One Month Anniversery

Well, we arrived home one month ago on March 29th.  Kanani started her first day of school, Ming started school on April 19th.  Ming loves school, Kanani said she doesn't have any (pengyou's) friends in school. I asked her in the kids talked to her, she stated, "yes", so I reassured that they are her (pengyou's).  She walked off with a smile, I guess she understands, she does have friends.

Ming First Day of School

Ming & Kanani

Ping & Ming

Ping, Kanani, Ming

GOD LED, I FOLLOWED to a Gotcha Day and a Forever Family Day to Re member

Pingping and I will arrive in Beijing on March 14th, exactly 2 years from the date that I first reviewed Ming's file.  His file was the only file I viewed, once I laid eyes on him I knew he was my son.  His file was with another agency at that time.  I immediately contacted CCAI and asked them if they would work with me.  I assured them, I wasn't nuts and really wanted to adopt this child.  They reassured me, that they didn't think I was nuts and completely understood how I felt. They watched and checked the shared list until his name appeared.  May 10th, was that magical day.

Several months later, my dear friend, sent me an e-mail stating that Ming was on a yahoo group.  This particular group advocates for children to get adopted. I was quite surprised, considering I had PA for him. I joined the group, checked the photo section and there he was.  I really like this group and found it very informative, so I decided to maintain my membership.

Yahoo group updates sends out e-mails showing updates for all the groups you subscribe to. Normally I delete these e-mails but on April 16, 2012, I decided to review the updates.  There was a photo on the advocate yahoo group, of a beautiful little girl with pigtails and in a blue sweater.  I thought, why hasn't she been adopted?!  I clicked on her photo and read all the comments, her file had been with a couple of agencies, one agency even had her file twice and she still wasn't adopted.  I fell in LOVE with her and my quest to adopt two at once began.

March 18th, will for my family will be a day we will all forever remember.   Kanani and Ming will be getting a forever family and Pingping and I will celebrate our 10th FOREVER FAMILY DAY.  It is exactly 10 years that I adopted my little animated personality daughter, Pingping.


                            Pingping's first dinner - March 18, 2003

                                         

Confirmed Travel Dates

Travel dates were confirmed on February 28th,  we will be leaving on the March 13 and must be in Beijing on the 14th.  Our consulate appointment is scheduled for March 26th.  

I was really hoping to visit with Pingping's foster family before going to Xinjiang but this would have delayed everything.  Working on my itinerary isn't easy, I wanted to pit-stop in Changsha before heading home.  This would be a very special time for Pingping and her foster family.  Pingping would be reunited with the family that loved and cared for her ten years ago.  

Unfortunately the trip to Changsha will not be possible. Finances aren't going to permit it and I am unable to coordinate the flights.  I have to consider Ming and Kanani as well, this may not be the right time for them to endure any side trips.  

I'm praying all goes well as we have a connecting flight in Beijing and only  an hour and a half to get to it.   

Travel Approval

It's finally HERE!.  Travel approval has arrived today.  We anticipate a March 13-15 travel, just waiting for CA, consulate appointment, to confirm.

When will my TA arrive?!

My agency e-mailed me on Friday anticipating TA's on Monday.  I was given two options, March 6th travel if TA had come today and March 13th, if TA should come in on 2/26.   Last night at 5:28 pm, my agency sent the e-mail that travel approvals did not arrive, however,  March 13th travel is still a possibility and the new possible date is March 20th.

If I travel March 13th, could I possibly have a March 18th gotcha day?  I would LOVE a March 18th gotcha day, it would make this day EXTRA SPECIAL. It is on this day back in 2003, I would have my little bundle of joy come into my arms at the Xiang Jiang Hotel in Changsha.  Pingping and I will celebrate our 10th Forever Family Day, and it would truly be serendipitous to have the same Gotcha Day for Ming and Kanani.

 Pingping's Forever Family Day, March 18, 2003

Ten years later to the day, two newly adopted children, one family.  God is amazing!!!

Finding Nemo??

Nemo found us, Blizzard Nemo that is. We've have about 4 inches of snow already and we haven't seen the full impact yet.

It's quite scary, I hear trees breaking all around us, my pine trees are losing branches at an alarming rate. I'm ok with that as long as none fall on the house. Power, well hopefully that stays on although the lights have been flickering on and off, I'm so afraid we could lost power overnight. 

I don't look forward to seeing what Nemo has left for us in the morning. High winds and unknown inches of snow is not what I am looking forward to on a Saturday morning, shoveling it is a whole other story.  I must say, the snow is absolutely beautiful. 

I shouldn't complain, as there are still people that haven't had power or heat since Super Storm Sandy. This is a double whammy for them and certainly the last thing they need.  I pray for them and I know the Lord is watching over them tonight and every night.

Article 5 Pick up.

I thought tonight was as good a night as any to catch up on my blog. 

This week brought us exciting news, my Article 5's were picked up on the 6th. It won't be long now for travel approval (TA), I hope.  I know we will be delayed a bit since China will close down for Chinese New Year.

I am hoping to travel in March.  What would really be amazing is if  the adoption day were March 18th.  Pingping was adopted on March 18th, 10 years ago. Time flies, too fast. 

Ming turned 12 on Feb 1st.  My dear son spent another birthday in China without his family.  Happy Birthday, my darling son!!  We will be there as soon as we can for you and Kanani, hang in there, your mom and sister are coming.

Article 5

Yesterday, both NVC approvals were sent to China.  I am now awaiting Article 5, which should take about 2 weeks.

Then Travel Approval (TA).  It's hard to believe that I have actually made it to this point, given all the complications encounter along the way.

^^^The Wait is OVER^^^

Ming's I-800 was in mailbox today and processed on January 3rd, as the Hague officer stated.  She was a blessing and a God send.

CCAI also sent me an e-mail today that my DS-230 applications were mailed.  I'm finally onto the next step which is quite confusing to me.  The Article 5 process.

I pray that the rest of the process will go smoothly and I will soon see the faces of my beautiful children waiting for me Xinjiang.

Still Waiting!

I have been able to get through all this, believing it GOD's perfect timing that will bring my children to me.  I am still  waiting for one I-800, Ming's.  Kanani's arrived shortly after the Hague officer contacted me on December 28th, due to a mix up with some of the paperwork.  She was extremely  pleasant and nice, corrected the errors and told me I should receive the I-800 shortly. Well, within a couple of days Kanani's I-800 was received.

I called her this past Friday to inquire about Ming's.  His paperwork is still sitting there due to the original mix up. She reassured me it was nothing I had done and the mistake is entirely on their end.  She, also, stated she would see to it that everything was corrected and that I would receive Ming's I-800 this week.

I have no reason to doubt her and all the belief in God, that all will happen within his perfect timing.