We got our itinerary today, we are excited!!! We will have Kiana in our arms on Monday the 13th - in the afternoon. And they have alot of fun sight seeing planned for us too like the Chongqing zoo which I was really hoping to get to go to and a couple museums and of course the Great Wall of China.

Its been almost nonstop trying to get ready for traveling. We packed our suitcase finally and with help from friends got Kiana all packed - thanks Christie and Rebekah for your help. Today we are doing some last minute errands and trying to pack our carry ons. Then to weigh them to see if we end up with overweight luggage which we probably will. Then to decide what books to read on the plane, its hard to decide for me cause I am addicted to books. I think I got it pretty much figured out now though. Trying to take small paperback ones with lots of pages so don't need as many :)

Got the dogs groomed today too, they don't have much hair left. Wanted them to have easy to manage hair while we are on our trip since when I am home I have to brush them daily. They look different but seem very comfortable.

Now back to packing. Hopefully by the end of the day we will be packed. Brian is running a couple errands and bringing back Daniels for dinner :)

Nine more days till we get on a plane for China. WOW!!!! Its here, its happening, its so surreal that its hard to believe. We are busy with packing and preparation for travel. Should be booking our flight tomorrow and by Wednesday we will get our travel invitation. Well, I am off to get some packing done.

 

 

 

We were just told yesterday that we should be leaving for China on July 8th. Wow, we are excited but surprised how soon because not long ago they thought beginning of August. Now we are stepping up the preparation and going to be very busy getting ready the next two weeks but won't be long now before Kiana will be in our arms :) So I am off to work on our many 'to do' lists

This is Kiana, almost 9 months old. She was born August 30,2008. She is quiet and weighs 14 lbs according to her referral. We are proud parents. We are just in love with our daughter.

We got the CALL!!!!

We are getting our referral tomorrow!!! Her name is Xin Hua Yin from Chongqing and her birthdate is 8-30-08 She is almost 9 months old. I will post pics once we have them. WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sheryl

Adoption Update

Referral Update:

The next batch of referrals are being sent out today. Looks like referrals are for March 7th and 8th of 2006. Its not officially posted but heard from families that have gotten their referrals for the 8th and our agency says that the 9th hasn't gotten them so I am certain this is accurate. There was fear that they would only get thru the 7th this month so two days is progress considering that the 7th is a HUGE day  of Log ins for families. There are only 6 days left until our LID so we are still pretty excited. We could get the call as early as May but if not I think we should at least get the call before the end of summer so either way its almost here. YAY!!!!!

Sheryl

 

March referrals

Referrals for March have started arriving and they got thru March 6, 06. Only 8 more days until our day will come up and that is including a weekend. Its coming up soon. Even if they did one referral a day we still would be going to China before Christmas. More likely would be that we will be getting our referral (matched with our daughter) this summer and then traveling 6-10 weeks after that. There is a small chance we could get a referral however in April so we are starting to get some of the items we will need to travel. Any of you who have traveled with a small baby before have any advice on the most essential things I should pack I would be happy for the advice. It is hard to pack for a baby before I even meet her.

 

 

 

Progress

Just wanted to give a quick update on the adoption. The referrals are thru March 2nd, 2006 and in the next couple weeks another batch should arrive so we are getting closer to our date. We have registered now at three places. We had a lot of fun finally being able to take that step. There are families from our Yahoo March adoption group that received their referrals and are in the process of preparing to bring home their baby. This is very exciting because we have been taking this journey together and finally seeing families beginning this exciting step.

We recently had a meeting with our social worker and received our first travel packet preparing us for our trip to China. The next step is beginning to prepare our packing list and getting the items needed. We are told to pack 'light' but are also given a HUGE list of recommended items. Once the referral comes we will be extremely busy preparing for our journey. We will be packing, doing more paperwork, and getting visas, etc. This is really happening and is finally becoming a reality rather then just a dream to us. Thank you to everyone whose supporting us thru this exciting time. Don't know what we would do without you. 

 

 

"Why, somtimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast"- Through the looking Glass

 

Adoption update

I am so excited that I can't hardly stand it. Referrals made it thru February 28th, 2006. Only 14 days left till our LID. We will see Kiana soon now. Finally a light at the end of the tunnel is getting quite bright. We are going  to celebrate by registering in January. Woo Hoo!!!!!  Our baby is coming home soon 2009 is our year :)

Sheryl

Referral update

They have already sent out the batch of referrals for September and finally have some good news to report. They matched thru Febuary 9th, 2006. Our date is finally starting to be closer. There is a month and 5 days worth till they get to our LID date. I believe there will be a few more months of waiting for the referral but we are definitely nearing the end of this LONG wait. And once we get the referral (matched with a child) there is about a two month wait before going to China to bring her home. I am fairly certain that sometime next year we will be going to China to bring Kiana home.

Please pray for our daughter and for the birthmom for I am certain that her birthmom is at least pregnant with her if she isn't already born.

Thank you,

Sheryl

 

update

Referrals have been made thru January 25th, 2006 so they are getting closer to our LID date. We should get another update anytime this week. Please be praying that they get thru at least February 1st or farther. It is looking like our travel will be sometime in the first part of 2009. We are getting closer to bringing home our daughter.

 

An Answered Prayer

We have an awesome God!!!! Yesterday we received a check in the mail that covers the rest of the main adoption expenses so NO MORE FUNDRAISING!!!! YAY!!! You can't see me now but I am jumping up and down for joy. We have been fundraising for 2 years and 5 months so I am very thankful for this part of the adoption process to be completed. We do still have some adoption expenses we will have to pay that may come up, but the bulk of it is taken care of and what is left we feel we can handle without doing any more fundraising. Thank you to everyone who has helped us make it to to this place, for the donations, prayer, and support. THANKS!!! Now we wait.......and wait..... and wait........to bring home Kiana. The wait is hard but I know that God's timing is perfect and that once we have Kiana in our arms we will be thankful that God made us wait for Him because otherwise the little girl wouldn't have been the one God has waiting for us. Please continue to pray for the waiting process and for our precious Kiana.

So again to all who have helped us with the fundraising THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Sheryl

(those who are not subscribed to our adoption blog please take time to check it out, once we go to China we may not be sending emails out too, just posting on our blog, plus thats where you will also be able to see pictures of us with Kiana when we are over there, Thanks)

 

"Be assured that if God waits longer then you could wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious. " Andrew Murray

 

Adoption news update

Hi Everyone,

I haven't updated in awhile because there hasn't been any real news besides its going slow. I do however have a couple updates. As far as funds we only need $4700 now and are pretty excited about being that close.

The referrals have gone through November 27, 05 and our LID (log in date) is March 14th, 06 so there is some progress. I want to ask that everyone pray specifically at the end of every month for a speed up. We get updates the first of every month on the progress. Lately each month referrals are about 2 days to a week per month. We are hoping and praying for a speed up of at least 2 weeks per month which would put us in July to travel. If they continue doing a week or less we won't bring home Kiana until at least April 2009, possibly longer. If they speed up to at least one month per month we could travel in April of 2008. I am adding the two months after referral (where we are matched with our daugther) till travel to each of these dates. Hope this makes sense, if you have questions feel free to email me about it.

 

"Be assured that if God waits longer then you could wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious. " Andrew Murray

 

Prayer

A group of Adoptive parents all over the world has set up a time of prayer for the adoption. I want to ask all our friends and family to join us in this time of prayer.  We are praying on Wednesday, July 18 at 6:00 EST for there to be a speed up in China. The more people praying the better. Thank you in advance to everyone who joins us in this time of prayer.

Sheryl

 

"Be assured that if God waits longer then you could wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious. " Andrew Murray

 

Quick Update

Just wanted to let you know that referrals have made it through November 14th, 05. November is expected to be one of the slowest months so hopefully soon we will see a pick up but at least we are still slowly making progress towards bringing Kiana home. I much rather have one week of referrals in a month then only 2 days. Please pray for a continued speed up. Thanks so much.

Sheryl

 

"Be assured that if God waits longer then you could wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious. " Andrew Murray

 

Open House Fundraiser

Hi Everyone,

Change of plans on the open house fundraiser. The house has already sold so we won't be having the tri - tip sandwhiches and open house on July 1st. however we will still be getting some help with raising the funds we need from friends so hopefully we will be getting close to being done with the fundraising projects. Please pray that soon we will be able to have enough funds. Thank you to everyone who has helped us out so far.

Sheryl

 

"Be assured that if God waits longer then you could wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious. " Andrew Murray

 

Update

Hi Everyone,

Referrals have now been matched through November 7th, 05. November is expected to be a full month and may take another 3 months to get through. Once they complete referrals for November there is hope for a speed up. We could still be looking at another 10 months however before referral and travel two months after that which puts us at about summer of 2008. Please pray for a speed up in matching referrals. We are getting closer to our fundraising goal. We still have See's Candy to sell and then will have one more big fundraiser on July 1st. It is an open house and between 11 - 2 they will be serving tri-tip sandwhich meals for $6 each. For details please email us and hope to see you there.

Sheryl

 

"Be assured that if God waits longer then you could wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious. " Andrew Murray

 

Yard Sale

Hello,

I just wanted to let everyone know that we have another yard sale on April 21st so if you have any donations please email us this week. This will be our last one for awhile because we are only allowed to have 2 per year. Thank you.

Sheryl

 

A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.
Chinese Proverb

 

Tired of Waiting/ Adoption Update

I am soooo tired of waiting............ The referrals have been completed through October 26th now. The last batch of referrals sent was for only 2 days. And they send out the referrals only once a month. It is predicted that November may take 4 months to get through but December through March should hopefully go faster. We are beginning to wonder if we will be able to celebrate this Christmas with Kiana. This is a major let down for us so please pray for a speed up in the process. We are tired of waiting and are eager to hold Kiana in our arms.

Sheryl

 

A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.
Chinese Proverb

 

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 1 year LID (log in date of our paperwork to China) Anniversary! I am excited to finally be at this point. We still have a wait ahead of us but I feel like this is a turning point for us in the waiting process. Hopefully later this year we will be bringing home our daugther.

Our next Yard Sale is on March 24th. We plan to have our second one of the year in April. I will let you know the date once we have found out what will work best for us.

Sheryl

 

A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.
Chinese Proverb