Well... TA's arrived at our agency today. Actually... all but eleven families received their TA's. For some unknown reason, Director Liu decided to not sign the last eleven TA's for our agency. We did not receive our TA. The rest of our travel group is leaving in two weeks. We have no idea when we will leave. We have no idea how long it will take to get our TA. We may have to wait... well, who knows how long. Our agency is saying the director is on vacation. Well... I am having a very hard time believing that. It seems the director takes a vacation every time there is a problem.
We were DTC on 7/22/05... it took until 8/24/05 to get logged in... the explanation was a vacation. Referrals were delayed... another vacation. Oh.. and now.. no TA.. what a surprise... another vacation! It just seems fishy to me. (Don't even get me started on the over 14 month wait from LID to referral.)
Now, I know I am venting. I know I am angry. Believe it or not.. I feel HURT. My daughter could have been in my arms for Christmas... but now... nope. Who knows.... maybe sometime in January. Heck.. the way this guy takes vacations it could be May.
I am beyond upset. I am beyond frustrated. Disappointed is just not strong enough of a word. I am thinking of just stepping away from our LID group with our agency online since I just can't bear to hear all about the preparations and plans... excitement. I just don't know if I have it in me to be that strong right now. I know I should be happy for them... but I am just not to that point yet.
Another lovely kicker to all of this is... our current I-171H would have been good for our trip if our TA came today. Now, nope... we have already been waiting over three weeks for our new one. We did receive a lovely form letter saying the current processing time could take up to.... 150 DAYS!!!!!! One hundred fifty days. How can that be?? How can anyone in their right mind think that is an appropriate response letter? I am not usually one to bash our government offices.. but COME ON! 150 DAYS?!?!?!?!?
I don't think sleeping is going to come easy for me tonight. I just want to stop this crazy, crazy ride. It just feels so unfair. My daughter has already spent almost a year in an orphanage.... and now her time is lengthened because one person could not sign eleven more forms. I know we are dealing with a government agency in a foreign country... but what about the people in all of this. What about the children who could be in warm, clean beds.... clean clothing, nourished and surrounded by family who love them? Don't they deserve better than this?
My daughter deserves better than this. She is important and worthy of having her family bring her home in a timely manner. THAT is not too much to ask.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
Taking Care of Business!
We have been kicking some serious butt around here lately. We found the boys Winter coats... AND they were 50% off! Woohoo! We even found something for Miss M! We found scarves, gloves, stocking caps... all within the state of Florida! haha. We bought a new video camera... one of those fancy shmancy ones that are DVDs. We also bought a new digital camera, too. I actually started packing. It is amazing!
We sent our Visa applications, passports, orphanage donation and wiring fee to our agency today. It is all due by Tuesday. It should be in their hot little hands on Monday. Whew! It is so nice being able to wire that donation this time. I hated carrying all that cash last time. It took two attempts to get visa photos taken. The first place we went the background looked BLUE!! Ummm.. didn't think that would fly. So, we had to go to a second place today to get them taken. They looked awesome. Well, actually... they looked as good as they could considering they were taken after several hours of shopping.
Christmas shopping is probably 70% completed. I have the boys almost done. Madeline needs a few more things. I have started both of my parents and Jerry. I should be able to finish up next weekend. I feel this ever present pressure to get this done since we don't know when we will be traveling.
A couple agencies have already received TA's. I am just so hoping ours comes quickly. The only catcher is that our new I-171H has not arrived yet. I am taking deep breaths into a paper bag daily to keep me from hyperventilating over this. It just stinks that we had to renew. Now, Tampa USCIS just has to push this through quickly. We don't have to be fingerprinted and EVERYTHING they needed was included in the mailing... so.... it is just a waiting game now.
James and Riley are getting excited about our trip to China. James has saved all of his birthday and Christmas money for the past year for spending money on the trip. What a good kid, he is. Riley packed a doll in his suitcase today for his sister. Everytime he sees an airplane he asks if we are going to China now to get Maddie. What a cutie!!
Jerry and I are enjoying this time with the boys before bringing our sweet girl home. It is so exciting yet a little... hmmm.. bitter sweet. We love our boys so, so much. We just want to really make the most of these last few weeks with them before heading to China. We know this is going to be a big change. James has a better idea of what it is going to be like since he remembers bringing Riley home. Riley is just so happily oblivious. Oh boy!
Well, I am off to bed to dream of my Three Miracles. -each one so precious and true.
The Three Miracles
They told us you would never be
Yet I have held you in my arms.
They told us you would be someone different
Yet you are exactly as you should be
They told us there was no way
Yet you wait for us to bring you home
Three precious miracles
Gifts from above
fill our hearts and home
with love.
M
We sent our Visa applications, passports, orphanage donation and wiring fee to our agency today. It is all due by Tuesday. It should be in their hot little hands on Monday. Whew! It is so nice being able to wire that donation this time. I hated carrying all that cash last time. It took two attempts to get visa photos taken. The first place we went the background looked BLUE!! Ummm.. didn't think that would fly. So, we had to go to a second place today to get them taken. They looked awesome. Well, actually... they looked as good as they could considering they were taken after several hours of shopping.
Christmas shopping is probably 70% completed. I have the boys almost done. Madeline needs a few more things. I have started both of my parents and Jerry. I should be able to finish up next weekend. I feel this ever present pressure to get this done since we don't know when we will be traveling.
A couple agencies have already received TA's. I am just so hoping ours comes quickly. The only catcher is that our new I-171H has not arrived yet. I am taking deep breaths into a paper bag daily to keep me from hyperventilating over this. It just stinks that we had to renew. Now, Tampa USCIS just has to push this through quickly. We don't have to be fingerprinted and EVERYTHING they needed was included in the mailing... so.... it is just a waiting game now.
James and Riley are getting excited about our trip to China. James has saved all of his birthday and Christmas money for the past year for spending money on the trip. What a good kid, he is. Riley packed a doll in his suitcase today for his sister. Everytime he sees an airplane he asks if we are going to China now to get Maddie. What a cutie!!
Jerry and I are enjoying this time with the boys before bringing our sweet girl home. It is so exciting yet a little... hmmm.. bitter sweet. We love our boys so, so much. We just want to really make the most of these last few weeks with them before heading to China. We know this is going to be a big change. James has a better idea of what it is going to be like since he remembers bringing Riley home. Riley is just so happily oblivious. Oh boy!
Well, I am off to bed to dream of my Three Miracles. -each one so precious and true.
The Three Miracles
They told us you would never be
Yet I have held you in my arms.
They told us you would be someone different
Yet you are exactly as you should be
They told us there was no way
Yet you wait for us to bring you home
Three precious miracles
Gifts from above
fill our hearts and home
with love.
M
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Starting the Race
We have officially started the race. Our lives have been in hyperdrive since receiving Madeline's referral on November 2nd. We had the big 10th birthday party for James on November 11th. Fun was had by one and all.
Now we are getting ready for Thanksgiving. We have to get the Christmas tree up soon, since we have NO idea when we will be leaving for China. I have been a shopping fool for our trip to China AND for Christmas. If we travel before Christmas, then the big guy is going to make an unannounced visit early. A finely tuned note of explanation by the guy in red should suffice. We have two believers so we must tread carefully.
China shopping has been interesting. I was unable to sleep one night because I was worried I would forget to buy Baby Orajel. Now, why this was such a supreme issue that it made it impossible for me to sleep? No clue. I think I am just so worried about forgetting something important that this stupid one item just drove me nuts.
I have also been shopping for Riley's birthday. His big 5th falls at the beginning of January. We may be in China then... we may have just returned home... who knows. I just know I have to be ready for that, too.
The nursery looks like a suitcase store exploded in it. The suitcases are everywhere. Medicines for travel scattered about. Diapers in ziploc baggies are throw to and fro. Luggage tags, money belts, travel tissues... everywhere. I am a little afraid to go in there and try to make it "better". I think the only way to get it under control right now is just to pack.
We have bought some warmer clothes for the boys, though don't have real winter jackets. Heck, Florida does not get colder than a heavy sweatshirt with an Old Navy fleece over it can handle. We have hats, gloves, long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts... one scarf... Florida is NOT the best place to shop for winter wear. Beijing is going to be COLD! Let's hope that we don't freeze our booties off too bad.
We will send off our Visa applications and passports to our agency on Monday. They want them as soon as possible. It is exciting, but sending my passport really scares me. It is my ticket to Miss M. Last time this part bothered me a lot too. I know hundreds of people send them without a problem. I just don't want anything to stop me from getting to China and bringing my sweet baby home.
Well, I am off to rock Riley. He still LOVES when I rock him before bed. He just snuggles in close, rests his head on my shoulder, rubs my back and gives me the best kisses ever. I am one lucky mom!!!
Now we are getting ready for Thanksgiving. We have to get the Christmas tree up soon, since we have NO idea when we will be leaving for China. I have been a shopping fool for our trip to China AND for Christmas. If we travel before Christmas, then the big guy is going to make an unannounced visit early. A finely tuned note of explanation by the guy in red should suffice. We have two believers so we must tread carefully.
China shopping has been interesting. I was unable to sleep one night because I was worried I would forget to buy Baby Orajel. Now, why this was such a supreme issue that it made it impossible for me to sleep? No clue. I think I am just so worried about forgetting something important that this stupid one item just drove me nuts.
I have also been shopping for Riley's birthday. His big 5th falls at the beginning of January. We may be in China then... we may have just returned home... who knows. I just know I have to be ready for that, too.
The nursery looks like a suitcase store exploded in it. The suitcases are everywhere. Medicines for travel scattered about. Diapers in ziploc baggies are throw to and fro. Luggage tags, money belts, travel tissues... everywhere. I am a little afraid to go in there and try to make it "better". I think the only way to get it under control right now is just to pack.
We have bought some warmer clothes for the boys, though don't have real winter jackets. Heck, Florida does not get colder than a heavy sweatshirt with an Old Navy fleece over it can handle. We have hats, gloves, long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts... one scarf... Florida is NOT the best place to shop for winter wear. Beijing is going to be COLD! Let's hope that we don't freeze our booties off too bad.
We will send off our Visa applications and passports to our agency on Monday. They want them as soon as possible. It is exciting, but sending my passport really scares me. It is my ticket to Miss M. Last time this part bothered me a lot too. I know hundreds of people send them without a problem. I just don't want anything to stop me from getting to China and bringing my sweet baby home.
Well, I am off to rock Riley. He still LOVES when I rock him before bed. He just snuggles in close, rests his head on my shoulder, rubs my back and gives me the best kisses ever. I am one lucky mom!!!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Travel
Well, our referral acceptance reached our agency yesterday. That means it will be sent to China on Friday. I was so relieved to receive the email that the forms had made their way safe and sound to Texas. We will now wait 3-4 weeks for TA (Travel Approval). In the next few weeks we will work hard to get our huge to do list down to a manageable size. That will be some feat since I am the Queen of All Lists!
We are furiously also trying to get James' birth shopping, holiday shopping and Riley's birthday shopping completed. All three of these events fall between now and January 11th. We should also be leaving for China in the middle of all of this. Talk about craziness. We are just loving every minute, though.
We did celebrate Miss M's birthday on Sunday. We had cake, sang to her and the boys took turns blowing out the one amazing candle. We will have a party for her and Riley when we return from China. Something tells me we may be in China for Christmas and possibly for Riley's birthday as well. I am sure Santa is working on a creative plan to pull this off!
We fall more and more in love with Madeline each and every day. Her pictures just pulls at our heartstrings. I catch myself just staring at this beautiful baby. James and Riley are also completely taken with her pictures. It will be fantastic to have her home in the next two months or so.
Life is good.
We are furiously also trying to get James' birth shopping, holiday shopping and Riley's birthday shopping completed. All three of these events fall between now and January 11th. We should also be leaving for China in the middle of all of this. Talk about craziness. We are just loving every minute, though.
We did celebrate Miss M's birthday on Sunday. We had cake, sang to her and the boys took turns blowing out the one amazing candle. We will have a party for her and Riley when we return from China. Something tells me we may be in China for Christmas and possibly for Riley's birthday as well. I am sure Santa is working on a creative plan to pull this off!
We fall more and more in love with Madeline each and every day. Her pictures just pulls at our heartstrings. I catch myself just staring at this beautiful baby. James and Riley are also completely taken with her pictures. It will be fantastic to have her home in the next two months or so.
Life is good.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Things We Learned Today
Today we learned several things about our sweet Miss M.
1. She dances when she is happy.
2. The SWI said that anyone who sees her loves her.
3. She loves to be outside.
4. Her favorite toys are a tambourine and a doll.
5. She waves hello to people.
6. She loves to drink fruit juices.
7. She was always fed first when she was younger or she would throw a fit!
8. She likes to be in the walker and take the toys she likes best from others.
9. She has a strong will.
10. She can show clearly when she disapproves.
11. She loves watching T.V.????
12. She makes noises to call for people.
13. Her name Dongfang Yang Yang means Eastern Sun.
Sounds like this little spit fire will fit right in! We are so happy.
James and Riley both brought Madeline's pictures to school to share with their classes. They are both so proud to call her their sister. They love her so much. It is just an amazing thing to watch your children fall in love with their new sister.
I truly have Three Miracles.
1. She dances when she is happy.
2. The SWI said that anyone who sees her loves her.
3. She loves to be outside.
4. Her favorite toys are a tambourine and a doll.
5. She waves hello to people.
6. She loves to drink fruit juices.
7. She was always fed first when she was younger or she would throw a fit!
8. She likes to be in the walker and take the toys she likes best from others.
9. She has a strong will.
10. She can show clearly when she disapproves.
11. She loves watching T.V.????
12. She makes noises to call for people.
13. Her name Dongfang Yang Yang means Eastern Sun.
Sounds like this little spit fire will fit right in! We are so happy.
James and Riley both brought Madeline's pictures to school to share with their classes. They are both so proud to call her their sister. They love her so much. It is just an amazing thing to watch your children fall in love with their new sister.
I truly have Three Miracles.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Happy Birthday Sweet Girl
Happy Birthday to You!
cha cha cha
Happy Birthday to You!
cha cha cha
Happy Birthday dear Maddie!
cha cha cha
Happy Birthday to YOU!!
Happy 1st birthday Madeline Yang. We love you so very much. Your presents will remain wrapped until you are home to open them. We will sing to you and blow out one candle in honor of your special day.
Muah!!!
cha cha cha
Happy Birthday to You!
cha cha cha
Happy Birthday dear Maddie!
cha cha cha
Happy Birthday to YOU!!
Happy 1st birthday Madeline Yang. We love you so very much. Your presents will remain wrapped until you are home to open them. We will sing to you and blow out one candle in honor of your special day.
Muah!!!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Madeline!!
Chinese Name: Dongfang Yangyang
DOB 11/05/05 Her birthday is Sunday!
Province: Jiangxi
SWI: Tiahe
Height - 69 cm 27 inches
Weight - 7 kg 15 pounds
Deep sleeper, active, loves music, playing with toys and games
We are in LOVE!!
We think she looks like Riley. I just can't wait to get some meat on those little legs!!!!!!
Today is THE Day!
Well, it is so amazing to know that in a few short hours we will see our baby's face for the first time. It is strange, exhilirating, scary. I don't know. There is a peace here too.
I am hope today with Riley. I had planned on working but Riley had other plans. He has a HORRIBLE cold. His fever was at 102 this morning. He has a deep cough and raspy voice, runny nose and is just tired out. He has been resting on the couch watching Nick Jr. We did take some time earlier to look at and talk about his referral pictures. He LOVES to look at the pictures. We talked about how excited we were to see him. He was all lovey dovey. He is such an immense and immeasurable blessing. He is everything and more than we could have ever expected.
Being home with Riley today is so interesting on so many levels to me. How special will it be to open up the pictures of the new baby while holding Riley. Talk about amazing. To hold one miracle when I see another for the first time is just more than I can imagine. I wish James was here, too. I made him go to school today. Since we are planning on taking the boys to China with us we just hate the idea of James missing any more school than absolutely necessary right now. He loves school, so it was not a biggie to him.
James is truly a wonderful role model for Riley on what a big brother is. James is loving, playful and caring. He does torment Riley at times... but that is just what siblings do. I think Riley will approach his new sibling with the same love he has learned from his big brother. WOW My baby is now a big brother!!
I will post referral pictures and information as soon as I can type after receiving our referral.
Come on Stork!! Bring me my baby!!!!
I am hope today with Riley. I had planned on working but Riley had other plans. He has a HORRIBLE cold. His fever was at 102 this morning. He has a deep cough and raspy voice, runny nose and is just tired out. He has been resting on the couch watching Nick Jr. We did take some time earlier to look at and talk about his referral pictures. He LOVES to look at the pictures. We talked about how excited we were to see him. He was all lovey dovey. He is such an immense and immeasurable blessing. He is everything and more than we could have ever expected.
Being home with Riley today is so interesting on so many levels to me. How special will it be to open up the pictures of the new baby while holding Riley. Talk about amazing. To hold one miracle when I see another for the first time is just more than I can imagine. I wish James was here, too. I made him go to school today. Since we are planning on taking the boys to China with us we just hate the idea of James missing any more school than absolutely necessary right now. He loves school, so it was not a biggie to him.
James is truly a wonderful role model for Riley on what a big brother is. James is loving, playful and caring. He does torment Riley at times... but that is just what siblings do. I think Riley will approach his new sibling with the same love he has learned from his big brother. WOW My baby is now a big brother!!
I will post referral pictures and information as soon as I can type after receiving our referral.
Come on Stork!! Bring me my baby!!!!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
TOMORROW!!!
We received an email this morning from our agency!! TOMORROW IS REFERRAL DAY!! I can't believe it! We will see our precious baby's face TOMORROW!! I will write again later... after I have caught my breath. OH MY GOODNESS!!!
YIPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YIPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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