Certification Of Documents

I did it! I traveled to Sacramento All By Myself. I was so nervous. It has been years since I have done anything alone, let alone get on a plane. So here is how my day went... I arrived at the airport without a reservation since I was going to try and use a voucher. I made it on the 7:15am flight. I've only been to Sacramento once and Dave drove. I did remember that parking downtown was difficult, so renting a car was not an option. I didn't want to take a Taxi due to the cost. While I was searching for options I noticed that the Bus would pick me up right in front of the terminal and drop me off approx. 3 blocks from the Secretary of State building. This seemed like the most logical way to travel and it would only cost me $3.00 round trip. In my mind I pictured Senators and Congressmen on the bus with me. Surely since I was going to our State Capital it would make sense that only officials would travel there. NOPE, it was a regular bus. But it was still a great decision. I think the bus driver could tell I was nervous (clinging to my cell phone and my Google map) so she explained that she would tell me when to get off the bus and show me where to go. Once I was off the bus I made it to the office without any problems. I only had to wait about 30min for all my documents to be certified. Everybody was so nice and helpful. I was done by 10:30 and my plane didn't leave until 4:30pm. I decided to sight see for an hour or so, then I went back to the airport changed my return flight and was back at home by 3:30pm. What was I so worried about? Today could not have gone better. I prayed so hard asking God to walk with me so I wouldn't be alone. He answered my prayer. I had such a feeling of peace and comfort. Today was a blessed day.

I171-H Is Here!

Our I171-H arrived in the mail today! Oh what a wonderful feeling! This was our last and final paper needed for our Dossier. I will travel to Sacramento later this week to visit the Secretary of State and get my documents certified.
Oh Happy Day!

Where Oh Where Is My I171-H?

Do You Think He Has It???

Okay, does every other adoptive parent who's waiting for this document run to their mailbox everyday only to slowly walk back with a stomach ache and a heart full of disappointment. This has been my daily routine. I've tried calling our local INS office only to talk to a lady who likes to tell me that she'll call me back yet she never does.

This is our last and final document needed for our dossier. Once we receive it we will travel to Sacramento to visit the Secretary of State for Certification. Then it's off to San Francisco to get our documents Authenticated by the Chinese Consulate. That's it! (I think) Finally Fed Ex our dossier to our agency for translation and then DTC!!!!!!!!

We will be gone for a week. Hopefully when we return our mailbox will have our much needed and desired document.

This wait is just so hard, know that Jinjue is growing and changing everyday without us. Maybe it's time for another care package!!!

Kara's 5th Birthday Party

Updated Pictures

You Know You Are An Adoptive Parent If...

YOU KNOW YOU'RE AN ADOPTIVE PARENT IF ...

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.

2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love & family.

3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.

4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.

5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who've experienced the blessing of adoption.

6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's "real" parents.

7. You've been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!)

8. You'd no idea how you'd afford to adopt, but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing He'd provide. (& He does!)

9. You've taken an airplane half-way around the world with a child you just met.

10. You believe God's heart's for adoption.

11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart & family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.

12. You know what the word "Dossier" means & you can actually pronounce it correctly!

13. You've welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.

14. You shudder when people say your child's so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you're the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

Doesn't this just say it all. I have borrowed this from http://theboysadoption.blogspot.com/. Thank You!

Ava's First Birthday

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It was Ava's birthday, yet I received the best gift. I wasn't able to send Ava a care package for her birthday, but I sent her one for Chinese's New Year with the help of Ann at Red Thread China. She sent me these pictures just a day after they were taken. I can't tell you how blessed we feel to have them. It was such a wonderful surprise. We were not expecting pictures or even an update. She looks so happy, healthy, and loved. I just can't tell you how this does my heart good!