Adventure 4 Eli + Kai: Locked & Waiting, plus new pics!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Locked & Waiting, plus new pics!

I've been teary eyed all morning after receiving an email from Angela (Ladybugs 'N Love) with new pics!!!

Although he is absolutely beautiful & the first pic is wonderful, this next pic means more to us...

Look at his face! He loves holding this dog. Because we love & show dogs as a family hobby, and have 8 dogs in our home, we really wanted to know that our son liked dogs. But we were told many of the orphans in China are not exposed to dogs & so many are afraid of them when they first come home. Well we wanted to ask if he liked dogs in our 10 Questions, but decided not to... But God knows all & is in total control!!! His plans are exceedingly & abundantly better than we could ever ask for. Out of the three pics we received, one is of him holding a dog. Thank you Jesus!!!

It warms our heart to know that he is loved and cared for by a foster family. I can't help but cry when I think about the lovely lady who is acting as a mother to him... I already appreciate so much all that she has done for our son.

The other email I received this am was from our agency coordinator stating "Your file has been locked to him and the CCCWA is assessing now- cross your fingers and toes and keep praying."

It can take 5-7 business days to get PA, but I was told we should hear back by end of the week...

So I am asking everyone to please pray!!!

Last night we decorated the family room and Christmas tree. And we all kept mentioning "Next year when Eli is here..." or "Hope Eli ..." or "We have to get a stocking for Eli", etc, etc, etc.

Praying this is his last Christmas without a family of HIS OWN to celebrate with...

Well I have to get back to these two kiddos here- Zoe is studying biology & Levi is doing his math lesson on the computer. I love homeschooling my kids. I am also working on raising the $3,000 agency payment we need when we do hear back about our PA. We are still taking orders for Calendars & donations for the $75 Give Away Gift Basket. But I am supposed to be working on Steve's idea for the next fundraiser. Watch for it.

I encourage everyone to Christmas shop from the many great products our fellow adopting families and their fundraising efforts. http://www.fundraisingfamilies.blogspot.com/

God bless you all,
Sherry

2 comments:

MelissaDecember 5, 2011 at 10:42 PM
What a sweet boy! The Lord is amazing at putting just the right people together in a family. :) I'd like to plant a little thought in your mind to simmer. Eli is a great name, really meaningful! I wonder, though, if this not-so-little boy of yours might like to be part of choosing his own name? Ok, I'm going to look at the pictures of his endearing little face once more then go to bed. :)
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TrishDecember 6, 2011 at 9:01 AM
Congrats on your sweet little boy! So happy for you, it's an amazing adventure to be able to adopt! Trish
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Timeline of Important Dates

12/6/12 Fly Home from Hong Kong
12/5/12 Received Kai & Eli's Visas & took van to Hong Kong
12/4/12 Consulate Appointment
12/3/12 Kai & Eli TB test check
11/30/12 Kai & Eli's medical exams
11/29/12 Fly to Guangzhou
11/23/12 Eli's Adoption Day
11/22/12 Eli's Gotcha Day (also Thanksgiving)
11/22/12 Train to Xi'an
11/20/12 Kai's Adoption Day (also our 23rd Wedding Anniversary)
11/19/12 Kai's Gotcha Day
11/18/12 Fly to Zhengzhou
11/16/12 Arrive at Beijing
11/15/12 Fly to China
11/9/12 Plane Tickets booked
11/9/12 Consulate Appointment made for Tues 12/4
11/8/12 Travel Approval arrived at our agency (dated 11/2/12)
10/23/12 Article 5 pick-up
10/9/12 Article 5 drop off
10/3/12 NVC approvals
9/26/12 I-800 approvals
9/21/12 LOA/SC for Kai Joseph!!!
9/10/12 Sent I-800s to USCIS
9/6/12 Dossier for Kai in review
8/24/12 Dossier addendum docs for Kai sent to China
8/21/12 LOA/SC for Eli!!!
8/15/12 USCIS approved Supp 3
8/3/12 picked up Chinese Travel Visas
8/1/12 PA for Kai!!!
7/31/12 Sent Supp 3 to USCIS
7/31/12 Applied for China Travel Visas
7/28/12 LOI for Kai sent to China
7/26/12 Locked Kai Joseph's file
7/25/12 11:13pm Approved by CHI to Adopt TWO boys
7/25/12 Home Study Update Aprroved for Two Children
7/24/12 Interview with SW
7/10/12 10:43PM LID (7/11/12 China time)
6/21/12 Dossier sent to China (DTC)
6/18/12 Last 5 Dossier docs authenticated & p-up from Chinese Embassy & Shipped Next Day to CHI
6/11/12 Assistant Stork dropped off our last 5 Dossier docs to Chinese Embassy in Washington DC to be authenticated
6/11/12 Last 5 Dossier docs certified by Department of State in Washington DC
6/8/12 Rushed last 5 docs to Assistant Stork to be authenticated
6/7/12 TX Secretary of State certified I-797 & home study
6/6/12 I-797 Approval Notice arrived in mail
6/4/12 USCIS I-797 Approval
5/24/12 Sent 3/4 of Dossier to CHI
5/23/12 Biometric Fingerprinting done!
5/17/12 USCIS Biometrics apt notice received (5/29/12)
5/11/12 Picked up 8 Dossier docs authenticated by Chinese Consulate in Houston
5/7/12 Dropped off 8 Dossier docs to Chinese Consulate in Houston to be authenticated
5/3/12 I-800A received at USCIS
5/2/12 I-800A FedEx'd to USCIS
4/30/12 Home Study arrived!
4/24/12 Home Study Approved, Signed, & Stamped
4/24/12 Certified 8 docs with TX Sec of State
4/19/12 Received an update & pictures of Eli
4/19/12 Home Study Completed
4/12/12 Received Surprise photos of Eli from fellow adoptive mom
4/5/12 Received LA state background clearances
4/4/12 Received Marriage License certified by IL Secretary of State
3/26/12 Passports arrived
3/23/12 Received Birth Certificate certified by CA Secretary of State
3/20/12 Received first draft of Home Study
3/15/12 Shipped Birth Certificates & Marriage License to CA & IL Secretary of State for certification.
3/8/12 Received New Pics from care pkgs & Drawings from Eli
3/8/12 Applied for Passports
3/6/12 Last meeting with SW for HS
2/24/12 Completed 12 hrs of Hague required training with ALP
2/22/12 Received CA, IL & WY state background clearances
2/12/12 Steve's Interview with SW for HS
2/12/12 Home Visit with SW for HS
2/11/12 Texas state background clearances
2/8/12 Local Police Clearances
2/8/12 Fingerprinting for Texas
1/24/12 Sherry's Interview with SW for HS
12/30/11 Received Brittany's Hope Seeding Grant
12/14/11 (10:30 pm) Received PA!
12/5/11 Received Email we're LOCKED & LOI submitted
12/5/11 Received New Pics from Orphanage Call
12/1/11 Made Commitment to Lock Eli
12/1/11 Received Orphanage Call Answers
11/13/11 Placed Orphanage Call
11/9/11 Received Eli's CCCWA File
11/4/11 Saw Eli's picture & video
11/3/11 Officially Began Adoption Adventure