News from our agency!

The following news was sent from our adoption agency, CHI, today:
Congratulations to the 13 CHI June 29, 2005 log in date families who received their referrals today. The referrals are all little girls between 7 ½ and 21 months old from the Guangxi and Guangdong provinces. We expect these families will travel in about 8 weeks. Congratulations to these CHI families!!This batch of referrals began with the June 29, 2005 log in date. TheCCAA has not posted the cut off date for this batch of referrals ontheir web site yet, but we believe that the cut off date is July 13 based on other agencies reports. I will continue to monitor the CCAA web site and post the official cut off date. The wait time from login date to referral is now 13 months. There were no Chinese expedited referrals in this batch.Ann TollefsonChina Program Director

Well, we are another referral pack closer! It looks like we will have plenty of time to save money and get the nursery ready. Each month gets a little harder emotionally though. I received some clothes for Lauren from a friend at work. I washed them today and was putting them in her closet and thought of the day I will get to hold her in these clothes! I can't wait. Dan and I went looking at cribs today. We picked out the set we like. It's a Stanley cherry wood "crib to grow". It's beautiful!

Thank You Palo Verde Friends!

I was at work yesterday when I suddenly noticed a large group of my co-workers standing behind me. I looked up to their smiling faces and they handed me the note pictured here. Enclosed was $540.00. Needless to say, I was speechless. I did not, and still do not, know how to thank all of you for your generosity and more than that your awesome friendship. It means more to Dan and I than you will ever know. When I tell Lauren of our adventure to get her someday... you will definitely be a part of that story.

We are going to the bank on Monday to deposit the funds into our special "adoption" savings account.

May God bless you in return.

All Our Love,

Dan & Mardi

Gifts From My Secret Pal!

Our Children's Hope International adoption agency has set up a yahoo chat group with those of us with a March '06 Log In Date (L.I.D.) We have been talking back and forth for some time now and have just recently set up a secret pal exchange. It is my first ever and I'm having lots of fun with it! I have an awesome secret pal! She is crafty too!

The pictures are of the two books she sent and the beautiful ribbon with Lauren's name. The book "Shaoey and Dot" is a book written by Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife. They have adopted 3 little girls from China and have now written this book. The story is of a ladybug named dot and how she finds a baby in a basket, Shaoey, and they become friends and journey together to find Shaoey's family!

As far as our progress with the adoption, it is about the same. The average wait is still 12-13 months. We have been spending our summer camping, seeing a show in Las Vegas called "KA" by Cirque De Soleil. The show was absolutely amazing! Other than that we are working on the house, and trying to save as much as we can for our trip to China! :)

We just got a digital camera. I know, welcome to the 21st Century, right?! :) Anyway, these pictures didn't come out as well as I would have liked. I will keep learning more about the camera and hopefully post some pic's of the nursery so far.

Our 1st Ultrasound!

Well, the wait is averaging 12-13 months from LID. We are are 4 months into that wait. So...I figure that makes us officially Pregnant! Here is our 1st ultrasound! :)

Dan and I went ice skating today and as we watched all the little ones buzzing by, we talked of our future with our little Lauren. During this wait time it almost seems surreal that we will actually have Lauren in our arms some day. She will change our lives forever.

Lauren, we love you and are praying for you everyday!

News From Our Agency

On 6/26/06 Children's Hope International received China referrals fromthe CCAA for June 16 through June 28 log in dates. CHI received 19 referrals for our June 20 and June 22 log in date families. The referrals, all girls, range in age from 7 months to 17 months. The girls are from the Guangxi and Hunan provinces. We expect these families to travel to China in 6 to 8 weeks. Congratulations to these families!

The current wait from log in date to referral is 12 months.

Ann TollefsonChina Program Director 314-812-1722 (office) 636-928-2970 (home)

Dossiers On The Move!

News from China: A new set of storks have taken flight. Those with Dossiers up to June 28th will be receiving their long awaited referral pictures! This means the wait average remains at 12 months. The dossiers of October 31, 2005 have now passed review and are moving to the matching room. Even though there are still many ahead of them, the next stage for these parents is to be matched with their babies! What this means for our dossier is that we are getting closer to entering the review room and may even be entering the review room. This review room is where they look over our dossier...again... and make sure they do not disapprove of anything. Then we will be moved to the matching room. Lauren's picture will then come via the infamous UPS stork :) If the wait continues as it has been, we should be getting Lauren's picture March '07. Of course, this wait time can change anytime. Congratulations to all of you with referrals on the way!! You will be in China before you know it!! :)

Celebrating Our 7th Anniversary

June 12th--Dan and I celebrated our 7th Anniversary at The Boulder's Resort in Carefree, AZ. Only minutes from home, but we felt miles away. Our favorite amenity was the famous Golden Door Spa. Upon entering the spa we were welcomed with robes and slippers. We enjoyed waterfall-like showers, eucalyptus steam baths, japanese baths, and an array of fresh vegetables and fruit laid out in various places. Drinks and lunch were brought to us while lounging by the pool. I enjoyed a 50 min. massage while Dan checked out the workout facilities. We took walks and saw bunnies and quail everywhere. The golf course was beautiful to walk along. We spent our time relaxing and reminiscing. It is so amazing to be married to my best friend. Our marriage is the best gift I have ever been given. We laugh together and love together. When I prayed for a husband, I had never dreamt there was a man like Danny to share my life with.

Arizona Adoption Mama's

I met two awesome friends from the CHI chat group who live here in the Phoenix area. We got together for pedicures yesterday. It's Mary on the left, Terri in the middle, and me on the right. It was good to talk with others who are going through the process of adopting from China too! We shared excitement as well as frustrations we have had over the the past year with paperwork, adoption rumors, etc. I can just imagine the day we get together for pedicures- with our daughters! How fun will that be! I wish all you who we have gotten to know through CHI could have shared in the fun. Maybe someday!

The Significance of Memorial Day

American flag
Originally uploaded by yerffej9.

As I think back over the past two Memorial Day weekends, I am amazed at how significant they have been in our decision to adopt. Let me share our story:

Two years ago , Memorial Day weekend, Dan and I were camping in Flagstaff. We had been trying to start our family since February of that year with no result. Dan had often said, "Don't worry if we can't have our own, we will adopt." I shrugged this off and figured we hadn't tried very long and that we would get pregnant, it was just a matter of time. However, his words echoed in my mind more than once.

On the way home from that Flagstaff camping trip I was struggling with this idea of possibly adopting. I was talking with God and kind of wrestling with Him in my mind regarding this issue. At that very moment Steven Curtis Chapman's voice came over the radio and was telling his story of adoption and encouraging people to adopt. Dan looked at me and said, "See adoption's good!". I looked over to him, as my jaw dropped, and told him about how I had just been arguing with God about this very issue! After this day, I began to seriously pray about whether adoption was part of God's plan for our family.

You see, it's not that adoption is anything new in my life, all 4 of my siblings are adopted. But, I just never saw myself adopting. Because of a few experiences my mom has had to endure, frankly, I was scared to adopt. "Oh, ye of little faith".

Well, Dan and I continued to try to start our family to no avail and occasionally prayed regarding adoption and whether this was God's will for us.

One year ago, Memorial Day weekend, Dan and I headed for San Diego. As we drove through the middle of nowhere, between Yuma and San Diego, we talked and listened to our CD's. I remember it was night and the only light around was coming from our headlights. Keep in mind we were listening to CD's because there was no reception on the radio. As I switched CD's and the CD popped out, immediately James Dobson's voice was heard over the radio. He was just introducing a lady who was to tell her story of ...yes, adoption. Dan and I looked at each other in amazement. I did not touch the next CD. I simply sat still and listened. I felt numb as I listened to the lady talk about her apprehension at first to adopt and how the miracle of adoption has changed her life. She adopted 2 boys from Russia.

Well, needless to say, Dan and I took this as a clear sign and answer to our prayers. When we arrived home from last Memorial Day Weekend we started the "paper chase" toward our little girl Lauren.

This Memorial Day Weekend, Dan and I are not going out of town as we normally would. We are saving for our trip to China instead! Wow, how God has molded my heart over the past 2 years. Who knows, maybe Memorial Day next year we will be in China getting our Lauren!

Where in the world is our Dossier?

This is where we are in the process of adoption. This may answer some questions as to "Why such a long wait?". We are learning as we go and trust me there is lots to learn!! :)

FROM CHILDREN'S HOPE INTERNATIONAL:
While it is not practical to ask the CCAA to notify an agency of where a certain dossier or set of dossiers is located in their process, theCHI Beijing office was able to provide me with the CURRENT schedulefor your dossier at the CCAA. (3/2006) 1. CHI Beijing office takes your dossier to the CCAA.2. Your dossier enters the CCAA administration office and can waitfor up to 1 month to be logged in. Once you have a log in date (LID)your official wait begins.*** Our LID is 3/7/06.*** 3. Your dossier waits to begin the process. This currently takes 3 to 4 months. 4. The CCAA administration office passes your dossiers to Bridge of Love where they verify your dossier's translation. This process takes from 2 to 3 months. 5. Your dossier is passed to Department I for review. This process takes from 1 to 2 months.6. Your dossier is passed to Department II for matching. ***matching means they find our little Lauren amongst hundreds of babies and say, "yep, that's Dan and Mardi's little girl!" This too can take from 3 to 4 months. Your dossier is matched several weeks before step #7.7. Your referral is sent to the administrative office to be signedby all the CCAA directors and mailed to CHI. This can take severalweeks.8. You receive your referral - a very happy day! The referral is Lauren's picture and medical information. You return your acceptance of referral letter to the CCAA. 9. The CCAA sends your travel approval to come to China to complete your adoption. This process takes about 1 month. 10. You travel to China to meet your child and complete the adoption.This is approximately 6-8 weeks after referral. The current wait from LID to referral is 10 to 12 months as of 4/2006.

Zoey's Adoption Journey: ...thoughts on Mother's Day

I found a poem that speaks my heart... view this link: Zoey's Adoption Journey: ...thoughts on Mother's Day

Hi Everyone! I am writing my first blog post. This blog is to keep my friends and family updated on our adoption adventure. The ticker above is counting the days from our "Log In Date". The LID is the day our paperwork was completed in China and we were official! The average time from LID to getting a referral (baby picture) is 10-12 months right now. However, these average times change all the time. I will be adding pictures, etc. once I figure out this blogging thing. :)
Love,
Mardi