Travel Planning!!!

My final travel call with my adoption agency took place this weekend! Three hours and multiple pages of notes later, I am ready to get on a plane and get my girl. :) In planning my travel I am fortunate that at least part of my airfare will be paid for by points, so that is a great help financially. However, I got the AMAZINGLY great news that our trip is tentatively planned for late June/Early July! Bad news....we are right at the beginning of "travel season" in China, also known as "Holy CRAP, those flights went up in price again?!?!?!"

I am reaching out to cyber space in the hope that someone, somewhere, would have some Marriott points they would be willing to donate for our hotel stays. At this point, the low estimate is about $150/night for 14 nights- well over our original budget and about a month before we had planned on traveling. If you or anyone you know can help- please contact me through this blog and thank you in advance! :)

Mother's Day and....

Besides the obvious celebration of Mother's Day, today marked a very special occasion: Exactly one year ago today I informed my immediate family that I was in the process of adopting a child.
At the time, I was planning on adding a 5 year old Ugandan boy to our brood and blissfully unaware of the term "disrupted adoption". Only a few months later would I learn of a bull-dozed slum, some questionable ethics and the unknown whereabouts of the child I had hoped would be my own.
Fast forward to today and we are excitedly awaiting the arrival of a 3 year old Chinese tot who, in 6-8 short weeks, will call the United States her new home.
As I make the final preparations to bring home my little girl, I cannot end this day without paying respect to two very special people who have made this entire process possible: Elizabeth's birth mother and foster mother.
It was her birth mother's sacrifice that will allow me to have a family to call my own; her protective instinct for this little girl to bring her to a safe place; and her love that made sure she her complex medical needs were cared for.
It will be her foster mother's tears that I will share while in China over the departure of the baby she watched grow the last 2 years, tell me how to sooth when she cries, and clue me in as to the things that make her most happy.
This Mother's Day, and every one to follow, will be a time to remember these important women who helped to bring my little one home.
For some more insight on the adoptive mom perspective, check out this piece by Kathy Lynn Harris and have a Happy Mother's Day!

On a not-so-sappy note:
Come check out our Amazing (But Possibly Too Big For My Yard) Yard Sale this weekend! All proceeds to benefit Cradle of Hope Adoption Center's Zhang Guan Ning. :)

Warning: Tear Jerker

Throughout this adoption journey I learned of adoption stories of many people in my life. An unforeseen benefit were students of mine approaching me to "just talk" about their adoption stories. One such student has shared her emotional journey of being adopted into a loving (also single mom) adoptive family and has given me some insight into the unique, adolescent, perspective that is a teen dealing with adoption.

Even prior to knowing her adoption story, this student has stood out in many ways: maturity beyond her years; sensitivity to other people's needs; love of learning and inquisitive mind; and a general ability to just "get it". I feel lucky to have had this child cross my path professionally, as well as personally, especially after today.

This student walked into my classroom during last period today saying "I got you a present Ms. Engle!!! Well, it's for your daughter, but since she isn't here yet, you can open it. Sorry- I only had tissue paper to wrap it."
Nestled within about 10 layers of white tissue paper was a small, ceramic box, adorned with 2 small rabbits, each of a different color.
"I found this in the back of my closet" she said, "I used to get them from my mom every adoption day. Well, except this one. This box was given to me by the judge on the day that my adoption was finalized. I hope your daughter likes it."

"...except this one..."

After unsuccessfully choking back tears, I hugged her, then proceeded to spiral into an ugly cry. "Why would you give me something that was so meaningful to you?" I asked. "I don't know" she said, "maybe because you are just doing a good thing and hopefully it will mean something to her."

I can never thank her enough for this small/not-so-small gesture of understanding. I will make sure that Elizabeth knows the story of my student, this box, and how special it is to our family.

The Ups and Downs of Adoption

Last week ended with the amazing news that my "Letter Seeking Confirmation" (LSC), also known as "Letter of Action" (LOA), had been issued by the CCCWA. This letter is sent to my adoption agency, immediately mailed to me to sign, scan and return to my agency. At this point, the LOA is joined by my I-800 paperwork and off to US immigration.
Although LOA's usually arrive within a day or two, mine was unfortunately absent from the DHL shipment arriving at my agency from China this week. As frustrating as this may be, I refuse to let the wait and countdown for her homecoming consume my every thought.
Therefore, I will turn to something that is constant, true and unwavering in my life: Science. :)
Check out the fantastic research by Dr. Charles Nelson recently featured on NPR this week. It is an enlightening look into power of love on the mind of an orphaned child.
NPR Article on Dr. Charles Nelson

Enjoy and hopefully I will be able to share some exciting updates soon!

Meet Elizabeth

This entire process has been a test of patience, resiliency and strength. An odd aspect of parenting through international adoption is the inability to share photos of your little one, let alone a sonogram. Usually adoption agencies ask that you wait until you have been officially matched by the country from which you are adopting.
Originally, I was told this could take about 3 months. I am happy to announce and introduce, after only 34 days, my little Elizabeth. One step closer to home my little one!

I am surrounded by amazing people

Today was one of the first major fundraisers in our effort to bring my little one home. In short, the entire affair was humbling and enlightening. Family and friends from across the country joined us at Muse Paintbar in South Norwalk to sip some wine and (attempt to) paint a scenic mountain landscape. We also offered 10 different raffle prizes along with snacks and good company. The day was rainy and cool- perfect for enjoying the company of other indoors. In total, we raised almost $900 towards the orphanage donation for Taiyuan SWI. This is a huge weight off my shoulders for many reasons; Not only is this less of a financial burden, but I consider myself extremely lucky knowing that I have the support of so many amazing people in my life.
Here are a few pictures of our general awesomeness:

Serious concentration

All of us showing off our masterpieces!

The staff at Muse were wonderfully accommodating and the company was astounding. :)
Following our painting, everyone signed a fortune that will be added to Elizabeth's lifebook. I am so happy knowing that she has so many people looking forward to her journey home.

Our fortunes from the day, signed by everyone.

Needless to say, the wait for our Letter of Action (LOA in adoption-speak) is much easier knowing I have so many amazing people waiting right along with me. :)

The wait begins...

Last week a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders: my dossier was sent to China. (For those of us using "adoption speak"- DTC!)
Now the real wait begins. A little insight into the process that lies ahead:

• My dossier will be delivered to Bejing, then sent to the CCCWA (Chinese Center of Children's Welfare and Adoption.
• My dossier will be "Logged In" (LID) within 4-14 business days.
• The dossier will be processed, translated and officially matched with my daughter (about 45-60 days)
• I will then receive a Letter of Action (LOA) stating that my little one has been officially matched to me, if I still want her (seriously). At this point I sign the LOA and send some more docs to USCIS (the I-800, to US Immigration). 
• Then I sit back and wait for the US and Chinese governments to shuffle some documents back and forth and wait for my Travel Approval (TA). 

This entire process, from DTC to TA, usually takes anywhere from 12-16+ weeks. Realistically, this would have me hopefully traveling either the last few weeks of May, or the first few weeks of June at best. 

Meanwhile, I am hopeful that some updates on my little one will land in my inbox. It has been almost 4 months since I have received any new photos or information, and it gets harder every day. While I wait, we will continue with our fundraising efforts and learning as much about China travel as possible!