On Friday, we received our Article 5 (Ava's Visa approval) from the US Consulate in China!! Next step is waiting for Travel Approval from China. Holt says this can take anywhere from 1.5 to 4 weeks. Let's pray it comes quickly!!
Steve, from Holt, called me at work yesterday to let me know that they had received our Article 5. When one of my co-workers in the office saw that it was Holt on the caller ID, she started cheering and let us all know. And soon everyone in the office was cheering. By the time the call got transferred to my desk Steve was laughing because of all the cheering he could hear over the phone. He said several times how cool it was to have that kind of support. I couldn't agree more!! My co-workers have been amazing. Crying with me when the journey is hard and cheering with me when good things are happening. I am truly blessed to know each and every one of them and have them in my life.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
So Many Questions
Last Friday 12/14/12, our nation and the nation of China were shocked by news of attacks on children. In Connecticut, a young man first killed his mother at home and then went to an elementary school where he killed 20 children and 5 more adults before taking his own life. On that same day in Chenpeng, China a man entered a primary school stabbing and injuring 22 children. I have shed lots of tears over the last couple days trying to understand "why ?". This can be such a sad world. I have been through a realm of emotions; anger, sadness, but most of all a sense of inadequacy to keep my baby girl safe. It seems as if you can't go anywhere and feel completely safe. Now, it's not like things have changed overnight however there is a different sort of fear now that I have a baby girl to think about with a duty to keep her safe.
It's easy after news like this to think, "I'm never going to let Ava leave the house!!!" I will never understand why these men made the decisions they made. So much of the news has now begun talking about gun control, the effects of violent video games, the lack of mental health care in our society... I have views about all these issues but what I believe is a key issue that seems to be overlooked is the fact that children, ALL children, need parents in their lives who love them up unconditionally, everyday. Children need parents at home, at school functions, at sporting events, who read books to them nightly, play with them daily, hug and kiss them hourly, and say "I love you" at least on a daily basis. Children need to know that they are valued, that they are a blessing, that they are loved.
There are so many beautiful things/places in this world that Matt and I can't wait to share with Ava and explore with her. There's no way "we're never leaving the house". There's a great big world out there with amazing people to meet and God's beautiful artwork to observe. I don't know the answers yet on how we will keep Ava safe in this crazy world. But what I do know is that Matt and I will love Ava wholeheartedly and we don't have keep her safe alone. We have family, friends, and biggest of all a God who is all-knowing on our side. I refuse to walk around scared all the time. I will walk in faith that God will protect us and give us the right instincts to protect Ava when we need it. And if the worst should happen, we'll rest assured that this world is not the end. We will be together forever in Heaven where there is no guns, killers, or violence. I will rest on God's words and trust in His almighty protection.
Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:7
Leave your orphans; I will protect their lives. Your widows too can trust in me. Jeremiah 49:11
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
It's easy after news like this to think, "I'm never going to let Ava leave the house!!!" I will never understand why these men made the decisions they made. So much of the news has now begun talking about gun control, the effects of violent video games, the lack of mental health care in our society... I have views about all these issues but what I believe is a key issue that seems to be overlooked is the fact that children, ALL children, need parents in their lives who love them up unconditionally, everyday. Children need parents at home, at school functions, at sporting events, who read books to them nightly, play with them daily, hug and kiss them hourly, and say "I love you" at least on a daily basis. Children need to know that they are valued, that they are a blessing, that they are loved.
There are so many beautiful things/places in this world that Matt and I can't wait to share with Ava and explore with her. There's no way "we're never leaving the house". There's a great big world out there with amazing people to meet and God's beautiful artwork to observe. I don't know the answers yet on how we will keep Ava safe in this crazy world. But what I do know is that Matt and I will love Ava wholeheartedly and we don't have keep her safe alone. We have family, friends, and biggest of all a God who is all-knowing on our side. I refuse to walk around scared all the time. I will walk in faith that God will protect us and give us the right instincts to protect Ava when we need it. And if the worst should happen, we'll rest assured that this world is not the end. We will be together forever in Heaven where there is no guns, killers, or violence. I will rest on God's words and trust in His almighty protection.
Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:7
Leave your orphans; I will protect their lives. Your widows too can trust in me. Jeremiah 49:11
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Saturday, December 8, 2012
~More Preparations~
Ava's room is not completely done, but ready enough for Ava to come any time :). We just have a few minor projects to finish up. Matt is making shelves for her closet and I'm working on fun a coat rack. Other than that we just need some things to help fill up her room. I love the way it turned out. Sometimes Matt, Jack, and I will just go and sit in her room and talk about what Ava might be doing and imagine what life will be like once she's home.
My amazing sisters have offered to throw us a shower for Ava. We are so grateful!! Children require a lot of stuff! Matt and I had a blast registering for items at Target. Since Ava is a little older, we were able to register for things that we'll hopefully use for at least a few years (rice cooker, travel DVD player, a buggy for our bikes for Ava to ride along with us). We weren't able to find everything we wanted at Target so a few items are on Amazon.com. It was so fun to see Matt having a blast registering for gifts for Ava :) He is already such a good daddy.
We've also been busy child proofing our house. Trying to notice any breakables that may be within her reach. I'm sure we are missing some!! We've registered for baby gates, outlet plugs, and door knob covers. We are definitely going to be starting out running because our baby girl is already walking!!
We have decided on a daycare center. We visited several, but ultimately felt most comfortable with Children's Heaven. It is a large center with several locations in Omaha, all run by a Spanish family. They do have curriculum that they try to cover during the day including Spanish, colors, sign language, numbers, etc. But they also are not so strict to their schedule that they don't allow kids to be kids. We know that Ava will be somewhat behind, but believe she will catch up quickly in her new environment. What she will really need in the beginning is a sense of security and love in an environment where she can learn to socialize and be with other kids her age. We want her to have time to enjoy being a child, she has already had to "grow up" too fast given her circumstances.
Matt and I met with our pediatrician, Dr. Dawson, a couple of weeks ago. We felt this was so important given her history. We wanted a pediatrician who would be comfortable with an international child and some of the unique medical challenges that may occur. The pediatrician we met with knows and works along with Dr. Kolb- the physician who reviewed Ava's medical records initially and has strong ties to Holt. We felt very comfortable with Dr. Dawson and are very relieved to have that step taken care of.
Just this last week, I finally got in the mail Ava's baby book or life book!! I am so excited about this. I looked for a long time to find one that I liked that also works for adoption. It's crazy how few options there are. But the one that I ended up getting is beautiful with extra pages for international adoption. I'm so excited to get started on this!!
Other than that, I've started putting things aside for our trip to China: gifts for government officials, Ava's first baby doll, small toys. We've also been downloading apps on the ipad and iphone, hoping they will entertain Ava on our long flight home :). It looks like Matt is going to have the opportunity to fly to Shanghai a week early for work. We are so excited for this opportunity for Matt!! He talks with his colleagues in Shanghai on a regular basis, so it will be great for him to be able to meet them and do some training. Just don't know how he is going to be in the same city as Ava for a week and not go search for her!! Then my mom and I will fly out together to meet him. SO EXCITED!!
Ava, we are BEYOND ready for you!! All the preparations matter very little. We just can't wait to have you home!! Love you little girl :)
My amazing sisters have offered to throw us a shower for Ava. We are so grateful!! Children require a lot of stuff! Matt and I had a blast registering for items at Target. Since Ava is a little older, we were able to register for things that we'll hopefully use for at least a few years (rice cooker, travel DVD player, a buggy for our bikes for Ava to ride along with us). We weren't able to find everything we wanted at Target so a few items are on Amazon.com. It was so fun to see Matt having a blast registering for gifts for Ava :) He is already such a good daddy.
We've also been busy child proofing our house. Trying to notice any breakables that may be within her reach. I'm sure we are missing some!! We've registered for baby gates, outlet plugs, and door knob covers. We are definitely going to be starting out running because our baby girl is already walking!!
We have decided on a daycare center. We visited several, but ultimately felt most comfortable with Children's Heaven. It is a large center with several locations in Omaha, all run by a Spanish family. They do have curriculum that they try to cover during the day including Spanish, colors, sign language, numbers, etc. But they also are not so strict to their schedule that they don't allow kids to be kids. We know that Ava will be somewhat behind, but believe she will catch up quickly in her new environment. What she will really need in the beginning is a sense of security and love in an environment where she can learn to socialize and be with other kids her age. We want her to have time to enjoy being a child, she has already had to "grow up" too fast given her circumstances.
Matt and I met with our pediatrician, Dr. Dawson, a couple of weeks ago. We felt this was so important given her history. We wanted a pediatrician who would be comfortable with an international child and some of the unique medical challenges that may occur. The pediatrician we met with knows and works along with Dr. Kolb- the physician who reviewed Ava's medical records initially and has strong ties to Holt. We felt very comfortable with Dr. Dawson and are very relieved to have that step taken care of.
Just this last week, I finally got in the mail Ava's baby book or life book!! I am so excited about this. I looked for a long time to find one that I liked that also works for adoption. It's crazy how few options there are. But the one that I ended up getting is beautiful with extra pages for international adoption. I'm so excited to get started on this!!
Other than that, I've started putting things aside for our trip to China: gifts for government officials, Ava's first baby doll, small toys. We've also been downloading apps on the ipad and iphone, hoping they will entertain Ava on our long flight home :). It looks like Matt is going to have the opportunity to fly to Shanghai a week early for work. We are so excited for this opportunity for Matt!! He talks with his colleagues in Shanghai on a regular basis, so it will be great for him to be able to meet them and do some training. Just don't know how he is going to be in the same city as Ava for a week and not go search for her!! Then my mom and I will fly out together to meet him. SO EXCITED!!
Ava, we are BEYOND ready for you!! All the preparations matter very little. We just can't wait to have you home!! Love you little girl :)
Thanksgiving 2012
We had such a fun Thanksgiving with the Fullers!! Our nephews are at such a fun age and the twins are adorable. Just can't wait until Ava is apart of this group!!
Japan Tsunami
Yesterday morning while I was getting ready to go to work, Matt came in to tell me that he had just got a CNN report that there had been a large earthquake off the coast of Japan. We were both automatically concerned about the safety of our daughter. Especially given the tsunami that hit Japan last year causing major destruction and fatalities. The earthquake was a 7.3 magnitude, but thankfully the tsunami that this earthquake caused was no where close to the height of the previous tsunami. Now, we know that our daughter is not in Japan but considering we are half a world away--that is just too close for comfort.
Heavenly Father, thank you for continuing to keep our daughter safe. We know that You love her beyond words and have beautiful plans for her in this life.
Heavenly Father, thank you for continuing to keep our daughter safe. We know that You love her beyond words and have beautiful plans for her in this life.
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