Four Years Ago....

Four years ago today we were celebrating because our dossier had been logged in by China.  We thought we were beginning a 12-14 month wait for a little girl with no known medical conditions.  But God had different plans and our journey took us down the path to Micah.  Two and a half years with Micah and I can't imagine nor can I hardly remember life without him.  And we are just weeks away from meeting Noah, our second son from China.

But if we hadn't changed our course, we would still be waiting for child #1.  China has matched those with LIDs through May 10, 2005.  We would still have months to go before we would receive a match.  I cannot forget those who are still waiting in the non-special needs program.  My thoughts and prayers go out to our original LID buddies.

Article 5

Our Article 5 was issued last Thursday.  That is the last step before China will issue our Travel Authorization (TA).  That will happen in the next 2-4 weeks.  And 1-4 weeks from then, we'll be on our way to China!   WooHoo!  Better start working that packing list!!!!

We are excited to finally hold Noah in our arms.  Please be in prayer that our TA is issued quickly as there are a number of holidays, a trade fair and the Pan Asian games in China from the end of September through November that could make travel dicey (read expensive). 

Kisses in the Wind

(The Waiting Child's Lullaby)

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.

~ © Pamela Durkota

Teeny Tiny Steps to Noah

"Any news on the adoption?"
"What do you hear from China?"
"When can you go get Noah?"
"So when are you traveling anyways?"

These are the questions I hear all the time.  I've asked them myself a few times.

Since we adopted Micah, the US has signed onto the Hague Treaty on adoption.  This treaty governs inter-country adoptions and attempts to make them fair and ethical.  A good thing, I agree.  However, this treaty has added a bunch of steps that must take place between our Letter Of Acceptance and our Travel Authorization from China.  (With Micah we got our TA three weeks after LOA without any action on our part).  Here are the steps that Hague requires (as I understand them):

1. submit your i800 to USCIS  We did this on 6/11
2. wait for provisional approval from the National Benefits Center (NBC). (takes 2-4 weeks). Ours was 7/7
3. NBC forwards your i800 file to the Department of State National Visa Center (NVC) (takes about a week)  Sent 7/9, received by the State Department on 7/12
4. NVC "cables" your file to Guangahou.  Our file was cabled on 7/14
5.  Await letter from National Visa Center stating that your file has been cabled to Guangzhou (another week or so) We got our letter on 7/19 
6. Your agency will walk your LOA & DS 230 (your child's visa application) into the consulate in Guangzhou (only happens on Mondays or Thursdays) Ours was delivered on 7/22
7. Wait for your Article 5 (about two weeks)  We hope to get ours on 8/4
8. Your Article 5 is walked into the CCAA in Beijing. (Next day?)
9. Wait for TA (2-4 weeks).


So we are definitely getting closer to our boy.  I'm finding this part very difficult to wait through.  I just try to remember that once he is in our arms, he will be there forever and the waiting will be forgotten. 

Basketball Camp

Sorry I haven't posted lately.  We had a computer problem and I didn't have access to my pictures for a while.  I'll try to catch y'all up with what's been going on this summer.  

Micah took part in Basketball Camp for 4-6 year olds.  He had a great time and really developed some new skills.  By the end of the week he was shooting and dribbling with much more consistency.  

He took part in a real basketball game.  You should have seen those kids move!  

He earned a medal.  He is so proud of himself.

He sure loves basketball!

Update!

We were blessed to receive a little update on Noah.  Our agency asks for an update about 3 months after submitting our LOI.  Many orphanages don't provide updates, even when asked, so we feel very blessed to get this news.  Noah is nearly 31 inches tall and about 22 pounds.  He lives in the orphanage and they call him Xin Xin.  He eats noodles rice, vegetables, meat and soup. According to the update, he has had surgery on his lip and palate.  It is clear that his lip is repaired.  I'm surprised that his palate has been repaired, but that's what it said.  And they sent a precious picture of our boy.  He is surrounded by items from the care package we sent.  I am entirely captivated by his eyes. 

LOA

We are thrilled and a little overwhelmed.  I am holding in my hands a letter from China called the "Letter Seeking Confirmation of Adopter," better known in the adoption community as LOA (I guess we are really bad at acronyms - LOL).  It signifies official approval of our dossier and asks if we really want to adopt Noah -- um, YEAH! 

We now go through a series of steps to finalize approval from US immigration, after which our travel authorization (TA) will be issued by China.  Our agency estimates that we could travel in 10-13 weeks.

Here's a little info about where we will be going.  Noah is living in Kaifeng, located in the province of Henan, kinda in the middle of China.  I believe that most of our time will be spent in Zhengzhou.