Dear Mei Mei,
Your family has made this blog of our journey to find you to show you how much we love you. When we heard that the American adoption agency had a little girl matched to our family we were overcome with joy and anxiety! When they sent us a picture of you, you were the cutest little girl we had ever seen. They sent us your medical information, and we are so thankful that you have been very well cared for and that your surgeries were successful. They also told us things about you, like how you love to sing and dance and play; that you're outgoing, and love other children. We love how precious you are, and know that you are perfect for your new family. We have been praying for you and will always continue to pray for you. We showed your picture to some of our close friends, and they are so excited to meet you and are praying for you! We think and talk about you every day! We love you so much already, and cannot wait to meet you and be your sisters and friends for the rest of our lives.
With all our love,
Allie, Jenna, and Emmi
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Very thankful am I
Hey all. This is certainly a new adventure.
We had some difficulties in Dec with the mail service (competing with Christmas mail in Chicago). Finally we were able to get everything through to the Chinese consulate in Chicago and got our dossier back on Dec 30. We made copies and shipped it to our agency. They started the matching process on Jan 3 - est 2 months. We received our first candidate on Jan 6 - 2 months were compressed down to 3 days.
Since then we have been having medical records evaluated and exchanging questions between us, Holt and Chinese officials. All is coming back very positive - so we are committed to going foward. Current estimate is 6 months - but these estimates can vary.
I must say that getting photos and records has snapped things into perspective hugely for me - the reality / gravity / magnitude of what we are doing has come home in both an exciting and sober way - so your prayers are deeply needed and appreciated.
I love my family and the opportunity that we have to love and give together.
D
We had some difficulties in Dec with the mail service (competing with Christmas mail in Chicago). Finally we were able to get everything through to the Chinese consulate in Chicago and got our dossier back on Dec 30. We made copies and shipped it to our agency. They started the matching process on Jan 3 - est 2 months. We received our first candidate on Jan 6 - 2 months were compressed down to 3 days.
Since then we have been having medical records evaluated and exchanging questions between us, Holt and Chinese officials. All is coming back very positive - so we are committed to going foward. Current estimate is 6 months - but these estimates can vary.
I must say that getting photos and records has snapped things into perspective hugely for me - the reality / gravity / magnitude of what we are doing has come home in both an exciting and sober way - so your prayers are deeply needed and appreciated.
I love my family and the opportunity that we have to love and give together.
D
WE'RE MATCHED!
Like I said before, this path we're on is paved with exclamation marks!! It's official - we have been matched with our new daughter - her initials are C.S.Q. She will be 5 years old when we go get her - she's adorable!
Our dossier is in China now, along with our little girl's information, and sometime in the next 2 - 4 months, China will notify our agency of their agreement!
We know a lot about her already - she loves to sing and DANCE, has a ready smile and is considered "outgoing". She had a few medical issues at birth that have already been repaired, thanks to a generous child welfare program in China!
She's living in an orphanage in Jilin province (borders on North Korea!!), and that's where we'll be going to get her after a few days in Beijing.
Still so much to do! Looking into recommended vaccinations, packing lists, touring opportunities, language classes, journaling, reading lots of books about geography, history, culture and so on and so on!
We are planning to post a picture of our little sweetie on Facebook, but have to be very careful of her privacy and that of the orphanage and the overall process.
We still refer to her as Mei Mei, which means "Little Sister", and we've learned to pronounce her real name, but it's a difficult name to pronounce, let alone spell! Again, for the sake of privacy, we're not posting her real name.
Thanks for being with us on this amazing journey - for praying and hoping.
Our dossier is in China now, along with our little girl's information, and sometime in the next 2 - 4 months, China will notify our agency of their agreement!
We know a lot about her already - she loves to sing and DANCE, has a ready smile and is considered "outgoing". She had a few medical issues at birth that have already been repaired, thanks to a generous child welfare program in China!
She's living in an orphanage in Jilin province (borders on North Korea!!), and that's where we'll be going to get her after a few days in Beijing.
Still so much to do! Looking into recommended vaccinations, packing lists, touring opportunities, language classes, journaling, reading lots of books about geography, history, culture and so on and so on!
We are planning to post a picture of our little sweetie on Facebook, but have to be very careful of her privacy and that of the orphanage and the overall process.
We still refer to her as Mei Mei, which means "Little Sister", and we've learned to pronounce her real name, but it's a difficult name to pronounce, let alone spell! Again, for the sake of privacy, we're not posting her real name.
Thanks for being with us on this amazing journey - for praying and hoping.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Actively looking !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our completed dossier arrived at the Holt home office in Oregon Monday. After emailing a few final updates to them, I received an email back from them, stating: "We are actively looking for a girl for you and hope to call you with a good referral soon."
When they find a girl that they think will be a good match for us, they'll send us a picture and any and all information they have on her. We have 2-3 days to make a decision to accept the match.
Then the Chinese government begins the process of reviewing our dossier & the child to make their decision. That can take up to 4 months. In this amount of time, the child is not told that she is being considered for adoption.
When the Chinese government has approved it, however, the child is told, and we can begin corresponding with her! Some creative ideas for corresponding with her are to make videos of each member of our family introducing themselves, writing letters (obviously), etc. If the orphanage or foster home she's in will facilitate it, she can send correspondence to us also. We may also receive extra info on her, maybe updated physical and academic status, maybe more pictures - depends.
Then the U.S. government spends another 2 months or so on approving her for immigration.
When they find a girl that they think will be a good match for us, they'll send us a picture and any and all information they have on her. We have 2-3 days to make a decision to accept the match.
Then the Chinese government begins the process of reviewing our dossier & the child to make their decision. That can take up to 4 months. In this amount of time, the child is not told that she is being considered for adoption.
When the Chinese government has approved it, however, the child is told, and we can begin corresponding with her! Some creative ideas for corresponding with her are to make videos of each member of our family introducing themselves, writing letters (obviously), etc. If the orphanage or foster home she's in will facilitate it, she can send correspondence to us also. We may also receive extra info on her, maybe updated physical and academic status, maybe more pictures - depends.
Then the U.S. government spends another 2 months or so on approving her for immigration.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Off it Goes!!!
I realize now that almost all my posts have lots of exclamation points. It's because everything that happens in the adoption process seems like a big deal!!
Anyway, we were hanging out in the living room this afternoon & the UPS truck drove by - we all ran to the front door and sure enough, the dossier was back from the Chinese Consulate!! At this point, it feels like handling something very very fragile, and irreplaceable - which I guess it is - so we carefully opened it up, made copies of the cool Chinese stamps that authenticate each document, and packed it back up to ship to the home office of Holt International in Eugene, Oregon.
The home office takes up to 3 weeks for final processing (crossing all the "t"s and such), then ships it to Beijing! It's really cool to have the dossier out of our hands and en route to China!
Much of this doesn't feel real yet, but this is a medium-sized step towards reality, and that feels great!
Anyway, we were hanging out in the living room this afternoon & the UPS truck drove by - we all ran to the front door and sure enough, the dossier was back from the Chinese Consulate!! At this point, it feels like handling something very very fragile, and irreplaceable - which I guess it is - so we carefully opened it up, made copies of the cool Chinese stamps that authenticate each document, and packed it back up to ship to the home office of Holt International in Eugene, Oregon.
The home office takes up to 3 weeks for final processing (crossing all the "t"s and such), then ships it to Beijing! It's really cool to have the dossier out of our hands and en route to China!
Much of this doesn't feel real yet, but this is a medium-sized step towards reality, and that feels great!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The check went through Chicago's post office!!!
I spent probably 1 1/2 hours on the phone yesterday trying to track down my check that I sent to the Chinese Consulate. I mailed it December 16, and it's been 12 days when it should have taken 2. It seems it dissappeared into a postal black hole. I asked one guy what I could do, and he said, "just wait and see".
Wait-and-see is the name of this adoption game, but not for something simple like mailing a check!! It's another test of kindness and patience, however, as it would have been easy to get angry and snap at people who were trying to help. But God, through my girls, zoomed me out to see the big picture again. It brought me peace.
I checked again just now to see if the check has appeared anywhere in the system, and guess what . . . of course, it's being delivered today!! It's too weird. It's too funny. I'm thankful. And at peace.
Wait-and-see is the name of this adoption game, but not for something simple like mailing a check!! It's another test of kindness and patience, however, as it would have been easy to get angry and snap at people who were trying to help. But God, through my girls, zoomed me out to see the big picture again. It brought me peace.
I checked again just now to see if the check has appeared anywhere in the system, and guess what . . . of course, it's being delivered today!! It's too weird. It's too funny. I'm thankful. And at peace.
Friday, December 24, 2010
How we get matched
Several of you have asked about the matching process. There are 3 ways to adopt from China:
1. Standard match / healthy infant - this takes 5 years and is not what we're doing.
2. Child Of Promise / 2-7 years old, usually special needs - Every Friday, there are children added to and matched from this group. There will be an offer of a child to us soon after China receives our dossier which we think will be February. We'll receive a photo, short profile, medical and social info. We have 2 weeks to make a decision to accept the match or ask for a different match.
3. Waiting Child Program / 2-14 years old, all special needs, most severe - These children are actually listed online with photos and short profiles. We can request any of these children at any time. We have considered a few of the girls, but are waiting a bit longer to protect our hearts - warning: your heart will break just looking at this listing. You can see the list by accessing the Holt website on the right side of our blog, or just google "waiting child photolisting".
It's called Parallel Process to be considering both the Child of Promise Program and the Waiting Child Program at the same time, and that's what we're doing. We're considering a girl aged 5 to 10 years old.
1. Standard match / healthy infant - this takes 5 years and is not what we're doing.
2. Child Of Promise / 2-7 years old, usually special needs - Every Friday, there are children added to and matched from this group. There will be an offer of a child to us soon after China receives our dossier which we think will be February. We'll receive a photo, short profile, medical and social info. We have 2 weeks to make a decision to accept the match or ask for a different match.
3. Waiting Child Program / 2-14 years old, all special needs, most severe - These children are actually listed online with photos and short profiles. We can request any of these children at any time. We have considered a few of the girls, but are waiting a bit longer to protect our hearts - warning: your heart will break just looking at this listing. You can see the list by accessing the Holt website on the right side of our blog, or just google "waiting child photolisting".
It's called Parallel Process to be considering both the Child of Promise Program and the Waiting Child Program at the same time, and that's what we're doing. We're considering a girl aged 5 to 10 years old.
Merry Christmas!
What a precious Christmas season! In order to "save for China" (a common catch-phrase around our house), we drew names for presents and have kept the names secret. It's been the sweetest, most thoughtful season of family gift-giving I've ever experienced. While we wait for Christmas day, we've been "secret-Santa-ing" each other with little treats that demonstrate I-know-what-you-like kind of love.
We also cherish the hope that next year at this time, we'll have another member of our family to love.
The flip side of that coin is that this is the last year we'll spend as the 5 of us. Sometimes we forget to treasure what we have while waiting for the next great thing. Jayme, my sweet girl, you know what I'm talking about! Treasure 2!! :-)
On a logistical note, I paid for priority shipping plus delivery confirmation to send my extra money order to the Chinese Consulate, since we had underpaid our authentication fees. Well past the expected delivery date, I phoned our local post office and was told that the consulate probably had so much mail, they missed "scanning" my letter, so it didn't register as delivered. The P.O. guy recommended I phone the consulate (kidding, right?!) or phone the post office in Chicago (kidding, right?!). Needless to say, no way was I going to be able to talk to a person.
Bottom line - here we sit again. Mailbox watching. Waiting for our dossier. And possibly have our "match" not occur until February. I know, I know, in the grand scheme, what's a month? Jesus has her in the palm of His hand and will watch over her. BUT we're human and we are so excited to meet her!
One more note: we're talking about the girls and I leaving for China 2 weeks early to see more of the country! The girls would love to backpack up to the older sections of the Great Wall, since the tourist-y sections have been rebuilt, and aren't as authentic. Hm. Mom will have to research this carefully. Anyway, the thought of spending a whole month in China is pretty thrilling. The only downside is Doug's job has got him firmly grounded to GEHA, and he couldn't possibly get away for that long. So those of you who are prone to prayer (like that phrase? ha), please pray that "whatever is the best thing" will happen.
We also cherish the hope that next year at this time, we'll have another member of our family to love.
The flip side of that coin is that this is the last year we'll spend as the 5 of us. Sometimes we forget to treasure what we have while waiting for the next great thing. Jayme, my sweet girl, you know what I'm talking about! Treasure 2!! :-)
On a logistical note, I paid for priority shipping plus delivery confirmation to send my extra money order to the Chinese Consulate, since we had underpaid our authentication fees. Well past the expected delivery date, I phoned our local post office and was told that the consulate probably had so much mail, they missed "scanning" my letter, so it didn't register as delivered. The P.O. guy recommended I phone the consulate (kidding, right?!) or phone the post office in Chicago (kidding, right?!). Needless to say, no way was I going to be able to talk to a person.
Bottom line - here we sit again. Mailbox watching. Waiting for our dossier. And possibly have our "match" not occur until February. I know, I know, in the grand scheme, what's a month? Jesus has her in the palm of His hand and will watch over her. BUT we're human and we are so excited to meet her!
One more note: we're talking about the girls and I leaving for China 2 weeks early to see more of the country! The girls would love to backpack up to the older sections of the Great Wall, since the tourist-y sections have been rebuilt, and aren't as authentic. Hm. Mom will have to research this carefully. Anyway, the thought of spending a whole month in China is pretty thrilling. The only downside is Doug's job has got him firmly grounded to GEHA, and he couldn't possibly get away for that long. So those of you who are prone to prayer (like that phrase? ha), please pray that "whatever is the best thing" will happen.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Just a little hiccup!
Just caught up with 49 phone messages, having been out of town this weekend - meeting friends from Texas in Branson. Last Friday, the Chinese Consulate in Chicago had called and left a message, telling us we didn't pay enough for our dossier processing! Today, we're already 5 days beyond the day they called, so we will be sending another money order overnight to Chicago tomorrow. The lady from the Consulate said they had completed the authentication, and were getting ready to ship it when they noticed the mistake! We were sooooo close! In the grand scheme, no biggie I guess.
We continue to pursue an understanding of Chinese history, modern Chinese culture, language, and foreign adoption. I just finished another book about China, and started my next. The books I'm finding range from clinical facts in history to novels set in China by Chinese authors. So fascinating. We are also watching a Great Courses video series about the modern history of China. It has covered opening Chinese markets, the cultural revolution, and the Beijing Olympics (did you know it started at 8:08 on August 8, 2008? Eight being a very lucky number!) We only have one more lesson to go. Allie has her Chinese final tomorrow evening, with high hopes of getting a 4.0! Jenna and Nate have enrolled at Longview for next term in Chinese I, which Allie will continue to study with them, while she takes Chinese 2.
We visited a REALLY cool Asian market called 888 International Market (notice the 8s?) on 119th and 69 highway. Besides having a blast looking at whole roasted ducks (heads on), baby octopi, squid, live tilapia, buckets and buckets of jelly fish, pig livers, omasum (cow stomach), etc., there was a Chinese gentleman in the back corner of the market selling all things Chinese - beautiful paintings, pots of all sizes, tea sets, statues, etc. He spoke VERY little English, and it was great fun to watch Allie practice communicating with him. I was so proud of her. All I could manage was "Ni hao" (hello) and "Xei xei" (thank you), and lots of smiling and bowing. We managed to strike a few deals with him, and brought home some beautiful pieces of artwork for our living room.
We are having SO much fun on our adventure! Thanks for reading!
We continue to pursue an understanding of Chinese history, modern Chinese culture, language, and foreign adoption. I just finished another book about China, and started my next. The books I'm finding range from clinical facts in history to novels set in China by Chinese authors. So fascinating. We are also watching a Great Courses video series about the modern history of China. It has covered opening Chinese markets, the cultural revolution, and the Beijing Olympics (did you know it started at 8:08 on August 8, 2008? Eight being a very lucky number!) We only have one more lesson to go. Allie has her Chinese final tomorrow evening, with high hopes of getting a 4.0! Jenna and Nate have enrolled at Longview for next term in Chinese I, which Allie will continue to study with them, while she takes Chinese 2.
We visited a REALLY cool Asian market called 888 International Market (notice the 8s?) on 119th and 69 highway. Besides having a blast looking at whole roasted ducks (heads on), baby octopi, squid, live tilapia, buckets and buckets of jelly fish, pig livers, omasum (cow stomach), etc., there was a Chinese gentleman in the back corner of the market selling all things Chinese - beautiful paintings, pots of all sizes, tea sets, statues, etc. He spoke VERY little English, and it was great fun to watch Allie practice communicating with him. I was so proud of her. All I could manage was "Ni hao" (hello) and "Xei xei" (thank you), and lots of smiling and bowing. We managed to strike a few deals with him, and brought home some beautiful pieces of artwork for our living room.
We are having SO much fun on our adventure! Thanks for reading!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Funny how you never know until you know!
Oh my. There are so many subgroups in America - so defined by MANY and various interests. Who knew there was a Chinese Adoptees Cultural Center in Lee's Summit?? We had been advised to be involved in a Chinese cultural group for Mei Mei when she comes. But personally, I cringed a little at the thought of some group possibly (probably) being 30 miles away at 8am Saturday mornings. Really. I pictured Olathe or Gladstone.
Allie's Chinese language professor, Valda Hsu, (who happens to be a long-time friend from church) invited the head of the Lee's Summit group to speak to their class at Longview. That's how we found out about it. (Well, there was one other co-incident that also led to this group, but I'll let Doug tell you about that!) Sigh. This is all. SO. GOOD.
So. Valda Hsu invited our family to a Chinese Culture Celebration that was yesterday. There were ~15-20 families with adopted Chinese children there. The children performed Christmas songs in Chinese, performed yoyo tricks (not American yoyos, but the hourglass-shaped object they flip around on a string held by 2 sticks.), and since they also offer language classes, the American parents and siblings demonstrated their abilities with speaking and reading Chinese. Then, Valda held a caligraphy and paper-folding session for all the kiddos. The theme was the upcoming Chinese New Year (the year of the Rabbit!) in February.
Then we went down to Pleasant Hill to Pumpkins and Pines Farm (which was a blast and we recommend it!) to tromp all over looking for our Christmas tree, keeping Nick from peeing on every other one. (jk) We imagined how next year, we'd have Mei Mei with us looking for a tree!
Gotta go help - we're setting up the train under the tree and watching Goose freak out! She makes a sound like she's growling at it. Very funny.
Thanks for visiting!
Allie's Chinese language professor, Valda Hsu, (who happens to be a long-time friend from church) invited the head of the Lee's Summit group to speak to their class at Longview. That's how we found out about it. (Well, there was one other co-incident that also led to this group, but I'll let Doug tell you about that!) Sigh. This is all. SO. GOOD.
So. Valda Hsu invited our family to a Chinese Culture Celebration that was yesterday. There were ~15-20 families with adopted Chinese children there. The children performed Christmas songs in Chinese, performed yoyo tricks (not American yoyos, but the hourglass-shaped object they flip around on a string held by 2 sticks.), and since they also offer language classes, the American parents and siblings demonstrated their abilities with speaking and reading Chinese. Then, Valda held a caligraphy and paper-folding session for all the kiddos. The theme was the upcoming Chinese New Year (the year of the Rabbit!) in February.
Then we went down to Pleasant Hill to Pumpkins and Pines Farm (which was a blast and we recommend it!) to tromp all over looking for our Christmas tree, keeping Nick from peeing on every other one. (jk) We imagined how next year, we'd have Mei Mei with us looking for a tree!
Gotta go help - we're setting up the train under the tree and watching Goose freak out! She makes a sound like she's growling at it. Very funny.
Thanks for visiting!
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