Our 2nd Journey to China. Where dreams continue...

Wishes Needed for Hannah!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am putting together a 100 good wishes quilt scrapbook. I have the quilt and I have the bits of fabric on paper. I just need to add wishes to each paper.

We would REALLY appreciate wishes from you! If you could email me your wish to wishes@kjvb.com , I will then print your wishes and add it to the fabric page in the scrapbook. Keep in mind, the wish can be anything you would like to say to Hannah. Thanks in advance!!!!!!!! Please help us with our project for Hannah! xoxoxo

Our Mitten Mission for China....

It has been my mission to send supplies to Mara-Grace's orphanage each year around the time of her birthday in November, as a way letting them know that we still think of them, and appreciate all the care that they gave to her.
I have decided to begin a Mitten Mission for China. In reality, I would appreciate donations of any new handmade (knitted or crocheted) mittens, hats, booties .... that I would then in turn mail to the orphanage. This will be an ongoing project that I hope to continue for many years. Once Hannah is home, I will then divide what I have made/collected and send half to her orphanage around her birthday as well. If you have anything you have made that you would like to donate by mailing to me, I would very greatly appreciate it. Please email me at mitten-mission@kjvb.com for my contact/mailing info.

Our Adoption Timeline

· In April 2008, Kevin and I attended a special celebration at our church called , "the Arc of the Covenant" where I prayed for a sign and a way to be able to begin this journey again. Kevin, who had been away from his seat, came back and told me that he just saw a ladybug...Ladybug sightings are a significant sign of good luck/adoption news in the adoption community.

· After months of hoping/praying/dreaming, we decided that we would be able to adopt again. Victoria was so excited and thankful to know that we would be proceeding. We decided to save our news to tell our families/friends on Mother's Day weekend (May 10th/11th)

· April 19th- I emailed Karen W. for info on the process.

· April 28th- Phoned adoption agency. They advised us to wait to bring in our registration for confirmation that the SN program would continue.

· May 10th- Announced our exciting news to our families!

· May 12th- attended an info night at our adoption agency.

· May 14th- Karen W. confirmed that SN program will continue and that we could proceed with registration.

· May 15th- Spoke with agency and made app. for registration.

· May 20th - Dropped registration off at Adoption agency!!!!

· May 22nd, phoned our Centre Jeunesse (Children's Aid) to request an adoption project.

· May 27th, received info package from Centre Jeunesse.

· May 30- Obtained police clearance

· February-complete medical exam. Most tests done. June 6- last two bloodtests completed

· June 9th- mailed Centre Jeunesse package in.

· June 11th picked up completed Medical report (Jen's) from Doctor

· June 12- Kevin's doctor's appointment!

-July 9th, Received file #, sponsor etc... from agency. Karen W. is our sponsor who guided us along our journey to Mara-Grace...

-August, September and October our homestudy was being written and completed

-November 14 we dropped our complete file off at our agency.

-January 4, 2009 Our file is logged in at the CCAA!!!!

-Monday August 10, 2009 We received "THE CALL" from Karen- our sponsor. Finally, news of our Hannah Faith!

-August 26th 2009, we received our Pre-Approval.

-September 16th 2009, "Letter Seeking Confirmation" (Approval!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

-Friday, November 11th, received TRAVEL APPROVAL!

-Monday, November 13th, received our travel plans. Itinerary the following day!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Ni Hao from Beijing!

This will only be a short post as I am more than ready for my bed! I just wanted to say that we arrived safely in Beijing before supper and all went amazingly well. It was an early start, hurrying and waiting and travelling and waiting, travelling some more etc. and despite all of this, Hannah didn't lose her shining spirit for one minute. She truly is the most easy going baby. We are so very blessed.

I was very emotional leaving Nanchang today.... For so many reasons. I shall carry it in my heart with me always.

So thankful that all went so amazingly well today. Now, I am off to bed. Tomorrow is a very busy day (The Great Wall!!!!!!! Also pearl shopping and lunch and another outing, but I cannot remember what:))

Thanks for your loving comments!

xox

4 comments:

hm said...: Isn't Beijing beautiful...I could not believe how much it changed. So much cleaner and nicer than 5 years ago when we where there. I really loved it this time around...enjoy!!!

As for your emotional farewell to Nanchang...I can surely relate.

Leaving Hunan was quite emotional for me...I cried!!! This was the birthplace of my two little girls and I will never forget it, like you it will forever be in my heart.

I am so happy each time you write that Hannah is doing so well and that she keeps her "SHINING SPIRIT"...I really love that you describe her in that way.

May God continue to bless your trip and may your little Hannah always shine.

Take good care

Helen; November 28, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Anonymous said...: Yeah, you will finally see the Great Wall. Enjoy your day with your little treasure. She sure sounds incredible.

Dawn; November 28, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Alyson and Ford said...: You are all doing so well! Loved reading your other posts. We regretted not buying more pearls so enjoy your shopping! Enjoy your daughters!

Alyzabeth's Mommy for 14 Months!; November 28, 2009 at 5:51 PM
Anonymous said...: It's great that you have arrived safe and sound. Not sure if I told you but Nanchang is also the birth place of my niece, Alana. My sister and I went out last night for dinner and we were thinking of when they went to China. Not sure if you are with Enfant du monde? But they currently have friends named Robert and Sylvain (Not a couple, but friends)who were also in Nanchang this week. Could they be in your group? They were in the same group as when Alana was adopted. Anyways if they are, please tell them that Carol (Alana's Mom) says Hello. If not no worries!!
Hannah looks so happy in the bed playing. She truely is an angel. So happy that you are so enjoying her. Jennifer you are glowing!!

Will write more tomorrow
Love,
Joanne and family; November 28, 2009 at 8:26 PM