Dear MeiLi,
For the past 3 days, we've been working on putting together a book to send to you in Changchun, China. It's going to be your first introduction to our family. There are pictures of all of us, and some pictures of you that we've gotten from your caregivers. There are pictures of our pets and the house, and your new bedroom too!
We were told by the people at Holt International that your caregivers may have already told you about us - we can't be sure, but we want you to have this special book as soon as possible! We hope that it will reach you some time next week.
We pray that you are encouraged by seeing actual pictures of your forever family, and that Jesus will be with you, helping you to understand how much your life is about to change. Hold on, dear one, we'll be with you soon!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
中文课! (Chinese class!)
Dear MeiLi,
When we (your sisters) first learned that you were coming into our family, we decided to try to learn your language so that we can talk to you right away - so that your transition to America might be less difficult for you!
Last fall, I (Allie) took Mandarin Chinese 1 in college, and learned so much that Jenna decided to take it this spring! While she is taking Chinese 1, I've gone on to Chinese 2, and we are so excited to talk to you!!
Since Emmi is too young to take college classes, Jenna and I are helping her to learn some of the things we've been learning! Our college Chinese teacher is a very good friend of ours, and is also very excited to meet you!
We love you so much, and we can't wait to meet you and learn more about you.
Allie, Jenna, and Emmi
When we (your sisters) first learned that you were coming into our family, we decided to try to learn your language so that we can talk to you right away - so that your transition to America might be less difficult for you!
Last fall, I (Allie) took Mandarin Chinese 1 in college, and learned so much that Jenna decided to take it this spring! While she is taking Chinese 1, I've gone on to Chinese 2, and we are so excited to talk to you!!
Since Emmi is too young to take college classes, Jenna and I are helping her to learn some of the things we've been learning! Our college Chinese teacher is a very good friend of ours, and is also very excited to meet you!
We love you so much, and we can't wait to meet you and learn more about you.
Allie, Jenna, and Emmi
Friday, March 25, 2011
While we wait . . .
Ni hao MeiLi,
One of our biggest challenges while we wait to come for you is to create a small photo album for you to see as soon as your caregivers tell you about us - your "forever family". What will you see? What will you be thinking? I WISH we could be there when they tell you that there is a family who wants you and is waiting to come to you and bring you home! (I know it may be a little scary!)
In our little photo album for you, you'll see your Daddy, Mommy, Allie, Jenna and Emmi for the first time, and you'll see pictures of our family's dog Nick (who will adore you), kitty Ginger, our horses Dakota and DJ (whom you'll get to ride!), and a cranky little parrot named Goose! But most of all, I want you to see the love and excitement in our faces as we come closer to the time when we'll meet face to face.
We're also making a CD of songs just for you, for you to have while you're waiting for us - we've found a song called "You'll Be In My Heart" sung in your own language!!! Also, we've found some sweet nursery songs for you in Mandarin. We think it would be very cool if your caregivers played it for you (especially at bedtime) until we come for you, then we'll continue to play them for you when you come home. We're hoping it will help you feel more comfortable when you get home!
On the paperwork front, we were required to file a supplement to our original immigration application. The USCIS had raised their fee to do this by $20, and I didn't catch it. They sent my supplement application back so I could write a new check. Needless to say, I whipped that check out & got it right back in the mail!
Your sisters are going to write you a note today too, telling you how well they're doing learning your language!! We're very proud of them as they work hard to be able to speak with you right away!
Wo ai ni!
Mommy
One of our biggest challenges while we wait to come for you is to create a small photo album for you to see as soon as your caregivers tell you about us - your "forever family". What will you see? What will you be thinking? I WISH we could be there when they tell you that there is a family who wants you and is waiting to come to you and bring you home! (I know it may be a little scary!)
In our little photo album for you, you'll see your Daddy, Mommy, Allie, Jenna and Emmi for the first time, and you'll see pictures of our family's dog Nick (who will adore you), kitty Ginger, our horses Dakota and DJ (whom you'll get to ride!), and a cranky little parrot named Goose! But most of all, I want you to see the love and excitement in our faces as we come closer to the time when we'll meet face to face.
We're also making a CD of songs just for you, for you to have while you're waiting for us - we've found a song called "You'll Be In My Heart" sung in your own language!!! Also, we've found some sweet nursery songs for you in Mandarin. We think it would be very cool if your caregivers played it for you (especially at bedtime) until we come for you, then we'll continue to play them for you when you come home. We're hoping it will help you feel more comfortable when you get home!
On the paperwork front, we were required to file a supplement to our original immigration application. The USCIS had raised their fee to do this by $20, and I didn't catch it. They sent my supplement application back so I could write a new check. Needless to say, I whipped that check out & got it right back in the mail!
Your sisters are going to write you a note today too, telling you how well they're doing learning your language!! We're very proud of them as they work hard to be able to speak with you right away!
Wo ai ni!
Mommy
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