Merry Christmas Letter To Family And Friends

David and I want to wish all of you the best of holidays. It's been a whirlwind of a year with so much happening. We have a lot to relect on of the past year, and we are very fortunate to have so much family around us. We have many brothers and sisters not in Virginia or in this country (Candy and Uwe are in Germany) but we will be thinking about you and wishing you were all here. Yes Candy, as we enjoy eating homemade pumkin pie!

We thank you all for supporting us in the ongoing adoption of Davis. I think many must think this will never happen. But we are at the last leg of this journey. We can't wait to start our family traditions with him and for you all to meet him. He will have so much family, unlike now. He will be truly blessed as we are.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!

This tree is so pretty. The picture doesn't show it well, I'm blaming that on the camera!

This centerpiece was a large fish, appropriate for living on the Chesapeake Bay.

Starting from the left is my sister Chris Landis ( hostess and great cook) David, Marsha Moe, her husband Al Moe, and Harold Landis (host). Everything was most delicious. We can't wait until next year when we can start new traditions with Davis.

First Snow of Season

Asia loves to put her head in the snow.

First Snow of Season

I thought I had previously posted these pictures but hadn't. Asia, Yoshi and Dutch had a great time. It was only 2 inches but they had a blast.

New Update 12/13/2007

We received word that our Log In Date for our dossier (paper work) to China was November 22, 2007. Would have been nice to know that for Thanksgiving Day, anyway, the next step is the wait for China to send us the Letter Of Approval to adopt Davis, and sign our signatures on the dotted line. This next process we will wait an average of 78 days. Good Grief! But that will put us around the 8th of February. Most of the Log in Dates have been a wait of around 21 days or more. Ours was only 14 days, so maybe that means they are going a little faster? Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.


Cindi

Thanksgiving Day 2007

Here's a couple of pictures from the day. Chris has some more pictures on her camera. Sure was good Turkey. In fact, Everything was very tasty. Thanks to all who cooked and helped out. Especially my sister Chris. Next year Davis will get to partake in the festivities. Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.

That's David with the red shirt. Lois a family friend to the left of him, then Jimmy, Norita and Harold.

11-22-2007

Norita and Jimmy Guild (David's Mom and Stepfather)

November 2007 Picture Update

I've been trying to upload all the pictures we received of Davis this past Friday. It has been very slow, so only a few for now. I'll try to get caught up on them. It's such a process to go through. Anyway, we have had a few laughs over them. As I might have mentioned before, Chinese baby's and young children wear split pants. And it doesn't matter what hangs out for all to see. There are not any pictures that he's not wearing them. Well that stops once he come to America! (LOL) They don't wear diapers over there, too expensive. They just squat and go on the street, sidewalk, grass, etc. But that is a whole other subject. Anyway, I've tried to start with the month of June up through October of this year with the pictures. He is 15 months old right now. He must be small in frame because the clothes I sent him are a little too big.

Enjoy

June 2007- Nothing like your Manhood hanging out all over the place. Too Cute. And right when I think I won't have to see those white shorts over the belly, now they have found white capri's for over the belly. Does the child not have any hips.

June 2007 - Not sure what's with the puffy red eye. Guess just being a boy!

Even though his birthday is June 19 he didn't receive his presents until July 2007. He got a toy, clothes, food, and a picture book that included pictures of his new mom and dad and of course where he will be living and other family members to meet soon. If you look closely, you can see the book is opended up to the picture of the horses.

September 2007

New Pictures

These are only the first set of pictures. I will try again in the morning to load the last pictures, for some reason the blog wouldn't let me go any further. Till tomorrow.

November Update 2007

We are now waiting for the CCAA (Better known as Communist China) to get our "LID" (Log In Date) for our Dossier. All Dossier must be logged in with them first before going any further. Not sure exactly what that consists of, since no one has ever really explained it well to anyone. It's probably one of those government sayings to make us think it's a very important step. This they told me yesterday will take anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks. After that we will receive our "LOA" (Letter of Approval ) which is everything is in order between our paper work and all the paper work for Davis. Then HOPEFULLY, we will get to tell everyone we have "TA", (Travel Approval) which means that at that time, we have 4 to 6 weeks to get our plans together and go to China! So by Christmas we should know something.

We are trying to figure out Davis's room now. Don't want to wait to the last minute. The problem is finding toys without the lead in them. Most children Davis's age like to put everything in their mouths. So this is a new challenge. David and I didn't have to worry with this kind of stuff growing up, maybe because kids back in our day played outside more, we are sure lead was around back then. So many houses had lead paint. We just wish that all these issues with lead didn't have to be connected with China.

We hope that all of you are doing well. A big Hello! to my sister Candy and Brother in law Uwe. Hope all is well with the both of you.

Until our next report, blessings

Cindi and David

October 23, 2007

We just heard from our Adoption Agency that our Embassey Seals and approvals are back. So now our Dossier can go to China on the 9th of November. From that point China officials get our paper work and little Davis's paper work together. We just hope somehow that process goes very quickly. Other than that nothing else to report. Just more waiting.

Again Not This Month

We must have some sort of black cloud hanging over our head or something. The paper work didn't get sealed, stamped and approved from the embassy, (Government Workers!) So we have to wait until next month. Our adoption agency only sends them once a month. So we have to hope once again that it will go. Our agency put a rush letter on the paper work. Like the embassy really cares. I'm sick to my stomach most of the time. We'll I don't have to join Curves now, I'll be losing weight in my own way. This is getting way too emotional.

Our adoption buddies Carol and Bruce, who are now in China receiving their little girl, they landed in Beijing this morning. Carol's father died this past Tuesday. It was so hard for her to carry on with this trip, but it's what her father wanted her to do. She really thought he was going to make it through this Cancer some how. Our thoughts and prayers got out to them.

Congrat's To Carol And Bruce !!!! 10/03/07

Carol and Bruce are with the same adoption agency we are with, and they will be on their way to get their long awaited daughter in China. That's her picture to the left, her name is Emily. They leave October 10th thru 24th. It's great that they are taking their two young sons with them. What a wonderful experience it will be for them. I think Carol is having a few meltdowns. The roof is now leaking, and both boys are coming down with colds. The doctor has told her no medication for the boys. Does he realize what a long flight that is! Emily looks like she needs a mother right now! I can't wait to meet her. She is coming for a visit sometime around Christmas.

When's our turn people!!

October 1, 2007 Update On Davis

We heard this morning from our Adoption Agency that our paper work is on it's way. They are hoping that with all the rule changes for applicants, that it will go faster. The applicant's for adoption of children from China has dropped so much because China has new rules in place as to who can now adopt from their country.

It's kind of sad, because so many children are abandoned every day. I'm just glad we met their criteria. We are hoping to hear that our biggest hurdle will be over with this month. More finger crossing.

NEWS !!!!!!

We finally received our fingerprint approval. Yea! We had to contact our State Senator for help. So a big thank you goes out to him and his staff. Now we are a little closer to getting Davis. I've sent a big package to our adoption agency, which they will audit all the contents to make sure everything is in order. Then it will be sent to the Chinese Consulate and Embassy then on to China. Now the only small problem is our adoption agency only sends the Dossiers to China on the second Friday of each month. So if they don't get our paper work back in time with our Embassy Seals, we have to wait until November for our Dossier to be sent. The adoption agency used to send them as soon as they received everything back from the Embassy but apparently it is too much work. God forbid anyone has to put themselves out. Sounds like some of the State Agency's I used to work for.

We haven't received any pictures of Davis recently because the foundation that he is with does not have any working cameras. The foundation is asking for cameras to be donated to the orphanage. So more than likely we won't have pictures coming to us before we go to China. They had several cameras that are digital, but all are broke. They must be pretty rough on them. So until the next news, please keep your fingers crossed for us that it goes quick.

UPDATE 9/1812007

Well David and I have our shots for the big trip. I did fine with that, but the medicine for Typhoid made me sick every time I took it. And I do mean sick. I Don't want to do that again. We found out that HomeLand Security may take up to 90 days to process our fingerprints. So I have wrote a letter to Senator Jim Webb, in hopes that he can pull a few strings and get it completed. Then maybe we can get this wrapped up. The problem hasn't been with China it's been my home State of Virginia mainly. So please keep us in your thoughts.

Update 9/5/07

We are getting our shots for travel on Friday morning and our fingerprints will finally be done on saturday. It's one more step ahead. We understand there will be more paper work to fill out once it gets closer. The only thing I don't like is it will be cold there when we go. I hear it is REALLY cold in the winter there. Most of the people don't have heat like we do here. David might have two babie's on his hands.


Cindi

Asia, Yoshi and Dutch Waiting For Davis - Anyone see Him? Is he here Yet?

David and I will be signing the last papers for the State of Virginia this weekend. This will hopefully send us on our way to fingerprinting and background check with Homeland Security. Then the next step will be the BIG wait. China will then get all paperwork together for a log in date (all paperwork must logged in with China with a stamped date) then we will receive LOA (Letter of Approval). We really want to go this year, but it depends on the CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs) They seem to take their sweet time about everything.

We still haven't received any updated pictures of Davis. They tell us they will send some when they can. Again I laugh because that may never happen. So until I receive any more news take care and keep us in your thoughts.

The Latest on Mr. Davis

Homeland Security is our hold up. We are hoping to get our finished paper work from our Social Worker on our home study. Homeland Security will not let us get fingerprinted until that is done. The agency we are working with in Pennsylvania was hoping if I wrote a letter to Homeland Security it would go faster. No go. So we wait some more. We haven't heard anything back from the China Care Foundation (Orphanage) that has Davis in their care. Although he is with foster parents, and has been since he was a day old, China Care is still responsible for him. China likes to use the word Foundation, instead of Orphanage, I guess it sounds better. Anyway, we sent a package to him with some clothes, food, toy etc. and we were hoping to get new pictures of him. We also wanted an update on his last surgery. I hate not knowing. If we hear anything I'll post it!

For My Sister Candy!

Candy, I received your letter. I'm not sure David will let Davis wear his hair like that, if he ever grows any. (lol) Reminds me of the movie "The King And I". That little boy was real cute. I loved his outfit. I'm sure we will find an outfit like that in China for Davis. And No, Chris has not bought Davis one thing! Can you believe it? We've told people not to. We are afraid it will Jinx us. So Chris doesn't want to be the one to mess anything up.

Some of our friends that are going through this same adoption process, have their baby's room ready, closets full of toys and clothes etc., but they don't have a referal of a child yet. Most of these couples have been waiting for almost 2 years. Talk about jinxing yourself. We can't bring ourself to look at a baby room for 2 weeks let alone 2 years. It's just the wait for chidren to adopt from China increased. We were number 26 this past January. And in March we got the call that there was little Davis just waiting for us. I feel bad that so many couples have been waiting for so long and we are so lucky. But we had made the decision to adopt a special needs child. Most of these couples want healthy baby girls. China doesn't like to adopt out boys. The males are held in high regard over females. Also special needs to them (China) is different then what we think of here. A special needs child can also be a child with a birth mark, mole size. The Chinese only want perfect childen. Some children are born with an extra finger. The Chinese don't want those either. It's pretty sad. But getting a boy is very unusual.

Davis had Cleft lip and cleft palete 3rd or 4th degree. It was pretty bad according to his medical information we were given. But the doctors in Beijing have done an excellent job. His teeth are coming in so nicely we are told. I still want David's sister Dawnie to have a look at him. She is a dentist if you remember. We will also be taking him to a hospital up north that has been reccommended to us that specializes in childrens medical issues. We don't expect there to be any problems, but we need to make sure that the surgery's have been successful. We don't want him to go through any more. We understand that he can say momma, daddy and the word "No". I'll keep you posted. I'm hoping that when his package gets to him they will take some more pictures of him. When you come over I'll show you his pictures when he was a day old. They are kind of hard to look at. He was so scrawny. It's amazing that he lived. He was in bad condition. But he looks so healthy now.

Well thanks for the letter and I'll keep you posted.

Cindi

More Paper Work!!

We are a little tired of all this back and forth paper work, but we understand that's just part of this process. It's just that we are filing out double forms for China, Virginia, Adoption Agency, and Home Study Agency. So we need a lot of prayers that this thing will start moving along a little faster. For some of you, you may not know, but Davis was born with Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate. He had the surgery to repair his lip already and it looks wonderful. He had his palate surgery on July 3, 2007 in Beijing. So he should go home to his foster mother in about another week. We were emailed from the China organization that is taking care of his needs and surgery's, and they said he is doing quite well. It's amazing how far they have come with certain procedures.

We are currently waiting for the USCIS-INS (Homeland Security) to contact us for our fingerprints. It is the most strange thing. We have had our criminal check from the Virginia State Police, our local police and now we have to travel to Norfolk or D.C. for more fingerprints and background check. They should make it as hard to get in this country as it is for us to get out. But again, it's just another process. Hopefully, by the end of August we will have more information to share. Keep your fingers crossed.

Ni Hao ! (That means "Hello" in Chinese)

There is an ancient Chinese belief, that "An Invisible Red Thread" connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, or place of circumstance. The Red Thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.

We are waiting for the package to be delivered to China for Davis. Hopefully, they (foster parents) will take pictures and we will see him in new photo's. Let's hope the little guy has some Hair!