The Wait

     The most common question I've gotten over the past 6 months is: "so....howya doing?"  You have to imagine all the faces looking at me cocked to the side in the same manner, slightly furrowed brow, many times a light hand on my shoulder, and bit of a sing-songy voice.  It's a sincere question and I love how many people are so invested in this adoption process that they earnestly want to know.  My response is almost always, "awww, thanks for asking!  It depends on the day, but I know God has the perfect time for Little One to come home."  It sounds trite, but it's absolutely true....sorta. ;) I KNOW God's timing is perfect and He has been SO incredibly faithful through this entire process.  I cannot question His hand of direction, favor, blessing or comfort at all.  "I will not leave you as orphans' (John 14:18); "God sets the solitary in families" (Psalm 68:6); "For every season there is a time" (Ecc 3:1); "For all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28), I know these truths and whole heartedly believe them.  But.....what I'm screaming on the inside is "THIS SUCKS!!!!!!!!!  I CANNOT WAIT ONE MORE SECOND! WHY CAN'T I BRING MY PRECIOUS CHILD HOME RIGHT NOW?!?!?!  I'm seriously one more adoption form away from a fit on the floor like a two year old: I. WANT. MY. KID. HOME.  What doesn't help is the news from my doctor this week that I have a bleeding ulcer.  "Do you have any extra stress in your life right now?"  You've got to be freaking kidding me...

      Easter service brought me new insight on The Wait.  There was one sentence said in passing by my pastor that caught my ear. It was more of a bridge phrase in the middle of the sermon discussing our lives in response to Christ's death & resurrection.  "...and while we are waiting for Jesus's return...".  We are waiting.  Wait...what?  That means Jesus is waiting too.  Jesus is waiting to bring us home.  He has been waiting a l-o-n-g time. (lightbulb!) This has got to be killing him! (no pun intended).  I had seriously had never given ANY thought to what our Savior must be feeling as He waits to bring US to HIS forever family.  In fact, the more I analyzed the image that I did have, it was more of an uber-compliant second-in-command waiting patiently at the right hand of Father for his decree to go and round us up like cattle and heard us into Heaven.  Honestly...like Spock standing next to Kirk on the deck of the Starship Enterprise; compliant, logical & without emotion. 

(No, I won't reference Dr. McCoy as the Holy Spirit)

     It crushed me that that was my heart's image; that I know so little of Jesus's heart for ME that this is the best I could come up with is embarrassing (although I secretly hope the Lord thinks it's kinda funny).  He has got to be absolutely chomping at the bit!  "Father!  Can I go now?!  Is it time?  I can go now, right?  I'm ready!  Look!  So-&-so just said yes to You.  It's TIME.  They are waiting for us.  I can't wait any longer, Father.  I NEED to see our kids."  While I'm not implying that Jesus is acting like an impatient toddler (like I am!) I am beginning to see that as a parent, Jesus CAN NOT wait to get His hands on us!! But...it His absolute love for His Father that keeps Him sane....and probably avoids ulcers.  Holy Spirit, help me imitate Jesus's love for our Father while I wait to hold my son in my arms!  

     I came across this Christina Perri song recently and I'm absolutely in love with it...I can hear Jesus humming it too: "I have died everyday waiting for you. Darling don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years and I'll love you for a thousand more..." I play it exactly thirty-seven times a day and I desperately pray it gets stuck in your head! 

    

      P.S.....don't stop asking me 'howya doing?"! 

Growing!!

     I received an unexpected update on Little One yesterday!  And I'm pretty sure the planet actually stopped spinning in the nanoseconds between seeing the blinking light on my phone to jumping to slam my office door shut to attempting to explain to my office partner what the emergency was to getting the email open on, what seemed like at the time, the world's slowest computer E-V-E-R.  (I think I actually smacked the side of the screen & told it to HURRY UP SILLY.)  It was all totally worth it, because I got to see my boy!  All twenty pounds of his chubby cheeked 15 & 1/2month goodness.  It was like finally getting a big breath.  He's OK.  He's healthy and being taken care of and he has a tooth.  He's definitely OK.  THANK YOU Jesus.

     I am unclear as to if this update is in response to my allotted twenty questions I sent in last month, or if this is a standard update, either way I have current information and that relieves this Momma's heart. He will be 16months next week and he just passed the 20lb mark. That may sound small compared to typical child development, but on the adjusted Down syndrome growth chart he is above the 50th% for weight and above the 90th% for height...he's going to be tall like his cousins!  He is cruising around the furniture and walking with one-hand assist (that's huge!), so he may not need much therapy when he gets home.  He is not talking much (I like the strong silent type), but he follows commands and responds well to his foster mother. The report says that he consoles easily to hugs, which makes me happy; there is someone who is loving him and he is loving them back. He is also sleeping through the night (hallelujah!) and plays well with other kids...I'm really excited about both of those things.

   I also got photos!!  I can't share those publicly, but I can tell you that Little One is HAND-SOME!  His foster mother was kind enough to take these pictures in the same places as his original 9month photos, so I can easily see his growth.  (Thank you!).  It appears that someone got a little excited with the buzz cut, but he sits up like a little man and makes direct eye contact, which is impressive.  You could nearly drown in those big almond eyes.  In one picture, he is so engaged with the camera you can't help but wonder what his little mind was doing right then & there.  Oh!  And he has pudge around the knuckles of his right hand!  SOOO cute.

    I'm not sure if having this updated information will make it harder or easier in this time of waiting.  And I wonder if he has ANY idea what will be happening in the next few months.  I pray that the Holy Spirit is already preparing his body to stay healthy, his mind to easily transition into a new language & culture, and his little emotions as he comes home to this blue-eyed family. And...for the smooching.  There is going to be A LOT of smooching from A LOT of people!

March Update (a little late)

     March had a couple of big mileposts on this journey. I feel a little like we are moving forward at a snail's pace, but that is only in comparison to how incredibly fast things were moving up til now. Forward (& West) momentum is the goal and forward is where we are moving.

     On March 19th I received notice of my LID...logged in date...of 2/27/12. In adoption-speak, this is BIG. This notates that China officially received & accepted my dossier and is working to review & translate the appropriate documents.  Whooohooooo!  There is conflicting information on how long this portion will take, but I am daily praying for favor and protection over that process so we can receive the LOA...letter of approval in God's perfect timing.

     I also received permission to get some updated information about Little One. Oh what a blessing that is!  The only information or photos I have is from his 9month check-up & he is now nearly 16months, so it's been a challenge to try to guess his looks & personality from the little pieces of information that I do have.  Two of my friends have children the same age as Little One.  I often find myself staring that their kiddos crossed-eyed (like those hidden picture posters!) hoping to see a skinny-legged Asian boy with big almond eyes that is mine.  Sometimes I think I can see him, but mostly, I become acutely aware of those around me wondering if I'm in the middle of a seizure!  I was allotted just 20 questions and an updated photo, so I had to get creative on how to get as much information as possible with as few physical questions as possible.  The process seriously reminded me of a bad blind-dating game show...

   A whole host of friends blessed me with a couple of adoption showers this month too!  What a treat to be surrounded by families from so many different areas of my life that love Little One already. The generosity of so many wonderful people has been overwhelming.  One particularly precious gift was from my sister-in-law.  She hand-made a family story blanket--each panel representing a person or piece of Little One's story.  (See pictures below).  I can already imagine the night-time routine of counting out each square and remembering how God brought our family together...how special!!

Family story blanket.
Each panel representing a family member of piece of our family story.

Little One's First Home

Little One's Forever Home

   A warm THANK YOU to all that have helped with the fundraising that took place this month. I am still so overwhelmed with how God is providing. It really is amazing.  April has a few projects courtesy of Cassandra Hamilton Photography, and May (weather permitting) will finally be the adoption garage sale.  There are now two garages FILLED TO THE CEILING with boxes & items for the sale.  What an event THAT weekend will be!

Explaining Adoption

     I have a lot of little humans in my life. To many I am Auntie, to others I am their DeDa and to a few I am Miss.  They are each at wonderful stages in their lives and I enjoy every single one of them (Hi Kids!)...of course, their parents are pretty awesome too.  :)
     One conversation that has come up with each parent set is how best to explain the beauty of adoption without triggering a very real fear of being "given away" themselves.   Listed below are a few resources to help stimulate the conversation of God's call to care for orphans (James 1:27), His promise to care for EVERYONE ( Psalm 68:5-6 ), His absolute promise to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and some kid friendly videos.

• PBS kids has an AWESOME two part episode of Arthur directly relating to adoption from China. I've linked the YouTube episodes here: part 1, part 2. This is perfect for watching together with the kids! 

• There are A LOT of great kid books out there about adoption, which in its self can be overwhelming. But here is a short list of some good conversation starters geared toward preschoolers.
• God Found Us You   by Lisa Tawn Bergren
• A Mother for Choco   by Keiko Kasza
• Shaoey and Dot   by Mary Beth & Steven Curtis Chapman
• I Love You Like Crazy Cakes  by Rose Lewis
• I Wished for You   by Marianne Richmond

• The Adoption Journey has a lovely review of the Biblical Perspective of adoption and a great testimony from Tony Dungy, coach of the Super Bowl XLI winning Indianapolis Colts.  This is a great conversation starter for slightly older kiddos...and adults. 

• You may have heard about Mary Beth Chapman (wife of Christian songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman)'s book Choosing to See. I encourage EVERYONE to read this book.  It's not the be all & end all of adoption books, but rather the Chapman family testimony of how God brought the call of adoption into their lives and the resulting love & heartbreak.  Get yourself some chocolate & Kleenex...you'll need both with this book.

• At church we have been working our way through the book of Romans and most recently God's call to care for each other as family (Romans 15 & 16). While this week's sermon was not a classic adoption sermon (sans James 1:27), I thought it gave wonderful insight as Christians adopting each other into our larger family of God.  You can watch the podcast here.  I challenge you to view it through the eyes of adoption...into what family have you been adopted?  Who do I need to adopt into my family?

$3.51: A Fundraising Update

     Today was the Adoption Photo Day courtesy of Cassandra Hamilton Photography...what an adventure!  You would think that March 17th, even in Seattle, would be a semi-decent day to photograph outdoors.  Apparently, not! While the rest of the nation was enjoying 70+degree heat, today we had freezing rain, followed by snow, then just wet rain, then blinding sun!  Such a weird day!!  But a FUN day!  I got to meet the all beautiful people who are helping to bring Little One home, one semi-frozen smile at at time.  Couples, families with kids, families with dogs, in-laws, cake-decorators, interior-decorators, dads on their way to Africa, lovely ladies out of college, just because photo-shoots, and special photo-shoots for grandma. Most strangers to me before today...all stepping out in the passionate belief that God puts families together through adoption.  To all that came today and that have participated in Cassandra's photo mentoring mornings & photo sessions ...Thank you!  Because of you, an additional $4, 265 has been raised to bring Little One home!! 

     The MOST precious moment of the day, was when my little friends Noah & Elli came up and pulled on my pant leg.  Ages 5 & 3, they have heard their parents talking about Little One joining the family and apparently wanted to help bring their new 'cousin' home too.  With bright faces they presented me with a plastic baggie with exactly $3.51 in change...the entirety of their little lives' savings.  I.  Was. A. Crying. Mess.    I was in the delivery room for the birth of both of these children; the THIRD kiss of their lives was from their Auntie Desiree.  I know them.  I pray over them.  I love them.  And to have them present their precious gift to the Lord through me was nearly more than I could bear.  A velvet bag of diamonds could never compare to that little plastic baggie of coins.  And I can only imagine the melting of God's heart right then in the freezing rain. 

     To Noah & Elli and all those that are giving to our Father through my little family, I pray you know the deepest promise of blessing from our Lord (Heb 6:10)... 'cuz you are blessing my socks off!

    



A Fun Foto Fundraiser! (A Phun Photo Phundraiser?)

     In just one week from today, Cassandra Hamilton Photography will be hosting a day of photo mini-sessions with all proceeds going towards bringing Little One home!  There is still time to schedule your session so see here for details.

     Is this an incredible opportunity to have head shots taken of your kids, of yourself, of you & your loved-ones, etc for just $20 (single) & $40 (group). PERFECT for Easter or Mother's Day gifts!! *hint hint* Cassandra is a notable photographer and is passionate about adoption; she has not only been a herald for all things Little One *wink*, but also a motivator & encourager to me in this time of waiting.  I am absolutely thrilled for the day I'll be able to introduce my son to her and her family (and I am already envisioning her boys showing Little One the ropes around Kids Church!). What a treasure to be blessed by such a sister & friend. I do hope you'll take advantage of the opportunity to be photographed by her on March 17th!

Side note---I get to be Cassandra's official photography assistant next Saturday and carry the clipboard...and I am TOTALLY psyched about it! I'm seriously considering carrying a Jimmy Olsen Press Pass...although, technically Cassandra would be the photographer, which would make me Lois Lane...doesn't matter...TOTALLY psyched!

All of the agency fees have now been paid {can I get a hallelujah?!} so all fundraising from this point forward is for travel {$5000}and country-specific fees {$7700}.

February Update

     February has been a strange-ish month on the adoption road.  As you can see, the pile of adoption books is STILL growing.  My 'favorites' thus far have been The Lost Daughters of China: Abandoned Girls, Their Journey to America, and the Search for a Missing Past (excellent look into Chinese history & adoption), Successful Adoption: A Guide for Christian Families (a VERY practical guide with wonderful Biblical side notes and personal stories from 'notable' Christians in the adoption process), and I Wished for You: An Adoption Story (a beautiful gift from my Best Friend about a Momma bear and her son).  There have been other good books about Down syndrome, attachment disorders, and international adoption issues, but there are only so many books on a single topic that you can read back to back before you kind of want to poke your eyes out.   The good news is...this is the month that I finished my mandatory training, reading and book reports. Whoohooo!  Despite the last couple book reports dwindling down to just bullet points, my social worker was  impressed and a Gold Star was put on my file.  :)

     Even more exciting, my Dossier arrived in China on February 12th! This is HUGE.  E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g we've done in the last eight months has been to get the Dossier To China (DTC).  Everything. Our friends in China are now reviewing that precious stack of paperwork and will (hopefully) decide to send me an official Letter of Acceptance (LOA).  With that letter in hand, we can process Little One's immigration paperwork AND publicly post Little One's name & photos...AND buy a plane ticket!! What a day THAT will be!  Oh my gosh...I don't even know what I'll do when I have that piece of paper in my hand.  For the lovely lady in Quebec, Canada that has been reading this blog, if you hear a wild scream in the wind sometime in the next six plus weeks...you'll know what day it is!

     February hosted the Adoption Auction.  I was so impressed with how word spread of the auction and the all the lovely donations that were auctioned off.  Don't you just love how God brings people together?!  $1,300 was raised, which according to my most recent search, is the EXACT cost of a cozy little ride from Seattle to Beijing.  Isn't that awesome!!  God is providing exactly what is needed, exactly when it is needed, one day at a time.

       Since all my paperwork, reading and reports are done, I've been playing around in Little One's room.  The before & after pictures are pretty impressive if I don't mind saying so myself.  :)  I hope to post those photos soon. (Yes, that is his crib in the above picture!) Until then, my social worker recommended that I have a small comfort item to send ahead to Little One before I arrive...and to make sure to sleep with it so it absorbs my smell.  Umm...excuse me?!  I'll admit, it makes total sense, but having never been a dolly-girl as a child, cuddling up with a capitated-blanket at thirty-four years old seemed a little over the top.  BUT...I did it.  For a week I snuggled & slept with Little One's giraffe lovey (in the picture above) and prayed that my, uh...fragrance...would be peaceful and comforting to him while we await our first meeting. Probably, the first time I've prayed that particular prayer, but 2 Corinthians says we are the fragrance of Christ so I'm feeling more confident.

     As you can see, it's been strangely busy/not-busy sort of a month.  Turns out I'm not a particular fan of passive waiting.  But I am assured that as there is a season for proactive waiting, there is also a time for expectant waiting (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

But...oh, for the day when I don't have to wait any longer!

Baby Pictures

     I have just four photos of Little One. They all appear to be taken on the same day, in what I assume was a speed session of Chinese Orphan Glamor Shots, and if the printed date in the corner is correct, he is about 9months old in the pictures. In those four digital glimpses into his life, I can see that he is sitting up on his own, that he can hold focus toward something (specifically me, when I'm looking at the picture!); developmentally speaking, he has his mouth closed in three of the images which tells me he has pretty good muscle control (an issue in most kids with Down syndrome), and given the hardwood floors that I can see in the background & his position in the baby walker he is in...I'd say he probably scoots around pretty well (that's my boy!)  So much information from four little photos on a single day.
     As a family waiting, I've had a lot of fun with his photos---taking pictures of his framed image at his First Birthday, at Christmas with his stocking, a big family photo with an infant Green Bay Packer Cheeshead teetering on the corner of his frame (might as well get him used to it). He is a part of this family and I don't want to miss anything with him...even though he is 5,000 miles away.  When he gets home I'm sure we'll FILL albums upon albums of daily life, major accomplishments, funny events and sweet moments.  It's the photos that give us the insight and document the memories. And memories we will have!
     What I don't have is Little One's baby pictures. Nothing to document his first smile, first foods, first steps on this earth. It is a sad reality of adoption that very few forever-families are able to remedy.  I was going to let myself grieve that loss...until I found the pieces of art below.  I don't know who the artist is, but he/she has given me Little One's baby pictures. The MOST precious and truthful pictures this family could have. They are framed & hanging in Little One's nursery as we speak. In fact, he'll be lucky if I ever let him take them down!! (Sorry kiddo, I'm pulling rank)

Adoption Auction Totals

THANK YOU to ALL who participated in the Online Adoption Auction to bring Little One home!!  We are now...$1300 closer!!  What an amazing outpouring of support.  To those who donated...thank you; your generosity is bringing my family together.  To those who help support the process...thank you; we could not have done it without you.  To those who donated towards these items...thank you and I hope you thouroughly enjoy your manicured lawns, customs cakes, contemporary prints, handmade hats and all the other amazing items that were bid on over this weekend.  It truly is amazing what the sincere efforts of a few can do to affect so many.  Thank you!!

Down syndrome 101

     My handsome boy is special in a thousand different ways. God made him with dark almond eyes and straight black hair, different from my round blue eyes & wonky curly-ish hair.  His skin has a soft Asian glow, mine is that special blend of European-pale that Sherwin-Williams has yet to market as a money-making paint color. His file says he loves music and is especially fond of bath time. I imagine he'll like to play in the dirt & listen to his Uncle talk about football. In short, he is everything that makes him a little boy. BUT he also has an extra chromosome...which makes him THE COOLEST kid on the block.
      Many of you have quietly asked for information about Down syndrome, which thrills my heart.  I want people to be interested in one of the things that makes my kiddo special and to be aware of those around them that may also have a unique physical or mental trait.  I also don't want anyone to be scared or sheepish about Down syndrome.  It's alright...it's not contagious.  :)

     Down syndrome was named after Dr. John Langdon Down, who first described the condition. The correct terminology is just that: Down syndrome. Not Down’s, or Down’s Syndrome, because Dr. Down did not have the condition (so we do not use the possessive form,) and “syndrome” is not capitalized because it is not a proper noun. You may also see Down syndrome abbreviated online as DS or Ds.

     Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal anomaly, occurring in approximately 1 in 733 births in the US. However, as common as it is, there are less and less babies being born with the condition, because about 92-93% of mothers who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Ds choose to abort the baby. This comes to about 65,000+ babies aborted each year due to a prenatal diagnosis. I can’t tell you how much it saddens me that so many lives are lost. I am sad not only for the babies, but also for the parents who are missing out on having an amazing child. And, I am sad for my Little One who will have less friends who are like him. With fewer people having the condition, others will know less about it, there will be fewer resources for him and less research done about Ds.

     Down syndrome is a spectrum disorder, which means the physical, emotional & mental impact of this genetic trait can vary from person to person, but there are common characteristics:

• Shorter stature.  A child with Ds generally grows slower & as a result is shorter than average.
• Weak muscles (hypotonia) throughout the body. A child may seem to have less strength than other children of the same age and weak abdominal muscles also make the stomach stick out. (NOT limited to Ds...let's be honest)
• Short, stocky arms and legs. Some children also have a wide space between the big toe and second toe.
• A single crease across the center of the palms of the hands. (Betchya that'll throw off the palm-readers, uh?!)
• The nasal bridge is the flat area between the nose and eyes.
• Small, low-set ears.
• A higher rate of cardiac anomalies, gastrointestinal problems and sometimes, although rarely, leukemia.
• Very low rate of dental cavities! (Something to smile about!)
• Generally sweet & gentile personalities. 

     THE MOST important thing to remember about Down syndrome, is that it is a genetic influence of the body NOT of the person.  A child with Ds has been created in God's image (Gen 1:27) and has the same call & gifting that any 'typical' person has; the Holy Spirit is not hindered by physical ability, mental agility or the number of palmar creases, nor should our expectation of God's miraculous work through someone whose body is lugging around an extra chromosome.  In my experience with Ds, I believe it'll take us all a very short amount of time with Little One before we realize WE are the ones that have been short changed in the genetics department! :)
    
     My friend Cassandra gave me an AWESOME book photo-documenting Down syndrome called I'm Down With You.  I've added a link here to the website.  I encourage you take a look and love on those precious faces.  There will be one more among us SOON.

      If you would like more information about Down syndrome, PLEASE feel free to ask. There is also great information at the National Down Syndrome Society web page.
  

Fundraising Bonanza!

     The speed at which God has opened the doors to bring Little One home has been...phenomenal to say the least. Laughable seems disrespectful, but I can't help at laugh at every record breaking event that has happened thus far. Old Testament Sarah laughed at the possibility of God performing a miracle; I'm laughing at how He is doing it! 

    Many people have asked about the cost of bringing Little One home and how they can help.  I won't lie, adoption costs are significant. With travel to China included, it will cost approximately $30,000 (paid up front) to bring Little One home.  This isn't much more than the cost of a natural pregnancy...but wouldn't you know it, health insurance doesn't cover adoption costs (I'll have to call my Congressman about that).  I'm working extra shifts & I've applied for eight different adoption grants and I hope to hear from those foundations by spring. With savings, extra work & potential grants it looks like the first $20,000 has been provided for. (Isn't that just incredible?!).

     Now that the word is out about Little One's arrival, there has been an AMAZING outpouring of support from friends two & three times removed. I'm chatting with people I didn't know I didn't know!  There are SO many wonderful people with a heart for adoption but aren't physically in a place where they can adopt into their own families...nearly all have asked how they can help.  Here are the ways that you can help bring our Little One home:

• Cassandra Hamilton Photography has generously offered a day of mini sessions with all the proceeds (plus any extra donations) to go toward to Little One's fund.  Saturday March 17th from 10am to 2pm, outside Northwest Church, will be the scene of individual portraits and small group portraits. I cannot say enough WONDERFUL things about Cassandra & her photography. Please consider this an amazing opportunity to be photographed by her.
• ($20 donation) The individual portraits are perfect for children, for you for your website or as a social media image or just because. You can choose black and white or color. The full resolution image will be emailed to you.
• ($40 donation)The small group pictures can have 2-4 people. Think you and your sweetie, siblings, you and your bestie, you and your child, you and your mom (then you can make it into a great print for Mother’s Day). You can choose black and white or color. The full resolution image will be emailed to you.
• More information can be found here at Cassandra's blog.

• Community garage sale.  If you have goodies worthy of another home or project, please consider donating to the Spring Adoption Garage Sale (date to be determined, pending Seattle weather). THEN, come peruse other people's goodies to see what would look good in your home! With what has already been donated I think $1,000 net is an easy goal.

• Online auction.  Doesn't this sound like fun?  BEAUTIFUL handmade goods & quality services have been donated just for Little One's welcome home.  More information to come in the next 10days!

• Direct donation. If you are not able to participate directly in any of the above events but would still like to donate, direct donations can be made either to myself or to Bethany Christian Services with my name notation. There is no tax deduction, but there is an awfully cute toddler who can give you a hug or a high five someday! Please feel free to email me for more information.

• Prayer.  Yes, prayer. There are many who have a passion for adoption but aren't able to invest in this type of ministry financially. That's okay!  God's movement does not depend on our paper currency; nor does our ability to obey.  I would ask everyone to continue to pray for open doors & favor, but to those who have the gift of prayer covering to offer...especially pray on the day of mini-sessions, the community garage sale, the online auction and over the pending grants.  

     I am resting in the promise that God is going to provide every nickle, dime & hundred dollar bill needed to bring Little One home. He owns the cattle on a thousands hills (Psalm 50:10), so $30,000 is chump change in His economy. (I just did the math: approx $1500 per cow x 42 cows per herd x 1000 hills = $63million.  We should be good.)

     THANK YOU for being a part of this incredible process.  I'll keep you updated on dates & totals as we go.

My Mother Knows I Was Born

     I had a bit of a panic attack this morning. Seven months of meticulous record keeping, document seeking, filing, requesting & sorting information for my Dossier, and the precious package arrived in Michigan this morning. Whew & Hallelujah!  BUT...my Oregon state sealed birth certificate apparently is due to pass the 6month validity deadline tomorrow. Per my international helper in Michigan, this means...I have to get a new one. WHAT?!!! All that work!  I texted my mother to complain...I thought she was going to come out of her skin: "Who wants official documentation of your birth?! I'll give them something official to document! I was there! You were there. You're still here. It's official-you were born. What's the problem?!"     Whoa, nelly.  (She has a point...and I think she wants to get her hands on her grandson.)

     This is part of the game that is Adoption Paperwork. I need the exact same piece of paper, signed by the same people, in the same envelope, going to the same place with the left corner documenting this month's date...not last month's date in the right corner.    Arrggg.  The notary is my new best friend.

     After two big breaths, I hopped on the phone to the State of Oregon's Department of Vital Statistics and got someone real to talk to. (A miracle in & of itself). I calmly asked for another $35 birth certificate and oh, did she know the address to the Oregon Secretary of State to reseal the document. "Well, I can just send this right over for you if you'd like." If I'd like?! Nice-lady-person, I'd take that over just about anything right now! (The alternative, was receiving the birth certificate by mail & resending it back to Oregon to be resealed, having it sent back to me, then sent to Michigan = TIME CONSUMING). She also offered a phone number to confirm the transaction with the Secretary of State's office...turns out she gave me the direct number to THE Secretary of State of Oregon. "um...hello, Ms. Brown...your honor...ship, ma'am". (What do you say?!).  Thankfully, they are pretty good people in Salem, Oregon and they'll seal my birth certificate and get it back to me...before Monday. Whoohooo! We are right back on track.

     The doors just keep opening...it's TRULY amazing.  I'm so looking forward to telling Little One his story...our story...and of the Greatness who brought us together.  "He is our praise; He is our God, who performed for us those great & awesome wonders we saw with our own eyes!"  (Deuteronomy 10:21).  And of a Gramma that will thrown down a vital statistics office if needed...
     (Just joking secret government blog watchers. Just joking.)

20 Minutes--Two Reams of Paper--$13.04

Today was the culmination of nearly 7months of paperwork:

Twenty minutes in Olympia, Washington's capital, to get my final documents signed & sealed by Sam Reed, the Secretary of State.  Twenty minutes from the time we walked in the office to the time we walked out...on a Friday afternoon...before a holiday...TWENTY MINUTES.  I should no longer be shocked by the time warp God seems to have Little One & I on, but come on...it's a government office!

Welcome to Olympia

Secretary of State's office

It took two reams of paper (and a couple of ink jet replacements) to print out four copies of the completed dossier.  One copy for me to hand carry to China, one copy for my social worker, and two copies to the adoption agency's international office.

This is what my international caseworker calls "organized & motivated"!

To express mail my precious dossier to Michigan...$13.04.  (I'll admit it, I was short 3 pennies and my mom had to help me out).  The dossier will arrive Tuesday afternoon for final review then it will be sent for authentication at the Chinese consulate in Washington DC. Officially, authentication can take two to four weeks...but I've stopped paying attention to the official time estimates.  God hasn't ever seemed to pay them any mind.  :)

This is one precious pile of paperwork.

I'll be posting lots of information in the coming weeks, so look here for updates. Things have moved so unbelievably fast, that we are now in a bit of a mad rush to get everything ready for Little One's arrival; it could happen in the next 3-4months.  My friend Julie has started a pool as to when Little One is coming home...anyone else in for April 5th?!