how to wait...
It is ever so hard to wait... I know there is a sweet little girl waitiing somewhere out there for Dana and me... I read the referals, see the beautiful pictures, and I well up with tears. That could be my little girl... my sweet baby staring back at me in a 1 inch photo. It makes things easier to know that she is not born yet... thats right now, but what about in a few months when I get the feeling that she IS really out there waiting?? What will I do when I get that picture and then have to wait 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months like some of the families have had to because of SARS?
Its going to be hard... but in the end, all that matters is Aubree...
referal ponderance...
Referals are coming in like gang-busters! Families are so blessed this weekend after the drought that SARS caused! So far I've seen referals for babies born in October and November 2002.... approximately 8 to 9 months old. I wonder... are these the same babies that would have been matched with parents if we hadnt had the 3 month delay?? Not that it matters - it just makes me curious how the CCAA and 'you know who' works this all out :)
We were in Target today looking at the baby goods. I want so badly to buy something but WHAT?!?!? I dont know how big/old our baby is going to be and I've going to get tons of supplies from my sis... I just want to do SOMETHING! Its going to be a long wait.... ;)
While you're out surfing the internet, please check out the following link: http://caswell.blogspot.com/china/ - its a great new site for Chinese adoption related news. There will be a permanent link to the site as soon as Dana has a little time :)
travel ban lifted!!
The last travel ban in China due to SARS was lifted Tuesday 06/23/2003!! Hurray!!! A very happy day for all of those mommies and daddies that have been in a holding period for so many months now!
Our agency sent us a message from the facilitator in China - he said that the CCAA would be sending out referals on 06/24/2003 and that the agency would probably get them on 06/30/2003. Its going to be a long weekend for those that are waiting, but its got a happy ending!
Update on our progress: All of the paperwork as been gathered and now its off to the various institutions to be certified - State Department, BCIS, DC, and the Chinese Consulate in Chicago. After it comes back to the agency, its off to China! We're hoping to be DTC (date to China) in either July or August :)
EYES OF LOVE
I watch her eyes, her gaze.
Eyes of wonder, eyes of love.
A perfect stare burning me
With the warmth of her perfect love.
Was this the gift you left for me.
Eyes of innocence, eyes of love.
Your love reflected in her eyes of brown
Filling me up with happiness.
Was this your look upon me,
Eyes of devotion, eyes of love.
Are these your eyes, is this you
staring deep into my soul.
I long to see, I long to gaze into
Eyes of wonder, eyes of love.
Is my only window into your soul,
the eyes of my baby girl.
I hope to know that yours was
Eyes of compassion, eyes of love.
Not regret for what you have given me,
My life for my children, I give back love.
By Hoang Thong Ngyuen
For Thi Cai Nguyen, somewhere you are there (Born in Long Chau, Vinh Long 10-22-1973, adopted 1974)
thank you!
Thank you very much to the 1st kind soul that donated to our orphanage donation fund! That was extremely nice of you!
I was more than a little concerned about putting the paypal button on our page - I didnt want people to get the idea that we were going to use it as a means of financing our adoption. We've got the fundage all covered for that on our own... if we didnt, we would have waited to adopt until we had it saved.
Dana and I are all about making a difference if we can - however small or large it might be. When we do go over to China to bring home our daughter, we will post on this blog exactly what the funds collected were used for. If we collect 0-100, we will find out what specific clothing or education needs the orphanage has and provide what we can - we plan to buy extra needed supplies to take over so we will add any donations to that cause if the total amount donated is under 100. If its between 100-500 - we will use the funds to provide something larger to the orphanage. I've read quite a few adoption stories where groups pooled money and bought things like textbooks for the older children, cribs, walkers, washing machines, air conditioners, etc - something that would help life be just a little easier for the caregivers and the children. We arent going with a group of people due to the small size of our agency (its going to be just US and *maybe* one other couple - all depends on the paperwork gods at this point...), but we will try to provide what we can to help and will do our best to thank everyone that helped us to provide just a little bit more to the babies we have to leave behind... If we collect over 500, any amount over 500 will go directly to Half the Sky Foundation - a non-profit group that is working diligently to better the living conditions of orphanages over in China :)
Whoa...Its like McDonalds!
Anyone that is doing international adoption knows that once you submit your I-600, and your fingerprints to INS, it could be, and usually is months before you get your golden H-171 back, which means--as far as the government is considered---You are fit and ready to bring an orphan into the country and allow them to become US citizens almost right away.. The reason I say *almost* is for you to cya (cover your ass/your adopton childs) you should do a few more things to make sure they are all right and rosy with the government (US that is).
Anyway.. long story short---We got our fingerprints done last wednesday, and come TODAY we got our H-171. Both of us were simply floored, and had to double and triple check before we sent a note off to our agency rep..
Things are moving!!!!
the fingerprints are done!
We got our fingerprints taken yesterday at the Federal Building! There was no line and no ink! All prints are done on this really kewl imaging machine - I was quite impressed that it was so high-tech :)
Our Agency CaseWorker sent me a message yesterday that she was sending everything off to BCIS (INS) - ie the homestudy and dossier. She was also sending our marriage certificate and my birth certificate off to DUDS Department of State (havent figured out exactly what that is yet...). The DUDS will forward everything to the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC. When everything comes back from BCIS, DUDS, our 171H arrives, and she gets everything state certified, everything will then go to the Consulate in Chicago. When everything comes back from the Consulate - the complete dossier can be sent to China!
M said that we could possibly be dtc'd (date sent to china) in July, but I'm not going to hold my breath. I'm thinking its going to be more like August or September - these things just take a long time when you're dealing with various state, federal, and international governments :)
before...
Before you were conceived, I wanted you.
Before you were born, I loved you.
Before you were here an hour, I would die for you.
This is the miracle of love.
-- Maureen Hawkins