$5.00 Fun....

Sounds interesting right? Well, it's not what you think. I thought of titling this one "While Dad's away..." but Hannah suggested the other title. Anyway, while Hope and I were out running errands we ran across these sidewalk paints. We got ours at Michaels though with a 50% coupon. Can't beat that. It started out pretty fun, then Jake got a little crazy and Hope joined in. Well, I figured Dad was away and I'll just let them have some fun. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. BTW, I did get them bathed and in jammies before he got home from school. The only evidence? The beautifully painted driveway!!

Gift from a friend....

Look what I got in the mail... What a wonderful surprise. This came from Tami and was so unexpected!! You really made my day. I love candles, especially green tea.

What you wrote touched my heart and I have put it in Grace's baby book. I will share her story with her some day and you will be a part of that. Thank you so much.

Ice Cream!!!

Just some random pictures of the kids with ice cream from the local parlor on the last day of Memorial weekend vacation.

News on the adoption front, our agency has gone to bat for us and submitted all the documents and info pertaining to Hanzhong and requested expedited LOA for us. I am not sure we will get it, but at least we are trying!! I am letting it go, if this is meant to be it will happen, otherwise I will wait on His perfect timing knowing that God will take care of our sweet baby girl until we can get there. Borrowing from this blogger a verse that is very close to my heart right now.

Come to me and rest in my loving presence. You know that this day will bring difficulties, and you are trying to think your way through those trials. As you anticipate what is ahead of you, you forget that I am with you - now and always. Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way! Instead, come to me and relax in my peace. I will strengthen you and prepare you for this day, transforming your fear into confident trust. (Matthew 11:28-30; Joshua 1:5, 9)

Look who came to visit...

Sunny!!

She graduated with the Mason High Seniors and has about a month to go before heading back to Shanghai.

The Grandparents also came up and we are finally seeing temps in the 70's!!

And last but most important of all. My oldest baby girl is 12!!!

I couldn't find any baby pictures of Hannah on digital camera, so I settled for this one taken five years ago on memorial day.

Thanks for all the wonderful, supportive comments. I know I need to let go and let God deal with this. I've been through a sn's adoption before. This is so hard. I just want my baby safe in my arms.

Prayers Needed...again.

There have been more earthquakes in Hanzhong with more fatalities. They are technically classified as aftershocks, but at 6.7, I would call that an earthquake.

We have sent the articles, reports from Caring for China and the pictures we received of Grace to our agency. They agreed to ask for expedited LOA and TA. I am not sure we will get it but would appreciate any prayers. I should find out Tuesday or Wednesday what they (CCAA) said. Hopefully this will not push our file to the bottom of the stack.

New pictures...

Taken today or rather last night for us. Look at my poor baby's face!! How I wish I was there to protect her from those nasty mosquitos.

Grace is standing in front of the government provided tents that they are living in right now.
Please, if you feel called to donate, go to this organization and click on earthquake relief. They are accepting donations and will get the needed supplies to the orphanage. Remember to put Hanzhong in the space provided. They will send you a tax deductible receipt.

Thank you!!

Going on faith..

I am so thankful that Grace is in a Christian foster care center. They are taking care of her and providing her with everything she needs right now. God will watch over her and keep her safe until we are able to bring her home with us.

I am letting go. She is safe for now and in good hands. It is all in His timing and things will progress, maybe not as quickly as I would like but we will bring her home. That much I know.

Colossians 1:11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully

Please remember Steven Curtis Chapman's family in your prayers, their daughter Maria passed away tragically yesterday.

LID...

We found out our LID is actually April 30. We were told it was April 18, but I didn't think it was possible as this was our DTC date. The agency insisted it was, turns out they were wrong. We also asked for expedited LOA and were told that their China facilitator said there isn't a problem in Hanzhong...hmm.. that's strange. Seems to me I am reading about it in the news and hearing about it from the Director of the SWI and from phone calls to the SWI. So, now what do we do?? Push the issue and see what happens or let it go? If we push we risk our dossier getting stuck somewhere and if we don't, who knows??

Three posts in a day...

wish it was good news. Here is an email I received from May. We have asked our agency to request expedited LOA and TA. We'll see what happens. I don't think they will go for it because Grace's sn's are not severe but I can ask...and pray.

Desiree,
I have been very saddened by all of this also. I called the orphanage and found out they are short of blankets, food, water and a have a bad problem with mosquitoes. They are living in tents, but during the day they do some activities in the newer building, but at night they must go back and stay in the tents. Many of the children including your daughter have gotten many mosquito bites. They are trying very hard, but can't seem to control them, and this is a worry. They don't know how long they must stay in the tents. They must wait for inspectors to check out the buildings before they can move back into them. My heart was very heavy when I talked to them.They said they have found ways to get some things they need, but they need more money. I am asking many many friends to help me here and we are doing things to raise money to send to them. I think this is the best way to help. If you have a group there I can send the money I raise here to you, and you can send it to China. What do you think?
May

More aftershocks...Prayers needed

I got this article from Google alerts this morning. Doesn't sound like good news at all. Grace is in Hanzhong now and Hope is from Baoji.

Aftershocks Cause More Damage, Keep West China Tension High
May 20,2008 by CSC staff


With aftershocks measuring 6.0 to 7.0 on the Richter scale recorded yesterday and this morning, the continuing activity of the massive May 12 earthquake in Sichuan Province has 100+ million people, in the provincial capital Chengdu, in Chongqing City and in surrounding areas in the province and neighboring provinces, understandably at the edge of their seats ready to run for it at the least quiver.

Meanwhile, authorities in Shaanxi Province, immediately to the north of Sichuan, passed on the same information from CEA and warned residents, especially those in the Hanzhong and Baoji areas which border Sichuan, to take strong precautions.

Nothing new..just more pictures of Grace

Grace is the one in red, it's nice to have a photo of her with her lip un repaired.

Not sure why this picture wouldn't re size, but it is more recent about April 2008. Isn't she just so cute!!!

Update from the SWI...updated!!

Here is the latest news from Hanzhong SWI:

We are all back in the buildings now but have just moved the babies into the first floor of their building (they normally live on the 2nd Floor)This makes it easier to evacuate them if needed. People here are still consumed with fear that HZ will be hit as bad as Si Chuan province.They are not completely confident to return to life as normal yet.Please lift the people up here and especially the carers here who are tired and scared.

Thanks for your concern,

Natalie

Administrator Shekinah Shalom

I have a few pictures of Grace and then one of Hope in her new outfit I made. You can't see them real well in this picture but the ladybugs match the applique on her top.

We got another note from Hanzhong today. I am so glad to hear Grace is doing ok.

Dear Desiree,

Today we received your package for Xin Jie.All the items were inside , the picture ball & picture, outfit & shoes, toys, food and camera.I went over to the house to give them to Xin Jie and take pictures of her but she was fast asleep.So I will either do that later or go see her tomorrow.I'm sure she will enjoy all the goodies inside!Things are fine here. We had another earthquake on Saturday night but it wasn't very strong and itdidn't last very long either.With Love, Natalie

No new news...

We haven't heard anything from Hanzhong in a couple days. I did make a donation to Caring for China. They sent me an update saying they are in the process of wiring money over to cover the cost of filtered water and meds. I'm wondering though if they don't have water, how can they do laundry, cook or even drink anything. It's so hard to sit here and have everything I need knowing my baby is over there and may not be getting a bottle or clean diapers.

I heard a song in church this morning and it really helped.

"When I'm afraid, your love remains.

Oh God, I'm holding on to you"

How true God's love is here and he will watch over Grace and keep her safe.

Here are some of the pictures we got from our China-Babies report. The first one is Grace at 4-6 mths and the last one is from April of this year. She is getting so big. As happy as I was to get these pictures, I am also sad that I am missing out on so much.

Going Private...

We were contacted by NPR (national public radio) to do an interview with them for a show called Day to Day. We thought about doing it, it would generate a lot of much needed money to the Hanzhong orphanage via donations, but the scary thing is, how did they find us? She said she wanted to do an interview with parents waiting on their child in the affected quake area and how they are coping with the waiting and not knowing. Maybe she had good intentions. However after reading her profile I am not at all comfortable doing the interview. I don't want anything to jeopardize our adoption. I love Grace and couldn't bear having her referral taken away. Kerry is having a harder time with this and doesn't understand why we couldn't do the interview. I just can't predict how the CCAA would react and am not willing to take any chances.

Donations for Hanzhong via Caring for China

The organization that sponsors Gracie's SWI has set up a place on their site to accept donations. They are in desperate need of medical supplies and filtered water. You can donate here via Pay pal or visa/MC.

Pictures from Grace's SWI...

courtesy of HTS organization.

One more update... Updated

I have heard from someone inside the SWI and also had May call. The wall around the orphanage crumbled, but the buildings so far are OK. Everyone made it out OK, they are living in tents and are scared. Gracie is OK. I can not give my source but everyone is fine and accounted for. There have been many aftershocks.

We will be having a prayer vigil on Friday, every hour at the top of the hour, if anyone cares to join in.

Update:

There are continued aftershocks. The most recent a 5.1 occurred at 5pm eastern standard time. Please continue your prayers. The people of China and especially Grace's SWI have to be running low on food and needed medicines.

More news...not so good

The following is an email from our yahoo group regarding Grace's SWI. I am beyond upset right now. I can barely type. I want so badly to get on a plane and go get my child. I am praying she hangs in there and the people from the SWI are ok. I could not imagine living in a tent with children not knowing where your next meal is going to come from or if you will survive the night. Please continue to pray for China.


I just learned through our Agency and facilitator, that the orphanage was greatly damaged. They are not allowed back into the structure. She is not sure if it is just in need of repair or if a new facility will be needed.
The agency is fund raising to ensure these children get what they need.
She said originally, the message she got was that everything was fine, but as they have been able to make more contact with their China Reps, they have learned that the structure is not good and they will be living in tents.

I know many of us have children from there, and are now waiting on children from there. I also know that we all will continue to pray for our children and that they are safe and well, as well as the many others who have been affected by this horrible tragedy.
We have been worried sick about our children and if they were alive and well, so at least we now know.

Finally, news...

Below is an email from a very nice lady I have used for both our adoptions. She goes out of her way to help adoptive parents and we love her!!

Desiree,

It took some doing, but I got through to **** SWI. They have felt some tremors, but are all OK so far. All of the personnel and children had to move out of the buildings. Now they are camping:) but thank God every one is OK. They set up tents and are doing the best they can. All the buildings are still standing, but they will not take the chance that they might collapse, so they must stay outside day and night until they are sure this is over.I have been very saddened to hear the news of the disaster. It is just terrible. We will pray for them and try to find out what we can do to help. At this time, I don't have any information on what to do to help, but I will tell you if I hear of anything they need. At this time it sounds like the government has provided food and shelter for many people.

Hopefully the worst is over. Now the real work will begin. I am praising God right now that my baby is safe. There are so many people right now that are suffering. I can't imagine the pain. If I could go over and help I would. Please continue to pray for China.

Earthquake...

Still haven't heard anything from our agency or the contact I have. I am hoping for some kind of news soon, anything is better than nothing at all.

We did hear that our LID is 4/28/08. As great as this is I would give anything to know our baby is safe. Please continue to pray for China and our Gracie.

Pray for Gracie and China

Grace's SWI is very close to where the quake hit. We are still waiting to hear from the organization that sponsors the SWI. I have no idea if they have any damage or if everyone (including our baby girl is OK) Please pray for Grace and all the people of China right now.

Happy Mother's Day!!

I opened my email to find a report from Misty waiting for me. What an awesome present!! The picture was probably taken last month. My baby is getting so big!! She is even potty trained, maybe she can give Hope some pointers!!

I have finished one of the PIF gifts and am working on the next one. Sorry guys but this may take longer than I thought. I will get them out to you though, late this week.

Wanna Play???

I saw this on a couple blogs and was always to late... so I thought maybe I should just do it myself. Sounds fun and I LOVE sending gifts to people!! My gifts to you may take a couple days, they will be handmade:) This is certainly not a rule, just my choice.

How does it work?

Here are the rules:

I will send a gift (of my choosing) to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this "PIF" exchange, and who make the same pledge on their own blog.The only thing you have to do in return is PAY IT FORWARD - on your own blog. So, if you want to get a goodie from me, and are willing to do the same via your blog, let me know!

(Note that you'll need to give me your real snail mail address... which you can do by private email.)

Getting Better?? **Updated**

It's just to bad the words aren't bigger. I researched the variations of the name Grace. It is such a pretty name.

Here is the information I used about the name Grace. I found it on this website. It's a very good resource for researching your childs name.

The girl's name Grace \g-ra-ce\ is pronounced grayce. It is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "favor; blessing". A virtue name referring to God's grace. Greek mythology: the Three Graces were goddesses of nature: Aglaia (brillance), Thalia (flowering), and Euphrosyne (joy). Actress and princess Grace Kelly; singer Grace Jones; choreographer Graciela Daniele.
Grace has 27 variant forms: Engracia, Eugracia, Gracee, Gracella, Gracelynn, Gracelynne, Gracey, Gracia, Graciana, Gracie, Graciela, Graciella, Gracielle, Gracija, Gracina, Gracious, Grata, Gratia, Gratiana, Gratiela, Gratiella, Grayce, Grazia, Graziella, Grazina, Graziosa and Grazyna.
Baby names that sound like Grace are Karas, Kris, Cris and Crecia.

Grace is a very popular female first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl's name Grace. Click here to compare Grace with related baby names.

Trying something new....

Not sure how this will look, but I'm giving it a try. I bought some digital scrap booking software and thought I'd give it a try.

I didn't spend to much but love the way other's have their pictures on their blogs. I have a lot to learn. To bad I couldn't figure out the music that goes with it, it was a pretty Asian instrumental.

Sunshine Day!!

Nothing much going on here. We did enjoy a sunny weekend. Hannah went to a friends on Sunday and the boys, Baba, Hope and I headed to a Green Festival. Lots of fun, the music was great and we had a good time.

Also on the agenda, a haircut for Jake!! He was way over due. He wanted to let it grow long, but the child is only 7 and I think we'll wait for that. I compromised with him and said when school is out he can let it grow all summer.





Before haircut. (and with ice cream on his face)

After haircut, just look at that handsome face!!

Also, the Mary Kay fundraiser is still going on through Wednesday, so if you need some please order here and don't forget to put my name in the comments section!! Thanks!!