It's official (almost) We have departure times!!Date: 2/28/2006
After a somewhat frustrating 3 hours, I think we finally have travel dates and plane reservations. We are still waiting on official written confirmation from the CCAA that our Consulate Appointment is on Mar 20. Once that comes in, the credit card runs and the tickets are printed.There was some sort of a problem with the tickets for my friend that is going with me, so we actually are leaving a day earlier than everyone else. We will all come back together on March 22nd, but I am leaving on March 7th, not the 8th.Once everything is final, I will post our travel itinerary. Please join me in praying that I am able to visit her orphanage and her finding site!! That is still up in the air right now. Maury is working on it, though.Thanks for all of your encouraging words!!! Keep praying!! Safety, peace, and finances!!Tamie
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Monday, February 27, 2006
8 days...
8 Days and counting!!!Date: 2/27/2006
Another day gone, and another list checked off!!! I had a lot of phone calls to make today. I got her all set up with her pediatrician, hand surgeon, and also an appointment at the International Adoption Clinic at Riley.Most importantly, I got everything squared away at school. I am officially off work after March 2nd at least until April 12th. Once I get Addie Mei home and see how we are doing, I will make decisions for after that. All depends on her!!!It has been amazing to me to see how many people want to help get things ready for my trip! I got to tell all the students today, and they were all SO excited!!! I love these kids!! They were all so great and asking what they could do! Nothing, but the thought was great!!That's about it!! Keep praying!! Safety, peace and finances!!Tamie
Another day gone, and another list checked off!!! I had a lot of phone calls to make today. I got her all set up with her pediatrician, hand surgeon, and also an appointment at the International Adoption Clinic at Riley.Most importantly, I got everything squared away at school. I am officially off work after March 2nd at least until April 12th. Once I get Addie Mei home and see how we are doing, I will make decisions for after that. All depends on her!!!It has been amazing to me to see how many people want to help get things ready for my trip! I got to tell all the students today, and they were all SO excited!!! I love these kids!! They were all so great and asking what they could do! Nothing, but the thought was great!!That's about it!! Keep praying!! Safety, peace and finances!!Tamie
Sunday, February 26, 2006
9 days...
9 days to Addie Mei!!!!Date: 2/26/2006
Today was full of running around and buying things I had not thought of until I actually HAD to. Like a fire proof safe to keep all of the adoption papers in. I am so thankful I worked out my daily To-Do lists! It has really helped keep my mind calm and stay focused. When I start the "Did I think of this, or that..." game, I just tell myself it is on ________ days list. It really helps me not "worry." I am not a worrier by nature, but this is pretty big. It helps me to have things on paper.I got together with some friends who are veteran adoptive parents. They have been to China 3 times! They gave me some good tips for while in Guangzhou and places to be sure to visit. God has surrounded me with wonderful people!!!Not too much else to report. Keep up to date here, as sometime soon my travel plans should be coming!!!!!Keep praying!! Safety, peace, finances!!Tamie
Today was full of running around and buying things I had not thought of until I actually HAD to. Like a fire proof safe to keep all of the adoption papers in. I am so thankful I worked out my daily To-Do lists! It has really helped keep my mind calm and stay focused. When I start the "Did I think of this, or that..." game, I just tell myself it is on ________ days list. It really helps me not "worry." I am not a worrier by nature, but this is pretty big. It helps me to have things on paper.I got together with some friends who are veteran adoptive parents. They have been to China 3 times! They gave me some good tips for while in Guangzhou and places to be sure to visit. God has surrounded me with wonderful people!!!Not too much else to report. Keep up to date here, as sometime soon my travel plans should be coming!!!!!Keep praying!! Safety, peace, finances!!Tamie
Saturday, February 25, 2006
10 Days....
10 Days to Addie Mei, and counting!!!Date: 2/25/2006
What started out as a frustrating idea of having to spend 9 hours at a wrestling match, as the athletic trainer, turned into a wonderful blessing!! I had begun a To-do list and it was about a half of a page long. I thought I had it pretty much covered. HA!!!I had 9 hours to just sit and think and contemplate on everything that has happened in the last 36 hours. It was a true blessing to have that much "down time," in between the bloody noses and booboo's of middle school wrestling. My 1/2 page list turned into 5 pages quickly. Those 5 pages then got color coded by what had to be done on what days. Then a list for each days' tasks was compiled. (Yes, the OCD really does show in times of stress :o) LOL I can say, that I feel so much better about all that needs to be done because I can see, on paper, that it can be done!I spent a lot of time with God today and came to some decisons about the travel details. I decided that I am not going to let finances dictate what I can and cannot experience with this adoption. God has carried me through so much, I have to trust that He will provide and carry my through the rest of the way!!I decided that I will go to Beijing to experience some of the culture and heritage of my daughter's birth country. This was going to be left out, as it will require 2 plane tickets from Beijing to Guangzhou. I also am going to BEG, I mean BEG to see my daughters orphanage. This will require another 2 round trip in China flights, 3 if they charge me for Addie Mei. I also decided to stay at the White Swan Hotel the entire trip. I was going to stay at another hotel which is much less expensive, but really feel that I need to be with the rest of my travel group. This decision triples my budget for hotels, though. So, travel decisions are made. Please join me in praying that the Lord provides all finances needed to make this experience happen!! I have no idea of how much this adds to my budget, but God does and He WILL provide!! I am living proof that prayers are answered!! I thank you for bowing your knees on Addie mei's behalf!!God Bless,Tamie
What started out as a frustrating idea of having to spend 9 hours at a wrestling match, as the athletic trainer, turned into a wonderful blessing!! I had begun a To-do list and it was about a half of a page long. I thought I had it pretty much covered. HA!!!I had 9 hours to just sit and think and contemplate on everything that has happened in the last 36 hours. It was a true blessing to have that much "down time," in between the bloody noses and booboo's of middle school wrestling. My 1/2 page list turned into 5 pages quickly. Those 5 pages then got color coded by what had to be done on what days. Then a list for each days' tasks was compiled. (Yes, the OCD really does show in times of stress :o) LOL I can say, that I feel so much better about all that needs to be done because I can see, on paper, that it can be done!I spent a lot of time with God today and came to some decisons about the travel details. I decided that I am not going to let finances dictate what I can and cannot experience with this adoption. God has carried me through so much, I have to trust that He will provide and carry my through the rest of the way!!I decided that I will go to Beijing to experience some of the culture and heritage of my daughter's birth country. This was going to be left out, as it will require 2 plane tickets from Beijing to Guangzhou. I also am going to BEG, I mean BEG to see my daughters orphanage. This will require another 2 round trip in China flights, 3 if they charge me for Addie Mei. I also decided to stay at the White Swan Hotel the entire trip. I was going to stay at another hotel which is much less expensive, but really feel that I need to be with the rest of my travel group. This decision triples my budget for hotels, though. So, travel decisions are made. Please join me in praying that the Lord provides all finances needed to make this experience happen!! I have no idea of how much this adds to my budget, but God does and He WILL provide!! I am living proof that prayers are answered!! I thank you for bowing your knees on Addie mei's behalf!!God Bless,Tamie
Friday, February 24, 2006
Miracles still happen!
Miracles still happen!!!!!!!Date: 2/24/2006
I have so much whirling in my head right now as I type, so forgive my rambling!! I will start by telling you all that I am China bound!!!!!!! I received "THE CALL" this morning at 10:30am telling me that I got my travel approval. Addie Mei, mama is coming in less than 2 weeks!!! Hold on baby girl!!!!!!The miracle began yesterday. I received an emial from my agency telling me that my dossier had not been reveiwed by the CCAA yet. This was a crushing blow to me, as they have had it for 73 days. I went through some very dark moments of despair and complete frustration to utter anger towards the CCAA. I was very thankful to be at a friends house and not alone when I got the email!!I spoke to a few close friends and they prayed for me, some through the night. I was ill this morning from it all, so I did not go into work. I was laying in my bed, thinking that I had nothing to get up for, so I was just going to lay there. As soon as that thought left my head, my phone rang and it was my agancy.Maury, my coordinator, seemed just as baffled as I am/was about receiving this Travel Approval after the news we got yesterday. I believe without a shadow of a doubt that God moved!!! I even believe that they never even looked at my dossier, He just made it happen to give me approval.So after feeling that this was not going to ever happen last night, to frantically trying to make sure all is in order for the trip, I am a mess!!! This has been a heartwrenching 24 hours!!!!!!!!We are hoping to travel on Mar 7th and return on the 22nd or 23rd. I will have specifics next week. I will be traveling with my friend Brenda, and we will be going to China at the same time as some friends from my church as they go get their daughter!!!! All works out wonderfully!!!!I still need to raise $6000 to have this happen debt free. Please pray with me that the Lord will provide all that is needed!!!!!!!!!God bless!!!
I have so much whirling in my head right now as I type, so forgive my rambling!! I will start by telling you all that I am China bound!!!!!!! I received "THE CALL" this morning at 10:30am telling me that I got my travel approval. Addie Mei, mama is coming in less than 2 weeks!!! Hold on baby girl!!!!!!The miracle began yesterday. I received an emial from my agency telling me that my dossier had not been reveiwed by the CCAA yet. This was a crushing blow to me, as they have had it for 73 days. I went through some very dark moments of despair and complete frustration to utter anger towards the CCAA. I was very thankful to be at a friends house and not alone when I got the email!!I spoke to a few close friends and they prayed for me, some through the night. I was ill this morning from it all, so I did not go into work. I was laying in my bed, thinking that I had nothing to get up for, so I was just going to lay there. As soon as that thought left my head, my phone rang and it was my agancy.Maury, my coordinator, seemed just as baffled as I am/was about receiving this Travel Approval after the news we got yesterday. I believe without a shadow of a doubt that God moved!!! I even believe that they never even looked at my dossier, He just made it happen to give me approval.So after feeling that this was not going to ever happen last night, to frantically trying to make sure all is in order for the trip, I am a mess!!! This has been a heartwrenching 24 hours!!!!!!!!We are hoping to travel on Mar 7th and return on the 22nd or 23rd. I will have specifics next week. I will be traveling with my friend Brenda, and we will be going to China at the same time as some friends from my church as they go get their daughter!!!! All works out wonderfully!!!!I still need to raise $6000 to have this happen debt free. Please pray with me that the Lord will provide all that is needed!!!!!!!!!God bless!!!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
New pics...
New pics of the baby!!!!Date: 2/15/2006
Hey just a quick note to share my little girls newest pictures!! These are so precious! They are the first pictures I have seen of Addie Mei on her feet! She is changing too fast, TA's please come soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Keep praying!!!!
Hey just a quick note to share my little girls newest pictures!! These are so precious! They are the first pictures I have seen of Addie Mei on her feet! She is changing too fast, TA's please come soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Keep praying!!!!
Thursday, February 9, 2006
Update
Update on Addie Mei!!!!Date: 2/9/2006
I wanted to let you all know about the update I got on my little girl. It looks like things are a bit slow in China right now, and the timeline is being backed up to a 3 to 4 month wait from the time my dossier was logged in. It was only 1 to 2 months when I started. My dossier was logged in on Dec 13, 2005. I hope to hear something from the CCAA, Chinese Center of Adoption Affairs, sometime by April 13th and then prayerfully travel no later than May 1st. Pure speculation and grasping at straws. No one knows what will happen when.This delay has been very challanging for me, to say the least. The Lord has surrounded me with wonderful people though!! I have had 2 wonderful baby showers to bless this little child! I have 2 more coming in a week in MI!!! This visit to MI will be the first time I get to be with my friends, shower 1, and entire family, shower 2, since I started this adoption journey! This have been very helpful in passing the time and being surrounded by people who love me and Addie Mei.I received a $2000 grant from China Care Foundation!! This grant foundation is designed to help special needs children find their forever families!! This is a very generous grant!!! I also am receiving a pretty substantial return from my income taxes this year! God is continuing to work out the finances needed. I have no more grants that I am waiting on, so the rest is up to me, and God of course!!Now to the update! I got an email today from Maury with an attachment from the orphanage. I will summerize the growth and then cut and past the written update. She is:30 inches tall22 poundshas 6 teethand her feet are 4.73 inches longFrom the orphanage:She can walk, squat and get up freely. She can walk quickly toward things she is interested in. She can hold her bottle. She is alert when she is front of strangers or in a new environment. She understands simple instructions from her caretakers. She can say words like “yee (salutation to caretakers/ladies)” or “Jie(big sister).” Her caretakers have to feed her when she eats regular food. She is wearing diaper. She is introverted and sometimes stubborn. She cries if she is ignored. She tries to get her caretakers’ attention sometimes. We all know she won't have to cry much due to ignoring issues! She will be the center of my life, right after God!! Ok, OK, she already is, but that is as it should be!!Thank you for all your prayers and your support!!God Bless,Tamie
I wanted to let you all know about the update I got on my little girl. It looks like things are a bit slow in China right now, and the timeline is being backed up to a 3 to 4 month wait from the time my dossier was logged in. It was only 1 to 2 months when I started. My dossier was logged in on Dec 13, 2005. I hope to hear something from the CCAA, Chinese Center of Adoption Affairs, sometime by April 13th and then prayerfully travel no later than May 1st. Pure speculation and grasping at straws. No one knows what will happen when.This delay has been very challanging for me, to say the least. The Lord has surrounded me with wonderful people though!! I have had 2 wonderful baby showers to bless this little child! I have 2 more coming in a week in MI!!! This visit to MI will be the first time I get to be with my friends, shower 1, and entire family, shower 2, since I started this adoption journey! This have been very helpful in passing the time and being surrounded by people who love me and Addie Mei.I received a $2000 grant from China Care Foundation!! This grant foundation is designed to help special needs children find their forever families!! This is a very generous grant!!! I also am receiving a pretty substantial return from my income taxes this year! God is continuing to work out the finances needed. I have no more grants that I am waiting on, so the rest is up to me, and God of course!!Now to the update! I got an email today from Maury with an attachment from the orphanage. I will summerize the growth and then cut and past the written update. She is:30 inches tall22 poundshas 6 teethand her feet are 4.73 inches longFrom the orphanage:She can walk, squat and get up freely. She can walk quickly toward things she is interested in. She can hold her bottle. She is alert when she is front of strangers or in a new environment. She understands simple instructions from her caretakers. She can say words like “yee (salutation to caretakers/ladies)” or “Jie(big sister).” Her caretakers have to feed her when she eats regular food. She is wearing diaper. She is introverted and sometimes stubborn. She cries if she is ignored. She tries to get her caretakers’ attention sometimes. We all know she won't have to cry much due to ignoring issues! She will be the center of my life, right after God!! Ok, OK, she already is, but that is as it should be!!Thank you for all your prayers and your support!!God Bless,Tamie
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