CA and Plane Tickets

We have had a busy couple of days. After waiting 6 days (that’s 6 business days, it was actually 11 days instead of the normal 2 to 3 days) we received confirmation of our U.S. Consulate appointment (CA). We could not purchase our airline tickets until we had CA.

After two very intense days trying to find better fares, talking to 4 different travel agencies, with much encouragement from John and a lot of prayer I finally purchased our very expensive tickets. It was a very frustrating two days but God continues to assure us that HE IS IN CONTROL of all these details, and HE will provide completely for Daniel’s adoption.

We will fly out Saturday morning, Aug 30 at 7:46 a.m. and we return Friday, Sept. 19 at 4:11 p.m. It’s a really long trip! (I was hunting for a photo for this post and found so many great photos I couldn't decide so...)

We were not able to arrange any travel through AA, and therefore we couldn’t take advantage of the generously offered miles from our friends (thank you). AA’s flights simply didn’t work for our itinerary.

Our countdown continues…
5 days ‘til 40…
9 days until school starts
14 days until we leave for China
16 days until we meet Daniel!

Oh, our Chinese vias arrived Thursday... everything is falling into place.

I want to say thanks to those who have donated toward Daniel’s adoption. You aren’t seeing our “chip in” account grow because most of you have sent checks directly to us rather then using PayPal, but the total is growing and we are humbled and encouraged by your love and friendship.

Tonya

The Countdown...

7 days until I’m 40...
11 days until school starts...
16 days until we get on the airplane for China...
18 days until we meet Daniel!

Adoption Day Remembered... 5 years ago today!

An exerpt from my journal in 2004...
(pictures THEN left and below... NOW right)

On August 11, 2002, I held my baby Cosette for the first time. The day began with a flight from Beijing to Guangzhou, China. My mother met our adoption travel group at the airport in Guangzhou and we traveled by bus to the government building where we were to be given our baby. I remember my mom telling me about a dream she had about Cosette. I don't remember the whole dream, but I do remember one distinct detail. She said that in the dream Cosette was able to speak in fluent English. We had a good laugh together about that one. The bus ride seemed like an eternity. Sally, our guide, was telling us what would happen once we arrived, but I couldn't process her words. Too many other things were going on in my heart and mind. As we arrived John was video taping trying to make sure we got establishing shots of the building or something. I remember wondering how he could think clearly enough to run the camera. I could hardly put one foot in front of the other. We walked into the building and were waiting for an elevator when a group of Chinese women walked into the building each holding babies. Our hearts jumped as we scanned the babies to see if ours were there. But these were not our girls.

We were then ushered into a room where we were to wait until they called our names. One at a time each family would be called out of the room, and return moments later with a precious child. I was fighting tears as we waited for our turn. Then, finally, Sally called our names. I felt as if the world went into slow motion, each heartbeat palpable, reminding myself to breath. We walked into a hallway and were asked to proof read Cosette's adoption decree. I remember saying out loud, "You're kidding right? You expect me to read and comprehend this?" They did. On the move again, we rounded the corner and set our eyes on our precious child. The lead nanny was asking us something in Chinese. Sally translated: she wanted to know if I knew which baby was ours? Did I know her????? "YES!" I said, pointing toward Cosette, "right there. Please may I hold her?" fighting back tears and trying to remain calm and respectful. It seemed like an eternity before the director place her in my arms, although in truth it was fairly immediate. The emotions I felt the moment her skin first brushed my hand as I reached for her are almost indescribable. I felt very unworthy and so incredibly blessed. Excitement, fear, unbelievable honor, abundant joy... I remember thinking how soft her skin was, how chubby her little legs were, how much hair she had, how red her lips were... we spent the next hour or so getting to know our new daughter. These moments would probably all be a blur if not for my sweet mom. She had the video camera running the whole time! We have every precious moment recorded. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Mom.

It wasn't until we walked out of the Civil Affairs building later that afternoon, Cosette snuggling in my arms, that relief finally came. You see, after a decade of disappointments and heartache it had been difficult for me to really believe I would ever have a child to call my own. On the plane ride from the US to China I had a nightmare about being told we could not have Cosette and having to go home with empty arms. Honestly, I just couldn't let myself believe it would ever really happen. As we walked out of that building with our baby in my arms I finally allowed myself to believe, tears streaming down my face, that Cosette was finally MINE!

That night in the hotel I hardly slept. I just couldn't keep my eyes off my precious baby. She was perfect in every way. I remember thanking God over and over and over, completely overwhelmed by this blessing He had given me.

Our years together have been marked with so much joy. Cosette has blessed our lives completely. This journey has taught me many things, but above all else Cosette is a constant reminder of how much God loves me.

I am blessed!
Tonya

Olympic Mania

With the Beijing Olympics starting tomorrow I thought I’d post a few fun links for the kids (and big kids too):

Official 2008 Beijing Olympic website: http://en.beijing2008.cn/

Official website fun page: http://en.beijing2008.cn/funpage/

Coloring sheets: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/olympics_coloring_pages.htm

Basic info about China: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/introduction_to_china.pdfAll about the

Olympic Games: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/all_about_the_olympic_games.htm

Flag coloring sheet: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/colouring%20picture%20china%20flag.htm

Family Tree

Family Tree

We’ve added to our family tree
A stronger one to make,
A child from another plant has
Become our new namesake.
Just as a limb is grafted from one
Tree onto another,
It alters and improves the plant
Making it unique and like no other.

Our family tree has been improved
Adoption made this so. For love,
Much more than bloodlines,
Is what makes us thrive and grow.
We chose to share our life and
Love and all the joys to come.
Our family tree has blossomed
With the arrival of our cherished one.

Author unknown

The Teddy Bear Room

This weekend our closets all threw up into the house! We were rearranging furniture, hanging mini blinds, cleaning windows, purging files, shredding, reorganizing, etc. Can you say NESTING? The problem is, the kitchen/dining room now look like, well I’m not sure how to describe the piles. But I have a bit of work to do before we can have a meal at the kitchen table again.

We made the final decision NOT to redecorate Daniels room, which used to be the nursery. We decided the teddy bears will stay. Honestly, we all have such deep attachment to the teddy bears; we just couldn’t pull them down yet.

When we were struggling with infertility, miscarriages and failed domestic adoptions; back in the “dark decade”, the Lord asked me to take a step of faith, to do something that showed him that I believed his promise to give us children. I decided to decorate the nursery as my step of faith. Everyone told me not to do it, especially my therapist. But I was determined. My in-law’s came to Texas and we spent the week putting wallpaper up, sewing curtains, shopping for furniture, etc. It was a fun week and I LOVED the result; the Teddy Bear Room. That room became my respite from the world. For years I had my quite time sitting in the glider in that room. It became such a sweet place where God healed my broken heart.

Of course years later God gave us Cosette and the Teddy Bear Room became her nursery. Her giggles filled every inch of that room for 5 years. Last summer Cosette wanted to redecorate. She wanted a loft bed and of course HOT PINK. So she decided to leave the Teddy bears behind and moved into her new room.

This weekend the Teddy Bear Room has gotten a face lift; it has grown up a little, and is going be Daniel’s room. Here’s a picture. We are still working on it, looking for an appropriate rug and a toy box. We look forward to God filling that room with happiness, laughter and more great memories.

Be blessed,

Tonya

TRAVEL APPROVAL

We received our Travel Approval today! AND we were able to request earlier consulate date so our trip moved a week sooner! We hope to leave Aug 30, that only about 28 days away. Until the consulate appointment is approved this schedule is still tentative, but much more likely! YEAH. I better go finish Daniels room.

This is a very long trip because Liaoning requires a 10 day stay in their Provence.

• Aug. 31 (Sun)---Arrive in Shenyang and stay at Trader’s Hotel.
• Sept. 1 (Mon)---Meet Daniel!
• Sept. 2 (Tue)---Go through adoption proceedings (registration, notarization).
• Sept. 3 (Wed)---Transfer to Dalian City by bus to apply for Daniel’s Chinese passport. Stay at Ramada Hotel.
• Sept. 4 (Thu)---Visit Dalian City Social Welfare Institute.
• Sept. 5-7 (Fri-Sun)-- Sightseeing in Dalian City.
• Sept. 8 (Mon)---Return to Shenyang.
• Sept. 9-11 (Tue-Thu)---City tours and local sightseeing (Benxi Water Cave, Imperial Palace, Mausoleums, Botanical Gardens)
• Sept. 12 (Fri)---Receive Daniel’s Chinese passport and transfer to Guangzhou. Stay at Victory Hotel.
• Sept. 13 (Sat)---Free day.
• Sept. 14 (Sun)---Visit Safari Park.
• Sept. 15 (Mon)---Visit Chen Clan Academy
• Sept. 16 (Tue)---Complete medical examination and review visa paperwork.
• Sept. 17 (Wed)---Consulate appointment (BLAS guide will deliver Daniel’s U.S. visa application paperwork to the Consulate).
• Sept. 18 (Thu)---Oath-taking ceremony in the afternoon and receive Daniel’s U.S. visa around 4:00 p.m.
• Sept. 19 (Wed)---Depart for home.

Tonya