Family Christmas Photo

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Looking forward to an exciting 2010!

I just loved these drawings and had to share.

Waiting

This is a poem a friend share with me while we were waiting for Lindsey's referral. Now, here we are with the referral of a second precious daughter, and again .............we wait.

Waiting

by Trish Lambert 3/31/00

We wait and we wait and then we wait some more,

Each day that passes brings us closer than before.

Far away in China a baby girl is waiting

We struggle with the time it takes and keep anticipating.

You are my child already, though I don't know who you are

I love you and I think of you from a distance O' so far.

I wonder what you’re thinking and how your days are filled

I hope the folks who care for you are loving and are skilled.

Each night I sit and dream of you and hope some how you know

I'll be there for you soon my dear and how I love you so.

Waiting isn't easy but it's the price we have to pay

To receive a special child from a place so far away.

Soon we'll be together to laugh and learn and play

Your smile and your laughter will be my gift each day.

So to my little Angel may God keep you safe and sound,

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers until meeting day rolls around.

You're family will be ready to welcome you that day,

Then all the months of waiting will quickly fade away.

:-)

I found a yahoo group of families with daughters from Natalie's orphanage. Apparently this orphanage is fairly new to international adoption. Almost all of the girls seem to be between the ages of 5&7. Natalie is the youngest and there is one other baby, currently age 18 months who should be coming home soon. Many of the girls who are home seem to know each other. There is talk of some "best buds" reconnecting here in the US via internet. I asked one of the moms if her daughter knows Natalie, (sent photos and her Chinese name). Here is the response of the mom:

"I just asked Grace if she knew her (Shi Xiang) and she didn't recognize her in the first photo, but when I showed her the 2nd, she smiled and I could see the light dawn in her eyes! Yes, she said. But she didn't know her name - only mei mei."

Name

Zhong, Shi Xiang’s name written in Chinese: 中石湘

A friend sent me this explanation for the meaning of Shi Xiang's name:

"I guess they used the name of the city as her surname (中), 石means stone, rock, also means strong. 湘is also the short name for one of the provinces, (湖南) Hunan province. I am wondering maybe 石湘 (shixiang) is also the name of nearby village she was found. Anyway, I like it. She looks like a strong girl, full of life in her eyes."
Aiwen

And while we're on the topic of names, we have finally chosen an American name for our daughter..................... Natalie Grace.

Another step closer

We received notice today that our home study has been approved and is being forwarded to USCIS. I spent the morning getting these forms filled out and mailed in. Now we work on preparing the Dossier. :)

PA!

The Chinese government has issued official pre-approval (PA) for us to adopt Shi Xiang today. We're one step closer to our baby girl. It's best if we don't focus too much on just how many steps there are left. :)

 

First update photo.

 

First update photo.

First Update!

I can't believe we got our first update on ShiXiang so quickly. This update included photos and the following measurements:

length: 24.8 inches
weight: 14.3
foot: 3.5 inches

Apparently our baby is TINY. :)