We did it.
As crazy and insane as this sounds, we did it.
We have filled out the application for our newest addition...
The first piece of paper of hundreds..
What does that mean?
It means we get to start talking in acronyms, dealing with dates, etc.
So with that in mind, lets get down and find out what is going on...
1. We filled out the application and electronically sent it to the agency tonight. Tomorrow, we will send the actual one with our application fee.
2. We are currently waiting for an LOI (letter of intent) that needs to be filled out by us, sent to the agency, translated into Chinese and then sent to the CCAA (Chinese.) The LOI is basically a letter from us, stating why we want to adopt this little guy, how we will take care of him, and what our plans are for him.
3. After the CCAA has approved us (hopefully) we will receive a PA - which means pre approval.
For those of you who believe in signs from God, keep reading...
This little guy's "American" name from the agency (which really isn't his real name, it is just one that is given to the children by the agency in order to make it easier for people to reference these kiddos when asking questions to the agency.) HHMMM, it is getting late.
ANYWAY, his "English" name is Noah on the agency's website.
Tonight, out of the blue, my husband, Leonard, disappears downstairs for a while. He returns with a book "15,000 baby names."
"I thought you would like to look through this tonight." For those of you who know him, you know this is huge...
I said, I would really like you to pick out his name. I got to pick Jacob, Nathan, Kylie and John's first names. I would like for you to pick this one. I just had one request - all three of our other boy's names are Biblical. I would really like for his name to be Biblical also.
Leonard said, I would like for his name to begin with an "N" so Nathan didn't feel left out...John, Jacob...
"What about Noah?" Leonard says. Ok, here is the deal...I have been the one with all of the paperwork. Leonard has only seen the paperwork with his Chinese name on it. Never has he seen or heard anything with Noah on it. Is anyone following me?
So Noah it is...I get to pick a middle name. Better get the book and start trying them on for size.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
I will take door number 2
So what's it like, being mom to five kids?
What goes on behind the closed doors of our two story, in the country of Colorado?
How does our family function?
Here are two very funny (at least to me) episodes from this family of seven...
I decided I was going to cut and color my hair. Naturally, I am a brounette. However, for some reason (I am only 35) I have started going gray. Now, understand, I am a teacher by trade, and most students are not afraid to remind you how gray you have become since they have known you.
Anyway, I got my hair done last night, I am now a blonde. My 15 year old son met me at the door - "What happened to your hair, mom?"
I said, I got scared and it turned this color. "You look old!" Meanwhile my husband has said nothing about it.
By the time I got home, my little ones were asleep. They did not see me until this morning.
Kylie (she is 4) walks in this morning and says to me, "Wow, Mom - what happened to your hair? It looks like Muffin's fur!" (she is our dog, who has white fur.)
Nathan and John have said nothing up to now. Kaycee just sat on my lap and played with my hair all morning.
After church, Kylie looks at me and out of nowhere says..."Mom, your hair is so gray." She says this about 4 times. Finally John thinks it would be fun to get in on the comments and says, "Mom, you hai is gway!" And runs away laughing.
______________________________________________________________________
If you have a weak stomach, or are eating anything right now, you might want to come back later.
While we were eating lunch, John announced he needed to go potty. We have a safety handle on the door because John and Kaycee think it is a lot of fun to play in the potty. Anyway, we asked Kylie to please open the door for him.
John goes in and proceeds to do his business. At the same time, apparently, Kaycee was doing her business. She still wears a diaper...
She comes to me and says "potty." Now, I thought she was talking about John going potty. I said, "Yes, John potty."
She leaves.
About a minute later, I hear John say, "Taycee, you tink!" I think to myself, she must have really done her business. Let me eat this last bite and then I will change her.
Jacob exclaims, "John, why do you have Kaycee's diaper?"
We all look, and sure enough, John is carrying Kaycee's diaper through the living room and is ready to through it away.
In my mind I am putting everything together...Kaycee says potty, John stating that Taycee tinks, Kaycee not having a diaper on anymore, and Kaycee is no where to be seen.
Its one of the moments, when you really don't want to see what is behind door number two (ha ha ha ha!!! I am so funny!)
Your mind thinks the worst of course. Is it smeared on the walls? The floor? All over your child?
I walked down the hall, dreading it more and more with each step!
Finally, I looked in - there it was. In all of it's glory...Kaycee's poop. On the floor, in a pile. Yep, there it was.
As my eyes took in the view, I realized it wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. There was a small bit on her shoe, a little on her finger, that was it. Most of it was in the pile that must have fallen out of her diaper.
I think it must be time to start potty training Kaycee.
What goes on behind the closed doors of our two story, in the country of Colorado?
How does our family function?
Here are two very funny (at least to me) episodes from this family of seven...
I decided I was going to cut and color my hair. Naturally, I am a brounette. However, for some reason (I am only 35) I have started going gray. Now, understand, I am a teacher by trade, and most students are not afraid to remind you how gray you have become since they have known you.
Anyway, I got my hair done last night, I am now a blonde. My 15 year old son met me at the door - "What happened to your hair, mom?"
I said, I got scared and it turned this color. "You look old!" Meanwhile my husband has said nothing about it.
By the time I got home, my little ones were asleep. They did not see me until this morning.
Kylie (she is 4) walks in this morning and says to me, "Wow, Mom - what happened to your hair? It looks like Muffin's fur!" (she is our dog, who has white fur.)
Nathan and John have said nothing up to now. Kaycee just sat on my lap and played with my hair all morning.
After church, Kylie looks at me and out of nowhere says..."Mom, your hair is so gray." She says this about 4 times. Finally John thinks it would be fun to get in on the comments and says, "Mom, you hai is gway!" And runs away laughing.
______________________________________________________________________
If you have a weak stomach, or are eating anything right now, you might want to come back later.
While we were eating lunch, John announced he needed to go potty. We have a safety handle on the door because John and Kaycee think it is a lot of fun to play in the potty. Anyway, we asked Kylie to please open the door for him.
John goes in and proceeds to do his business. At the same time, apparently, Kaycee was doing her business. She still wears a diaper...
She comes to me and says "potty." Now, I thought she was talking about John going potty. I said, "Yes, John potty."
She leaves.
About a minute later, I hear John say, "Taycee, you tink!" I think to myself, she must have really done her business. Let me eat this last bite and then I will change her.
Jacob exclaims, "John, why do you have Kaycee's diaper?"
We all look, and sure enough, John is carrying Kaycee's diaper through the living room and is ready to through it away.
In my mind I am putting everything together...Kaycee says potty, John stating that Taycee tinks, Kaycee not having a diaper on anymore, and Kaycee is no where to be seen.
Its one of the moments, when you really don't want to see what is behind door number two (ha ha ha ha!!! I am so funny!)
Your mind thinks the worst of course. Is it smeared on the walls? The floor? All over your child?
I walked down the hall, dreading it more and more with each step!
Finally, I looked in - there it was. In all of it's glory...Kaycee's poop. On the floor, in a pile. Yep, there it was.
As my eyes took in the view, I realized it wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. There was a small bit on her shoe, a little on her finger, that was it. Most of it was in the pile that must have fallen out of her diaper.
I think it must be time to start potty training Kaycee.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Somebody stop me!!!
I am an addict. I really am.
I cannot control myself. At least admitting it is the first step to being cured.
Crocheted Minnie Mouse purses...
I cannot control myself. At least admitting it is the first step to being cured.
I am addicted to crafts. There I said it.
I can't stop. I love to make things...sewing, tutus, crocheting, you name it, I am addicted to it.
But I figure, this is the best way to help fund our adoption. I sell these on Ebay and Etsy. And really, I have a lot of fun doing it. Here are some of my newest creations...
Crocheted Minnie Mouse purses...
Ok, I took this picture off of ebay, so it doesn't look so good, but it is Kaycee in a Minnie Mouse outfit! I thought she looked adorable.
And these are the latest...Aren't they cute? These are Kylie's newest shoes. Kaycee has some just like them except her's are lace up, but they are just as cute. With these, really the possibilities are endless, any color combination a person could want!
Now I just need to get rid of the addition and things should be much better. Do you think they have a 12 step program for people like me?
Saturday, February 16, 2008
This is what it is all about...
I have a friend, which I met in China. She was there adopting her fourth child from China...her eighth child overall.
This little boy, who was older than most of the kids that are adopted, had a severe heart defect.
It was killing him, literally.
He had all of the effects of a bad heart, I won't even try to go into the details because I don't know enough about these things, but I know it was bad.
But even though his heart was not good...he still had a heart of gold.
We were in province with Lynn, her three daughters and two of her sons, my mom, Kaycee and me. After her two older sons left, this little gentleman was "the man of the house (or hotel, whichever you like.)
He opened the doors for us, made sure we were all on the elevator, all of us had a chair to sit in, and then we he would go about his business.
He played, he talked on his walkie talkie, he swam, and he slept. He was tired, his heart was making him be this way.
Fast forward a few months...he has had his heart fixed, and now he can run, he can play, and he doesn't get so tired.
You need to check out his story at - http://www.theunion.com/article/20080215/NEWS/144242038
Make sure you have a kleenex handy (for good tears, I promise.)
This really is what adoption is about. Bringing families together, for the good of the family.
This little boy, who was older than most of the kids that are adopted, had a severe heart defect.
It was killing him, literally.
He had all of the effects of a bad heart, I won't even try to go into the details because I don't know enough about these things, but I know it was bad.
But even though his heart was not good...he still had a heart of gold.
We were in province with Lynn, her three daughters and two of her sons, my mom, Kaycee and me. After her two older sons left, this little gentleman was "the man of the house (or hotel, whichever you like.)
He opened the doors for us, made sure we were all on the elevator, all of us had a chair to sit in, and then we he would go about his business.
He played, he talked on his walkie talkie, he swam, and he slept. He was tired, his heart was making him be this way.
Fast forward a few months...he has had his heart fixed, and now he can run, he can play, and he doesn't get so tired.
You need to check out his story at - http://www.theunion.com/article/20080215/NEWS/144242038
Make sure you have a kleenex handy (for good tears, I promise.)
This really is what adoption is about. Bringing families together, for the good of the family.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Being thankful...
Life gets hectic sometimes for everyone. Sometimes we can get down, feeling like we have the world on our shoulders.
I know, I have pity parties all of the time - between school, five kids, (including two teenagers, no need to say more about that), work and a husband, sometimes it feels a little overwhelming.
Then, you get a "God smacked" and you realize that your life if pretty darn good.
Leonard and I are currently still reviewing a little guys' file. While going through his file, there was a letter in there from an American who runs a children's home in China. This little guy had been living there. In the following link, you will see his picture (can't tell you which one) along with many other little ones who are living there.
It makes you realize what you have in life when you have something as basic as a family.
These little ones have never known the love of a family. Most likely at this point in their lives, they don't understand it completely. But some day they will.
Whether it is when other kids go home, when they hear the nannies talking about their own families, or when they age out of the orphanages and realize that in the "real" world, people do not grow up in a building with dozens of other kids, being cared for by people who are getting paid to take care of them.
Sure these are just pictures of children. Yes, all of these children were born with some sort of birth "defect." But when you really look at these little ones, you can see that they are living, breathing, moving, and loving little beings, just looking for their families.
You can see these babies at: http://truechildrenshome.org, then click on our children.
Tell me, if you really look at them, that you can still have that same pity party. I know my attitude changed.
I know, I have pity parties all of the time - between school, five kids, (including two teenagers, no need to say more about that), work and a husband, sometimes it feels a little overwhelming.
Then, you get a "God smacked" and you realize that your life if pretty darn good.
Leonard and I are currently still reviewing a little guys' file. While going through his file, there was a letter in there from an American who runs a children's home in China. This little guy had been living there. In the following link, you will see his picture (can't tell you which one) along with many other little ones who are living there.
It makes you realize what you have in life when you have something as basic as a family.
These little ones have never known the love of a family. Most likely at this point in their lives, they don't understand it completely. But some day they will.
Whether it is when other kids go home, when they hear the nannies talking about their own families, or when they age out of the orphanages and realize that in the "real" world, people do not grow up in a building with dozens of other kids, being cared for by people who are getting paid to take care of them.
Sure these are just pictures of children. Yes, all of these children were born with some sort of birth "defect." But when you really look at these little ones, you can see that they are living, breathing, moving, and loving little beings, just looking for their families.
You can see these babies at: http://truechildrenshome.org, then click on our children.
Tell me, if you really look at them, that you can still have that same pity party. I know my attitude changed.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
A day with three sick kids, four and under...
For the last five days, the three little ones have been sick. I have stayed with them most of the time, as Leonard is very busy at work.
Thank God I have wonderful co-workers, who will cover for me...so I don't have to worry about school.
I have been just treating the symptoms that they are showing, as you know the typical answer you get from the doctor..."It is just a virus, it has to run its course." UUGGH, I hate that answer. Not that I want my children to really have anything, I just want something for them. Give me a sugar pill if nothing else.
Anyway...after almost a week, (Yes I am going to get the mom of the year award...) Kylie and John have double ear infections and Kaycee just has the crud...apparently she cannot get ear infections as she has no ears. At least that is one positive with her SN.
So before the doctor appointment, Kaycee's teacher of the deaf came out to work with Kaycee. But today was a little different.
She was going to videotape me working with Kaycee. To see how much language she has so we can do it again in about a year and see how much she has changed. In addition, the tape will be given to some people (I have no idea who) so they can critique her language.
Anyone ever been video taped working with your child, so you can be critiqued? It really was not very fun...
We started off pretty well. Kaycee sat on my lap and we read a book. Then looked at another book with a lot of pictures in it. She labeled everything in the book that she knew.
(Remember, Kaycee is 2) then that was enough of the book. It was also enough of the language stuff too. She wanted to color and write - which required no talking. Nothing.
Meanwhile, Kylie and John were feeling neglected, I guess, because all of a sudden, they were everywhere! Kaycee had migrated into the eating area of our kitchen. Our eating area has a two story wall and the hallway upstairs looks down into the eating area.
THUNK!! Here comes John's firetruck from upstairs, straight down onto ceramic tile in the eating area. Pieces everywhere. Meanwhile, the video tape is still going...I guess if there is one good thing, at least it wasn't John coming down like the firetruck.
I hope I can get a copy of the video tape so I can show it to John when he is a dad.
___________________________________________________________________
A side note...Have you ever heard that a child is supposed to be half their adult height by the time they are 3? Well, anyway, I have...John is three...John is 3 feet, 3 3/4 inches tall. Could he really be 6'7 1/2" when he is an adult? His daddy is 6'5", so I guess it is a possibilty...Good grief, we are going to have take out a home equity loan just to feed him......
Thank God I have wonderful co-workers, who will cover for me...so I don't have to worry about school.
I have been just treating the symptoms that they are showing, as you know the typical answer you get from the doctor..."It is just a virus, it has to run its course." UUGGH, I hate that answer. Not that I want my children to really have anything, I just want something for them. Give me a sugar pill if nothing else.
Anyway...after almost a week, (Yes I am going to get the mom of the year award...) Kylie and John have double ear infections and Kaycee just has the crud...apparently she cannot get ear infections as she has no ears. At least that is one positive with her SN.
So before the doctor appointment, Kaycee's teacher of the deaf came out to work with Kaycee. But today was a little different.
She was going to videotape me working with Kaycee. To see how much language she has so we can do it again in about a year and see how much she has changed. In addition, the tape will be given to some people (I have no idea who) so they can critique her language.
Anyone ever been video taped working with your child, so you can be critiqued? It really was not very fun...
We started off pretty well. Kaycee sat on my lap and we read a book. Then looked at another book with a lot of pictures in it. She labeled everything in the book that she knew.
(Remember, Kaycee is 2) then that was enough of the book. It was also enough of the language stuff too. She wanted to color and write - which required no talking. Nothing.
Meanwhile, Kylie and John were feeling neglected, I guess, because all of a sudden, they were everywhere! Kaycee had migrated into the eating area of our kitchen. Our eating area has a two story wall and the hallway upstairs looks down into the eating area.
THUNK!! Here comes John's firetruck from upstairs, straight down onto ceramic tile in the eating area. Pieces everywhere. Meanwhile, the video tape is still going...I guess if there is one good thing, at least it wasn't John coming down like the firetruck.
I hope I can get a copy of the video tape so I can show it to John when he is a dad.
___________________________________________________________________
A side note...Have you ever heard that a child is supposed to be half their adult height by the time they are 3? Well, anyway, I have...John is three...John is 3 feet, 3 3/4 inches tall. Could he really be 6'7 1/2" when he is an adult? His daddy is 6'5", so I guess it is a possibilty...Good grief, we are going to have take out a home equity loan just to feed him......
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