Pictures from Fuling

Another three Fuling girls have found their forever families! These families went to the Orphanage today and took lots of gifts for the children and nannies. They also had the chance to meet Lillie! One of the ladies, Janelle, spent time with Lillie and told her how much I loved her and that I would come for her soon. The picture Lillie is holding in her hand is the one I sent to Janelle so she could find Fu Bao Yun once they arrived in Fuling. It is good to see her looking healthy and strong! Hold on Lillie...I am coming as soon as I can!

My Daughter the "Drinker"!

I recieved an email a few days ago from a kind woman named Jean Casey. She had been to Fuling in the fall to pick up her beautiful daughter Ellen and realized she had pictures of Lillie. She let me know she would send them to me...so I was very excited to find the pictures waiting in my e-mail tonight. They are so fun! The pictures are of Lillie and her freinds at bottle time. She is in the one in the light blue outfit and she clearly LOVES her bottle! as Jean wrote..."Beware when she is older - do not send her off to a bar alone with her friends!! " That says it all! What a girl!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy year of the Boar! The lunar new year, which is celebrated in China as the Chinese New Year, begins today! It is one of the 2 largest holidays in the country and is a time to celebrate with friends and family. It is also a time to get rid of the previous years bad luck and to usher in new good luck. I guess for me, it is both since I know the holiday will delay slightly my dossier being processed, but know that this next year will be good luck with the addition of Lilliie to make our forever family! I know that Lillie is a "Rat" and I am a "Horse"...I am sure they are greatly complatible! If you want to see what your zodiac sign is, you can go to: http://www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/zodiac/zodiac.html
Happy New Year!

DTC...Dossier to China 2/9/2007

My Dossier is off to China! Some of you may wonder, what IS a dossier…well it is a collection of paperwork and information going to the CCAA that tells them EVERYTHING about me.
I have already sent….
LOI (Letter of Intent)
PAPL (Prospective Adoptive Parents Letter)
These forms were sent in September to the CCAA in order to be officially matched with Lillie. These two forms essentially gave the Chinese Government a little information about me and explained what I know about Fu Bao Yun's special need and what I will do for her once she arrives in the US.

The Dossier is SOOOO much more. Here is a list of what I can remember that are included in the Dossier:
1. Home Study completed which included having forms and info including…
• Application letter (notarized, etc.)
• Adoptive parents fact sheet (notarized, etc.)
• Autobiography
• Letter to birth parents
• Guardian Information Sheet
• Medical Information/physical/blood work/TB test (notarized, etc.)
• Explanation of any surgeries I have had and how it will affect my ability to parent (my sinus surgery)
• Explanations of any medications I take and why
• Financial Information Sheet (assets and bills…net worth information) (notarized)

2. 2 criminal records checks – state and federal
3. Records check for child abuse
4. Original Birth Certificate with State Seal
(My birthplace on my BC has changed…crazy huh!)
5. Letter of Employment (notarized)
6. Letter from Bank with balance in checking account
7. Letter from Bank with balance of savings account
8. Letter from bank about any loans I have
9. Certified copy of I 171 H (notarized, etc.)
10. 6 pictures of parent, family, home, etc.
11. 3 letters of reference
12. Single status statement (notarized, etc.)
13. Guardian Statement (notarized, etc.)

Several of the forms that are part of the Home Study are also part of the Dossier. In addition, all of the forms that were notarized also had to be county, state and consulate authenticated. I know I am probably forgetting something, but it at least tells you a little bit about what an exciting thing it is to have this complete and on it’s way!

On a side note…I also have to have parent education and specific parent education that relates to Lillie’s special need. After attending a training tomorrow afternoon, I will have that completed also…at least what is required. There may be more training that I want to attend!

P.S. I wanted to add this picture. I found this in the pictures from the orphanage that parents have taken and sent to a site called image events. I was so excited to find it! It was taken in November!

Another Exciting Arrival!

I had a very exciting and unexpected arrival today! I opened my email to find that Grace, my coordinator at AHH had received another update on Lillie! I have more new friend that are in China this week to pick up their beautiful daughter Zoe. On Monday, they received her from the nannies and found out she was in foster care through the SWI. They chose not to travel to Fuling, but were able to ask about Lillie and another beautiful little Fulinger named Mia (Mia is also named Fu Bao Yun, but is a little younger than Lillie, with a birthday in September). Mia is also in foster care and therefore her new mommy and daddy have received very few pictures of her. I am praying that they too will get some pictures. Kristen and Sean (Zoe's new mommy and daddy) spoke with nannies and also the Director of the Orphanage on Thursday. Here is Kristen's note about Lillie...
"Your girl must have a great personality! The two nannies we saw at Gotcha day and Director Chen both laughed and smiled with much love at your Lillie's picture! I sense she has great favor with them and is a character!! Can't wait for your travel and your take on her personality!"
It is such a blessing to know there are people who love her so much!
I also received some new size updates... apparently, she has grown since the last update I received! She is 2 feet 7 inches, she weighs about 32 pounds (that could be with all her clothes on, which would add a few pounds possibly) and her foot is 6 inches long. My girl is getting very big! ...and apparently has had another haircut!

Just wanted to share the newest! Thank you for loving Lillie!

My I-171H has Arrived!

Yesterday, my I-171 H finally arrived! It was the last peice of paperwork I needed in order to send my Dossier to China! It is also the paper that will serve as Lillie's visa back into the US when I finally travel. I had the form notarized, and authenticated and took it to the agency...and now it is off to DC and then will be off to China! It is yet another step in the right direction and means that hopefully it will arrive in China, be translated into Chinese and logged in within the next 5 or 6 weeks. It seems like forever, but I am hoping that it will go quickly. As soon as I have an official log in date, I have a better idea of how long until travel. Prayers and good thoughts, please!

Bai Jia Bei...the 100 Good Wishes Quilt

“To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It is a custom to invite friends and family to contribute a patch of cloth with a wish for the baby. Part of the patch of cloth goes into the quilt for the baby, and the other part of the cloth can go into a scrapbook with the wish for the child. The quilt contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. “
I would love to do this for Lillie! I would love for everyone who has a special wish for Lillie to help with this project! Your time and help will be greatly appreciated… and I think it will be a wonderful way to welcome Lillie and to continue a tradition from her home country!
If you would like to contribute, please send a 6"x6" square of 100% cotton fabric. It can be gently used fabric that is special, or just be fabric you really like! When you send the fabric for the quilt I would also appreciate your sending a "wish" or prayer or blessing on a card with your name and address and a small piece of the cloth attached to it. I will make a scrapbook for Lillie to have when she is older that will tell her about how much she was loved before she arrived. Her "Wishes" Book with the matching material from the will help to tell her story.
Thank you for helping with this special project! I will post pictures of the Quilt when it is complete! I am hoping my wonderful cousin Ashley…quilter extrordinaire, will help me with this project. She is already creating beautiful quilts for Lillie and her friends in Fuling!
Send fabric and wishes for the quilt to:
Andrea Nielsen
401 Redding Rd #16
Lexington, Kentucky 40517

Thank you for loving Lillie!

The Mystery of Split Pants

One of the images of Lillie that constantly draws questions from everyone is about her pants. Split pants are pants with a giant hole on the bottom - known in Chinese as "kaidangku" (literally "open-crotch pants"). Although many people in China now use disposable diapers, several still use the split pants…including Fuling SWI. These pants not only make it easier to change a diaper, but I have learned that they assist with potty training. Apparently, it would not be unusual to see a bare baby bottom out in public…or even stopping to go to the bathroom…right on the street! Bare baby bottoms are an increasingly rare sight…but apparently kaidangku used to be almost a uniform for toddlers. I guess this explains why some of us have heard that the Chinese potty train their children at a young age! I thought this might help explain Lillie’s present fashion to everyone!

Pictures from MaryHelen

With my new hobby of reading about all things China and Fuling, I found out that another new mom...MaryHelen, would be traveling to China to receive her daughter, Rose. It is so exciting to follow the path that each of these new families take and is always a time that I ask others to check on my beautiful Lillie. It is always with the understanding that they may not be able to travel to the SWI, or upon arriving there, may not be near her. I knew this was a possibility with MaryHelen's visit also. When I quickly checked HER blog earlier today, she told about her visit and explained she had only had the opportunity to visit 2 baby rooms. I assumed that it would be very unlikely that she saw my Lillie....so imagine my surprise when i received this email and pictures!
"i visited the fuling swi today, we were only able to visit two baby rooms but guess what? your lillie is in the same room that my rose was. i took photos and i'm attaching some photos here.
i hope i have the right baby - i took her name and birthdate and my guide went to the office to find out which baby - she's a waiting child? she has a problem with her foot? i have to say, she held her nanny's hand and walked all over so it doesn't appear to be slowing her down too much. so i'm attaching the pics. "
I must say that this waiting has been terribly painful, but again I thank God for the kindness of others and the good fortune I have had. I must say that after speaking with other waiting parents...as well as other adoptive parents....I have been truly blessed! I pray that the time between now and the Lillie's "Gotcha Day" is short and moves quickly!

Prayers and Positive Thoughts

Just wanted to let everyone know that I checked the Immigration site today and they are now processing I 600A's from October....YEAHHHHH! I filed in mid October so I am hoping that means I will recieve my I 171H in the next few days! This would be a wonderful gift, since it is the form needed before my Dossier can be sent to China. Please send prayers and positive energy that this too will move quickly and we can get all the paperwork of to China...the sooner the paperwork goes, the sooner the LID (log in date) and the sooner the LID, the sooner we travel to bring Lillie home!

Udate on Lillie's freind Michelle

I recently received an e-mail from Mimi with this precious picture of Michelle! She let me know that Michelle is adjusting well to her new family and home. She also let me know that Michelle blossoms each day and that it is hard for her not to spend every minute with a camera or video camera to document every moment! Michelle is now doing a lot of cruising around and is trying very hard to walk. I have this vision in my head of she and Lillie in their beds, each longing to "get up and go". Mimi let me know that she is sending a CD with pictures from the orphanage and the video clips...she also said it is amazing to realize how simple tasks (like going to the post office) become a major undertaking with a child! Another quick reminder that my life is about to change...
I can't wait!

An update from Fuling!

Today I came hope to a great surprise...an update on Lillie from China! I asked, upon receiving approval from the CCAA, for an update from the SWI on Lillie and her development. Grace received the information today and sent it on to me, including 2 new pictures! There were several documents...7 in all...but they are still in Chinese - SO some information will take a few days to translate! The developmental information, however, is in English and Chinese so I have also attached those forms for you to see. These forms tell me that Lillie is a deep sleeper, can pick a pill up with her thumb and index finger (why in the world would she have a pill???) and can stand alone steadily. She likes to bang blocks together, knows what the word "NO"means and can point to her eyes, ears, nose, etc. when asked. The personality section says she is restless, likes to sing and listen to music, has a ready smile AND is talkative. (I clearly must learn some Chinese!)
Just wanted to share with everyone my newest information! It is another exciting step toward Lillie's coming home to Kentucky! Keep those prayers coming!

Translated Letter!

My letter to the orphanage has been translated into Chinese, so I can finally send Lillie's care package! Adele with Blessed Kids did the translation... a wonderful service that will help the director and nannies know about the items in the care package. The package will include a blanket that Ashley made, some small books, a hat I knit, a disposable camera, a small toy and candy for the nannies. (One book will be pictures of the family.) I will take pictures before sending the package off and will post them soon. I cut and paste the letter (in English) below.

Dear Director and Nannies,
I am eagerly looking forward to adopting Fu Baoyun. I
feel honored that I will be the mother of this
wonderful little girl soon. Thank you for all the love
and care you have given her.

I are enclosing a disposable camera in this package,
hoping you might be able to take some photographs of
Fu Baoyun at the orphanage, with her nannies, and
anything that you feel may be important to us or her
in the future. I will keep these pictures to share
with her when she is older. I am sure they will mean
so much to both of us and we will definitely cherish
them in the future. I can get the pictures developed
while I am there and send you copies, if you would
like.

Please accept the enclosed candy and chocolate for the
orphanage caretakers and children. I deeply appreciate
the time and effort you and your staff devote to
helping orphans have a good place to live and grow.

Thank you for all you have done for Fu Baoyun. I will
forever be grateful.

The Fuling SWI

I know I have shared some information about the Social Welfare Institute in Fuling, but thought I would post a few pictures! This is the present building they are located in, with the entrance and gate being seen in one of the pictures. This picture is particularly significant to Lillie's "story" since that is where she was found April 23, 2005. The sign is located at the Lily Orphan Care Center located in the SWI. The translation of the sign is:

Our Promise to the Children:
Children are the Most Important.
We Treasure Them.
Treat Them Equally.
Care for Them with Love
And in an Educated Way.
It is nice to know that Lillie is being treasured there as well as here!

MY ultrasound!

Over the last month, several of my friends have shown me the ultrasound of their baby. I know that my process is different than that of a pregnant woman, but the waiting must be exactly the same. There are times when you worry, times when you are so excited you can hardly stand it, times you wonder about your baby's health and development and times when you feel completely at peace with everything. I am certain that I have felt each of these emotions in the last several weeks. I also know that I continue to be thankful for all of the support I receive from others. I have received gifts for Lillie and know that she is being thought of and prayed for everywhere from family in Switzerland to Kids Club in Glasgow, Kentucky. I can't wait for her to meet her fan club!

Lillie's Bedroom

Several of you have asked about Lillie's bedroom. It is still not complete, but here is a sneak peek! The walls are Lemon Chiffon...thanks to my brother, Erik! The picture on the wall is the alphabet...with each letter being a city from around the world! It was a gift from several dear friends at school. (My first "baby gift") The picture is what all other colors have been chosen to match. The black and white photos are from different countries around the world and the ribbons are to add some color. I decided an international theme was perfect for our little international family. There is still much to do, but at least everyone gets a chance to see the beginning of the transformation! I will post more pictures as the room progresses.

New Rules for CCAA

In the last few days, several of you have contacted me about the new CCAA regulations. Here is what I know and how it will affect Lillie and I. I know that there are new regulations saying that China will no longer allow single people to adopt, along with several other new restrictions. They will ban disabled people, families with net assets of less than $80,000, people whose ages do not fall between 30-50, those whose BMI is over 40 and those who have been divorced numerous times. They will set new minimums on the length of marriage for couples who want to adopt. The China Center of Adoption Affairs has shared all of this in a Dec. 8th meeting. The rules, which have yet to be finalized, will most likely take affect in early May.
The changes shouldn't affect my adoption process, but I am definately now on a tighter timeline. Now I am waiting for my I 171H from US Immigration. When talking with Grace yesterday(my family advocate at AHH), she felt like it was possible I could recieve this by the end of January. (At least that is our hope...please pray!) Once it arrives, I will have to quickly get it notarized, authenticated, etc. so that my Dossier can be sent to China. I am hoping the entire Dossier will be off to China no later than mid March. (It will hopefully be much sooner, but the AHH goal is March 16th) This will allow about a month and a half for China to receive the Dossier and log it in to their system. I must have an LID of May 1! After receiveing my LID, the time line could be up to 100 days before travel, which means that it could be August or September before I go to China!
All this is to explain that I appreicate everyone's questions and concerns and gladly accept the prayers being sent Lillie and my way. I know that it is scary for us all, but I must trust that God has a hand in all of this and that Lillie and I will soon be together. Thank you again to each of you who continue to be a source of support and love. You will never know how much it is appreicated.

Care Packages...Here We Go!

It has finally arrived! The CCAA has finally sent their approval...They think this match is as perfect as we all do! I am going to see Grace today and get the paper, but I could not wait to let everyone know! We can send care packages now, so be thinking about things we can send. I already have one started of course! I will write more soon!

Michelle and Lillie were neighbors!

I received a few more pictures from Mimi today, icluding pictures form the SWI. She and her husband had a chance to meet the nannies and see the orphanage, including Michelle's previous bed (which already had a new child assigned) The head nanny told her that Bao Yun (Lillie) and Bao Ming (Michelle) had beds right next to each other. Mimi even got a picture! I so hope that the girls will be able to stay in touch once Lillie is home. I also was able to see the vidoes they took of Lillie. They are wonderful to see! I have asked Mimi if there is a way to download them from her secure site and am hoping I can post them by the end of the day. She is walking while holding an adult's hand. There is also a quick video that shows her smiling, which is wonderful to see. I am attaching a picture of Michelle and her family with the SWI Director, along with a few pictures of Lillie and Mimi and friends. What an amazing gift!

Waiting for News...

Although I expect to hear from Mimi upon her return to the US, she was unable to send the video clips from any of the hotels in China. She did, however, let me know that her daughter, Michelle, is doing well...although she and her husband were sick during part of their trip. I also have had a chance to communicate with Grace at AHH. She is my family advocate and has been wonderful during this process. She let me know that she and the agency are also waiting for information from their liaison from the CCAA(China Center for Adoption Affairs). she let me know the forms I still need to turn in to complete my dossier paperwork. The home study has been sent off and we are still waiting for our I-171H. In other words...things are still moving along...slowly, but surely.
I am finding that as I plan for the holidays, I am unable to pull my thoughts away from Lillie and the other children who are waiting for families. I also think about the children I have met that are without a family and for whom a prospective family is not identified. As we all plan for the holidays, I ask you to pray for Lillie and for her safety during "the great wait". I ask that you pray for the other children who are without a family...in China, in the US, in Swaziland, in Kazakhstan, in Guatemala.... these children are all over the world and they are heavy on my heart. I will post again soon.
(The picture at the bottom of the blog is one of the many children I met this past year in Swaziland. He is one of the many orphan children in that country.)

Lillie meets Mimi at the SWI

Here they are...the pictures I have been hoping to receive for the last week! My new friend Mimi Backhausen, who is presently in Fuling to meet her new daughter, took pictures of Lillie YESTERDAY and sent them to me from China! (She also has some video I will try to share, but she can not send it until they reach Guangzhou on Saturday.) The woman in the pictures is, of course, Mimi. Mimi said she told Lillie that her mommy was coming soon and also said that Lillie was adorable (of course)! She said Lillie didn't want to let her go and loved the attention...I can't wait until the day when we are the ones smothering her with affection! The last of the 4 pictures shows Lillie clinging to Mimi's leg.
This it yet another blessed event in this process, and I am reminded that there are so many people in this world who are good, kind and thoughtful. I know too, that there are so many things that can connect people...whether the love of a child, similar interests, happenstance or faith. I know that Lillie and I have been greatly blessed and hope that I/we can be a blessing to others.

What Are You Waiting For?

I love this picture and just had to share it! I think Lillie's expression says how I am feeling....WHEN will I hear from the CCAA? When can we send a care package? I am certain her thoughts in this picture are "Where are you Mommy!?!" Hold on sweetie, I will be there as soon as I can! Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive through this process... and thank you ahead of time for the support you will provide as I continue to wait!

Where is Lillie?

For those of you who wonder where in China our Lillie lives, it is a town named Fuling. Fuling is situated along the Yangtze (or Changjiang) River in what (until the late 20th century) was part of Sichuan Province but is now the Chongqing Municipality, a region set apart to accomodate the construction of the Three Gorges Dam Project. Once the Three Gorges Dam is completed, part of Fuling will be flooded. The outlying landscape of the city is mountainous, argricultural, fairly temperate (although hot in summer!) and gorgeous. Most people living in the area are farmers. Since the orphanage opened, there have been additions to the origional SWI. The Lily Orphan Care Center, built at the site of the original orphanage, was provided by Chinese Children's Charities, an American-based non-profit. CCC also provides support staff as well as medical and child development training for the caregivers. There are currently over 250 babies and toddlers being cared for at the Lily Orphan Care Center, and about one hundred of those are in foster care. Approximately 16 children over the age of three live at orphanage. The Fuling Social Welfare Institute is also home to children with disabilities and senior citizens.
Here is info on the new SWI as quoted from the Fulingkids site. "Anticipating the day when most of China's orphans will be primarily children with disabilities and unlikely to be adopted, Fuling Orphanage Directors and Chongqing Civil Affairs Authorities have come together to develop a plan for a premiere facility for the kids. In 2008, the first children will move to the new site, which will eventually include a large clinic, physical and occupational therapy facilities for the children, a preschool, and sleeping and play rooms for up to 800 children of all ages and abilities. Half of this 16 and 1/2 acre plot of land is to be devoted to parks and play places for the kids.This (is a) gorgeous piece of land, with views of the Yangtze River and neighboring mountains (one home to a Daoist temple & monastery).
I am attaching a map that shows the different provinces. The province in which Lillie lives is in the lower central area along the river. It is a brigher yellow color. If you would like to see the map a bit larger you can go to http://china.scmp.com/map/ I know this isn't a lot of info about Lillie personally, but it tells you a bit more about her life before she arrives in Kentucky!

Pictures from this Past June!

These pictures are from a trip a mission team took this past June. Some of the pictures were posted through the Fuling site, and I have looked at them often, wondering if any were pictures of my Lillie. Well, today I received several pictures...a confirmation that indeed I had been seeing pictures of her all along! The one of her in the walker in the hot pink shirt is a picture I was drawn to over and over. I looked at it and wondered so many times if it could be her. Now I am certain that it is! Oh happy day! What a gorgeous girl, even when she is tired of people "checking her out"!

First Hugs Pictures

I received more pictures today. These two are from the time she was in the First Hugs program (October 05 - February 06). I wanted to post them for everyone to see!

WOW!

I am learning more every day about my daughter and her time before we found one another. I learned this evening that she was matched previously with a family from Glasgow, Ky... crazy considering I am sitting in my aunt and uncle's home in Glasgow as I write this. I also discovered that her picture and her referral with the other family was still listed on the Fuling Kids website! I have emailed the people in charge of the site to change her information but have attached the picture they used for their posting. I pray that the other family is well and am thankful that, for whatever reason, the red thread that connects Fu Baoyun and I has found it's way around that twist. I hope you enjoy seeing this new picture...I know I am thrilled every time I see another picture of my beautiful daughter!

Lillie's extended community

I must share with everyone the amazing information I continue to learn about Fu Baoyun...my Lillie. I have, in the last several days, received several emails from people who have had the opportunity to "know" her. As I shared earlier, I- received an email weeks ago from a woman who had been at the Fuling SWI the day Lillie was found. I also received emails from other people who have prayed and thought about my daughter for months.
First, I received an email from a woman who adopted her son last December from Fuling. Her little boy, Oliver, also was missing the front part of his left foot! (Oliver's picture is at the beginning of this entry, along with a picture of Lillie's little foot) When they picked Oliver up, the SWI staff asked what the family would do for his foot, since they had another child at the orphanage with a similar foot (this, of course, was Lillie). From that moment on, Oliver's mommy has prayed and wondered about Lillie... and therefore was quick to email and tell me about this exchange and about her son. We have shared pictures and the children do have very similar left feet! I will tell you all that Oliver is beautiful, has a brace he wears to help with his foot and is running and playing and very happy!
I also received an email today from a woman who adopted a child from Fuling last year. There was a team visiting Fuling on the day Lillie was found that had been asked to deliver a package to this family's child during that same visit. Upon seeing Lillie's picture when the team returned, this woman has continued to pray for Lillie. She shared that her family had, at one time, considered adopting Fu Baoyun, but knew it was too close to their initial adoption. They have, however, followed the search to find "Ava" a forever family. (For those of you who do not know, Ava is the name that A Helping Hand, my adoption agency, had give to Fu Boayun) She knew that Lillie had been matched with another family previously, then found out that the origional match had been "disrupted". She found this out after reading my introduction on the Fuling Parents group site. her email let me know that my daughter has been in her thoughts and prayers for over a year.
These are just a few of the stories that I continue to hear. It is, without a doubt, a wonderful way to continue to feel connected to my daughter who is half a world away. I am also lucky enough to have shared emails with a woman who will be going to Fuling the beginning of December. She will hopefully be able to give me an update and some recent pictures upon her return. I will share them as soon as I can!

Lillie...the early years

For those of you who are just learning "the story of Lillie", I have attached some of the information I received with her initial paperwork.
"Fu Baoyun, female, was found and picked up at the gate of our Institute on April 23, 2005. At that time, she was crying in a basket and did not have any belonging.(I have learned through pictures and information from people who were there when she was found that she did, actually have a bottle and some formula with her.) According to her development, her DOB is estimated at April 19, 2005. She was named Fu Baoyun. Fu refers to the social welfare institute, Bao means treasure. Yun is a good name for girls.The result of medical examination showed that the lack of toe with her left foot."
In addition, there was information included about her personality and interests. I have cut and pasted this informtation as it appears in the paperwork.
"Fu Baoyun is an open-minded girl. She greets her familiar caretakers with sound of “aah”. Sometimes she is naughty. When caretakers take her to shops, she touches goods within her access on purpose. The caretakers cannot find a way to deal with her. She is “greedy” because she likes bigger toys. She always chooses the bigger one from two toys." I am not sure what they mean by open minded, but i am pretty sure there was something lost in that translation! What I do know is that she appears to be strong willed, which will serve her well through the coming years. The one thing i know for sure is that I cannot wait until I am the one who can tell you about her personality and interests!

The Waiting Game

My home study is almost completed and the dossier information is almost completely gathered. The wait, however, is just beginning. In an attempt to keep my mind off the fact that my daughter is presently thousands of miles away, I have decided to start concentrating on her bedroom. Mom and dad are getting her bed and dresser from my Grandmother's house this week. Some of my friends from school already purchased a great peice of art for her walls (A large ABC canvas with each letter representing a city from around the world). Now it is time to choose the paint color and start the painting! I am hopeful that my brother Erik will help with making a color choice that will really compliment the room and picture. No matter what I do, however, it will not be complete until Lillie is in it!