Friday, January 13, 2012
January 2012
January has been a busy month so far. Lots of paperwork still going on. I think we received 6 or 7 emails related to travel paperwork, amenities, travel visas, etc... We got Jack's room painted last weekend. Dad needs to hang up the curtain rod and paint the legs on the bed. Then I think it's almost ready. We have 3 busy weekends in a row now - two cheer weekends and a poms weekend. Dad and Carter are busy with hockey everry weekend too. Addie started her first dance class last week. She's very excited to be in pre-ballet.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Photo Card
Family Moments Holiday
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Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Letter Seeking Confirmation (LSC)
We received our LSC from FedEx today and got our package back out to USCIS. The LSC is our official referral document.
A few more steps to go (not sure why they say it's only a few - seems like we still have forever!).
A few more steps to go (not sure why they say it's only a few - seems like we still have forever!).
- The USCIS needs to review and approve our I-800 application and then we'll get a letter from the "Bureau of Cosular Affairs". This can take approximate 2-3 weeks.
- We'll then send our paperwork package to Great Wall for shipment to the US Consulate in Guangzhou.
- The US Consulate will then sign an Article 5.
- Once the CCCWA has our signed LSC back from us and the Article 5 from the US Consulate, we will get issued travel approval and travel dates will be made.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Important "Jack" Dates
Since I don't do a very good job of journaling except when we're traveling, I figure I should post some important dates now before I forget. It makes using these pages later for the journal sections of our scrapbooks so much easier!!
April 1, 2011 - Our first contact with GWCA about a child we saw on their Waiting Child Program. Application submitted to GWCA.
April 6, 2011 - Shen Bao Heng's file sent to CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) for review and discussion.
April 14, 2011 - Answers to the questions we submitted to the orphanage answered and we learned his English name is Jack.
April 19, 2011 - The first video of Jack received.
May 16, 2011 - LOI submitted for Jack
May 20, 2011 - Pre-Approval (PA) received
September 8, 2011 - I-797 approval received from US government
September 15, 2011 - Certified papers sent to GWCA for submittion to China
September 16, 2011 - Dossier submitted to China
September 19, 2011 - Official Log-In Date with China
September 28, 2011 - Care package delivered to Jack
Next step - waiting to receive our LSC (Letter Seeking Confirmation) from China so we can start the next round of paperwork.
April 1, 2011 - Our first contact with GWCA about a child we saw on their Waiting Child Program. Application submitted to GWCA.
April 6, 2011 - Shen Bao Heng's file sent to CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) for review and discussion.
April 14, 2011 - Answers to the questions we submitted to the orphanage answered and we learned his English name is Jack.
April 19, 2011 - The first video of Jack received.
May 16, 2011 - LOI submitted for Jack
May 20, 2011 - Pre-Approval (PA) received
September 8, 2011 - I-797 approval received from US government
September 15, 2011 - Certified papers sent to GWCA for submittion to China
September 16, 2011 - Dossier submitted to China
September 19, 2011 - Official Log-In Date with China
September 28, 2011 - Care package delivered to Jack
Next step - waiting to receive our LSC (Letter Seeking Confirmation) from China so we can start the next round of paperwork.
Introducing Jack (Shen Bao Heng)
We received permission today to update our blog with pictures of Jack. He's 9 years old (will be 10 in November) and lives with a foster family in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. We learned about Jack in April and decided to pursue another adoption. Carter is extremely excited to be having a brother who will virtually be a twin. How could you not be drawn to this wonderful young man?
Jack's home:
Shenzhen (IPA: [ʂə́ntʂə̂n]) is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones (SEZs). It currently also holds sub-provincial administrative status, with powers slightly less than a province.
Jack's home:
Shenzhen (IPA: [ʂə́ntʂə̂n]) is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones (SEZs). It currently also holds sub-provincial administrative status, with powers slightly less than a province.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Anniversary!!!
4th of July camping
We spent the 4th of July weekend camping at Starved Rock State Park. We had to test out all of our new camping gear that we've been asking for over the last few years, and Addie got to experience her first ever camping trip. Friday night was pretty funny as we were setting up the tent. She came over and kept saying "jump, jump" and jumping in case I didn't understand. I had to explain to her that we were setting up a tent - not a bounce house. Once we got the beds in there and there was no "air" to jump she started to understand.
Saturday, we woke up to a very warm day - sweating at 7am while fixing breakfast, and when we hit the trails, it was still hot! Luckily, we were enclosed in the trees and shade for most of the morning hike. I always forget how many stairs Starved Rock has. Holy moly - I'm getting old and out of shape! We covered alot of ground though before we headed back to camp for lunch. After lunch, we hit the "waterfall" trails. Mother nature has changed the hiking area considerably from when we were there 2 years ago, but we soldiered on and made our way to each of the falls. Obstacles did not stand in our way, but at some point, we gave up trying to keep our feet dry and just started walking through the creeks. There just weren't enough rocks and tree branches in the right areas (and our balancing abilities have diminished over time). The afternoon wrapped up w/ a drive to Ottawa in search of ice and ice cream. We found both after much searching!
On Sunday, we decided to head out to a park we've never hiked in - Matthiessen State Park. It's just a mile from Starved Rock. We hit the Dells area in the morning, and were amazed at what we found. Beautiful waterfall! We were able to walk up to it and get great pictures. Then we went to the area above the falls (after going up ALOT of stairs). We were able to hike the creek to the top of the creek close to were it starts at a lake dam. Lots of water logged shoes afterwards, but alot of fun!!! The afternoon wrapped up w/ our last hike of the weekend in the River area of Matthiessen. I think we missed the short route to the river but eventually got there. We were in search of "the bridge" which according to the Starved Rock volunteer would be the best place to access the river. We found "the bridge" in several large piles of debris. Apparently, Mother Nature wasn't kind!! We wrapped up the afternoon w/ a drive in to Utica - again in search of ice and ice cream. (a pattern had been formed!)
Monday found us packing up camp and heading home to do the normal - post camping recovery. We actually got unpacked rather quickly and got the yard mowed, grocery shopping done, and laundry started all before we headed out for a picnic at Fairview Park w/ Nana, Papa, and Aunt Tasha. We were supposed to watch fireworks also - Epic Fail! They experienced major technical difficulties!!! Eventually, the fireworks went off (45 minutes left and after a few "mis-fires".
Overall, I'd rate it as a great weekend!!!
Saturday, we woke up to a very warm day - sweating at 7am while fixing breakfast, and when we hit the trails, it was still hot! Luckily, we were enclosed in the trees and shade for most of the morning hike. I always forget how many stairs Starved Rock has. Holy moly - I'm getting old and out of shape! We covered alot of ground though before we headed back to camp for lunch. After lunch, we hit the "waterfall" trails. Mother nature has changed the hiking area considerably from when we were there 2 years ago, but we soldiered on and made our way to each of the falls. Obstacles did not stand in our way, but at some point, we gave up trying to keep our feet dry and just started walking through the creeks. There just weren't enough rocks and tree branches in the right areas (and our balancing abilities have diminished over time). The afternoon wrapped up w/ a drive to Ottawa in search of ice and ice cream. We found both after much searching!
On Sunday, we decided to head out to a park we've never hiked in - Matthiessen State Park. It's just a mile from Starved Rock. We hit the Dells area in the morning, and were amazed at what we found. Beautiful waterfall! We were able to walk up to it and get great pictures. Then we went to the area above the falls (after going up ALOT of stairs). We were able to hike the creek to the top of the creek close to were it starts at a lake dam. Lots of water logged shoes afterwards, but alot of fun!!! The afternoon wrapped up w/ our last hike of the weekend in the River area of Matthiessen. I think we missed the short route to the river but eventually got there. We were in search of "the bridge" which according to the Starved Rock volunteer would be the best place to access the river. We found "the bridge" in several large piles of debris. Apparently, Mother Nature wasn't kind!! We wrapped up the afternoon w/ a drive in to Utica - again in search of ice and ice cream. (a pattern had been formed!)
Monday found us packing up camp and heading home to do the normal - post camping recovery. We actually got unpacked rather quickly and got the yard mowed, grocery shopping done, and laundry started all before we headed out for a picnic at Fairview Park w/ Nana, Papa, and Aunt Tasha. We were supposed to watch fireworks also - Epic Fail! They experienced major technical difficulties!!! Eventually, the fireworks went off (45 minutes left and after a few "mis-fires".
Overall, I'd rate it as a great weekend!!!
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