LSC is Coming!

The CCCWA website shows that my status has changed to 'match reviewed' which means that my 'Letter Seeking Confirmation' is on its way!  I am getting anxious in terms of travel dates...but I am putting it in to God's hands and know that it will all happen in His perfect time.  We are getting very excited!  Updated information came last week on 'Cameron' and I have been purchasing a few things for her....but I'm leaving the tags on the clothes in case they don't fit....or in case she doesn't like them.   I am praying that the orphanage/foster family will tell Cameron that she is being adopted.  I am putting together a care package for her with a photo album and other items.....just praying that she doesn't find out one day before we arrive.  Once again, I am just trusting God in this journey.

And.....LID! (That's Log-in-date for those that don't know China adoption jargon)

I received notification that my log-in-date is Tuesday, March 25.  Wow....so happy to get this far!  Now, I feel like things are finally moving.  Though....I was given a timeline for translation of two to 12 weeks!  That is quite a span of time!!   Let's pray for translation to be completed closer to the two week timeframe!!   

I have been collecting items for Cameron's care package.   So what do you include in a 13-year-old's care package?  I am including a photo book from Shutterfly, several disposable cameras, a soft blanket, jewelry, hair doodads, sunglasses, lip balm, and an owl keychain.  I am decorating her room with an owl motif.   And, I plan to find a cute purse that I think a 13-year-old would like.   Over the last few months I've been collecting a certain pattern of Vera Bradley items....backpack, purse, tablet cover, etc.   I plan to take those things with me to China to give her in person.  :)   Cameron, your new mama is praying for you every day.   I pray that your heart will accept a new family.   I pray that you will be open and willing to move to a foreign country.   Your little sisters are so anxious to have you home!   We love you so much, Cameron....even though you have NO IDEA who we are.....you are already in our hearts.  Hugs to you, my sweet girl.

DTC Today!!!

Finally, my dossier is on its way to China today.  Thrilled and relieved.   Now, there are a few more hoops to jump through, but this is big.   I plan on starting on Cameron's room in the next week or so.  Her bedroom furniture is being delivered this week.  Now, I've got to pick out paint.  We are going with an 'owl' theme for accessories.  From the pictures that I have received of Cameron, she looks very shy, and she has the sweetest smile and appears to have a gently spirit.  Mama loves you, Cameron.  And, so does Nai-Nai, Caroline, and Claudia.

Daughter No. 3!

I am getting closer to bringing home my third daughter, a beautiful 13-year-old girl from Jiangsu Province of China.   My family is looking forward to having her home!  I am in the throws of fundraising.....many of you understand what that is about!!!!  I still need to raise approximately $12,000 to pay for remaining adoption expenses which includes the orphanage donation as well as travel expenses.   Would you please consider supporting my process to bring Cameron Alexis Weihu home?   You an make a contribution here on my blog;  and/or you can make a purchase of some amazing coffee at my storefront which is https://www.justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/Lessly.  Thank you!!!!!!

First Day of Kindergarten! My Girl is Growing Up!!!

 

My girls...Caroline, starting kindergarten, and Claudia, who is entering the 3's/4's class at preschool.  I am truly blessed.

I Hate Fundraising! Just Keepin' it Real.

I hate adoption fundraising....but I LOVE the end result.  It is also a necessary thing for those of us that are not independently wealthy.  And, most of us that adopt are NOT in that situation. :)   These days, as I am fundraising for my 3rd adoption (been fundraising pretty much nonstop since 2006), I almost feel like friends/acquaintances/family want to run the opposite direction when they see me coming because they fear that I will be asking them to help with a fundraiser or asking them for money (with the exception of adoptive families...they GET IT).   Well, that might be the case.  Just keeping it real here.....if I ask you to help it is because I value you or what you can contribute.  If I ask you to participate in a fundraiser I usually think you will have a positive reaction.   If I ask you to participate it's because I truly need the help....truly,  I'm not one to ask for help if I can take care of it myself.   I would like to summarize this post by thanking God for the wonderful people that have never wavered in their assistance with my adoption fundraising process.  You are truly Jesus 'with hands and feet.'  I will never forget your willingness to help....and you know who you are.

 

  I will end this post by thanking God for my daughters...two that are at home, and one that is waiting in China.  I love you more than you could possibly know.  You are my light and my joy.  You are my everything.  I love you 'to infinity and beyond,' as Caroline says.  :)

I Need Three of Me!

Every day I think of Cameron, the 12-year-old sweetheart that I am adopting from China....everyday I think of the paperwork that needs to be completed so that my dossier can be on its way to China.  And everyday I am overwhelmed with all of the other things that have a deadline and must be done.  And, I have two beautiful daughters that I like to give my attention to......and while spring semester concluded at the end of April, I am now teaching a May term course....and will be presenting a session at a national conference next week.  *sigh*    I am not complaining....just wish that there were three of me to get things done.  I know that there are many parents out there that have the same issue, I don't 'corner the market' on this issue.  So, right now I feel like I'm barely treading water.  Ultimately I am very blessed and just need to get over it and get things done!

Just Received Pre-Approval to Adopt Cameron!

I just received word today from my adoption agency that I have pre-approval to adopt my next daughter, Fu Wei Hu....she will be named Cameron Alexis Wei Hu.    I am so excited.  Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.

Bring home Cameron from China!

I am beginning the process to adopt my 3rd daughter!  God has called me to adopt a beautiful 12-year-old girl from China.  She is in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province.   I will travel in 10 to 12 months.   I plan to take my 5-year-old daughter Caroline with me as well as my sweet friend Anne.    I would greatly appreciate it if you are so called to help me with expenses.   I will need to raise approximately $22,000.   Thank you so much in advance!

Updated Pictures of My Girls!

 

 

These are the most recent family pictures that have been taken.  As you can see, my girls have fun together and love to be together.  They are the joys of my life.  So much so that I am starting the process to adopt another daughter, this time from China....a 12-year-old girl who will age out of the system before too long.  I can't wait to bring her home so that her two little sisters can love on her.  God is good.

Home From Africa....Sisters Meet...and LOVE

Caroline and Claudia met for the first time at the airport in Cincinnati on Oct 29th.  It was so sweet to watch them.   They have been home together now for about 2 1/2 weeks....they love each other.....are side-by-side most of the time....and I can't imagine them any other way.   They do have their sibling spats but that is normal....and their day ends with 'I love you's' to each other.

Here are a few pics of them together:

In Africa!

We have been here in Central Africa for three days now.  I received my new daughter the same evening that we flew in....my Claudia was sound asleep when they handed her to me.  I was so worried about how she would react once she woke up in a strange bed with a strange person.  But, it worked out OK.   She is beautiful, and is going through a roller-coaster ride of a transition, but we'll all be fine.   You can check out my daily (sometimes twice in a day) posts at http://adoptingclaudia.blogspot.com 

I Leave in Four Days.

After my asthma attack and a bit of pneumonia in my left lung......after antibiotics, oral steroids, breathing treatments, and cough meds......I'm finally starting to feel 'closer' to normal.   Today was the most 'normal' that I have been in a week.   So, today, I finally started to feel excited and confident about making this trip to Africa.   My fears seem to be leaving me.....I'm thinking it is because of all of the prayers that have been lifted up on my behalf.  Thank you.....and don't stop.  :)

And I Get Sick a Week before I Leave??!??

     I ended up in the ER on Sunday after a horrible asthma attack.  I stayed home today to rest, but I'm still feel, well, crappy.  But, I still had to get stuff done.  Got the visa application filled out today and it will go in the mail tomorrow.   Tomorrow I will finish my adoption education process...or what I call, my 'Masters of International Adoption degree.'  

     I will admit that I have some fear about making this trips to Africa.  I won't go into detail about where I'm going until after I come home....but this will not be a 'walk in the park.'   I am so excited to meet my new daughter....hold and hug her....play with her....look in to her eyes.  THAT is what I look forward to.....but I will be glad when we get home...'nuf said.   
  
    I ask for your prayers as I depart to bring home my daughter on Oct 17.

I'm traveling to Africa in less than 2 weeks!!!!

My agency called to tell me that Claudia's passport was issued and I can travel in two weeks!  That is about 3 to 4 weeks earlier than I had anticipated!  So, my head is spinning with all of the things that MUST get done before I leave.  I'm also thrilled that my university is giving me 12 weeks off if I choose to use it all....that's 12 weeks PAID.  I am blessed.   I will post pictures as soon as I am home!

Received Updated Pictures of Claudia!

Today I received updated pictures of Claudia, who is in Central Africa. I hope to bring her home at the end of October. In the pictures Claudia is wearing one of the dresses that I sent to her. I can see the care package in the background of the picture. So glad to know that she got it! That means that she has also seen the photo album with pictures of me, Caroline, and Grandma. Claudia....we'll see you 'in person' in a matter of weeks!

Getting Closer to Caroline's Little Sister!

I am getting closer to the completion of my second adoption from Central Africa.  I can't go into great detail publically at this point....but I will when I get her home!!!   It looks like I'll be traveling sometime in September or October.   I still have about $8500 to raise in the next couple of months.  God is good, and I trust that the funds will come.   I am in the process of sending out support letters (I hate to ask for money)....and I am in the middle of a great fundraiser called Just Love Coffee.......if you are interested in supporting my adoption efforts, please go to the following website, place an order on my 'storefront' and I will get a percentage of the proceeds.

https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/Lessly

Thanks!

Bao'an Reunion!

Twelve families who have connected through a yahoo group and facebook gathered

together to celebrate our kids who were all adopted from the same orphanage...

the Bao'an SWI in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province of China.

We met in Pennsylvania....families came from

IN, NY, NJ, IL, DE, PA, Montreal and England!

Our kids bonded and had a great day together.

Here is their group picture.  Such sweetness!

Happy Girl

This is my happy girl posing before church.

Just thought I'd share.

She's wearing a dress that I bought when I was on a

professional trip to Rio de Janiero last August.

Now I'm wishin' that I purchased more than one dress.

She Was Inspired

Caroline went to a clarinet and saxophone recital with Mommy the other night.

When we returned to Mommy's office, Caroline said,

'I want to play your recorder,' so I got it for her, she moved the music stand closer to

Mommy's desk and asked for some music,

then went outside of my office, just outside of the office door.

Caroline said, "Mommy, say ladies and gentlemen."

So, of course, I did.  She walks in my office, takes a bow and begins to play her

'rendition' of Twinkle, Twinkle.