"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break." Ancient Chinese Belief
"To those who wait, time opens every door." Chinese Proverb
We purchased a digital video camera so we can post video from China and just have an easier camera to use. We have a stack of little tapes of Cailtin that need to be transferred to a DVD. This digital process will be much easier. Anyway here it goes.
Hi everyone- about a week ago we got a call from our agency and they let us know our tentative travel dates were October 1st or 2nd. Today we got the call that our Travel Announcement has arrived. This basically means that the Chinese Government has said yes you can travel to our country. Right now we are waiting for our Consulate Appointment which is the second to last day in China. Our travel date is based on when that appointment is scheduled. Our agency requested a consulate appointment for Oct 14th-16th. So we will know in 1-6 days exactly when we will travel. We are super excited. We were just talking last night about how this was the worst part of our wait throughout this whole process which has been amazingly predictable. The timetables we were given were perfect and helped us through each stage. Our agency is awesome. So as time ticks by these next couple days I will be trying to cram 3 months of work into one. China here we come!!!!!!!
Every call has a beginning
A quiet moment when God
whispers a promise to a mother’s heart
A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts
the journey set before him.
A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns…
Casting its first light on a chosen threshold.
A gentle knock..a closed door opens.
A sacred invitation sent by the Father..
Leads to the other side of the world.
Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows
Praying for someone to care..
And then one morning,
On an ordinary day
An orphan’s life changes...
God sends them a second chance...Through you..
--author unknown
We got an official update a few days ago and we received our Letter of Acceptance yesterday. It was about a month earlier than we originally expected and it bumps our travel from end of Oct or Nov up to end of Sept or beginning of October. There are two major Holidays happening during that time and we hope we can get over there in between the celebrations. There are two other families who think they may travel at the same time so that is wonderful as well. The more ther merrier and the less expensive!!So, we are thrilled, stressed and generally crazy over the whole thing. The new batch of paperwork is a bit overwhelming but I keep looking at her sweet face knowing we are meant to be her family and just wishing I could swim over there. Too bad it isn't that easy.
Here is the info:
Fu Hai Xia
08/06/2008 update
Medical/Development:
She does not have a hole in her palate and the cleft did not affect her teeth.
Her cleft lip and palate had both been repaired and she does not need any more surgery.
She is not potty trained and still needs diaper. She can run, jump and go up and down the stairs. She can say some simple words, such as “baba, maam, jiejie, chi fan” and etc., sometimes what she said could not be understand. This does not seem to frustrate her.
Personality:
She plays with toy cars.
She plays well with other children.
She is a docile girl, but sometimes she is stubborn.
General:
The orphanage has received the care package.
She is in the hope foster home, Shun Yi, Beijing.
Here is a brief update on our sweet HaiXia or Samantha Paige. I am getting so used to her chinese name now it seems a shame to change it. Caitlin said tonight as she was getting into bed that she wished she had her baby sister home with her right now. It is very heartening to hear this from her and it makes me feel more confident in their ability to bond. So without further delay here is her update. Oh on more thing. We are waiting on our Letter of Acceptance and then I think we will travel 5-8 weeks afterwards. Normal wait for LOA is averaging 70-90 days. We are at about day 50 I believe. So a ways to go yet...
08/06/2008 update
Medical/Development:
She does not have a hole in her palate and the cleft did not affect her teeth.
Her cleft lip and palate had both been repaired and she does not need any more surgery.
She is not potty trained and still needs diaper. She can run, jump and go up and down the stairs. She can say some simple words, such as “baba, maam, jiejie, chi fan” and etc., sometimes what she said could not be understand. This does not seem to frustrate her.
Personality:
She plays with toy cars.
She plays well with other children.
She is a docile girl, but sometimes she is stubborn.
General:
The orphanage has received the care package.
She is in the hope foster home, Shun Yi, Beijing
