Being snowed in by a blizzard in Ohio has it's advantages. We spent the weekend filling out visa applications and a myriad of other paperwork. But the most fun was getting a care package ready to send to Chloe tomorrow. We sent her an outfit of clothes, 2 disposable cameras for her nannies to hopefully take pictures of her in the orphanage, a rattle (her favorite toy), teether, bunny blanket, baby photo album with pictures of her home and forever family, and some candy and lipstick for her caregivers. It feels so wonderful to actually touch something that she is going to touch too (goose bumps). We have lots of documents to have notorized tomorrow and we're looking forward to our first travel group conference call on Wed. afternoon. Thank you for your continued care and support.Mar 9, 2008
Care Package Day
Being snowed in by a blizzard in Ohio has it's advantages. We spent the weekend filling out visa applications and a myriad of other paperwork. But the most fun was getting a care package ready to send to Chloe tomorrow. We sent her an outfit of clothes, 2 disposable cameras for her nannies to hopefully take pictures of her in the orphanage, a rattle (her favorite toy), teether, bunny blanket, baby photo album with pictures of her home and forever family, and some candy and lipstick for her caregivers. It feels so wonderful to actually touch something that she is going to touch too (goose bumps). We have lots of documents to have notorized tomorrow and we're looking forward to our first travel group conference call on Wed. afternoon. Thank you for your continued care and support.
Mar 8, 2008
Prayers for Chloe Today
Over the last 24 hours I've had an opportunity through internet research to get a good look at the reality of Chloe's life in the orphanage. I've seen pictures of where she's staying, heard about general health in the orphanage and the care they're given. I even learned that a lot of the babies from that region are considered 'spicey.' As I was praying for her this morning my heart was just breaking over the reality of her life. This is not what God intends for His children. My devotions today lead me to Ps. 23 and it says "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no eveil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Even though Chloe's life has begun in this difficult way, God has been there to protect her. The rod and the staff of the Good Shepherd are her protection when we can't be there. The Psalm then ends with "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Will you join me today in praying that God will not only preserve Chloe's physical health, but also her emotional health until she can be with her forever family?
Mar 7, 2008
Acceptance Letter
Yesterday we mailed back our acceptance agreement stating that we intend to adopt Chloe. We had 24hrs. to get her medical information checked out by our pediatrician and have the paperwork back in the mail. The doctor gave us a thumbs up report (not that it really mattered to us :). So after we double checked our I-171H immigration papers and our passports, etc. according to the list given to us by our agency, we called for a FedEx pickup and sent everything off overnight. As soon as CCAI gets our agreement, they can request travel approval (TA) from China for us to travel. We should get a new set of paperwork to start working on next week sometime.
In the mean time, I made arrangements for Chloe to go to the Oak Adoption Center at Akron Children's Hospital when we get home. It seems like a great place and they will monitor any health and development issue she may have.
Thank you so much for all the kind words and notes of congratulations. We're keeping them all and can't wait to show them to Chloe as she gets older. I'm sure it will be really encouraging to her to know how many people were thinking of her and praying for her, even before we knew her face.
In the mean time, I made arrangements for Chloe to go to the Oak Adoption Center at Akron Children's Hospital when we get home. It seems like a great place and they will monitor any health and development issue she may have.
Thank you so much for all the kind words and notes of congratulations. We're keeping them all and can't wait to show them to Chloe as she gets older. I'm sure it will be really encouraging to her to know how many people were thinking of her and praying for her, even before we knew her face.
Mar 5, 2008
Package Arrived - More Pictures
Josh the FedEx driver arrived about 1:30 today. We were so excited to see more pictures of Chloe.
These pictures were taken December 26, 2007, the day after Christmas. We can't wait to see what she looks like now, more than 2 months later.
The paperwork trail begins again as we sign documents and begin to prepare for travel.
FedEx Where Are You?
It was slippery this morning, so the FedEx guy is running behind. All we know is that he'll come before 4:30pm today. So today I will put our dog on FedEx patrol and enjoy sitting and reading all the notes of congratulations. Then when he comes, we'll attack him with the camera. Can't wait to see more pictures of Chloe.
Mar 4, 2008
Baby Announcement
Our family is over-joyed to introduce you to Chloe Gabrielle Min Beach. She was born July 27, 2007 in Chongqing Province, so she's only 7 months old. We got the call today at 12:15 pm.
Her full Chinese name is Qian Jiang Min (pronounced Chien Jzion Min). Qian is her family name and Min is her given name that everyone calls her. The Chinese meaning of Min is "quick/sharp."
The picture was taken at 5 months. We'll get two more tomorrow with our FedEx package. It sounds like travel will be within 4-6 weeks, most likely the first week of April. Wow! That's soon!
At the time of the picture (12/20/07) she weighed 13.2 lbs and measured 25.2". She had very little hair and no teeth. She was very healthy with no known medical problems. Her favorite things were bath time and playing with a rattle. She could roll over and hold her head up while on her stomach, smiled a lot and laughed out loud. She could pick up small things with both hands and hold a block in both at the same time. She's usually quiet. We were also told of her eating and sleeping habits.
Since July 29, 2007 (2 days old), she's been in the Qian Jiang District Social Welfare Center. Notice that the name of the orphanage is the same as her name. She's had no foster care up to Dec 20th, but that sometimes changes. We may know more tomorrow after getting the package. Thanks for joining us on this journey!
Greg & Elaine
Her full Chinese name is Qian Jiang Min (pronounced Chien Jzion Min). Qian is her family name and Min is her given name that everyone calls her. The Chinese meaning of Min is "quick/sharp."
The picture was taken at 5 months. We'll get two more tomorrow with our FedEx package. It sounds like travel will be within 4-6 weeks, most likely the first week of April. Wow! That's soon!
At the time of the picture (12/20/07) she weighed 13.2 lbs and measured 25.2". She had very little hair and no teeth. She was very healthy with no known medical problems. Her favorite things were bath time and playing with a rattle. She could roll over and hold her head up while on her stomach, smiled a lot and laughed out loud. She could pick up small things with both hands and hold a block in both at the same time. She's usually quiet. We were also told of her eating and sleeping habits.
Since July 29, 2007 (2 days old), she's been in the Qian Jiang District Social Welfare Center. Notice that the name of the orphanage is the same as her name. She's had no foster care up to Dec 20th, but that sometimes changes. We may know more tomorrow after getting the package. Thanks for joining us on this journey!
Greg & Elaine
Here She Is!
We are over-joyed to introduce:
Chloe Gabrielle Min Beach
Born: 7/27/07 (7 months old)
Chongqing Province
We'll post more soon! We're off to pickup the girls at school.
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