DTC

                                                                   

Hmmmm what on earth? Is Cindy trying to get us to say this word, without any vowels in it, out loud?  Maybe?! But that would be no fun if I was not there to laugh at ya now.... because you know I would!  

No actually before I will reveal the definition of these three consonants, here is a picture of this strange thing.... 

   See!!!  That brings LOADS of clarity now doesn't it?!  Alright enough nonsense!  DTC is an acronym, since we LOVE those in this military business, that stands for dossier to China.  Yeah Cindy, super clear now, uh huh?  

Today our big packet of papers that got the blessing of the United States was sent forth to China.  In about 2 weeks China will have accepted our papers and given us another acronym....LID or Log In Date.  Not to get ahead of myself, cuz LID is for another blog post time, but DTC is a big hurdle in the adoption game.  

DTC is the first of three hurdles to get to LOA(Letter of Acceptance, the biggy that China says YES you can come get this youngin).  This simply means we are FINALLY cleared from the US side to adopt. 

Now our paperwork is in China's hands to make sure were meet their standards.  Nothing big you say.... tell me when it's over cuz we are getting weary of this process you say.... ok, I grant you that, but this keeps me going and going and going!!

                                                                                 

YUP... call me crazy, but that cute smile and goofy peace sign melts my heart.  Now back to reality and praying LID(log in date, just in case the letters are blurring together by now?) comes before 2 weeks!                                                                     

NEVER GIVE UP HOPE!

I have joined several Yahoo groups in a attempt to get smart on this adoption thing.  I am currently in several groups, one is the group of folks that have or are adopting from Tim's orphanage.  It is like a mini Facebook of sorts, we post info about the particulars of the adoption process, the orphanage and the kids that have been rescued from being an orphan.  One of the member's is currently in China adopting her little girl and asked if anyone wanted their child "checked up" on.  Heck yeah I do!!  I sent her the info on him and hoped and prayed maybe she would at least get a glimpse of him and report back that he seemed healthy!  The request was made at the orphanage days ago, but the answer was no, she was not granted permission to see any of the children requested.  I had a feeling, that would happen!  But, I accepted it and continued to pray the director may have a change of heart in the two weeks the group friend(Lori) was in China processing her own adoption.

Then to my complete surprise!  At 6 am this morning I was checking my emails.  I saw a message from  Lori.  She asked if I had a Skype address.  Some how I knew those 10 deployments we went through since 2003 would be a good thing?!!  Of course I do! Quickly got the computer ready to Skype, when I realized.... if she has him on the other end ready to talk to us, DANG It!!! I have only learned 10 phrases in Cantonese!  He surely doesn't want to hear me say please, excuse me I am an American???  Why did I learn that and not I LOVE YOU???  Back to reality...sigh!  She was able to quickly take photo's of the 5 kiddos she made a request to see, no talking to them and they are not to speak to her as well.  The 5 were now late for lunch and this had to be quick!

Be still my heart!  Eight new photo's of my little guy.  A most treasured belated birthday gift to me! I'm certain at this point he is probably wondering if a photographer is adopting him?  He has had a photo shoot three times since the beginning of the year...probably hasn't had to say "cheese" this many times ever!  Of course, given his relaxed and ready smile in every shot we have of him, one can certainly see he is a natural in front of the camera...no smile coaxing necessary!  I am aching for this adoption to hurry up and get here!  Love the orange jacket, my favorite color- he obviously knew that and wore it for me?!

Well back to the Cantonese lesson!  Just in case I might retain something more than "yes", "no" and "excuse me" and "please"....they are the same word by the way, this language knows how challenged I am!  Thank you dearly to my messenger Lori for the delivery.  And I will NEVER give up hope again!

Unxpected Surprise!

I know all of you tuned in primarily for the adorable picture... so giving it to everyone right away!  What an adorable boy!  Speechless!  Timothy seems to change with each picture.  Love the new haircut and is that an actual grin for the camera?  Not the usual look of concern on his face.  Although, we are docking the cameraman several points for not wiping the condensation from the lens before firing off a shot!

As I helped Megan study for her vocabulary test,  I flipped through my emails on my phone and WHOA!  What's this?? I had all but given up ever hearing a response to our letter we sent way back in December.  You vaguely remember I'm sure, the care package we were told was delivered to the orphanage door, beyond that was a mystery.  Well not only pictures but answers to almost all our questions.  So without further adeau....A glimpse into who Timmy is!

His favorite color is RED!  I actually already some how knew this.  Not psychic or in a weird way, from day one ordered his first ever super soft blankey in color red, bought him a winter coat...of course wanted the red one NOT the blue one!  I really believe a momma just knows these things in her heart!

He loves sports, to play outside and especially loves to slide.  Boy will he fit in well with this outdoorsy, sports nut family.  Already thinking of what cool backyard fort with a killer slide we will be building at our next house!

He has two best friends... oddly they all three share the same last name "Zhang", must be the Chinese version of Smith???  He shares his room with several boys.

His favorite food is lollipops!  How funny is that!  Beau is already excited to introduce Skittles to him.

Toy cars are his favorite toy. Um, check... we currently have an enormous bin of those.  He would like his "own" toys, clothes and some snacks as gifts.

Melt your heart moment...The first thing he wants to do when he is finally HOME, play with my new family outside.

They were kind enough to send current measurements of him.  Appears he is making great strides!  The only set of measurements I've had were his 2 year old numbers.  Sadly at 2, he not only didn't even make the bottom curve of the growth chart, but was well below it.  He is currently on the curve of the chart and although small, he's beautifully keeping pace with his peers.

Now the bombshell moment...As most of you know already,  Our beloved dog attacked Megan during one of his nightmares.  She is recovering nicely, but we knew we would have to give him away- or worse- if no home could be found.  Gunner leaves on Saturday to the most perfect of situations, a 25 acre farm and a pointer brother and sister to share his life with. Although bitter sweet Timothy's last answer to a question Wes asked regarding if he likes dogs.  His response was, He does not like dogs at all.  God's plan always works!  I just wish HE had left Megan's face outta it!  But HE knew Gunner needed to go and provided a most amazing solution to this terrible situation.

Getting the flip-book of family pictures, my best friend so thoughtfully made, ready to send.  I'm sure he is curious what we look like.  What a perfect ending to one tough month we have trudged through.  One last picture....cuz one is NEVER enough!  Not sure why they always have the orphans in China do this odd "pulp fiction" like greeting?? but it appears they think we Americans dig it? Peace out to you too Timmy!

  

My Long Haired Lad!

Well after waiting over 6 weeks for a update from the adoption agency on Timothy.....We finally have a picture and a DVD of him, which I haven't yet received in the mail.  I'm not entirely sure I will be smart enough to post the video, so the newest picture is a must for now.  Wow!  He looks older with long-ish hair.  He has a ways to go if he is trying to have longer hair than his brother- the hippie, Beau!  We are completely enchanted by him, to say the least.  Even perfect strangers have been shown this newest pic!

It is obviously cold in Guangzhou, China as bundled up as he is.  Found out through a yahoo group, They have no heat or A/C in the orphanage he is at.  Breaks my heart and want him home with us RIGHT NOW!  At first I thought it was a golf ball in his little hand.  But then the reality that he isn't teeing it up on the back 9 at the orphanage country club set in.  Upon further review, It's a tangerine I think?  Good either way.... no scurvy for my little guy, or a future golfing buddy for his Poppa!  We see that Superman persists in his apearal.  The little monkey on his jacket is wearing a Superman shirt.  I will continue stalking the mailbox daily to get that video they sent.  I am still holding out hope the orphanage will get the pictures and answer's to our letter we sent WAAAYYYY back in early December?!!!??  That was sent with a care package separate from this request.  This one came in well after the expected date so maybe, we'll see??

In other related news, our home study is finished.  Another hurdle, up and over, now on to Immigrations.  Trying to stay focused on the ultimate goal and NOT get frustrated with the incessant papers, papers, papers!  Keep your fingers crossed I get the video and can figure out how to post it!  Happy Chinese New Year to all!  Year of the Dragon will be very lucky for this family!

China Time

Well, I know it's been a month and a day since I last made a post.  Sure wish I had something to offer other than...We are all receiving a patience lesson together!  Yes, It's time to experience "China time"!  So let me update you with what tiny crumbs of information I have.

Timothy's care package, with letter form his new family loaded with curious questions from us, was delivered as of December 20, 2011 to the orphanage he lives in.  I guess I should have asked far more questions when I ordered this bundle of love!  Turns out the company just delivers to the door of the orphanage, it's the orphanages job to actually deliver and transcribed the letter to him.  Since I'm new to this gig, I was naive to think the company I ordered from would carry this delivery out.  Still waiting to get my answers to the questioned in the letter and have pic's of him receiving this box of love from us???  So as it stands, I am not sure what happened after the delivery?  I have emailed the company and they believe it can take up to 3 months for the orphanage to give any feedback as the orphanage is quite large.

CRUSHED!  Waiting stinks!  The wonder if he will get any of what we sent is seeping in.  We wanted to send something to him for Chinese New Year (Jan. 23).  Obviously that fleeting notion has passed as this first experience creeps along at a sloths.....or whatever many be slower...pace.  In the meantime, life does go on!

I do want to take one moment to boast on how well the kids are embracing the whole adoption experience!  I am not a bragger and really will only give one shining example of this "living the high life of saving a life".  Wes has lost 3 teeth since early December.  Each time he has tucked the tooth under his pillow for the tooth fairy.  Each time a "post it" was stuck to his bed post with the message....Tooth Fairy, please give my money to Timmy.  If you can't deliver to China, just leave the money with my mom and she will get it to him. Thank you Wes.  The first note was very sweet, never expected him to carry it out each time!  On a rare occasion I get the feeling we are raising these kids correctly?!!?

CARE PACKAGE

Yesterday was a banner day of learning how to send your new baby boy a care package.  Simple stuff, right?  I received the email from the adoption agency explaining the in's and out's of this.  WOW, REALLY!  two pages of rules, costs etc?  Enough to defeat even the most determined of people!  I spent 24 hours digesting the whole thing and researching the costs to ship international to China by most known carriers.....then took a knee at the cost!  Ok, this is gonna be expensive BUT a must!

Then.... in swoops the China adoption whisperer, Sonia!  So grateful to someone crazy enough to adopt 3...no I did NOT typo that number!....lucky young men from China in one year!  NO, NO, NO easy button Cindy, she instructs!  by noon I was so elated this can and was made simple and a boys pj care package will be delivered by next week! But that in itself is not rocket science and shouldn't be!

The best part is we were able to send a letter to him with question that will once translated two ways(once to Timmy, since we don't speak a lick of Mandarin, and in return his response to us!)  This sounds like boring stuff I'm sure, but all we know of our cutey is.... well not much?.  Aside from two year old medical documents and pictures, and three 2 minute video clips on the adoption web site.  That's it!  Yes....this is truly a leap of faith and I have the beginnings of an ulcer to prove it!

In a nutshell....care package bought, letter included, hoping new pics and a little bit of what Timmy likes in this world by next week!  Now what to do to keep myself occupied until next week???

BRAKMAN BUNCH IS EXPANDING!!

Welcome to all of you curious enough to click on the link!  It's official!  We are adopting one very adorable 4 year old from China.  Today it becomes official, as we just received our PA(preliminary approval) from China.  But this is mere words.  This means much, much more....it means our Superman is told he will finally have a FOREVER family!

Let me introduce this cutey!  We will name him Timothy Joshua once the adoption is final.  He is 4 years old and has been an orphan since about 3 months of age(an estimate of course).  He was left on the pavement at the gate of a hospital, most likely because his family knew he was sick and had no way to care for him.  He has a serious heart condition and has had surgery once at the age of two.  He will probably need another surgery once we finally get him in our arms, but we are optimistic from the advice of a congenital heart surgeon.  We have called him Superman thus far due to the extraordinary amount of God's favor upon us.  Please catch up by reading some of the older posts by scrolling down!

If you would like to receive an email when I update this blog, please insert your email address above in the white block with email in it.  This has been a journey in itself already....so if you want to continue along for the ride we certainly invite the company!