Sunday, March 30, 2008

Pick a name any name

We received a video of Ellie last fall, and I think it really showed some of her personality. She was acting so sweet and timid until one of the boys got into her toys, she immediately gave him a sideways glance that was pure mischief. What a scrappy little girl. Having that video helped us to pick a name that we hope will fit her.... Ellie. The other names we had thought about just seemed too passive, shy, reserved? What a great match! God knows what he is doing, because he picked out this little cutie for us. As many of you know, we already have two boys at home who are "full of personality", so I think a little attitude might serve her well here in this family! Who could possibly resist her?

Friday, March 28, 2008

Rorey's Plans

Rorey and I were out and about Thursday when we ran into an old friend. She was asking how the adoption was going and I was telling her it was going to be another 4-5 months before Ellie came home. She asked Rorey if he was excited to get a new sister and he said, yes, and she is going to be my new bath partner!! Apparently he is upset that his big brother refuses to take a bath with him anymore, and has made some plans for Ellie that I am not privy to!!

Families Traveling in China

Four families that are adopting children from the same orphanage as Ellie are in China now, and they are having so much fun!! They are blogging some cool info and great pictures, so check them out! They are linked to my blog under "friends blogs" on the left side. We are still waiting on our I-171H. I would like to say patiently but that would be untrue. It will be our turn soon, time just goes so slow when you know that little one is waiting for you!!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Ellie's Birthday





HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

Ellie

Today Wednesday March 26th is Ellie's 4th

birthday. Wish she was home to celebrate!

Group traveling to China today March 26th

Well this morning our friends Kim and Scott are on thier way to get their son Drew from China!! They will be with 3 other families also going to Urumqi to pick up thier waiting children!! We are very happy for all of them, and I'm even getting butterflies for them! If you want to keep up with thier journeys, I have links to all four of them under "friends blogs" here on my page (Gretchen's blog is a friend adopting from Ethiopia, not China) I know that the three boys who's parents are on the way to get them are with Ellie on a daily basis, but I'm not sure about the little girl Gillian Sha En. I think she may be in a different area because she has vision issues. Let's keep our fingers crossed that WE will be making this trip REALLY soon!! They should be receiving the children late on March30th (US time) so happy thoughts and prayers to all of the families and of course the children as it will be most difficult for them. Once home we are hoping to keep some contact between these kids and Ellie, since the youngest one is nearing 4 and Drew is nearing 5 years old! We are all in the mid-west except for Sha En who will be living in Florida. Here's hoping that Drew's new mommy Kim doesn't get airsick !

Friday, March 21, 2008

Kisses in the Wind

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.
You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.
But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.
--- Unknown

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Choking at the Secretary of State

Well Rorey and I went to the Secretary of State office yesterday to have all of our papers certified (still waiting on the I-171H) and boy do those people REALLY LOVE their jobs! (sorry Rick tells me I'm too sarcastic) Anyway, we sat there for quite a while, read a book, looked around, and then Rorey started to get loud (he was getting very bored) so we got several nasty looks, then he started choking on a cheese nip, and gagging etc. Some woman from the back of the office heard him and came running out & wanted to call 911. But he was OK. I think he didn't really choke, but swallowed the cheese nip whole and it got caught somewhere on the way down. All of the sudden everything changed! You would have thought we were the best of friends after the --UCI--ugly choking incident--. They were as nice as could be until we were ready to leave, and even brought him out a glass of water.
So someone tell me what I'm supposed to learn from this one?

Monday, March 17, 2008

Gifts for Anyone and Everyone!

Some of you may know that when you adopt from China you have to take along plenty of presents! Gifts for orphanage workers, government workers, office workers, and who ever else helps you out!! Well since Ellie is in a foster home, we also need gifts for the foster parents. I'm not great at buying gifts for people who I know and who live in the US, no pressure or anything but pick out gifts for people who you don't know, don't speak English, live half way around the world, and probably have already received every gift there is! And to top it off, never give anything made in China! Well good luck with that!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Where in the world is Ellie?

Ellie is from Urumqi, Xingjiang Province. It is located in the North Western corner of China, bordering all kinds of cold, barren, scary places. She won't know what hit her the first time she experiences the weather of central Illinois! Ellie's nationality is Han (what we think of as Chinese) But the majority in this province are Uyrgurs--pronounced we-gur-- They have a mixed background from surrounding countries and typically are Islamic. They do not look like "Han" Chinese people, but resemble peoples from Mongolia and other areas near there. This area does not see many foreigners, and has began international adoptions relatively recently. It is going to be one interesting trip, especially with our blonde 10 year old son with us! He should make quite a stir! Click on the map for a better view.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Paperwork "do-over"

Today I had to get all of our paperwork that has to be "authenticated" by the Chinese consulate in Chicago re-done. Unfortunately the Chicago consulate decided recently that they would not accept any paperwork over 6 months old. All of our forms were just at or already over that! We are still waiting on our I-171 from imigration services, and can not move forward until we receive it. Illinois DCFS had a major flub-up and held us back for 3 or 4 months, or we would have been ready to go to China in the next month or two. OH WELL!! As most of you know waiting is the name of the game in the adoption arena! SO WE WAIT!