TA!!!

Monday I received the call which I have been waiting for over a year.  My travel approval was granted for July 5th with a "Gotcha Day" of July 9th.

 In just 10 more days, I will be able to gaze into her sweet little face, wrap my arms around her and call her by name.  I will be able to finally tell her how beautiful she is and how much she is loved. 

There is a Chinese proverb that speaks of an invisible red thread that connects a child to all the people in her past and future life.  I like to think of the red thread as the invisible hand of God that has destined Yi Mei to come into my life.  I know it is no accident that He selected this special little girl to become my daughter.  She was meant for me and I for her.  I am excited beyond measure to begin our journey together!

Still Waiting

Yes, I am still waiting for my Travel Approval.  The issues with my immigration paperwork set me back a month, pushing my TA to the last week of June.  If my agency is able to arrange a consulate appt. last minute, I will be able to join the next travel group (June 29th - July 15).  If they can't get a last minute, appointment, I will have to travel with the July 12th group.  This living in limbo is killing me! I watch the airfare go up in price every week and long to buy a ticket.   

Contrary to what I imagined, I am not having any difficulty finding ways to occupy my time during my summer vacation.  I do think about Yi Mei all the time, but have been able to enjoy afternoons by the pool, finding treasures on Craig's List and the extra time to finish projects.  I am in the middle of putting miniature shingles on the roof and painting a beautiful dollhouse my friend Kim gave Yi Mei.  I finally put together Yi Mei's Disney scooter (a special gift from my friend Nancy) and also found a Disney art desk to match.

Please pray for a very quick TA.  They can happen as quick as 12 days or as long as three weeks.  I need to make the next travel group for many reasons, the main one being my friend Kathy cannot come in mid July.  I also have made some wonderful friends through a FB adoption group and they are traveling in late June. Yi Mei's preschool screening is August 3rd, I will need some time in July to help adjust prior to the screening.  Pray, pray, pray!

Here is a picture of my Craig's List find and the scooter:

Mother's Day Blessings

I ran the Mother's Day 5 K run today and could cross the finish line as a proud mom this year.  Crossing that finish line represented both the physical victory of of being able to run a 10 minute mile and the emotional victory of embracing what I have been created for after all these years.  It was a very sweet day. 

There has been a lot of struggle this past month.  After the high of receiving my LOA from China, there has been a never ending battle to get my 1800 immigration approval.  Something that should take 10 days has dragged on to 7 weeks.  Partly due error on my part and partly due to a very unorganized government worker, there has been nothing but red tape.  I honestly don't know if I will make the end of June travel date right now.  I have shed many tears over this, but I refuse to let this get me down today.  After all, I am a mom and I have a daughter waiting for me. 

I know God is going to use this for my good, as I am learning to let go of control once again and place this adoption in His hands.  God has brought so much encouragement this weekend to remind me that He is with me.  On Friday, my fellow reading teachers had a celebration in honor of my adoption and two other ladies (one retiring and one moving).  A very talented teacher, designed the most elaborate cookie cake that I have ever seen!  The cake was in the shape of a school house and each of us had a room filled with books.  The titles of the books were unique to our situations.  My shelf held books with children's literature, books on China and Chinese Fairy Tales.  Carol, the teacher retiring, had books on travel and leisure.  I have attached a picture to capture the incredible detail.  What's more, the reading teachers gave me a monetary gift enclosed in a fortune cookie.  The fortune cookie had a fortune that read, "A beautiful blessed daughter is in your future.  Family and friends will share your joy."  I was so touched by the thought that these lovely ladies put into the celebration.

When I got home from work that very afternoon, my aunt had mailed a birthday card with a significant monetary gift.  This gift was very timely, as it looks like I will have to purchase last minute airline tickets to make the late June/July group. 

It just kept getting better when I opened my computer to find an update from China.  Yi Mei looks as cute as ever.  The report says that she has grown two inches and is afraid of winged creatures.  A friend from my yahoo adoption group went to Yi Mei's orphanage and posted a video of her daughter handing out treats to Yi Mei's class.  I loved seeing what her everyday life is like.  The pictures and video were the best Mother's Day present ever. 

God showered me with His love, reminding me of His goodness in some very tangible ways.  My container could not hold all the blessings that He poured out this weekend!  Did I mention that I found out that a lady from my Yahoo adoption group happens to live in Kansas City and is in the same local organization as me?  My dear friend's Wendi and Jenny were in town from Topeka and they brought Yi Mei a very special gift- a Jenny Lu original painting made just for Yi Mei's room.  here are some pictures from this weekend:

The Wait Goes On

You would think that the time would fly now that I am in the home stretch, but each day seems to move at a snails pace. If I get the earlier travel date, there are 56 more days to go. I don't mean to complain, but my heart is so bonded to Yi Mei that every day is one too many. I can't believe how much I love her already. Maybe this waiting has a purpose? God can use this time to grow that love so that when we meet I am able to love away all her pain. Perhaps He is strengthening my love so that I can keep my heart open when she resists the very love that I offer?

I know that this time will soon be a distant memory, but living in limbo is rather difficult for planner types like me. Friends often ask how I stand the wait so I created a list:

Passing the Time While Waiting

Obsessing- check email a zillion times a day

Keep the cell phone handy at all times, just in case there is news

Endless projects- I just finished painting a chair that I found for $5

Nesting- I have spent countless hours cleaning out closets and making trips to Good Will

Look for pictures- other people will post pictures of Yi Mei's orphanage

Read as many books about China and adoption as I can

Search other people's blogs

Shop, shop and shop some more- I have found many treasures on Craig's List

Share the news- I find myself talking to sale's clerks or anyone who will lend an ear

Eat chocolate

Its Official!

I got a call at the end of the day informing me that my adoption has been approved.  I have waited 72 days for this letter (known as the LOA).   I was jumping for joy when the China team told me that I would be traveling to pick up Yi Mei in June. 

There are two travel groups leaving in June:  June 6th and June 24th.  Of course, I want to leave with the June 6th group so that I can spend the majority of my summer break with Yi Mei.  The agency said I would most likely be traveling with the latter group, as the paperwork leading to immigration approval can take up to 12 weeks.  I am still holding out for the earlier date, as I know that I have many friends praying and all things are possible with God.

It is celebration time and I am going to celebrate by getting a pedicure with my friends.  I am also going to write a letter to Yi Mei this week and send her  something special.

Here is what the LOA looks like:

Showered With Love

My dear friends from work threw a shower for Yi Mei today.  Though I new of the shower, I couldn't have been more surprised when I walked into the teacher's lounge to find the tables decked out in pink with green polka dots, origami and the most beautiful bouquet of spring flowers.  In the center of the table was an adorable little girl's suitcase surrounded by gifts bags of every shape and color.  Maureen made her secret family recipe cupcakes for dessert. 

The teachers gave Yi Mei some wonderful items to play with while we are in China, as well as new pajamas and CD's and DVD's.  We also received all kinds of gift cards- I look forward to taking  Yi Mei out for her first ice cream cone and cherry limeade this summer.

We truly have everything we need and I feel blessed beyond measure.  I may not be able to pack her clothes yet, but I am going to pack her suitcase with toys for the trip.

Happy Birthday Yi Mei!

Today is Yi Mei's birthday.   Although she's not here yet, Yi Mei is constantly present in my heart and mind.  I thought about her all day wondering if they celebrated her birthday in the orphanage and if she enjoyed the card, stickers and book that I sent.

Since my relationship with Yi Mei has begun, I thought it was only fitting to light a candle and have a cupcake tonight.  I still had three of the yummy cupcakes left over from Wednesday's shower and I was happy to have an excuse to eat one :)

 

 I was anticipating that I might find my LOA in my inbox today, but no such luck.  It sure would be wonderful to recieve it over my spring break.  If it does arrive, there is still a possibility that I will be going to China before the school year ends.