Welcoming JinPei

We have been slowly getting things prepared for JinPei to join us and we have been blessed by others who are sharing in the journey, be it by lending a sympathetic ear when the wait seems to drag, asking how the process is going and about our upcoming trip, calling or writing to make sure JinPei was not affected by the devestating earthquake in China, showering her with gifts in anticipation for her arrival, and/or remembering her in prayer. Thank you to each and everyone of you for being a part of our journey.

The ladies of the Jr. Woman's Club surprised me with a basket full of goodies for Jinpei (a few of the many things are in the pictures), including books, stuffed animals, Baby Signs materials (which were a hit during Brynn's adoption with Brynn and all my kids and a huge help with communication), cute outfits, diapers, picture frames, cups, spoons, a car safety mirror and much more! I couldn't even make the meeting due to a conflicting ballgame that I was specifically asked to attend by my son and I felt bad about that. We all had a great time looking through the stuff. What a great group of women!

The ball in the picture above was selected by Brynn. My suitcase to China will be jingling! I was in the local drugstore planning on picking up one or two things and Brynn started filling the basket with things for Nyah. She is just so excited to have a sister, for now at least. I hope she feels that way the first few months Nyah is home but I am a bit worried about that. For right now, it is cute how much she talks about her.

The peg hook above was my own purchase. Brynn got one as a gift for her adoption and I wanted her sister to have a similar one. I haven't bought much yet. I keep hoping for a size update for more clothes. I predict a shopping trip once we get our LOA.

We also got our visas for China today! Yippee!

Kate

Day 57... Thankfulness and Whininess (is that a word?)

Gee, guess what day it is in the wait?

Two years ago, on the 57th day after our documents were logged into China, we received our Travel Approval for Brynn (back then the LOA step did not exist). We were just about at the average wait for TA’s at the time and I received the call while on a field trip with Caleb. Just 24 days after that I was holding Brynn.

Things are slower this time and there is the added LOA step. The whole timeline is so much more unpredictable this round. It is hard to tell what the current “average” waiting time is as the numbers are everywhere and all over.

I am thankful that now more “waiting children” are finding families - two years ago many children with minor needs sat on lists with no inquiries. The long line for families seeking to bring non-special needs children home is leading many families to consider the special needs route and the wait has slowed to bring home children. The CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) also appears to be pushing for those logged in for non-special needs children to switch over and has made many changes recently (since January) to promote this. There seems to be so much focus on getting more people over to special needs the new way that I am sure it pulls resources away from those of us who started the process before a few months ago… the last of the “old way."

Sometimes I get bothered, selfishly, by these changes, even though inside I know that many children are finding homes who may not have otherwise and that many adults are realizing that bringing home a "special needs" child is really not that big of a deal (being a good parent is the big deal). Some days I just have a harder time with the wait. It is hard to look at a picture for over 6 months now and feel helpless. It is also hard to not have much information about how she is doing - we have pictures from her 1st birthday in March but no other information about her since our initial reports from last July. I think also because Brynn’s transition went so well and she was in foster care, I worry more about JinPei’s and the fact that she is in an orphanage.

I wish the process was more defined, predictable, and quicker for all involved.

I expect the LOA in the next couple weeks, then TA up to 4 weeks after that. That puts us due to travel right smack in the middle of the Olympics. Just another big question mark in the journey.

Okay, Friday I promise a fun post - LOA or not!

Kate

6 months ago...

Six months ago today was the day our agency sent out a password to view children on their newest Waiting Child list and the first day we saw our daughter, had a few giggles about her hairstyle, and prayed for guidance.

It seems the wait is going to be just as long, if not longer, as the wait was from the time we first saw Brynn's picture until the time we met her in person (9 months). I'm trying to look on the bright side.

Within 4 months we will have Jinpei in our arms!

Still waiting... Day 37

"Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits."

~ Thomas Edison

In typical "S" family fashion we are taking care of the hustling part with our crazy lives while we wait for LOA. And really, we don't want "everything" - just JinPei please! Come on CCAA... we're doing our part keeping busy!