Our agency sent us something yesterday that makes me feel even closer to our daughter - her updated measurements!
She is about 25 pounds and 31 inches tall. Which means she is a healthy little girl!
I was at work when I got these measurements, so I really didn't know where this would put her in the clothing department.
So I ran to Walmart to find out where she would be - she will be wearing 12-18 month clothing. Just a little small for her age - (she will be 21 months in a couple of days)
Now it makes me wonder - what does she look like? The last picture we have of her is from when, I am guessing, she was about 10-11 months old. I wonder how much she has changed.
Does she have long hair? Are her cheeks still as chubby?
Oh the wait is starting to get to me!
Come on TA - come on!!!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
In just hours...
Your whole life can change. It is actually amazing to think about where I was yesterday at this time, to where I am today.
As in the last post, we were waiting on our LID yesterday at this time. It had been 72 long days waiting to find out if China had received our paperwork. Well apparently they had.
About two hours after the blog was written, I received a voice mail from our agency. "We really need to talk to you, it is very important."
In tears, I called them back.
Valerie, we have really good news for you. We received your LOA today. (Letter of Acceptance) This is a letter from China, it asks you if you for sure would still like to adopt this child. It is actually a one page document that has two boxes on it - check yes or no.
Yes, yes, yes!!! Of course we want to adopt her! This is it!!! :)
So within two hours, I went from having a pity party to having an LOA party!!
Now, since we are traveling about 1-2 months before I thought we would be, now I have to get things going...
I know everything is in God's timing, I wish I would have trusted Him more.
As in the last post, we were waiting on our LID yesterday at this time. It had been 72 long days waiting to find out if China had received our paperwork. Well apparently they had.
About two hours after the blog was written, I received a voice mail from our agency. "We really need to talk to you, it is very important."
In tears, I called them back.
Valerie, we have really good news for you. We received your LOA today. (Letter of Acceptance) This is a letter from China, it asks you if you for sure would still like to adopt this child. It is actually a one page document that has two boxes on it - check yes or no.
Yes, yes, yes!!! Of course we want to adopt her! This is it!!! :)
So within two hours, I went from having a pity party to having an LOA party!!
Now, since we are traveling about 1-2 months before I thought we would be, now I have to get things going...
I know everything is in God's timing, I wish I would have trusted Him more.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Waiting....
We are waiting. And waiting. And waiting.
Generally a LID (see past post) doesn't take as long as ours is taking. Day 72 and we still don't have a LID. Our agency is now going to call China tonight to try to find out what is happening. They have already sent a written request to find out, but no response, so tonight the phone call will be made.
As we wait, I think about what all has happened in our lives in the past 72 days...
I have lost 7 pounds
Jacob graduated from 8th grade
Nathan grew an inch
John started talking (now we can't get him to stop)
I gained 4 pounds
Leonard started job searching
Jacob started high school football practice
I lost 2 pounds
I interviewed for a job (didn't get it)
I decided to go back to school (restarted my masters)
I decided to become highly qualified in math (I need two more classes - but need to go back to a little ways to get back into the swing of things - so will take a math class this summer)
My sister in law and brother in law started their adoption from Ukraine
My sister and mom went to Ireland?
My dad has played golf - how many times?
My father in law found out he has back problems
My mother in law has been wonderfully supportive
I gained 1 pound
Even though I have a calendar where I count the days, our life still goes on. And honestly, what a wonderful life it is!!! :)
Generally a LID (see past post) doesn't take as long as ours is taking. Day 72 and we still don't have a LID. Our agency is now going to call China tonight to try to find out what is happening. They have already sent a written request to find out, but no response, so tonight the phone call will be made.
As we wait, I think about what all has happened in our lives in the past 72 days...
I have lost 7 pounds
Jacob graduated from 8th grade
Nathan grew an inch
John started talking (now we can't get him to stop)
I gained 4 pounds
Leonard started job searching
Jacob started high school football practice
I lost 2 pounds
I interviewed for a job (didn't get it)
I decided to go back to school (restarted my masters)
I decided to become highly qualified in math (I need two more classes - but need to go back to a little ways to get back into the swing of things - so will take a math class this summer)
My sister in law and brother in law started their adoption from Ukraine
My sister and mom went to Ireland?
My dad has played golf - how many times?
My father in law found out he has back problems
My mother in law has been wonderfully supportive
I gained 1 pound
Even though I have a calendar where I count the days, our life still goes on. And honestly, what a wonderful life it is!!! :)
Monday, May 7, 2007
LID
China adoption is full of initials. We actually live by them...
What exactly do they all mean?
Let's see...
LOI - Letter of intent. When doing a special needs adoption, a family must write a letter to the Chinese government indicating their desire to adopt a certain child and how they intend to raise this child.
Our LOI was dated 12-29-06
PA- Pre - approval - This is the letter families get back from the government stating they have been accepted to adopt this certain child. Our PA was dated 2-15-07
DTC - Dossier to China - After all of the paperwork is completed, of which I won't bore you with the details, the dossier is sent to China. This is a date that is very important in the Chinese adoption. We have a DTC date of March 6th.
LID - Oh the coveted Log in Date. The date the Chinese put your paperwork into their system. The date from which you can start counting down to travel...usually families will know about their LID within a week to 10 days. It has been a very long 62 days since we were DTC and still no LID. VERY UNUSUAL! It has been very difficult also.
LOA - After much anticipation the Letter of Acceptance comes from China. This is a letter sent that asks "Are you sure this is the child you are wanting?" Usually comes about 100-120 days from LID.
TA - Travel Approval - This is the final word from China telling you when you can come to China. It is usually about 2-3 weeks before travel.
So the question is - WHEN WILL WE TRAVEL? Who knows, only God does!!! But I wish He would let us in on the secret. :)
What exactly do they all mean?
Let's see...
LOI - Letter of intent. When doing a special needs adoption, a family must write a letter to the Chinese government indicating their desire to adopt a certain child and how they intend to raise this child.
Our LOI was dated 12-29-06
PA- Pre - approval - This is the letter families get back from the government stating they have been accepted to adopt this certain child. Our PA was dated 2-15-07
DTC - Dossier to China - After all of the paperwork is completed, of which I won't bore you with the details, the dossier is sent to China. This is a date that is very important in the Chinese adoption. We have a DTC date of March 6th.
LID - Oh the coveted Log in Date. The date the Chinese put your paperwork into their system. The date from which you can start counting down to travel...usually families will know about their LID within a week to 10 days. It has been a very long 62 days since we were DTC and still no LID. VERY UNUSUAL! It has been very difficult also.
LOA - After much anticipation the Letter of Acceptance comes from China. This is a letter sent that asks "Are you sure this is the child you are wanting?" Usually comes about 100-120 days from LID.
TA - Travel Approval - This is the final word from China telling you when you can come to China. It is usually about 2-3 weeks before travel.
So the question is - WHEN WILL WE TRAVEL? Who knows, only God does!!! But I wish He would let us in on the secret. :)
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Recommendation Letter
Can you do a recommendation letter for us?
Sure, that would be easy to do!!
My sister in law (and very good friend) and her husband are in the process of adopting from the Ukraine. They have already adopted three children from Russia and are truely a blessing to our family.
Do you know what it is like to write a recommendation letter for a family member?
Please, don't get me wrong - I highly recommend them to adopt again. I think they are absolutely wonderful parents - but...
I have written numerous recommendation letters as a high school teacher. They have been for scholarships, colleges, jobs, etc. In the big scheme of things - how important were these letters? Oh they were important, sure, but did they determine life? Most likely not...
Back to the recommendation letter - what if I write something that is not quite right? What if one little word was interpreted wrong? What if what I meant to write didn't come out like it should have?
What if my letter hurts their chances of adopting again? Ruin their chances of being parents again and ruin the chance for a precious little child to have loving parents.
UUGGHH. If I don't write the letter, who will? If I do write the letter, will it be ok?
My sister in law and brother in law are wonderful people. They deeply love their children and each other. And of course, they will be just as wonderful with their new child. But how do you convey that to the Ukraine government?
So went my day on Tuesday. I pray my words will speak to their hearts. I pray my letter will be exactly what they are looking for because I know these two people are exactly what God is looking for in parents!!
Sure, that would be easy to do!!
My sister in law (and very good friend) and her husband are in the process of adopting from the Ukraine. They have already adopted three children from Russia and are truely a blessing to our family.
Do you know what it is like to write a recommendation letter for a family member?
Please, don't get me wrong - I highly recommend them to adopt again. I think they are absolutely wonderful parents - but...
I have written numerous recommendation letters as a high school teacher. They have been for scholarships, colleges, jobs, etc. In the big scheme of things - how important were these letters? Oh they were important, sure, but did they determine life? Most likely not...
Back to the recommendation letter - what if I write something that is not quite right? What if one little word was interpreted wrong? What if what I meant to write didn't come out like it should have?
What if my letter hurts their chances of adopting again? Ruin their chances of being parents again and ruin the chance for a precious little child to have loving parents.
UUGGHH. If I don't write the letter, who will? If I do write the letter, will it be ok?
My sister in law and brother in law are wonderful people. They deeply love their children and each other. And of course, they will be just as wonderful with their new child. But how do you convey that to the Ukraine government?
So went my day on Tuesday. I pray my words will speak to their hearts. I pray my letter will be exactly what they are looking for because I know these two people are exactly what God is looking for in parents!!
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