Gung Hay Fat Choy

Happy New Year...the Year of the Rat!

We had our big FCC celebration this weekend, and what a celebration it was. Over 500 people having fun playing games, making crafts and performing their dances and new language skills for their families. It is just so much fun to see all the girls (and now quite a few boys, too) in their silks having a ball celebrating their birth culture. Grace had a great time this year. She especially liked the dragon parade at the end of the day. It's times like that when I realize how much she is maturing and growing up. Time goes so quickly. Here are a few pictures from our day, including our friends' little girl, Mia,with a rat on her head...too cute!

Our sweet Grace before the big party

Sweet Mia with a rat on her head
China Girl Hugs

A New Year!

Happy New Year! 2007 was an interesting year, to say the least. Losing Great Grandma Miller, trip to Savannah, starting kindergarten, losing a job, switching schools, getting a new job...you name it, we did it in 2007! We are glad it is over and ready to start 2008!

We received word a couple of weeks ago that our dossier has officially been approved by the review room, and we have moved into the matching room at the CCAA. That should be fantastic, exciting news, but unfortunately, it doesn't mean much right now. China is still only matching about 5-7 days per month, which means that it will probably be at least another 2 years until we know who Hannah is. For now, we carry her in our hearts. In reality, this is a huge blessing because if we had been on the same time frame as we were for Grace, we would have received a referral last month and would be facing travel. That would have been very difficult with Dennis unemployed and me only working part time. Once, again, God knows what he is doing in our lives.

On a positive note, Dennis got a new job and will start next Monday. He will be working for a wholesale florist in the sales department. We are thankful that after 3 months of unemployment, he finally has landed a job! Now, we just have to start the process of renewing and revising our paperwork for the Immigration department. Hard to believe it is time to do that already.

Grace turned 6 in December and is loving school now that she is in the right placement. Miss Jones and Mrs. Walker are exactly what she needed! Once again, God placed His hand on her and helped us to make the right decisions regarding her education. He's been so good to us!

Here's to a wonderful, fun-filled 2008 full of blessings and love for all.

One year ago today.....

the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA) acknowledged the receipt of our documents, and provided us with the much-awaited log-in date. (LID) The year has gone quickly, but it is discouraging when you look at how much longer we have ahead of us before we can meet Hannah. She's already in our hearts...how much longer until she is in our arms???

Tonight we will say an extra prayer to bring her home soon.

Happy Gotcha Day, Grace

Tomorrow we celebrate 5 years since we first got to hold our sweet girl, Grace. Looking back at old photos tonight makes me realize how quickly time has gone. She has grown and changed so much. God has truly blessed us with her life. I have tried to write a poem every year for her on Gotcha Day. It gets harder every year, but I gave it a shot. Shakespeare, I am not, but I do write from the heart.

Happy Gotcha Day, sweet girl! Daddy and I love you more than you can know!

Five years ago, in a hot, little room,
On the other side of the world.
A sweet sleeping baby was placed in our arms
While our emotions twisted and swirled.

We had waited so long for this moment to come.
God’s plan was finally revealed.
The beautiful baby He had chosen for us
Our empty hearts had healed.

Year by year we watch you grow.
You’ve made our dream come true.
God couldn’t have chosen a more perfect one
To be our daughter, but you!

One year ago tomorrow

Tomorrow, Sept. 22, marks the one year anniversary of sending our documents to China. The year has gone quickly, but even so, we are still so far from seeing Hannah's face. Our agency is telling us to count on at least a 2 year wait, but more than likely, we are facing another 2 years from now before we receive any information. It is frustrating, but we remain confident that God is in control.

Grace started kindergarten in August and so far, so good. She seems to like it. Dennis is on a frantic job search, so hopefully my next post will include new job news. Again, we trust that this is all part of God's plan for us.

Enjoy the Fall season....Go Bucks!

Mid-Summer update

Well, here we are, a year since we first decided to begin the adoption process a second time. Who would have thought that one year later we are not that much closer to bringing Hannah home? China sent referrals last week for famililes whose dossiers were logged in from November 7-14, 2005. That means there are still over 12 months worth of dossiers ahead of us. Many agencies are now predicting that the wait will indeed climb to 36 months. I still cannot wrap my mind around the thought of waiting 2 more years before we see Hannah's face. All I know for sure is that God is in control and we will meet her in His time.

We are enjoying our summer. Grace had a fun week with Grandma and Grandpa while Mommy and Daddy visited Savannah, Georgia, better known to us as Paula Deen country. It was an awesome trip. Grace is doing a great job with swimming lessons and the best news yet....she is finally potty trained. Yippeeee!!!! We are so proud of her.

Our friends Scott and Stacy moved back from Georgia several weeks ago. They came home from China with Mia in November, so she is helping to fill our baby need for the time being. Their other two, 7 year old Max and 4 year old Megan are a joy to be around and we look forward to spending lots more time with them now!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous summer.

Hugs,
Dennis, LeAnn and Grace

Almost May and still waiting

Here we are, almost to May, and nothing has changed, except the wait gets longer. The last set of referrals that China sent only covered two days of log-ins. They are still working on matching October, 2005, and our paperwork arrived in October, 2006. Dennis did the math and if they continue this matching trend, it will take us 186 years to get our referral. Obviously that is a stretch, but rumors are that the wait could stretch as long as 3 years. It's frustrating, but we know there is nothing we can do about it and so we wait! Grace is almost done with school for the year and we have her preschool graduation at the end of May. Hard to believe. We have had a very busy Spring so far, and we are looking forward to the weather getting nice and staying that way.
On a happy note, Amanda got engaged last weekend, so we will have a wedding to plan this year so that should help pass the time more quickly. They have set the date for May 17, 2008. We are all very happy for Mandy and Ryan.
Happy Spring, everyone!

February Update

Here we are in February already. Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and we will enter the year of the Pig. Will Hannah be a "pig" like her Mom? We will just have to wait and see. Our agency received referrals this week for families whose dossiers were logged in the first two weeks of October, 2005. 16 months from LID to referral for most of those families. I just keep hoping and praying that the wait doesn't get any longer than that, but it isn't looking good.

Winter has set in here in Ohio, and we have had record cold temperatures the last couple of days. I think we are all ready for Spring to arrive again!

I will probably only be updating this blog once per month or so, since we won't have any news for quite a while. In the meantime, we will continue to enjoy our time with Grace. She is certainly the light of our lives!

God Bless!

December Update

Nothing really new to report. China is still making matches, albeit very slowly. Our agency has updated their website and now report a 15-18 month wait for referrals. Some rumors mention a speed-up while others are saying the wait may continue to climb to as much as 36 months. God help us if that happens. I don't think we are prepared to wait 3 years to meet Hannah. The only certainty is that God is in control, and we will see our sweet girls' face when He feels the time is right. We would obviously like to have her here for Christmas, but hopefully next year we will have that opportunity. For now, we are enjoying Grace who will turn 5 next week!
Have a blessed holiday season.

Time Line

We are the Millers from Ohio. Four years ago, we brought home a beautiful baby girl from China. That baby has grown into a loveable, sweet almost 5 year old little girl. In July of this year, we made the decision to begin the paperwork to bring home a little sister (or maybe even a brother) for our sweet Grace. On July 17th, we mailed our application to our agency, Children's Hope International. ( www.childrenshopeint.org ) and the fun began. Here is a timeline leading up to our dossier being logged in at the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA).

July 17- sent our application to CHI
July 19- sent our homestudy application
July 21- sent our application for an orphan petition (I600A) to the Center for Immigration Services and mailed a request for copies of our marriage certificate
July 22- completed our state and local fingerprints
July 24- completed our fire inspection of the house
July 25- received clearance for state fingerprints and employment letters
July 26- completed our class for CPR certification
July 29- received an appointment letter for federal fingerprinting (Aug. 22) and our child abuse clearance letters
August 1- mailed letter back to CIS to reschedule fingerprint appointment and requested new letter for state police record check; also had our first Homestudy visit with the social worker
August 5- received new fingerprint appointment from CIS
August 10- second Homestudy visit
August 17- CIS fingerprint appointment...yes indeed, earlier than the original appt.
August 19- social worker mailed homestudy to CIS for approval
August 26- received approval from CIS...the much desired form I-171
Sept. 1- had all documents county and state certified and mailed the dossier to New York to the Chinese Consulate for their stamp of approval
Sept. 18- received all documents back from the consulate
Sept. 19- mailed dossier to our agency's regional office in Cleveland
Sept. 20-dossier forwarded to main office in St. Louis
Sept. 22- DOSSIER TO CHINA
Oct. 30- DOSSIER OFFICIALLY LOGGED IN AT THE CCAA

So now, we begin the long wait to bring home our sweet baby girl. CHI is telling us to count on at least a 15 month wait until we receive her information. In the meantime, we will enjoy our time with Grace and prepare for her new little sister, whom we have decided to name Hannah!

We will use this blog to keep you all updated on the progress, as slow as it may be. Our favorite quote while we were waiting for Grace seems appropriate this time as well...."Be assured that if God waits longer than you wish, it is only to make the blessing all the more precious". We are certain that Hannah will be worth the wait!