Our coordinator called this afternoon with "good news"! Our Travel Arrangements came in! (TA) We are leaving for China on Wednesday, August 22nd! We will be there through September 6th. I am so incredibly excited. I can hardly think. I need to get Kai's package sent today to be sure he gets it before we get there! In a little more than 3 weeks we will finally meet Kai!
So, see, I WAS nesting!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Care package and nesting!
I found out this week that we can send a care package to Kai's orphanage. So, yesterday, I went out and bought a few things to put in a box. We'll send him a little photo album with pictures of us, the house and his room, a stuffed animal, a disposable camera so they can take pictures of him in the orphanage, and some stickers and candy.
I have also been "nesting" like crazy. You hear about this when you are pregnant. You know, the woman decides she will redo an entire room in a day or something like that. Well, I have been feeling this desperate need to get all the little projects around the house that I have started completed. Yesterday after finishing up two projects that required some rearraning of furniture, I realized I wanted to changed the color of our bedroom. We have a lot of paint in our garage as a result of repainting every room in the house when we moved in. So, I went out to the garage, chose a rich brown, Mocha, by Sherwin Williams to be exact, and started putting it up on the walls to see if I liked it. And guess what? I DO!
Today I need to finish painting our room, then hang the vintage floral prints I finally cropped and framed, and spray paint some other picture frames black to match the room better. I also want to rent a carpet cleaner this week as well. I wish I always felt this motivated.
I have also been "nesting" like crazy. You hear about this when you are pregnant. You know, the woman decides she will redo an entire room in a day or something like that. Well, I have been feeling this desperate need to get all the little projects around the house that I have started completed. Yesterday after finishing up two projects that required some rearraning of furniture, I realized I wanted to changed the color of our bedroom. We have a lot of paint in our garage as a result of repainting every room in the house when we moved in. So, I went out to the garage, chose a rich brown, Mocha, by Sherwin Williams to be exact, and started putting it up on the walls to see if I liked it. And guess what? I DO!
Today I need to finish painting our room, then hang the vintage floral prints I finally cropped and framed, and spray paint some other picture frames black to match the room better. I also want to rent a carpet cleaner this week as well. I wish I always felt this motivated.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Trying not to be a cheeseball, although I do love cheese...
I just wanted to take a second here and highlight two blogs that I really feel have changed my life. Honestly.
In my everyday life, I try to work on the goal of surrounding myself with people and writings, and/or art that inspire me and push me to be a better person, think differently, act differently, be responsible. I am so incredibly inspired by so many people... my friends, my family, my community at church. There is just so much to learn from them, and I love that.
I read in a book once that a person can probably look at his/her bookshelf filled with favorite books and recall what was going on in their life at that time and how a particular book changed them. Now, I am a library person,(one of my two favorite places to be, the other is the grocery store. Ah, love to read and eat!) but I do purchase the books that I need to be present in my house. They remind me to not forget those lessons I learned. If I do start to forget, they are waiting there as a friendly reference.
I wish I had these blogs in hard copy and not just on the computer, to put on my bookshelf. These two blogs have just floored me regarding China and adoption. Even if you are not interested in China, or adoption, I believe they serve as a powerful testimony to the power of one person, of love and compassion and of, "doing".
They are:
http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com/
This is the blog of a South African woman who decided to start her own fostering center in China. She takes in babies that have special needs and then arranges their surgeries, etc. so that they will have an increased chance of getting adopted. This woman is amazing. We have spoken over email a few times. Yes, she finds time to email as well. I am hoping to be able to arrange a visit to see her, although I don't know if time will allow it.
and
http://lwbchinablog.blogspot.com/
Started by a few volunteers, this group provides surgeries, medical care, schooling, and foster families to the orphaned children in China. Check it out.
In a time where all the news is either about the war or Paris Hilton, these blogs are incredibly refreshing.
Let me know what you think.
Kate
In my everyday life, I try to work on the goal of surrounding myself with people and writings, and/or art that inspire me and push me to be a better person, think differently, act differently, be responsible. I am so incredibly inspired by so many people... my friends, my family, my community at church. There is just so much to learn from them, and I love that.
I read in a book once that a person can probably look at his/her bookshelf filled with favorite books and recall what was going on in their life at that time and how a particular book changed them. Now, I am a library person,(one of my two favorite places to be, the other is the grocery store. Ah, love to read and eat!) but I do purchase the books that I need to be present in my house. They remind me to not forget those lessons I learned. If I do start to forget, they are waiting there as a friendly reference.
I wish I had these blogs in hard copy and not just on the computer, to put on my bookshelf. These two blogs have just floored me regarding China and adoption. Even if you are not interested in China, or adoption, I believe they serve as a powerful testimony to the power of one person, of love and compassion and of, "doing".
They are:
http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com/
This is the blog of a South African woman who decided to start her own fostering center in China. She takes in babies that have special needs and then arranges their surgeries, etc. so that they will have an increased chance of getting adopted. This woman is amazing. We have spoken over email a few times. Yes, she finds time to email as well. I am hoping to be able to arrange a visit to see her, although I don't know if time will allow it.
and
http://lwbchinablog.blogspot.com/
Started by a few volunteers, this group provides surgeries, medical care, schooling, and foster families to the orphaned children in China. Check it out.
In a time where all the news is either about the war or Paris Hilton, these blogs are incredibly refreshing.
Let me know what you think.
Kate
Monday, July 9, 2007
The phone finally rang!
We have Letter of Confirmation!!!! Betty called me this afternoon around 2pm! I love this woman! She said that she was not expecting us to receive this information so early. Oh yeah! (I didn't tell her that I was hoping for it last week.) I guess we were the last people on her list that she thought would come through this time. But as she said, "Sometimes the CCAA surprises you and works fast." How about that? Our paperwork is moving fast through China! Who would have thought? I am so excited!
What does this mean as far as when we leave for China? Here is what I understand after talking to Betty:
We overnight our signed Letter of Confirmation.
Then we wait 2-3 weeks for Final Travel Approval
Then we actually travel 3-5 weeks after that.
Which puts us at 6 weeks best case scenario (which is of course what I shall be pulling for!) and 8 weeks bad case. It is 6 weeks because it may take a week to get the signed Letter of Confirmation to Beijing.
So, that would be towards the end of August. August! That is when I wanted to get him, but all signs pointed to that being wishful thinking. It looks like it could happen now!
Pretty darned cool. I just want to thank anyone and everyone who has been praying and thinking about us and Kai this whole time. Josh and I are surrounded by amazing friends and family and wonderful church community. It just means so much to Josh and Elizabeth and I and to Kai too, as I believe it makes a huge difference. What a super-great-fantastic day!
Kate
"The hills are a-live, with the sound of muuuuuuu-sssic...AAAHHHH, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh...."
Oh, to have a billowing skirt to twirl in right now.....would just make the moment perfect! Ha!
What does this mean as far as when we leave for China? Here is what I understand after talking to Betty:
We overnight our signed Letter of Confirmation.
Then we wait 2-3 weeks for Final Travel Approval
Then we actually travel 3-5 weeks after that.
Which puts us at 6 weeks best case scenario (which is of course what I shall be pulling for!) and 8 weeks bad case. It is 6 weeks because it may take a week to get the signed Letter of Confirmation to Beijing.
So, that would be towards the end of August. August! That is when I wanted to get him, but all signs pointed to that being wishful thinking. It looks like it could happen now!
Pretty darned cool. I just want to thank anyone and everyone who has been praying and thinking about us and Kai this whole time. Josh and I are surrounded by amazing friends and family and wonderful church community. It just means so much to Josh and Elizabeth and I and to Kai too, as I believe it makes a huge difference. What a super-great-fantastic day!
Kate
"The hills are a-live, with the sound of muuuuuuu-sssic...AAAHHHH, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh...."
Oh, to have a billowing skirt to twirl in right now.....would just make the moment perfect! Ha!
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Almost done with the room!
I worked like crazy on a quilt for Kai for the last two weeks. Then once it was almost totally put together I laid it out and thought, "You know what, I don't like this." This happened after I spent 8 hours working on it at home to finish it up before we left for vacation.
SO, after we got back from vacation, Josh and I decided to head out on Saturday and get it all done. And we did. We bought two quilts and we did all the painting and bed purchasing this past weekend. Josh put the bed together in no time, with Elizabeth's skilled assistance. Elizabeth has also already broken the bunk beds in by falling off the ladder on the way up!
I still have things to do in his room, like window treatments, etc. But it is almost done. Now we just need to get a call about our Letter of Acceptance (LOA). I am hoping for today or tomorrow!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Happy Father's Day and Birthday Josh!
Elizabeth and Josh on their first time out. Josh had to find special clubs for her since she is a "lefty" and a girl. I guess lefty girls in golf is not so common...who knew? She listened so intently to Josh as he taught her how to swing the club!
This is so Josh! He cannot refuse Miss Elizabeth, even if it means piling dress up hats on his head for some silly time!
As you can see, this summer Elizabeth has been learning how to golf from Josh. (He is teaching both of us at the same time.) She loves to go to the driving range and practice hitting balls. She insists each time that we need to get two buckets for her to hit, not just one. "I think Tiger Woods could probably teach me a lot." This revelation came to her one day, like, "Well, I pretty much have this all down, but I bet I could still learn more from Tiger."
Josh is so excited to be a Daddy to our little boy now too. He is such a fun and gentle, loving Dad. We are both counting the days and hoping to get Kai soon.
As of now, I am personally hoping and predicting that we will hear about receiving our Letter of Acceptance(LOA) sometime next week. I believe this is the last step before Travel Approval.(TA) So, those of you who check this blog, all three of you, (HA! Ok, so maybe 4 or 5 of you), say a prayer for this process that we continue to move quickly so we can bring Kai home!
P.S.-For those of you just dying to see "After" pictures of Kai's room and playroom. Well, we're having a bit of a construction delay...but we'll get there!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
What we know about Kai so far
Name: Kai Kneifel- pronounced K-eye. This is the name we have given him. For this blog I will keep his Chinese name confidential, as our agency coordinator has asked.
Birthday-January 22, 2005
Where he is from: Guangdong Province in southern China.
Activities: He can jump. He can build 7-8 blocks. His favorite activity is kicking balls and playing games. (Oh, yes, the Kneifel's love games too!) His favorite toys are listed as balls and blocks.
Other: He can say 3-5 word sentences. He can take off his clothes, feed himself, and communicate with children his own age. He eats 4 times a day, mostly rice with supplements like egg yolks, rice gruel, cod liver oil, mashed fruit and congee.
Here is a "Before" shot of Kai's room right now. This used to be our guest room/my sewing room. We are in the process of switching some rooms around upstairs to make way for our little guy. Those diapers aren't really for Kai. I have extras for my friend's kiddos that come over. Yes, they're for you Izzy and Drew!
Elizabeth painting her room the "perfect" shade of purple! She actually is a really good painter and a big help! I think she might be into design or decorating or something. She was actually upset about leaving Sherwin Williams the other day because she wasn't through looking at the different paint samples and tools for "faux" finishing!
And then you have the "Before" of the new playroom. This used to be Elizabeth's room. So we have a bunch of stuff from the old playroom in here, while we try to organize closets and paint walls.
Birthday-January 22, 2005
Where he is from: Guangdong Province in southern China.
Activities: He can jump. He can build 7-8 blocks. His favorite activity is kicking balls and playing games. (Oh, yes, the Kneifel's love games too!) His favorite toys are listed as balls and blocks.
Other: He can say 3-5 word sentences. He can take off his clothes, feed himself, and communicate with children his own age. He eats 4 times a day, mostly rice with supplements like egg yolks, rice gruel, cod liver oil, mashed fruit and congee.
Here is a "Before" shot of Kai's room right now. This used to be our guest room/my sewing room. We are in the process of switching some rooms around upstairs to make way for our little guy. Those diapers aren't really for Kai. I have extras for my friend's kiddos that come over. Yes, they're for you Izzy and Drew!
Elizabeth painting her room the "perfect" shade of purple! She actually is a really good painter and a big help! I think she might be into design or decorating or something. She was actually upset about leaving Sherwin Williams the other day because she wasn't through looking at the different paint samples and tools for "faux" finishing!
And then you have the "Before" of the new playroom. This used to be Elizabeth's room. So we have a bunch of stuff from the old playroom in here, while we try to organize closets and paint walls.We are working really hard to get everything around here ready for Kai. I stressed myself out a bit trying to figure out the perfect way to decorate his room. Nothing seemed right and it was really starting to get to me. Why was it such a big deal if his walls were blue or green or tan? Who cares really if I made him a quilt or bought one at the store? I found myself thinking, "Well, he's been in an orphanage all this time...he deserves a bright and happy room." And then, "But, if he has been in an orphanage this whole time, will a bright room be overstimulating and too much?" I swear those are of my thoughts, back and forth and back and forth. Ping-pong, ping-pong.
I feel so much responsibility parenting this little guy. I take it very seriously. I feel that we have been entrusted with such a gift and I just really want to do it right. I have read every book I can get my hands on about adoption, transracial adoption, toddler adoption, bonding, attachment, etc. I've read some of them twice, just to be sure I got it all. I think I am just at that the point where I just need to stop reading and start, "doing" something.
Decorating his room is the first of my parental "doing" for Kai. Somehow, I want him to know just by walking into his room that we love him and have waited and prayed and worked so hard to be his parents. Honestly, I know he may not care much about his room at all. But right now, I can't hug him, can't read to him, sing to him or tickle his little belly. I can't cook for him or build a "big tower" with him. So, I agonize over how to paint his walls, what fabric to buy for his quilt and how many pillows should be on his bed.
I pray every night that somehow he knows that he has a family waiting for him. I pray that he is not too scared when he meets us. I pray that he is ok, that he is not sick, or cold, or sad. And if he is, that there is a kind Nanny that loves him and tends to him. I pray that the rest of this process goes quickly and that we will be with him soon. I pray that we will be good parents for him.
I feel so much responsibility parenting this little guy. I take it very seriously. I feel that we have been entrusted with such a gift and I just really want to do it right. I have read every book I can get my hands on about adoption, transracial adoption, toddler adoption, bonding, attachment, etc. I've read some of them twice, just to be sure I got it all. I think I am just at that the point where I just need to stop reading and start, "doing" something.
Decorating his room is the first of my parental "doing" for Kai. Somehow, I want him to know just by walking into his room that we love him and have waited and prayed and worked so hard to be his parents. Honestly, I know he may not care much about his room at all. But right now, I can't hug him, can't read to him, sing to him or tickle his little belly. I can't cook for him or build a "big tower" with him. So, I agonize over how to paint his walls, what fabric to buy for his quilt and how many pillows should be on his bed.
I pray every night that somehow he knows that he has a family waiting for him. I pray that he is not too scared when he meets us. I pray that he is ok, that he is not sick, or cold, or sad. And if he is, that there is a kind Nanny that loves him and tends to him. I pray that the rest of this process goes quickly and that we will be with him soon. I pray that we will be good parents for him.
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