Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving.  I enjoy this time getting together with family.  I hate that we don't try more than one or two times a year to all get together, but I know it is hard with everyone in different cities and states.

We went to my Uncle and Aunt's house for Thanksgiving lunch.  My two cousins have two boys each.  It was so much fun to see all the boys playing, riding go carts, climbing, hammering, etc.  For Thanksgiving supper, we went to Kevin's family.  Bennett was the center of attention.

We really have so much to be thankful that it is sad how sometimes ungrateful and envious we are at times.  God has provided Kevin and I with great jobs that allow us to not only take care of our family, but support our church and help others.  He has blessed us with a wonderful son that I am thankful everyday for.  Bennett brings so much laughter, joy, and excitement to our family.  We are blessed to soon be welcoming our daughter that we have prayed for many years. 

I encourage everyone that when times are bad and finances are draining, to remember that nothing is ours.  Everything we have belongs to God.  We are only his stewards.  Although you many not have the newest or nicest house or car, you still have shelter, food, etc.  We really have it so good comparatively, yet we are always wanting more.  Find contentment in yourself and provide the gifts that are unmeasurable - quite time with family, writing a note, going for a walk, etc.

Having fun with Bryce 

Bennett and Grand Daddy 

Bennett having fun in the leaves. 

Adoption Update

We have decided on an American name for Pu Fu Ying.  We are going to name her Anna Katelin and call her Anna Kate.  As many who follow already know, Anna is my Grandmother's name.

I have a very special Grandmother.  Most of my memories when I was younger revolve around my Grandmother or being at Grandmother's house.  It seemed to me that I was there most weekends.  She taught me how to cook and sew (at least what I know about sewing).  I remember wanting to be like Grandmother and dressing up in her clothes and high heel shoes.  I appreciate her always being there for me. 

Love you Grandmother!

Last weekend, we mailed a package to Anna Kate.  Since knowing that I could mail her gifts now, it has been hard not to buy everything I see.  I got her three outfits, socks, and bear blanket.  Kevin put together a photo book of us, Bennett, and our extended family.  Nanna got her a doll.  We also packed some disposable cameras for them to use to take pictures of her while we wait to get her. 

My Very Special Grandparents -

 

 

Care Package for Anna Kate -  

Letter of Approval Received

We have received our Letter of Approval.  This means that China has approved us to adopt Pu Fu Ying.  This is great news.  Typically, this would mean we would complete the I800, start working on visa paperwork, and wait to hear when we will travel.  I have submitted the I800 to CCAI; however, it will not be final until we have an approved I797 (approved I800A).  So we going forward with the paperwork, but still waiting for our appointment for our biometric test (fingerprinting) and I797 to follow. 

Please pray that we will not have any unexpected problems or delays in this process.  I am so ready to bring her home and give her the love and care she so deserves.

Pre-Approval Received

I received an email from CCAI that we have received pre-approval for our intent to adopt Fu Ying.  This means that CCCWA has moved our dossier to the match room.  Since our dossier was logged in a long time ago (5/30/2010), we can expect to receive our Letter of Approval in about a month. 

For me, this really made it official.  I could finally get excited.  This also meant we could now officially announce our adoption and release the beautiful pictures of her.  Sorry for the delay in the post and not sending photos, but we could not for official reasons.  So now I am making multiple posts in one day to catch up everyone.  

CCAI will now mail us all the hard copies and original photos of her.  We are also now able to send gifts to her. 

With all the excitement, we are only a month out from possible travel plans which cannot be made unless all the immigration paper work is updated.  This means I need my updated home study now.  It has been 30 days and we still have not received it.  I have been patient, but it is now time for action.  After sending a stern email, we received the updated home study Friday.  So Monday, I submitted the I800A form.  It should be a few weeks before they will set our appointment for our biometrics fingerprinting and then an additional few weeks to receive our approval I797.  Hopefully, the Letter of Approval and I797 are received around the same time so there is no delay. 

Paper work Abounds

Now that we have our referral, I thought life would get easier.  However, paper work abounds.  In order to accept the referral, we had to submit a Letter of Intent stating we had reviewed the file, consulted doctors, acknowledged her medical issues, and are prepared to care for her.  We also had to complete a Waiting Child Program Information Worksheet for CCCWA. 

Since Fu Ying was a LID case, we are able to accept the referral with our current dossier.  However, all immigration paper work will have to be current before we are able to travel.  So the process we had started with getting a home study update will still need to be completed. 

So I have been working on getting the I800A form completed and ready to send as soon as we receive our updated home study.  This was more confusing the second time to complete than the first.  Don't ask how, but it was.  I appreciate CCAI's patience with all my calls and questions.

In the mean time, it seems every week CCAI is sending an email with more paper work.  I had to complete a Preliminary Assessment for Special Needs Adoption.  It is basically the letter of intent again in another format.  This is for CCAI's use only.  We also had to sign and notarize the Service Agreement Amendment Waiting Child Program, CCAI Post Adoption Service and Fee Agreement, and Statement of Understanding for Post Adoption Reports.  These forms were due to the changes that have taken place since we first signed our agreement with CCAI back in 2009.  China now requires six post adoption reports (1 month, 6 months, 12 months, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years post adoption).  So even after a finalized adoption, adoption costs and paper work continue for the next five years.  Fun.

Referral - Pu Fu Ying

You would think after waiting 2 years, 4 months, and 3 weeks that I would be expecting a call from our agency for a referral.  After changing to special needs, we knew it would be sooner than later.  However, we were told 6-12 months, not six weeks.  Monday, October 22^nd I got a call from Denver.  Ignore.  I don’t know anyone from Denver.  Later, I listened to the voicemail.  It was our agency wanting to talk with us about our medical checklist, so I thought.  I called Kevin to see if he had talked with them.  He had done the same thing as I had done.  Ignore.  So, I called them back expecting to go over our medical checklist and answer any questions they may have.  No, that was not it.  It was THE DAY.  THE DAY we have prayed for six years and waited almost two and half years for.  We received a referral.

I heard Tony speak, but did not comprehend anything.  When he asked if it was okay to send me this child’s information, I asked if he could repeat the entire conversation.  I had not heard a word he had said.  He was calling to tell me there is a baby girl in China who meets our profile that needs her forever family.  I told him we would love to review the file. 

Although I kept checking my email every few seconds, I am glad that the email did not come through until I had left work.  My drive home was full of prayer.  I needed God to speak clearly to my heart if this file is our daughter.  I needed the connection.  I needed the peace.  Although I was eager to see the face of this child, Kevin and waited till after Bennett had gone to bed to open the email. 

There was something about her picture that reminded me of Bennett/Kevin.  She does not have blond hair or blue eyes, but something.  She was born 1/8/12.   From the background reports we received, she is average height and weight, crawling, standing independently, oos and ahs, and plays with toys.  For us non-medical professionals, her file seemed good for a child with special needs. 

So the next day, we sent her files to IAC (International Adoption Clinic) for review.  I was certain that I was going to hear that she is great.  However, Thursday the doctor called and it was more than I expected.   There is no way to know the extent of care she may need until we get her home and doctors perform additional tests.  

Goodness.  This was not what I was expecting.  Why does it have to be so unknown?  Kevin immediately seemed okay with the doctor’s news.  I, on the other hand, needed to think through all scenarios and make a plan for each.  I talked to some family/friends, but did not get the acknowledgement I was wanting.  At the time, I did not know what I was expecting them to say or what I needed to hear.  I just knew it did not make me feel better.  In all honesty, I knew the right decision; I just did not know how it was all going to work.  A dear friend texted me that they were there for us no matter what and supported whatever decision we made.  She prayed that all this baby needed was a family, love, and security.  Oh, the comfort in those words.  I so wanted to hear that I had my family/friends support.   

I still wrestled with the decision.  I told God that I needed that “something” that I could cling to and hold on to when things were tough.  A little bit later, Kevin asked me if I had read all the paperwork we were provided.  Yes, many times.  He said, he needed to show me something.  It was her name.  I knew her name.  Kevin and I had read her name, but it also provided what her name meant.  Fu = Blessing.  Ying = Outstanding person.  That was my confirmation.  Although God did not promise us an easy life and we don’t know all the medical issues we may face, I know she is and will be a blessing.  How neat it is that I named my blog "A Blessing from China", never knowing that our daughter's name would mean Blessing.

Now with clear direction, I realized again that in my preparedness I am trying to take control and limit God’s ability.  There is no way we could have made it through the mounds of paperwork nor afford adoption if it was not for God's provision.  How quickly I forget.  God wants my obedience to follow His calling and direction for us.  He will equip us to handle whatever He has planned. 

2 Cor 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace about to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Our blessing -

100 Wishes Quilt Update

There is a tradition, Bai Jia Bei, which originated in the northern part of China in Tianjin, which sits within China’s Hebei Province, just south of Beijing. Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt, involves asking friends and family to contribute a patch of cloth with a wish for the baby. The cloth patches are sewn together into a quilt. This quilt is passed down from generation to generation. A small section of the cloth patch goes into a memory book or chest with the wish for the child written on paper, so that each patch on the quilt can later be matched with the wish.

When this post was originally posted, we did not know when we would be receiving our referral or going to China.  We now know that it will be soon.  So I wanted to repost the information for this in hopes many of our friends, family, and followers will participate.

Below are the instructions for submitting a wish. If there are several family members, please feel free to submit more than one piece of fabric and wish. Please feel free to pass along this information to others who may want to participate. I am sure there are many people that we may not have even met that have heard about our adoption story and are praying for us. So, please pass this along to them. You can submit your wish by passing along to us or one of our family members or contacting a family member to get our address.   If you are a follower, please leave me a comment and I will get with you on our information.

Instructions:

1. Choose a 100% cotton fabric that you like. It can be from a fabric store,fabric you already have, or something that is special to you or maybe even has a special family meaning.

2. Prewash the fabric in hot water so it shrinks and is clean. Then iron it so that it is straight enough for cutting.

3. Cut two 8”x 8” squares. (One will be used to make the quilt and one will be attached to the wish)

4. Write/type your wish. The wish can be your own words or thoughts, a favorite poem or quote, a blessing for the new arrival, a prayer for our daughter, a favorite verse, or whatever. Your wish can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like. If you feel creative and want to decorate it, that would be great. You can also include a picture of yourself if you would like so she can see who sent the wish. I will make a scrap book for the wishes. (If you are as uncreative as I am, you can google 100 wishes quilt to get ideas.)

Bennett 17 Months

Everyone now calls my baby a little man.  He is so grown up.  I honestly don't know where the last month has gone.  We have been busy traveling to football games.  Currently Kevin and I are in Las Vegas. 

Bennett is continuing to amaze me.  It seems everyday he does something new.  His most recent new words and phrase are bubbles and Jesus loves me.  Last month he had gone through a horrible whining phase.  I cannot stand whining, so I would have to walk away when he is whining for no reason.  Kevin said he is whining because he does not know how to communicate.  I agree, but I go through all the things he may want or need and he still whines.  Now that he is signing so well and able to talk more, the whining has gone.  Thank goodness. 

This month we enjoyed going to a few pumpkin patches and Fall Festival.  Bennett was a monkey for Halloween.  I was not optimistic that he would wear the costume since sometimes it is a fight for him to wear a long sleeve shirt.  My child does not like clothes.  I let him play with the monkey costume the day of the Fall Festival.  I don't know if it helped, but he did not complain at all with wearing the costume.  He was the cutest monkey.  He did not like the banana attached to the sleeve. 

Monthly Report:
Signs - hungry, more, thank you, all done, milk
New animal sounds - snake, cat
Amazing phrases he said - Good job mommy, Jesus loves me

Pictures from this month:

Bennett as Dracula at Mathew's Manor 

Bennett as Frankenstein at Mathew's Manor 

My little pumpkin.

My little monkey.

Our family

 

My little man.

Bennett 16 Months

It has been a busy few months.  We have been traveling to Starkville, MS to go to the football games.  Bennett has gone to the MSU vs. South Alabama and MSU vs. Middle Tennessee State games.  After the first football game, he started saying "Go Dawgs".   He did great traveling and watching the game.  He preferred us to be standing up and ringing cowbells.  The cowbells did not bother him.  Kevin submitted his picture to Farm Bureau for the Maroon White video.  They used Bennett's picture (shown below) and showed him on the jumbo tron.  It was so cool that Bennett was at the game.  After the second game, he started saying football, bulldog, and maroon.  It is so funny how he picks and chooses the words he wants to say.  He understands what you say, although he may not be able to say it back. 

We also had my sister's family visit with us during the boy's fall break. Bennett had a great time with them. He loved to play and chase them around the house. I was so proud of how good the boys were with Bennett. We took all the boys to the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum to ride the train to the pumpkin patch. My nephews did great. Bennett did not get a long enough nap, so he was not happy. However, ever since we have been he has been fascinated with trains.

Bennett has also spent more time with his Nanna and Poppie during football season. He has really enjoyed being with them. He constantly asks for them and will give us the phone to call them.   I really appreciate how much they have helped us and how much they love Bennett.

Bennett surprises us everyday with all his new words.  They other day putting him in his car seat he told me "good job mommy".  He knows the sound for cow, horse, dog, and cat.  Today he said the sound for monkey and snake.

Bennett's Favorite ...
Food - beans and bread
Song - still Wheels on the Bus
Show - Chuggington
Place - Outside
Toy - Puzzles and Little People Barn

Here are some pictures from this month.

Bennett and Karlee cheering the Bulldogs against Troy

Parker, Bennett, and Ethan

Game day with Mommy at USA game

Bennett's picture on the jumbo tron

Bennett and Poppie

Bennett and Nanna 

Bennett having fun at the playground

 

Bennett and Ethan at Pumpkin Patch

Bennett and Daddy at Pumpkin Patch

Bennett and Mommy at Pumpkin Patch 

 



Home Study Update

Thursday we had Marci from AGAPE visit us in our home to do our home study update.  She is a sweet girl and was very organized and prepared.  We discussed our change to a Waiting Child, Bennett, and walked through our house.  It was short and sweet, but not cheap.  All the paperwork that is in our control has been submitted.  They are still waiting on paperwork from our references.  We are very thankful for friends and family who are serving as a reference for us.  Please, as quickly as possible, submit the paperwork to AGAPE.  Once that is completed, I think we should have a new home study in a few weeks.

Part 1 - Paperwork Completed

Over the last two weeks, I have been in paperwork mode.  In order to get an updated home study, we had to update paperwork for AGAPE.  It was not as much paperwork as the first time since we have kept our AL clearances current. 

Paperwork filed to AGAPE:
*Renewal Application
*Physical Exams
*Letters of Good Standing
*Financial Statement
*1040
*W2
*Consent to Release form
*Bennett Birth Certificate
*Driver's License
*Auto Insurance
*House Insurance

Once AGAPE receives our paperwork, they will call to schedule our home study.  When I spoke to AGAPE, they are not backed up so we should be able to get it scheduled soon.  They also said it should not take more than two weeks to get it completed since it is update only for changing to waiting child and adding Bennett.  We will see.  Step one down, ??? more steps to go.

Bennett 15 months

Bennett is now 15 months old.  He weighs 23lbs 3oz and 30.5" long.  He is 50% in weight and height on the adjusted charts and 30% in both on the non-adjusted charts.  He is now walking, but very clumsy.  So we routinely have accidents and bruises.  He is jabbering.  He constantly points at stuff and says, "See".  At first it was cute, but has now it has gotten old. 

Words he can say - Momma, da da, Daddy, Nanna, no, bye-bye,hey, moo (cow), ruff (dog), oo oo aa aa (monkey)

Word he can sign - milk, more, thank you, eat/hungry, all done

Songs he interacts with - If you are Happy and you know it and Wheels on the Bus

Gestures he makes - He give kisses and hugs.  He can blow kisses.  Peek-a-boo. Waves

Bennett is such a great child. We try to abide by his schedule, so it is easy to know when he is hungry or sleepy. Bennett is a GREAT sleeper. We put him to bed at 7:30 and wake him during the week at 6:30 to go to school. On weekends, he usually wakes up around 7:30. I know this is a blessing and thank God everyday when I give him kiss good night and lay him in his crib. He takes two hour naps from around 11-2. 

Bennett is also a friendly and happy child.  He loves waving hey and bye.  At Captain D's he likes to sit by the door and wave at everyone that comes in.  I think they need to put him on the payroll.  When we were at the zoo waiting to see the lion training show, he went to the people around us and waved hey.  I am so glad he is this way, but I am not an extrovert.  So, I am sometimes uncomfortable with it.

Over the last two months, Bennett changed daycare.  It was a decision I was nervous about, but am so glad I did it.  It was a tough first day for him, but by the third day he went straight to his teacher.  There are 4-5 kids in his class.  I have seen him develop so fast being there with the one-on-one interaction.  Many of the teachers have commented to me, how good Bennett is and that he is a joy to have.  One day the painter doing some repairs told me that he wanted to take Bennett home with him. 

We also went to Nashville to visit my sister and nephews.  Bennett had a great time playing with the boys.  We also went to the zoo.  This was his first time unless you count going at five weeks old.  He really loved it.  He recognized the animals.  He sat and watched the bird show.  His favorite exhibit was the monkeys and lions. 

We also went to his friend Karlee, Ella, and cousin Fischer's birthday parties.  Ella's party was at Gymboree.  Bennett had a great time playing around.  At Fischer's party, Bennett got to see Uncle Steve's horses.  It was a great time visiting with family. 

Football season has started.  So far Bennett has gotten to spend some extra time with Nanna/Poppie and Aunt Nelda/Cousin Lindsey.  We are planning to take him to the game next weekend.  Although he has not been at the games, he is dressed to support the bulldogs. 

Below are some pictures at 13 months:

Bennett and Grandmother reading.

Bennett and Papaw playing.

Bennett, Grandmother, and Fischer

Bennett, Uncle Steve, and Fischer

Bennett seeing the horses.

 

Bennett at Gymboree for Ella's 2nd Birthday Party

 

Below are some pictures at 14 months:







 

Bennett ready for MSU first game.  Daddy was practicing his photography skills with a friend's camera.

 

Touchdown Bulldogs

Bennett with Nanna 

Bennett the Lion

Bennett, Parker, and Ethan