When Love Takes You In

One Year Ago-- Happy Gotcha Chayah!

2010-01-11T19:32:00.002-06:00

January 11, 2009- Gotcha Chayah!

One year ago today, Chayah officially joined our family. My parents and Sarah were in China and were finally able to hold Chayah in their arms. I remember seeing the pictures for the first time and it was just absolutely amazing that we finally had her!

Happy Gotcha, Chayah! I love you! You are so extremely silly and always make me laugh. You are an amazing little girl and I am so blessed to be one of your big sisters! :)

***Be sure to follow our new blog of Chayah at home at:
http://meimeiadventures.blogspot.com/

Mei Mei Adventures

2009-02-20T20:50:00.001-06:00

Don't forget to follow updates of Chayah at home, and sister Sarah Lu, over at the new blog at:
http://www.meimeiadventures.blogspot.com

Fun with Friends

2009-02-15T12:08:00.001-06:00

Home Update

2009-02-03T17:21:00.000-06:00

Chayah is amazing! She is such an amazing girl and we all just love her so much! She is extremely happy. Happy about anything and everything it seems like. She is giggly, funny, and such a silly girl! She loves to laugh and tries to be funny all the time. Sometimes she gets a little upset, and when that happens, she whines.. and whines. But not too much, because most of the time she is smiling, giggling, and wanting me to hold and cuddle her. If you've ever heard the song "I think I'm gonna like it here" from Disney's Annie, it reminds me so much of Chayah! This is her attitude about so much. Everything is new and exciting and she is so happy with it! It is truly amazing to see! She loves to show affection and is almost constantly giving me kisses. Before I left for school the other morning, she had to give me four kisses- one on each hand and one on each cheek. She is such a sweetie!! She is doing really well with our dogs. Just last week, when she would be in someone's arms and the dogs would be on the floor in the same room, she would start screaming, crying, and be absolutely terrified. But, this week, she is walking all aorund the house, not paying any attention to the dogs. And she has even started to like them! She will now give them treats, throw their toys for them, and (the biggest one!!) she will go up and kiss them!! :) I am so proud of my girl! The one difficulty we have now is getting her to go to anyone other than me. Although she was fine with Mama and Baba in China, since coming home, she has decided to latch herself onto me and not want anyone else. She is getting better and loves her other two big sisters and will go to them without a problem. Going to daddy, and especially mommy, are pretty hard for her though. I know that she will want mommy and daddy only soon though, it will just take more time. I absolutely love that she loves me and I love her so much, but I also know that she needs to bond to mommy. Sarah is doing good, considering that her world has been turned upside down too. Jealousy is coming out, more than we thought it would actually. Sharing is not too easy to do! I am so proud of Sarah though! She is trying and is doing better and better everyday! :) Just a little over one week home, it is amazing to see how much she has already changed! Chayah is such a blessing! And we are so blessed to have our complete family of seven! :)

Now that Chayah is home, I will continue to post a few updates and photos on this blog, but mainly everything will be posted on what was previously Sarah Lu's blog, now to be my main blog, Mei Mei Adventures at www.meimeiadventures.blogspot.com
Be sure to follow as posting for both Sarah and Chayah will continue over THERE

Chayah's Home!!

2009-01-25T22:36:00.010-06:00

She's home at last!! We met them at the airport and it was so much fun! Chayah's my girl for sure!! :) She has been attached to me, literally, since we met! I am absolutely loving having her at home! She is so sweet and will just reach over, grab my hand, and kiss it! I am so in love with this girl!! She is precious and is doing so well! I am so proud of her!! She is scared of our dogs, two black lab mixes, but even since just last night, she is already so much better with them. At first, she cried when she even saw them- they were pretty scary to her! But today she has been on the ground, walking around the room at the same time they are, and even throwing a treat to them earlier. So little by little she is getting more used to them and less scared of them. She has been very happy, except when the dogs come up to her, at which point she loudly screams and wants to be picked up very fast. She is my little sister and it is so amazing that she is finally home!!!

Three big sisters, anxiously waiting to meet Chayah!

Me and my girl!

Chrissy and Chayah

Chayah, Me, Sarah, and Chrissy

Chayah, Me, (Charity hiding behind me), Faith, Sarah, Joyeaux, and Chrissy

Me and Chayah on the way home

I love her so much!

Kisses :)

Chayah coming home

Sarah coming home after a long trip, listening to jie jie's music

More kisses from Chayah

Sisters :)

With her new baby doll

Me and my little sisters!!!

Chayah, finally home!

She's Home!

2009-01-24T17:47:00.001-06:00

Just a very quick note to say that we just got home from the airport-- Chayah is home and doing great! She is such a sweetie and I am so in love! She has attached to me and is now always with me- sweetest thing ever!! It is so amazing to have her finally HOME!! I promise I'll try to post more, including pictures, later tonight after Chayah goes to sleep. ;)

The Red Couch

2009-01-23T11:07:00.003-06:00

My family on the Red Couch at the White Swan. I love this picture!

Travel Group :)

My mei mei's are so cute!!

Chayah, Kennedy, Ezra, and Sarah-- They are so cute!!

I love these red couch photos! For those of you that may not understand, the red couch is at the White Swan Hotel (there are several of them there, actually) in Guangzhou and it is a tradition of adoptive families to take pictures there.
Now, today is Friday and tomorrow, they are coming home!! We are going to be meeting them at the airport and I can't wait! It is going to be so amazing to meet Chayah and to see Sarah and my parents again! I've missed them a lot! I am so excited about tomorrow morning (their flight lands at approximately 11am central time). They're almost home!!!

Around in Guangzhou

2009-01-20T00:08:00.002-06:00

Two beautiful dancing princesses :)

Enjoying the warm weather in Guangzhou

The family :)

At the White Swan in front of the bird cage

Pictures!

2009-01-18T23:24:00.003-06:00

At the Beijing airport

The Pearl River

Mom, Chayah, and Sarah looking out on the Pearl River

Dinner at Lucy's

They made it safely to Guangzhou and are now staying at the White Swan Hotel. Chayah had her first can of pop (Orange Sunkist) and was treasuring it! They got the Going Home Barbie-- Something that I have been dying for us to get. Yesterday they went to the Guangzhou Zoo. Today they had Chayah's medical exam. We talked to them on skype just a little while ago and they were heading out to the Liu Hua Park- it is so beautiful and we had a great time there on our last trip.

Guangzhou!

2009-01-17T02:51:00.000-06:00

They should be arriving in Guangzhou right around now! I can't wait to hear from them... hopefully with more pictures that I am absolutely dying to see!! ;)

More Pictures!

2009-01-15T08:20:00.002-06:00

Beautiful sisters together and matching at last! ;)

Mommy and both of her girls!
Don't you just love it that Chayah is wearing a bow?! So cute!!!

Gotcha Video

2009-01-14T23:48:00.002-06:00

Here is the video of Chayah's gotcha!! It starts out with the nannies at the orphanage first seeing Sarah again (Sarah was at the same orphanage as Chayah) and then goes into getting Chayah! It's pretty short, only 1 minute, but is so cute and absolutely precious!!

Update!

2009-01-13T08:15:00.005-06:00

They went out to dinner on Gotcha Day and in the bathroom were flush toilets. It was a very funny thing that the toilet flushed and so mom and the girls stayed in there for a little while, just flushing the toilet and giggling. ;)
Chayah is little! She is a head shorter than Sarah. Sarah, at four years old, is wearing sizes 4 and 5 now, with about a size 8 1/2 shoe. Chayah, at six years old, fits into size 3 pants and size 4 shirts. Her feet are also itty bitty, fitting into a size 6 or 7 shoe!
Chayah likes her new name- "Chayah"
On Adoption Day(Monday the 12th), they started out in Shijiazhuang, the capital city of Hebei Province. They had to go back to Langfang to apply for her passport and then into Beijing to stay until Saturday. It was alot of driving and they ended up not getting to eat dinner til 8pm. Chayah got sick and threw up. She said goodbye to her nanny and there were lots of tears.
We talked to them on webcam last night here, which was Tuesday morning for them. She came up to talk to us at first with mommy, but then decided that running around the lobby (that's where they are getting an internet connection) with Sarah was much more fun! Before we got off though, she came over with daddy and played with us through the webcam. We had our first sister-bonding moment with sticking out our tongues and making funny faces. She is a silly girl!!

Gotcha, Chayah!

2009-01-11T23:27:00.006-06:00

Chayah with Baba and Mama!

And Mei Mei too!

They're all together at last!!! Notice how Sarah is kissing Chayah's hand? So sweet!!!

Mom, Dad, Sarah, and Chayah with the nannies and the kids at the orphanage

They have her!!!! It is so amazing to finally see pictures of all of them together at last! God's plan is so amazing!!!! Chayah came right up to them, said "Mama!" and grabbed my mom's hand!! She has been very happy, no tears! All smiles and laughter! She and Sarah have been holding hands. :)

They're getting her soon!

2009-01-10T21:00:00.000-06:00

It is 11am in China-- the time that they are supposed to be getting Chayah!!!!!

Skype

2009-01-10T10:30:00.003-06:00

We are using Skype with webcams to talk to my parents and Sarah. Yesterday afternoon here, while 4am in China (they couldn't sleep because of jet lag), we talked to them on the webcam and it was a lot of fun! Sarah kept saying, "they're not real" about me and my sisters on webcam because she thought it was a video of us. To prove that we actually were real, she started asking us addition and multiplication problems (which she does not know). I couldn't help but take a bunch of pictures of my Sarah while talking to her. She's my cutie!! Just a few more hours til gotcha!!!! They're coming Chayah!!!!

Sarah smiles for me on the webcam :)

"They're not real..." We are, buddy! We are really talking to you right now!! ;)

This is Sarah jumping on the bed in the background, at 4am after a flight to China. I thought it was really cute how this turned out, and if anyone has seen Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella" performed in concert, it reminded me of that. ;)

The Miracle of Adoption

2009-01-10T03:12:00.002-06:00

As I was laying in bed, I started thinking about my parents and Sarah in China. They are in Beijing and it is 5pm on Saturday, Jan. 10th. Suddenly, I realized that in a few hours when Chayah goes to sleep for the night, it will be her last night at the orphanage. Tomorrow (Saturday night, my time- Sunday morning, China time), Chayah will be in my parents arms and reunited with Sarah. After all of the waiting that we have been through, finally, in practically just a few hours, Chayah will finally be with our family! It blows me away to think about this, because, it shows me a glimpse into God's beautiful miracle of adoption! Chayah is now six years old. I do not know what her thoughts on having a family have been her whole life, but I do know that she has watched the babies (Sarah Lu, for example) be adopted, while the older children remain in the orphanage. I do not know how our "gotcha" moment will be, whether it will be hard on everyone or a smooth and easy transition, but I do know that God has placed Chayah in our family. In just a few short hours, all of the waiting will be over and Chayah will be with her mommy annd daddy and mei mei, Sarah! Of course, I still have to wait a little longer until a day coming up at the airport, but Chayah's wait for her family will be over and our wait for Chayah will be completed.

Safe in Beijing

2009-01-09T08:10:00.003-06:00

We just got off the phone with my dad. It was a little late (10pm), so they were all sleeping (until my dad woke up) and we're going to try again once it's morning there. We only talked for a moment but they are safe in Beijing and Sarah has done really well with the flight and all the travel in general. I'm so proud of my girl! :)

Landed!

2009-01-09T02:30:00.002-06:00

Just a quick post to say that according to the United airlines website, their flight has landed and is now taxiing to the gate in Beijing, China!! They are so close to Chayah now!!! I'll post again as soon as I hear from them!

Take-Off!

2009-01-08T11:57:00.005-06:00

I just got off the phone with my parents and Sarah Lu. They are at the airport and were called to board the plane! Sarah was so sweet on the phone!! When they gave the phone to Sarah, I said, "Hi Sarah! Where are you?" (seeing if she would tell me about the airport and what she thought of it) and she said, "I'm on your head!" and then a moment later, "I was just playing a joke on you." Yep, that's my Sarah! She's a silly girl!! I am going to miss her so much for the next two weeks!!! I asked her if she thought the plane was big (cause she could see it out the window) and she said, "No... it's small, they're all small.. But it's actually big!". She was enjoying chocolate milk and a cinnamon bun. :) They're leaving from the same gate that we left in for Sarah's adoption, so I can imagine just what everything looks like. I miss that time, but this is so amazing and I cannot wait until the 24th when both of my sweet mei mei's will be home with me!! I made them promise that they would write to me as soon as they could in Beijing, so until then, they're flying on their way! :)

And it begins...

2009-01-07T11:20:00.004-06:00

1/7: My parents and Sarah Lu leave home to stay near the airport.
1/8: Flying to Beijing!
1/9: Arrive in Beijing
1/10: Free day in Beijing
1/11: GOTCHA DAY!!!!!!!!!!! Receive Chayah at her orphanage in Langfang. Drive to the capital city of Hebei, Shijiazhuang. Stay there overnight.
1/12: Adoption Day! Drive back to Langfang to apply for Chayah's passport.
1/13-16: In Beijing.
1/17: Fly from Beijing to Guangzhou.
1/18: Free time on Shamian Island.
1/19: Chayah's visa physical and photo.
1/20: Consulate Appointment.
1/21: Go to the US Consulate to take the oath.
1/22: Depart Guangzhou for Hong Kong.
1/23: Free day in Hong Kong.
1/24: Flight home!!!!! I finally get my Chayah!!!!!!!!!!! :)

I'll be posting on this blog- When Love Takes You In- as much as possible, hopefully at least once a day. Although I am not going on the trip, I will post emails and photos that my parents send to me. I cannot even believe that this is finally happening! It seems very surreal that after all of this waiting, my parents and Sarah will actually board a plane tomorrow and not too long after, be IN China! And just a few days later, have Chayah in their arms!!!! And then... she will be HOME!!! Our God truly is an awesome God!!!!

Five Days!

2009-01-03T14:57:00.002-06:00

Even more new pictures of Chayah! She is so adorable!!

Only five more days until my parents and Sarah leave for China! Wow!!!! I can't wait until she is home! But for now, I'm off to help with the packing. :)

New Pictures!

2008-12-29T21:37:00.006-06:00

That's my girl! ;)

Tonight we received these beautiful new pictures of Chayah! She is such a pretty girl! I am so lucky to be her jie jie (older sister)!! It is so amazing to think that in just 10 days, my parents and Sarah will be on their way to China to bring her home!! It is finally happening; Chayah IS coming home!!! 10 days til take-off, 13 days til Gotcha, and 26 days til she is HOME!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T01:49:00.000-06:00

Counting Down

2008-12-22T23:02:00.007-06:00

The name of this blog is from Steven Curtis Chapman's song, "When Love Takes You In". It is a beautiful song about the miracle of adoption. This part of the lyrics seems especially fitting during these final days of waiting for Chayah to be in our arms forever.

"And somewhere while you're sleeping
Someone else is dreaming too
Counting down the days until
They hold you close and say I love you
And like the rain that falls into the sea
In a moment was has been is lost in what will be"

Travel Dates Set!

2008-12-19T16:28:00.002-06:00

The dates are set and the tickets have been purchased! Mom, Dad, and Sarah will be leaving on January 8th. And... Gotcha Day will be Sunday, January 11th!!!! WOW!!! Just 23 days til they have Chayah in their arms! Their return flight will be on Saturday, January 24th- the day when I will finally have Chayah in my arms! :) We got an exceptionally good price on our tickets and we are all just so excited!!! Finally, this is actually happening. In just 36 days, Chayah will be HOME! How great is our God?!!!

Consulate Appointment Confirmed

2008-12-19T13:00:00.002-06:00

Yes!!! This is actually happening! We just received word that our Consulate Appointment has been confirmed for January 20th with the Oath on the 21st. Chayah will be HOME in just a little over a month! Mommy, Daddy, and Sarah will have Chayah in their arms so SOON! We're confirming flights right now... More to follow!
Also, Congratulations to the families that have just received their TA's this afternoon! We'll be in China at the same time!! Especially to Dawn and her family, who we traveled with in 06! I'm SO thrilled right now!!!!! :)

A little later...

2008-12-18T13:33:00.003-06:00

Well, we won't be leaving quite yet. The airfare is extremely expensive and the logistics of working out travel so soon didn't work too well for us. However, we are almost certain (once our consulate appointment is confirmed) that our travel dates will be around mid January! I was pretty disappointed that we are waiting a little longer, but still, it is less than a month away!! After a year of waiting, I think I can handle a little less than a month more. ;) My Chayah is coming home!!! Also, we found out from our agency that there is another family adopting from Hebei Province (which has a much smaller amount of adoptions, comparatively) and that we may be traveling together, which would be very exciting! And it looks like it will be both of my parents and Sarah Lu traveling. After Christmas and New Years, it looks like they will be boarding a plane and coming back with my precious mei mei!! Oh, how I cannot wait until that day! :)

Travel Plans?

2008-12-15T13:19:00.005-06:00

This morning has been very busily spent, trying to figure out the details of the trip. There is a possibility that we could be leaving on the 24th or 25th (what an AMAZING Christmas present!!) and returning on the 10th. Airfares are pretty high then though, from what I've seen. Any help on finding good deals would be greatly appreciated! ;) The other possibility is leaving around the 31st or the 1st and returning around the 16th. My college starts back up again on the 12th, so I am really hoping for the 1st possibility!! Another factor is that the orphanage donation is rising from the previous $3000/$3500 to $5000, starting in January. As of now, we still do not know exactly who will be traveling. Will both parents travel? Does Sarah Lu go? Does one parent and one older sister travel? Or everyone? It is getting pretty complicated! I'll update again once we know more! Chayah is coming home!!!

TA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-12T12:43:00.004-06:00

We have it!!!!!!!!!!! Praying that we will be able to get there SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chayah is coming HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Mei Mei

2008-12-06T16:52:00.000-06:00

My beautiful mei mei, Chayah! I love you, baby girl!

Chayah and her friends! They are all so cute!!

That's my happy girl!

So sweet!

We received these new pictures of Chayah and I am so thankful for them! It is always such a gift to get new pictures of her and to see her sweet face! I this this girl so much already! Our TA (Travel Approval) should be coming any day now and as soon as we can after we get it, we will be on our way to China for Chayah!

Thankful

2008-11-27T09:00:00.006-06:00

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."
1 Chronicles 16:34

This Thanksgiving Day 2008, I have so much to be thankful for. I am so thankful for Chayah and that in just 3-6 weeks she will be coming home! It is by God's grace alone that our family will again experience the miracle of adoption and be blessed to have Chayah as a member of our family forever. I also must say how incredibly thankful I am to everyone who has given financially and in prayer; without you, this adoption would not be possible. I am so thankful.

Soon

2008-11-19T21:10:00.004-06:00

Sarah, Mommy, and Daddy

Me, Chrissy, and Sarah

I'm really late at getting this post up. I just now downloaded pictures from my camera. These pictures are from last Thursday- celebrating our LOA at Pizza Hut.
I can't believe that tomorrow it will have been a week since we finally got it!! Now can I officially say 4-7 weeks 'til travel? That is coming up SO fast!
My mei mei is coming home soon!

LOA!

2008-11-14T12:32:00.000-06:00

My beautiful mei mei, Chayah. You'll be home soon baby girl!!

I am just soooo excited!!! It is still so surreal that our LOA is actually here!! Well, waiting for it to arrive Fed-Ex to our house, but it is on its way from our agency- it should be here within a few hours! Getting our LOA means that once my parents sign it and send it back to China, our TA (Travel Approval) will be issued- meaning that we can then go to China for CHAYAH! This is what our agency has told us regarding travel: "At this time our estimate for your travel is five to eight weeks! I understand from our Travel Department that there is chance you would be traveling over the holidays." Five to eight weeks from yesterday, November 13th would be somewhere within December 18th to January 8th. In December/January, Chayah will be HOME!!!! It is finally happening! After all of this waiting... Chayah is going to be coming home! Our LOI (Letter of Intent) to adopt Chayah was sent on December 21, 2007- one year before she will be coming home! We do not know the dates that we will be traveling yet, but the best estimate our agency has given us is that we should be traveling sometime between December 18th and January 8th- just five to eight weeks away!!!

IT CAME!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-13T15:33:00.002-06:00

After 133 long days of waiting- IT CAME!!!!!!!!!! Our LOA came today!!!!!!!!! Oh, I can barley type right now cause we just found out a few seconds ago.... AHHHH!!!!!!!! Chayah is coming home!!!!!!!!!!! Our God is an AWESOME God!!!!!!!!!!! Our LOA was perfectly on time!!!! Hooray!!! Chayah is coming home!!!!!!!!! WE HAVE OUR LOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait?

2008-11-09T07:29:00.005-06:00

There's my beautiful mei mei! (Picture taken in March 08-cropped)

Tomorrow will be day 130 of our wait. It is much too long, but I just have to keep telling myself that it will come. The wait seems to never end and it is hard to think that Chayah may not be home for Christmas after all... The verse that I posted a few weeks back HERE has been such an encouragement during this wait. I looked it up in The Message translation and it is so true!
"It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time."
Habakkuk 2:3
Day 130 is a lot longer than I thought we would have to wait, and all of this waiting is getting really hard, but I know that our LOA (letter of acceptance) will come and be right on time!

Not Today

2008-10-31T23:14:00.002-05:00

I guess today wasn't the day. We didn't get our LOA. Praying that we will get it soon...

LOA's Coming In...

2008-10-31T13:40:00.004-05:00

Posted on our agency's yahoo group is that three families have received their LOA's this afternoon. Their dates are much after ours, so I do still have hope for getting ours today, even though the last one was posted over 30 minutes ago... Other agencies are also receiving LOA's today. Hoping and praying that ours will still come today!!!
We need our girl to come home! Day 120 today...

Chayah's Journey Home

2008-10-26T19:18:00.002-05:00

I made this video to tell the story of first, Sarah, and now, also the story of Chayah.
Today is day 115, praying we get our LOA soon so we can bring our girl home!

3 years, 8 months, 17 days

2008-10-25T00:37:00.020-05:00

It has been 3 years, 8 months, and 17 days since my dad took the above picture of a little girl at an orphanage in February 2005. She was among a group of toddlers eating her lunch in the hallway. She was only two and a half. She must have noticed the group of strange looking foreigners come in with boxes of fruit and cameras around their necks.

It has been 1 year, 10 months, 15 days since that two and a half year old, at this point four and a half, saw this strange foreigner again, this time he was back with his family and they were there to adopt her friend. It was December 2006.
She watched silently as her friend was swarmed with attention. She knew her friend now had a family. What she didn't know was that she was noticed too...

We have looked at Chayah's picture for a very long time now. We have loved her and prayed for her, even when we had no idea she would become our daughter and sister. It's beginning to seem like an eternity and in fact, I guess it really is. We have "known" this little girl for 3, almost 4 years! We have "known" her as our daughter and sister for over 10 months...
This referral picture was taken when she was 4 years old, she is now 6.

It has been 10 months, 5 days since we sent out our LOI
310 days.
114 days since we were LID.
We are hopeful to hear of our LOA soon, please pray with us that it will be there on Monday.
Day 116.
We have waited a long time...holding her picture,
and she has too...

3 years, 8 months, 17 days... thats:

1355 days

193 weeks

32,520 hours

1,951,200 minutes

117,072,000 seconds
MUCH too long. We need our little girl! And our little girl needs her family!

Encouragement

2008-10-19T22:32:00.005-05:00

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day."

Habakkuk 2:3

Emily, my friend and a fellow member of our first adoption travel group in 06, shared this verse with me this evening. It is so perfect for this wait! Tomorrow will be day 109, I never thought that we would have to wait this long. But, this verse reminds me that it WILL come! I just have to remember that God is in control of this wait and He will bring us our LOA at the right time. Emily and her family will be leaving for China in just 4 days to bring home precious Kate Mei! Thank you, Emily, for sharing this verse with me and I cannot wait to follow your journey to bring home Kate!

Day 99

2008-10-10T17:55:00.000-05:00

and counting...

Honestly, I never thought that we would have to wait this long for our LOA (Letter of Acceptance). Today is day 99 of our wait. Since it is getting later, I do not think there is any way we could get it today. And then comes the weekend, which of course, we cannot get LOA on. Monday would be our next chance, except that it is Columbus Day and schools are closed, so I am assuming that our agency would be closed as well. That leaves Tuesday, October 14, to be our next chance to receive LOA which will be day 103 of our wait. I have been hoping that Chayah could be home for Thanksgiving, but now even that is not looking too hopeful, although I am still hoping for it!!! Hopefully we will receive our LOA soon and can bring Chayah home ASAP! I want my mei mei and this wait is getting really, really hard.

New Pictures of Chayah!

2008-10-01T14:11:00.002-05:00

We sent a care package to Chayah a few weeks ago and we just received these four new pictures!
Chayah with her care package. (above)

Chayah holding the picture of her Daddy and Mommy! So sweet!

Looks like she loves her Dora doll! :) I love this picture!!

Showing her new Dora stick-on earrings. ;)

Awww!!! I am so in love with this girl!!! I absolutely adore these new pictures! She is just gorgeous and I want her home now!! Today is Day 90 and we haven't heard anything yet. Praying that she will be home for Thanksgiving!

That's My Girl

2008-09-25T01:11:00.005-05:00

These sweet pictures were taken of Miss Chayah when she was 4 years old, two years ago by a fellow adoptive family. We are so thankful for these pictures. Isn't she just the sweetest? Every time I look at her pictures, I am reminded of how absolutely in love I am with this girl. I just cannot wait until she finally comes home and I can hold her in my arms. That's my mei mei! We're coming soon, sweetie!

No word on our LOA, still waiting. Today is day 84... hoping and praying it comes soon!!

Day Seventy-Five

2008-09-16T06:32:00.004-05:00

75 days of waiting for our LOA (Letter of Acceptance)...

Chayah, waiting, picture taken in May 08.

Chayah Comes Home- Help Us Bring Her Home

2008-09-06T23:47:00.003-05:00

I've opened a Cafe Press store to raise the rest of the funds we need to bring Chayah home. For those of you not familiar with Cafe Press, Cafe Press is a website which allows individuals to set up a store of products with your own unique designs printed on the products as you have designed. The products have a base price and a portion of the proceeds come directly towards bringing Chayah home. I've decided to call our store "Chayah Comes Home" stating directly what it is, a way to help raise the funds to bring Chayah home. The products range from t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts in sizes from baby through adult to clocks, mugs, and even greeting cards. The images on the products belong to me. Photo editing was done by my sister, Rachael.
You can view the store HERE or by going to: http://www.cafepress.com/chayah

Products for you, supporting Chayah's adoption.

Waiting

2008-08-23T10:36:00.003-05:00

Today is Day 51 of our wait. The last I've heard, the average LOA (Letter of Acceptance) was received on approximately day 70. So, it that was true for us, 19 more days? I sure hope so! Anyone heard any other averages? I am still expecting LOA and TA (Travel Approval) to come in September, with travel in October. That is what I am really hoping for!!! It makes me so sad to think of how much Chayah is growing up, without us there to spend this time with her. We received her referral when she was 5 1/2 years old, now she has been 6 for over a month. I just want to get her HOME! I love my mei mei Chayah Elizabeth Ruby and I can't wait until she is in our arms forever! I know that God has the perfect timing for this adoption and He will bring her home in His perfect time.

Thank you Shaohannah's Hope

2008-08-12T09:40:00.000-05:00

Our God is an awesome God! When we stepped out in this journey of faith, we did not know where the finances were going to come from. But we knew that this adoption was God's will and that He would provide. Through our wonderful agency CCAI we were shown this and now again through Shaohannah's Hope! We have been awarded a grant in the amount of $3000 from Shaohannah's Hope for Chayah's adoption! Shaohannah's Hope is a ministry created by Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, MaryBeth, to help with the costs of adoption to build bridges and families through the miracle of adoption. We received this awesome news while watching the Chapman Family on Larry King Live, and as Larry King said, "The Amazing Chapmans", and that they truly are! I cannot begin to express our gratitude towards Shaohannah's Hope; the staff, and the Chapman family, for this gift!

Hope in the Journey

2008-07-24T15:03:00.005-05:00

My mom and I were looking through the latest LOA's (letter of acceptance) that other families have received and how long they waited to receive it. It looks like the average within our agency, CCAI, is approximately 70 days of a wait. Today, July 24th, we are on day 21 of our wait! I went through the calendar, marking off certain days to find out when our day 70 would be- September 11th is Day 70 of our wait for LOA (counting from July 3rd, LID- Log In Date). As I was counting the days, I looked up at the picture for the month of September. See it above? Yep, that is the Great Wall of China! I was shocked as this is a primarily (as in every single other picture) is a U.S. photo. I said to my Mom, "Look... did you notice the picture?" She hadn't and was shocked too! I think September sounds like a great time for travel! Chayah's 6th birthday came and passed again without a family on July 16th. The time is coming up pretty soon though! I am so excited and can hardly believe how fast September/October is coming up! :)

"This is what the Lord says, "Stand at the crosswalk and look: ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16

The wait

2008-07-13T15:20:00.002-05:00

Now that we have our dossier in China and logged in, the countdown officially begins! We are still estimating travel anywhere from September-November. Regardless of exactly when, it is fast approaching which I am of course thrilled beyond words for! This week, Wednesday, July 16th, Chayah will have her 6th Birthday. We had so wanted to be able to have her home by then, unrealistically, but still. Next year and way before then she will be home forever! Just a few more months of waiting and Chayah will come home. Now that our dossier is logged in we are waiting for our LOA, Letter of Acceptance, which comes right before you receive your TA, Travel Approval, stating that you can go to China and bring your child home. The wait from being logged in to LOA and TA seems to be about 3-4 months, so I think October is probably the most realistic time frame. It's coming up fast and I can't wait to finally have Chayah home!

We have an...

2008-07-03T23:04:00.001-05:00

LID!!!
Our Log in Date is July 3, 2008. Now the countdown to travel really begins!

DTC!!!

2008-06-26T18:30:00.001-05:00

Dossier to China!

June 24, 2008

Change for Orphans

2008-06-18T21:15:00.005-05:00

Make this summer a Summer of Change through
Shaohannah's Hope's Change for Orphans campaign!

This afternoon we were browsing through the Show Hope website
reading the Change for Orphans testimonials and look what we found...

See the page here Scroll down to the bottom and look at the left hand side!
Yes, that is Chayah's picture on the Show Hope website! We were all so excited to see it!
Full size picture of my beautiful sister:

This summer, support Shaohannah's Hope.
Collect and give your loose change to change the life of an orphan.
Make this summer a summer of change.
Get out there and change your world for orphans!

My Beautiful Mei Mei

2008-06-13T19:38:00.003-05:00

We got new pictures of Chayah from a fellow adoptive family (Thank you SO much, Beth and family!!!!) I am so thrilled to get more pictures of my beautiful little sister- I just want her home! No new news about our dossier. It is still at our agency under final review and hopefully it will be off to China within a week. These new pictures of Chayah are very encouraging during the wait- she is so beautiful and I love her so much!

ChipIn

2008-06-09T22:37:00.002-05:00

To raise money for the Orphanage Donation for Chayah's adoption I have added a ChipIn box to the sidebar of the blog. ChipIn is secure and all of the money goes directly towards the orphanage donation for Chayah's adoption. A required orphanage donation of $3,000 is required while in China adopting your child. I am hoping to help my family's adoption of Chayah by fundraising for her orphanage donation. If you would like to donate please select the "Chip In" button. Also, please leave your name in a comment or email me at bound4meimei@yahoo.com if you would like your name added to a list of "Contributers of Chayah's adoption" on the sidebar. Thank you so much!

Fundraising

2008-06-08T17:30:00.003-05:00

Scroll down the blog and look to the right hand side of the blog at the fundraising thermometer. We are at $13,447. Which is over 65% of the total! I am so overjoyed with this!! God is so good!!!! A HUGE thank you to everyone who has given to Chayah's adoption!!! There is only about $6,000 left to raise now! I am trying to think about fundraising ideas. If anyone has any ideas, please share! Also, I was looking at getting a cafepress store to support the adoption as well. I'm am trying to figure out how it works, so if you know, please leave a comment! Thank you and I can't wait to read everyone's ideas on fundraisers!

Dossier Complete

2008-06-05T17:50:00.003-05:00

All of our documents came back from the Consulate yesterday and everything has been sent off to our agency, CCAI! I am so thrilled that the paper chase is finally coming to its end! It does seem like it will go on forever at times, but there does come a day when it is finally complete! CCAI will now review everything and it will hopefully be off to China soon!

A Second Care Package for Chayah

2008-06-02T21:07:00.015-05:00

Sarah showing Chayah's care package

Contents:
Dora Doll: a soft body doll that she can hug with long hair that comes with a brush that she can play with. For Sarah, we sent her a Carter's doll, but we thought that might be a little too babyish for a almost six year old, so we were very happy when we found this Dora doll.
Girly Stuff: necklaces with matching bracelets, hair clippies that are colorful and sparkly and will work in short hair, Dora stick on earrings and rings, and matching Dora socks.
Camera: We are sending a two pack of disposable cameras. We hope that Chayah's nannies, and even Chayah herself will be able to take pictures of things that are important to her and her life in China and then we hope to get them back and get them developed for Chayah to keep.
Things to Share: Because Chayah's orphanage is a small orphanage where the kids are so close, we also wanted to send gifts that Chayah will be able to share with her friends. They include a beach ball, two Dalmatian color books, and two soft puzzles, one Princess and the other Pooh. I'm glad we did this because in these pictures from her getting her first care package, you can see how interested all the other children look. It's sad because most of the children do not have families waiting for them, I don't want any of them feeling forgotten. I hope these are gifts that all of the kids will be able to enjoy.

Finally

2008-05-27T12:50:00.003-05:00

It came! It finally came!!! We got our I-171H!!!!!! I am so beyond excited! This was the document that we have been waiting for. We are so close to being DTC (Dossier to China). WOW! This is amazing!! We're coming Chayah!!! We have waited and waited for this and now it's finally here!! We got our I-171H!!!!!!!!!!! Now that we have this document, we should have our dossier off to China within the next few weeks. After that we’ll wait approximately 3-4 months for our Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and Travel Approval (TA) from China to come get Chayah! So with our dossier off to China in June, 3-4 months is travel in September-October of this year. Wow! This is actually real, and I am so excited! Not too much longer now… we’re almost there Chayah!

Also, I wanted to share about a contest that I just won. I absolutely love The Chronicles of Narnia, the books and now the movies too. So when I heard one of the credit songs, and it reminded me of adoption, that was just awesome. I found a contest on Land of Broken Hearts and decided to enter. You were to write what the song "This is Home" by Switchfoot meant to you. Click HERE to read the lyrics of the song. I entered, not really expecting anything because there were a lot of entries. And then this morning I got an email stating that my entry had been chosen as the runner-up for the contest! My entry is about Chayah and her journey home, which this song really reminded me of. Here is my entry from the website:

Now the runner up, (winner of the Prince Caspian soundtrack) is... Anastacia! Here is her entry!:

When I first heard "This Is Home" my immediate thought was of my little sister. That may seem strange, however, my case is different than others. My little sister is six years old and lives in

China

. She has lived in

China

all of her life. We are adopting her. To me "This Is Home" truly showed me the significance of this process. For her, coming to

America

and starting a new life as a six year old, she will always have the memories of her time before us, her family. But coming here is a new start for her and she will become a member of this family forever. She won't go back, at least never in the same way. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian does have many similarities to this process of adoption. Caspian is the newcomer, the one who doesn't quite "fit" yet into the group. He grows into being a part of that group and at the end, Peter hands over the reigns of Narnia to him. Lucy is the faith of the story. Always holding true to Aslan and never giving up. This Is Home signifies to me the story of faith in adoption, created for a place you never knew and coming Home.

We loved Anastacia's story, it really touched on us on a profound level.

New Pictures!

2008-05-17T01:57:00.005-05:00

Chayah getting her care package

All of the kids look very interested

The group

Our cute girl!

We received new pictures of Chayah taken in March by Adam "Di Di"'s family! We love them and are so grateful to Adam's family for taking the time to take them.

Don't forget to check out Sarah's blog.

Spring

2008-05-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

I went outside in the backyard to take pictures of the beautiful blossoms on our trees. I just love spring when the weather begins to warm up and the flowers start coming up.

Mother's Day Surprise!

2008-05-12T00:43:00.000-05:00

Today we were wonderfully surprised with beautiful new pictures of Miss Chayah Ru! She is just gorgeous and I can't wait to get her home!! And I just LOVE these new pictures! And what a fitting day to get them on- Mother's Day!

Everyday a little closer

2008-05-10T16:24:00.000-05:00

And the Long Wait Continues

2008-05-07T20:09:00.000-05:00

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Today is the two week mark of waiting for our I171H. Hopefully we will get it soon so that we can send our dossier to China before June. I am currently expecting travel anywhere from September-November, but I am really hoping for September! Chayah will have her 6th birthday on July 16th and I am not at all happy with the realization that getting her by then is just not possible. She just better be home for Christmas! Once we get our dossier off to China which will hopefully be in late May, although June is very possible as well, we will wait for our LOA (Letter of Acceptance) and following that will be our TA (Travel Approval) which means we can go bring Chayah home! If we get our dossier to China in June, that will leave 3 months until September, which would be very fast. Most likely, travel would be around October or November, approximately 4-5 months after we send our dossier to China (estimating that is in June). I am still hoping for September though! Anyone know what the latest trends in time for someone who has already received PA (Pre-Approval) and then submits their dossier waiting for LOA is?

Chayah

2008-05-06T10:25:00.000-05:00

I took these pictures in March while we were at the Botanical Gardens. To me, flowers represent life. Chayah is Hebrew meaning life. The complete definition of Chayah is:

to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health

to live
to have life
to continue in life, remain alive
to sustain life, to live on or upon
to live (prosperously)
1. to revive, be quickened
from sickness
from discouragement
from faintness
from death
1. to preserve alive, let live
2. to give life
3. to quicken, revive, refresh
to restore to life
to cause to grow
to restore
to revive
1. to preserve alive, let live
2. to quicken, revive
to restore (to health)
to revive
to restore to life

I have also found "Chayah", only spelled without the "H" on many baby name sites. See HERE. In 2006, "Chaya" was the 785th most popular baby girl name! It was most popular in, you guessed it, 2002- the year Chayah was born, when it ranked as the 707th most popular name!

Elizabeth

2008-05-05T19:00:00.000-05:00

Chayah's first middle name is "Elizabeth" after our other Grandma, my Mom's mom. She is very excited about Chayah and cannot wait until she is home. Elizabeth means "Promised by God".

Ruby

2008-05-05T00:10:00.000-05:00

My dad's mother, my Grandmother, was named Ruby. Saturday we had her memorial service, remembering her life. She was a pastor, musician and a loving Grandmother. When we were going through her stuff, we found pictures of Chayah. She always prayed for Chayah and we know that she loved her even though they never had the chance to meet. This is why Chayah's second middle name will be Ruby.

Every Day in May

2008-05-02T21:13:00.000-05:00

This month I will be participating in "Every Day in May" featured by Dumplings, Three, both here on Chayah's blog as well as on Sarah's blog.
I am really looking forward to the challenge of posting on each blog every day.
Be sure to check back regularly for posts... every day in may!

Chayah Elizabeth Ruby

2008-05-01T18:10:00.000-05:00

Yes, we have added another middle name. I think it sounds absolutely beautiful! Can't you just see us calling the girls "Sarah Lu" (as she is always called) and now "Chayah Ru"?! :)
Chayah means "Life" and Elizabeth and Ruby are the names of Chayah's grandmothers.

Still Waiting

2008-04-29T16:49:00.000-05:00

We're still waiting for our I171H...

Chayah...

2008-04-15T23:37:00.001-05:00

Matching

2008-04-11T20:23:00.000-05:00

First off, our home study was completed last week! That is a such a great thing to be able to say! We are one step closer to Chayah!! Now we are waiting for our I171H approval and after that we can send our dossier to China! In the meantime while we are waiting, shopping for matching outfits for the girls is such a fun thing to do! Cute coats for the girls!Sarah's is the brown and pink, Chayah's is the blue

Matching rose outfits- so cute!

Hearts for sisters :)

Care Package, New Pictures, and an Update

2008-03-26T20:43:00.000-05:00

When we met up with Adam (Di Di) 's new family, we gave them a few things put together as a little care package for Chayah since they are from the same orphanage. They now have Adam "Di Di"!!!! And when they got him, they were able to spend a little bit of time with Chayah and give her a few things from us! Here are the things we sent to her:

Me and the outfit we sent to Chayah- a cute size 4 pink leopard print outfit

Me and the toy we sent to Chayah- a little stuffed black labrador retriever toy that looks like our two wonderful black labs :)

Me and the picture book for Chayah

One thing that I loved about this book since the first time I saw it at Target, it has Chinese characters written on the front, I believe they say "photos", plus it is super cute and has a great fold behind each picture to prevent it from falling out.
We put Chayah's picture in the front picture so that she and the nannies would know who it was for.

The first two pages: A family picture (dogs included) , and Mom, Dad, and Sarah

Sister pictures: Rachael, Me, Sarah, and Chrissy, and Sarah and Chayah

And on the back page we put one of Mommy and Daddy :)

Now, what you really want to see... New Pictures of Chayah!!!!!!

Chayah in her new outfit from us, holding her black lab puppy toy from us, and her photo book from us! It is so hard to believe that something that was in my hands (pictures above) are now in Chayah's hands! Wow!! That is just too cool! It makes her seem much closer!

Chayah smiles :) My beautiful mei mei!

This week, our wonderful agency also gave us an update on Chayah!
Here is a little of what we know:

She likes to play with stuffed animals (We were right on with the black lab toy! We got it for her before we knew this!)
She is affectionate and likes to be held (Awww!)
She knows that she is going to be adopted
She likes girly things like dresses, hairbows, playing house (Awww!!!)
She likes singing (just like Sarah)
She likes to look at picture books
She has been around some pets. She likes them. (Yes! This has been one of my worries- how she will do with our two labs... I know this doesn't really tell us anything, but it helps to ease my fears)

We also received a size update on her and she is almost (to the cm) the exact size as Sarah! From the picture of her in her outfit, it looks like the 4T is fitting pretty well right now, just like Sarah!

Wow! I love this girl so much already! What I am going to do during this wait? Still no update on our paperwork. We are expecting our home study update draft to be done any day now, so that's almost done! After that, we need one particularly slow state to hurry up with a birth certificate, then get our I171H and we'll be ready for DTC (Dossier to China)!

The Paperchase

2008-03-14T19:40:00.000-05:00

The paper chase is well underway and we are expecting our home study draft very shortly! On Wednesday we had out USCIS fingerprinting early in the morning at 8am. Of course, it is 2 hours away from where we live, which made for a very interesting morning of all getting up by 4am, piling into the van, and being on the road by 5 to be able to make it there in time, leaving some extra room for the ever present Chicago traffic. We ended up getting there at 7:45 with 15 minutes to spare. We were all pretty nervous about the printing due to the fact that my Mom's prints had just been sent back from the FBI, unable to be processed. Thankfully, due to lots of lotion and very careful care for a week, we are almost sure that Mom's prints passed this time! Yay! After that we were on the road again to finish off with our very last home study visit. We are now expecting our rough draft within the next week or so, and then, we'll be almost done with the paper chase! Last week Chrissy, Sarah and I had to go in to the doctor's for more dreaded stabbings, aka our TB tests, or as Sarah Lu calls it, a "TV test". ;) When the nurse asked who wanted to go first, Sarah was such a brave girl and with tears running down her face, she enthusiastically raised her little arm up in the air. Next it was my turn and last it was Chrissy's. Sarah was a very brave and perfect little sport about it. Of course, getting to go to the store to pick out her very own Starburst Jelly Bean Egg with a Kitty picture on the front did help cheer everybody up! ;) She has been very proud the little spot on her arm from where the needle went in, and just loved to constantly compare hers to mine and to Chrissy's. I think it helped that we all had to get them- not just her. We all had to do it together, even though none of us wanted to at all. Other than that, all of the documents for the dossier are all coming together pretty quickly. We had a bit of a slowdown with a birth certificate from California, but it finally made it's way here. I am really hoping to be DTC in mid April! After that, the time line for others seems to be around 4 months which will put us somewhere around July-September for travel. I actually think August would be the time, but due to the Olympics, I don't think that will be a choice. I'd love to have everything go a little bit quicker and get her in July, by her 6th birthday! If not, then I'm expecting travel in September, which is still only 6 months away! I am so excited!

Earliest Photo

2008-03-03T19:04:00.001-06:00

This is our earliest photo of Chayah.
We guess that it was taken when she was about 18 months old.
Isn't she precious?!

When Love Takes You In: The Song Behind The Name

2008-03-02T02:32:00.000-06:00

If you know of Steven Curtis Chapman, chances are you know why this blog has the name that it does. "When Love Takes You In" in the name of a song that SCC wrote after adopting his first daughter, Shaohannah. He has since adopted two more daughters from China, Stevey Joy and Maria. This song is about adoption and I have always loved it. When I started this blog, I knew that it would be a perfect name as it truly tells our story on our journey to Chayah.

Chayah Singing

2008-02-25T10:29:00.001-06:00

Here is a video of Chayah singing.
Isn't she just adorable??

Chayah's First Baby Doll

2008-02-20T00:02:00.000-06:00

Introducing Chayah's first baby doll... Isn't she precious? This is the little doll that we plan on taking to China and giving to Chayah on Gotcha Day. I found her on Ebay last week and she came in the mail today! She is a Berenguer 11" La Nursery Baby Doll. She is so cute!! Sarah loves her too. ;)

One More To Go...

2008-02-11T11:57:00.000-06:00

On Thursday we had our 2nd and 3rd Home study visits! Our social worker was able to work it out to stay for two hours, making it two visits, one for each hour. Now we only need one more!!! Today is also the 1 month anniversary of our PA! I cannot believe that it has been that long already. We have to be DTC sometime within the next 5 months. I'm hoping for DTC (Dossier to China) in March, but I think April is more realistic. ;)

New Pictures!

2008-02-04T21:00:00.001-06:00

Beautiful Miss Chayah Elizabeth!

Playing on the slide!

Chayah and Adam

How sweet... they are holding hands!

Unbelievable

2008-02-02T09:57:00.001-06:00

First, a new picture of Miss Chayah!!! How gorgeous is she? I love her so much... I just want her home NOW! :)
And some news... I officially love our agency, CCAI!!! They are amazing! When we started this process to bring Chayah home, we had no idea where the money would come from. But, we knew that God had placed Chayah in our family and we had to bring her home. Our agency is now not only paying our complete agency fees, but they have also decided to award us a grant, bringing our total grants from CCAI to $10,000!!! How great is our God? Not the entire adoption in financed, but God has shown time and time again that He will provide just when we need it. I cannot even believe how amazing this is. I am speechless. Thank you CCAI!

For updates on our fund raising for Chayah's adoption, visit:
http://fundingouradoption.blogspot.com/

Sarah's Thoughtfulness: Presents for Chayah

2008-01-26T12:36:00.000-06:00

The other night at dinner, Sarah Lu said
"I have a good idea! We could go to Walmart and buy presents for Chayah! We can get her a Microphone...a 'Ro' Barbie like me...a Baby Doll...And Yummy-yummy-yummy-yummy-yummy Popcorn!"

Much Life Promised By God

2008-01-22T08:22:00.000-06:00

Chayah Elizabeth: Much Life Promised By God
Chayah means "Life". Elizabeth means "Promised By God".
This is our prayer for Chayah.

Beautiful

2008-01-21T08:51:00.001-06:00

Chayah is wearing the pink shirt, blue pants, and green shoes.
This picture was taken in August 2006 when she was 4 years old.
Isn't she just so beautiful? I love this little girl so much already. I just want her home!

The Introduction

2008-01-12T13:33:00.001-06:00

Due to privacy, I have removed this post from the blog at this time.

If you would like to read our full adoption story, feel free to email me at: bound4meimei@yahoo.com

PA!

2008-01-12T00:32:00.000-06:00

We received our PA, Pre-Approval, today!!!! It's so amazing that it came in just 3 weeks since we sent out our LOI!!!!! YAY!!!!!!

Our Timeline

2008-01-12T00:06:00.003-06:00

January-December 2006: Sarah's Adoption
December 3, 2007: Found Chayah with CCAI
December 4, 2007: Filled out and faxed the preliminary application for Chayah's adoption to CCAI
December 21, 2007: Sent our LOI to China
January 11, 2008: Received our PA from China!!!!! (3 weeks!)
June 24, 2008: Dossier to China- DTC!!!!
July 3, 2008: LID- Log In Date!!!
November 13, 2008: LOA- Letter of Acceptance!!! Day 133... TA should come soon!
December 12, 2008: TA- Travel Approval! All we do now is work out our travel plans!!! Wohoo!!! Chayah is coming home SOON!!!!
January 8th-24th, 2009: Travel Dates Set! Chayah is coming home!!!!!!

The Down Side

2008-01-10T19:22:00.001-06:00

Well, the physicals are done. It was quite a traumatic experience, for me at least. I do not think there is anything I hate more than blood tests and shots. And seriously, what is the point of them? They are way too painful to be good for you. It hurts to type because my right arm has been stabbed this afternoon. This truly is the down side of the process. Everything else is so exciting and just absolutely perfect, but not the physicals, at all. At least they are done now!

One step closer!!! (and what a big and hard step it has been!)

The Ultimate Gift

2008-01-09T12:39:00.000-06:00

This movie has played a huge part in our adoption journey. When we first saw it, my Dad said it was one of his absolute favorite movies. About one month later, we were reviewing Chayah's file and praying for God's will. At this same time, my Dad was teaching a study on The Ultimate Gift at church. That's when it hit. The little girl in the movie, Emily, played by Abigail Breslin, has leukemia and has one wish: to have the perfect day. While my Dad was teaching on this movie, this particular fact stuck out to him and reminded him of Chayah. We now know that no matter what the future may hold, we are Chayah's forever family, and she needs to come home to us. It was also by the inspiration of 'The Ultimate Gift' that Chayah's name was given to her. Chayah (Hebrew, pronounced Khai-uh) meaning: abundant life, to have life, to continue in life, remain alive, to sustain life, to live prosperously, to revive, be quickened from sickness, from discouragement, from faintness, from death to preserve alive, let live, to give life, refresh, to restore to life, to cause to grow.

A little more about our little girl

2008-01-06T21:12:00.000-06:00

As of November 20, 2007, Chayah weighed 33 pounds and measured 37.8 inches. She's very tiny! Smaller than Sarah Lu is right now and she is two years older!

Here is some more that the orphanage wrote about her:

She can recite dozens of rhymes and Tang poetry that the nannies have taught her. She likes to sing and she sings very well. She takes initiative to help the nannies pick up toys and care for the younger children. She is a well-behaved, polite, pretty, happy, little angel. (I like that part!) Her favorite activity is playing with toys and games. Her favorite toys are stuffed animals. She is fond of listening to music and singing. She has a ready smile. She is fond of reading picture books. She is energetic and gets along well with others. She is closest to caretakers and other children in the institution.

Two!

2007-12-30T18:35:00.001-06:00

Sarah's and Chayah's matching Princess cowgirl hats

Puppy Cuteness for Sarah and Chayah!

The adorable (and matching!!!) tights

And puppy hair bows!

Aren't these just the cutest?

Wow! I can't believe it... TWO mei mei's (little sisters)!!!
When I was last-minute Christmas shopping, I saw the Princess cow girl hats, and knew that I just HAD to get them! And of course, now, I had to get TWO!!!!
Most people after Christmas look for all kinds of great sales, well, not exactly me. When we got to the mall, I spent my money at Gymboree! And, what I got... TWO matching puppy shirts, TWO pairs of matching puppy tights, and TWO puppy hair bows!!!!
Does it get any better than buying TWO of everything? I just keep picturing the girls wearing their matching things and how adorable it will be. I can't wait for the day when Sarah and Chayah will be running around together... the TWO of them!
When I was in Basketball back in 6th grade, my number was 2. When we got new uniforms, they asked us each what we wanted our numbers to be (we could get a different number if we wanted to). I wanted to keep my number "2". Everyone always told me I should get a different number, but, no, TWO is just right! :)

Merry Christmas

2007-12-27T09:20:00.000-06:00

Sarah Lu is excited about the LOI too!

2007-12-22T17:24:00.000-06:00

LOI off to China!

2007-12-21T10:54:00.000-06:00

It's official! Today officially marks the start of the countdown!! Our LOI (Letter Of Intent) was set to China today, Friday, December 21st, 2007! Today is also our big sister Rachael's 22nd Birthday, so it is definitely a day to celebrate! Now that our LOI has been sent off, we begin to wait for PA (Pre-Approval) from China. In the meantime we will continue on with the paper chase. After that we'll send our dossier to China, and wait for LOA (Letter of Acceptance) and last, TA (Travel Approval). I updated the ticker at the bottom of the page so now it will count down our wait for PA. And, about the photo at the top, isn't she just gorgeous? I am so in love with her and I can't wait until she can finally come home!!! Praying for a speedy PA... ;)

Chayah Elizabeth

2007-12-19T17:20:00.000-06:00

Chayah (Hebrew, pron. Khai-uh); meaning: abundant life, to have life, to continue in life, remain alive, to sustain life, to live prosperously, to revive, be quickened from sickness, from discouragement, from faintness, from death to preserve alive, let live, to give life, refresh, to restore to life, to cause to grow

Elizabeth (Hebrew) meaning: Promised by God
This is also the name of our grandma, my Mom's mom. She has been very involved in the adoptions and is very excited to soon be welcoming her 5th granddaughter!

Names

2007-12-16T22:18:00.000-06:00

We have chosen her English name! But, first I want you to guess what it is!
Here is the list of names we reviewed, under each person who suggested it!

Dad has suggested:

Chayah, pronounced similar to"Kya", Hebrew meaning "Life".

Mom has suggested:

Liberty, Libby for short: this is what we almost named Sarah
Elizabeth (after mom's mom)
Ruby (after dad's mom)
Olivia
Abigail
Violet
Isabelle (although this is Sarah's favorite and may cause jealousy issues)

Rachael has suggested:

Eleanor
Nora
Elspeth
Theone
Jada

Chrissy has suggested:

Adeline "Addie"
Josephine "Josie"
Lydia
Ruthie
Emma

I have suggested:

Jacqueline
Julia
Emmeline
Charlotte
Phoebe
Mayah
Nadia: it means "hope"

Sarah has suggested: "Bunga!" and, "Sarah, just like me! TWO Sarahs!"

So, tell us which names (first and middle) you think we picked!

*UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who commented. Amazingly, everyone who commented got, at least, part of her name correct!!! And, Caitie, guessed it exactly right!