Happy Memorial Day!
We've been home a little over a week. We're still trying to settle into a new normal, and it's happening sooner than I thought. Winn has adjusted so well to everything. He's such a happy and easygoing little boy. We've been greatly blessed and are just so thankful for how smoothly everything has gone the past three weeks.
We met Winn on May 7 at 2:30 in the afternoon at the Civil Affairs Office in Guangzhou. There were 40+ children there being united with their forever families. It was very emotional and chaotic. When we walked into the building, standing at the elevators were some nannies holding baby girls. We cried because it reminded us of the night we got Tessa. We went up to the fifth floor and there were already some families there waiting. The room quickly filled with many families and then with many babies and small children. Winn came in with Miss Zhong, the orphanage director, and a nanny, and he came right over to us and let us hug him. He was a little quiet but didn't seem afraid. He sat next to Jerremy, who handed him his iPod. He loved it! He's really into any type of technical gadget. He walked out with us and never looked back. We had planned on visiting his orphanage. We even packed a huge bag of 350 Dum Dum lollipops to hand out at the orphanage, but our guide discouraged us from going, saying it would take 2 hours one way, and would cost us an additional $200. The only time we could go would have been when all of Winn's friends were in school and we wouldn't have gotten to meet them or take pictures of him with them, so we reluctantly decided not to go. We gave our bag of lollipops to our guide, who was going to give them to another family who was going to their child's orphanage (a different orphanage closer to where we stayed.)
We're so thankful for how the orphanage prepared him for his adoption. He wants to help in any way. While in China, he folded his clothes and put them away every day. He made his bed and our bed. He was always looking for a way to help. It continues here at home. Baba (Doug/Dad) and Uncle Scott are working on the deck today, and Winn's made numerous trips in and out to get them cold drinks instead of playing with his siblings and friends here today. He's actually been too helpful! I took him out to the chicken coop on Thursday to let the chickens out (we don't let them out until at least 11:00 most days because otherwise they'll lay their eggs outside somewhere random.) Friday morning the chickens were out running around at 9:00 when I got home from taking Tessa and Jerremy to school. I thought Doug did it and he thought Scott did it. Saturday morning I came down and the back door was ajar and the chickens were out. Winn was trying to be helpful and let them out at 8:15 a.m.!
We've had some crying, mostly due to him falling and getting hurt (and blaming it on Jerremy, haha), but he doesn't seem frustrated or cry about the lack of communication yet.
I'm trying to figure out how to re-do my blog layout. I don't want it so flowery; more simple and modern looking. But I just can't figure out how to do it. That and adding pictures. I work on a computer every day, but I'm very computer illiterate. Since we didn't blog in China or have internet access for a week (our room's wifi didn't work for the first week and they finally sent someone up and had them install a modem), I'm going to try to blog some more about our trip in another post.
We have a cable TV interview scheduled for June 5. We are to come up with five questions for the interviewer to ask us. We can't come up with five questions, so if anyone out there reads this, and you think of anything you'd like answered about adoption, please, please let me know!
Hope your Memorial Day was fun!
May 28, 2012
March 20, 2012
Some Great News!
I'm not sure why I didn't think of this sooner, but I decided to try to find some information on Winn's orphanage online. I found a Yahoo Group specifically for parents who have adopted, or are adopting, children from that orphanage. I'm still waiting to be approved to join the group, but I did find out that his orphanage is the number one rated orphanage in all of China!! There are hundreds of orphanages in China. What a blessing to know that he comes from the best (as orphanages go)! It probably won't make it any easier for him to adjust to a family, but at least he's been well taken care of and has had enough to eat and maybe was given an opportunity to learn some English. I've heard horror stories of children who have been beaten and tied to furniture and starved and victimized. Thanking God for this wonderful news today.
March 14, 2012
TA!
We have TA! Travel Approval!
Our agency got TA for several other families as well, but they will travel April 5 already! I can't imagine having to be ready to go in 3 weeks! Hoping that, since we have a longer wait, our airline tickets will be cheaper. We can't book any airline tickets until we get a Consulate appointment. They are trying for May 16, 17, or 18. Hoping and praying for May 16!
When we adopted Tessa, Doug and I and Kendall and Marlee all went "Carry-on Only"! We only took what we could pack in our carry-on bags! And that was in November/December. We had to take cold weather clothes for Beijing and hot weather clothes for Guangzhou. One of those carry-on bags had to be for all of Tessa's things, too; clothes, baby carrier, diapers, snacks, toys. I still can't believe we pulled it off. We did have to buy two suitcases to bring all our treasures home in! But it was nice not to have to lug a bunch of baggage around. I'm pretty sure we won't be traveling that light this time. I guess with all the restrictions on what you can carry onto the plane now may make our decision an easy one. Plus the fact we have to take along an air mattress...
We need to take an air mattress because most hotel rooms in China only have a king size bed. So instead of having to pay for two rooms, we were advised to pack an air mattress and the boys can sleep on it. A king bed is plenty big for me and Doug and Tessa I think, but if need be, we can get a cot, too.
The kids had PSSA testing yesterday and today. They're relieved it's over, for now. They're still scheduled for one more day each in April.
That's all for now. Have a good day!
Our agency got TA for several other families as well, but they will travel April 5 already! I can't imagine having to be ready to go in 3 weeks! Hoping that, since we have a longer wait, our airline tickets will be cheaper. We can't book any airline tickets until we get a Consulate appointment. They are trying for May 16, 17, or 18. Hoping and praying for May 16!
When we adopted Tessa, Doug and I and Kendall and Marlee all went "Carry-on Only"! We only took what we could pack in our carry-on bags! And that was in November/December. We had to take cold weather clothes for Beijing and hot weather clothes for Guangzhou. One of those carry-on bags had to be for all of Tessa's things, too; clothes, baby carrier, diapers, snacks, toys. I still can't believe we pulled it off. We did have to buy two suitcases to bring all our treasures home in! But it was nice not to have to lug a bunch of baggage around. I'm pretty sure we won't be traveling that light this time. I guess with all the restrictions on what you can carry onto the plane now may make our decision an easy one. Plus the fact we have to take along an air mattress...
We need to take an air mattress because most hotel rooms in China only have a king size bed. So instead of having to pay for two rooms, we were advised to pack an air mattress and the boys can sleep on it. A king bed is plenty big for me and Doug and Tessa I think, but if need be, we can get a cot, too.
The kids had PSSA testing yesterday and today. They're relieved it's over, for now. They're still scheduled for one more day each in April.
That's all for now. Have a good day!
February 28, 2012
Beautiful Weather and Blessings
Is this really the end of February? The weather has been unbelievably beautiful. I'll take this over snow any day! I'm not a fan of snow or cold at all. Doug, on the other hand, loves snow. I think he's loving this weather as much as I am, though, because when he prays every evening at dinner, he thanks God for the beautiful weather. I'm sure he's glad he doesn't have to waste expensive gas on plowing snow.
We've been very blessed the past two weeks...
First, we received an adoption grant for $3,000 from the Tionesta United Methodist Church, Lee Young Sook Adoption Fund! We're so grateful and thankful for it.
Second, we got a check for $750 as a refund for overpayment of our 2008 taxes! I know that God knew back in 2009 when Doug was preparing our taxes we would be adopting in 2012 and that $750 would come in very handy right now!
Third, I was making yet another gob cake and my stand mixer died as I just started to whip the filling! Doug went to WM to get me a cheap hand mixer until I decided what to do for the long term. Do I spend money on a high quality mixer, anticipating more cake sales, or do I just muddle along with cheap hand mixers for awhile. I asked God what I should do, and because He's reliable like that, He gave me an answer within a few hours. We came home to a message on our answering machine from a lady from my childhood church who wanted FIVE cakes for a church dinner they were having! She just happened to have a piece of my cake at work some weeks ago that her boss's wife had ordered from me for her husband's birthday.
And last, but not least, I was talking to my friend Laura in Sunday School on Sunday and she was saying that my gob filling tastes like her mom's. I told her how my mixer had died because the filling needs whipped for a long time and I'd been making quite a few cakes. At church Sunday evening, she gave me a like-new KitchenAid stand mixer that belonged to her mother! Just when I needed it! As someone said on Face*Book, "hands and feet of God". I love how God orchestrates little things that turn into big things!
We're anticipating Travel Approval in the next week or two. Wishing we could travel in April, but will have patience and wait for May (due to the extra expense of a trade show in Guangzhou in April.) I know it will work out better for us with PSSA testing for the kids and taxes for Doug, but hate that Winn has to wait longer.
That's all for now.
We've been very blessed the past two weeks...
First, we received an adoption grant for $3,000 from the Tionesta United Methodist Church, Lee Young Sook Adoption Fund! We're so grateful and thankful for it.
Second, we got a check for $750 as a refund for overpayment of our 2008 taxes! I know that God knew back in 2009 when Doug was preparing our taxes we would be adopting in 2012 and that $750 would come in very handy right now!
Third, I was making yet another gob cake and my stand mixer died as I just started to whip the filling! Doug went to WM to get me a cheap hand mixer until I decided what to do for the long term. Do I spend money on a high quality mixer, anticipating more cake sales, or do I just muddle along with cheap hand mixers for awhile. I asked God what I should do, and because He's reliable like that, He gave me an answer within a few hours. We came home to a message on our answering machine from a lady from my childhood church who wanted FIVE cakes for a church dinner they were having! She just happened to have a piece of my cake at work some weeks ago that her boss's wife had ordered from me for her husband's birthday.
And last, but not least, I was talking to my friend Laura in Sunday School on Sunday and she was saying that my gob filling tastes like her mom's. I told her how my mixer had died because the filling needs whipped for a long time and I'd been making quite a few cakes. At church Sunday evening, she gave me a like-new KitchenAid stand mixer that belonged to her mother! Just when I needed it! As someone said on Face*Book, "hands and feet of God". I love how God orchestrates little things that turn into big things!
We're anticipating Travel Approval in the next week or two. Wishing we could travel in April, but will have patience and wait for May (due to the extra expense of a trade show in Guangzhou in April.) I know it will work out better for us with PSSA testing for the kids and taxes for Doug, but hate that Winn has to wait longer.
That's all for now.
February 14, 2012
Happy Valentine's Day!
I'm cooking for my family tonight -- chicken teriyaki with rice and green beans. Come on over! I'm making a ton! If I could remember how to post a picture, I would!
Marlee and Russ are home this week! It's so good to spend time with them. In no time they'll be far, far away. :(
Have a Happy Valentine's Day with your loved ones!
Marlee and Russ are home this week! It's so good to spend time with them. In no time they'll be far, far away. :(
Have a Happy Valentine's Day with your loved ones!
February 3, 2012
Grateful!
I'm so happy today! A weight has been lifted. It wasn't weighing me down so I couldn't think of anything else, but it's been at the back of my mind for a few months. The makers of Humira have once again approved my application for assistance to receive Humira for free! If you've ever dealt with lousy insurance, you'll know what I'm going through. Since Doug became self-employed, we had to pick up some kind of insurance, but with my pre-existing condition, no one will cover me. I pay a RIDICULOUS amount of money per month for some discount program that my employer offers, yet it doesn't cover much of anything! It doesn't cover a cent of Humira. And with Humira costing $885 every-other-week(!!), I needed some help paying for it. I'm so grateful to God for providing this need in my life. Still praying that we can find some kind of decent insurance that will cover all of us.
We finally got our NVC letter -- the I-800 approval form for the National Visa Center to issue Winn's visa from China. Three weeks ago we got the letter that said they received our petition, and our agency said we would get the NVC letter in one week. They said when we get the letter, let them know and they would forward it to China and then we wait for Travel Approval. Well, one week went by and nothing came. Last Wednesday, when it had been almost two weeks, I sent an email to our agency and asked if we should be concerned because it was going to be two weeks. They immediately got back to me and said, "Yes! You should be concerned. All adoptive families receive the NVC letter within one week." I had to email some government office and ask where our letter was. They sent us an email of the approval last Thursday and said we would have the paper copy in 3 business days. Our agency used the email copy to send to China, but we lost a week and a few days because of this delay and the Chinese New Year holiday. It's so frustrating, but I know it's all going to happen in God's time, not mine or the government. The paper copy finally came in the mail today. More than 3 business days!
Looking forward to the weekend!
We finally got our NVC letter -- the I-800 approval form for the National Visa Center to issue Winn's visa from China. Three weeks ago we got the letter that said they received our petition, and our agency said we would get the NVC letter in one week. They said when we get the letter, let them know and they would forward it to China and then we wait for Travel Approval. Well, one week went by and nothing came. Last Wednesday, when it had been almost two weeks, I sent an email to our agency and asked if we should be concerned because it was going to be two weeks. They immediately got back to me and said, "Yes! You should be concerned. All adoptive families receive the NVC letter within one week." I had to email some government office and ask where our letter was. They sent us an email of the approval last Thursday and said we would have the paper copy in 3 business days. Our agency used the email copy to send to China, but we lost a week and a few days because of this delay and the Chinese New Year holiday. It's so frustrating, but I know it's all going to happen in God's time, not mine or the government. The paper copy finally came in the mail today. More than 3 business days!
Looking forward to the weekend!
January 17, 2012
2012
Well the new year is here! At least it was a few weeks ago when I started this post!
2011 wasn't so bad, but I am glad to see it behind me. Hoping 2012 is less stressful. Yeah, right! That was one of the dumbest things I've ever thought.
Our Christmas was nice but busy. We (I) tried to change a few family traditions that, in the past, caused me to be too busy, and I wanted to be able to enjoy Christmas more this year. When I mentioned that I wanted to try something different, I ran into a bit of resistance. I do understand, but I just don't know how to make everyone, including me, happy. I did get to visit with my sister and her family. She flew up from Miami to Ohio to spend Christmas with her son and daughter-in-law and granddaughters, so we drove there to spend an evening with them. I so wish she lived closer, but I'll take whatever time I can get!
Our agency told us that we would probably travel to China in April, but there is a trade show in Guangzhou that whole month and hotels and restaurants, etc., double during that time. To save money, we will wait until May to travel to Winn. There is a very slight chance we could travel in March, but it would be difficult for Doug to get away for 15 days then, during peak tax season.
My second part-time job has come to an end so Gob Cakes Galore is back in business. We're very far from our fundraising goal for this adoption. It has been discouraging. I don't doubt that God wants us to adopt Winn, or any child for that matter, but my patience is surely being tested to see how or when He's going to take care of it. It could just mean continuing to work hard at doing without certain things most people take for granted, or working another part-time job, or having another yard sale...
I mentioned this in our Sunday School class last month, and I'm going to say it here, too. I hope by saying this people don't think I'm a bad person. It doesn't really matter what anyone thinks, I'm going to say it anyway! I'm not excited about bringing home a 9 year old orphan boy. A boy who doesn't know how to be part of a family. I look forward to seeing him learn how to be part of our family, though. A friend of Marlee's asked me last night if I was ready for two boys. No. I'm not! I really can't imagine life here with Jerremy AND Winn. I would be so excited to be bringing home a baby girl again. Maybe not a baby, but a little girl would be so sweet! However, God didn't say for us to bring home a little girl. So I'm just going to go with it and pray A LOT that God gets us through whatever is ahead. Because if life didn't include times to grow our faith, what good would this life be? (Hmmm. A bumper sticker maybe?) Haha!
2011 wasn't so bad, but I am glad to see it behind me. Hoping 2012 is less stressful. Yeah, right! That was one of the dumbest things I've ever thought.
Our Christmas was nice but busy. We (I) tried to change a few family traditions that, in the past, caused me to be too busy, and I wanted to be able to enjoy Christmas more this year. When I mentioned that I wanted to try something different, I ran into a bit of resistance. I do understand, but I just don't know how to make everyone, including me, happy. I did get to visit with my sister and her family. She flew up from Miami to Ohio to spend Christmas with her son and daughter-in-law and granddaughters, so we drove there to spend an evening with them. I so wish she lived closer, but I'll take whatever time I can get!
Our agency told us that we would probably travel to China in April, but there is a trade show in Guangzhou that whole month and hotels and restaurants, etc., double during that time. To save money, we will wait until May to travel to Winn. There is a very slight chance we could travel in March, but it would be difficult for Doug to get away for 15 days then, during peak tax season.
My second part-time job has come to an end so Gob Cakes Galore is back in business. We're very far from our fundraising goal for this adoption. It has been discouraging. I don't doubt that God wants us to adopt Winn, or any child for that matter, but my patience is surely being tested to see how or when He's going to take care of it. It could just mean continuing to work hard at doing without certain things most people take for granted, or working another part-time job, or having another yard sale...
I mentioned this in our Sunday School class last month, and I'm going to say it here, too. I hope by saying this people don't think I'm a bad person. It doesn't really matter what anyone thinks, I'm going to say it anyway! I'm not excited about bringing home a 9 year old orphan boy. A boy who doesn't know how to be part of a family. I look forward to seeing him learn how to be part of our family, though. A friend of Marlee's asked me last night if I was ready for two boys. No. I'm not! I really can't imagine life here with Jerremy AND Winn. I would be so excited to be bringing home a baby girl again. Maybe not a baby, but a little girl would be so sweet! However, God didn't say for us to bring home a little girl. So I'm just going to go with it and pray A LOT that God gets us through whatever is ahead. Because if life didn't include times to grow our faith, what good would this life be? (Hmmm. A bumper sticker maybe?) Haha!
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