I have been reading adoption packing lists from other families. I have to laugh because when you combine more than one list - the list soon gets much larger:). For some reason, I have spent too much time reading about the best bottle to take. I can so easily get focused on one thing and take it entirely too far. I really CANNOT wait to feed Grant a bottle! Even if he no longer use a bottle, he is going to get it back. It doesn't even have to be milk - I think I am taking just about every kind - (I am not kidding), except Dr. Browns ( too slow), I thought that one would frustrate him.
We are at least 60 days out from China sending us an invitation to travel - best case scenario. This next letter is called a TA. Once we receive our TA, we will schedule an appointment with the US Consulate in Guangzhou. So we are a couple of months away and I almost have Grant packed.
Skip and I will travel to China. The older girls really would like to go, but I really think this time should just be for Grant. Recently, I have had dreams about traveling with them. The last dream one of the girls was brushing their teeth and using the tap water - Because I forgot to remind them to not use the tap water! Nightmare! Anyway, I am so looking forward to traveling with Skip as he is a bit more responsible (LOL)! and it has been a very long time since we have been on a trip together.
As we look into traveling, we have found that adding Beijing to our travel will cost a bit more money. The more conservative trip for us would be flying into Hong Kong, going to Chengdu then to Guangzhou. I do think Hong Kong would be wonderful to see, I just have had my heart set on going to Beijing and New Day for a long time. God will work out that detail.
I am also am wondering if we need to take a video recorder/cam recorder. We do have one, from about 10 years ago. My father gave it to us before Olivia was born - ALMOST 11 years ago! It works great, but the battery has issues. We had to replace the original battery and the new one has to be forcefully but carefully rigged up to the charger - there is a 50/50 chance that the battery will be charged after 12 hours. It is very unpredictable. ? would I regret not having a video tape?
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Embracing Grant
I still cannot believe our LOA arrived last week. I cannot believe China said YES, that we could be Grant's parents. The days that followed I could not help in the wee morning hours going over and over our adoption journey in my mind. I also could not get my arms around why I had been so hesitant to believe that Grant was indeed our son. Slowly I have realized how much I have guarded my heart. This journey has been one of the most difficult and moving times we have ever had. I will never know the whys or the difficult forks in the road we encountered. God had lifted the veil on some of the heartbreaking times and then there are others that we are
other times that are still unclear and hurt as deeply as they did the day they happened.
In these wee morning hours I can circle the mountain and wonder - what if I did this or what if we would have had more faith or what if . . . it all comes down to me not wanting to feel pain and needing to trust that just because I did not get what I wanted, He is still good. I do not want to hurt and quite honestly I know that God does not want me to hurt. But if this was the path to our son, I would do it all over again. When God so graciously put adoption in my heart, I had no idea what He was up to. And despite the trials, there has been so much victory! I have been set free, places that I had pretty much given up on. Praises! I am so glad I poured my heart out and the blessings certainly outweigh the pain.
I am so thankful that The Almighty's ways are higher and so much grander than I will ever know. His blessings are abundant and take our hearts to places we do not know even exist.
I would not change one second of this journey if I had to go back. I am so utterly grateful for the way it all turned out. And without any doubt in my mind, I know Grant Yi Nan is my son - I will never look him in the eyes and wonder. He is no longer an orphan, he is my son - And during those early morning hours, I can hardly imagine what holding him is going to feel like, as I hug him with absolute joy and praise - as he cries in fear and uncertainty. I get to love him! And I can say, I know you are scared, but trust me it is going to be good sweet Grant.
other times that are still unclear and hurt as deeply as they did the day they happened.
In these wee morning hours I can circle the mountain and wonder - what if I did this or what if we would have had more faith or what if . . . it all comes down to me not wanting to feel pain and needing to trust that just because I did not get what I wanted, He is still good. I do not want to hurt and quite honestly I know that God does not want me to hurt. But if this was the path to our son, I would do it all over again. When God so graciously put adoption in my heart, I had no idea what He was up to. And despite the trials, there has been so much victory! I have been set free, places that I had pretty much given up on. Praises! I am so glad I poured my heart out and the blessings certainly outweigh the pain.
I am so thankful that The Almighty's ways are higher and so much grander than I will ever know. His blessings are abundant and take our hearts to places we do not know even exist.
I would not change one second of this journey if I had to go back. I am so utterly grateful for the way it all turned out. And without any doubt in my mind, I know Grant Yi Nan is my son - I will never look him in the eyes and wonder. He is no longer an orphan, he is my son - And during those early morning hours, I can hardly imagine what holding him is going to feel like, as I hug him with absolute joy and praise - as he cries in fear and uncertainty. I get to love him! And I can say, I know you are scared, but trust me it is going to be good sweet Grant.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
91 Days Closer
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The New House
These are the before and after pictures of our house. We are settled in now - Whew!!!
We do have a lot of painting left, but for the most part all of the major work is finished.
The tropical depressions have come through our area and we have had a lot of rain, which introduced us to some leaks. Off the back of our house we have two sun rooms; one upstairs off of the kitchen, and another one below it downstairs. Both of them (upstairs and down) are leaking. In addition to leaks, we have a horrible ant problem. I really think that because the house sat vacant for so long, these little critters settled in. Last week I opened my car door and it was full of ants! I will say we do have crumbs in our car, but for the most part it is clean. We are trying to overcome these tiny little beasts - very difficult! I do not like ants at all and our two younger girls use to scream at the sight of one - now we just take turns smashing them. If anyone has any ant advice, we welcome it! We are in the process of mapping out a plan with our exterminator - Perhaps we live on an ant bed, I really do not know?
Notwithstanding the leaks, we actually love the sun rooms. One positive about the sun room upstairs is its roof... it is aluminum and glass. I have always wanted a cabin with a tin roof because I love the sound of the rain hitting it - not a downpour - but just gentle rain. It is such a soothing beautiful sound. The last few weeks, the rains have been very hard and when it hits the sun room roof it can be pretty loud (in addition to the aluminum and glass, the floor is tile without any rugs.) God does have a sense of humor and I use it to remind me of how far we have all come. Two years ago it was frantic when the weather changed and now everyone always knows when the weather is changing because you can hear it AND praises! there is no fear!!!!! everyone just moves to a quieter room. He blesses us beyond measure!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Day 77 Waiting For LOA
So Absolutely Adorable! (20 mths)
A couple months ago we asked Brian Stuy if he would try and find the newspaper with Grant's finding ad. He did find it and oh what an adorable picture! The picture is grainy, but you can make out Grant at 3 months old - PRECIOUS ! He is very tiny and has big round eyes. The newspaper is so sad. There are about 30 children on the page - infants through 8 years old - all abandoned. It is such an honor to look at Grant's precious face knowing God chose him to bless us. There are millions of orphans in the world and this particular one will be our son. It is really overwhelming to think about.
Anyway, one of Grant's characteristics listed in his finding ad was he had an umbilical hernia. In all of our paperwork, we had never read he had a hernia. We were totality fine with him having a hernia, however, in order to get Grant's visa in China, our home study report has to list that we are able to handle Grant's medical condition - each condition listed, and this one had not been listed - OH MY! To list it we would have to file another addendum/Supplement 3 AND pay for another home study update.
We called our WONDERFUL China agency coordinator asked if she could ask about Grant's umbilical hernia. She contacted her China representative and he send an email today a saying that when the orphanage received Grant, it looked as if he had an umbilical hernia and they felt that was important to include in the ad. He did not and does not have a hernia. That was great news, but they actually spoke to the orphanage! and that was all that was said?!?! Yes, that was all that was discussed! - did they did not say anything else about the most adorable little boy in all of China -
I am just flat out chatty, because there is no way I could make any call and just ask one question.
As time goes by my heart aches for Grant - I would love to know every tiny detail about his life - I would even take one detail from the week - or month for that matter. When our coordinator realized how badly we wanted any additional information, she kindly offered to get a full update - we decided to wait until closer to travel.
A couple months ago we asked Brian Stuy if he would try and find the newspaper with Grant's finding ad. He did find it and oh what an adorable picture! The picture is grainy, but you can make out Grant at 3 months old - PRECIOUS ! He is very tiny and has big round eyes. The newspaper is so sad. There are about 30 children on the page - infants through 8 years old - all abandoned. It is such an honor to look at Grant's precious face knowing God chose him to bless us. There are millions of orphans in the world and this particular one will be our son. It is really overwhelming to think about.
Anyway, one of Grant's characteristics listed in his finding ad was he had an umbilical hernia. In all of our paperwork, we had never read he had a hernia. We were totality fine with him having a hernia, however, in order to get Grant's visa in China, our home study report has to list that we are able to handle Grant's medical condition - each condition listed, and this one had not been listed - OH MY! To list it we would have to file another addendum/Supplement 3 AND pay for another home study update.
We called our WONDERFUL China agency coordinator asked if she could ask about Grant's umbilical hernia. She contacted her China representative and he send an email today a saying that when the orphanage received Grant, it looked as if he had an umbilical hernia and they felt that was important to include in the ad. He did not and does not have a hernia. That was great news, but they actually spoke to the orphanage! and that was all that was said?!?! Yes, that was all that was discussed! - did they did not say anything else about the most adorable little boy in all of China -
I am just flat out chatty, because there is no way I could make any call and just ask one question.
As time goes by my heart aches for Grant - I would love to know every tiny detail about his life - I would even take one detail from the week - or month for that matter. When our coordinator realized how badly we wanted any additional information, she kindly offered to get a full update - we decided to wait until closer to travel.
Here is what we do know about Grant:
He smiles.
He loves sweets. He is a Perkins!
height 75.5 cm (29.7 inches), weight 9.2 kg (19 lbs) - I have no idea of his clothing size
He was sent to a foster family out of the orphanage when he was 11 months of age.
Nan Nan (his nickname) has four other foster siblings. He loves to play with them all. PERFECT~ how about one more to play with!
He can walk now, but he prefers to have one hand holding while walking. I get to be THAT person!
I cannot wait to know so much more about him!
Anyway, If you are new to China adoption process, I highly recommend you watch National Geographic's documentary called China's Lost Girls. It is very moving and does a great job discussing China's one child policy. Lisa Ling follows a family through the great adventure in China adopting their daughter. They are even from Atlanta! It will show you what the process will look like for us in China.
You can view this documentary for free on www.hulu.com. In the search box type China's Lost Girls and then chose the picture of Lisa Ling with a little Chinese girl labeled China's Lost Girls.
He smiles.
He loves sweets. He is a Perkins!
height 75.5 cm (29.7 inches), weight 9.2 kg (19 lbs) - I have no idea of his clothing size
He was sent to a foster family out of the orphanage when he was 11 months of age.
Nan Nan (his nickname) has four other foster siblings. He loves to play with them all. PERFECT~ how about one more to play with!
He can walk now, but he prefers to have one hand holding while walking. I get to be THAT person!
I cannot wait to know so much more about him!
Anyway, If you are new to China adoption process, I highly recommend you watch National Geographic's documentary called China's Lost Girls. It is very moving and does a great job discussing China's one child policy. Lisa Ling follows a family through the great adventure in China adopting their daughter. They are even from Atlanta! It will show you what the process will look like for us in China.
You can view this documentary for free on www.hulu.com. In the search box type China's Lost Girls and then chose the picture of Lisa Ling with a little Chinese girl labeled China's Lost Girls.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Supplement 3 Approved!
Wow, we just had great news delivered. I will have to back up to explain. As soon as we closed on our house, we had to send Immigration a home study addendum/Supplement 3. Our social worker had to come and visit our new home and rewrite certain parts of our home study. Immigration has to know our exact address and if our house meets certain standards - considering the condition of this house, our Social Worker had A LOT of confidence in us. I really think they want to know that everyone is not living in one room (although we were at one point :) and that it is a relatively safe home- also qustionable at times. Our wonderful social worker quickly wrote the addendum/Supplement 3. Anyway, Immigration approved our move and new home study addendum! Yesterday we found out that it was not delivered to Immigration until the 10th by FedEx overnight. I have been checking for a week to see if they recieved it - NO one could find it. Yes, we mailed on the 3rd and they received on the 10th?? God is grand and much bigger than extended overnight service! Our move has had no effect on Grant's adoption, I am so thankful and THRILLED. We are on day 71 waiting for LOA and totality trusting God and His timing.
Sweet Grant I love this house because it is where we will be bringing you home. It will not be long.
Sweet Grant I love this house because it is where we will be bringing you home. It will not be long.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Day 64 Waiting for LOA
It has been 64 days! I must say the move has made time go by quickly. We continue to pray that is number does not go too high. We have seen this wait last up to 150 days - :(. We are at the mark where it could happen any day.
Happy Birthday Sweet Grace!
I cannot believe she is already six. We surprised Grace with a new kitten. I was partially for selfish reasons. We live in a wooded area and I am terrified of snakes. At the suggestion of a good friend, who happened to have a litter of kittens, we decided to get a cat. She is a sweet kitten and our cockapoo, Bailey, LOVES her. However, the feeling is not mutual - Sarah tolerates Bailey's playfulness.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Laboring
No, I am not in labor, however my physical and emotional pain is close. We are in our new house after taking 6 days to move out of our old house. We finished at 2:30 AM the day before we closed. I was so tired that it was difficult to sleep. I have never been that exhausted. We moved in to fumes from hardwood floors, paint and dry wall sanding mess, lots of bugs and cob webs, and toilets that would only flush with the help of a plunger - yuck! Have I said I really love this house? Although it is not everything it should be right now, it is going to be great.
Fortunately, the house has a finished basement and the 7 of us camped out. (I was able to wash it down with Clorox before we set up camp and we have not seen a live scorpion since three weeks ago - toxic bug killing spray helped). Without a kitchen, I have become quite creative with a toaster. We have created great memories is such a short time - big highs and low lows. I believe the lowest moment was when one of the workers called the fire department because of some unknown fumes. That resulted in a verbal confrontation between the plumber and the painter - the painter claiming he was NOT USING OIL PAINT! I have discovered that unless there is a contractor over the project, the different subs are less than friendly with one another. My children's knowledge of words has also been expanded due to some interesting bumper stickers UGHHHH. The fire trucks did leave and it was decided that the fumes were from the floors or perhaps the bug killer combined with the floor fumes which had been trapped inside the non-venting hot water heater closet. Oh did I mention that for 5 days we showered with less than luke warm water. It is getting better every day and oh how I loved my hot bath tonight. God's provision has been so real and evident despite the lack of comfort.
I AM SO THANKFUL FOR OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!!! We would not have made it without them. At the time of greatest need someone would step in or show up to help. Witht eh exception of some large furniture, we moved ourselves.
Skip's mother helped us with the small ones towards the end of the move. Such a HUGE HUGE blessing. My mother came to help as soon as we were able to move furniture onto the floors - I have never had enough nerve to ask her if I was adopted. I should though because I do not have anything close to her stamina, energy, patience and organization skills. She had us all going from sun-up until 10:30 each night and amazingly we ate a hot meal EVERY NIGHT! We are almost out of boxes!!!!!! I just have my office and kitchen boxes left to unpack - oh and boxes of toys that I cannot bring myself to open . Hopefully this weekend our kitchen will be finished.
The emotional aspect of life right now;
My dearest friend is moving to Nashville. This all came about during the frantic packing of our house. I have been in denial over her move. Her husband has already accepted a job so she has been here alone with her children. I wanted her to sell her house soon, but I thought it would take at least a month, which would be just enough time for it all to sink in. She sold her house in less than a week! She is the friend I touch base with at least every two days, she knows all of my issues - and accepts me, she is the one I call first, she has always lived less than a minute away, she is not afraid to tell me the truth when I need to hear it, she has held my hand through times when I could not see beyond the pain, she is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met - and very humble - she knows everything! and the dearest thing about her is she has taught me so much about the love of Christ because she lives it. She was the friend who helped me accept the fact that I do not fit in the box - and that is okay. This is the amazing thing, I have had many friends call me and express that She is the same friend to them as she is to me. I am going to miss her!!
Fortunately, the house has a finished basement and the 7 of us camped out. (I was able to wash it down with Clorox before we set up camp and we have not seen a live scorpion since three weeks ago - toxic bug killing spray helped). Without a kitchen, I have become quite creative with a toaster. We have created great memories is such a short time - big highs and low lows. I believe the lowest moment was when one of the workers called the fire department because of some unknown fumes. That resulted in a verbal confrontation between the plumber and the painter - the painter claiming he was NOT USING OIL PAINT! I have discovered that unless there is a contractor over the project, the different subs are less than friendly with one another. My children's knowledge of words has also been expanded due to some interesting bumper stickers UGHHHH. The fire trucks did leave and it was decided that the fumes were from the floors or perhaps the bug killer combined with the floor fumes which had been trapped inside the non-venting hot water heater closet. Oh did I mention that for 5 days we showered with less than luke warm water. It is getting better every day and oh how I loved my hot bath tonight. God's provision has been so real and evident despite the lack of comfort.
I AM SO THANKFUL FOR OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!!! We would not have made it without them. At the time of greatest need someone would step in or show up to help. Witht eh exception of some large furniture, we moved ourselves.
Skip's mother helped us with the small ones towards the end of the move. Such a HUGE HUGE blessing. My mother came to help as soon as we were able to move furniture onto the floors - I have never had enough nerve to ask her if I was adopted. I should though because I do not have anything close to her stamina, energy, patience and organization skills. She had us all going from sun-up until 10:30 each night and amazingly we ate a hot meal EVERY NIGHT! We are almost out of boxes!!!!!! I just have my office and kitchen boxes left to unpack - oh and boxes of toys that I cannot bring myself to open . Hopefully this weekend our kitchen will be finished.
The emotional aspect of life right now;
My dearest friend is moving to Nashville. This all came about during the frantic packing of our house. I have been in denial over her move. Her husband has already accepted a job so she has been here alone with her children. I wanted her to sell her house soon, but I thought it would take at least a month, which would be just enough time for it all to sink in. She sold her house in less than a week! She is the friend I touch base with at least every two days, she knows all of my issues - and accepts me, she is the one I call first, she has always lived less than a minute away, she is not afraid to tell me the truth when I need to hear it, she has held my hand through times when I could not see beyond the pain, she is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met - and very humble - she knows everything! and the dearest thing about her is she has taught me so much about the love of Christ because she lives it. She was the friend who helped me accept the fact that I do not fit in the box - and that is okay. This is the amazing thing, I have had many friends call me and express that She is the same friend to them as she is to me. I am going to miss her!!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Grant's Surprise!
We sent Grant clothes, two cameras for his foster family to fill with pictures, a photo album with all of our pictures, snugly blanket and two small squirting animals.
I over heard Quinn telling his swim teacher about his brother. She asked him his name and Quinn said, "His name is Grant, because Grant is a very strong name." We pray for Grant's strong heart and strong growth.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
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