A Bump in the Road

My glee quickly spiraled into worry tonight, as I reread the 150 page guidebook..  I found out that I was not supposed to remove any of the staples from my documents.  I think I may have blown it.  The Chinese Consulate needed a third copy so I removed all the staples to photocopy today.  I just sent an email to my friends asking everybody to pray. 

If I have to do the state certification all over it will cost me another $120, not to mention precious time.  I can't bear the thought that my errors have delayed this adoption.  The desire of my heart is to have Yi Mei here by spring.  I want to have five months with her before she starts school next fall.  Each week that passes, it seem more impossible. I all I can do as keep pushing through the glitches and not let them get me down. I am holding onto the reality that God already knows when Yi Mei will arrive- all He asks me to do is trust His perfect will.

"Trust the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and He will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6

Dossier Complete!

I shipped all my documents to the Chinese Embassy for authentication today.  This adoption doesn't quite feel real yet, but this was a huge step toward that reality and it felt wonderful!

Shopping with Mom/Putting Up Christmas

My mom and I did our traditional Christmas shopping today.  Mom prefers that my brother and I pick out somthing we really need rather than be surprised.  I like it that way too.  My mom bought me a lovely white down jacket, something very important for someone who walks their lab rain or shine.  I also picked out a new sweater which will go under the tree in Chicago.  I have been so busy getting set for Yi Mei and saving money, I can't remember the last time I went shopping for myself.  I think I am experiencing parenthood already.

On the way home we stopped at the Chinese grocery store.  My mom and I have always been fascinated by everything Asian.  I can attribute our love for the Asian culture to my former roommate, Huong.  Huong is a Vietnamese refugee of Chinese descent.  When we lived in Chicago, we used to do our shopping in a Vietnamese neighborhood and often ate in authentic Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean restaurants.  Houng's parents made us homemade egg rolls, Peking duck and these delightful pancakes that melted in my our mouths.  My mom, always up for a culinary adventure shared many of these dining experiences with us.  I had a pretty good thing going during those years- I paid extra rent and Huong did all the cooking. Now I have to expand my knowledge of Chinese cooking myself.  It has been said that the adopted kids always have a preference for rice.  I am glad Huong gave me a deluxe rice cooker for a shower gift this past summer.

I still take delight in meandering the jam packed aisles of the Chinese grocery store filled with cases of whiskered fish and foreign labels of all kinds.  Mom bought Yi Mei a pair of child size chopsticks, a place mat and some plastic Chinese dishes.  I think it will comfort her to have something familiar when she arrives. 

Once we got home, I set up the Christmas tree.  I typically do this while my family is in town.  It makes me feel like we are doing it together, even though I do the decorating while everybody else sits around the TV.

I can hardly wait to start my own traditions with Yi Mei next year.  She will bake Christmas cookies with my friend Debby,  have a traditional German advent calendar, put her shoes out on the German St. Nicholas Day and see the windows downtown Chicago.  Mostly, I look forward to sharing the true meaning of Christmas- the most precious gift God has ever given us.

Sweet News

An amazing day!  I opened the mail today to find a letter from Show Hope.  I held my breath as I opened its contents.  I could hardly believe my eyes, as I stared at the $5000 amount that was awarded to me by Steven Curtis Chapman's Organization.  Not only did I receive a grant, but I was awarded the maximum amount.  God is so faithful!

Mom and Dad are driving in from Chicago for Thanksgiving.  I can hardly wait to share this and show my mom Yi Mei's room and special gifts.

Yi Mei's Shower

Angela and Sandy threw Yi Mei and I shower.  The guests were all the wonderful girlfriends that I met through Church of The Resurrection Singles Group.  My dear friends Nancy and Kathy and my colleagues Maureen, Christine and Debra were also there.  I couldn't have been more blessed (well maybe if my mom had been able to make it).

The shower was planned around the princess theme.  Several of the gifts also were chosen based on the princess theme.  I think it is prophetic, as she will feel like a princess as she is adored by her mother, many aunts and Jesus. There was even a picture of Yi Mei in a princess frame. She now has a princess scooter, a barbie, hello kitty sleeping bag and back pack, a play tent, her first doll, a stroller, an apron (mom has a matching apron too), a cow pillow pet and two very special bibles.  Angela had made the most delectable cheesecake.  My favorite game was guessing what was on  the tray.  Angela had put loads of goodies on the tray and they were all part of my gift.

I am so blessed by my friendships!  Sandy said something that truly touched my heart about everybody feeling like they already knew and loved Yi Mei.  I stand amazed that a beautiful, brown-eyed girl on the other side of the world has already won the hearts of so many... I am still overwhelmed that my friends love my daughter... already.  Though you are halfway around the world, I hope you can feel our love, darling daughter.

Movement

The magic document that I have been waiting for arrived today.  I received my I  797approval!   I have my dossier documents all ready to go.  Next they must be authenticated by the state.  I have one pile ready to ship to the Office of the KS Secretary of  State  and another ready to ship to the Office of the MO Secretary of Sate.  I am praying that the turn around will be quick.  This is the journey of the Dossier:

Notarize documents
Send documents to Sec. of State for certification approval
Documents are sent back with gold seal of approval
Send documents to Chinese Consulate in Chicago for authentication
Documents are returned with stickers from the Chinese Embassy
Send documents to Holt for final processing (up to 2 weeks)
Dossier sent to China

My goal is to have my Dossier in China by the first of the year.  It seems like a lofty goal, considering it is mid- November, but I know that I serve a big God!

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

A lot of people have asked what happens next.  Now that my home study is complete and I have been FBI fingerprinted, I have to wait for an official notice of adoption approval (I 797)l from the USCIS- Department of Homeland Security.  Up until now, things have moved along nicely.  Waiting for the USCIS has seemed endless.  I submitted the forms eight weeks ago, so they should be coming any day now. 

Everyone who knows me well, knows that I am a planner.  Its hard for me to just sit still and wait for things to happen.  This is definitely a period of growth for me- God is using this to develop the patience I will need when I am a mom.

"He gives strength to the weary and increases t he power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and ewary and old men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength."  Isaiah 40:29-31

Story Time

One of my favorite things to do is read to the kids at school.  I hardly have opportunity to do it enough.
I love children's books and I am looking forward to making story time special for Yi Mei.  Now I have an excuse to spend money on children's books :)

My friend 'sDebby and Wendy bought some lovely books to start her collection.