This is it.
We slept decently last night but by 3:45 I was pretty much just lying there with thoughts of the day ahead racing through my mind. By 5:30am, we gave up trying to sleep any longer and headed down for a quick workout and swim.
We are now enjoying our last "date" breakfast--just the two of us--and will be headed out in just under 2 hours to go meet the children.
In our travel group, many of the couples are receiving their first child ever--how exciting to see them make the transition from 2 to 3! And a few of us are back for another adoption, one of the children being adopted is as old as 12! How exciting for her to finally be received into the loving arms of a mama and baba.
Oh, I do not feel worthy for this journey, this joy, this privilege. How blessed we are to receive a precious child to love and nurture. Even though we still have a sense of trepidation, we also have the joy of knowing that, no matter what challenges lie ahead through this process, it will all work together for our good (for each of us in our family) and God's glory.
May He be glorified today in our hearts, minds, words, and actions.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Only One More Sleep in Her Orphan Bed
I am sitting here in Zhengzhou, sipping green tea, and reflecting on the fact that tomorrow we will have a new family member--so very surreal.
Our flight Friday from Dulles to Beijing was uneventful--so nice to have a direct flight! Arriving in Beijing in the mid-afternoon presents the challenge of forcing yourself to stay awake until a decent bedtime so as to try to sleep though the night. Tom and I did a pretty good job, getting out of the hotel and wandering through Wangfujin Shopping Street and food market, hitting Starbucks to use some free wi-fi, and finding dinner at a dumpling restaurant at a nearby ritzy mall. We made it till about 9pm and then crashed.
I was up at 5:30am and hit the hotel pool to work the kinks out of my stiff body from the flight. Breakfast in the hotel was delicious and when we realized there was free wi-fi in the hotel restaurant, we skyped with Wen and the kids at home. It was SO good to see their faces and (sort of) hear their voices...the distance and lack of instantaeous communication at will has been tough for me! They are doing great and it sounds like Aunt Wen is spoiling them!
We got to meet the rest of our travel group this morning--they spent the previous two days touring in Beijing (we skipped it this time to keep the trip as quick as possible) and it was fun to meet them and hear a bit about them! What special friends we are privileged to make on these trips!
After arriving in Zhengzhou, we went to exchange our $ for Renminbi for the various fees we will pay tomorrow and the next day as we take care of the official adoption. While I was out changing money, Tom was able to meet with Clay Williams, an American man who--with his wife Pam--runs several foster homes here in Zhengzhou and works with the orphanages to make sure the children are well cared for.
So the rest of tonight we simply prepare for the momentous day tomorrow! We leave the hotel at 9:30am to head as a group to the registration office--not sure what time each group of kids from the various orphanages will arrive. Posting to the blog and posting photos is very difficult here so I hope to have pics up asap, but please be patient if they are not up right away! It may be early Monday morning US time before there is any update from us.
Being here in Zhengzhou has brought floods of memories to both of us. Memories made with our amazing travel group from 2009 are popping into our heads at every turn. The excitement and anticipation of finally receiving Isabel tomorrow is well-tempered this time with a sense of trepidation, knowing how difficult this transition could be for her.
Being here without Jared, Anna, or Lilly seems very quiet--though how nice for Tom and me to have an extended "weekend getaway!" (far away!)
We are thankful for God's gracious and sovereign hand on all of this--both here and at home. We are grateful for your prayers and support as well.
Stay tuned...
Our flight Friday from Dulles to Beijing was uneventful--so nice to have a direct flight! Arriving in Beijing in the mid-afternoon presents the challenge of forcing yourself to stay awake until a decent bedtime so as to try to sleep though the night. Tom and I did a pretty good job, getting out of the hotel and wandering through Wangfujin Shopping Street and food market, hitting Starbucks to use some free wi-fi, and finding dinner at a dumpling restaurant at a nearby ritzy mall. We made it till about 9pm and then crashed.
I was up at 5:30am and hit the hotel pool to work the kinks out of my stiff body from the flight. Breakfast in the hotel was delicious and when we realized there was free wi-fi in the hotel restaurant, we skyped with Wen and the kids at home. It was SO good to see their faces and (sort of) hear their voices...the distance and lack of instantaeous communication at will has been tough for me! They are doing great and it sounds like Aunt Wen is spoiling them!
We got to meet the rest of our travel group this morning--they spent the previous two days touring in Beijing (we skipped it this time to keep the trip as quick as possible) and it was fun to meet them and hear a bit about them! What special friends we are privileged to make on these trips!
After arriving in Zhengzhou, we went to exchange our $ for Renminbi for the various fees we will pay tomorrow and the next day as we take care of the official adoption. While I was out changing money, Tom was able to meet with Clay Williams, an American man who--with his wife Pam--runs several foster homes here in Zhengzhou and works with the orphanages to make sure the children are well cared for.
So the rest of tonight we simply prepare for the momentous day tomorrow! We leave the hotel at 9:30am to head as a group to the registration office--not sure what time each group of kids from the various orphanages will arrive. Posting to the blog and posting photos is very difficult here so I hope to have pics up asap, but please be patient if they are not up right away! It may be early Monday morning US time before there is any update from us.
Being here in Zhengzhou has brought floods of memories to both of us. Memories made with our amazing travel group from 2009 are popping into our heads at every turn. The excitement and anticipation of finally receiving Isabel tomorrow is well-tempered this time with a sense of trepidation, knowing how difficult this transition could be for her.
Being here without Jared, Anna, or Lilly seems very quiet--though how nice for Tom and me to have an extended "weekend getaway!" (far away!)
We are thankful for God's gracious and sovereign hand on all of this--both here and at home. We are grateful for your prayers and support as well.
Stay tuned...
Friday, February 10, 2012
Suitcases Zipped Shut...
...and each of the kids is off to school.
It was not nearly as traumatic as I had anticipated saying goodbye to the girls--especially Lilly--at the bus stop this morning. She had some tears and a sad look, but there was no gnashing of teeth or wailing. God has graciously answered the many prayers that she would have peace and comfot as we depart for 2 weeks.
Aunt Wen arrived last night after the kids were in bed, and has completed her "briefings" and her review of what I am calling the "Unabridged Encyclopedia of Cantilina Chaos," which is the 30+ pages of important phone numbers, schedules, routines, calendar items, medical information, tips on places to shop and dine, etc.
If those coming to take care of the kids never read it, that's ok (don't tell them that!)...at least I feel better having put it all on paper. Indeed, it represents my life, my roles, all in black and white on paper. That's what is. And now I can mentally let it all go and focus on the challenges ahead for Tom and me over the next 2 weeks.
The girls were excited to see Aunt Wen this morning (Jared was out the door before she was up) and she accompanied us to the bus stop.
I know the kids are in great hands, and the fact that different folks are coming every 3-4 days makes it more interesting and gives them something to break up the time apart.
In a few minutes, we'll be on our way to Dulles. One suitcase for Tom, one suitcase for Isabel and me, and one suitcase filled with donations for the Isabel's orphanage and for Swallows Nest, a foster home in Zhengzhou run by an American couple.
I will do my best to update the blog and post to facebook as time and internet access allow... We covet your prayers for each of us:
It was not nearly as traumatic as I had anticipated saying goodbye to the girls--especially Lilly--at the bus stop this morning. She had some tears and a sad look, but there was no gnashing of teeth or wailing. God has graciously answered the many prayers that she would have peace and comfot as we depart for 2 weeks.
Aunt Wen arrived last night after the kids were in bed, and has completed her "briefings" and her review of what I am calling the "Unabridged Encyclopedia of Cantilina Chaos," which is the 30+ pages of important phone numbers, schedules, routines, calendar items, medical information, tips on places to shop and dine, etc.
If those coming to take care of the kids never read it, that's ok (don't tell them that!)...at least I feel better having put it all on paper. Indeed, it represents my life, my roles, all in black and white on paper. That's what is. And now I can mentally let it all go and focus on the challenges ahead for Tom and me over the next 2 weeks.
The girls were excited to see Aunt Wen this morning (Jared was out the door before she was up) and she accompanied us to the bus stop.
I know the kids are in great hands, and the fact that different folks are coming every 3-4 days makes it more interesting and gives them something to break up the time apart.
In a few minutes, we'll be on our way to Dulles. One suitcase for Tom, one suitcase for Isabel and me, and one suitcase filled with donations for the Isabel's orphanage and for Swallows Nest, a foster home in Zhengzhou run by an American couple.
I will do my best to update the blog and post to facebook as time and internet access allow... We covet your prayers for each of us:
- Good health for all.
- Safe travels for Tom and me, for family members traveling back and forth between New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
- Good sleep at night for Lilly (and for Anna, who is having some insomnia issues lately)
- Wisdom for the saints coming to care for the kids,
- A spirit of graciousness, kindness, respect, and love among our kiddos while we're away
- Isabel's heart to be prepared for the enormous changes that lie ahead--we meet her Monday morning in Zhengzhou (Sunday late night for those of you here)...
- Wisdom, grace, and unconditional love for Tom and me as we welcome Isabel and attempt to show her how much we love her and will nurture her.
- A special time of bonding for Tom and me as we enjoy a 14-hour date on an aircraft today!
- A special time of bonding for Isabel with Tom and me during the rest of the trip--nearly a week in Zhengzhou and another week in Guangzhou.
- The relationships and friendships that will be built among our travel group.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Isaiah 43:5
"5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
These are my words of comfort for today.
Do not be afraid. I am with you.
Many changes lie ahead.
Many transitions for young hearts.
Many transitions for old hearts too.
In the midst of these amazing, miraculous transitions...
...may my attitude and that of the people in my home be the same as that of Jesus.
...let us love one another with a pure, sacrificial, selfless love.
...let us each be helpful, kind, respectful, gracious, and considerate.
48 hours till Beijing-bound.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Free at last, Free at last! Fever Free at last!
Praise the Lord! Lilly has been off of her antibiotics since last Wednesday morning, and had some labs drawn yesterday to check for any signs of remaining infection. Labs were CLEAR. We are so happy, elated, thankful, relieved!
We are praising the Lord that our long ordeal with Staph aeurous is, it seems, over, after a long 8 months. As Dr. Campbell said, it has been a "bump in the road" of her regular scoliosis VEPTR expansion surgeries, and now that we are through this, we can resume her treatments for straightening her spine and expanding her thoracic cavity. She is scheduled for re-implanting her hardware on 10 April--so we are now working hard on getting her to gain some weight prior to her next surgery--and will continue regular expansions thereafter, Lord willing.
On a side note, she is still sporting 3 "steri-strips" from her last surgery in December. These are the little strips of tape that cover the stiches where she has incisions, and we are instructed to let them stay on until they fall off on their own. Lilly does NOT like anyone to mess with her steristrips, and she dreads bathtime because (like a bandaid in water), they tend to come a little bit loose and flap around when we're rinsing her hair. Mommy does not like to let the steristrips just kind of hang out indefinitely when they are barely hanging on (like a tooth hanging on by its last little thread) and just wants them off. Solution? The "Steri-Strip Fairy" has begun to make some nighttime calls to Lilly's bedroom, leaving a penny for each steri strip that comes off (two pennies if Lilly allowed someone to peel it off, which, apparently, is NOT incentive enough). Only 3 steri strips to go!!
We are so thankful that she is healthy prior to our trip to China--our worst fear had been that she would continue to be feverish and fighting infection while we were away. Now we are just dealing with anxiety over the prospect of Mommy and Daddy being away for so long...praying that she will have peace in her heart and will feel completely safe and comfortable with everyone who is lined up to stay with the kids while we're away.
Here, by the way, is the little girls' room now that we have unbunked the bunk beds in preparation for Isabel's arrival. When they're both older we will re-bunk them, but for now this seemed safer and they can see one another at night. Lilly is so happy that she will soon have someone sleeping in the same room.
We are praising the Lord that our long ordeal with Staph aeurous is, it seems, over, after a long 8 months. As Dr. Campbell said, it has been a "bump in the road" of her regular scoliosis VEPTR expansion surgeries, and now that we are through this, we can resume her treatments for straightening her spine and expanding her thoracic cavity. She is scheduled for re-implanting her hardware on 10 April--so we are now working hard on getting her to gain some weight prior to her next surgery--and will continue regular expansions thereafter, Lord willing.
On a side note, she is still sporting 3 "steri-strips" from her last surgery in December. These are the little strips of tape that cover the stiches where she has incisions, and we are instructed to let them stay on until they fall off on their own. Lilly does NOT like anyone to mess with her steristrips, and she dreads bathtime because (like a bandaid in water), they tend to come a little bit loose and flap around when we're rinsing her hair. Mommy does not like to let the steristrips just kind of hang out indefinitely when they are barely hanging on (like a tooth hanging on by its last little thread) and just wants them off. Solution? The "Steri-Strip Fairy" has begun to make some nighttime calls to Lilly's bedroom, leaving a penny for each steri strip that comes off (two pennies if Lilly allowed someone to peel it off, which, apparently, is NOT incentive enough). Only 3 steri strips to go!!
We are so thankful that she is healthy prior to our trip to China--our worst fear had been that she would continue to be feverish and fighting infection while we were away. Now we are just dealing with anxiety over the prospect of Mommy and Daddy being away for so long...praying that she will have peace in her heart and will feel completely safe and comfortable with everyone who is lined up to stay with the kids while we're away.
Here, by the way, is the little girls' room now that we have unbunked the bunk beds in preparation for Isabel's arrival. When they're both older we will re-bunk them, but for now this seemed safer and they can see one another at night. Lilly is so happy that she will soon have someone sleeping in the same room.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Consulate Appointment Confirmed!
This is really happening, folks.
We are officially a part of Travel Group #1824, and will be headed to China in less than two weeks. We will be meeting Isabel Faith exactly two weeks from TODAY! Wow!
Here's a little reminder of what we are looking forward to seeing:
I am working on finalizing our itinerary now, but is will likely look like this:
Later I'll share some reflections on the many thoughts, fears, and emotions I'm full of...for now I'm off to try to focus on the daily tasks--like laundry and walking the dog--that don't seem to care that we are getting so close to a monumental family event.
We are officially a part of Travel Group #1824, and will be headed to China in less than two weeks. We will be meeting Isabel Faith exactly two weeks from TODAY! Wow!
Here's a little reminder of what we are looking forward to seeing:
 |
| I am SO ready to give this sweet girl a hug and share a smile in person! I'm hoping we'll get to see some of her beautiful smiles upon meeting her, but preparing myself for the real possibility that she'll be terrified of us and need some time before the smiles return... |
I am working on finalizing our itinerary now, but is will likely look like this:
- 10 February: depart Dulles for Beijing, arriving the evening on Saturday the 11th.
- 12 February: head to Zhengzhou, provincial capital of Henan Province (same city where we met Lilly) with our travel group (who will have already spent a few days touring Beijing--we're skipping it this time)
- 13 February: meet Isabel! Begin the bonding process...
- We will have a few days in Zhengzhou to process her passport application, then head to Guangzhou for her medical exams and her visa paperwork.
- 23 February: Consulate Appointment in Guangzhou, where we'll take our oath.
- 24 February: Receive Isabel's immigrant visa.
- 25 February: Arrive home to begin the adventure of being a family with 4 children, including virtual twins.
Later I'll share some reflections on the many thoughts, fears, and emotions I'm full of...for now I'm off to try to focus on the daily tasks--like laundry and walking the dog--that don't seem to care that we are getting so close to a monumental family event.
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Problem with not Blogging Very Often...
...is that when you finally reach critical mass and REALLY need to draft an update, it's hard to know were to start. Bullet points are always handy at a time like this:
2012 is off to a fun and frenzied start.
So, let me take care of my negligence in posting photos from Christmas....
So that is just a few of the photos...we had a fabulous holiday, spending it like this:
Christmas and New Years' now behind us, we have been back in the swing of school, swim team, instruments, band, winter track, and a few fun add-ons that were Christmas presents (archery lesson for Anna and rock climbing lessons for Jared). For me, I have jumped back into Bible study and basic household management and personal fitness routines. For Tom (who, by the way, is now a Colonel-select--woo hoo!), work is revving up and he is hitting his stride. Life has been full and rich.
After another fun weekend with my family to celebrate all the January birthdays, Jared turned 15 and then I turned, well, I had a birthday too.
And the best birthday present of all was that we received our Travel Approval (TA). This is the final approval before we GO GET ISABEL! Because the approval was mailed on the final business day before Chinese New Year began, we have to wait until all the offices in Beijing reopen before we can get our Consulate Appointment (CA) confirmed. This is the date around which the entire adoption trip is built. We should have a confirmed Consulate Appointment sometime early next week and we can then book our airline tickets.
Tentatively, it looks like we'll be heading to China around the 10th of February, meeting Isabel on the 13th, and heading home around the 23rd or so. I promise not to wait until we're home from China to update the blog again...I will post our actual confirmed dates once we have them.
I have some new photos I'll share of Isabel, along with an amazingly cool story:
I was serving as a timer for Jared's indoor track meet two weeks ago, and, while passing the time waiting for the meet to start, I checked out Facebook on my iPhone. There was a message from a cyber-friend who was, at the time, in China with her newly adopted little boy and girl. Her little girl happened to be from the same orphange as Isabel. This I had already known.
But here's the really cool part. My friend and another family in their adoption travel group had gone to visit the orphanage in Luoyang with their newly adopted children. When they walked into the room where Isabel was, she was all excited and ran up to see her little (newly adopted) friend who was with her new mama and baba. My friend and the other family spent quite a bit of time playing with Isabel, snapping photos of her, and even praying over her that she might have a family coming soon. What they didn't know at the time was that Isabel is the little girl WE are waiting to go bring home! When my friend got back to her hotel room and logged onto Facebook, she noticed a new photo of Isabel that I had posted (from our agency).
Recognizing her (really bad) haircut, my friend was so excited to realize and let me know that she had just spent some time with her! I was thrilled to hear all about their visit and see their photos.
I was also thrilled to know that someone had taken the time to pray for her. And to know that she is witnessing her little friends going home with wonderful new mamas and babas who might look and sound different than what she's used to, but who take the time to smile and play and even pray when they visit. Oh how I pray her ayis are taking the time to talk to her about the huge changes that lie ahead and to look through the photo books I have sent of our family so our faces look familar to her.
- I cannot believe that it has already been a month since Christmas. (I haven't even posted Christmas photos yet. Yikes.)
- I cannot believe that yesterday was Lilly's last day of antibiotics following her December surgery. (Please join us in praying that she remains fever- and pain-free as we get farther and farther out from her last dose).
- I cannot believe that the second quarter of school is wrapping up this week. (High school has a steep learning curve for Mom and Dad, not just Jared. Sheesh.)
- I cannot believe that we are leaving for China--Lord willing--in roughly 2 weeks, pending confirmation of our Consulate Appointment. (I have piles of things mounding in my bedroom, awaiting the suitcases being brought up from the basement...)
2012 is off to a fun and frenzied start.
So, let me take care of my negligence in posting photos from Christmas....
 |
| Dessert Spread at my house on Christmas Eve... |
 |
| Girls in their jammies Christmas morning . |
 |
| Nana, Pap Pap, and Uncle Doug |
     |
| Presents at Uncle Justin and Auntie Lita's house on Christmas Day. |
 |
| The kids perform a Christmas scripture reader's theather--somewhat begrudgingly (but with lots of talent...) |
 |
| Quick photo op with Dr. Campbell just prior to headed to the OR...doesn't Lilly look happy to be here? |
 |
| Getting ready for surgery...happier now that the doctor has left the room... |
 |
| Tanya getting some Lilly lovin', AUntie Allison and me looking on at the fun... |
 |
| More fun at Aunt Judi's house... |
 |
| Anna hanging with Uncle Jer and Uncle Doug (Uncle Jer is sporting 5-year-old cousin Peter's brand new hard hat...nice!) |
So that is just a few of the photos...we had a fabulous holiday, spending it like this:
- Christmas Eve at our house with my family;
- Christmas Day at my brother's house with my family (Lita cooked up an amazing spread and Nana came through with the German Chocolate cake)
- The day after Christmas at my brother's house to celebrate my mom's birthday (and got to see the geezer dance...will try to post video if I can track down a copy...);
- Then headed north to New Jersey. Jared and Anna stayed with cousins and aunts and uncles and Grammy and Pop Pop while Lilly, Tom, and I headed to CHOP for her surgery.
- Surgery went well--they removed the remaining portions of her rods on her left side in the hopes of getting out any remaining bacteria. She recovered quickly, and we were headed back up To Grammy and Pop Pop's by Thursday for the fun Cantilina Christmas festivities over the weekend.
Christmas and New Years' now behind us, we have been back in the swing of school, swim team, instruments, band, winter track, and a few fun add-ons that were Christmas presents (archery lesson for Anna and rock climbing lessons for Jared). For me, I have jumped back into Bible study and basic household management and personal fitness routines. For Tom (who, by the way, is now a Colonel-select--woo hoo!), work is revving up and he is hitting his stride. Life has been full and rich.
After another fun weekend with my family to celebrate all the January birthdays, Jared turned 15 and then I turned, well, I had a birthday too.
And the best birthday present of all was that we received our Travel Approval (TA). This is the final approval before we GO GET ISABEL! Because the approval was mailed on the final business day before Chinese New Year began, we have to wait until all the offices in Beijing reopen before we can get our Consulate Appointment (CA) confirmed. This is the date around which the entire adoption trip is built. We should have a confirmed Consulate Appointment sometime early next week and we can then book our airline tickets.
Tentatively, it looks like we'll be heading to China around the 10th of February, meeting Isabel on the 13th, and heading home around the 23rd or so. I promise not to wait until we're home from China to update the blog again...I will post our actual confirmed dates once we have them.
I have some new photos I'll share of Isabel, along with an amazingly cool story:
I was serving as a timer for Jared's indoor track meet two weeks ago, and, while passing the time waiting for the meet to start, I checked out Facebook on my iPhone. There was a message from a cyber-friend who was, at the time, in China with her newly adopted little boy and girl. Her little girl happened to be from the same orphange as Isabel. This I had already known.
But here's the really cool part. My friend and another family in their adoption travel group had gone to visit the orphanage in Luoyang with their newly adopted children. When they walked into the room where Isabel was, she was all excited and ran up to see her little (newly adopted) friend who was with her new mama and baba. My friend and the other family spent quite a bit of time playing with Isabel, snapping photos of her, and even praying over her that she might have a family coming soon. What they didn't know at the time was that Isabel is the little girl WE are waiting to go bring home! When my friend got back to her hotel room and logged onto Facebook, she noticed a new photo of Isabel that I had posted (from our agency).
 |
| (isn't that smile SO sweet?) |
Recognizing her (really bad) haircut, my friend was so excited to realize and let me know that she had just spent some time with her! I was thrilled to hear all about their visit and see their photos.
I was also thrilled to know that someone had taken the time to pray for her. And to know that she is witnessing her little friends going home with wonderful new mamas and babas who might look and sound different than what she's used to, but who take the time to smile and play and even pray when they visit. Oh how I pray her ayis are taking the time to talk to her about the huge changes that lie ahead and to look through the photo books I have sent of our family so our faces look familar to her.
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