Katie021609a.jpg
Katie021609a.jpg 2009-06-24

Katie021609b.jpg
Katie021609b.jpg 2009-06-24

KatieReferral.jpg
KatieReferral.jpg 2009-06-24

The CCAA has given us our adoption travel approvals and the American Consulate in Guangzhou has confirmed our visa appointment!  Now we are pending our visas from the Chinese Consulate. 

 

We’ll meet our daughter for the first time on Sunday, August 23!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Itinerary:

Wednesday, 8/19 – Leave the U.S.

Thursday, 8/20 – Arrive in Beijing

Saturday, 8/21 – Sightseeing (TianAnMen Square, Forbidden City, and the Great Wall)

Sunday, 8/23 – Travel to KATIE in Guiyang

Friday, 8/28 – Travel to Guangzhou

Friday, 9/4 – Return to the U.S.

Today Katie is 21 months old.  Hopefully, we’ll be with her soon.  I can’t wait to hug her and hold her!  I just love looking at her referral pictures.  I think she has quite the personality.  I can’t wait to get to know our little girl. 

Even though we are out of town, we went shopping for clothes for Katie today.  We went a bit crazy at Oshkosh.  Based on her height/weight information as of February, we bought 2T sizes.  Hopefully, everything will fit!  We now have 2 pairs of shorts with tops, 2 peasant blouses with khakis, pink flowered top with leggings, and 5 dresses.  We also bought the cutest little bathing suit.  It’s green with white dots, ruffles around the waist, and outlined in pink.  Now I just need to fit everything in our suitcases for our trip home.

 

I’ve ordered other items from Amazon, so I’ll have several packages to open when we get home.  We are still researching car seats.  I’ve been reading reviews and comments from parents.

 

My to-do lists are growing, but at least I feel as if we’ve done something to get ready for little Katie.

As of 02/18/09:

Height: 31 inches

Weight: 24 lbs.

 

She is described as an outgoing, lively, and energetic baby.  She loves to laugh and play with other children.  She enjoys watching cartoons, listening to music, and singing.  Her favorite toys are cars and small airplanes.  Her favorite activity is to kick balls.

 

She walks steadily and can go up and down stairs by herself.  She is healthy and is on target for her development.

 

We don’t know when we will travel to China to finalize the adoption yet.  Typically, it’s 8 weeks after referral.  We had to complete some paperwork stating our acceptance of the referral (as if that were actually a question!), and other paperwork to return to our agency.  Once everyone in our travel group submits the paperwork, it is sent to the CCAA.  The CCAA reviews the documents and then issues Travel Approvals (TA’s).  Five other families from our agency received referrals from the same orphanage, ages of the little girls ranging from 17 months to 35 months.  We will all travel together with a representative from our agency.  We’ll fly into Beijing, travel to Guizhou, then onto Guangzhou.

 

Here’s a link for information about the province where Katie’s currently waiting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guizhou.  It’s a mountainous region with a subtropical, humid climate.  One of China’s largest waterfalls, Huangguoshu Waterfall, is located in this province.     

We’ve decided to name our daughter, Kathryn Mei.  Kathryn means pure.  Mei means beautiful flower.  When we took Beginning Chinese several years ago, we learned America/United States is called mei guo meaning beautiful country.  Americans are called mei guo ren.  We'll call her Katie or Katie Mei or munchkin or little cutie or well you get the idea.    The orphanage officials named her Cao Yuan Yuan.  Cao is a regular Chinese surname and Yuan Yuan means perfect.  We think she is just perfect for us, a perfect little addition to our family.

 

 

On Monday, June 22 at 8:38AM MST, our agency called to give me the best news ever.  After years (and I mean years) of waiting, the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) referred us a child!  I was about to get in an elevator to walk to my training class when the call came.  Instead I found a place to sit down, jot down the information, and try not to cry.   The basics:

 

Chinese name:   Cao Yuan Yuan

DOB:     10/02/07

Waiting for us in:   Guiyang Children’s Welfare Institute

     Guizhou Province People’s Republic of China

Attachments:

9/4/2009 11:57:34 AM - 000036554037
I am so glad you all are on your way home, I can't wait to what Katie thinks about her new room.
I can't believe all have been through these last couple of weeks, but I am sure the reward makes it worth it. What a beautiful little girl God has chosen for you. HE is Good...
Safe travels home today and I can't wait to meet the newest member of the family.
Love
Suzanne

9/3/2009 6:44:09 PM - 002077542213
Praying for a safe and uneventful trip home.
I can't wait to see you guys!

8/31/2009 3:42:41 PM - 002085988209
Frank and Lizette... So happy for you both. She is beautiful and I'm anxious to see her when she comes home. It has been a long wait and we know that it is in God's time and "He done good". Many happy and Blessings to you all as you travel home. So glad Ceryl V gave me the news. Myrna Dueker

8/30/2009 1:28:31 PM - 002085368064
Hi Frank & Lizette,
Mama-Rosie-Bloss, has been sharing the news on your adoption process with Katie. I know you have been waiting for years and must be over-whelmed with excitement and happiness. How wonderful for you both and especially for Katie. Very adorable!
With prayers and love, Tina H

8/24/2009 3:39:22 PM - 002077542213
I have been praying for your family constantly. The pictures are awesome and you all already look like a family. I cannot wait to meet little Katie, she is precious and adorable!!! What a journey you have been on. I hope the next two weeks fly by and you are all home safe and sound.
Your friend in Christ, Shelli

8/24/2009 3:08:45 PM - 002084668156
I am so HAPPY for you...and I hope to meet her soon. You guys will make great parents! Hugs, Jenny

8/23/2009 10:11:24 PM - 002076627043
We are just beside ourselves with excitement and joy. This is even more exciting than having a baby because we have waited so long for our little Katie. We are praying constantly that God will go before you and make all the rough places smooth. Now I'm counting the days till we come to Missouri and meet her! She already has a special place in my heart, as do both of you. Love always, Mama/Rosie ^_^

8/20/2009 4:02:37 PM - 002005442362
Praying for both of you as you are arriving in Beijing today. May God's presence be with you each moment giving you protection and peace. Only a few more days until you are united with your daughter. What a blessing!
Love,
cheryl

8/19/2009 1:52:12 PM - 002077542213
"In every situation take the shield of faith...and the sword of the Spirit which is GOD's word. Eph 6:16-17 I am praying for you both as you start your trip to China today. May you have a safe and blessed trip.
Shelli

8/13/2009 3:31:10 PM - 000067990160
I am so excited for you and your family! i cannot wait to meet her. I know she will bring very much love and happiness to your lives.
Christy

7/13/2009 1:10:30 PM - 002078323138
I am so excited for you! I can't wait to meet her! I will be praying for your new family!
Deanna

7/7/2009 7:48:45 PM - 002077542213
I am so excited for your family! You are at the top of my prayer list. I can't wait to meet Katie Mei!!...............Shelli

6/27/2009 2:27:27 PM - 001058923772
Congratulations! She is beautiful! We leave July 7th to go get our daughter in Guizhou. She is at a different orphanage than your daughter however. Feel free to follow our journey at laurensjourneyhome.blogspot.com.

Congratulations again! ;)

Mardi

6/25/2009 4:50:27 PM - 002075668691
Hi It is me and I am so excited for all of you as the rest of the gang will know about Katie soon, too. I am so anxious for you all to go and get her and get back here safely.
Love,
Mom XOXO