Our dossier arrived in China!

It is there!  We found out this morning that our dossier arrived at the CCCWA office in China. So thankful that it was an uneventful trip for these important documents.  They completed their first round in our country, so now we wait for them to go through the various stages in the second country.

Tax Deductible Gifts

Some have asked me to let them know when we establish a way for them to give towards Pat's homecoming in a way that is tax deductible for them.  We are happy to let you know that we have been accepted as part of the Family Sponsorship Program through Reece's Rainbow.  If you would like to contribute in this way, simply click the Reece's Rainbow graphic in the right hand border, and it will automatically transfer you to our FSP.  They will hold the funds for us until closer to travel. 

Thank you!

DTC!

That REALLY important step has been achieved!  I just got notice from our agency that we have DTC!  Yes!  Our Dossier has been sent To China!

Hopefully next week week will find us with an official LID (Log In Date) and a fast track to having our documents OOT (Out Of Translation.)  Is it time to brush up on the Adoption Acronyms ?

Dossier Complete!

The week began with the bulk of our dossier documents back from their final step of authentication in New York.

This was followed up today with the final three documents that went through the Secretary of State and then the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.

So this afternoon has been a whirlwind of carefully, so very carefully making photocopies so as not to disturb the various certifications and authentication attachments, and then matching up all of these photocopies (eventually) into three identical stacks.

And here is what we have been working towards since August 6.

One packet of photocopies for our agency, and one beautiful packet of FULLY AUTHENTICATED dossier documents!  This is where it starts to get real!  :)

Dossier Documents!

First thing this morning Fed Ex had these fully authenticated dossier documents waiting for me!

Now we are just waiting for three documents to return from their authentication in D.C.   We are nearly there!

UPDATE 10:30 AM.  Just heard from our courier in D.C.  Barring any complications our final documents will be picked up on Wednesday!

Abigail's 8th Birthday

This is only the second birthday party the "baby" of our family has had. Last year she wasn't really sure what it was all about, but this year having witnessed the parties of lots of other family members, she KNEW. It was all about her! :) I'm pretty sure she likes birthdays!

Be careful what you wish for...

We've all heard the saying, "Be careful what you wish for, it just might come true."  This is a reality for Abigail right now.

Abigail LOVES attention, and believe me she is soooo stinking cute that she gets plenty of it!  But, she has had a jealousy issue with Jen and her mobility helps.  For the past year she has begged for a walker and also for braces.

This past week Abigail got her wish.  She got her own set of AFO's (Ankle Foot Orthoses)
 to help her pronated feet.

Now the thing Abigail didn't realize was that, until one gets used to them, these things can make your feet HURT.  They also make one's gait unsteady as you learn a whole new way of balance while walking.

They aren't as tall as Jen's, but they are TOUGH.  There is even a velcro strap that fits between her toes to force her foot into the position it needs to get used to being in.  Poor kid!