blog post 1.19.13

Day 2

This morning, we were able to face-time with Grandpa & Grandma Witzig plus our 2 little ones... I’m so thankful we go to see them and talk a little bit with them over breakfast :)  Afterwards, we went to visit Poppy at Little Flower’s baby home again.  She was glad to see us and wanted to be with us.  In the morning, she took me by the hand when she wanted to go somewhere new and she loved eating rice puffs from daddy :)  I was absolutely thrilled with her reaction of us!!

When it was bath time, they suggested I be the one to do it... Poppy wasn’t so sure.  She resisted a little, but in the end was a good girl and we did just fine :)  Then, Mommy got to wrap little Jia’s arm for some hands-on experience with EB, and then both Daddy & I got to help with Poppy’s entire bandage change.  Today, she was much more pre-occupied during the change and didn’t even make a peep.  It went great!!  Afterwards, we got some lunch for her and daddy fed her again.  Mommy tried to put her down for a nap and things were going pretty well... but then she decided she was done.  She cried for her nanny and I quietly left the room after she came over.  And it was just fine.  It had been a big day :)

While I was putting Poppy’s tights on, she was talking quickly in Chinese.  It turns out she was saying, “I think these are too big” ... such  a funny girl :)

After her nap, she woke up and was (again) excited to see us and came right over to us.  We played together and there were lots of smiles.  But then... we took 3 steps back... and I still don’t know why.  A large group of visitors had come in and she was quickly a center of attention (which we think she rather enjoys!).  She started moving away from us more and more- until she didn’t even check to see if we were watching (like before).  It was hard to sit there and watch it happen.  And after the group left, things just seemed to keep getting worse.  She didn’t want to play.  She wasn’t quick to smile.  She wanted nothing to do with letting us help - in any way - for any thing.  She was almost acting lethargic at times.  In fact, wondered if maybe she is getting sick.  I certainly pray not!!!

We know that adoption is hard.  We know there will be ups and downs with gaining her trust... but it’s still tough to go over the bumps.  I am so thankful I have Andy with me... and a God who sanctifies me!!

Please continue to pray for us all!!  

with thanks & love from China :)

blog post 1.18.13

Meeting Poppy...

Wow!  What an amazing day!!  We met Lily (from Little Flower Projects) at 8:30 this morning in our hotel lobby.  We were expecting her to be alone... but she had a very small, sweet little surprise with her :)

Poppy wasn’t so sure what to think about us & just kept quietly shaking her head “no”... it was so cute.  We went together to the “baby home” and were able to watch and learn so much.  Poppy had her bath and we got to watch her bandage change... she is such a trooper!!!  We also read some books, gave her snacks & lunch, played silly together and tried to let her get comfortable with us :)

& We learned something about our girl...  

Not only does this little package have personality and cuteness- but she is an absolute firecracker!!  She's funny - she's sassy - she knows exactly what she wants - and she'll figure out a way to get it :) 

Much to daddy’s disappointment, we have another little girl who isn’t so sure about him.  However, she still let him sit close, feed her, and even pick her up!  Which is HUGE :)

And with her sweet little self... I don’t think the bias will last long at all :)

We are so thankful we got to spend a lot of time with Serena & Lily, learning about Poppy.  They know her well and the entire staff really helped point her to us when she needed or wanted something.  I really appreciated their efforts!  Thank you so much for all of your prayers!!!  God is answering :)

When it was time for us to go, we told her goodbye and she let me give her lots of hugs and then started blowing kisses.  Then, daddy knelt down and asked for a hug... and little punkin’ walked over and gave him a big one!  We are both so thankful for a wonderful day meeting our baby girl :)

"Best Christmas... EVER!"

These were the words of my children on Christmas Day... Sammy didn't even want to go to bed because that would mean our "perfect day" was over.

I have always loved Christmas.  It's a time we focus on Jesus and the many blessings He's given us- family and love... food and gifts... laughter and fun :)  I especially love our little family tradition of having a Christmas tea party... it may seem odd to some, but seriously one of the best ideas we ever had (although I'm pretty sure the credit goes to my 2 biggest girls :))!!  We spend the day baking cookies, making favorite foods, and smelling wassail warming on the stovetop... I love the house smelling so sweet and everything feeling right in our home.

It's kind of amazing, really... I thought we were going to miss our tea this year.  I thought we would be in China celebrating Christmas with our baby girl... and yet, here we are.  And as hard as it is for me to believe it... everything was right.

Our agency had given us what I believed to be our Christmas Miracle... a special, out-of-cycle trip for just 2 families.  We both were waiting on travel invitations, we were both adopting from the same province, we had both previously adopted from China... and we both really wanted to bring home our babies in 2012.  We just needed those TI's.  In prayerful hope that we would receive it in time, we planned, prepared, and packed for our Poppy :)

Friday (12.21) was the last possible day we could receive the TI and still get to go.  So, on Thursday morning, bright and early, our 5 children quietly came into our room and woke us up for our special "mini-Christmas"... we didn't want to miss it!

Their stockings had fruit bars and they each had one small gift under the tree from us, plus gifts from each other... oh, and gifts to us from the kiddos too!!  Mini, indeed :)  but I'm really glad we had that day together.  We all needed a break from the craziness.

Then, on Friday evening, I received the most dreaded phone call.  Our TI did NOT come.  We would NOT be traveling with the other family.  We would NOT get our Poppy until later in January... and just 2 days prior, I had learned that this outcome had the potential of placing our baby girl in harm's way until we were able to get there.  I lost it... I haven't cried like that in a really. long. time.  I had been praying fervently that she would never -not for a moment- be in danger.  I just couldn't understand why God hadn't chosen to let us get her as soon as possible.  Nothing made sense to me, but Andy reminded me that God is good... He has a purpose and a plan.  Our families also encouraged me and prayed with us as we celebrated Christmas over the next several days.

And on Christmas morning, it all made perfect, beautiful sense!!  I received an email from Poppy's current caretaker explaining how miraculously God had taken away all fear of this danger for our girl.  She is -and would be- safe.  She is loved.  And let me tell you... I lost it again!  But this time out of thankfulness and humility.  Oh, how incredibly blessed we are!  All the money in the world (yes, even a hefty tax credit) couldn't buy the peaceful feeling we had this Christmas morning.  It truly was the best gift we could have received!  And the next morning?  New pictures!!  Apparently, our little girl and her daddy have a love in common...

Is that chocolate on your face, sweet Poppy?!??

Once the consulate confirms our visa appointment, we will have our flights booked (or should I say, changed) for the middle of January.  We are still packed.  Looks like we just need to throw in a little more chocolate for our trip and we'll be ready to go :)   We love you baby girl!!!

A package full of L-O-V-E

Over the past few months I have been slowly building up a little box full of special toys and things I thought our little Poppy would enjoy.  Here is a sampling of the fun that was inside...

I also spent lots of time searching the internet for clothing that would be soft and comfortable for her (read: tagless & seamless!)... which proved to be a serious challenge... but I finally found Teres Kids.  And I am in love.  It is 100% pure organic cotton with reverse seams (which is actually softer and gentler than "seamless" seams are) and it's made in the USA.  What more could I ask for?  (Hmmm... how about a coupon?!?? :))

Here are a few of the pieces I purchased for her...

sweet hoodie dress

long-sleeved princess shirt

butterfly t-shirt & ruffled leggings

I ordered double of a few shirts & pants so that I could send some on to Poppy now, but still have them for when she comes home with us.  You see, even though she has 3 older sisters with plenty of clothing, her little pile is, well, not so plentiful... since most of their clothing can not be passed down.  Instead, hers is focused on soft & amazing quality... not so much on "quantity" :) 

Nearly 2 weeks ago, this special package started its long journey to China.  And just a few days ago... someone VERY special got to open it :)

I mean really.  Does it get any cuter than that??  

The home Poppy is currently in is such a blessing to us!  We have been able to get regular updates with LOTS of pictures!!  And even more importantly, they take such good care of their children... they truly love on them.  I am so incredibly thankful that God has placed her in their care until we are able to have her with us :)  He has been so good to us... Thank you, Lord!!

An e-mail with promise...

Yesterday, we received an email from an immigration officer at USCIS who simply stated that "our I-800 is provisionally approved" and we should expect it in the mail in the next 7-10 business days... woohoo!!!  Once we get that I-800 in our hands, we will overnight it (along with a whole packet of more paperwork) to our agency who will send it straight on to China.  China will then issue the long-anticipated Article 5... this says she is not only ours, but she is able to move back home with us too (minor detail!).  The A5 is issued in 2 weeks time... and then we wait for TRAVEL INVITATION (typically 1-3 weeks)!!!  Can you feel the anticipation building over here?!??

We are within 1-2 months of getting to China!  Now, most adoptive families -when they get to this point- are beyond ready to get on that plane.  They want everything to go as quickly as possible... and we do too!  But there is an added urgency for us - we want to be able to finalize our little pumpkin's adoption in 2012 so that we can claim the adoption tax credit!  This may not seem like a big deal, or it may seem too material, or just plain selfish... but oh, it is a big deal - yes, it only something material and nothing to compare to the wonder of meeting our daughter - but, it would be incredibly helpful for our family!  You see, the adoption tax credit is going to change drastically in 2013.  Drastically.  If Poppy's adoption is finalized this year, we could be refunded almost 1/2 of our adoption cost.  That. is. HUGE.  But if finalized just 1 day after the new year begins... well, we might not even be able to claim a credit  at all.

"But, Erin!" you say.  "You are basically within a month of TA - which would be the beginning of December... what are you fretting about?  You should have no trouble getting there by the end of 2012, right?!"

Oh, how I wish that were true!  But there is another hitch... our agency.  They are wonderful and they are going to do their best to get us in China as soon as possible... but!  They only send one travel group per month.  One.  And it tends to leave early in the month.  Can you see where this is heading??  I have great confidence that we will have travel invitation in hand and the ability to be in China by sometime this December... but it is highly unlikely that we would be ready when the rest of their group is.  Highly.  And I have no idea how to make this dream a reality.  I have tried countless solutions, but they all have an unraveling point somewhere.  So, unless we are issued TA in tandem with our A5... OR our agency makes an exception for us which they've never done before... we will not be getting her until 2013.  (ouch)

PLEASE, please pray with us that we could receive our TA with our A5.  I have heard of this happening before -only once- and it was to my dear cousin, Jeff and his wife Chelby... OR please pray that God would move on the hearts of those in our agency to allow us to travel "out of cycle"... AND please pray that whatever God has willed for our family, that this mommy would be able to accept it... and even be thankful for it.  So many of you prayed faithfully for us last year that we would receive a "Monday Miracle" to bring home our Lily - and God answered those prayers and petitions.  So, I am praying for another miracle...  and He has the power to perform it... if He so chooses.

My mom has told me that I was a very patient child.  I think of that often - and I have to laugh!  I struggle so much to be patient now!! 

And I get the feeling that Poppy struggles with it a little bit too :)

We have a ton of pictures which show our sweet, precious, happy girl - and I am SO thankful for those!!!  But this one cracks me up every time I see it - and I love it :)  This is real life.  This is a girl wanting to be pushed, without the bother of pictures.  This is a girl with one thing in mind... she is on a mission.  And SO. AM. I.  

We are coming, baby girl!  We are coming!!!

3 little letters...

Today we received our Letter of Acceptance which is a huge step towards getting to China! (Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayers.)

Only a few months left 'til we get to meet and love on our sweet little Poppy!!

Announcing...

We have the joy and privilege of announcing to you the expectant adoption of a(nother) sweet little girl from China!! She just turned 2 years old (9.15.2010), but it will likely be several months before we are able to travel to get her. She has a special condition as a "butterfly baby" which means her skin is especially fragile... the medical term is "epidermolysis bullosa."

As we were discussing this & throwing around names, Sammy commented that she will be our "most fragile flower"... absolutely! I promptly did a search for the most fragile flower and learned the red poppy's leaves are like the most fragile crepe paper and is easily torn. So, within ten minutes we all happily agreed her name would be...

~ Poppy Sue ~

Please be in prayer for our family, and for little Poppy in particular.  We have been immersing ourselves in learning about her special need so we can be better equipped to take care of her when she comes.  And we want. her. home.

So, where are we in the process?  Well, since everything was in expedite-mode to get her dossier done, we were officially logged in (LID) on July 23rd.  Now, we are just waiting for the official LOA (letter of acceptance).  We have no idea when that may come - it could be next week or in 3 more months!!  After that, we will have another paper rush, and then off to China (hopefully within 2-3 months of LOA).  For now... we wait. and wait. and pray.

Thanks for praying with us!