then turn right around and travel to China…we didn’t question anything we just accepted what was before us and had faith…well it didn’t work out…the birth mother changed her mind and we didn’t adopt that baby boy….little did we know that you were born just a few days after that big disappointment in our life and that one day our lives would be brought together.

On the day you were born I traveled with friends to go shopping and my heart was broken for I didn’t know if we would ever be a family, but I had faith and I kept hoping and praying that one day soon we would receive news and we would travel to China and we would become a family….little did I know what a blessing was taking place you were being born and for reasons that I may never know your birth mother chose to put you in a very special place so that you could be found and taken care of and on that very day the journey began.

Just when we thought there was no way for us to be matched with another daughter our phone rang and we were presented with your information…how could it be…how could we be so lucky to be chosen to be your parents…we are so thankful that God’s plan for us was bigger than we could have imagined and that he prepared us and allowed us to hope and dream even when it seemed there was no way our dreams could come true….well on May 26th our dream came true…we were matched with you and we have so much to look forward to and so much to experience with you …hang tight little one your foster family will take care of you until we are given permission to travel to bring you home…until then we just count the days and continue to dream of all that is possible….with FAITH!

Once YOU are home we will celebrate YOU with friends and family and let them know of your very special journey to YOUR family.

LID...

2009-11-11T07:02:00.000-08:00

What happens now…well we were officially logged in with the CCAA on October 20th, 2009 so it has now been 22 days since we were logged in and the “counter” began officially counting.

Here is how things normally work…anywhere between day 60 and 90 we could get what is called LOA this gets the ball rolling as far as travel goes, see what the acronyms mean here…

So since we were logged in October 20, 2009 day 60 would be December 19th…so I suppose we could wish for LOA for Christmas…then on the upper end day 90 would be…February 17th which would be a belated Valentine’s gift.

Once the LOA is signed and returned it is usually 80 – 90 more days until you actually are united with your child in China…it used to be closer to 60 prior to the Hague process…so it is really important that we get our LOA…once we have it we will have a much better idea on when we could travel for example…if we got LOA on December 19th then travel would likely be around March 19th…but if LOA does not come until February 17th then we would not likely travel until mid May….we can’t wait to meet our little “peanut” so hopefully everything will move along quickly.

Now of course anything could come up to delay all of this…so continue to pray for our little one she turns 2 on November 17th and although she is in foster care….we want her to be with her forever family as soon as possible.

Our Little Ladybug is growing...

2009-10-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

On October 18th I was sitting at a traffic light and looked at my email messages on my phone and I had an update...the sun was shining so beautifully and I felt so full knowing I would know just a bit more about you...as soon as the email opened. I was thankful for a long red light and was able to read about our little "bug" and then I saw a new photo too...our little girl is growing up and is just precious. I believe this information is current so she would be 23 months old when these measurements were done.

Height :77.5cm =30 1/2 inches she has grown 3 inches since May
Weight :9.5kg = 20.9 pounds she has grown 3 pounds since May and is over 20 pounds now
Head :45cm = 17.7 inches
Chest :46cm = 18.1
Feet :12cm = 4.7 inches almost a size 5 foot
Teeth:16 she has 8 more teeth since May

She can run
She can use a spoon to eat food
She can count one
When she watches TV,she copies dance part a lot
She also can wave bye
She is not picky with her food, she loves to eat tomato,grapes ,but she does not like to eat apple
She also loves to play with balls
She knows how to go to the toilet by herself
When her foster mom does laundry,she will get a small chair and set on her side
She is a very sweet child .

She will soon be 2 years old and it breaks my heart to know what we are missing, but in the bigger picture we will have a lifetime of memories together and she is in a family environment and you can tell she is loved by them and we already love her. Counting the days until we are together....

Sisters...

2009-10-15T07:48:00.000-07:00

A vision that will take your breath away...

A Gift...

2009-10-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

We were able to send a special gift to our sweet little Ladybug II and this is what it looked like...

There were pajamas and a soft blanket for Ladybug II and a stuffed "hello kitty", then tea and candies and cookies for her foster family and a disposable camera and a letter with photos of us...her first time seeing us.

This view makes me think there might have been 2 cameras...I can't even imagine what it will be like if we get some new photos or updated information...she will be 2 in one month.

DTC...

2009-10-09T13:15:00.000-07:00

...This stuffed ladybug was laying on the sidewalk outside our court house one day in September when I went in to get some papers authenticated...I took it as a sign...and took a photo...

So after nearly 365 days...of paper chasing our documents are on their way to China...just in time for them to get back from the holiday and review it. This makes me excited and anxious...excited as in getting closer anxious in that...there is still much to do, funds to raise and hurdles to clear....so with that we will celebrate briefly and then put our noses back down for the next portion of this journey and what to expect...

DTC: October 9, 2009

LID: usually within 2 weeks to a month of DTC, this is when the clock officially begins counting.

LOA: --Letter of Acceptance, after your dossier is reviewed by the CCAA, if there is no question by the CCAA, they will then issue LOA to notify you that they final agree for the adoption. It will take about 3-4 months from DTC to receive LOA on average. I have seen families get this in 60 days...not often but recently.

I-800 approved: additional steps for I800 process

Cable: additional steps for I800 process

Article 5: additional steps for I800 process

TA: Travel Approval, after the CCAA receives signed LOA, they will issue TA. Once we have travel approval we will travel fairly quickly usually within a month.

CA: additional steps for I800 process

Travel Dates:

What Does It Mean...the Acronyms...

2009-10-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

CCAA: China Center of Adoption Affairs - organization responsible for all aspects of inter-country and domestic adoption in China

PAP: Prospective adoptive parent

AP: Adoptive parent

SW: Social worker

DTC: Date to China - date dossier was sent to CCAA in China

LID: Log in Date - date CCAA registered receipt of dossier

NSN: Non Special Needs - what the healthy child program is called

SN: Special Needs - “children with medical needs” program

WC: Waiting Child - new term used for older child or child with medical needs and Special Needs program

SWI: Social Welfare Institute - this is what the orphanage is called. There are often disabled and older adults living in SWI’s as well

CWI: Children’s Welfare Institute - this would be an orphanage strictly for children under the age of 16

LOI: Letter of Intent - letter issued by PAP to CCAA asking to adopt an identified WC, outlining understanding of need and care plan

PA: Pre-Approval - issued by CCAA to PAP approving LOI contingent upon approval of dossier

LOA/LSC: Letter of Acceptance/Letter Seeking Confirmation - formal approval of LOI signed by PAP’s confirming adoption of WC

TA: Travel Approval - sent to PAP when all immigration docs are ready and child is made ready by SWI

CA: Consulate Appointment - this is when the official adoption ceremony and appointments for visa & medical exam are confirmed. The travel itinerary is based on this date

PAPERWORK...Pregnant...

2009-10-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

In the adoption world when your paperwork is done you are "paperwork pregnant" and believe me with the stress of the paperwork and the weight that I believe I have gained due to the stress of the paperwork...I feel a little BIG! What feels even bigger is my heart...it is beginning to feel REAL! Last Thursday I picked up mine and Ellie Lu's passport photos and made copies and then after work took our dossier to the UPS store and mailed it to our agency...this was of course after having created 3 duplicates of it. One to send with and 2 for safe keeping here.

What a relief to have the paperwork done...NOW WHAT...

Our dossier will be reviewed and hopefully pass and then it will be mailed on to China...this is called DTC. Our file will then be reviewed in logged in and then we will be LID. These are both big miles stones as once we are LID then it could be 60-90 days until we receive our LOC...Letter of Confirmation which invites us to China.

Once we receive that there is another round of paperwork and VISA applications etc and waiting and then in another 60-90 days travel to China. Of course at any time anything can change, but this is generally how this will happen in the program we are now in. So say a little prayer that our paperwork is in good order and that it is processed expeditiously and that soon we will be on our way to bring "Ladybug II" home.

Ladybug II...some details

2009-09-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

Our little Ladybug II is from one the most scenic and beautiful places in China...Guilin. You can learn more about Guilin here.

She is in foster care since 9 months of age.

She was born on November 17, 2007 which was a Saturday...so she is 78 days younger than Ellie Lu.

Her Chinese name means "talent girl"

At birth she was 19.7 inches tall and weighed 7.4 pounds

At 1 year old she was 26.6 inches tall and weighed 16.5 pounds

"You Jingjing is a beautiful girl. She has bright and black pearl-liked eyes. She likes glance this way and that and is interested in everything."

At approximately 18 months old she was 27.6 inches tall and weighed 17.6 pounds and had 8 teeth and a tiny size 4 foot...she is a tiny little sprout.

WHAT DOES YOUR DAY MEAN?
MONDAY:
Monday's child is fair of face.
You are good-looking, especially when you smile!
You are beautiful inside and out.

TUESDAY:
Tuesday's child is full of grace.
You have many talents, and are fun to be around.
You dance through life!

WEDNESDAY:
Wednesday's child is full of woe.
You are a serious person, and try to change things that seem unfair.
You make the world a better place!

THURSDAY:
Thursday's child has far to go.
You have many ideas, and you want to do them all.
You will go far in life!

FRIDAY:
Friday's child is loving and giving.
You are caring and sharing. You are kind,
you love people, and people love you!

SATURDAY:
Saturday's child works hard for a living.
You are ambitious, enjoy work, and like to accomplish things.
You know what you want!

SUNDAY:
But the child born on the Sabbath day,
Is fair and wise and good and gay.
You are sunny, fun, and loving.
You bring much joy to other people!

Getting Closer...as far as paperwork is concerned

2009-09-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

We just received the majority of our dossier back from the Chinese Embassy...still waiting on document from Houston Chinese Consulate and Chicago Consulate and then we can submit our dossier...hopefully by weeks end. Ellie Lu talks about baby sister "Ladybug II" also known to Ellie Lu as "Jing Jing" nearly daily. Just when you think she might not remember she may say..."Jing Jing in China" or "Pray for Jing Jing" or "Ellie Lu has baby sister"...just warms my heart...it is starting to feel real almost like a "growing belly", but in our case a growing stack of papers. At times I let myself wonder what our little "bug" is doing and it nearly breaks my heart that she is in China and we are here...but there is not a thing we can do but get our paperwork processed and hope it is processed quickly...a little peak into our "mound of paperwork".

Is it Different?

2009-09-09T05:39:00.000-07:00

So many people have asked..."Is it different this time...the waiting?" and it is different. When we waited for Ellie Lu we had waited what seemed an eternity, prior to waiting had lost 2 biological babies, undergone the intrusive process of fertility treatments and were overdue as far as wanting to be parents. We started a process that we were told was 6-9 months and completed a process that took 3 years...so yes it was different...and did I mention our home was empty we had no children...it seemed all we could do was wait....at at times barely live. Also during that wait we always wondered...would it even happen? Nothing compares to being childless and wanting a family.

That doesn't mean it is not hard now...it is hard waiting. We have a picture of a child that will be our daughter...she is growing and changing every day...yet the photos show her at 12 months and 18 months...yet we wait. We know who she is...we know where she is...but we have to go thru the process which is lengthy and involved and involves the passage of time. I have always wondered how families who were part of this process where you get a picture first and then wait...how they coped and now I know...

Most families who receive that picture up front are not first time parents...most have a least one child at home and others may have many children. My point is they are very busy...they are parents...they aren't waiting to be parents. Either way it is still hard...this time I feel guilty that I don't have endless hours to document every minute waiting...it doesn't mean that I anticipate this journey less...I just don't have endless time. We have photos of Ladybug II in our home, we talk about her at meals, we pray for her and yes we have shopped a bit for her too.

We also wonder...about her health, is she growing and developing...what have we missed? We can't dwell on the things we just can't control we can only anticipate what is to come...we anxiously wait for the day the FedEx man arrives with our LOA and we are invited to come to China to complete our family....we still have several months ahead of us...preparations to make, and much time to wonder and anticipate this new addition to our family and yes it is different...most things are the 2nd time around...not less special, not easier or harder...just different.

August 31, 2009 received our I797c...
Dossier almost ready for sending to China...

Fingerprinting Appointment...

2009-07-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

I had a hunch that we might get this very special piece/pieces of mail today...our invite to be fingerprinted. With our first adoption we were fingerprinted a total of 3 times twice in Nashville and once in Atlanta as they kept running out every 14 months...I am hopeful this will be a one time thing and hopefully they get good prints the first time...we are scheduled in Atlanta for the 3rd Thursday in August at 8 am....one more thing will be completed and then we wait for approval and at that point we can get our dossier authenticated and sent to China. That is when we really can start counting the days until Ladybug II comes home.

Flooding in Southern China...

2009-07-14T15:45:00.000-07:00

Currently there is flooding in Southern China in Guangxi province where little Ladybug II resides. I will put 2 links to information and it appears currently the area of Guilin where Ladybug II resides has not been affected...at least I find no reports of that area being affected. Please keep the people of China in your prayers as you will see in these reports, many had to be relocated and some have perished. You can read the reports here and here.

Progress...

2009-07-14T07:37:00.000-07:00

Well this adoption process has been very different than the one for Ellie Lu...first our lives are so busy I find myself up late a night trying to get the paperwork done. Next the process has changed since the Hague came into affect.

Finally yesterday I was able to send off our I-800a application all 9 pages of it with the fee and our supporting documentation....me oh my... now we wait for a fingerprinting appointment then approval. Some wait months and others I have heard jump thru this hurdle pretty quickly...I hope we are one of those...cross your fingers and say a prayer. Meanwhile other paperwork is being sent off to Nashville and Texas, Michigan and Kentucky to get state authenticated and then once that is all done we need to get authenticated in DC....I hope so much we can be DTC in September and then it would be 6- 8 months until travel.

Everyday our little Ladybug II is growing and changing and we just can't wait to hold her in our arms and look into her eyes and tell her how much she is loved....

Answered Prayers...

2009-06-17T22:43:00.000-07:00

Well it looks like our house will have 2 more little feet pitter patting around...still a few more hurdles...paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, but we received "Pre-liminary Approval" which is a very big hurdle...we still can't say much about her...but check out her cute little feet! Oh and we received updated information yesterday...she is walking and has 8 teeth...I know I am biased...but she is so darling and petite...and looks to be self assured, for now you will just have to trust me on this....it will be at least 6 months...more than likely 8 months until travel...so continue to pray for our little "ladybug" and that everything falls into place....we have been blessed!

Waiting To Hear...

2009-06-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

We are waiting to hear if an approval will be given for us to be matched. We should know within 10-14 days...we would love this opportunity so please pray...

Will There Be a Ladybug II?

2009-05-26T13:55:00.001-07:00

We can't say alot....at least for now, but we really got some amazing news today and for now all I will say is prayers do get answered...keep praying we have many hurdles ahead of us...but at least for now one is behind us....we have a picture....

Update...Will There Be a Ladybug II?

2009-05-25T18:54:00.000-07:00

We went away for the holiday weekend and somehow missed a phone call...Saturday I was out and about during Ellie Lu's nap and decided to check voicemail....we had 17 messages...message number 15 at 12 noon on Friday, May 22nd (we were home...how did I miss this call)...it was "B" from our agency and she said for us to call her as soon as possible...she looked forward to hearing from us and she had an "uplifting" sound to her voice.

Mind you I got the message on Saturday around 2:30 pm...so I was absolutely hysterical...at first I was thinking "referral"...I know crazy how can we get a referral if we "technically" are no longer eligible...so then when I began to think logically I realized she likely will be telling us whether there is any flexibility for us to possibly still receive a referral.

I am thinking it may be good news as she did have an uplifting tone to her voice...but at the same time there is really no reason to believe any "flexibility" would be given...so we wait...but maybe on Tuesday we will know something...and really it would be great to receive some good news...but at the same time....we are glad we pursued this opportunity...we always knew there were no guarantees...if we are meant to be more than a family of 3...it will happen...if not it won't...but life will still be very full and with or without another addition to the family...we wait....tick tock...tick tock...tick tock...

Will there be a "Ladybug II"?.....

2009-05-19T05:30:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Mel's birthday on Sunday with much joy, but I at the same time we both had something very pressing on our minds...why had we not heard anything since April 9th...were our dreams of adopting a brother or sister for Ellie Lu over and we had just not been notified...or was there still hope....

I had wanted to call our agency last week...but really didn't want to have whatever the status was "taint" Mel's first birthday with his daughter...so I just hoped we would hear something...but we did not. Last Thursday I had a dream...we got the call and we were referred a 4 year old little girl with a repaired cleft lip and palate ...in my dream I questioned our agency we had asked for a child younger than Ellie Lu...but they seemed to think this child was the perfect fit for our family.

Later in the weekend we had dinner with my Aunt Betsy who was in the area for a violet show...my brother Colin and his family also came...we had not seen them since returning from China...Ellie Lu became fast friends with her cousin Cwen who is five....and was also adopted from China.

While we waited on Aunt Betsy all the kids romped around the grounds of the Chattanooga Choo Choo (Cooper, Charlie, Cwen and Ellie Lu) and I have to say she enjoyed the older children much more than she does children her own age or younger....was this another sign that we may in fact be referred an older child?

Well Monday came and with it the burden of finding out...I waited most of the day and then I sent this email...

In a message dated 5/18/2009 2:45:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, EDFKnox writes:
Dear "B",
We last spoke to you the first week of April when we had been informed by "M" that many of the children in the child of promise program had notations that "family dossier must already be in China". When I spoke to you I understood better what was taking place and you explained that you were trying to seek more information and possibly seeking an extension on those families that this may cause them to be ineligible.

Yesterday Mel turned 55 and of course we celebrated, but we also spoke about this milestone possibly being the end of a dream...to expand our family so that Ellie Lu might have a sibling. Please let us know where we stand with regard to the "child of promise option" and a match. Our hearts are ready to be matched and we are about to celebrate a year as parents and would be overjoyed to begin a new journey. We are making progress on our dossier and would like to know if we should continue as well. Thanks.
Emily

I received a response back this morning...I was very nervous opening the mail as I was not sure what it would say...

Dear Emily:

Thank you so much for checking in! We were not able to secure a child in this most recent group for you. But we have not forgotten. Please let me check with our overseas staff to see if there is flexibility in the regulations to allow you to be matched, now that Mel is 55. The issue may be the age of child, and I know you are hoping to bring in the next child younger than your little girl. I will keep you posted. Thanks,

"B"

Our vision... Finding Families for Children

So I say...pray...pray that the child that is meant to be in our family is revealed...maybe he or she is 5 or maybe they are much younger...just pray...we would so love for Ellie Lu to have a sibling...we will keep you posted....

A Bend in the Road...PRAY!

2009-04-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today at about 2:30 pm we received an email that at first glance indicated our journey to "Ladybug II" was OVER. I will post a bit of it here...

"I just wanted to touch base with you to see how your dossier documents are coming along. Probably you already know that under the CCAA's new regulation, the only option for you is to adopt a child through CCOP before Melvin turns 55. We have received the Child Medical Condition Check List but we are unable to match you at this point. Because the CCAA asking us to match a child to a family whose dossier is already in China if the child is with minor or correctable medical condition. If you could update me your dossier status that will be great. So we would know where you are at this point. If you need any help with the dossier process, feel free to contact me. I will be happy to assist you in completing your dossier as soon as possible. "

So you may say...what is the big deal...the big deal is our dossier is NOT in China and we had been told they could match us with "JUST" our home study...which would allow us additional time to get our dossier completed and then send the match and dossier to China together.

After receiving the email I called the gal who sent it and then she proceeded to explain the situation...NOT VERY WELL...she said that in February they began seeing children with a notation "family must already have dossier in China". She then began to try to find out if we would accept an older child or a child with more needs than we had indicated on our checklist. I had to stop her at that point...we have been moving forward in this process with encouragement and guidance and for some reaason some 2 months later we are informed of a change....basically I said I know there are children that meet our criteria and they are waiting for a family...I also know that if they and the CCAA want children to have a family they have to make it happen.

She suggested that I speak to "BS" the lady who we have spoken with all along who had encouraged us and guided us down this path. I left her a message and asked her to call...all the while feeling like the whole process was "derailed" and that, but for some papers or signatures or "red tape" a child would have a family sooner verses later.

The phone rang it was Mel...my heart sunk as I had to tell him what was going on. He took it well, but all the while I knew his heart was breaking with the knowledge that the dream and hope of adding another child to our family a sister or brother for Ellie Lu likely would not happen. It was more than I could handle to tell him and for the first time since getting the email I just sobbed. My friend Jeannie was with me and she just hugged me and said "don't give up".

Something came over me and I thought NO we are not giving up. I know that it can happen, it is possible, someone somewhere can make this happen. WE just need to let them know.....we are ready to meet our daughter or son.....so find them. We later had our call returned by "BS" and she was very encouraging and said that they are working diligently to understand the meaning of this new "rule" and also to inform the CCAA of the families they have in process waiting for a match.

So where to do YOU come in...PRAY...PRAY LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER PRAYED BEFORE...PRAY that this dear child that is waiting for a family is presented to those who can make it happen. PRAY that our dossier is completed quickly and somehow...someway...."Ladybug II comes home".

It Matters...

2009-04-08T06:16:00.000-07:00

Up until this point it seems this adoption has been all about the paperwork and the checklist and the classes and JUST GETTING IT DONE to possibly have the chance, but today the doorbell rang it was UPS and I asked them to meet me at the garage...they had a large envelope package from the state of Tennessee and as I opened it while walking downstairs I saw the familiar blue cover on the authenticated documents and a tear streamed down my cheek...I would compare it to seeing the pregnancy stick turn blue or seeing your child's ultrasound for the first time...as I viewed this document my emotions emerged and I allowed myself to want this ALL to work out...and to anticipate Ladybug II. I had to stop and record this moment because for the last few months I have wondered and have not allowed myself to even really be excited afraid of the disappointment that may follow...but today I was and regardless of the outcome....it feels good to be excited and it matters...

Reality check...

2009-04-06T09:34:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we had out first easter egg hunt and oh what fun we had. At one point we were all gathered around waiting in line to color eggs so we were singing to pass the time...Ellie Lu was with Daddy and a little girl named Kenli wanted me to hold her...so I did...then Lia asked to be held so I had Kenli who is 2 1/2 and Lia who is 2...one on each hip...ALL AT ONCE A LIGHTBULB WENT OFF...this could be my reality and it felt pretty good...KEEP PRAYING.

A few minutes later I was holding Ellie Lu and Lia wanted to join us...they are 6 months apart in age, so I picked Lia up and oh my Ellie Lu did not want any part of her Momma holding anyone else. Eventually she warmed up to it and actually gave Lia a dandelion...so sweet.

Wondering....

2009-03-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

Is it always different the 2nd time...the paperwork seems a little harder, but maybe that is because our life is so full. When we filled our paperwork out the first time...we didn't have much else to think about, but completing the paperwork. Is it different because there are so many "ifs", is it different because we really don't know if this will actually happen? Is it different because we have everything we could ever imagine needing for a child so there isn't any "pre-shopping" during the process.

I have thought about how it is different alot. We couldn't anticipate bringing a child home anymore than we do...but I think we are just guarding our hearts as it may not happen, but today I saw something a sweet little outfit at Gymboree and of course it had ladybugs on it and it was a "layette" type outfit...after we received Ellie Lu's referral I bought her a few similar things from Baby Gap...anyway I almost let myself buy these sweet little "threads" because the feeling I got imagining dressing "Ladybug II" was such a real and full feeling...but I had restraint and the clerk said they would likely have them until June...so there is time. I wouldn't want to buy something special like that until we know who our ladybug is...anyway it felt good thinking beyond the paperwork to actually being in China and meeting our little "bug".

Was up very late last night sending off for certified birth, marriage and divorce documents. Then I worked on our application letter and started a binder. I can't believe I just started the binder...oh my you should see the filing system I put in place for Ellie Lu's adoption of course once we got her referral...everything went to pot I am still catching up...will the paper ever end.

I need to send off my employment letter to Texas and get it authenticated and I need to have all or doctors fill out a different form for our medicals...as we used the home study form and we need to use the form required for our dossier...we just have a few things to get notarized locally and then I need to get them authenticated in Nashville and then off to Washington.

Well I guess there are now 51 days until Mel's birthday....we wait...we hope...we dream...

Medical Needs Checklist...

2009-03-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

As part of the process to participate in the China Child of Promise Option we had to fill out a form with medical conditions that we were open to and that we could find treatment for. Nobody ever wants to "choose" but we must be informed and prepared for the issues our child would face with their condition. The conditions we are most comfortable with are ones in which we have friends or acquaintances that we have come to know who have children with these conditions.

Here are some places we went to get more information on Cleft Lip and Palate, Heart conditions, Club foot, Rickets and Strabismus. At this point our agency will search the shared lists when it is released and look for a child with a condition that we have indicated we are prepared for. They will then contact us and we will have a short period of time to accept this referral and meet with physicians to put a plan of therapy together to meet the medical needs of the child. That will be submitted to the CCAA and if it is accepted then our dossier will be forwarded for approval and then we would wait for travel approval...without any knowledge of how often the list is available or how often it is updated we really have no idea if we could be matched in the short period of time that is available...we hope.

Please pray...Ladybug II

2009-03-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

Some of you know that we have always wanted a house full of children...well that has not happened...but we do have one very special girl that has just brightened our world in ways we never expected. We had not been home very long when Mel asked if I thought it was possible for us to return to China to adopt again and really I did not.

While we waited for Ellie Lu the adoption rules for the "standard process" changed and we are no longer eligible under those rules. In addition the process has lengthened so it could be years upon years even if we were eligible before we would be matched. While we were waiting for Ellie Lu we inquired several times on if we could be considered for children with mild special needs but there really wasn't a clear cut program at the time to allow this to happen.

The good news...now there is...our agency is one of 12 agencies that participates in a special program where children with mild correctable special needs are matched with families. We have several friends who have expanded their family in this way and our hearts have been opened to this option for our family. However we still were very unsure whether we could participate due to our ages...but Mel kept asking every few weeks and finally the later part of October I came across a letter we had received in late July and apparently I had read it but in my "new Mommy" fog had not comprehended what it said...it was encouraging us to adopt again. Was this a form letter that goes to everyone or did it apply to us and by God's grace could we return to China to be united with another child....on November 3rd I sent an email to our agency to inquire and braced myself for the disappointment I expected....

On November 4th I received a response and the email said to call immediately. I did and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine we would be encouraged to begin the process right away...for one reason we thought we had to be home a year with Ellie Lu before starting a new process. We found out that we needed to start right away as we needed to be matched with a child prior to Mel turning 55 on May 17, 2009.

As you can see we still had a very short time to complete a process that is loaded with paperwork, somewhat different than before and during a time when we were finding our "legs" as new parents...but start we did. Forms, forms and more forms, meetings with our social worker, taking adoption training classes, educating ourselves about various medical conditions all the while living and preparing for the holidays and trying to enjoy life.

It is still uncertain whether our dream of expanding our family will actually happen, but we are now at a point where we feel we have done all we can...it it is now in God's hands. We will be delighted beyond words if it all works out, but if it does not we know we have already been blessed beyond measure and we be content in knowing we tried.

Where are we now...we have sent the basic paperwork into our agency and hopefully next week they will have our homestudy and can then begin to look for a match. There is a limited amount of time for this to happen because Mel will turn 55 in 54 days. It is our understanding we need to have a match in hand and our letter of intent to adopt the child we are matched with in the hands of the CCAA prior to Mel's birthday....so while we are waiting to see if a match is meant for us...we continue compiling our dossier...certified documents, USCIS approval and hope all are completed in a timely manner. As you can see we still have ALOT of uncertainty but soon we will know one way or the other.

If per chance all this works out...then we would likely travel to China prior to the end of the year...mid fall. I can't even think of that until so many other things are in place...know that we so appreciate all of you who have asked us how we are doing with our paperwork and who have encouraged us when we felt unsure. Even if everything works out there will be many hurdles ahead of us...financing an adoption so soon after returning home during such hard economic times. Finding the best medical care to meet the needs of our child and preparing Ellie Lu for a sister or maybe a brother...so please keep us in your prayers and keep Ladybug II in your prayers...we don't know who she/he is but we know there must be a child just waiting to join the Fannon family....at least we still hope...

If you would like to know more about children with mild correctable needs you can view our agency web site and look for "child of promise" or you can check out this site for stories of families who have adopted children with various special needs.