FOLLOW US TO CHINA

Yes, it’s true we are going back to China to add another family member. I am sure some of you are wondering how this all came about. I will do my best to tell you our story. Adoption was something that had always seemed like it was a good idea to Dave and I. We have had family members who have adopted infants and really thought that was so great. To be honest I really didn’t think to much about adopting older kids. When Dave’s aunt and uncle adopted two older boys we began to see how fast and perfectly they fit into their family. We truly believe this has been Gods plan from the beginning for our family. We believe he has placed the desire of adoption in our hearts and allowed it to grow over time. In November of 2009 we began the journey to adopt from China. After lots of paperwork and waiting we were able to bring home Max in December of 2010. If you have not seen his blog its angiemaue.blogspot.com
The past 14 months with Max has gone so fast. We have definitely had our challenges along with many rewards as parents. I can honestly say that before this experience I really did wonder how we could ever love an older adopted child like we do our bio kids but you really do. We spent almost a year preparing for Max, looking at his picture thinking about what he was gonna be like what things he was gonna enjoy doing. (Never thought he would love video games so much). God really does soften and prepare your heart. Just as with Max we are now preparing to bring Cody home.
Cody is a 10 year old boy with a great smile. We are told he is a very sweet boy. He is in an orphanage in Guangzhou China in the Panyu orphanage. It’s a very small orphanage in a little more well off area of China. Cody has been in the orphanage since he has been 4 years old. We were able to send him a package with a few toys some candy to share and a couple of disposable cameras. We are hoping the cameras come back with him and he will have pictures of his friends. Cody is said to know a few English words and can recite many Chinese poems. I am planning on entering him in the 4th grade.
We are not to far into the process. We do have our home study completed and it is under review by our agency. After review and approval from our agency it then goes to DCFS in Springfield to be reviewed. I think IL is the only state that needs to be reviewed by DCFS. After that approval we send in our I800a form. A few more steps then it will finally go to China. After we have a LID (log in date). They say it’s about another 3 to 4 months. We are all very excited for these next steps.