Maui Style

Mei has reached so many milestones that there are just too many to rattle on about! She is a strong willed mature 3 year old who wants to be around us 24/7. She loves her little sisters and looks up to her big brothers. We took the entire family to Maui and met up with John's sister and her family. It was so nice to have everyone around - Mei was very fond of the Anderson's - their charisma is contagious! Here are some pictures of Mei with family in Maui...

She has grown so much!

Mei Mei is doing great - she is a very smart happy girl who is content having such a big family. She will be starting pre school soon and has more than hit her milestones this year! We had a gotcha day celebration for her and are now planning her 3rd birthday in May. She has a radiant smile and is so happy to have a family to be with - we are blessed to have her in our lives!

Spring is Upon Us!

Maleia's transition has been very smooth. She is a bright, confident little girl with a flare of stuborness! We like that she has a little fire in her. She has a small circle of friends, and seems to be growing and learning at a very fast pace.

She is about to be a big sister and a big help to Mama!

We adore her! Her official California adoption ceremony is pictured here on Valentine's Day - it could not have been more perfect!

GOTCHA!

Our gotcha day was Monday, December 6 - my grandmother's birthday! We are so excited! John is trying to console her, considering she has been through a very big change. She looks simply adorable - so petite and sweet! I cannot wait until they return!

Here is a picture of her with her Daddy...

Article 5 HAS ARRIVED!!

We got word last week that our Article 5, last piece of paper from China has arrived!

We should be getting the phone call to book travel next week, then be in China in about a month - so excited to meet Maleia!

LOA Today!!

We got out LOA today! It's official and we are so happy.
Now that China has approved us,
I hope we get there soon to pick
up our little Maleia!

We have a referral!

We've got our referral!!!! He Zhen Zi (meaning adorable and precious) was referred to us and we accepted :-) Just waiting for China to approve and send their official Letter of Approval.

Here is a picture - I can't wait til she is our little girl!

YES! We got our I-797 approval today! Less than a week after our fingerprints! This is the last piece of the puzzle for our dossier. Then it gets sent to China and we wait.....We are so excited! We made a drink and had a toast!

Tuesday is our fingerprinting appointment in San Francisco! This comes during a packed week preparing for John's graduation festivities. It is the perfect time to focus on happy events. We should receive our Notice of Approval about 2 weeks from our appointment. The last piece of the puzzle for our docs to go to China (sort of - such a paper infested process!)

John is reading a great book about a father's experience adopting his daughter from China: "China Ghosts, My daughter's journey to America, my passage to Fatherhood."

Can't wait for our I797 Approval!

Step by Step

We finished the final modules required for our Parents In Process courses. It was very informative and brought up many issues that we have not discussed. Waiting for our fingerprint appointment and to get word that our dossier has been sent to China...both should be happening VERY soon!

April is here! March went by so fast - I am excited that our home study is approved, the I800-A has been sent to the Dept. of Homeland Security (how scary is that?) - We are crossing our fingers that USCIS will be pleased with our documentation as the first step to make our daughter a U.S. Citizen. We are trying to see if we can plan a summer trip to Maui, as it may be our last for a little while. Hoping that USCIS is sending good news our way and that our dossier is being prepped for the Chinese Government to receive in about 10+ days. Think good thoughts for a quick referral! :-)

We are in the final draft stage of our home study, which our social worker has approved! Within the next few weeks, all documents will be sent to the Secretary of State for their stamp and seal of approval for China. This is an exciting time, as we keep wondering which child will be chosen for our family. We talk about it a lot, and how we need to do some serious child proofing!

Tomorrow is our home study and we have spent the past week getting our house in order. We really needed to do this regardless, so it was perfect timing after the series of rains to clean house!

I keep wondering what child will be chosen for us. People say the child will be the lucky one, but it is our family that will be most fortunate. The boys are so excited, and it is so rewarding to see the look in their eyes when we talk about what sibling will be chosen for them.

Keep us in your prayers for a successful home study!

Our journey to add to our family has had its shares of ups and downs but we are heading in the right direction. We are completely involved with adopting a child from China and anxiously await word about the child chosen for us.

Our home study is next week - then everything is ready to be sent in our dossier! Fingers crossed!