Whatever Girl

While Jamie and I were watching tv one afternoon, I noticed Mia's bib had turned around and was hanging on her back like a cape. I got tickled to see that her bib said 'Whatever.' Jamie and I tried to show her how to fly so she could be the next super hero, Whatever Girl.

Mia's birthday party

the ice cream is too cold!

Mia's birthday was 6/9, but in China (at least at the orphanages) they really don't celebrate birthdays. I decided to have a party for her when she came home. It didn't seem fair for her to have to wait a whole year to have a birthday party. I ordered a cake from Happy Hearts, and invited just family and a few friends. We had a house full! She loved all of the attention. I think by the end of the afternoon, everyone was in love with her.

First Trip to the Doctor- 25 months old

Amber, what did you do to my hair?




This is how I dance!










I love rice!







Today we went to the pediatrician. Mia loves him. She has a small ear infection, but everything else looks good. After the doctor, we went to Tapatios. She loves the Mexican rice. Once we got home, her big sister Amber came over. Amber put barrettes in her hair, and Mia showed Amber how to dance.

Gotcha Day

our first look at our sweet baby Mia!




other children at the orphanage




Her first smile, sharing goldfish with Daddy!

Mia loves water bottles

We arrived at the orphange early today. We were really impressed with how clean the orphanage was. We were not allowed to see the cribs or the rooms where they play. Everyone was really nice. The orphange was decorated very cute. back at the hotel room, we spent the afternoon watching Mia playing with water bottles. We took a few toys, but she was more interesting in the bottles.

We are here!

the office area




the living room










more of the living room





















you have to put your room key in the switch by the front door to get electricity







































the bathroom































Wow! We finally made it to China. We are staying at the Zhaolong Hotel in Beijing. We were told to ask for a jr. suite because the rooms were a little bigger. This room is awesome! I am sure it is costing us out the butt, but all I have to say is WOW!!!

Long long trip

This was a very long flight. The one from Chicago to Beijing was about 12 1/2 hours. I didn't think we were ever going to get there. I sat on one side of the plane and Jamie was on the other side of the plane about 20 rows back. I sat beside a very talkative Chinese man named Peter. He talk for the majority of the flight. He had all kinds of pointers for me and a lot of info about China.
During the whole flight we never saw daylight. The flight went from Chicago, over Canada, over the Artic Ocean (North Pole), over Siberia, and through China. In between the in flight movies a GPS would update date us with the progress of the flight, how long we had been flying, current altitude, map of where we were located, outside temperature, etc. This was really cool to see. The in flight movies were very good The Bucket List, Spiderwick Chronicles, Definitely Maybe, and 27 Dresses.

We are packed

Mia's new toys. I won't say we are ready to go. I am very nervous. I am afraid I forgot something, or she won't like us, or she will get sick, etc... All of a sudden being a new Mom is freaking me out.

Tomorrow we will be picked up and driven to the airport at 5am by my Mom. Our flight leaves at 8:30am. We will fly to Chicago where we will have a 4 hour lay over. We will leave for Beijing at 12:43pm and will arrive at 3:00pm on June 19th (3 in the morning Indiana time...) I really hope that we can get a few naps on the plane. I am taking a Harry Potter book and some word seach books. Jamie is such a last minute guy, that he will probably be up all night tonight doing last minute things and will sleep all the way to China. I hope I get a window seat, especially if he is going to be snoring....

Her room is complete

Thanks to my friend Lisa, Mia's room is ready. I can't wait to get her home. I think we are going to have so much fun in there.

Happy Birthday Mia!

Today I am really sad. It is Mia's 2nd birthday and she is not at home with us. I know we will be with her in a week, but it is still hard not being with her today. I asked our adoption agency if they would ask the orphanage to take her picture today, but I was told they do not celebrate birthdays so it would be very unlikely that they would take her picture.
I had planned to send her a care package that she would receive on or around her birthday, but when I found out we were leaving on the 18th just a week after her birthday I decided not to send it.
I have decided to have a birthday party for Mia when she comes home. I ordered her a play kitchen today... Shhh.. don't tell her!

Shopping fun!

love these....

awe...

so sweet!

love 'em!

She need to wear this when she comes home! Look at those cute jammies!

I think my co workers and my Mom's coworkers are enjoying the shopping for Mia as much as I am. They bought her all these outfits in the last couple weeks. I really have no idea what size to buy. I am guessing 18 months. I can't wait to try these on her.

Thanks Angela, Janet, and Pam~ my little girl is going to have more clothes than her mommy. Oh wait, she already does

Itinerary

We received our itinerary today.
We leave June 18th from Indy 8:28am.
We arrive June 19th in Beijing at 3pm, stay at Zhaolong Hotel
June 20-21 Arranged tours to the Great Wall, Summer Palace and Forbidden City and watch a Acrobatic Show
June 22 Fly to Yinchuan arrive at 12:40pm, stay at Apollo (Taiyangshen)
June 23 Go to orphanage to receive Mia, go to Civil Affairs Bureau of Ningxia to complete adoption registration
June 24 Notary Office to complete the notarization procedure
June 25-26 tour may be arranged or free time
June 27 Obtain Mia's passport, fly to Guangzhou arrive 7:10pm, stay at White Swan
June 28 have visa picture taken and medical exam
June 29 tour or free time, complete paper work at the hotel conference room
June 30 Coordinator submits visa application documents for us, free time or tour
July 1 have the group-oath taken at the US consulate, receive Mia's visa
July 2 Leave Guangzhou 8:15am, arrive in Indy 9:48pm

Wow! What a busy 2 weeks!

Travel arrangements

Today we got our travel arrangements. It is more expensive than I had thought it would be. Mia will be 2 on 6/9, so she has to have here own seat. That will be good for us, but stinking expensive. We took the most direct route... Indy to Chicago, Chicago to Beijing and Beijing to Chicago, Chicago to Indy home.
There was a cheaper route, but I really didn't want to go through Tokyo, Minnesota and Detroit. I think we will still get to see our share of airports on this trip.
We also found out that we are the only family (out of 12) from our agency traveling to Ningxia. We will have a coordinator with us. This scares me a little, but I am sure everything will work out ok.

First day back to work

Today I started the day with my 9 month check up. I have lost a total of 128 lbs since 8/30/07. I feel really good about myself for the first time in a long time.
Today is also my first day back to work. I have been looking forward to going back to work. I have been painting and cleaning for most of the last 10 days. Trust me, that is not something I have enjoyed!
I am trying to get everything lined out at work, as I will be leaving on 6/18 for China. I didn't realize there would be this much paperwork for every aspect of this adoption. Mia is worth it!

Our New Car~graduation~ and my new friend

This is my niece, Lillie. She is a beautiful girl. Congrats!

We went to pick up our new 2000 Toyota Camry. I think I am going to love it!

We also went to pick up more yard sale stuff. Thanks to Sue and James... This yard sale is going to be huge, and is now postponed. I kept saying as people were donating stuff, "The sale will be June 20th unless we are in China..." and guess what, we will be in China. So now I am planning for late July or early August.

We went home to get cleaned up for my niece's graduation, and there was a message on the machine. It was from Nora at the Indy Immigration office. Our fingerprints were approved and we should receive them by Wednesday next week. Nora is now officially my NEW favorite person.

Washing Machine Possessed~ Happy Anniversary

Today our washing machine went nuts. It just kept running and running and running. The tub over filled. I had water everywhere. I ended up running out in the yard to find the shut off for our water. I couldn't reach the ones behind the tub. I called Jamie and asked him if he wanted to buy his wife a new washer for her anniversary.
Yes today is our 9th wedding anniversary. It was really a crappy day. We went to a friend's to pick up more yard sale stuff... Thanks Nancy and Teresa...
We went to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate our anniversary, and then on to Lowes for my wonderful gift (a new washer.) I noticed that I had a voicemail on my cell, it was Melissa at the adoption agency. (what's wrong was my first thought.) "We are expecting to receive your travel approval (TA) tomorrow. You will be on your way to China on 6/18."
Did she say JUNE, no she couldn't have said JUNE? We don't even have our fingerprint paper.
She said she would call and check on it. I felt really sick to my stomach. I really thought I was going to throw up right there in the Lowes parking lot. It was wonderful news, but I was not ready. I now had to bust my hump to be ready. China is only 25 days away. I am flipping out!!!
Needless to say this is the greatest anniversary present I have ever received

Bathroom Repairs

Today my Dad came out and worked on our bathroom. In our tub, the handle that comes off the spout would not move. SOOOO when you got in the tub, you had to take a shower. I really wanted Dad to get this fixed before Mia comes home. For Jamie and I it is no big deal, but putting a 2 year old in the shower with it already running would probably be traumatizing. Dad got it fixed today. It was just like when I was a little girl. I was Daddy's helper. I hope Mia wants to work with Jamie and my Dad, and be their helper.

Painting Mia's room

Today Amber and I put the first coats of white on the walls in Mia's room. Jamie and I had painted it sage green when it was Jordan's room. What was I thinking??? The walls in our house (built in 1955) and really bumpy. I think they have a sand mixture on them. They are a pain to paint. Amber was here most of the day. She's awesome!

Found a car

Today Jamie and I test drove a 2000 Toyota Camry. I really liked it. It has a few issues that we will have to get taken care of, but if everything works out, we finally have a car. I wanted a SUV, but with gas at $4 a gallon, I just don't think I can afford it. I wanted something newer, but with Mia coming home sometime soon, I didn't want a car payment and have to pay out $400- $500 a month for a sitter. I think this car will be a good one for us.

Yard sale stuff

Tonight we went to our friend's house to pick up stuff for our yard sale, and a lady at work gave me some stuff. Thanks to Nicohl and Clint and Mona
This is the beginning of my vacation. I have a list of 71 items to do this week (wishful thinking...)

Fingerprinting Paper Appeal

Today I found out that I can send an appeal to get the paper sooner. I typed up a letter and mailed it to USCIS (immigration) today. I hope to hear something soon. I am getting really worried about us getting the chance to travel before the paper is complete.

Jordan came home

It was great to see Jordan. We haven't seen him since Christmas Eve. We really wish he would move closer, but what can we do. He is 22 now, and we are so proud of the man he has become. I can't wait for Mia to meet him.

Earthquake~ Mia is ok

There was a massive earthquake in China today 7.9. I have been asked a lot of questions reguarding Mia's welfare. I contacted our agency and they said there was no damage in her province. She is in the Ningxia province (the little purple on near the top) and most of the damage was in the Sichuan province (large gray one.) In the news, they said Beijing could feel it 900 miles away. Beijing is the blue star... So I am sure Mia felt it.

Happy Birthday Jamie!

Today we went to Johnny Carino's to celebrate Jamie's birthday. We have been so busy with everything that we just had dinner and went home.

Fundraising Yard Sale Scheduled

I have sent out an email to friends and family asking them to donate items to our yardsale fundraiser. I have set a date for June 20th. This yardsale is going to be huge!

Jeff Saturday comes to town

Jeff Saturday from the Indianapolis Colts came to town today. I went to have my picture taken with him. He seems to be a really nice guy! I know this has nothing to do with the adoption, but it was pretty cool!

Fingerprint paper, where are you?

Oh No! I just realized that we don't have our fingerprint paper back yet (I171H.) This paper is very important and we can not go to China without it. We were fingerprinted on 4/14, and USCIS (immigration) is running about 3 months behind in processing. Our agency is telling us that we could be going to China in early July, and we may not even have our paper back until 7/14 or later.
I have spent 30 minutes on the phone with USCIS twice trying to get an answer. I did get an email address to try for contact info. They are suppose to reply to my email in 2 business days.

Lots of clothes for Mia

A lady I work with was going to have a yard sale, so I went to her house to see the clothes that she had. She and her husband gave them all to Mia. How sweet!
Thanks Megan, Brad, and Ella

New pictures of Mia

Awww! She is so cute. She finally has more hair than Jamie... I can't wait to go get her.

Mailed back our LOA

Today we mailed our Letter of Acceptance (LOA) back to our agency. We expect to get our Travel Approval (TA) about June 1st, and will travel in July.

Holy Moley! ~ Received our LOA- Letter of Acceptance

We received our Letter of Acceptance (LOA) today. Our coordinator said she had never seen one come back so quickly. We were told to expect it to take 3-4 months. It took 9 DAYS! We are excited! Our coordinator said we could expect to travel in July. JULY! That is insane!
Now we have to wait on Travel Approval (TA). This should take 2-4 weeks.

And about the wreck... I am still in the rental car. They are in no hurry to do anything about it.

Rental Car

I went to get a rental car today. The guy was a jerk! I think I was putting him out because I needed a rental car. "Hey Dude, that is what they pay you for!"

CRASH!

After leaving work today, a lady was nice enough to run a red light and total my car. She hit the front fender on the driver's side. We hit so hard that we spun and hit rear fenders on the driver's side too.

I have bruises on my legs, shoulders, and elbows. My left thumb is black. I am grateful that I wasn't hurt too badly, just a little stiff and sore. She totaled my poor Impala, that I loved. Now I have to look for a new ride.

Received our PA Pre Approval

Yeah! We got our pre approval in 10 days. I am really excited! The pre approval just states that we are allowed to adopt Yu Chi Rong Er. See, I was right! She was our little Mia! Now we are waiting for the Letter of Acceptance (LOA). We should receive it in 3-4 months.
If the paperwork continues like it has in the past, we will probably travel in September after the Olympics.

Fingerprinting in Louisville

Today we went to Louisville, KY for our fingerprinting. We were lucky to have the fees waived for this renewal. It is amazing that fingerprinting by USCIS (immigration) for an adoption is $685, but if I want to commit a crime it is free. Go figure!

Recent photos

We had to send some recent photos of us to our adoption agency to go with our paperwork. Jamie's Mom took these photos of us.

More about PA- Pre Approval

I thought about the pre approval. Some of you may not know anything about the Chinese adoption process. In November 2006 we submitted our paperwork for a Chinese adoption. We were approved by our homestudy for a SN (special needs) or NSN (non special needs) adoption. Once we received the call about Yu Chi, we decided to pursue the adoption of her. We submitted the Family Summary Plan and some photos of us.

The PA will come from China saying that we are preapproved to be her parents.

Sent in Papers For Pre Approval (PA)

We sent in our information today via email to our coordinator. She said we should hear something in 2-10 weeks. We are praying for 2 weeks.

New pictures of Yu Chi

Today we received updates on Yu Chi. She is 30 inches tall. She weighs 22lbs. She can say mama. I am so excited. I really think this is our Mia!

More about Yu Chi

She was born on 6/9/06. My Dad's birthday is 6/8, so it is cool that she is so close to my Dad's birthday. There are other cool coincidences about the birthdays. I am a number person...
She was born the 9th of June
Jamie was born the 10th of May
I was born the 11th of October
Amber was born the 21st of June (12 backwards)
Jordan was born the 14th of March.
I told Jamie if we adopted her, we would need to go back and get another on born on the 13th or 31st.

She was born in the year of the dog, and so was I in 1970.
She has 15 teeth.
She is in the Ningxia Province.

First Pictures of Yu Chi

We received the first pictures today, and man is she cute! I think she looks like a little wrestler with these shoes! I am in love. We are going to send her medical file on to a specialist to look at. Could this be our little Mia?

Our First Call

We received our first phone call from our agency today with a little girl that is available for adoption. I got the message after the agency had closed, so at this point I know nothing about the baby. I am excited and yet scared. I am excited that I AM going to be a mom, if not to this baby to some baby and possibly soon. I am scared that we have a lot of work to do before we are ready. We are ready to be parents, I think!