It has taken me 2 1/2 weeks to fully process all of the events of February 3rd, when we saw Maddie's face for the first time. I still find myself in shock that we finally have been matched with this sweet little girl.
We were able to take the call with our girls, A was with us by speaker phone, as she was in school that day. My parents and John's mom were also able to join us. We had requested our call for 12:10, so John could be home for this very special phone call. The girls and I got up early that morning and finished school in record time. I then spent the rest of the morning cleaning and pacing the floors. Finally, at 12:00 John and our parents arrived. I then spent the next 12 minute wringing my hands worrying that they might not call or that we had been skipped.
Finally at 12:12 the phone rang. It was Beth from CCAI and she asked if it was a good time to call. I told her it was a perfect time to call! The next 7 minutes and 46 seconds were a blur, we were shocked at how young she was, we had been expecting a 14-18 month old. After we finished with the call we all gathered around the computer and watched Miss Maddie's face appear on the screen. To say it was love at first sight is an understatement! I felt bad for A, as when we saw the photo we were all screaming. We kind of forgot about her on speaker phone. We quickly hung up with her and sent her photos.
We spent the rest of the day just staring at her photo and sharing our wonderful news with family and friends.
Then on Friday the 4th we received our Letter of Approval and translated documents from CCAI. We also received 2 more photos of Maddie. We have had so much support from our family and friends. We can't wait to share our journey to Madelynn LiRu with all of you.
Now we are waiting for our Travel Approval, after that comes from China we will request a Consulate Appointment. After these two A's are obtained we will then book our tickets. We can't wait to get on that plane!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Where in the world is Maddie?
I thought it would be helpful for our friends and family to see where Maddie is living. She is in the Xingbin Social Welfare Institute in Laibin City in Guangxi Province in Southern China. She is not in foster care, but all reports of the orphanage are very positive. This has made waiting to travel so much easier to endure.
We are still hoping to travel in Mid-March, we are getting more anxious as time is passing. We just can't wait to have her in our arms and learn everything about her. If I could get on a plane today, I would.
Friday, February 04, 2011
More photos...
We received our Fed Ex package today with 2 more photos, her medical information and all of our official paperwork. We quickly checked the yes box and signed the necessary forms. The package is all ready for Fed Ex to pick-up on Monday.
It was so fun to see a little smile on her face. I have spent most of the day just staring at these three photos and scrutinizing each detail. We have noticed that her left eye lid is a little droopy, just like mine. She has rosebud lips just like our three girls. It is so fun to wonder what features they looked at when they matched her to us. Whatever they used it was perfect.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Here she is....
We are delighted to announce the referral of Madelynn Li Rue. She is residing in Guangxi Province. She was born on May 23, 2010. We are over the moon in love. Can't beleive this day finally came. More pictures to come tomorrow. Sigh... I'm in love...
It's a girl!!!
She was born on May 23, 2010. She is in Guangxi Province, in orphanage care. Will post more later!!! She is soo stinkin' cute!!!
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Matches Received!!!
Our agency is reporting that they have received referrals for May 30th, 2006! That is us!!!!! We will get our call tomorrow around noon!!!!
Referral Broadcasting Systemt
This is a special alert from the Referral Broadcasting System.
From the Referral Broadcasting Center Wed. Feb. 2nd, 2011, 9:00 A.M..
The existing Referral Watch has officially been upgraded to a Referral Warning for the members of the May 2006 DTC group by the Referral Broadcasting Center.
This Referral Warning is in effect for all of North America for the next 7 days. Disturbances in the Pacific jet stream indicate the departure of the silver stork. Further, several North American agencies have hinted that the silver stork may have already departed Mainland China.
Those whose dossiers are part of the Referral Warning area should take urgent and immediate steps to be sure they can be reached at all times; including such drastic measures as affixing your cordless phone or cell phone to your head with duct tape. It is also strongly recommended that you have ample supply of paper, writing instruments and tissues nearby. If you receive the Referral call while driving, immediately pull over to a safe spot off the roadway to prevent unintended injury to yourself or to others.
Be aware that once an actual referral post appears on RQ from a referral call within North America, conditions on adoption forums will dramatically decline for the remaining waiting families. Take appropriate steps now to prepare your heart and mind for an extended wait. Remember that your Agency Worker might be in an important meeting and unable to call for another 15 minutes; or the traffic Gods may have the DHL driver whose truck contains your referral packet held up in traffic. Rest assured that a swarm of ladybugs will swoop in and remove the roadblocks. These situations are completely out of your hands.
Those who are up next for sharing Referral news on this list should take notes now to be sure you provide your fellow listmates with appropriate information. Do not attempt to remember by heart what you need to post once you are under the influence of Referral Call Brain. Please post your child’s name, birth date, and SWI location; as well as the age of child requested. Use of special characters such as #, $, %, &, @, or ^i^ in your Referral announcement heading is left to your personal discretion and preference.
> - END OF MESSAGE - Referral Broadcasting Network
I copied this off of another adoptive parents blog. (Waiting for Chloe) I thought is sums up our waiting experience and all the emotions involved!!!
From the Referral Broadcasting Center Wed. Feb. 2nd, 2011, 9:00 A.M..
The existing Referral Watch has officially been upgraded to a Referral Warning for the members of the May 2006 DTC group by the Referral Broadcasting Center.
This Referral Warning is in effect for all of North America for the next 7 days. Disturbances in the Pacific jet stream indicate the departure of the silver stork. Further, several North American agencies have hinted that the silver stork may have already departed Mainland China.
Those whose dossiers are part of the Referral Warning area should take urgent and immediate steps to be sure they can be reached at all times; including such drastic measures as affixing your cordless phone or cell phone to your head with duct tape. It is also strongly recommended that you have ample supply of paper, writing instruments and tissues nearby. If you receive the Referral call while driving, immediately pull over to a safe spot off the roadway to prevent unintended injury to yourself or to others.
Be aware that once an actual referral post appears on RQ from a referral call within North America, conditions on adoption forums will dramatically decline for the remaining waiting families. Take appropriate steps now to prepare your heart and mind for an extended wait. Remember that your Agency Worker might be in an important meeting and unable to call for another 15 minutes; or the traffic Gods may have the DHL driver whose truck contains your referral packet held up in traffic. Rest assured that a swarm of ladybugs will swoop in and remove the roadblocks. These situations are completely out of your hands.
Those who are up next for sharing Referral news on this list should take notes now to be sure you provide your fellow listmates with appropriate information. Do not attempt to remember by heart what you need to post once you are under the influence of Referral Call Brain. Please post your child’s name, birth date, and SWI location; as well as the age of child requested. Use of special characters such as #, $, %, &, @, or ^i^ in your Referral announcement heading is left to your personal discretion and preference.
> - END OF MESSAGE - Referral Broadcasting Network
I copied this off of another adoptive parents blog. (Waiting for Chloe) I thought is sums up our waiting experience and all the emotions involved!!!
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