Steve and Kate +2

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T13:59:00.002-05:00

We are very greatful this Thanksgiving for our many blessings. We are celebrating our first Thanksgiving with our beautiful boy. What a difference a year makes. Happy Thanksgiving to all--- Kate

How Long Has It Been ?????

2010-11-08T09:13:00.005-05:00

I took a little(ok big) break from blogging. We had a less then desirable follower who was linking to pornographic websites.Had to take some time to shut that down. I have restarted with some more controls over the comments hoping that will work.
We are all doing wonderfully and don't remember a life without Matthew. He is doing amazing he is in five half day preschool and is thriving. His language is exploding and we are amazed at the words and sentences he can now put together. He is growing and is realizing what it is to be in a family. Olivia is well enjoying her soccer her team is 4th in their division we are very proud of her. looking forward to the holidays as a complete family-- All the Best Kate.

Faithful Follower

2010-06-02T21:25:00.001-04:00

Someone continues to post in another language other than English. This is a public blog and I welcome everyone to it. I am uncomfortable being unable to read the comments that have been posted as of late. I will continue to remove them unless the posting is done in English

My Smart Boy

2010-04-28T07:38:00.002-04:00

Matthew's language seems to be exploding over the last few weeks. Yesterday his first "sentence" Are you ready---- "Mommy Os spill" Yes they did spill all over the den and while vacuuming them up while trying to keep the dogs away I have never been so thankful for three little words

Matthew's Christening

2010-04-18T15:02:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was Matthew's Christening we had a lovely day with family. He has come miles in just the short three months we have been home. His language increases everyday and it still continues to amaze us how much he understands.He is receiving services through early intervention and that is going well. We have also been to the cardiologist who said his heart is perfect YEAh!!! I have returned to work three days a week he goes to daycare at Steve's work and he loves it we call it school and he loves to go. Our lives and our home a full and at times chaotic and we wouldn't have it any other way. WE are looking foward to summer and the warm weather. Olivia and MAtthew are the light of our lives and we count our blessings all the time. Life is busy I will try to update more often All the Best---- Kate

Two Months Today

2010-03-15T08:25:00.006-04:00

It is unbelievable to me that we have been home with Matthew for two months. We have spent the last two months falling in love with our beautiful boy and becoming our family of four. Matthew blossoms each and every day. We are seeing his sense of humor and playfulness. He is adorable charming energetic and loving. The attachment is coming in subtle ways. He now will just climb on our lap just because. He will play by himself but checks in every few minutes just to say hello.He says new words each day and understands completely when we talk to him. He doesn't always listen but he certainly understands. We have a child who will sleep late in the morning and goes to sleep easily at night. He says I Love You without prompting and just very recently i see he understands what those words mean. I can't explain it but lately I feel like Matthew understand what love is and understands that he is loved. I believe he no longer looked upon me as his caretaker and knows I love him. He no longer uses Aya towards me.He copies absolutely everything Olivia does and says he follow her around when she is home and waits for the school bus in the afternoon.He screams when he sees Steve's car in the driveway and helps him carry his briefcase in the house. He is my little helper during the day and helps me up and down the stairs with the laundry. We are still dealing with the food issues but do see slow gradual improvement. I return to work the beginning of April. We are beginning a slow transition to where he will be going to daycare and that is going better then we expected.
WE are so blessed to have both out beautiful children in our lives and I often remind myself to soak it all in.We had a terrible storm here this weekend and lost our power for a few hrs. I was reminded during that time that we need to simplify our lives. As we were sitting in the living room with candles just talking and cuddling our family close. I felt overwhelmingly lucky to have our family together and whole and complete. We are looking forward to Spring and certainly counting the days until the Easter Bunny visits--- All the Best Kate

Catching Up

2010-02-14T13:32:00.004-05:00

It is hard to believe but we have been home for one month tomorrow. Matthew seems like he has been here forever. I will not lie adjusting to having a very active almost three year hold at times has had it's challenges but now I finally feel like we have a new normal. the first week Steve went back to work was very hard for me Matthew and I are finding our way and learning about each other. I have learned that boys are sooo different from girls. He has energy to burn and adaption to him in the winter is hard because it is difficult to find space for him to run off his energy. We have fond play places at the local malls and we visit them regularly. It is also good for him to be around other children. In the beginning he was very apprehensive around other children but it gets better each time.
One of our biggest challenge areas is eating. When it comes to eating Matthew has no off switch he would eat until it made him sick. He shovels the food in quickly and he is done when the table is cleared. We have adjusted our eating while we are teaching him to slow down and pace himself. The other issue we have is when I am in the kitchen he screams because he wants food right there and then. Because of the language barrier he doesn't understand that the food has to be cooked. It is challenging to prepare a meal with your son grabbing at your pant leg screaming. Th emotional end is heartbreaking because he is afraid he won't get enough to eat which breaks my heart. It is a work in progress and we are trying.
I am off work until early April we are in the process of looking at daycare centers and have Matthew evaluated by early intervention they have found him to be speech delayed(no surprise there) so he will qualify for services. Once we have all that narrowed down it will be easier to make that decision. Matthew also has to have a minor surgical procedure I will not elaborate here but it is of a delicate nature. We will have that done before I return to work
We feel blessed and happy to have our beautiful boy with us and despite all the challenges I have a new feeling of contentment knowing that our family is complete. I am not missing paperwork waiting for travel dates and all the ups and downs that come with adoption. Happy Valentine's Day and HAppy New Year I have a feeling the year for the tiger will be our families best yet. All the Best Kate.

Getting Back to Normal

2010-01-19T16:23:00.005-05:00

We are trying to get our lives back to normal. I am still battling the jet lag awake at three am and then falling asleep standing up by 5pm I am trying but this is tough. Matthew is doing great with the sleeping. He sleeps all night and takes a two hour nap. I am so grateful for this I can't imagine how hard it would be if he were also suffering from the jet lag. Today he went for his first new shoes he was so excited in the shoe store. Nothing better than brand new sneakers. He certainly had a spring in his step.It seems as if Matthew has been with us forever like he has always been here,. We let Olivia stay home from school today and she enjoyed the day with her new brother. She is a huge help with Matthew and her energy has come in handy when Steve and I had none.
Matthew was a the doctor on Saturday for his first visit. Since we received him he has been itchy all over. The doctor feels that he is allergic to something but that is difficult to determine because his whole world changed that day. He also found that he was wheezing. We have been giving him nebulizer treatments and an allergy medicine and the itching has stopped so we are grateful for that.His breathing is also better.We introduced our dogs to him yesterday and that is a slow process he is very afraid of them if they come near him. We are separating them and bringing Matthew to them while holding him. It will just take time I hope. Thanks for all the comments made to the blog while we were in China. I have taken the time to read each and every one and am so grateful for the time people took to comment. All the Best Kate

Priceless

2010-01-16T20:53:00.003-05:00

We are home!!! All safe and sound These pictures were taken at 4 am Saturday morning when my whole house was up. My two children were on the couch sharing cheerios. Despite feeling tired and suffering from jet lag God is good and we are blessed. These pictures and knowing my whole family is under one roof is priceless. All the Best Kate

Goodbye China

2010-01-14T04:06:00.000-05:00

Today is our final full day in China. We have loved our stay in China and appreciated the people of China and their welcoming spirit. We have especially enjoyed our time in Guangzhou and will especially miss the sixty degree temperture.We are having a final dinner tonight with two other families we have met along the way. We will then be up and adam early Friday morning to begin our long trip home. We will always be especially grateful to the country of China and it's people for giving us our beautiful boy we will always make sure he knows what proud people he is descended from. We are ready to see our girl and finally have Steve and Kate plus two all under the same roof. I will post from home YEAH!!!!! Kate.

Consulate Cleared

2010-01-13T06:37:00.000-05:00

We have completed our final step to finishing up Matthew's adoption and his Visa will be ready tomorrow by 3pm. Our guide will pick it up and we will leave here Friday morning for our long journey home. At the consulate today we took our oath and signed our final documents. Everything went off without a hitch we are so looking forward to coming home. Tomorrow begins our final day in China. All the Best KAte.

Consulate Paperwork Cleared

2010-01-12T00:31:00.000-05:00

Our paperwork has cleared the consulate. We have our swearing in ceremony tomorrow (wed) and the pick up Matthew's visa Thursday and the the very long trip home to JFK via Seoul Korea on Friday. We have loved our time in China but we are ready to come home. I miss my beautiful girl and can't wait to see her on Friday. All the Best Kate

Over One Hurdle

2010-01-11T00:57:00.000-05:00

Today we are all doing well. Matthew is feeling better and the medicine seems to be helping. We returned to the medical clinic today and his PPD was negative Yeah no X-ray. I was dreading trying to hold him to get that done. We are off to go shopping this afternoon at a large mall called the Prudential mall. We are enjoying Guangzhou although the whole island is under construction they are putting in a septic system and redoing the facades on most of the buildings so navigating with a stroller id difficult but we are managing. We had lunch at the White Swan the other day which was nice we are however enjoying the lower rates at the Victory.

Guangzhou and Matthew's Physical

2010-01-08T23:40:00.000-05:00

We have arrived safely in Guangzhou and were right back at it with Matthew's physical this am at 940 am. Matthew and us had a tough flight last night it was late he was confined and very wound up. Matthew's adjustment is coming in the form of becoming very over stimulated he becomes almost frantic at time and difficult to manage. The flight last night was very cramped so glad for all of our long flights we bit the bulled and are flying business class.The man in front fully reclined his seat the whole time and I couldn't even move my legs all the while Matthew was screaming and throwing himself about We got the stink eye from quite a few people as they were deplaning oh well we'll never see them again.At Matthew's physical this am it turns out he has a throat infection and is congested no fever yet but I am sure that would have been coming. They gave me an antibiotic and cough medicine for him. The antibiotic comes in a powder form and has to be reconstituted I had to dig way back to my nursing school days but I got it.
On the way back from the physical we passed a nice shop and Matthew is now the proud owner of squeaky shoes very cute ones with soccer balls on them.The squeaky shoe concept is lost on Steve he doesn't understand why we have to give Matthew more noise then he already makes but he is going with the flow
It turns out that there is another family from Homeland here. We met up with them this morning and will see them this afternoon. Soo great to meet up with other English speaking families. I was feeling lonely and missing home and my beautiful girl but now feel rejuvenated and better able to do what needs to be done to bring our boy home I will post with the comings and goings for now All the best----- Kate

Nanjing anf Matthew

2010-01-06T23:03:00.001-05:00

Today id our final full day in Nanjing nothing planned until this evening Sandra brings us our papers and we are all going for dinner at 5pm. Matthew has a pretty good cold with a cough he was up for a few hours during the night coughing and restless. I was so longing for a 24 hr cvs to run and get him something but we muddled through. He seems better today not coughing as much but still a runny nose. Matthew was born with a VSD and he certainly does not seem to act sick but I will worry until I get the all clear from the doctor in the US.

My family has been saying that I am not posting enough pictures I am trying but it is hard to catch a moving target he is constant motion. I can't believe I am going to quote football here but we have gone from a man to man defense to a zone defense because he is wearing us out. We couldn't be happier to have this way though.

We are looking forward to Guangzhou it is cold here not really conducive to walking much especially if he has a cold. I have been told Guangzhou will feel like a mini vacation and for sure it will be warmer so we can be out and about more. we're starting to get a little stir crazy.

Yesterday Sandra our guide took us to a silk brocade factory which was amazing and beautiful. Then we did some shopping at Confucius temple. A little retail therapy is good for a girl's soul. Steve and Matthew were unimpressed.

We leave for Guangzhou tomorrow at 7pm this will be a good test run for Matthew on a plane it could be a long ride home if her doesn't do well We'll see All the Best Kate.

We're Officially a Family

2010-01-05T02:41:00.000-05:00

We are all thrilled here in Nanjing as Matthew's adoption is official. He is now legally ours. The final paperwork was completed this am and the morning as topped off by a trip to Walmart for the purchase of a much needed stroller.My mommy muscles are sure out of shape and not used to carrying a two year old. Matthew is doing great and thriving on the extra attention. He is funny and playful and trying to copy all the sound we make very cute. He is starting with a runny nose sure hope we can keep it at that don't want him to be sick for our trip to Guangzhou. We are just waiting for his pass port which we will receive Friday am and we leave for Guangzhou Friday evening. This short trip will be a good test run for how we do on the long flight home.Matthew is eating great and sleeping great wish I could say the same I j just can't seem to sleep past 4am I'm sure that will work itself out the day before we come home.LOL Nonetheless we are enjoying our new son who is full of mischief and energy. Steve and I have been saying our house is not nearly baby proofed enough for our little whirlwind but we wouldn't have it any other way All the Best Kate

Joy Rising

2010-01-03T23:18:00.000-05:00

Our family is our whole life. We have been like a puzzle missing it's last piece. We searched, we cried, we became frustrated and we almost gave up. We didn't give up we kept going and today around the world in China we found the final piece to our puzzle. We have our beautiful boy. We are finally Steve and Kate plus two. God has blessed us today and we feel blessed and greatful. Truely joy rising Kate and Steve

Nanjing

2010-01-02T18:03:00.000-05:00

We are beginning our second day in Nanjing and our last day as a family of three. Tomorrow 10am we will be leaving the hotel to go get Matthew. We are both excited and nervous about all that he will go through tomorrow and the subsequent days but are praying for a smooth transition for him. The jet lag this trip is really taking a toll on me and I hope with each day it gets a little better. I just feel so tired and then can only sleep for about five hours. i know this will pass. We have been skyping with Olivia at home and that has definitely helped being able to see her and talk to her. Leaving Olivia was very difficult but I am managing.Today we are going to head up to the Hunan Rd and to the Nanjing Drum Tower. Then we will spend the evening getting ready for the arrival of our beautiful boy All the Best Steve and Kate.

Hello from Nanjing

2010-01-01T06:57:00.001-05:00

We arrived safely in Nanjing as planned and checked into our hotel all is well but we are tired and fighting to stay awake to get over this jet lag. I spoke with the in country coordiantor today and we need to meet her in the lobby Monday am at 10am to go get Matthew. Now that I am here in China I just want to go get him now. Steve and I are hoping to feel more human tomorrow after hopefully a full nights sleep and we will be out and about in Nanjing getting the lay of the land. Oh I almost forgot Happy New Year to all I'll post soon Kate

Hi from Korea

2009-12-31T16:05:00.000-05:00

We have made it to Korea and are now waiting for our connection into
Nanjing.We had a wonderful flight over as we were upgraded to first
class. Not sure why we didn't ask we just said thank you. We are just
3 hours away from Nanjing where our son is I will update next from
China. Kate

Sent from my iPhone. All the Best Kate

Finally On Our Way

2009-12-30T22:12:00.001-05:00

Steve and I are all checked in and waiting to board our long flight to China via Seoul Korea. I still can't believe we are on our way and will soon be in the country of our son's birth. This trip is the final leg of a three year journey to complete our family. Matthew--- Mommy and Daddy are on our way and can't wait to hold you.We have been waiting a long time for you our beautiful boy and we can't wait to love you for always------ All the Best Kate

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2009-12-30T14:57:00.001-05:00

We leave tonight for China. We amazingly are packed and ready to go. Next post from China(hopefully) KAte.

picture test again

2009-12-29T20:49:00.000-05:00

picture test one last time

test post for pictures

2009-12-29T07:22:00.000-05:00

test post for pictures

We're Getting Closer

2009-12-28T21:09:00.006-05:00

We are in full prep mode here and we are packing packing packing. We had a wonderful Christmas with our family and are now getting ready to go get our son. I'll keep you all posted Kate.

test post

2009-12-28T20:46:00.001-05:00

Just testing to see if my mobile blogger works so I can post from China.

Plane Tickets Check Check!!!

2009-12-17T17:09:00.003-05:00

It was a challenge because of the New Year holiday but we are all ticketed. We leave at 12/30am on the 31st. We are traveling through Seoul Korea from there we can fly directly into Nanjing and bypass Bejing. We will ring in the New Year somewhere between New York--- Korea and the international date line. I can't think of a better way to ring in the New Year. How fitting that we are on this journey to completing our family as 2010 starts new. We will be returning 1/15/10 finally as our complete family of four Kate.

Hooray!!!!!!

2009-12-15T12:55:00.003-05:00

Our fingerprints have cleared and we are bound for China. We need to be in China 1/3/2010. On to travel arrangements. We're coming Matthew !!!!!

Consulate Appointment

2009-12-14T13:37:00.004-05:00

Our consulate appt is confirmed for 1/11/10 one week earlier than we thought YEAH!!! Alas our fingerprint clearance may hold us up as we have not yet received notification saying that our fingerprints done on December 3rd have cleared. I have sent an email to homeland security to inquire about their status and if they have not been cleared could they please expedite them Hoping the lovely people in Homeland Seciruty are in the holiday spirit. Keep your fingers crossed Kate.

China Here We Come

2009-12-09T17:05:00.004-05:00

We received our TA today Hooray !!!!! The final leg of this uphill journey. Homeland is scheduling our CA as we speak best case scenario because of a week long New Year holiday in China is that we would arrive in China 1/10/10 get Matthew on 1/11/10 or 1/12/10 and have our consulate appt 1/19/10 return home 1/22/10. Hoping we can make that all work out. We are relieved and over the moon that we will be on our way shortly and the next month will be busy with final preparations as we look forward to being a fun family of four All the Best Kate.

Fingerprinted Again

2009-12-03T14:17:00.003-05:00

Fingerprinted again as our immigration fingerprints expire on 1/1/10. Way too close for comfort so away we went one more time to our friends at the application support center. The security guard at the door actually remembered us from the last time. Steve and I are pretty sure now we have more fingerprints on file than an inmate on death row. Pretty sure I'm not going out on a limb here to suggest they probably haven't changed but we know at least for sure that this is our last time---- All the Best-- Kate.

Could this be Our Week ????

2009-11-30T09:30:00.004-05:00

Well we're praying this is our week. We are beginning the fourth week since our LOSC was sent to China. Our agency's best estimate is three to four weeks for TA so we should be right there. Our house is in anticipation mode and I jump when the phone rings. Please send us all your positive thoughts that this will be our week Kate

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T15:49:00.005-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and may you enjoy your families and your blessings this day and always. We are nearing the end of week 3 of an estimated 3-4 week wait for TA.. Keeping our fingers crossed All the Best Kate

Making a List and Checking it Twice

2009-11-18T10:16:00.000-05:00

We are in full get ready mode at our house. We have our visas and we are working on packing lists and gathering our documents to bring with us. I am so anxious about all of this you would think this was my first adoption, adopting Olivia seems ages ago. We are in week two of an estimated 3-4 week wait for TA. We are still thinking that there is an outside chance that we can get there and back before Christmas. I am also trying to deal with Christmas shopping so that if we can go before the holiday that will be all ready to go. Nothing gets in the way of Santa not even an adoption trip to China as always I am sure Santa will pull through.I have purchased some clothes for Matthew but am at such a loss because I have no idea of his size. The height and weight we have is a year old. Having an Asian child I know that she always is very true to the American size for her age so the items I have bought are 24 months and some 2T.If we need to we can purchase what we need in China.
This is the time of the year where my thoughts turn to being thankful for all the blessings in our life. It was this time last year that Steve and I thought our adoption dream was ending and here we are one short year later looking forward to going to bring our beautiful boy home. I remind myself when the stress wants to take over that my life with my wonderful husband and beautiful children is full. It doesn't matter if all of Matthew's clothes in China are too big or small.The only thing that matters is that he feels our love and patience during this difficult transition for him. Our cup runneth over---- Kate.

Signed Sealed almost Delivered

2009-11-06T17:24:00.001-05:00

All signed and on it's way via overnight mail to agency Keep your fingers crossed for quick travel approval KAte

We're on the Home Stretch

2009-11-04T09:28:00.000-05:00

The call from our agency came last week to let us know our LOSC would be arriving this week. I just received another call that the document has in fact arrived and will be overnited tonight to us and will be returned to the agency tomorrow.We have been given the information for the travel agent to start our travel arrangements and obtain our visas.Best estimate is that we can expect TA 3-4 weeks from 11/9/09 and then can make our travel arrangements and consulate appts.There is still and outside chance that we can be there and back before Christmas but if not we will leave shortly thereafter. I feel as if a weight has been lifted and we are on the home stretch of a three year journey to our son.We are feeling a little overwhelmed with all that needs to be done but joyful none the less. Please pray that from here on there are no bumps in the road. We're getting there Matthew can't wait to meet you All the Best Kate.

Finally!!!!!!

2009-10-30T17:00:00.001-04:00

Swine Flu

2009-10-28T10:37:00.000-04:00

Well the swine flu has come to our home. Not as bad as you might expect,Olivia has been sick since Saturday with basic cold symptoms and a fever hovering around 101. My niece had tested positive for the flu earlier in the week so we knew what to expect. Olivia got to the doctor the day after the fever first started, tested positive for influenza A and we started the Tamiflu right away so I'm thinking that is why is has been so mild.She has been symptom free since Tuesday so she will return to school tomorrow just in time for her class Halloween parade and party. As lousy as she felt that is all she has been worrying about. Oh to have the worries of an eight year old.
Obviously we still have no news on the journey to bringing our son home and are now dealing with the fact that he will not be home this holiday season. This was surely not what we expected but the fact none the less.We are six months since DTC and just about 3 months since we sent the replaced document but again no answer where we stand. We just wait. But more importantly Matthew spends more time without his family then he needs to.For those of you who read this and have adopted you know this feeling and at times it breaks your heart. But we continue to wait and know that this time will be a memory once our son is home with his family. Wishing everyone a Happy Halloween and safe and healthy days-- All the Best Kate.

Goodbye Old Friend

2009-09-30T09:50:00.000-04:00

Yesterday our dear family cat Clancy went to heaven. Clancy was 17 years old and over the course of the last two weeks had gradually stopped eating. He had been at the vet since Saturday but yesterday was the day we had to decide to let Clancy rest and stop suffering. Clancy was my cat before I met Steve so Clancy and I had a very special bond. He was loved and in return gave to us unconditional love. Goodbye old friend you will be missed Kate.

Happy Birthday to our Beautiful Girl

2009-09-14T10:03:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday to our girl who turns eight today!!!! I can't believe she is eight already and coincidentally had a growth spurt over the summer and is looking really grown up. We celebrated her day with a party with our families. Both Steve and I come from medium families but all totaled the number is 30. I planned the party when the temperatures here were in the 60's and yesterday it was near eighty. All the food needed to be cooked in the house needless to say it was a long day for me. We had a wonderful time though and it is always great to see Olivia with all her cousins.Today she will celebrate with her classmates in school. Tonight the three of us are off to our favorite restaurant for dinner. We had more communication from HAS. It seems that China requires a notarized letter from Steve and I certifying that neither of us has been married before.A ridiculous but easy request and that was on it's way within a day to China. Everyone is reassuring that "at least" they are looking at our paperwork and that is true. However each time they look at it they find another letter, document that is needed. We are almost at five months waiting for LOSC and are left wondering how many more hoops they are going to make us jump through. We just keep praying that at this point Matthew will be home for the holidays. We are not prepared for the fact that he may not be.Please keep praying--- All the Best Kate.

Is it Fall Already ?????

2009-09-07T10:13:00.000-04:00

Well the air is certainly fall like in the Northeast.Our girl starts school Wednesday. When I got up yesterday morning she was in her room packing her backpack. Do ya think she is ready for school? We are so blessed, Olivia loves school and is counting down the days until she returns of course give it a week and then we'll see. While I worked last week she spent the days with my sister and her family. Uncle George took them all fishing. Moe has three girls ages 10, 8 and seven. Olivia loves to spend time with them and do "girly" things. She picked out a barbie fishing rod and wouldn't bait the hook because the fish were slimy but after that part was done she had a blast!!! We are spending a quiet labor day today and then back to work tomorrow.
I had some communication from the adoption agency indicating that we should be hopeful that our loa will come sooner rather than later and that most likely the lost document didn't set us back a full three months,BUT we should always plan for the worst case scenario. I love how they are always so guarded. I suppose though they have learned through experience dealing with anxious adoptive parents, and I know I am certainly one of them!!!! We are four months waiting at this point and figure our lost document lost us about a month. Today my family and I are choosing to be hopeful for LOA this month we'll see.On a more practical note our fingerprints for our 171h expire 1 /2010. We need to apply for a fingerprint appointment by 11/1/09 so hopefully we will have some indication by then. If not we will have to cough up another $160 to be refingerprinted for what the 80th time. I don't think I'm going out on a limb her predicting that our fingerprints haven't changed,but alas we will do what is needed to bring home our son. Please keep your fingers crossed and keep my family in your prayers. We so desperately want our family to e complete with our beautiful boy home with his family---- All the Best ---- Kate.

Ponyo

2009-09-01T17:46:00.001-04:00

We saw Ponyo this weekend I thought it a little bizarre, Olivia loved it. I will say the story was about love and holding onto something you love so that was great. All the kids in my family went and they range in age from 13 to 7 and they all loved it for different reasons. Just FYI All the Best Kate.

Frustration

2009-08-29T09:51:00.000-04:00

Today is a very rainy Saturday in our neck of the woods the remnants of a hurricane blowing up the coast. I can tell you the weather is doing nothing to help my mood. I still have been unable to clarify where we are in the process. The adoption agency simply won't answer the question. I have tried every conceivable way to ask the question and they just keep evading the answer. They also seem to think that I can't see right through their evasion. Even more frustrating.Steve says they probably don't have an answer--- Not good enough they are being paid to have the answers if they don't know then who is driving this ship. Even more unsettling!!!! I am having a BTDT feeling because this is exactly how I felt when the wait to travel to Olivia dragged on. I didn't like it then and I don't like it now. The biggest frustration of all is that I can't change it. These are the times that try men's souls Trying to be upbeat but today the pessimist is winning. We're off to see the movie PONYO this pm maybe that will help brighten my mood------ All the Best Kate.

Finally

2009-08-20T21:16:00.000-04:00

Well my birth certificate is en route to China beginning of this week Yahoo-------. We are not quite sure where we are the process and are having a hard time getting a straight answer,which tells me no one really knows.One person has said that we are now all the way back to May which was our initial assumed LID so technically this little bump has caused us to lose three months. Others have said our dossier stalled where we were when the birth certificate was lost. If that is the case then we must be pretty close to LOSC. Trying hard to not be pessimistic because if we are all the way back to LID then we will be lucky if Matthew will be home this year, Can't even imagine another holiday without him home. Hoping for the best trying to prepare for the worst. Does anyone have any experience with this and may be able to shed some light Help--- Kate.

We're Getting There

2009-08-14T18:00:00.000-04:00

My birth certificate is certified and on it's way to HAS and will arrive Monday. Keep your fingers crossed that Fed Ex is on top of their game. My pessimist is coming through and will not be happy until it arrives in China Keep your fingers crossed Kate.

Still Waiting

2009-08-09T11:25:00.000-04:00

Just when I think this birth certificate thing is all worked out someone says not so fast. My birth cert had left the China consulate and was en route to HAS Thursday 8/6/09 and we thought we were smooth sailing. WELL--- it turns out that the China Consulate NYC now has a new photocopy requirement for every document they certify my document sat on some one's desk for seven days and was returned unauthenticated. For the sake of a two page photocopy we have now been delayed at least another 10 days. What makes me the most angry is that there is no more human kindness in the world or so it would seem. The person who received the document never considered just simply making a photocopy and sending an FYI e mail to the preparer of the new requirement.It's so discouraging that this will delay our travels about a month. Matthew has to wait for even longer due to a two age document.. Our new plan is to send this document on Washington DC and have it hand carried by a courier which should accomplish the certification in about five days. By the time this is all done this one paper will have cost us 200 dollars to authenticate. Unbelievable!!!!! Today is one of those days where I feel like this will never happen and someone is playing a really nasty joke. I am hoping to be able to post some positive news soon Kate

Almost Back on Track

2009-07-25T09:31:00.000-04:00

My birth certificate is on to the last stop on it's travels to China. It was sent and received by the China consulate yesterday from there it goes directly to HAS. The preparer will receive an email when it leaves the consulate hoping by the end of next week then come on LOSC. Keeping our fingers crossed. Kate

Moving Along

2009-07-22T17:54:00.000-04:00

Our summer here is flying by. Summer got off to a wet start in our neck of the woods and I can't believe it is almost August. Olivia is in Culture Camp all week and it is something she looks forward to all year. This is a camp started by adoptive families to bring children of multicultural families together to learn about their culture and spend time with other children who share their family situation. Each child has a schedule and they do arts and crafts, cooking, language(Olivia is taking Chinese hoping to help with her brother)and culture among other things. This camp is in it's 30th year, the cost is nominal and it is run by adoptive parents who volunteer their time.I feel so grateful that we live in a community where our children can be raised with such a large group of families just like ours. Next year I look forward to taking Matthew to the preschool program
I had communication Monday from the preparer that my birth certificate is on to step 2 of a three step process so we're getting there. Although the agency said it would not stall our paperwork i believe that we will not receive our LOSC until they have it so I am anxious to get it there.We were initially preparing for travel late August early September but now not so sure it will all happen in it's own time. We are looking forward to family gatherings and long family weekends as we head into August and just enjoying the outdoors I will keep in touch All the Best ___ Kate

Bumps in the Road

2009-07-08T09:30:00.001-04:00

Just when you think all is moving along a bump in the road well 2 as a matter of fact. The good news is the CCAA has received our dossier and has begun to process it. The bad news is they misplaced my authenticated birth certificate somewhere. Fortunately when I got our certificates in March I ordered two because they are difficult to get. It is already on it's way to the dossier preparer for authentication it should take about two weeks to process it fully through the China consulate. Pam at HAS was wonderful and reassuring that it would not stall our paperwork as they have a copy of the certificate and they will continue to move our paperwork along and she will express mail it when we receive it. I know in the scheme of things of all that could go wrong this is minor but any bump in the road is upsetting we just want him home and feel we shouldn't''t have to wait because they lost our document Oh well
Bump number two----- China is taking this H1N1 flu thing very seriously and without the boring details they are quarantining people who have even been remotely exposed for seven days. This news does not effect Steve and I as we will take the chance and hope for the best,it has however effected our decision to bring Olivia and we have decided that she will stay home with her Aunt Margie and her family. Our reason for this decision is that if anyone of us becomes ill and test positive for the flu that person will be removed from quarantine for medical treatment and only that person. Potentially if Olivia became ill she would be removed and treated medically and neither Steve not I would be allowed to go with her. Way to big a risk. I am reminded that sometimes parents have to make the really tough decisions.We have assured her that she can stay home for a few days when her brother comes home so that sweetened the deal. Her Dad has also made vague innuendos about a possible 2010 Disney trip so she is on the mend. We had planned on doing the tourist trip before getting Matthew but now we will go to complete the adoption and come home. Even two weeks is the longest we have been away from our girl it will be tough.
Please send us your good thoughts for a speedy authentication of my birth certificate and moving forward --- All the Best Kate

Keeping Busy

2009-06-04T12:39:00.000-04:00

Just checking in with everyone. We still do not have our LID but am assured by HAS that not hearing a date does not mean we are not logged in it just simply means they have not been given a recent update. The optimist in me says that all is well, the pessimist says that maybe there is a problem with our paperwork , today the pessimist is winning. Therefore I am trying to focus my energy in a positive direction. My family has been trying to familiarize ourselves with some very basic words in Chinese to help us along with our communication with Matthew. We have purchased a children's picture dictionary recommended by HAS which is certainly helping. In doing my research I have also found all the family adoption merchandise available for families and children adopted from China. There is a mountain of things available for bringing the Chinese culture into out multi cultural family YEAH. I am faced however with the challenge of not only bringing the Chinese culture to our home but also the Vietnamese culture. Olivia obviously is very proud of being Vietnamese and quickly corrects people when they assume she is Chinese. So I now face the challenge of striking a balance in our home. That is the productive way I will use this energy while waiting for an update of our LID. I will keep you posted-- All the Best Kate

Happy Birthday to our Beautiful Boy

2009-05-23T13:46:00.000-04:00

Dear Matthew--- Today you turn two and from half a world away Daddy, Mommy and Olivia are sending our love and hoping that on some level you can feel it and know how very much we wish we were with you today. We are sad today but also happy in knowing that this will be the last birthday you will spend without us. We will celebrate today with a small cake and we will sing Happy Birthday to you Olivia will blow out your two candles( she loves to blow them out even if they are not for her).Each day gets us a little closer to you and as soon as they tell us we can come we will be there as fast as we can! Your room is almost finished. as we have been working on it we have enjoyed imagining you in it.We look forward to the day when we can hold you and love you and when you will be ours forever. Love Daddy, Mommy and Olivia

WE ARE DTC !!!!!!!

2009-04-29T20:52:00.001-04:00

We are DTC 4/30/09. We just received a telephone call from HAS saying they have reviewed our dossier. There are no corrections( I guess third time is a charm LOL) and it will be to China via DHL tomorrow morning. We can presume our Lid is about two weeks later but they will give us a definite LID when they get it. We are jumping for joy at our house. Hold on Matthew-- Daddy,Mommy and Olivia are coming All the Best-- Kate.

One Step Closer

2009-04-29T09:32:00.000-04:00

Our dossier is finished sent and received by HAS yesterday. We are a very short time away from DTC. I can't wait to be able to write those three little letters. I will update as soon as we have any news. All the Best Kate

Olivia's Big Day

2009-04-27T08:42:00.001-04:00

Olivia and my niece Siobhan had a beautiful day on Saturday. The pictures speak for themselves. All the Best-- Kate

Day 6

2009-04-20T19:30:00.000-04:00

We are on day six of a approximate 10 day weight for the final documents to be returned from the China Consulate. When Steve and I forwarded our initial documents to the preparer we inadvertently forgot to sign one of the documents. This held them up from going with the original documents. So again we wait. I keep reminding myself that we are getting closer. It seems,recently at least, that the LOSC have been coming more quickly the last group in 75 days. So we wait and pray for a swift travel plan. Matthew's room is all painted and now just needs the finishing touches and we will put up the crib and his bed. I can't wait to walk into that room and see it all ready for our beautiful boy.
Olivia's first Holy communion is this Saturday and they are predicting beautiful weather.I will post pictures as soon as I have them.Hoping everyone is enjoying the Springtime--- All the Best---- Kate.

Hooray!!!!!!

2009-03-30T11:19:00.000-04:00

I just received the call from our homestudy agency that our 171H was received by them this am.Yippee!! Now that will need to be certified which they are taking care of and our 171H and our homestudy will join the rest of our dossier and be forwarded to HAS.We are now officially done waiting, wondering and worrying about our documents.The next step is DTC. Today is a good day!

Patience...Patience...Patience

2009-03-29T14:50:00.000-04:00

I know it's a virtue and I'm not feeling virtuous today. We are still waiting on our I171H it has been two weeks. I know that they received it because they certainly cashed our check in a timely manner. Having been down this road before I know I have reached that end of the road feeling regarding the paperwork. All the other documents are with the preparer and our homestudy will be ready to go this week. I have confidence that the preparer and the homestudy aency are doing everything they can to move this along. I don't have the same confidence in USCIS. I just have to trust that all is well and that it is just the bureaucratic wheels turning. I suppose this is where my need to control comes in. Working on that.
We are preparing for Easter and Olivia's upcoming First Holy Communion, so April is a busy month. We are having a three family communion party as my niece Siobhan and Olivia are in the same class at school and will make their communion together. Olivia's dress is beautiful. The one she wanted was a lacy tiered halter number,so not appropriate ever, we had some compromising to do.She looks like a little angel in her outfit. Hoping everyone enjoys the beginning of Spring Stay tuned I can't wait to post DTC... All the best Kate.

Priceless

2009-03-23T12:42:00.000-04:00

Two faxes.... three phone calls......two personal visits to Dr's office.... finally receiving Steve's doctor's letter.....priceless.....
Yes it only LOL took thirteen days to obtain a three sentence letter but at last we have gotten it and it is on it's way to join our dossier as we speak. We are just waiting for our USCIS clearance and we will be good to go. It feels wonderful to have this totally out of my hands. We are full steam ahead at our house finishing up brand new pantry and starting redo Matthew's room. His room now is a beautiful pink with a great alphabet pink border. It is now to be made over into a boy loving lizard and gecko room with green ( a nice green, not lizard green) walls. My sister Maureen will be helping me do the painting the week before Easter as she is off school and our children have the following week off. Thanks Moe!!!!.I will post pictures as the room comes together.

To Our Beautiful Boy

2009-03-18T20:33:00.000-04:00

My prayer each and every day is that God keeps him safe until we can get there. I also pray that he will soon know of us and know how much we love him--- All the Best Kate

Dossier Movin On

2009-03-16T10:31:00.000-04:00

I found out that the doctors note does not need authentication so the dossier is on it's way to the preparer to receive certification. We still will have to deal with the doctor's office but at least it is not holding anything back. Steve is now dealing with his doctor and Ia am trying to back off. Not so easy with my need to control personality.I'm trying.
We now will have authentication happening while waiting for our USCIS country change. Then we should be good to go. Happy St Patrick's Day to everyone. This picture is of Steve and Olivia before her Irish Dance recital. I love to see my little Asian girl out there with all the redheads dancing her heart out.All the Best--- Kate.

Here He Is and Pre-Approval

2009-03-12T19:04:00.000-04:00

We received the first of many wonderful calls today from HAS telling us we have been preapproved by the Chinese Government to adopt Matthew. Now we are sure it is real and that is why I am now comfortable posting his picture. We are a little biased but we think he is the cutest boy in the world. I was saying to Olivia the other day that so many people here love him already and he doesn't know it yet. Now that we have preapproval we can send him a photo album with our pictures and the nannies at the orphanage will start to show him the pictures.Of course Olivia thinks most of the pictures should be of her but we will be sure to include at least a couple of Steve and I LOL.
We have received our birth certificates and are waiting on a doctor's note to move to authentication. Our homestudy update has been approved by HAS and has been forwarded to USCIS for our country change.Thant should take about two weeks. We are hoping our dossier will be on it's way to the preparer early next week. The doctor's office is being less than cooperative and yesterday no one in the entire office could verify if they had even received my fax so annoying!!! Steve went to the office this am on his way to work spoke with someone got her name and said we should have it by Monday. I know no one will ever be moving fast enough for me in this process but really 1 week to get a one paragraph letter Kinda crazy. Best case scenario our dossier processing will be complete right around the time our USCIS clearence comes and we can be DTC(Dossier to China).I pray everyday that God keeps him safe until we can get there. I will update with more news and Happy St Patrick's Day to all-- Kate

Birth Certificates Continued

2009-03-04T14:50:00.000-05:00

Well in the middle of the snowstorm on Monday I was on the phone to NYC Dept of Health,convinced no one would be there but trying anyway. Low and behold someone very helpful answered the phone took some info and credit card info and said I will have certificates within about a week. I am cautiously optimistic. Our homestudy draft is at the agency and I will be faxing some information from work tomorrow for the homestudy review to begin. Assuming the birth certificates arrive early next week our dossier will be off for authentication by next week. I am so ready to move this all from my hands.
We obviously managed through the storm I don't usually work Mondays Olivia had a snow day and Steve was able to work from home so all was well. Olivia played outside with our neighbors for 2 hours in the freezing weather I had to drag her in the house. She is back to normal and fully recovered from the strep throat although still on antibiotics.
Today Steve and I went to the daycare center at his job to meet with the director and view the facility. It was very nice and run very efficiently. My concern is putting Matthew back in a group setting so soon after coming home. I will be taking off the 12 weeks allotted by FMLA. They were reassuring about ways to ease him into the transition but I am worried. See he is not here yet and I am already worried. I hope the right decision will come to Steve and I. All the Best Kate

Birthday Party, Strep Throat and Birth Certificates

2009-03-01T13:47:00.000-05:00

We celebrated my Dad's 81st birthday here with a spaghetti dinner four fourteen. My Dad is so full of life and truly amazing he still works seasonally and keep himself very busy. We are blessed to have him in our life and he is so loved by his 8 soon to be nine grandchildren.
Olivia is getting over strep throat she started with a fever Wednesday during the night and was off to the doctor on Thursday.Amazingly two doses of antibiotic and no more fever and feeling much better. She would have been back to school tomorrow however they are forecasting 8-12 inches of snow here so school is doubtful.Another day home will do her good before going back into the germ pool.
We sent to NYC Dept o health for our copies of our birth certificates 3 weeks ago. I received word back yesterday that I did not sent them the correct identifying information. It took them THREE weeks to determine they did not have what they needed so frustrating. I am calling tomorrow to check to see the quickest way possible to obtain these documents. I don't think I can get the copies that we need in the same day. This is the last document that we were waiting for. Once we received this we could have moved on to certification. Now we will at least be held up by another three weeks.Oh soooo very frustrating.
I ave also done something to my blog I can no longer add anything to the blog other then posting. This is an improvement I initially lost everything including the archived postings. will continue to work on that. All the Best Kate

Homestudy Update Done One Step Closer

2009-02-22T07:49:00.000-05:00

Our favorite social worker was to our home yesterday for our update for China. It is always great to see her,she was the one who thought to make the call back in December that led us to Matthew.We talked and discussed all the things about bringing Matthew home. We certainly are not rookies when it comes to all this but still have questions she is knowledgeable and straightforward which we respect.Olivia was so excited for her to come and really embraced putting her best foot forward and spent more time then ever cleaning her room. Poor Maureen also had to see it and also talk alone with Olivia and give some pointers about being a good big sister.We have a picture of Matthew on the table and as I have said before each document gets us one step closer.
We are waiting for 2 documents to be returned to us and then our dossier will be on it's way. I am optimistic we may get them both this week. The preparer will get them all certified she is able to accomplish this in record time.
My original time frame for submission to the preparer was March 1 we may just be a little bit over that.Keep your fingers crossed.
On another note the situation in Krygz goes from bad to worse almost daily. While we are no longer involved if we had been a few months earlier we would be in the same position. There are 60 families that have traveled met and loved their children who are not making any progression to bringing their children home. This is due to government details which I can not begin to understand. It just simply is. I know there are alot of people who read and please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers. These children deserve better and to be home with their families who love them.

To Our Beautiful Boy

2009-02-16T13:15:00.000-05:00

Moving Along

2009-02-14T11:14:00.001-05:00

Well all documents have been sent for,fingerprints taken( and guess what they haven't changed from the previous 6 times they have been taken),doctor appointments made for next week and dossier preparer at the ready. All of this getting us one step closer to our beautiful son.I just can't wait to be DTC (that means dossier to China)
We received an update on Matthew this week. He is doing well a little skinny at 18lbs and 30 inches but developmentally walking and starting to talk so we are thrilled. We're not too worried about the weight at this time. Anyone who knows Olivia knows we know skinny and she is a healthy vibrant little girl. By the way she lost another tooth this week and was visited by the tooth fairy. We are looking forward to no school next week and a playdate with our wonderful neighbors( Michelle I will be in touch). I will update with more news hopefully to say our paperwork is on it's way All the Best Kate.

Dossier Requirements

2009-02-03T19:48:00.000-05:00

We received the dossier requirements yesterday from the agency. Not too bad I guess maybe after four dossiers I have become a pro.We are moving full steam ahead each piece of paper gets us one step closer to our son.We are excited and thrilled. Olivia and I have settled on Matthew's room. It will be really cute lizards and geckos. Steve also likes them. I will post pictures when his room is all done. We are enjoying the joy of all this. Olivia asked today how we will decorate our third child's room. Once Steve and I got over our shock we told her that we would be forever more a family of four. I love the way that sounds!!!!!! All the Best.

Moving Right Along

2009-01-28T18:48:00.000-05:00

Our Letter of Intent and a list of medical and educational resources is on it's way to China. The letter is our formal request to the Chinese government asking to adopt Matthew and promising we would care for him and nurture him as if he was born to us. The resource list is documentation of resources both medical and cardiolgy and also early intervention resources should he need them.
This process is so much clearer and predictable(as much as it can be). As much as I am not looking forward to completing another dossier I feel differently because each paper brings Matthew one step closer to home.
Olivia Steve and I are in full swing planning his bedroom and picking out fun "boy Stuff". Olivia is really into it. She is such a girl any excuse to shop. We have decided on a truck theme with lots of reds and blues. Ihave promised Steve I would practice some restraint and I will but it is hard.
We have been waiting for this joy for two years, I was just saying today that I feel as if a block has been lifted off me. The waiting and worrying and wondering was starting to take it's toll. I know we still have more waiting ahead of us but at least I feel that we have found our son and we are moving toward him. I was on the phone today with our adoption coordinator and she asked me to remind me of our son's birthday. Goofy me started to cry and got myself together explaining that it was the first time anyone had referred to him as our son.I was truly joyful.
I know the months ahead of waiting will be at times difficult but all so worth it in the end. I look forward to meeting Matthew for the first time in China. At that point our family will be complete.

God Works In Mysterious Ways

2009-01-15T11:13:00.000-05:00

I haven't blogged in awhile our lives have been kind of up in the air for a few weeks as we have been reexamining where we are in the adoption process. On December 23 2008 we received a call from our social worker,who at this point is a member of our family,that she had received information from another agency re waiting children in China. Adopting an older child had not been something Steve and I had considered but felt we needed to consider it a this point and she sent us the files of 4 children waiting to review and request updated information.
Steve and I reviewed the files and saw little boy waiting in China and both felt that he was to be our son.We have been reviewing documentation and providing information to the agency and just received word yesterday that we are approved to move forward with his adoption.
Our son will be Matthew John and he is waiting for us at the Wuxi orphahange in China his birthday is May 25 2007.He was born with a heart defect that has already been surgically repaired and he is a healthy baby boy and we can not wait to bring him home. We do have a picture but will not be posting it at this time.If you would like to see his picture please leave a comment and I will forward it to you.
Needless to say we are all over the moon about this and looking forward in the not to distant future to having a toddler in the house.We will need to prepare another full dossier for China and are waiting to get the requirements to move forward with that from there we get a logged in date and await a travel approval. This is an expedited procedure as he is a waiting child but the time frame is a little unknown we are optimistic it will be in the year sometime.
I will post more as I have news All the Best Kate.

Happy 2009

2009-01-05T10:24:00.000-05:00

Hoping everyone had a wonderful Christmas and all that you wish for in 2009. We are getting back to normal around here. Olivia is back to school and Steve back to work after a two week vacation. Olivia was up this morning and raring to go. Although she won't admit it she likes school and gets bored toward the end of vacations. We had a great holiday after spending Christmas eve at Steve's parents house,where Olivia is completely spoiled, we were at my sister Moe's for Christmas day with my family. On the weekend we were off to Steve's sister upstate for some sleigh riding although the weather didn't cooperate they were able to slide down the hill in her yard a few times.
Steve and I had a wedding on New Years Eve, one of Steve's work friends. We had a wonderful time. We don't usually go out for New Year it was great to get all dressed up and ring on the New Year with my wonderful husband. Olivia went to my Dad's with my sister and all her cousins and spent the night.We are of course sure that she had a good time too as she loves spending time with her Aunt Margie. I had to work on New Years Day, an occupational hazard, a long tiring day the best to be said is it's behind me.
In our home we are looking forward to the New Year and all that it will hopefully bring.Steve and I are going to tackle a few home improvement projects and we have made a commitment toward a healthier lifestyle. Olivia got a junior set of golf clubs for Christmas from my Dad. Steve currently plays and I used to play, badly, before Olivia so we are all going to play as family in the Spring.
We are looking forward to some possible adoption news on or about 1/12/09 when the government reconvenes after the holiday.Steve and I are becoming concerned about the length of time it may take to get the process backlog cleared. Steve and I are on the older end of parenting we had hoped to have this done by now but looking at another year or two to wait may just be too long. We are considering other avenues and options in case this process drags on. We are optimistic that this will be okay . However what we have learned from the international adoption roller coaster is not to put all your eggs in one basket. We are praying but also being realistic I will update as news is available.All the Best !!!

Merry Christmas To All

2008-12-21T20:10:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas from our family to yours. I am taking a blogging break to enjoy the holidays with my family and friends. I will be back to blogging world after the New Year and hoping 2009 brings us all that we wish for. All the Best Kate.

Trying to Keep the Faith

2008-12-17T09:32:00.000-05:00

Just a quick update on the adoption front. Our dossier is at our agency and all ready to go to the Kyrgyz embassy. That's the good news. After speaking wih the country coordinator at our agency we along with other families have decided to not forward the dossier at this time. The program is completely stalled and no one seems to know why.All information coming from the in country team is positive yet no cases are moving forward. Our agency did receive some referrals recently but can not even move them forward because all families are waiting for approval from the adoption commitee.The government has not responded either positively or negatively to the DOS request for an update. They simply are just not responding.No one knows if this is a problem or just a continuation of the reorganization slowdown. With the absence of information if we forward the dossier and the program closes we will lose more money. We are trying to be cautious. Caution and emotion are a very diffficult combination for me. We need prayer finger crossing or any combination of the two right now. The agency doesn't expect any info until into the new year. My goal now is to try not to get so wrapped up in all this that it effects my holidays with our beautiful daughter and my loving husband that is where I will focus my energy.

We're Back !!!!

2008-12-07T17:51:00.000-05:00

We're back from sunny Florida to freezing New York.Oh well all good things must come to an end. We had a wonderful time and didn't want to come home. We spent Thanksgiving with our friend Mickey. The weather was great it only rained on our last day. We returned Monday evening and I was back to work Tuesday this week has been hectic and I only feel after this weekend that I am getting things in order. Now full steam ahead to Christmas.
Our dossier is at our agency waiting for our homestudy to catch up with it. Our homestudy was not sent by the homestudy agency for authentication so a little bump in the road. They are hopeful that it will be ready to go to Us Dept of State by the end of the week. So we keep moving things along. In January we will have been involved in this adoption for two years. I can't beleive the time that has gone by. We are hoping 2009 will be our year and we can begin our lives as a family of four. I'll keep you posted.

Keep Moving Forward

2008-11-19T11:03:00.000-05:00

I just received an update from the dossier preparer thar our dossier is at the Dept of State and she is expecting it to be returned by the end of the week.The last step before going to Krygz is the embassy in Washington for preliminary confirmation then on to Bishkek Krygz. I keep my eye on the really great prize at the end. I'll keep you posted

Calmer Heads Will Prevail

2008-11-17T17:41:00.000-05:00

I had both an email and phone conference with our program coordinator this am. After speaking with her and being updated they are concerned about the DOS statement but not thinking shutdown. They continue to believe that the delays we are seeing are related to the restructuring of the program and less about considering shutting down. She also had a conference with the in country coordinator who indicated the same. I feel much better having spoken with her and feel that perhaps the reorganization on this end will lessen the time to travel between the first and second trip,which having been through 5 months waiting for Olivia to come home is the most difficult wait.
So we are continuing to move along. Our dossier has been sent for translation and the preparer is pursuing the necessary authentications. Stay Tuned one thing you can count on with international adoption is a rocky ride.
A fun picture from soccer of Olivia and her cousin.

OH NO Please Not Again!!!!!

2008-11-16T14:15:00.000-05:00

The Department of State recommends adoptive parents and agencies exercise caution in pursuing an intercountry adoption from Kyrgyzstan. A number of prospective adoptive parents have reported that their cases are not being processed. The U.S. Embassy has requested official clarification, but no formal announcement has been made.

According to local experts, few if any cases are being processed at this time. Further, the government of Kyrgyzstan appears to be making moves to strengthen its internal controls of and develop new legislation on adoptions. It has been reported that Kyrgyz citizens may have been denied the opportunity to adopt during the past year, even while some intercountry adoptions by non-citizens were being approved. At this time it is not clear what action will be taken on pending cases or if the Government of Kyrgyzstan will accept any new cases

The U.S. Embassy continues to monitor the situation and will provide clarification as soon as it is received.
This is the latest announcement from the Department Of State these announcements always seem to come on Friday when you can not speak to anyone at the agency. I will be calling the agency first thing Monday to get info. I have been at this long enough to know that often these announcements are not always what they seem,so I am trying to remain calm. Please everyone keep their fingers crossed for us and that this process will continue. I will post more information as it becomes available. Steve says cooler heads will prevail so I am trying!!!!!

I Love a Toothless Grin

2008-11-09T18:06:00.001-05:00

Olivia's beautiful toothless smile and Einstein's glowing eyes Enough said.

Third Times A Charm

2008-11-09T13:37:00.000-05:00

Well this is the third dossier I have completed for international adoption and this is the best yet. We only had to correct one document AMAZING and that correction was because I was referred to as Kate and not my legal name. The document is already received and will be on the way to the preparer for authentication. The correct documents have already been faxed to the agency and translation has begun. The hope is that while Department of State certification is being obtained the translation will be in progress and hopefully the two can be done around the same time.
We are in full swing for our big family Disney trip which is right around the corner. Olivia is counting the days and I am looking forward to being in my happy place and in warmer weather.
Hope all is well with everyone I will keep you posted on adoption happenings. All the best-----Kate.
PS___This is last years Halloween picture but I just love it

Things Are Moving Along

2008-10-29T11:43:00.000-04:00

Our paperwork was sent to the preparer today she will obtain county clerk and department of state authentication. I feel so relieved to have it out of my hands.My desk will seem empty without the perpetual purple folder hanging out there. At least when doing the dossier you feel as if you are doing something anything to make this move along. Now we are just truly waiting which is the really hard part.I guess maybe we should be good at it by now.
Halloween is in full swing here Olivia is going to be a high school musical cheerleader. We had family fun night at her school last weekend she had a blast and they had a really good magician this year. We will be off to Marge and Ray's for their annual Halloween Blast and we are looking forward to that.
I will post more news as it happens and hoping everyone gets more treats than tricks on Halloween.

Quick But Exciting Update

2008-10-18T10:44:00.000-04:00

We received our I171h in record time. Two weeks after our fingerprinting we received it yesterday. Way to go Federal Plaza NYC NY. One document will be picked up at work on Monday and the last will be my physical which is scheduled for Tuesday then on to the preparer for authentication. I am so glad we made the decision to hire her it takes alot of running around off me.She is also very skilled at checking the documents so any errors will be caught prior to authentication.We are moving along I was so excited Friday when I saw the envelope I will keep you all posted.

It FINALLY HAPPENED.

2008-10-13T17:39:00.000-04:00

Olivia's front tooth had been hanging on by a thread for over a week and finally on Saturday with a little help from Uncle Ray it came out. Interestingly I have been a nurse for 24 years yet the thought of assisting with teeth removal makes my skin crawl. I was glad we had backup---- Thanks Uncle Ray
Life has been moving along and things have been going well. My new job is going along and although the longer days were an adjustment in the beginning much better now. We are now counting the days until our disney trip for Thanksgiving in November. We were hoping that we would be traveling as a family of four but that was not to be.
Our refingerprinting for immigration clearance was completed 10/2/08 so we are now waiting for our i171 approval. We only have two more documents for the dossier to get and they are both in the works. Once we receive the approval we will send them off the the dossier preparer she will get all the county clerk and department of state authentications. Prior to her having them DOS certified she will scan them to the adoption agency for translation to begin while the originals are being certified which should help move along the process. From there they go to the Kygr embassy in Washington then onto kyrgz ministry for final approval by adoption committee. Then we are officially "waiting" and can receive a referral at that time. I am getting excited again at the prospect and can actually picture another member of our family.
We will keep everyone posted and hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather

Our Beautiful Girl Is Seven Today

2008-09-14T20:48:00.000-04:00

Olivia turned seven today. Hard to believe. We had a very busy but wonderful weekend celebrating. Saturday we had a school friends party with 12 little girls they made beaded bracelets,had their nails done and face painting. It was great for Olivia to have all her school friends and family here,apparently Barbie is the theme of the day because we now have more of them then we can count but she is loving all her gifts and was up at 6;30am today to start playing with them YEAH!!!
Right after that our family arrived for the family party.It was great to have all the kids together and fortunately the weather held up so they could be outside for a little while.Clothes for fall was the theme of this party(Mommy was excited).I am so amazed how into clothes Olivia is, I know I didn't care this much when I was seven.
Olivia's adoption day holds more memories for me than her birthday,I do however on this day think about Olivia's birthmother. I hope she knows what a beautiful gift she gave us. Olivia is the bright light in our life. She makes us smile and laugh every single day and ,especially at birthdays I am so grateful for the gift of her. I know her birthmother thinks of her today and I wish she could know that I think of her too.
Our I171 extension with homestudy has been filed and we are paperchasingm we have hired a dossier preparation service this time around to make the process easier for me. I am grateful for her and we move full steam ahead.I'll keep you all posted.

Well It's Official

2008-09-03T11:17:00.000-04:00

September first came and went without much fanfare, I don't know what I expected I guess maybe a small part of me hoped there would be some final hour reprieve. That was not to be. Our Vietnam adoption journey ended officially along with countless other families dreams. I am saddened and I guess feeling a loss for the promise of a child from Vietnam we will not have. Throughout this journey I have always pictured in my mind a child who looked just like Olivia. What also saddens me is to think of the children in Vietnam who might not have homes. People often comment to me how lucky Olivia is that we adopted her I always reply that what we received from her is tenfold what we have given to her, Yet I do think about the life she may have had in Vietnam and it saddens me because she is so bright and so full of life and promise and she may not have had that had she stayed in Vietnam.I hope for the children that are there who are legally and legitimately looking for families there can be a quick resolution although I am doubtful.We now look forward to better days ahead and hopefully a process that moves along without many speedbumps.
Olivia is off the second grade today and was nervous anxious and excited all in one. She had a hard time falling asleep last night,was up in the middle of the night(very unusual) and wide awake raring to go at 6am. We all know how quickly that wears off.Her 7th birthday party plans are in full swing and she is counting the days. We hope that everyone's first days of school go off without a hitch and we keep everyone posted as our adoption journey continues.

More Summer Fun

2008-08-25T23:40:00.000-04:00

My family had their summer swim championships a few weeks ago and as you can see from the pictures they all did very well. We were very proud of them and they were thrilled with their medals. As you can see Olivia got a gold and a silver medal, we were watching the Olympics and she was saying her medals looked just like the ones Michael Phelps won and of course Steve and I agreed. We are so proud of her, swimming is very early on Saturday mornings and Olivia doesn't always like to get up but she does despite some of the moaning and groaning
We are in full gear for back to school and looking forward to the first day. We just have a few more things on the supply list and she will be ready. I interviewed for a position within my company and found out last week that I got the job. I will now be working a three day workweek and this position is in the office as a coordinator. I am looking forward to the change and the new challenge. Olivia will have to got to aftercare at school for those three days which will be an adjustment for her as she is used to me being home to get her off the bus, but I am sure she will be fine.
As far as the adoption goes we have received the contract and will be signing this week we were much more cautious this time and went through it with a fine tooth comb. I guess we are a little nervous, as most of the monies we had paid for the Vietnam adoption were lost. We still are moving ahead, once the contract is signed will receive the packet with the actual paperwork requirements and off we will go. That is all for now. Hope all is well with everyone.Enjoy the last days of summer

Summer Family Fun

2008-08-10T10:38:00.000-04:00

We spent the day yesterday at John and Alice's house for a family bbque complete with a recipe smackdown. The food was great as was the company.The kids (alot of them( had a great time in the pool and were only out for long enough to quickly eat. Olivia had a wonderful time playing with her cousin Connor as well as swimming with all her cousins. Our family from California were in town and it is always great to see them. Their oldest son James begins NYU in the fall he is a credit to his parents and I know they are very proud of him. For the recipe contest I made Grammie's famous crumbcake and we were in a three way tie for third place. This was the first time I had I had seen many of my family members since the most recent adoption news. It is always wonderful to feel their love and support for us. I am always reminded how many people are also invested in our journey, and how much we appreciate everyone's encouragement. I'll end with some pictures of the day. Enjoy the rest of the summer.

Homestudy Update Done--Step One

2008-08-05T17:41:00.000-04:00

Well our homestudy update is done. Our social worker from New Beginnings was here today and it will be available by Thursday for the new agency. Maureen has done three homestudies for our family so she is like family at this point. It is so funny to me to remember how nervous I was when she came to do Olivia's homestudy. My house was never so clean and will never be that clean again. We did clean this morning but nothing like the first time. Olivia was excited to show her the "Fashion Designs" she has been doing and Maureen ver kindly and patiently looked at ALL of them. Our next step is to begin the paperwork collection for the dossier. We are waiting to get the requirements from the agency then we will move ahead. We keep moving forward I am getting more confident that this will happen with each step. I really wish I had that crystal ball to tell me when. Does anyone know where I can find one?

A New Month--- A New Beginning

2008-08-01T09:18:00.000-04:00

Steve and I found out a few weeks ago that an adoption from Vietnam was not going to be possible. In essence the Vietnamese Government had stopped issuing referrals despite verbal assurances that they would continue over the summer. Needless to say this has been a difficult time for us as we struggled with the decision to continue or not. After much soul searching we have decided to continue and are now pursuing adoption from Kyrgyzstan. Unfortunately all of the paperwork we completed will need to be redone in the interest of time because all of our original documentation is still in Vietnam it will all be returned but who knows when. So with renewed energy we begin again as we pursue this dream of child number two for our family.

Please keep us in your thoughts and we will update as we move along the process.

Still Waiting Waiting....

2008-06-18T08:48:00.000-04:00

We hope everyone has a nice Father's Day ours was wonderful. I had to work so Steve and Olivia spent the day together after work we went to Steve's Mom and Dad's for a barbecue. Mom made her famous macaroni salad so everyone was happy especially Steve. After there we went to Moe's house to see my Dad and we were all glued to the TV watching the US Open now those of you who know me know I"m not so much the sports person but even I was glued. We had a wonderful day and are all really thankful for all the wonderful Dad's in our life. I always appreciate Steve and what a wonderful father he is to Olivia but I especially remind myself how blessed we are to have him in our lives.

Steve called the adoption agency Monday and we remain third on the list there have been no new referrals since our last conversation a month ago,very discouraging. We continue to hope and pray and wait hoping with each day that goes by we get closer. There have been some email petitions and letter writing campaigns going on. The Vietnamese gov has indicated they would be open to "Grandfathering" paperwork already in Vietnam after the 9/1/08 deadline . They are looking to our gov for assurances that they would continue to issue visas, therein lies the million dollar question. We are hoping for some positive news on that front. We will post any new news as it happens . Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Still Waiting

2008-05-14T13:47:00.000-04:00

May 14 2008-----We hope everyone had a great Mother's Day and enjoyed the time wit your children.. I had to work but fit in lunch at Wendy's with Steve and Olivia then my wonderful husband took me out to a nice dinner with his family after work I had a lovely day .Olivia made me a beautiful keychain with her picture on it that now proudly holds my keys.

We continue to wait for news of a referral and are hoping that since we are so high on the list it will be soon. Even though I know that the referral means only a last round of waiting I am so anxious to move along the process.. I am also very excited about not knowing if we will be referred a boy or a girl We will be sure to post when that happens Please continue to keep ups in your thoughts and prayers.. More soon hopefully good news..

Saturday May 10 2008

2008-05-10T15:29:00.000-04:00

Steve bought me new computer for Mother's day so you can thank him for all this blogging stuff. All through this adoption journey I have been following blogs of other families also waiting to adopt and have thought what a great way to keep family updated re the progress or lack thereof. I didn't do it because I didn't know how. This new computer has given me a renewed interest and I am doing it yeah.So this is my first blog. In a synopsis form as to where we are in the adoption process we have been in the waiting list for an infant girl since jan 2007 for those of you who don't know Vietnam announced a few weeks ago that the two govs can not reach an agreement and that adoptions from vietnam will be ending sept 1 2008 and that only families that have been matched with a child will be able to complete their adoption. This announcement came on Friday and Steve and I had along weekend considering options and alternatives. I shed many tears because i couldn't believe we could have come all this way only to have the door closed. Through some soul searching Steve and I realized that the only thing we could do to facilitate this new deadline was to change our preference to no gender preference and to open our hearts and our home to whatever child God planned for us. We called the agency Monday morning and changed our preference and were told by the agency that we are now in the top three on the waiting list and we now wait hope and pray.This journey will only begin there as we expect bumps in the road to the visa approval as the relationship between the two governments deteriotates on an almost daily basis, we feel that this is the road we have journeyed down and are committed to staying the course wherever it takes us.We for all these months have been preparing Olivia for a little sister never anticipating this detour. She was initially upset but slowly realizing possibly being the only girl could have it's benefits because as usual it is just OLIVIA. On the positive side we have received Olivia's citizenship certificate and can now apply for her passport. Please pray for us that this path will take us where we would like at that at the end of the road we will have the newest addition to our family who is healthy.. More Later