New picture of Maddison

June 26, 2012

 Another child from the Hebi City SWI  joined his forever family yesterday.  Praise the Lord!  Little Kia became Pierre-Luc, our little French speaking Canadian.  To the best of our knowledge, Wen Kia and Wen Jia (Maddison) have been together in the same room since she was five days old minus any days the two children were in the hospital for surgeries.  Therefore, we think,  they are pretty close.  Pierre-Luc's mom was so sweet to take a picture of Maddie for us.  Maddison is the first child being held on the left side, wearing a yellow-orange tank in the front row.  She still has short hair, but it does seem to be growing out just a little.  Maddie looks healthy and well.  Praise the Lord, our little one is doing great!  
~ Robin

NVC Letter Arrives (PDF format)

Today we received an email from the National Visa Center (NVC) with a copy of their approval letter.  We forwarded this on to our adoption agency this morning who sent it to their office in Guangzhou. CCAIs office in  Guangzhou will deliver our DS-230 paperwork to the US Consulate where it will take approximately 2 weeks for our Article 5 to be issued.  Once our Article 5 is issued it will be mailed to CCAI's office in Beijing. They will deliver it to the CCCWA (Chinese government for adoption) and they have 2-4 weeks to issue our travel approval. Once we have our travel approval and a confirmed consulate appointment we will be on a plane to China in 10-21 days.  Mid to late August looks possible!!!

I-800 Approval

Robin and I have been wondering if we have been approved by immigration.  I have been looking on-line and it looked like everyone who submitted their I-800 the first of June had been approved.  Most folks were getting emails stating they had been approved - not us!  I got home from work today and went to the mailbox.  What do you know, we had a letter from Homeland Security with our I-800 approval!!!!  They had approved us on June 15th.

So here's the list from a previous post that I promised I'd update.....

• Receive LOA (DONE!)
• Send I-800 application to USCIS (asking US immigration for permission to adopt the child we were specifically matched with)  (DONE!)
• USCIS forwards our approval to the National Visa Center (NVC) to petition visa (DONE!)
• The NVC forwards the approved visa petition to the US Consulate in Guangzhou China 
• The Consulate reviews the visa application (the DS-230), makes sure it meets the qualifications for an immigrant visa, and then signs off that everything is in order for the adoption to be completed.
• The approval is forwarded to the CCCWA, which issues our Travel Approval!

Getting closer!!!!

Received Letter of Action from Lock Box

Today we received notification that USCIS had received our I-1800 application June 5th.  Hopefully, they approve us quickly!  It appears from what I am reading on blogs that it usually takes 21 days to get approval :(.  With our luck, it will probably be the whole time!

LOA Arrives

The day started off with us having to take our dog Mandy to the vet for a checkup at 9:00 AM.  We weren't sure if we had to sign for the FedEx delivery, so Robin's dad, Bill, came over on his way home from a Gideon meeting to "watch" and "wait" for the delivery.  We made it home around 9:45 AM, and nothing :(.  We sat down for a couple of minutes and then Bill saw the truck pull up.  Robin went to the door to get the package, and by the time I got there, the FedEx gal was on her way back to the truck!  Oh well, the package is what we wanted anyway!

Missed taking a picture of the FedEx Gal!

The "Cherished" Paperwork

Opening the Package

Reviewing the Documents and Completing Additional Paperwork

This is what our Letter of Acceptance looks like!!  We waited 116 days to receive this VERY important piece of paper.... and had it in our hands for less than 3 hours!!  We had to check a little, tiny box that said "We accept this child" and then sign/date it.

LOA

 

Back in January, when we accepted the file for Maddison, we had to write a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the Chinese Government (CCCWA) stating that we wanted to adopt her.   We sent our LOI to CCAI, our adoption agency.  They translated it and put it onto the official forms.  These forms were in the FedEx envelope along with the LOA.   We had to write "WE ACCEPT DANG, WEN JIA" on the Chinese and English versions of this form and send them back to our agency!

We got the LOA, LOI(s), the I-800, Supplement 1, and the I-864W all filled out, signed/dated, and pictures taken.  Next, we had to run to the UPS Store to make copies of all our paperwork.  Once this was completed, we came back to the house and put together our package to send to CCAI.  Back to the UPS Store we went and our package was shipped by 12:44 PM.  It should be delivered to CCAI by 10:30 Monday morning.  The LOA will be sent to China and the remaining paperwork sent to USCIS for our I-800 processing.

L O A !!!!

We received an email this afternoon notifying us that they had our LOA from the Chinese government.  They are sending it to us overnight and we should have it in our hands tomorrow.  We have to sign the LOA and send it back to CCAI along with our I-800 and I-864W paperwork.  They will send the LOA back to China and forward the other paperwork to our immigration for approval.  We should be traveling to China to get Maddison in 10-14 weeks!  Praise the Lord!

Count....

I forgot to let you all know that today is day 108 in the waiting process for our LOA.  Patience Lord, patience please. 
~Robin     

We received a video of Maddison - oh what a cutie!

Do you remember that special family, the Bolens, who took pictures of Maddison during their trip last month?  Well........we received a video of their visit to the orphanage this week in the mail.   YEA!!!!!!  It is full of wonderful images that warm the heart.  We are so thankful to Jennifer and Kevin for their time and effort.  It is wonderful!!!!

The video consists of a couple of sections.  They are as follows:  the outside of the orphanage, a couple of rooms inside, Maddison and her roommates, the orphanage director, a few office staff, a  few nannies, and the Bolens.  Unfortunately, it is to big to load the whole video on the blog, but Dave figured out how to do a few little clips.  

Jennifer got to hold her.  Praise the Lord she got to hold our baby.  We got to see her facial expressions and watch her walk.  Maddison was like a weeble........"weebles wobble but they don't fall down."  She just teetered around and was as cute as a button.  She was very quiet and interested  in everyone and everything.  

All the children looked well taken care of.  We saw gentle touches and kind faces in the workers and staff.  They seemed very proud that some of their children were being adopted.  Up until this spring, the Hebi City Social Welfare Institute has had less than a dozen children adopted out to our knowledge.  We know of 5 (and that includes Maddison) that have or will be joining their forever families during this spring and summer.  Isn't the Lord good.  That means 5 less orphans in Hebi, China.  

Maddison did not like the flash on the camera and would make awful faces after the pictures were taken.  Dave thinks she already can give that teacher look that I have so wonderfully perfected over the years.

She was quiet and very mobile.  She seemed to accept and enjoy the love that Jennifer gave to her.  She was not crying and never made a noise.  The orphanage director carried her around in his arms for a little while and she acted very comfortable being carried.  Like she was used to that kind of attention.  She was very interested in Kevin, Jennifer, and one of their boys.  He tried to hold her, but she did not want anything to do with that.  That is a good thing.  MaddieJi, stay away from those boys.  Dave, just out of the blue, told me the other day she was never going to date!  Pitty the boy who wants to date his little girl!!!

~Robin

Woohoo! We Got Updated Pictures!!!!

This afternoon we received an update on Maddison from our adoption agency.  It included updated measurements and a few additional pictures.  Looks like they shaved her head again!  Robin was so hoping that they would let her hair grow....  Oh, well, the bows will have to wait.

Our personal favorite!!!

Here are her updated measurements (5/14/12):

• Weight - 22 lbs
• Height - 32.3 inches
• Chest -  20.5 inches
• Head Circumference - 18.1 inches
• 13 teeth
• Health Status - Good

Other notes from Update:

• She can walk
• She is learning to go up and down stairs
• Still needs diaper (shucks!)
• She smiles a lot
• She drools a lot - family had better take a bib for her
• She is eating bread, biscuits (cookies), and drinking water
• She is quiet (takes after Dave, not Robin)
• They call her Jia Jia (Jia translates as beautiful and yes we totally agree.)

 We are still waiting on LOA (day 102!).  Getting this update sure helps the wait!

Day 100

Well, today we have been waiting 100 days for our  LOA.  We did receive an e-mail today from our adoption agency, but it was just to inform us that China has raised the price of some of their post adoption translation fees.  No longer can they translate the reports, but a company contracted by the Chinese government has to do it.

Maddison is 18 months old today.

Today is the 15th of May and that means Maddison is 18 months old.  Oh how we wish we could be with her today!!!!!! 

The wait for our LOA is at 99 days today.  I keep telling myself patience is a virtue.  Don't we have lots of that by now?    Please keep praying for Maddison and this set of paperwork specifically.

Thank you

 

~Robin 

Anxiously Awaiting LOA !!!

Still no news :(.  We are on day 97 of our wait for LOA.  For those who have been following along, I thought I'd update the remaining steps left before we leave for China.  Once we get our LOA, it will still be between 10 and 12 weeks before we travel.  So here's the list..... (I'll update list as we go to count down the items remaining!!)

• Receive LOA
• Send I-800 application to USCIS (asking US immigration for permission to adopt the child we were specifically matched with)  
• USCIS forwards our approval to the National Visa Center (NVC) to petition visa
• The NVC forwards the approved visa petition to the US Consulate in Guangzhou China 
• The Consulate reviews the visa application (the DS-230), makes sure it meets the qualifications for an immigrant visa, and then signs off that everything is in order for the adoption to be completed.
• The approval is forwarded to the CCCWA, which issues our Travel Approval!

Continue to pray that we will get our LOA this coming week!  Had to leave you with one picture... :) !

 -Dave

What number are we on today?

Just an update on the number waiting game............today is day 91.  Have a blessed Sunday and please keep praying for our paperwork.  Thank you!!!!!!!

Here is the latest verse,  "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9.  I think I needed the words strong, courageous, terrified, and discouraged.  I have changed the wherever you go to wherever you are too. Thanks for your words Lord!  
~Robin

Good News

We received updated pictures of Maddison from our new friends the Bolens.  They were in China getting their daughter Naomi a few weeks back.  Here is a picture of their family in China.

As part of their travels, the Bolen family had to travel to Hebi to get Naomi's passport.  Apparently, this is a new requirement that the Chinese government enacted in April of this year.  Robin had been in contact with Jennifer and she hoped they would be able to get into the orphanage.  If the Bolens did get in, they were going to request the opportunity to visit and take pictures of Maddison.  God would have to open the doors if this was to happen!  Needless to say, God worked miracles and the requests were granted!  Praise the Lord!  He did move mountains!!!!!  Here are some of the pictures that they were so kind to take.  We are so thankful to the Bolens for their time and interest in Maddison and for these pictures. 

Maddison with the Orphanage Director - How about that Smile!

Jennifer shared with us that Maddison has a sweet disposition and is precious.  (For those of you that don't know .....  Robin's little dog, that came home with her from Kenya, was named Kipenzi..   In Swahili, precious is the word kipenzi.  We had to put Kipenzi to sleep in February and it was VERY difficult.    Robin believes Kipenzi was a gift from God and we believe Maddison is our next gift from Him too.)  Jennifer's words have brought such comfort and peace to us both.  She mentioned that Maddison was in the palm of God's hands and again if you really know Robin, especially through this whole process, you would know that those words bring the "peace that passes all understanding."  Thank you Lord, for allowing this peace. 

She has a little truck in her hands.

 Jennifer with Maddison

Maddison in Her Crib - She appears a little apprehensive.
  Notice she is next to a window.  Robin prays she can see the birds and God's beautiful world.

What'd you say "Willis" - Maddison with one of the Bolen Boys

Another picture with one the boys.

Maddison and Naomi

The Bolens were also so kind to send some pictures of the orphanage.  It appears that the orphanage is pretty nice.  We have another picture of the orphanage a few years back and it appears they have built a new orphanage.  It looks so much nicer!  Jennifer thought that it was a little sterile, but the director and nannies really loved and took very good care of the children.  Here's some pictures of the exterior and interior of the orphanage.

The Nannies in the Orphanage with Maddison's Playmates

Pretty Nice Play Equipment

We just want to thank the Bolens for taking the time to take some pictures of our little girl.  It was so kind that they took them and sent them to us.  They were also able to take some video of Maddison while they were there.  The Bolens just got home and will be sending us this video once their life settles down and they recover from the jet lag!  Praise the Lord for selfless new friends.

New Picture of Maddison

This afternoon we received an updated picture from our adoption agency!  Only one picture, but its better than nothing!!!!  Our adoption agency has said that they will request an update next week.  Hopefully, we will get a few more pictures and maybe some updated measurements.

Robin is excited that her hair is growing!  This will allow her to use all the bows she has been making and collecting.

We are still waiting for our Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from China.  It is now day 80 of our wait.  Once we get this piece of the puzzle, it will be about 10-12 weeks before we will travel.  Continue to pray that our paperwork will arrive shortly!

Sharing new friends' happiness

If you have not had a chance to look at some of the blogs we follow, please take a moment.  I do believe, their experiences will be very uplifting and encouraging to your heart.   They are located on the right side of our blog down below Maddison's picture, the map, and blog archive.  They are listed in the section entitled "My Blog List."

1)   Please take a moment to look at the Bolen Party of Five.  They were introduced to their little girl, Naomi, today.  This is also known as Gotcha Day.  She has spent time in the same orphanage (Hebi City SWI) as Maddison.  Even though we really don't know them in person, Dave and I feel a connection with them.  My heart has been leaping for joy for their family ever since last evening.  I got up early just to have a look into their day. 

2)  Please take a moment  to look at Loving Life with Lexi also.  Lexi is the older girl and Ivy, the little girl, has been home for a little over a month and has had major heart surgery and the like.  What a testimony to the power of prayer.  This site does have music attached to it, so if you would like you can mute your computer or turn off the music at the bottom of their page.  

Both families need prayer.  Our Lord is amazing and wonderful!  

-ROBIN

Where, oh where does our LOA sit? Where, oh where has it gone?

Just to keep you posted............

We are on day 70 of waiting for our LOA (letter of Acceptance).  I thought I learned patience teaching and Dave at work, but kids must take a lot more!!!!!!!!!   :-)   I never can remember the number, so I think I am just going to start asking Dave "Are we there yet?"   On a serious note, I do have to share this verse. 

"And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:7  

This has been such a comfort.  Thank you, Lord!!!

-ROBIN

We have furniture for Easter!!!!!

Easter weekend was a busy weekend for us.  Besides all the other important activities of this holiday weekend, the nursery furniture finally arrived in Bozeman, Montana!  Yea!!!! (Just a side note, we started ordering nursery furniture in August and after one discontinued selection, a store closing, and a back order, it finally arrived!!)  On Friday afternoon, we loaded up a rented pickup truck and headed to Bozeman.  The distance to Bozeman is only about 200 miles and that takes about 3.5 hours to drive. We had a beautiful drive planned along a section of highway north of Island Park along the twists and turns of the Gallatin River.  Dave used to travel this area all the time going to and from school (Montana State) and I've never been that way, so we had our route selected. We could not wait!   For fun we decided to include a spring snow storm with some blowing wind and a few mountain passes to add to the excitement of the adventure.  Yea, it was a great white time! 

Radio reception was not the best so I was reading aloud to pass the time and make noise while Dave drove.  (If you want a good book to read, I suggest Bound by Love by Linda Droeger.  It is the story of the Chinese couple, Joshua and Lily, who started our adoption agency.  Wow!  We, in America, don't understand how different life is for others around the world.  Joshua was the first Chinese who was allowed to leave China and study at an American seminary.  Fascinating story!!!!!)  Anyhow, every time I would look up the weather would get worse, so we decided that I should just keep reading.  (I was so in awe at the storm, I forgot to take pictures.)  Yes, we did some prayers along the way too, but the Lord is great.  He protected and got us there safely!  When we went to bed, the snow was still falling.  We did have thoughts of a snow filled pickup truck and five boxes to get home, but no need to worry.  After shoveling out the pickup and a sunny tour around Montana State, we had a snow free back of the truck.  See, God is so good!!

Dave's old stomping ground at Montana State.  Look at that snow melt!

The engineering buildings.

Oh my!

Again, the Lord is so good.  A couple of guys came in to pick up their order and helped us load the truck.

We had great help!

 Notice the snow on the mountains and the great, big, blue Montana sky.

I have decided where there is an engineer, there is a way!  I just got to be the"Vanna"  in picture.

Ryan (our nephew) and some of his friends came over and helped unload.  Yet again, the Lord is Good!

Then the assembly process started.    My dad came over to help Dave assemble the crib.

 

A little while and a few cups of coffee later.......

Wha-la!  We have a crib!

The Lord was so good to us again and had his hands on the whole process.

- ROBIN

Basketball, basketball, and more basketball!

What does basketball have to do with the journey to Maddison?  Good question!  For those of you who don't know how wild Dave is about the sport, I'll share.  Dave and I met on a blind date during the spring of 2006.  Our blind date was initially postponed due to basketball.  (I have been known to give him a hard time about it each spring.)  The story goes like this.........Salt Lake City was one of the host locations for the basketball tournaments that year and SLC is really not that far away.  We were originally suppose to go out on the 18th of March, but due to basketball tickets, our date was changed to the 21st of March. 


Now, I am a devoted football fan, but dad did go to the University of Kansas and they are a basketball school.  Over the years, I have grown up watching KU basketball.  Not that I understand all  the ins and outs of the game, but I have the general concept down and I have been known to be a vocal fan.  Those of you in the states know during the month of March, basketball mania rules by the title of "March Madness".  The University of Kansas was deep in the thick of things this year and just could not get it together for the final game.  We were all so very sad!!!


Well, all the family history aside, again you ask,  "What does basketball have to do with the journey to Maddison?"............


Alright, I think I need to explain one more thing.   Our youngest nephew, Ryan, is a senior in high school and one of the schools he is looking at is the University of Kansas.  He and his parents took the infamous (and we all have been there) trip over spring break to look at colleges.  Yes, KU was visited in the middle of the week between the final four and the college championship basketball game. Needless to say, KU was a wild place that week.


Now, again you ask:  "What does basketball have to do with the journey to Maddison?"


Maddison received this cute piggy bank from Ryan, so she could start saving her RMBs (stands for Renminbi, which is issued by the People's Bank of China and literally means people's currency) and dollars to attend the University of Kansas!

Is Maddie looking at her picture book today?

Dave and I are doing one of our favorite things this evening...........looking at Maddison's pictures.  The USPS says that priority mail arrives in China in seven to ten days.  We were discussing how today is Wednesday and we sent care package #1 ten days ago.  Do you think she is looking at our pictures at the same time we are looking at her?  We will never know the answer to that question, but we do pray that the package arrived, made it through customs, found Hebi City SWI without a glitch, and is bringing some excitement to some children ... especially our little girl. 

- Robin