Christmas, crafts and cold!

 

Leo and Simon hung lights this past weekend and did a beautiful job. Simon took some artistic photos I just discovered on our camera.

We crafted the entire weekend and on into the week. The dining room table is still in a bit of a daunting mess, but things are getting done, packages sent, cards made with only a little bit left to do. Lydia often wanders off and comes back with her own creations.

Last week was freezing here in Oregon, literally. The kids took this after Simon skated on the pond and cut a chunk out to photograph. Amid the news that this adoption is taking sooooo long we now have to go through the time and expense of the fingerprinting process for Meggie, who is turning 18 in January, our pipes froze. Fortunately Leo discovered it right away and we had him out there with a blow dryer to the pipes!

And so our adoption saga continue on. We just have to believe God's plan is bigger and better than our plan. We had hoped to be there and back by Christmas, but we still don't have an approval letter from China. I have gently been nudging our representative these last three weeks and yesterday received word that our dossier has been sitting in China. Unbeknownst to our agency they had to put in a number to process it but apparently don't have the number??? Sound completely confusing and unconventional? And now a bit of a set back as we hustle to get Meg's fingerprints approved.

That is where we are. Frustration and a dash of disgust is the reason I have not been updating the blog. But I'm better now as we move toward Christmas. Everyone is healthy and God is faithful!

Weekend Update

I contacted our agency last week and they could not get an answer on "the status of our case". We have been waiting now 102 days for our Letter Seeking Confirmation or Letter of Acceptance. Whichever one comes we'll sign. Hopefully today we will get some information. At this point, though, we have to work around Meggie's ACL surgery and Chinese New Year in February. What I thought could be December will now probably be March travel to pick up Yu Lei. Thought my update should include one of our most recent pictures of our little guy. What greatness at the end of the wait!

Made some stockings for the kids to replace the too small(stocking passed from child to child when they were babies), too narrow( nothing fit inside), too angelic(the big boy was O.K. losing his gold angel stocking), and added a stocking for Yu Lei.  Note: our old, old house has no fireplace

And Eva keeps sewing!

Help Eva earn her airfare

Here are some of Eva's bags and some new, fun material we picked up last weekend. It's all heavier fabric in weight and durability. Some of the photos are just the material which she will make into bags. If there is some material and a specific size bag you'd like just e-mail us. These bags will sale for $10.00-$15.00. She has done a tremendous job keeping up with requests of friends and family. If anyone is interested just let us know.

 

Scroll down for more bags.

Seven years with our precious Lydia. Happy Gotcha Day!!!

Referral Picture received Oct. 2, 2002

Two years later

                                                      Four years later

Lydia today at 7

Meeting our amazing girl!!!

We are so incredibly blessed to have Lydia in our lives. God made a perfect match!!

Happy 15th Birthday Simon!

Happy 15th Birthday Simon!
Originally uploaded by dileob

 

Simon is such a great kid! He is fun, sensitive, kind, clever and creative. It has been such a joy to parent him. Growing up in a house overrun with girls has kept him in line. He has learned to be smooth. God has truly blessed us with the birth of Simon. We love you!

So much excitement, but, where's our LOA?

Lydia's very first gymnastics meet and she did terrific!

We are certainly keeping busy but can't help be anxious.We are 86 days into the wait for our Letter of Acceptance.

There is plenty to do while waiting for an International trip to occur, such as fun gymnastics meets! But, I'm sad to think Yu Lei will be turning 5 without balloons and a banner and lots-o-kisses. But, I truly believe God's timing is perfect.

More good news. The big kids got excellent mid-term grades and Meggie is working hard on college  and scholarship applications. Friday she got notice that she is one of 2200 who made it into the semi-finalist run for 300 coca-cola scholarships. It's a good one to get. Come on Megs!!!

 

Tiffanie gifts again

I was able to order Yu Lei's finding ad a while back, but Tiffanie surprised us with this, finding the information without our requesting it. So here it is again, but I loved receiving this. I can't see his little face too often. We are truly blessed to call her our friend and have this connection. If anyone is traveling to Jiangxi and needs a guide, Tiffanie would be the absolute best choice!

Dear Diane and family

                      This is finding ad of Yu Lei provided by Xinyu Orphanage.

He is a such a lovely boy as I can see from the picture on his finding ad. Here I translated the information I got from Xinyu SWI..

                               Finding ad translation of Yu Lei

 Yu Lei, male, born on Feb.18, 2005. He was found at the gate of Xinyu SWI on May 8,2005.  He has white skin. His fingers and toes are not normal.  It was announced on Aug. 28, 2006

                              Yu Lei has been in the care of Xinyu SWI since he was found by Zhou Xi Gen at the gate of Xinyu SWI  on May 8, 2005.

                               Everyone who sees him likes to play with him. He is very cute!

                               

                                               Best regards,

                             Tiffanie

Communication with Tiffanie, Fundraising successes and more bags

Comment to Tiffanie and answer from Tiffanie:

It sounds like he has a healthy attachment awareness. I think it is a sad, but good thing he cried and wanted you, who gave him attention, to stay with him. This may mean he will attach to us more easily.

Did you notice any difficulties with his walking or with his hand flexibility? I am thinking he has adapted to his physical handicap and it isn't a problem.

At the first sight of him, I just could not tell any physical difference between Yu Lei and other children . To tell the truth, he walks and moves with hands independently, I should say he does very well. Then I get closer to him and listen to the director's introduction about Yu Lei, and I realize he has problems with his fingers. But,obviously, it does not influence him to catch thing for normal life, at least, I see he holds the toy dog I give him very well, never dropping it to the ground.  His physical handicap does not bring that much negative effect to his life, and this is not a problem for him to be a handsome gentleman, I dare to bet..

Please don't worry if he likes your family, I am sure, he will adjust to his new family well. Since you have a really big family with many children at different ages, this is a precious communicative bridge for him,Yu Lei will love you . If you want any suggestions, I would say carry many gifts to him, toy with music is always children's favorite. I notice that in SWI they don't play music for children. Music brings beautiful feelings to humans; children need it too.  God bless you, everything will be smooth to welcome Yu Lei to your family!

On a raising money for airfare note; thank you to all of you who are helping our girls and boy save for their airfare!

Eva has made about 15 more bags this week and is working so hard. I am very proud of her. She has multiple bags of the same fabric, so although some of the bags pictured have been sold she does have variations. 

Also, Eva can easily add a bottom to the bag or make one taller or shorter.  She is good at special requests.

Thank you to all of you who have supported Lydia in her quest for cans. She has her gloves and wet wipes all ready for our visits to the recycling center. 

 

Bags, glorious bags, anyone?

Bags sale for $10.00 and $15.00, depending on the fabric.

Xinyu Social Welfare Institute

                                                       Yu Lei's home for the last 4.5 years

 Countryside nearby Xinyu Social Welfare Institute

  

 

 

 

Pictures sent from Tiffanie

Look, look! What a blessing we have been given.

When entering the classroom on the ground floor, at the first sight of Yulei, I feel he is such a little loving boy . I give him a toy dog as a gift and say to him "Lei Lei, this is a gift from Aunt Tiffanie, I hope you will like it..." then he smiles at me and holds the toy dog, giving best poses for pictures. I perform Chinese traditional musical instrument- gourd flute for children, for I would like them to have much joy and happiness from beautiful Chinese music. I have no idea if the children would understand why I do it and if they like my performance, however, I try my best to make the best music for them. Teachers ask everyone to thank me by clapping hands. I am quite moved by these lovely children..

The family I helped come back is very nice, carrying a bunch of gifts for the children. We are so welcomed and very busy to giving gifts to all of the children. I send my pretty gourd flute to them as a gift, really hoping music would be a little help to make the children's everyday colorful and filled of love!

At that moment, I feel the lack of my ability to help those who need help. I want to make more contribution for these poor children in my home town!

We spend a total of almost an hour staying with the children and talking with staff workers there in SWI.  There is no ending banquet in the world, time is to say bye to everybody . Yulei begins to cry, for he wants to go with us, but the director forbids him to leave. Oh, poor Yulei, he is so sad..he crys loudly, refusing to listen to anyone. I come back to him and try to comfort him with candy, however, he hates our departure and turns his back to me. Tears come into my eyes. I feel I am weak inside, for I just could not do anything to help when facing a little sad boy. My last sentence to Yulei is " do you know your parents will come soon to get you, by then you will have lots of gifts and will never be left alone". He nods finally . Oh, God has seen everything, his blessings for children will be infinite!

Best wishes, Tiffanie

Incredible Sunday hike

Incredible Sunday hike
Originally uploaded by dileob

What a great way to celebrate the end of a crazy, busy week.

Sunday hair

Sunday hair
Originally uploaded by dileob

A few minutes before church and we created fun dos. Eva needed hers ponied and braided and bunned in preparation for her ballet performance today.

Eva performs this weekend in Sleeping Beauty

Lovely trio
Originally uploaded by dileob

We had a whirlwind weekend with Eva's performances and all the Halloween events, ending in a lovely family hike. Here Eva is posing with the Fairy and Courtier she attended to.