Just an update and a video

Nothing to much is new regarding our adoption as of now.  We  plan on traveling sometime between mid March and mid April.  However, we did want to post a link to a video that we now have of Ally.  You probably wont watch it quite as much as Abby and I did but we hope you like it. 

http://vimeo.com/29271362  the password is fleetwood.

Its someones Birthday......Happy Birthday Ally!!!!

I know it has been forever since we last updated our blog but unfortunately we were at a stand still after the end of August.  However, things are rolling again.  We received a very important document last week that has allowed us to continue moving forward again.  Right now our estimated time for travel will be March or April.  We have received updates regarding Ally along with new pictures that you see above. The little Nala stuffed animal that she is holding is one of the things Abby and I sent her in our care package.  This the exact information that we were given in our update:

"Sui Xiu Mei, 9kg, 80cm, 44cm head, 46cm chest, 13cm foot, 15 teeh. She has been quite strong and hardly get sick. She can walk very well. She moves very fast. She has a super good appetite and always sleeps well. She can sleep through the night. She likes to say hi to all her nannies in the morning. She talks to other children a lot. She is very outgoing and never be shy. She is also doing well with other children. She is smart, active and full of energy. She has her temper sometimes. She is in a good shape generally".

  Also, this turns out to be Ally Cathrine's 2nd Birthday.  Abby and I had a little birthday party for her this morning.  This should be the last one she has to spend with out her mom and dad.  We just want to thank everyone for your prayers and support in our effort to bring our little girl home.  Your kindness has overwhelmed Abby and I.  Thank you all so much.  I realize this blog is kind of all over the place but we will do our best to keep it updated on a regular basis.

Meet Sui Xiu Mei

   

After more than a year in the adoption process Abby and I got our referral for our daughter last week and have officially accepted it.  Her name is  Sui Xiu Mei  ( $20 for the first person that pronounces that correctly).  We got our referral on August 30th (last Tuesday) and after having her medical records reviewed we officially accepted her on August 31st.  We would have posted this sooner but  Lifeline, our adoption agency asked us to not share any pictures or details until after we received our pre-approval from China to travel

Sui Xiu Mei  is from the Guangdong Province located on the south China sea near Hong Kong.  She is 19 months old and will turn 2 on January 12th.  She was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate.  Both will be surgically repaired after we bring her home.  We are both so excited and can't get to China fast enough.  We want to thank everyone for all of your prayers and support and ask that you continue to pray for us as we begin to make our travel plans.  We plan on traveling sometime after the first of the year.  We will continue to keep everyone updated with any new pictures or details that come our way. 

Still Waiting

Well the 25th has come and gone and still no referral.  We have been told by our adoption agency that the shared list will be out early next week.  Hopefully we will be matched soon.  God has definitely given us our share of tests in patience this last month but we both know that they have all had a purpose and are all apart of his plan.  Please continue to be in prayer for everyone involved in our referral process.  Our adoption agency, Lilly (who will be matching us in China), the doctors at the International Adoption Clinic who will be reviewing all medical history, and Abby and I.  We will let you know as soon as we hear something.

Here We Go

Well here it is, our first official blog entry.  As you know Abby and I are adopting a child (or possibly twins) from China.  Later this week we hope to have our referral which will include a picture, age, and medical history.  Abby and I have chosen to adopt a child with minor special needs so the medical reports will be especially important.  Once we receive the information it will be evaluated by the International Adoption Clinic in Birmingham.  The clinic is made up doctors and specialist that have all adopted children internationally.  Once we have our referral we will have 48 hours to accept or decline.  The waiting child list comes out on the 25th of every month (Thursday) and we hope to be contacted soon after.  Our adoption agency has a young lady named Lilly that will be matching us with a child.  Even though God already has her picked out Lilly will be physically matching us.  We ask that you please pray for Abby and I as we go through this exciting time and also for Lilly who will be so instrumental in our referral.  We will update you as soon as we have anymore news.