One week down waiting on our TA.
No word on anything.
Still need to:
Finish travel video (since we are not close to our agency and cannot go in person, we (as in I) have to watch the class on a CD. Not fun when the CD does not run on your home computer!).
Put together all papers that will be needed for our adoption in Ch*na. (Must go dig papers out from 'tornado safe place'!)
Put together fundraiser.
Finish (start?) on Peyton's room.
Get another suitcase. Thinking the boys (the boys :) ) can share one. Give everyone a good carry on.
Continue to look into flights and times.
May need to buy swim caps - apparently some hotels in Ch*na require swim caps in the pools.
I'm sure there is tons more to do...must get going.
'The Joy of the Lord is my strength'
Cindy
Our family now...
Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the Power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Friday 8/24/12 (I think!)
I thought I'd write a quick recap of our day.
Wonderful breakfast at the hotel!
Zane enjoyed the jacuzzi and swimming pool (which was very cold!) for a little bit. They are up on the rooftop, beautiful views all around.
Then we walked down to Insadong which is in 'dong' or neighborhood. Here along the streets are galleries, souvenir and antique shops and little eateries. We found a Starbucks! The coffee tasted great, prices were pretty much the same. We liked this:
And these signs in the bathroom made me laugh, so I had to share:
I proceeded to throw my toilet paper in the toilet. Oops!
Later we took a taxi ride to the Holt Adoption Agency. This was the agency which coordinated Zane's adoption on the Korean side. We met with DJ, who was the facilitator and she showed us around. We actually met a couple who the husband happened to be from the same hometown as Lane. They were here to pick up their little girl! As we were leaving the offices, the little girl was being brought in by her foster mom. Such a cutie pie! She looked to be about 18 months. I've wondered the rest of the day how she is doing.
DJ took us for a Korean lunch. We left our shoes at the door and sat on the floor. They cooked the meat over coals on the table. Basically lettuce wraps with lots of good toppings, sauces, etc.
Her Dad then took us up to see the North Korean border. There were a lot of buses there. He said a few of the buses were from China. It was not something I would have thought of to go see, but it was interesting.
This picture shows maps of the tunnels found by South Korea that the North had dug.
Here is a picture of the Bridge of Freedom, well, where the bridge is. It is actually all gated and closed off, and there are ribbons, flags, and other items tied in various places along the fences. Put there for family members who are still in North Korea.
After that we were pretty much done for. We let zane sleep on the way back, but woke him up when we arrived at the hotel. Hopefully we will all sleep tonight!
Tomorrow we have a tour guide arranged for us by Holt. We will leave at 9:30, not sure where to or what we are going to see. Hopefully one of the bigger markets and possibly one of the old palaces.
Night all,
Cindy, Lane and Zane
P.S. I didn't spell check so I hope all grammar and spelling is close to correct.
Two more days until we get to meet Peyton Min!!
Wonderful breakfast at the hotel!
Zane enjoyed the jacuzzi and swimming pool (which was very cold!) for a little bit. They are up on the rooftop, beautiful views all around.
Then we walked down to Insadong which is in 'dong' or neighborhood. Here along the streets are galleries, souvenir and antique shops and little eateries. We found a Starbucks! The coffee tasted great, prices were pretty much the same. We liked this:
And these signs in the bathroom made me laugh, so I had to share:
I proceeded to throw my toilet paper in the toilet. Oops!
Later we took a taxi ride to the Holt Adoption Agency. This was the agency which coordinated Zane's adoption on the Korean side. We met with DJ, who was the facilitator and she showed us around. We actually met a couple who the husband happened to be from the same hometown as Lane. They were here to pick up their little girl! As we were leaving the offices, the little girl was being brought in by her foster mom. Such a cutie pie! She looked to be about 18 months. I've wondered the rest of the day how she is doing.
DJ took us for a Korean lunch. We left our shoes at the door and sat on the floor. They cooked the meat over coals on the table. Basically lettuce wraps with lots of good toppings, sauces, etc.
Her Dad then took us up to see the North Korean border. There were a lot of buses there. He said a few of the buses were from China. It was not something I would have thought of to go see, but it was interesting.
This picture shows maps of the tunnels found by South Korea that the North had dug.
Here is a picture of the Bridge of Freedom, well, where the bridge is. It is actually all gated and closed off, and there are ribbons, flags, and other items tied in various places along the fences. Put there for family members who are still in North Korea.
After that we were pretty much done for. We let zane sleep on the way back, but woke him up when we arrived at the hotel. Hopefully we will all sleep tonight!
Tomorrow we have a tour guide arranged for us by Holt. We will leave at 9:30, not sure where to or what we are going to see. Hopefully one of the bigger markets and possibly one of the old palaces.
Night all,
Cindy, Lane and Zane
P.S. I didn't spell check so I hope all grammar and spelling is close to correct.
Two more days until we get to meet Peyton Min!!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Article 5
'The Adopted Children's Immigrant Visa Unit (ACIVU) at U.S. Consulate
General Guangzhou has finished processing your child's Article 5, and
your file is ready to be returned to your adoption agency's facilitator.'
We just received this email a little bit ago. Exciting!
I thought our Article was going to be picked up today; I kept checking my email, but never did hear anything. Looks like it is ready now though! And I guess, will be picked up while we are sleeping.
And Peyton Min is going about his day. I always wonder just what he is doing. Is he laughing, is he learning, is he eating ok? If he is hurt or scared or upset, is someone there to hug him and help him to feel better? It's so very hard wondering and waiting.
Next we should received our TA!
OHMYGOODNESS...we still have SO much to get ready.
:)
There are so many families over in Ch*na now, so many getting prepared to go, and many who will be traveling when we travel. Please keep all of those families, and all of the new kiddos, in your prayers also.
Blessings
We just received this email a little bit ago. Exciting!
I thought our Article was going to be picked up today; I kept checking my email, but never did hear anything. Looks like it is ready now though! And I guess, will be picked up while we are sleeping.
And Peyton Min is going about his day. I always wonder just what he is doing. Is he laughing, is he learning, is he eating ok? If he is hurt or scared or upset, is someone there to hug him and help him to feel better? It's so very hard wondering and waiting.
Next we should received our TA!
OHMYGOODNESS...we still have SO much to get ready.
:)
There are so many families over in Ch*na now, so many getting prepared to go, and many who will be traveling when we travel. Please keep all of those families, and all of the new kiddos, in your prayers also.
Blessings
Monday, June 18, 2012
All week I have been wishing we could get an update
on Peyton Min. Friday at work, I walked out to heat up my lunch and there is a mom
and dad with all of their little boys. And I’m really wishing we had
our little boy home with us…NOW! In reality,
it is not that much longer until we travel and we still have A LOT of
things to get done. But it’s hard to wait.
A few people have mentioned, waiting a few more
(extra) weeks to travel after we have received our travel approval
really isn’t that much more to wait. And that is true, it really is not
much more to wait and it really is for a good reason,
increasing funds for our adoption costs/travel.
But, the waiting and the reasons why started me to
thinking, and here is the best way I can get ‘normal’ people (that is,
people who do not go through this adoption process!) to understand the
wait, the process.
Imagine you are pregnant, you are due on July 25th.
In fact, you are ready to have this baby NOW! You are excited about
that day, you cannot wait for it to get here. You go in for your June
check-up and the doctor tells you
that he is not going to deliver this baby until August 25th… (insert face in disbelief). Yes, that’s about how I feel also!!!
Now imagine this, before you have your baby , the
hospital sends you various bills that you will need to pay (your
insurance will not cover having this baby) before you can have your
baby. Yes, that’s about how we are feeling also!
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; And they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Please continue to keep us in your prayers; for God
to prepare Peyton Min’s heart for all of the changes he will be going
through, for us as a family, for God’s continuing provision. Lane’s web
site is now posted at the top right of our
BLOG. Please help us get the word out for anybody who may need
boat/waterski/barefoot equipment!
Here are a few pictures of one of the most wonderful dads in the world! What lucky little boys to have him as a father. :)
Blessings
Thursday, June 7, 2012
These past few days....
We found out that our package was received by the orphanage, yay! I wish we could know for sure if Peyton Min has received our package. But all our SW could tell us what that 'The orphanage staff were well instructed to share the photos and prepare children for their family.'.
They were also told that we were not traveling until mid August, so I'm wondering if they will hold his package for a few more weeks.
This part, not knowing if he knows, is almost harder than any of the other waiting.
We also found out that our letter from the NVC, along with other papers, was dropped off on June 5th. Our Article 5 is scheduled to be picked up on June 19th. After that is received, we should get our TA (travel approval) next. Once we are approved, we should be able to request (well, our agency requests) our Consulate appointment.
And finally, after much stress over filling them out correctly, our Visa applications have been Fed-Ex'd off to the courier so she can get them to the Consulate in Houston TX for our approval to go to Ch*na!
It really hasn't quite sunk in yet.
In a little over 2 months, we will be on our way to get our little boy.
OH MY GOODNESS!
A fellow AP (adoptive parent) from my FB DTC Winter group posted this verse after receiving her LOA:
God is watching over us all, near and far.
Blessings,
Cindy
They were also told that we were not traveling until mid August, so I'm wondering if they will hold his package for a few more weeks.
This part, not knowing if he knows, is almost harder than any of the other waiting.
We also found out that our letter from the NVC, along with other papers, was dropped off on June 5th. Our Article 5 is scheduled to be picked up on June 19th. After that is received, we should get our TA (travel approval) next. Once we are approved, we should be able to request (well, our agency requests) our Consulate appointment.
And finally, after much stress over filling them out correctly, our Visa applications have been Fed-Ex'd off to the courier so she can get them to the Consulate in Houston TX for our approval to go to Ch*na!
It really hasn't quite sunk in yet.
In a little over 2 months, we will be on our way to get our little boy.
OH MY GOODNESS!
A fellow AP (adoptive parent) from my FB DTC Winter group posted this verse after receiving her LOA:
Proverbs 25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Awesome, isn't it?!God is watching over us all, near and far.
Blessings,
Cindy
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Yesterday (totally unexpected and very exciting!) we received a letter from the NVC... this is a letter stating that our petition to adopt has been forwarded to the Embassy in Ch*na. It seems like our letter has come pretty quickly; tomorrow I have to scan copies to our agency. This letter has a GUZ# that our Agency needs in order to proceed with the adoption. Now we will wait for our Article 5 to be issued by the US Embassy. Here is how this next step will go, courtesy of Courtney's China adoption online website
'Once you have emailed your NVC letter to your agency, they will forward it to their in-Ch*na representative. The in-Ch*na rep will take the NVC letter to the US Embassy in Guangzhou along with your DS-230 application and Parental LOA. The US Embassy only allows representatives to drop off the paperwork on certain days. The consulate needs to review your new child's visa application (the DS-230), make sure it meets the qualifications for an immigrant visa, and then signs off that everything is in order for the adoption to be completed. This is called the Article 5 letter. You cannot obtain custody of your child until the Article 5 letter is issued!
The consulate takes a standard two weeks to complete this process. If your paperwork is dropped off on a Monday, it will be picked up from the consulate by your agency rep two Mondays later.
Once it's picked up from the consulate, it will be delivered directly to the CCAA for Travel Approval!'
Did ya'll follow all of that?! I know, I know, lots of info there. So, basically, we are waiting on our Article 5 and then TA (Travel Approval).
Another exciting happening this weekend also! We have come to a final decision on Min's American name.
Phillip Zane Bowers' brother will be Peyton Zachary Bowers. :)
'Once you have emailed your NVC letter to your agency, they will forward it to their in-Ch*na representative. The in-Ch*na rep will take the NVC letter to the US Embassy in Guangzhou along with your DS-230 application and Parental LOA. The US Embassy only allows representatives to drop off the paperwork on certain days. The consulate needs to review your new child's visa application (the DS-230), make sure it meets the qualifications for an immigrant visa, and then signs off that everything is in order for the adoption to be completed. This is called the Article 5 letter. You cannot obtain custody of your child until the Article 5 letter is issued!
The consulate takes a standard two weeks to complete this process. If your paperwork is dropped off on a Monday, it will be picked up from the consulate by your agency rep two Mondays later.
Once it's picked up from the consulate, it will be delivered directly to the CCAA for Travel Approval!'
Did ya'll follow all of that?! I know, I know, lots of info there. So, basically, we are waiting on our Article 5 and then TA (Travel Approval).
Another exciting happening this weekend also! We have come to a final decision on Min's American name.
Phillip Zane Bowers' brother will be Peyton Zachary Bowers. :)
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