Frustrated

I do not want to hear how this is all in His perfect timing, I really don't. I'm frustrated, upset, and need to grieve first.

It's entirely possible we will not be able to travel until December 13th. Meaning, we will miss Christmas with our boys. We will be in China for Christmas. Our travel will hopefully be completed 6 months after LOI. 6 months!

I'm frustrated because others with our referral group who had later days than our own are HOME with their kids. They get to enjoy the holidays with all their kids, with their extended families, and they know all those little details about their child.

After talking with our agency today, IF, and it's a HUUUUGE if, we get TA by early next week (like say Monday) we might be able to leave 12/6. It will depend on Consulate appointments, but more than likely we'll be leaving 12/13 (if that travel approval gets in by 12/10 that is).

Forgive us, but both Dh and I are cynical about this entire process right now. We are going to miss Christmas with our boys. Miss Christmas with our families. Sure, we know we can celebrate on another day. Honestly though, it's never the same. Why have our luck change now? But honestly, when we got our LOA we were told most likely date of travel would be 11/29. It is just like our luck that we would not make that date.

So, excuse me while I throw a temper tantrum and whine and complain about how unfair it all is. Honestly, I would be okay IF we knew we could leave on 12/6. At least we'd be home in time for Christmas.

Thanksgiving day, 11/22, is 3 weeks since LOA. 11/29 is 4 weeks. 12/6 is 5 weeks. 12/13 is 6 weeks. We were told TA comes in 2-4 weeks. The max I have ever seen is close to 5 weeks. Please, please pray that we get TA on Monday. This whole process is extremely difficult, and to have things fall apart is rough.

Blog for Christmas Music

Michael W. Smith Christmas CD - blog for music

Okay, I will admit it, I love Christmas music. I adore Christmas music. Unfortunately our budget does not include the ability for me to purchase all the CDs of Christmas music I would like. Nor does it include the ability to purchase all the music I would like period.

So, when I saw "Blog for Music" and I could have a chance for a free CD all for just blogging about the experience of listening to this CD while doing a Christmas related activity, I knew I could do that. If you want a copy, hurry, there are only about 150 available!!!

Finding Ad

In order for a child to be placed for international adoption, an ad must be run in the local newspaper. This is called a Finding Ad as it lists the day and place they were found. These photos are usually the youngest photos of our child we will ever see. This is Katie at 1 month old.

Adoption Online Video

I was reading through my agency friends' blogs and came across a link...

This ONE

It's about 10 minutes and details an adoption trip to China. They did not adopt from the same orphanage as Katie is from, but if you want a visual of what our trip will be like it's a great video to watch!

I can not wait until we can go on this trip of a lifetime ourselves. Honestly, I can not wait until I get to hold Katie in my arms! I hope it is very soon, very very soon.

Shaking my head...

This is just wrong.

Okay, I admit, we LOVE Disney. But to have your remains scattered there? Not to mention the entire weirdness I now feel about knowing this info. I mean, water SPLASHES you on the Pirates ride. Now to worry about if that bit of water hitting you in the face a little bit of dear old Uncle Bob.

Yeah. That's just wrong.

Working on the announcement

What do you think of this so far? I feel like it is missing something, just not sure what at this moment.



I'm thinking of sending these with Christmas cards right before Thanksgiving so people can get them prior to us traveling (or right at the beginning of travel).

Obviously, no TA

So, we did not get TA on Tuesday (no big surprise there really). This means that we should not be leaving on Thursday the 15th (yeah tomorrow). LOL It's really a good thing as we are not in any way prepared and it would have been a LONG time staying awake to get ready.

I am very hopeful that we will get TA this week though and possibly leave next Thursday the 22nd. Hopeful, not super positive we'll get it though.

What's funny is that I started scheduling out all I had to do (and yes I'm already behind) and after Thanksgiving day everything pretty much stops. I have a blank empty schedule. It looks quite strange to me. I do not think I've had a blank schedule in close to a year, so either we need to go to China to fill it up, or I'm really not going to know what to do with myself.

For those even mildly interested, we did get most of our Christmas shopping done. Most of it is wrapped. JM has bday gifts all ready to go, and we're in process of scheduling a party in January, a full month after his actual birthday. It's not about the day...right?! He's being so great about possibly not being with us for his birthday. I don't know if it's because he understands, is maturing, or if it's the knowledge he'll be with grandparents who will really make it a big deal.

The boys know we are leaving very soon, and it's taking a little bit of a toll on them. We've had discussions of how they are feeling as well, and so far they seem to be okay. Samuel does tell me he misses me, gives me a big hug and a kiss. I'm a little worried about him.

The confusing apostrophe

In school work JM has been learning about possessives. In particular, he is learning about single possessive and plural possessive. I know it can be confusing as I've run into people online who are confused by it as well. Today JM was studying for his spelling test, which admittedly was full of easy words. Words such as boy's and boys'. He knew the words, but I could see a potential train wreck approaching. I cautioned him to really study where that apostrophe was placed and know why it was placed there as it could be confusing during a spelling test. Being the almost 9 year old that he is, he assured me that he knew where it went.

Since we are now in a portion of schooling where we are expecting JM to take more of the initiative in learning what he needs to learn, and learn to study, we let him "falter" some. This was one of those times. We did not just leave him to study alone, we did some reviewing of it together, we talked about it, but we didn't force him to practice the words over and over and over and over.

He did get confused on the placement of that apostrophe. He did spell the words correctly, but placing that apostrophe got him in the end.

Did he learn a lesson? I have no idea, I hope so. He will be studying the words again, learning about the placement of apostrophes during single possessive and plural possessive...again. He will also take a 2nd spelling test on these words. I am thinking he will do much better on the 2nd test.

One thing is for certain, spelling and grammar are not his strongest subjects.

Packing and Lists

We started looking at what all we were planning on taking with us, started evaluating what was needed and what was not. Dh got online and looked up baggage size limits for carry on and checked luggage for China domestic flights.

We got a bit of a fright.

Our small suitcases, which are carry on for HERE in the USA are too big for carry on China domestic. Yikes. The limits of things are going to get us, and we went to evaluate. Found out that I needed to re-wash many items, and in looking I am beginning to wonder what to pack clothing wise. We are washing the bottles and such, going to fill those with Cheerios. It should be very interesting, and I can not believe we are at the point of truly packing.

I got to thinking, I wonder what weather will be like. That's when I remembered the links over there to the right. Yeah, WEATHER links! So, I clicked on them to see if I could find an "averages" for November. They have 15 day forecasts. 15 days. The days we could possibly travel (unlikely though they may be) are ON the forecast now. Here's what I'm gathering...

Beijing - it's COLD. We'll be there for 2-3 days, touring, need to dress in layers. Dh and I have silk thermals, turtlenecks (one for Dh and two for me), one sweatshirt each, and hats, scarves, and gloves. One sweatshirt for 2-3 days in a row. Guess you'll be seeing that shirt a LOT!

Kunming - it's chilly. We'll be there for 5-6 days. Forecasts show lower 50's as the high when it's raining and lower 60's for when it is sunny. That is NOT shorts, t-shirt, or capris weather. All things I had packed for Katie. My turtlenecks will suffice here again. Dh will be comfortable in t-shirts. Definitely jeans weather.

Guangzhou - it's warm to hot. This next week it said lower 80s, and beyond was upper 70s or lower 70s. I'll be okay in jeans and t-shirts. Dh will probably like one pair of shorts. Guessing I'll take 1-2 t-shirts, Dh will end up with 3-4 t-shirts. Those cute 'spring' clothes will work for Katie here.

I will be checking those links often I think, just to see what we are looking at for a range of temps...it feels odd to know that those forecasts could affect us!

Thanksgiving!

Did you all realize that Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away?! How did that happen? I sat down the other day to schedule out when I would do each "item" on my to-do list, and said that I hoped that we would get TA quickly and that we would actually fly out on Thanksgiving. That gave me less than 2 weeks!

Needless to say it kicked me in the rear and got me started on my list. Nothing like seeing how little time I have in black and white. So, this evening, I put in my Christmas CDs and started cleaning. Started wrapping all those Christmas presents I have bought (I was shocked that I could shop for just about everyone in a week). I'm about to start working on the 100 Good Wishes quilt squares tonight, and hopefully I will get those sent out next week.

It's all coming together!!!

but...oh my gosh we are talking WEEKS!!!!!!!

Waiting on that Travel Authorization!

2 families waiting with our agency got their TA this week (they had gotten their LOA in the first half of October). The agency put together the next travel group, they are in it, and it leaves November 15!!

IF, and this is a HUUUUUGE IF, we get TA between now and next Tuesday (November 13th) we could leave with them. When we were skipped on 10/2 (one of the families that got LOA on 10/2 is one of the above families), I told a friend that I was claiming November 15th as our travel date. I knew it would take a God-sized miracle, but I was claiming it as my prayer. That we would leave November 15th and be home before December.

I know, in my head, that it's likely it will not happen. That it is likely that we will not travel until November 29. In fact, most of the plans I am making for business, for the boys, etc. ARE with the thought we will travel November 29th. However, I'm trying to get all that stuff that must be done before we leave together so we could jet out of here on the 15th. :)

In the past, our agency has allowed families who get TA on the day that a group leaves to join that group late in Beijing (meaning they leave Friday or Saturday) and they just end up missing the Beijing portion of the trip. While I want Katie in my arms ASAP, I'm not sure if we would do this or not. Dh and I really want to see the tourist sites of Beijing, and I want to capture that on my camera for Katie.

What goes into a China trip?

Here's a start of our To Do List

1. Pack clothes for dh, me, and Katie.
2. Get meds for all of us.
3. Buy and pack gifts for officials, guides, directors, etc.
4. Make sure we have all the electronic stuff we need.
5. Make a list of documents, how many copies of each thing, check it over and over.
6. Get medical authorization forms filled out for the boys.
7. Investigate either Skype, Panda Phones, or calling cards.
8. Do I have enough memory cards and disk space?
9. Toiletries? What do we need?
10. Get birthday gifts bought for oldest.
11. Get Christmas gifts bought for everyone.
12. Decorate for Christmas?
13. Pay bills for November, set up bill pay for December.
14. Take cat to vet for anti-nausea shot (one or two days prior to leaving)
15. Put a hold on mail (or get friends to check it)
16. Adoption announcements
17. Well child visits for the boys
18. Eye doctor visits for boys and myself (need to use it up prior to end of year)
19. Christmas cards addressed and possibly mailed (guess this means order them?)
20. Work on business stuff
21. Finish quilt square wishes and mail
22. Find Katie's Lifebook stuff, take pages for memories in China
23. Clean house
24. Cook a few casseroles to freeze
25. Laundry
26. Find someone to feed the cat daily
27. Clear off the Tivo recordings so we make sure we catch all of our shows
28. Piano recital
29. Thanksgiving cooking
30. Update blog to include links for travel buddies
31.

I think that's a good start...maybe? What's even worse? what if we get TA next week? We could, conceivably LEAVE in a week!!!!! Not likely, but possible! OMG, we're going to China in less than a month!!!!! A matter of weeks, not months, not years...WEEKS!

Finally got info translated

We got an update in July for Katie. It was from when she was 10-11 months old.

Teeth：two

She can sit stable by herself. She is able to drink milk with one of her hands holding the bottle; she will catch the bottle smiling when she sees it, and to touch the bow when she has meal. She loves the members in her foster family, especially her mother. When she meets familiar people, she will smile to them. She recognizes familiar people. She may laugh happily when other amuse her. She begins to speak and she can walk in the baby walker freely. She can bring building blocks one by one, she can also catch toys far away. Sometimes, she likes to change toys from one hand to the other, and she can catch the moving things. She can shake bells on purpose. She always finds the toys hidden by others. She plays in front of the mirror, and finds it is interesting. She has a good capability of imitation. She learns to do what adults do or the action in the TV set. She shows large interest in many things. She likes to explore new things that she has never met before. She concerns about the changes in the circumstance and between the people.

Xi Xiaolan is outgoing, clever, lively, and cute. She likes to get together with familiar people and likes them to hold her in their arms. Sometimes, she can shake her body forward and backward. She likes walking in her baby walker and playing games. She loves colorful toys and the toys which can make voice. She reacts actively to the stimulation from others.

Closed to the parents in the foster family.
Favorite activity: be held in arms by others, walk in the baby walker, play in the open air, and play water.
Favorite toy: colorful toys and toys with sound

I can not WAIT to meet her!!! Doesn't she sound absolutely perfect? I'm guessing that she will probably be walking when get to China, and I'm guessing that she will attach to Dh first. She will reject me based on loving her foster mother very much, but she WILL come to love me and bond with me. It will take time as she will resist it because of her foster mother. This is actually a VERY good thing as she is attached to someone now. I'm very sad for what she will be going through soon.

We hab colbs

Just what we needed for this week, colds. I'm feeling all stuffy headed, dripping nose and all. JM is sniffling and coughing, and Samuel's voice sounds like it does right before his nose starts dripping.

We are supposed to go to Karate, piano lessons, and such today. However, I think we're going to stay at home and rest. Recover. Keep our germs to ourselves. LOL Samuel is probably okay to go, but JM is just starting his cold and mine is full blown.

Perhaps I can further catch up on my business work, and I might even start trying to clean up the house (again). It's amazing how messy our house can get in one or two days. Absolutely amazing.

Dh is being a GREAT caretaker. He's running to the store for cold meds, he's buying us orange juice, and helping to make sure we have all we need. Gosh I love that man.

Our LOA is headed back!

We got our LOA by Fed Ex Friday, I took photos. We signed, I raced to the Fed Ex store to ship it back "Overnight Priority" so our agency got it first thing Monday Morning. When it had gotten to be the afternoon, and I had not heard from them that they had gotten it, I checked. Sure enough it arrived all safe and sound around 10am. I know that they sent it on back to China today!

So, we are now waiting for Travel Authorization! It typically happens in 2-3 weeks, but can be as long as 8 weeks. There are some people with our agency who have been waiting for roughly 4 or 5 weeks now. There are some who got their TA in 2 weeks. It really all depends on how fast the orphanage gets the information back to CCAA.

I'm now past the excitement of getting that LOA, and fully into the panic mode of trying to get everything done! We could be leaving in just a couple of weeks!!! WOW! When we are headed to Disney World I'm typically complete packed at 2 weeks out. I'm no where near packed for this trip, and I still have to pack for the boys as well.

Introducing Katelyn XiaoLan!

We finally got LOA today, after waiting 126 days from LOI. This means that Katie is officially ours, China approved us to be her parents!



Referral photo, one of the first we saw. Her stats are:

Name: Xi Xiao Lan (Western Morning Orchid)
Birthdate: August 1, 2006
Currently in Yunnan Province, Kunming CWI, fostered in Anning



The one where we exclaimed over her hair! Isn't it adorable just standing STRAIGHT up on end? We estimate that she is 4 months old in this photo.



The frown. Oh the frown breaks my heart. This is an updated photo that we got, she is 10.5 months in this photo. She is in foster care, thus she has darker skin from being outside quite a bit. I love the little "spout" on top of her head, and the building she is in was helped in building by the Yunnan Kids International group. It's the community center in Anning where a good portion of the Kunming CWI children are fostered.



Still frowning. I think it's because she wanted a doll to play. Dh thinks it's because she wants someone to play soccer with her. All I know is that I love her and think she is the CUTEST BABY EVER!!!! (Okay, she ties with her brothers)

Spooky Night!

Here's our family, trick or treating at a friend's home.

This was after we went to church for the "Great Pumpkin Party" and totally got way to much candy. Our candy bowl over-floweth. Greatly.

To amaze you with my "pitcher" taking skills, here's a photo of my witch's shadow...it was dark, so I let the flash light it up some. I think that was like using a hole punch to put "holes" in your hair.* I knew you would all be amazed at the very cool shadow of the witch on the concrete.



In downloading these photos, I found evidence of the boys playing with my camera. They took videos, they took photos, and they did things are not allowed in this house (like jumping off the top bunk bed). As we're watching these I'm thinking to myself, "Why didn't they erase the evidence?" It's quite humorous to see, but I'm not happy. We counted 4 times the camera was dropped. We counted at least 5 times a finger was put on the lens. I saw how nasty the old carpet REALLY was.**




awww, and here's the little camera snatcher now.*** Look, by the mess in the background I know this was the week before our carpet was replaced. Why? Because the boxes in the hall that were lining the hall while we sorted toys from the boys room.


*Yes someone did this for Halloween one year in high school. It was not me, despite my lack of thinking displayed tonight.

**I am refusing to show how nasty that carpet was, and trust, you will will thank for it. It was beyond redemption. I will, at some point in the future show you our lovely NEW carpet.

***That's "gi-gi" and the colors on the wall behind him - Atomic Vomit Green and Stuperpendous Blue. I know you were just dying to know that. Yes, it took quite a long time to do. Yes, I painted it. No, Katie's room isn't that...ummm...creative.

Prepare yourself for overwhelming cuteness!

Since we officially have that PA now, and I asked about it, we can post photos to our personal sites. I'm still nervous. I feel like I'm jinxing ourselves, but I want to show off our little princess. Our baby girl. The sister the boys are thrilled and excited to have. I get asked almost daily by Samuel, "Are you going to get Katie tomorrow?"

I'm getting the post ready, the one with the photos of her adorable cheeks, hair standing straight up, and the sad little frown.



That's a "preview" and as they say, the eyes are the window into the soul.

Change in procedures with our agency

Got an email this morning about how our agency was going to start sending out the actual Pre-Approvals that they get for every family now.

The CCAA has processed the Pre-Approval (PA) for your family’s request to adopt Xi Xiao Lan. The PA is issued once the information from the electronic acceptance has been reviewed and approved. Once the CCAA has fully reviewed your Dossier and application to adopt a specific child, they will issue the Referral Acceptance (RA). As a reminder, this step is currently taking anywhere from 2-5 months from the date of your electronic acceptance. There is no guaranteed timeframe from the CCAA on when your RA will arrive.

This means, that the SN department got our LOI (electronic acceptance) and processed it and reviewed the information.

Our PA date? 7/19/2007!!!

Now, if we could only get that LOA to come!!!!

NOTE: This PA is not the piece of paper we have been waiting on, it's just a piece of paper saying that we initially passed and have been "locked in" with Katie's paperwork. I do believe this gives us the ability to post photos of Katie to our blog though!!! :)

Katie's Christmas Outfit

Do a search for Tralala French Holiday Swing Set...that should get you there.

I just wanted to show off what I found for Katie's Christmas outfit...isn't it the most adorable thing you have ever seen?

I have faith that she will get to wear this for Christmas. Her brothers (oh how I love saying that) both have Christmas red polo shirts to wear (I guess with khaki pants). The good thing about this is that she will also get to wear it for Valentine's Day as well. :)