Weekend with my Mom!!

June 16th-17, 2012

On Saturday, my Mom and I got up early and started going through "Stuff"

When she came to Missoula over Memorial Weekend, we found this really cute fabric for my mom to make a BELANNA sign to hang over her bed.

She also showed me the Visors she made for us in China.  She is into "Bling" these days. The pink on is for B'Elanna and the white one's are for my Mom and I.  You can see the fabric she is making into a dress for me to wear in China as the background of the White visor.

For BeLanna

For Mom and I.  Fabric for my dress.

My mom is reading A LOT of Blogs from Adoptive families that have already traveled to China or are in the process of getting ready.   One very common theme for the Girls being adopted in Hair Bows.   Well.... my Mom is VERY Artistic, so I showed her a website that has some basic instructions AND she has been reading books at JoAnn's/Michael's ... now she is making ALL SORTS OF HAIR THINGY'S!!   I didn't get pictures, but I am sure MANY of them will be in pictures in China.

Devin's Retirement!

June 15th, 2012

Today my friend HM1 McConnell retired after 20 years of dedicated service to the US Navy.  He had a nice ceremony and a few nice friends come out and tell stories about (on) him.... gave all of us a good laugh to know more about his WILD days. 

(I hope to get some pictures to add here later)

Devin was very nice and allowed me to invite my Mom to his retirement.  She has never seen a Navy Retirement before and really enjoyed it.   She also got to hold/take care of my bosses (LT Valentin's) little 11-week-old little girl, Emery.   Emery was a happy, smiling little girl until the ceremony started and my mom started holding her... then she started crying!!   (Now my mom knows what to expect in China, hahahahaha!)

After the ceremony, we went out to dinner with Devin, his wife Joan, his 3 kids Madison, Willow and Xander, his brother-in-law, nephew and 2 friends from his earlier days in the Navy.   We had a blast!!

RIP Saffy!!

 

June 14th, 2012

Today I lost one of my best friends and my baby girl.  I adopted Saffy about a 2 months after I moved to Australia.  She was about 5 years old then, and I was her 4th or 5th owner.  Unfortunately, families would adopt pets in Australia, but then when they would transfer back to the States, they chose NOT to spend the money to bring them to the States.  When I got her, she was very unhappy and untrustworthy... she basically ignored me for about 6 months... except to sit on my chest, VERY close to my face every night.  I kept telling her... she was stuck with me... and she would be going back to the States with me when I transferred.  Then I did the HORRIBLE thing and adopted a little 10-week-old puppy!! 


As you can see... within a few months... they were HORRIBLE ENEMIES!!

  

Saffy... posing!!

Saffy... posing her indifference!!



Saffy chlling on a soft quilt!!

Princess on her tower!!



Getting ready to hunt Gecko's in Australia

Chilling outside house in Australia

Arrival in America... relaxing on pillows

Earlier this week, Saffy stopped pooping and eating.   I thought she was constipated, so I bought her some soft food.   One of her FAVORITE things, and she still wouldn't eat.  She was drinking and peeing A LOT.  She was also drooling A TON.  It was really thick and sticking to her Bib.  By Wednesday, she was lethargic and not wanting me to pick her up AND I noticed that her drool seemed to have a Blood Tinge to it.   I had seen similar symptoms in one of my mom's cats a few years ago... so I thought I knew what it was... Kidney Failure.

 

I was heading out to Tacoma for my friend Devin's retirement on Thursday, so I called my favorite vet IVY at Valley Animal Hospital in Auburn WA.   I have been taking my cats and dogs to her since 1996... and she is the ONLY American Vet Saffy had ever seen.   So we drove from Missoula straight to her office (about 8 hours).   She confirmed that it was Kidney Failure...but she was surprised she has held on as long as she did.   I think she must have know, I didn't want a stranger to put her down... I wanted FAMILY and Ivy is FAMILY!!

 

It was hard... I cried A LOT, before and after she was put down... and I am NOT a crier!!  

 

REST IN PEACE MY BABY GIRL, MY BEST FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND!!  I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN!!

June 11, 2012

I emailed the NBC on Sunday with a very basically email:
Good Morning Sir/Ma'am,

My agency forwarded my I-800  last Monday.   I was wondering if my file has been assigned to an Officer??  Also, can you tell me what my current status is??

This morning I had a very quick email back from them this morning...so basically, I should have an answer by the end of next week!

"Ms. Finch,

Your application was received by the Texas Lockbox on 6/5/12.  It takes approximately 10-14  days for your application to arrive here at the National Benefits Center. 

Thank you,

Mariah Wohlgemuth"

June 6th, 2012

It's all about the paperwork!!!

I sent a bunch of paperwork to CCAI yesterday... I always like to email them so they know to be on the lookout for my package... it case it gets lost and they can let me know.  This time... all the paperwork even needed to go to 3 different people.... so this is what I wrote and sent to them today. 

"I wanted to send an email to let you know I have put documents in the Priority mail to each of you and they should arrive on Friday.   I mailed them in ONE package, sent to Sheri.   She said she would make sure each of receive your specific documents.

Sarah... I sent all the Secondary To Do List documents.

Betsy... I have sent the  DS-230 Part I and II, along with the 2 checks.

Sheri... I have sent all the Travel Packet II documents for myself and my mother.  My mothers forms were scanned and emailed to me, if you need the originals can you let me know and I will pick them up from her next week and email them to you.  Also, I sent you the Orphanage Fee cashiers check."

Now that CCAI has my DS-230... once I get my PDF file from the National Benefits Center (aka Immigration) they will forward everything to the US Embassy in China.  The  PDF from NBC basically let the US Embassy in China know they can issue B'Elanna a VISA for her Chinese Passport!!!

June 5, 2012

My I-800 and LOI paperwork arrived at CCAI on the 4th, they verified everything was PERFECT (which it was!!) and immediately put it on the mail to the USCIS TX Lockbox.   The I-800 paperwork was officially log into the system on June 5th, 2012.

I ACCEPT ZHOU YIN YUE !!!

Today I was on pins and needles waiting for the FedEx Man to show up with my LOA paperwork... pins and needles... pins and needles... hear some brakes squeal... go running to the door with my camera.... It is HIM... the man with MY BABIES PAPERWORK!!!

FedEx man delivering my paperwork!!



The unopened envelope.  Breathe, Breathe, Open, Breathe!!

This is what my Letter of Acceptance looks like!!  I waited 77 days to receive this VERY important piece of paper with that Official Red Chop on it.... and I  had it in my happy little hands for less than 2 hours!!  I had to check a little, tiny box that said "I accept this child" and then sign/date it.



OFFICIAL LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE FROM CHINA!!! 

Back in September 2011, when I accepted the file for Zhou Yin Yue, I had to write a Letter of Intent to the Chinese Government (CCCWA) state that I wanted to adopt her, what my understanding of her Special Need* is, how I will "deal" with it once she is home and what my "Child Care" experience has been throughout my life.   I sent my write-up to my agency, they translated it and put it onto official forms.  These forms were in the FedEx envelope along with the LOA.   I had to write "I ACCEPT ZHOU, YIN YUE" on the Chinese and English versions of this form and send them back to my agency!

My daughters Special Need is a condition called Cloaca, a form of Anal Imperfecta. 



Chinese translation and Official Letter of Intent

These are the MOST IMPORTANT PAPERS for the Adoption process... at least until I get my little girl.

I got the LOA, LOI, the I-800, Supplement 1 and the I-864W all filled out, signed/dated, pictures taken, photocopies taken, FedEx Tracking Bill filled out, and got in the car.   I made it to the FedEx Hub by 1:28:30... they close at 1:30.   The lady behind the counter, Marla, was very nice.  She looked at my envelope, double checked that I had filled out the Tracking labels correctly (I asked her to do this. Always good to have another set of eyes), then we sealed it up and she said it would be delivered to CCAI by 10:30 Monday morning.   The other funny thing was when I walked in and told her how happy I was that she was still open, because I needed to get my daughters adoption paperwork in the mail... she looked at me and said "didn't we JUST deliver your package a couple of hours ago?"  I laughed and said Yes and told her how I had taken the drivers picture... she seemed to be familiar with that scenario.   Pretty AWESOME!!!

LOA!!!!!! 77 Days!!!!

  


On June 1st, I was stalking my email and Facebook going crazy, waiting to see who was going to get the notices from their agencies.  My adoption agency, CCAI, supposedly gets their mail around 1300, so 1300 came and went, the 1315, then 1330, then 1345... by that time... I had decided my paperwork wasn't in today's batch.   So I started feeling sorry for myself, and left to go get lunch and bring it back home to eat.   I walked in the door and my I-Touch gave the email chime... so I sat down to eat and started looking at my email....and ...

I GOT IT!!!!!!  I GOT MY LOA!!!!  AFTER 77 DAYS!!!!

***For my Non-Adoption folks... this is the piece of paper I have been waiting for from the Chinese Government.  Formally acknowledging that they will allow me to adopt Zhou Yin Yue. ****


Sarah at CCAI sent me an email requesting I respond and confirm my address... which I did RIGHT AWAY.   By the time I got home from work, I had another email with the FedEX tracking number... I will be getting my ORIGINAL paperwork tomorrow before noon!!!!

Memorial Weekend

On Memorial Day, Monday May 28,2012, I took part in 10 Wreath Laying Ceremonies that are facilitated and sponsored by the Missoula's VFW, Ladies Auxillary and American Legion groups.   The first ceremony of the day was at Caras Park honoring the Navy Sailors, Coast Guard, Marines and Merchant Marines who have paid the ultimate price in the preservation of Peace and Democracy around the World.



Marching in....

Carrying the Wreath...

Waiting for the Missoula Fire Department to come and take the wreath...



Transfer the Wreath to Fire Department and paying Honors...

Missoula Fire Department tossing the Wreath in the Missoula River to Honor those who have Died at Sea...



Paying Honors!!!!

After Caras Park, there were an additional 9 ceremonies all around town.  In between each ceremony, all of us Veteran, Active Duty and Reserve talked and socialized.

This is the Active Duty members escorting the "Poppy Ladies" to put flowers at the base of the Dough Boy Statue that pays respect to the Honored Dead of WWII.



Paying respect after laying the Wreath at the Korean War Memorial.

Color Guard of Helena Army Reserve, Sam Redfern of the Army Reserve and USOH

New Consulate Appointment Dress

While my Mom was in town, we decided to take a few hours, drive to St. Ignatius and meet up with my Auntie Bobbie and Tante Noonie (aka The Treasures).  They recently returned from Hawaii.  It was really nice, we all had lunch, talked and exchanged stories... and then the true fun began!!   Part of what my Mom and I got done yesterday was choose which outfits to talk to China for B'Elanna.   I swear just her clothes already take up half my suitcase.   Here the outfits so far.... there are also, socks, bloomers, random pants and shirts, swimsuits, coat, sweater.... but here are the CUTE outfits!!!

So... we took ALL of the clothes/shoes/outfits in the suitcase for our lunch, in order to show The Treasures.  Well they had fun looking at all the clothes, and then they had their own gifts to show and oh-ah over.

Tante Noonie has been working on a gift for B'Elanna for a few months... this adorable musical piggy bank in the form of a sleepy Teddy Bear. 

Then Auntie Bobbie brought out her gifts for B'Elanna.This adorable Raggedy Ann doll made by a local Montana Artist.  She made sure I was aware this is a "TO BE PLAYED WITH" Doll.  I assured her I would put it on the toy shelf where B'Elanna could reach it... and as you can see... it is in full display.   She also got a beautiful dress for B'Elanna while in Hawaii.   It is adorable and looks like a little flower!!  I immediately changed my mind and made this the new Consulate Dress.   It will be MUCH cooler for my baby girl!!  She also gave me a "Play Date" mini-statue made by the BearFoots Bears.  My family collects these little statues, they are created by a high school friend of one of my aunts and is out of Kalispell, MT.

 

B'Elanna's Room... in progress... (Updated)

Over Memorial Weekend, my Mom drove over from Tacoma for the weekend.  The original plan was to repaint the room that will be B'Elanna's... but I live in a rental and when I transfer to my next duty assignment, I would have to paint it back.  So my Mom (and some of the ladies on the Adoption Forums) pointed out that B'Elanna will like the room regardless of the paint color and their are many other ways to personalize the room.   So after allowing my mom to get at least 6 hours of sleep... I woke her up... drug her into the room... pointed to the walls and the furniture and the layout of the room... and said "OK, what am I supposed to do with this???"  One of the walls is Chocolate Brown and the other three are a Grey-Blue (more on the grey side) color.  

The layout of the room is limited, because the one vent in the room is under the window and needs to be accessible and the opposite wall is where the closet is.   So the crib and couch are on the chocolate wall and the toy/bookshelf and changing table are on the opposite wall.  ***For those that aren't aware:  Many adopted children have night terrors and either need to co-sleep with their parent OR the parent sleeps in the child's room.  Since I am not sure what I will be doing, I decided to leave the Guest couch/bed in the room***

I originally wanted the Theme to be Teddy Bears... but that didn't work out.   So... we decided to check out some local stores for the Decal selection and to order a couple that we liked online.... they should be here next week.  So there is NO specific theme... more.... just fun Girly Stuff. 

Here are a couple of photo's of the room so far...



Rainbow, flowers and clouds... feels whimsical and dream inspiring.




Butterfly decals on the bedroom window.  The room is so dark, I decided to just have these simple lace curtains.

Here is an angle of the room from the door.

You can see the couch and crib.  The tiger in the background is a rocker.
The green chair is a rocking chair from my Mom and her sisters (and all of my generation),
it is over 60 years old. The Black Rug in the center of the picture is my 7-year-old Black Lab... Posideon.



Butterflies over the closet.   

The picture on the right is a Mother and Babe in arms picture from my Auntie Bobbie.  

It has a garden theme... so the Butterflies just seem to fit.

Here you can see an angle from on the couch of the crib, closet, butterflies AND my China suitcase.  

Full of all of B'Elanna's outfits!!!!

***UPDATE*** Sunday June 3rd....

Today I put up the Bubble Girl and Fairy Decals I received in the mail yesterday.  Here are some photos.... I will put up full room pictures once I receive some things my Mom is making for the room.