Zheng Lan's Waiting Family

Here are a few photos of our family. We can't wait to bring our girl home!!!

Clothes for Lizzie

I was ordering Birthday Clothes for the kids, and couldn't resist one of those cute tutu's that was on clearance for Lizzie. I can't wait to put it on her!!!

My sweet sister-in-law, Leta, also sent home some clothes & a car seat that her daughter has outgrown. I've had fun washing the clothes, putting together a few outfits, and knowing that Lizzie will at least have a couple of cute outfits! I just wish I knew exactly what size she will be. The charts show she's about 12-18 month size, but you never know. Do I pack some of both sizes? I think I'll go for the 18-24 month sizes, and if they drown her, at least she'll have clothes on!!! I did figure out that she'd be in size 4 diapers. I haven't had to do diapers for so long, this will be an adjustment (not to mention an added monthly expense).

We've been re-decorating the room she'll share with big sister, and we're working on new quilts to match for both girls....one for the big bed, one for the crib. Big sister is so excited, and has begged to please share a room with Lizzie. She's going to be a great big sister!

Still need a new mattress & sheets for the crib, all the baby items that you get rid of (i.e. lotion, ointment, diapers, wipes, etc), but it will all come. And do I buy bottles or sippy cups? By age 2, my kids were all using sippy cups only. What does she use there? I have no idea, and I don't really have a way to find out. Maybe the advent bottles with the nipples & sippy lids....less to pack but the option of both.

We sent her care package out on Tuesday! $45 for a shoe-box size with a blanket, a couple of outfits, candy to share with her foster family, a stuffed animal, and a picture book of our family. It was so much fun to put together.

I had a day this week that I wondered what we were doing and why we were trying to make this happen. I was ready to quit, but I knew that if I quit, I'd be quitting on my little girl. I can't do that...I have to keep having hope, keep moving forward, and doing all that I can do to raise the money to bring her home....and the Lord will do the rest. So, I picked myself up, kissed my girls picture on the fridge, and prayed for strength. I cannot wait to bring her home, regardless of the challenges that lie ahead. I have so many friends that are supporting me and offering their love. I have a great husband, 3 children I cherish, and family that is behind me all the way. With the Lord, all things are possible!

More Good News

We just received our letter from the USCIS stating that they received our documents and are processing them. We should get our fingerprinting appointment in a week, and then we're looking at about 4 weeks after that for our approval. Now is the time to start applying for our VISA.

Other good news...Jake was just hired full-time at a job he really wanted!!! Hurray!!!! More details to follow once everything is in writing, finalized, and he's ready to start!!!! It will be a good change for our family! And they said it wouldn't be a problem for him to take 2 weeks to go pick up our baby girl! Congrats, Jake!

The Lord truly has a hand in our lives!

Miracles Never Cease

I just had someone stop by and drop off $1300-exactly what we needed to send in our immigration papers. They bought several of Jake's tools, paying full price for them in order to help us out. In addition, Jake was able to sell some of his climbing gear to pay the overnight shipping costs. It is truly a miracle and the timing is perfect.

In addition, we received an email that our Letter of Adoption was sent from the Chinese government, and is being over-nighted to us for our signatures. This often takes 2-4 months, but it's only been 2 weeks. WOW! Every time I think of how much everyone is supporting us, praying for us, and helping miracles occur, I get emotional. I cannot wait to bring my girl home! Thank you to everyone who is helping us, in whatever way they can! Especially the prayers and belief in our abilities!

Homestudy Complete!!

Our homestudy is complete, and we picked it up today!!! Suzanne Stott with Families For Children has been working with us for the past 5 years and we are so grateful for her! She put in some extra time and even came out on a Saturday to help us speed this up! She is amazing!

Now, we are sending our I-800A off tomorrow (somehow....we are still working on getting the money to go along with it). The Lord has blessed me with another offer on a home I have listed, a new client, and so many wonderful people who are praying for us and doing what they can to help us!

We are meeting with our friend, Matt Luke, tonight. He has done several large fundraisers and has offered to help us organize a dance, or any other ideas we might have!!! Miracles continue!!!

Cost Breakdown!

We've had some questions as to the amount we need, what it is for, and the time-line.

We are trying to travel in June, and the cost is approx. $20K.

We need $2000 asap to file our immigration docs (I-800A), visa's, and agency fees (this includes required classes on adopting from China and Attachment), and then the rest of it is all part of our travel costs and in-china fees & Expenses. We'll need that by the 1st or 2nd week of May.

We have to travel to a few different cities in china, plus medical exam, her visa & passport to come home, a $5000 orphanage fee (stays with the orphanage to make improvements), and of course, China's Adoption fees. This comes to between $16,000 & $18,000.

Julie is working as a Realtor to help earn the money in addition to our fundraising events!

Zheng Lan was born in the Year of the Ox

Well, we ended up celebrating the Chinese New Year with "Asian Haystacks" (OK...Hawaiian Haystacks, but we had to change the name for the event), pot stickers & egg rolls, and my oldest invited friends over from school. We, of course, pulled out the dragon (made while I was homeschooling during our "Chinese Unit" out of paper mache, fabric, paint and ribbon), taught the kids to say "Thank You" and "I Love You" (Appropriate for 11 year old boys & girls close to Valentines Day) in Cantonese, asked them what they new about China, and then had a little Wii competition. That sounds Chinese, too, right? They each looked up their Zodiak Sign, and we found out that Zheng Lan is an OX, Dad is a Rabbit, Mom is a Rooster, and the kids are a Rabbit, Snake and Monkey (appropriate).

I also received my "FILE" on Zheng Lan in the mail....copies of the photo's they'd emailed me, copies of all her medical records that they had emailed, and information about the orphanage she is from and the delays she may have from being there. We also received instructions on how to send her a small care package so she begins to become familiar with who we are (photos, blanket, disposable cameras, stuffed animals, clothes, etc). I can send them as often as I'd like...or as money will allow!

For every 3 months a child is in an orphanage, the physical and mental delay is 1 month. Henan Province has just recently allowed children to be adopted from their province. Our daughter is also VERY lucky to have been placed in a foster home, where the one on one is more likely to help her not fall so fare behind. She was in the orphanage for about a year before being placed, but is now with a foster family (lucky family!).

My dad also asked my mom today, "What is this about an adoption." With their internet down, and dad not attending our Sister's Day where I updated everyone, he didn't realize we'd found our girl. I guess I need to be better about calling him. He's so awesome! Now, he's been filled in!

We've had some good donations come in, and are so grateful for everyone who has joined our cause on facebook (Bringing Zheng Lan Home), offered to help organize other fundraisers, and has sent work my way (I'm a Realtor, and all the money I earn is going towards the adoption). I had two offers submitted today! We'll post the events as we have them finalized and hope to get as much support as possible.

The Lord is truly in charge and blessing our lives.

We fasted and prayed about it, seeking the Lord's guidance. The answer came clearly...she is yours! So, on Monday, January 24, we wrote in that we wanted Zheng Lan. The next day, we sent in our Letter of Intent and supporting documents to CCAI, our adoption agency, and on January 31, 2011, we received this message:

Hi there and congratulations! Today we received your pre-approval from the CCAA!

I met with two different doctors who looked over all the information that they gave me. It didn't really matter what they said anymore, though we wanted to be prepared for all of the possibilities, we were willing to take on whatever it was our child would need. Isn't that what you do for your kids? We feel educated..and both doctors could see no "red flags."

Zheng Lan was abandoned at the orphanage door in the Henan province at approximately 2-3 months. They estimated she was 3 months old, but there is no way to know her exact birthdate. She was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and Anemia. She appeared to have had some head trama during birth or shortly after. She had a birth mom that realized something was not right and sought help by leaving her baby where she could get help. She is receiving the medical care she needs, and we are so grateful to the orphanage, doctors, and foster parents that are taking care of her.

Happy Chinese New Year

In honor of the Chinese New Year, I thought I'd spend some time researching where Zheng Lan is from...Zhengzou City, Henan Province. It is one of the best places to receive medical care because of a charity that is run to specifically meet the needs of the children in this area. We know our daughter was blessed to be in such a place to be provided the medical care she needed.

Zhengzou City, Henan Province, China

Pictures: (left to right) 2 photos of Archialogical digs, Zhongyue Temple, Shaolin Temple Grounds, Map of Henan Province, Kung Fu at Shaolin Temple, 2nd Annual Wushu Festival, Mt. Songshan (or Song Mountain), Yellow River (one of 4 main rivers in China)

Zhengzhou Children's Welfare Institute in China (Orphanage)

Zhengzhou Social Wlefare Institute, and Zhengzhou Children's Welfare Institute is part of Government funded comprehensive social welfare unit. Currently, it is one orgaization with two names, as subordinate branch to Zhengahou CIvil Affairs Bureau. Built in the early days of liberation.

The institute is mainly responsible for taking in the young, the handicapped, and the old who have been left homeless, and without any social or financial supports. Currently, there are 60 staff members, 4 supervising staff, 1head secretary and dean, 1 vice-secretary, 2 vice-deans. There are four divisions in our institute, including main office, adoption management section, medical and rehab section, finance section, and executive management office.

The total area of our institute consists of 43 053 square meters, with a total floor space of 19 226.6 square meters. We have a newly built “home”, a 5 storey comprehensive facility with functions of living, rehab, recreation and etc. The building was made of courtyard style with medical and rehab center, dining room, boiler room, laundry room and public baths. Inside it are recreational facilities such as computer room, arcade, exercise room, and a square for relaxation and activity. 95% of the outdoor areas are filled with grass and garden plants. There are over 100 varieties of flowers and bushes, blooming at different seasons, creating different sceneries all four seasons. There are also rock mountains, fountains and ponds, gazebos, and the environment is excellent and air is refreshing. The living rooms are equipped with air-conditioners, electronic fans, heat, hot water and cable TV. There are also chess room and musical hall. The elders and children are provided with high quality living conditions.

There are currently 216 occupants, among them, 89 children, and 60 elderly, and 67 youths with disability or deformity. Our mission is to contribute all our efforts for the needy individuals, which is also the duty of our staff. In the last few years, under the leadership of CPC and Government, the guidance from provincial leaders, and the undying support from Civil Affairs Bureau, especially since the replacement of the new leadership in our institute, with the guidance from dean and director Mr. Meng Xianpu, who serves as a model for us to follow, the team is led towards progress, development, and change. The team work together to explore new alternatives to new paths, to strengthen professional ethics, to spread work and team spirits, and the spirits of helping others, to give the remnant, elders, disabled and young our love and care, and use our effort and contribution, our warmth and kindness to spread our love across. www.china-ccaa.org

Zhengzhou City, Henan Province

The capital city of Henan Province, Zhengzhou is located in the middle of China, about 760 km (about 472 miles) south of Beijing and 480 kilometers (about 298 miles) east of Xian. After the Longhai Railway (Lanzhou to Lianyungang) and Jingjiu Railway (Beijing to Kowloon) were completed, their intersection, Zhengzhou, became a vital transportation hub. Thanks to this important position, the city has prospered.

With a pleasant climate, Zhengzhou is welcoming all year round. The hottest month is July and the average temperature is about 27C (80.6F) while the coldest month is January with an average temperature of -0.2C (31.64F). Autumn and spring are the best and the peak tourist seasons. You can enjoy a more beautiful Zhengzhou at that time.

The city is a national historical and cultural city and also the first destination for any Henan Tour. The ancient city was the capital of Shang Dynasty (16th - 11th century BC) 3,500 years ago when porcelain and the Chinese technique of bronze smelting were comparatively more developed. A green ceramic glaze pot unearthed in Zhengzhou has been shown to be the most ancient porcelain in China. A long history has left Zhengzhou with many cultural and historic sites. Shaolin Temple situated at the foot of Mt. Song is the cradle of Shaolin Kung Fu. If you are interested in Chinese Kong Fu, the temple and the performances must be seen. One of the four Academies of Classical Learning in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), Songyang Shuyuan, gives a complete depiction of Chinese ancient education. In addition, many ancient tombs, temple buildings and battle sites all show the dense culture of Zhengzhou.

Transportation provision in the city is excellent. Arriving and departing, whether by air, train or bus, is a smooth process as Zhengzhou is a center of transportation in middle China.

Zheng Lan in October

She's really gotten chubby. Can't wait to see her and hopefully get more photos!

Documents sent to CCAI...check
Passport Photos Sent...check
Updated Physicals..check
Updated Home Study Interview...check
BCI's...
Home Study Update Complete...
I-800A Submission...
Post-Placement Adoption Fee (refundable)...

These are our next most critical steps that need to be completed asap! We're on our way. Home Study should be completed at the end of the week!!!!

Our Chinese Daughter

See this photo. This is the one that I saw in November. I couldn't get this face out of my head. I called my mom, crying, "Mom, I found my little girl and I can't afford to go and get her!" My mom's reply was...."there will be another one when the time is right." Those words brought some comfort, but still, I couldn't forget her!

3 weeks ago, wondering if my baby had found a home, I went back and checked the list. There she was. Many other children with more severe needs had been placed, but my baby hadn't. After a sleepless night, I asked my husband why it was that I could not forget her. I requested as much information as I could on her. I kept reading through it thinking...."there is nothing wrong with her, she is perfect for me....I can handle whatever it is she will need."

As my husband began to seriously consider the possibilities and really look at her, he, too, knew she was ours.

January 24, 2013 we wrote a letter to China stating that "We accept this Child!."  Cannot wait to hold this baby girl in my arms!