Middle Names - Part 1 of 3

We are getting close to announcing Kenzi's middle name.  But first, we'd like to document the stories of how we chose the middle names for Luke and Jacinda.  Their first names were all chosen quickly, but their middle names have been the subject of much discussion each time.

When I was pregnant with Luke, we had TONS of girl names we liked and no boy names.  Several weeks before the "big" ultrasound, I just knew it was a boy.  Sure enough, at 16 weeks, the ultrasound tech told us it was a boy.  So we began the task of choosing a name.  I don't really remember how we decided on the name Luke, but I'm pretty sure it was Aaron that suggested it.  We decided pretty quickly that Luke would be his first name.  We looked up the meaning of Luke and it means "Bringer of light", which we thought was pretty appropriate, given our infertility history.  His middle name was not chosen quite as quickly, though.

We spent months talking and looking and debating and not deciding.  We were in the car, driving to Maryland for our baby shower and we decided to just spend the whole car trip discussing it.  We started with Bible names and just named Bible name after Bible name.  One of us said Isaiah ...... we put it with Luke ... Luke Isaiah and right there, in the car, decided that was it!  We had already told everyone his first name, but we decided to keep Isaiah a secret until he was born.  It was kind of fun having that secret all to ourselves for a little while.

In the next day or two, Jacinda's story!

Moving Right Along ......

The adoption process is moving right along.  Right now, our paperwork is at U.S. Consulate in China.  We will probably get Travel Approval in early November and then travel in late November or early December.  We're hoping to be home before Christmas!

Other updates ......
- We're working on some applications for adoption grants and no-interest loans.  If you'd like to make a donation to our adoption fund, we'd be very grateful.  We have paid all the agency fees, we just need money to pay for our trip.
- We think we have actually decided on Kenzi's middle name.  We're still discussing it just a little, so I will wait to share it until we're sure.
- Luke is recovering from a pretty bad bout of strep.  He missed an entire week of school.  So this week is like the first week of school again ... we're all trying to get back into the swing of things!
- Packing - There are strict weight limits for luggage these days, so we're working on paring down our packing list to only what we absolutely need to take with us.  We have pretty much everything, we just need to shop for a few more little things.

I-800 Approval!!!!!!!

We found out today that our I-800 form has been approved.  This is the U.S. approving us to adopt Kenzi!!!!  Next, a process takes place that puts Kenzi in the system to get a Visa to travel to the US.  Once the US has approved her Visa, China will issue us a Travel Approval.

We're looking at travel probably in early December, assuming everything moves along as it should.  Looks like we might get a GREAT Christmas present this year!!!

Long Time, No Post

It's been a few weeks since we've posted.  There's been a lot going on, but not much on the adoption front.

- We sent our applications away for Chinese Visas so that we can travel.  It's a bit nervewracking sending our passports to the Chinese Consulate, but it's necessary.
- We're waiting on the approval of our I-800 form with US Immigration.  This form approves us to adopt Kenzi.  Once that form is approved, a process gets started to notify the US Consulate in China that Kenzi is approved for a US visa.
- We're still looking at travel in late November or early December.
- Luke had strep last weekend.  Hopefully, he's just getting his sicknesses over now so that we can make it through the winter with minimal germs!
- Jacinda has been LOVING having Luke in school!  At first, she wasn't quite sure what to do with herself.  But she quickly realized that with Luke in school, she doesn't have to share her stuff!  So she's all over that situation!
- Luke is transitioning well in Kindergarten.  He's had a few issues, but his teacher is wonderful and she's really helping us figure out what will work best for him.
- I've been furiously sewing and crocheting.  Once the weather cools off, I love to crochet, so I've been going a little crazy!
- Hurricane Irene did come through our area.  Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as predicted.  We lost power for about 12 hours.  We also lost a tiny piece of the wood trim on the outside of our house.  Hubby and his dad fixed it with no problem.

I think that's it.  Hopefully the next few adoption steps will move quickly.  We're ready to get our little girl home!!!

We got our LOA Today!!!!!

We got the call that our LOA arrived at our agency today.  It's headed to us for our signature and we will get it tomorrow.  Once we get it in our hands, we can send out our application to US Immigration to adopt Kenzi.  There are still quite a few steps left, but they are fairly straightforward at this point.

We will probably travel to China in late November or early December!!!!!!!!!

A New Phase .....

Our family has entered a new phase in our lives.  Luke started Kindergarten today!  I can't believe it .... I mean, he was just born last week, wasn't he?  He was so excited to get on the school bus this morning!  His teacher is fabulous .... we've been emailing each other already about some of Luke's 'quirks' and she is really committed to figuring out what will work for him and making this a good year.

Jacinda was a little sad when the bus pulled away, but she's fine now.  We're going to run a few errands and maybe include a special treat just for the girls!

Preparing for Hurricane Irene

This may be my last post for a little while.  We are about to get hit by a pretty substantial hurricane.  We are ready .... everything brought inside, stocked up on food, water, batteries, flashlights, lanterns, etc.

We're most concerned about a long-term power outage.  We do have 1 pretty large tree that is really close to our house, so I'm worried about that tree falling, too.

We have not been ordered to evacuate, so we're staying put for now.

If you don't hear from us for a little while, that's why!