Red Thread Journey..."An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break." Chinese Proverb


This is the story of our family: Our son Jacob, born to us 12 years ago, and Our daughter Kira (2005~2006), whom was born to us~ and now she rests in heaven before us, with my husband's eldest daughter Shelby (1990~2011). They have all three blessed our lives and souls, in many ways as their humbled parents. They have powerfully lead us through GOD'S hand to be parents of more; through their love, memory, and with the help of adoption from China. We have now come complete circle and have finished our journey to family forever, to adopt our 3...uhhhhh now 4th...no... it is our 5th beloved child from China. Our first China daughter; Hannah was from Guangdong, China ~ in 2008 and we then returned to China in late 2009 to adopt Our oldest son; Scott and Our oldest daughter; Athena, both from Henan, China ~ in 2009. We just finished the process of adopting our youngest daughter; Bella from China, she was also from Henan, China ~ in 2011. At the same time we were blessed to be able to have found another waiting daughter; Deanna, our 4th china daughter, and she is our 5th child from China. She is from Guangdong, China--same as our first China daughter; Hannah (2008) --& the story behind Deanna joining us is way too long to print it all here, but our circle of forever family is complete with her ~in 2011. {Here is just an exerpt of that special final adoption journey}-- Deanna is our 1st adopted daughter's foster sister from Guangdong, China. She is now the same age as our 1st adopted daughter was when we were first united as a forever family. Deanna's Chinese name means: 'perfect, precious circle'.} Our family circle is now complete. Pray with us as we enjoy parenthood, and as we continue to rejoice in the trials, triumphs, and blessings that have lead us each time halfway around the world to add to our cherished family. This is our family we share with you, as friends and family alike.


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Saturday, April 25, 2009

Limbo

Waiting... and for what? You ask...

I hesitated about posting this, but some of you, have been asking and wondering... what have I (we) been doing lately? Where are we in the adoption process for Scott, (fingers crossed)? What is going on that keeps us so busy? That we hardly have time to talk, email or contact our friends and distant (IE:driving miles, that is) family online or by phone?
Whelp, NOTHING.
~
We are in a state of "Limbo" and it doesn't feel real good. We are trying hard to keep our spirits up and our minds and time occupied with happiness. I (we) have just been occupying our time with the kids and each other. We have been flying kites, playing cards and board games, building snowmen (not good ones either) :o) playing badminton, swimming lessons, Chinese Language Classes, wandering the mall, dieting, watching RedBox movies and going to the movie theaters, doing lots of end of school year events... doing everything we can, to not talk or think about the "Limbo".
~
...Limbo... Whelp, we can not seem to get our last document from the USA for our approval to adopt from a foreign country. So at this point China has no idea we want to adopt, nor can they allow it. Yes, of course they (USA) have all our paperwork at the USCIS (United States Customs and Immigration Service). Well at least now they do... again. They notified us on day 60 that they lost our Original Home study from our Social Worker. Our adoption agency Fed EX'ed them another one immediately. In the mean time we finally got a fingerprint appointment right before that awful "We lost your file/home study" notice. We were able to attend the fingerprint appointment a day late { go figure :o( } due to the BLIZZARD in late March. It has since been another 30 days of no contact...
Our adoption agency as well as us, have emailed the government to plead with them to tell us our status of our approval and please send the last document we need to adopt. And at the very least to find out if the correct field officer has all our paperwork in hand, but no response... a state of Limbo... as we wait for "The Golden Ticket".
~
...Limbo...We hope we will be matched with our son in May... but we have been hoping for the match for, ...Oh let's just say since 10.14.08. Yes, that is right for close to 7 months. I can not go into a lot of detail on this part, as you know referrals are sacred and a very secret anomaly until the time comes to be matched. I will just say send prayers for May. I will say, I have seen many children I would bring home as my son/daughter in the past few months that I yearned to adopt... but my (our) :o) heart belongs to another.
~
Pray for May... Limbo is hard. Even though we try not mention it aloud & never to our beloved children. This is a parental enduring, we hope for closure to be just around the corner {ANY DAY, NOW} and to be able to move forward soon in this process.
Sorry, you don't know anymore than you knew before this post and us either. :o\
Take care and we will be back soon.
ash and family
**UPDATE** 5/8/09 I-797C
It is now off to the SOS (secretary of state) for authentication.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter...hunt

Easter Basket Joy...

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Easter Prep...

Our day began early...
with many songs & many children. Jacob had his District Choir Festival.

Working together to create some Easter eggs for the Bunny.


Not sure why people have to stick out their tongue while they do things...
Is it a crab?, maybe the milky way?... or perhaps just the work of a little artist. :)

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Lilypie Date is set Ticker
Lilypie Countdown to Adoption tickers
Lilypie Waiting to Adopt tickers
Lilypie Waiting to Adopt tickers