The Great State of Texas

Having only lived in Texas for a short period of time, I knew little of the state's merits. I know they do things BIG, but I didn't know they did them fast! Craig and I both had to request the long forms of our birth certificates (yes, there are different types) for the adoption. We requested them on the same day. I was able to call and talk to a very sweet, extremely southern woman in Brazos County, Texas. She wanted to know where I lived now and why I had moved. She wished me all the luck in the world and told me she would turn my request around the same day. She wasn't kidding. I got my birth certificate in a few days. The next step was to send it back to Texas (yes, back to where it just came from - this process is all about the efficiency) for authentication by the Secretary of State. This shows the Chinese government the birth certificate is valid.

New Jersey, the state of Craig's birth, yeah not so much. First off, we couldn't even communicate directly with the state. They send you off to a birth certificate service, which says if you see a birth certificate from NJ in 8 weeks you are lucky.

Well, when we got back from our awesome Thanksgiving in NY, my authenicated birth certificate was waiting for us. I love Texas. NJ needs to get it in gear!

Of course, we are still waiting for our I-171H too. We will just keep our fingers crossed for a December DTC.

Medical Reports Submitted

Today we sat down with Dr. Castellon to go over our lab work and finish the medical paperwork. He started out by telling Craig what fantastic shape he was in...then let me know that I am quite anemic. Great! Of course, for Craig that means its time to introduce fish into my vegetarian diet. But, not so fast, I am going to have to work on getting more iron and protein my way.

Craig's lab work wasn't the only highlight. His blood pressure was outstanding (by his standards) 120/84. We actually started to make comments about how his height didn't sound that tall in the metric system...he says this while talking to a doctor who is my height.

We also were able to convince a notary from across the hall of come over and generously notarize his signature for us. She took it the most seriously of any notary, which I appreciate considering the importance of notaries in this process.

So, I overnighted the materials to Jennifer. She will put them with our homestudy. Once we get the I171H back from the US Customs and Immigration Services office she will send all that paperwork to the Florida Secretary of State office in Miami for authentication. My birth certificate is already in Texas getting authenticated. We are just waiting for Craig's birth certificate to come back from NJ, so we can send it back to NJ again for authentication.

Just a small window into this process...

Final Visit?

We had what we believe to be our final homestudy visit today with our social worker Jennifer. She met with all of us and discussed attachment and bonding. We did the typical pass forms around and discuss the timeline. I can't wait to get everything moving and send out doisser to China!

Our Ladybug Story

Hunter and I were at Target to pick up a few things for decorating a tree in the Festival of Trees. As we entered the stationary aisle, I noticed there was a book tucked on an end cap all by itself. The book stood out to me because of the adorable little chinese face illustrated on the cover. I picked it up and Hunter and I read the story inside is told from the point of view of one little ladybug, Dot, who happens upon a mysterious bundle one day. Dot stays with the little bundle as she is carried to the place "where babies come to be found" and promises to stay with the little one throughout her journeys toward getting a family.

I actually started to get, as we call it "misty", in the store. Needless to say we purchased the book. But then we still had errands to run. Next stop, Home Depot! As we were selecting some flowers for the front porch, Hunter shouted for me. A ladybug had landed on his arm. It stayed on his arm over the next 20 minutes while we waited in line. He talked to it and played with it. When it was time to go, I said I thought she should stay behind, but Hunter really wanted the ladybug to come in the car. I told him I thought maybe she had someone she needed to be responsible for like in the new book. As I said that the ladybug flew off his arm for the first time.

It was one of those experiences where you feel the presence of divinity. I will never forget it.

Ice Cream Face

This picture was taken on a homestudy visit to Sarasota to meet with our social worker Jennifer. Hunter took a detour at St. Armands Key for some ice cream. I wonder if little girls eat ice cream more daintly than this??

Happy Anniversary Fingerprints

This photo is for historical record. It was taken Nov. 2, 2005, our wedding anniversary. We made it (barely) to the USCIS office in Orlando. Someone accidently took us to the wrong location first. But, once we made it there everything went so smoothly. The machines they used to take our fingerprints were incredible. It seemed like some type of infra-red technology that took a picture of our fingerprints. So no black ink smudging.

Puppies

I understand its not too popular in China to include pictures of your pets in the dossier, so since they are an important part of the family they needed to be recognized somewhere. At the top and slightly to the right is Kobe. His new little buddy is Zero, named after Jack Skeltington's dog in Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas.

Waiting Patiently

Here are Craig and I in Boston. This is his "I am waiting patiently" face. But, don't buy it! We are both getting very anxious.

First Posting

It seemed like it must be time to start putting all the thoughts down somewhere to keep a record of our journey to bring home a little one from China. We still have so far to travel in this journey, but we are up for it. I hope this posting can be a source of information and inspiration to everyone who reads it.