Q: When do you travel?
A:Oh I so wish we knew when:). Right now, we are waiting for LOA and it's a very unpredictable process. We receive LOA 30 days to 120 days. And from there, well I just don't know yet:)
Q: Are you both going to China
A: At this point, No :( We had a major unexpected event happen last month that pretty much ate my ticket costs. I'm doing well on the items I'm making so who knows, maybe I'll sell enough that I will get to go. Either way, she's coming home:) ( I'm even trying to see if I can get into a Saturday market...still trying to figure it all out:-)
Q: What is Madelines Heart Condition? Is she expected to have a normal lifespan?
A: Define normal. There's no guarantee to ANYONE's lifespan. We are all here as long as God wants us to be. She could live 1 year, she could live 100...As to her heart condition, it is severe, but her day to day life will not be too far off any other childs.
Q: Are you keeping her Chinese name?
A: Sort of. We are making it her middle name:)
There are a few bigger questions that have been asked, like Why China... why are you adopting etc... but those are much longer answers. I've written and re-written the answers a million times. But the simple truth is, Madeline is in China. So, to China we go. We felt drawn, and called, to adopt from China.
As to why we are adopting, we decided years ago that instead of spending the money on treatments to have a biological child, why not take that money and adopt a child that was waiting for a Mom and Dad? And how OH.SO.VERY happy we are we made that decision! Many people have said Madeline is so lucky...the truth is, Lee and I are so lucky to be getting her! God chose us to be her forever parents and it's such an honor the He is trusting us with such a special gift. Lee and I are the lucky ones:)
Here are some pictures from Lee's friend and co-worker Hsun Ming. Hsun Ming went to China last month to visit his parents, and then went to Xian to visit a friend. He took some medical supplies from us to Starfish and got to meet our daughter. She had a high fever and wasn't in the best of spirits, but all I wanted to do was hop on a plane and cuddle that sweet baby until she felt better!
Oh, goodness! She is so sweet!!! Here's hoping and praying you get a FAST LOA!
ReplyDeleteThe LOA wait is a killer. But maybe it will give you the time to raise the necessary funds? I hate to think of you not being able to go on the trip...especially since we only had one parent travel last time. Obviously, we didn't have any other option but it's not something I would recommend. It's hard to not both be there on Gotcha Day. I'll be praying that the funds come in!
ReplyDeleteAnd BTW...I think your girl gets more adorable in each new picture! :)
She is so BEAUTIFUL! But she does look a little under the weather in these pics. Praying for speedy travels so you can get that baby girl soon!
ReplyDeleteGin =)
So nice to see new picture of Charlotte! Do you know if she'll need heart replacement surgery? You know, she was very active (just shy with strangers), the only way I would have guess she had something wrong with her heart would be the rosy cheeks. I hope she is feeling better, and that you get the LOA soon!
ReplyDeletethat is AMAZING that you KNOW someone who MET your little girl!! That HAD to carry you through a little bit!!
ReplyDeleteIts going to happen soon!!!!
i KNOW, KNOW, KNOW that finances are a KILLER in an adoption. There's never enough and certainly not any extra - PLEASE, pray about both of you going to China. I KNOW you dont have to and I KNOW it can be done and I KNOW its "only" two weeks. Whatever you decide, you will make it work - but IM going to pray that you can both meet your Madeline on the same day!! I just cant help but think it is something you will play in your head forever.
Now, get to fund raising! And praying!!!
Praying this stage of the wait goes QUICKLY! Oh she is so precious and i know you are so anxious to get her in your arms!
ReplyDelete