Monday, September 16, 2013

Definitely Worth the Wait!!!


Well, we have been home since August 8th and I just can't believe we have only had Kara for 7 weeks!  It seems like she has always been with us!  (In a way she has...she has definitely lived in my heart for a long time now)

Things are going well.  She is sleeping pretty much through the night.  Wakes up evey now and then but usually goes right back to sleep.  We are rocking her to sleep (makes for good bonding time).  She usually takes a 1-2 hr nap in the afternoon.

Eating is still a challenge.  She only eats things that has visual appeal.  If it doesn't look like something she wants to eat, she won't even try it!  Can't get it past her lips!  So, the big hits are eggs, cereal, ramen noodles, rice, hot dogs....still trying to work on the veggies!  Not a big hit with her!

She is making sounds but only when she wants to.  We have started the process to get some help through Early Intervention.  Still can't wait to hear the "Mama and Dada" and "I love you!"  We know that she is really smart and can understand what we are saying to her so I have faith!  Words will come! 

All her other skills seem to be age appropiate.  We have noticed since we have gotten home how much better her balance is.  She loves to go outside and just walk around in the grass.  Tonight I had her walking up a little hill and running back down!  The first time she ran back down the hill, she went a little faster than she was comfortable with.  Her eyes got real big and she acted kinda scared but she went back up and came back down!

She is a total joy to Tony and I!  We love to hear her giggle and it's not really so bad when she does cry.  She has definitely captured both of our hearts!  Can't imagine life without her now!

God really knew what he was doing by having us wait on this child...she is a perfect fit to our family and we are so blessed by her.  To God be the Glory!

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Home Sweet Home


We made it!  Survived 15 days traveling and living in China!  It was definitely an "excellent adventure"!  It is a trip that I will never forget. 

The trip home wasn't too bad....after a long flight and a delayed flight we finally made it!  We had a great welcome home party at the airport when we arrived!  Great family and friends stayed up late to welcome us home! 

Now we are just trying to get into a routine...sleeping and eating seem to be the focus right now.  All in all, our little bundle of complete joy is doing well.  We are so blessed and just so thankful and grateful to our Heavenly Father....His timing is Perfect!

I will try to get up with the blog but with an active 2 year old it may become challenging!  Lord willing, I will survive!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

LAST DAY!

We made it! Today is the last day here in Guangzhou! We will be heading to the consulate this afternoon to pick up Kara's visa then heading to the train station for the trip to Hong Kong....one more night there and we are on our way home!

God has truly blessed us and has been with us every step of the way on this trip. The process was smooth and the transition has been easy. This is a true testimony that God does answer prayers!!!!! To God be all the glory!

This will probably be the last time I blog in China.....thanks for all your prayers! See ya in the States!!!

Monday, August 5, 2013

What day is this?

Every day I seem to ask....what day is this? Today is Monday and yesterday we visited the zoo. Kara fell asleep so I don't think the zoo was a hit for her. Maybe when she is a little older...have I said how awesome she is?!!! She is starting to respond to her name when we call her. We love this little girl so much!

We came back to the hotel and waited on our clean laundry! That was a blessing! I was down to the nitty gritty and was really excited to have clean clothes that hadn't been hand washed in a sink. We then headed to the swimming pool which is on the 4th floor and had a grand ole time. Kara took to it and we had a ball. She was trying to stick her face in the water and she would just laugh! Plan on heading down there again today!

Today we went to a Temple and shopped at Shamian Island. We got to eat at the famous Lucy's and it was soooo good. American food at its best!

Tomorrow morning is our Consulate appointment...we will be leaving the hotel at 7:40 am. Got the call today that her TB test was OK. Wednesday afternoon we will be taking train to Hong Kong. Then after an overnight stay we will be heading home! I can't wait!!!!

I really can't wait for everyone to meet Kara! WARNING! She will capture your heart like she has ours! Be ready!!

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Guangzhou

We arrived late last night in Guangzhou....Kara did awesome on her first flight! This morning we headed out for her medical exam. She was a real trooper...hardly cried when the poked her to take her blood. It was kinda nerve wracking though when they took her in the room and closed the door. We seen alot of kids coming out of that room crying! She shed of few tears but it didn't last long.

After the medical exam, we headed to Wal-Mart! We made a few purchases (toys, dresses, shoes, snacks and water) and headed back to the hotel. Kara is such a good little girl. We are just hanging out in the room and she is playing with the new toys we bought. (She is really good at keeping herself occupied!)

And oh yea! This morning the bath went well.....had her playing with the rubber ducks that we got at the last hotel as a welcome gift. Not sure what was different but it was definitely a step in the right direction!

The days are going by pretty quickly...can't wait to get home though and get into a routine. Missing my puppies as well....each day brings us closer to home! God has been awesome and our prayers have been answered! Kara is the perfect one that He chose for us. As we continue to work through this adoption, we can see His Hand on this whole process. The process had been smooth and I am amazed and grateful for His ever presence in our lives!! PTL!!



Thursday, August 1, 2013

Last Day In Wuhan

Today is our last day in Wuhan. We will be flying out tonight for Ghuangzhou to finish up the adoption process. From what I hear, we will be able to find American food in Ghuangzhou....I will be soooo happy!

Yesterday morning we toured a museum that the Chinese are very proud of. Lots of history of the Chinese people is kept in this museum. We tried to put Kara in a stroller and that didn't go over to well! She didn't like it at all. Christine, our guide said that most Chinese children are not use to strollers so that is why she didn't like it.

Each day that goes by, we see a little more of our Kara emerge and everyday we fall even more in love with this little girl. Tony spent the afternoon with Kara while I took a nap. They played, explored the hotel and went for an elevator ride...one of the elevators is on the outside of the building and it is all glass. Kara wasn't too sure about that! Tony said she clung to him for dear life! She is so inquisitive! She studies everything carefully. We think that she might grow up to be an engineer!

It won't be long now and we will be home! We are on the backstretch! Less than one week!!!! God is so good! so very good! This is an awesome journey that we are on and we are so happy that we can share it with you!



Wednesday, July 31, 2013

One Step Closer

Each day is one step closer to bringing Kara home! God is so Good! She is the most precious thing! I still can't believe she is ours! Every moment we are learning something new about her!

"Gotcha Day" seems like a blur at this point! Thank goodness for video cameras! We are very blessed! The orphanage really seemed to love the children. They gave us a baby book with alot of pictures in it and they also gave us the outfit that she was found in. The last few months, Kara had been in foster care and her foster sister was one of the women who came with the girls. She gave us a memory stick with a bunch of pictures and videos on it. We are so thankful that Kara will have all this for when she gets older.

She seems to be attaching to both Tony and I...she has a little catching up to do developmentally, but I know a few people who can help with that! Emoji She has a strong little will, she lets us know what she wants by grabbing our hand and taking it to what she wants. She can have little temper tantrums if she doesn't get her way. She is not too fond of baths, she loves to look at herself in the mirror, and she has the most wonderful laugh.....Tony and I are both head or heels in love with this little girl!

Food has been a challenge, especially for me. I have found some things aren't too bad but once I leave China I don't think that I will be eating Chinese food for a very long time! And trying to figure out what Kara likes to eat has been a challenge too! She definitely lets us know if she doesn't like something. Tony seems to like it all....we ordered some kind of chicken dish the first night we were here in Wuhan. It came out with bones still in it and the chicken head was one the plate. Just one question....Why? LOL!

So, all our paperwork is done and we are just waiting on Kara's visa. Then we will be heading to Ghangzhou for the last leg of our trip. There we will have a medical exam done and will take the adoption oath at the US Consulate. Then we will be homeward bound! Oh, I can't wait to get home! This has been an experience of a lifetime though and am so grateful to our God who planted this adoption in our hearts! To God be the Glory!

Thanks to everyone who has been lifting us up in prayer! 

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Gotcha Day

July 29th, 2013....forever imprinted on our hearts!




Saturday, July 27, 2013

Day Two... Or is it Three?

Today we woke up around 5:30 am China time, went to breakfast then headed out for some more sightseeing at 8:30! Our first stop was the Jade Factory. It was amazing to see how the jade is cut and to learn about the different types of jade. We then did a little shopping and picked up a pennant to give to Kara when she gets older.

Our next stop was the Great Wall of China. I started to climb, but thought I had better turn around and look to see how high I was (fear of heights here!) and yep! I had went far enough. After clinging to the wall for a little while I decided to make the descent so hanging onto the railing, I made it back down. Tony made it to the second tower where he decided that he had enough. I can't believe that the structure was man made! Our guide, Shirley said that it was called the longest cementary in the world bcause alot of people had died from the hard work and was buried in the wall.

After a delicious traditional Chinese lunch, we headed to the Summer Palace. This is where the Emperor would vacation during the summer. It was very interesting to learn about the Chinese and their culture. Colors and numbers seem to be a very huge part of the Chinese culture. The number 9 is the luckiest number and the color red means good luck.

Tomorrow we head to Wuhan and will be meeting Kara on Monday! It is almost here!!!!!!!!! So ready to see her and to just pour our love onto her!!!!! God had been so good! He has been with us every step of this journey and we are so thankful that He is watching over us!!!! Please continue to pray for Kara, Gracie and Olivia (the other 2 girls that are meeting their forever families!) for an easy transition for all!



Friday, July 26, 2013

Forbidden City



Pics




 

We Are Here!

Well, we made it to China with no complications! The airplane ride from Chicago to Beijing was looonngggg! to say the least! Tony and I didn't have assigned seats so we both ended up with window seats (I was in the row in front of him) which wasn't so much fun bcause we had to ask the people to move to get up. But we made it! Thanks goodness for the little monitors in front of us that we were able to watch movies and tv shows!

Once we got to the airport we made it through customs with no problem (Jim, you wong....no cavity search! LOL!) and was picked up by LInda who got us to our hotel. Went out last night and walked around a little bit, found a McDonalds and had supper. By that time, we was ready for bed having been up since 3 am Wednesday morning. (We have lost all track of days and time!)
Today we toured the Forbidden City, Tienimum Square, went to a tea house and an acrobatic show. Learned some interesting facts about the Emperor and the Chinese culture, drank some wonderful tea and was "Wowed" by the acrobats!
So, tomorrow we will be visiting the Great Wall of China, jade factory, and something else....
On the end note....3 more days and we will see our baby! We still can't believe that we are here in China!
Tony and I just look at each and say "We are in China!" Please continue to pray for us, especially Kara...(which we found out her name is pronounced Wendy)...Love to all!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

On our Way!


Here we are sitting at the Chicago airport waiting on our next flight!  So ready to get there!   It is still so hard to believe that we are so close to Kara!  Thanks for all your prayers!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

2 Days, 10 Hours


Yep!  That's when we leave the runway for Chicago!  Then next stop Beijing!  So can't believe we are this close!  Flying half way around the world to pick up our daughter, Kara! At this point I feel like we are have contractions! LOL!   Please continue to pray for Kara's transition (and ours!)  So blessed!  So thankful for this adoption and all that Our God has done for us!  HIS PERFECT TIMING!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Counting the Days!


6 days and counting until we leave for China.....11 days until "Gotcha Day" and we can hold our baby for the first time! 

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

So Close!



Wow!  We leave in ONE week!  OH MY, OH MY!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Cheyenne and Harley

Chey and Harley can hardly contain their excitement to welcome Kara home! So they made me make these signs so Kara would know who they were! Aren't they so cute!






INSIDE CHINA TRAVEL

We received our itinerary for our China travel today! July 29th will be our "Gotcha Day"! We are getting so excited I can hardly stand it! Looks like we will be spending 3 nights in Beijing and the we will fly to Wuhan in the Hubei province to pick up Kara. We will be there for 5 nights and then we will fly to Guangzhou to complete the adoption. 5 more days of fun filled adventures and then we will take a train to Hong Kong to catch a flight home! Wow! Still can't believe we are going to China! Please continue to pray for safe travels and an easy transition for Kara!

Friday, June 28, 2013

WE HAVE TA!


We received travel approval this week!!!! PTL!!!!!!  We also received our consulate appointment so we were able to get our international flights booked!  We will be leaving on July 24th and meeting up with the families we are traveling with in Chicago.  Our return home flight is August 8th and we will be flying into Columbus at 6:58 pm!

Our last night we will be staying in Hong Kong. We are hoping that we will be able to meet up with Mer, our exchange student from Thailand....working out the details to see if that could happen.  She has graduated from college and is now employed so I think alot will depend on her new job.

So excited!  Can't believe this is finally happening!  We thank you for all your love and prayers during this journey...please continue to pray for Kara for an easy transition and that everything goes smoothly!  God is sooooo Good!

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Praying for TA this week!


TA....travel approval....the last stop before appointments can be made in China and then travel arrangements made.  Hoping and praying that this will be the week that we know when we will be going to China to pick up Kara.  This has been quite a journey and now we are so close....it is really getting hard at this point.  Knowing what she looks like and knowing that we are going to see her soon....it is so hard!  Keep praying for us, and for Kara!  As well as the Hamptons whom we will be traveling with to pick up their Gracie!  Feeling so blessed right now, words cannot describe!

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

VISAS

We received our visas yesterday for travel to China!  Now we are just waiting on Kara's visa!  Should be ready June 4th and from there it will go to Beiijing for TA!  Can't wait!!!!!!!

Friday, May 17, 2013

Waiting, AGAIN!

Ok, so immigration approved us and we sent out the paperwork for our visas!  The DS230 is the application for Kara's visa.  Per an email from Betty, our coordinator -

The DS230 will spend 10 business days at the consulate and then they will issue an Article 5 letter. The Article 5 letter will go back up to Beijing and our staff will walk it into the CCCWA. They will then issue your TA about 2-3 weeks afterwards.

Once we receive TA (travel approval), our agency will be able to make our appointments in China and then be able to book our travel arrangements! 

God is so! so! good!  We are beyond excited and can't wait to meet our daughter!

Monday, May 13, 2013

UPDATE! UPDATE!!!

Wow!  Asked if we could get an update on Kara.....this is what I received today!  I can't stop smiling!  I will let you do the conversions on her update :o)



Updated Report on Xiang Wen Di

 

Date of Provide: May 13, 2013

 

Per our request the orphanage provided the following measurements:

 

 

Height
(cm)
Weight
(kg)
Head Size (cm)
Chest Size (cm)
Feet Length (cm)
Teeth
82
 
10
47
43
12
19

Sunday, May 12, 2013

The Next Step

Received our I-800 and our NVC letter this week so we are off to the the next step of the process!  Next step is to have our agency file for Kara's visa and we will be applying for our visas to go to China!  Once we are approved for Kara's visa, China will be sending us TA (travel approval).  God is so good!  Everything is moving along smoothly and it won't be long until we have Kara in our arms!
Happy Mother's Day to ME! 

Sunday, May 5, 2013

I-800

OK, so as of tomorrow, it will be 3 weeks since we sent in our immigration paperwork!  Hate this waiting game.....Please pray that we receive it this week! 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Updated photos received in March!!!






First Pic

How cute is she?    Soooooooo cute!  This is one of the first pictures that we have of our daughter!  Finally figured out how to post it!  Love her so much!!!

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Still Waiting!

Still waiting on our I-800 to come back....my heart is aching for my little girl!  Keep praying for our adoption of Kara!

Thursday, April 18, 2013

I-800 Filed

After a crazy day Monday, got our immigration paperwork sent out.  Fed Ex was suppose to deliver our package to us on Friday...waited all day on it and it was never delivered.  Found it in the mailbox on Monday!  So evidently it was delivered to the wrong house and someone put it there!  Needless to say, got eveything done and shipped the paperwork overnight to CIS.  Now comes the wait again!  Once we get this paperwork back, we will be filing for a DS230 which is Kara's visa to come to the good ole USA.  We will be applying for our visas at the same time using a courier to hand deliver them to the consulate in Chicago.  Once we receive the DS230 back we should be receiving travel approval!  Still looking like July!!!!!!

Friday, April 12, 2013

LOA!!!!!

Got a call yesterday from Betty, our FTIA corordinator!!!  They have received our LOA!!!  Once step closer to Kara!!!  She said we could possibly traveling in 12 weeks!  So now if feels like I am 6 months pregnant...LOL!!!!!!!

So today, I am waiting on the Fed Ex Man to bring our paperwork to us for the next step which is filling immigration paperwork.  Hopefully he comes soon!  Still hate the waiting part!

Please continue to pray for everything to continue to move along swiftly and smoothly!  Our God is so Good!

Monday, April 8, 2013

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you get one more yard
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part

Tom Petty sang this some time ago......boy it is so true now!  Not sure he was singing about adopting a little girl from China in this song but it seemed to fit!  LOL!!

This Saturday will be Kara's 2nd birthday!  I know she probably won't remember  us not being there but I really wish we could be...... stretching across the miles and miles I just wish I could give her a big hug and a kiss!  Oh!  I can't wait to get her home!

I just want to Thank God for all that he has done for me!  So many blessings........

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

PA!!!!!!!!!

We received our Pre-Approval today!  The next step is to receive the Letter of Acceptance (letter seeking confirmation of adopter)!  These are the steps that will happen once we receive the LOA according to our agency:

Once you get LOA, you'll submit the I800. That takes about 3 weeks for CIS to issue an approval; then you file the DS230, which also takes about 3 weeks. The DS230 actually goes into the US consulate in China and 10 business days later they will issue you an Article 5 letter. We have this sent back up to Beijing and then delivery it to CCCWA. They'll issue your TA then about 2-3 weeks later and travel is about 3-4 weeks from then.


Estimated time that we will be traveling to China to pick up Kara is July-August!  Please keep praying for everything to go smoothly! 

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Well.....what do you think of her name change?  Just seems to fit this little girl....we wanted to keep her Chinese heritage so we changed it up a little bit to make it flow..now she has a beautiful name to go with our beautiful daughter!  Can't wait to get her!  Still waiting on Pre-Approval from China~hopefully we get it this week!!!

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Could It Be....

It has been so long since I blogged that I am not really sure if I remember how! Time has flown by and here were are...close to the end of our journey! It is with praise and gratitude that we are on Cloud 9 right now! We have reviewed a file of a little girl...not yet 2....(born aprroximately April 20, 2011). She had an abdominal hernia which she has had 2 surgeries to repair. She is beautiful, adorable, cute, cute, cute!!! We have moved forward and the paperwork is in China now and we are waitng for Pre-Approval. While there is always a chance that China could not approve it, we are confident that God is in control and that this is our daughter! God never fails us! His timing is Perfect. We praise Him and give Him all the glory! Please keep us in your prayers!