Instead of receiving our I-800 approval, we received an RFE from the USCIS on April 23rd. RFE is the acronym for "Request for Evidence". This was issued because our home study stated our son's age 2 months younger than his actual age when our documents were processed by the USCIS officer.
I'm not sure how much this will delay us. Most receive their I-800 approvals in 2-3 weeks. At this point we're at 3-1/2 weeks, and I don't know how long it will take to resolve this, or how long it will take for approval once it's resolved.
Great sadness.
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A quiet moment when GOD whispers a promise
A gentle knock, a closed door opens.
A sacred invitation sent by GOD, leads to the other side of the world.
Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows,
praying for someone to care.
And then one morning, on an ordinary day,
GOD sends them a second chance, through you. . .
Looking at a book we sent.
Calling Forever Mommy & Daddy?
When are you coming to China?
Look at this happy boy! :)
Washing Hands
What a cutie!
All boy.
The picture that melted my heart.
"That's my brother!"
What a beautiful child.
Such pretty eyes and a sweet smile.
Lunch at Bistro Le Croy on the Strand
Waiting for Our Son and Faith's Brother
I hold you in my heart
The Forever Family of Four
Answered Prayers: For these children I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him. Samuel 1:27
Great Wall, China
Sister and Brother
Skylar Says. . . 10/13/2012
Skylar says he "loves me more than candy is sweet, more than the stars can twinkle, more than oceans can run to the shore".
How I love my little boy. :)
Faith Says. . . 09/23/2012
Faith and I have been talking about inner and outer beauty. Tonight she told me that I am "cute inside and outside, too".
She also said she "loves me more than Disneyworld." :)
That's my girl.
Skylar Talk
I just told Skylar; "I love you".
Skylar's reply was; "I love you more than the stars can twinkle, more than candy can be sweet, more than the sweet sunshine". "I love you mucher than the sunrise." (I'm quoting verbatim.)
My Skylar is an amazing little person. I'm weeping tears of joy. :)
09/10/12
Skylar Talk
Sometimes Skylar does not listen. So, Skylar and I were talking about behavior, listening, and following instruction. I told him eventually he would have an internal voice that would help him with right and wrong.
Skylar's reply to this was; "Mommy I don't have a turtle voice, and it's too hard to be a good boy."
In Skylar's five year old, concrete thinking mind he heard me say "turtle voice". Not exactly what I meant, but he was listening! :)
April 2012
Skylar's reply to this was; "Mommy I don't have a turtle voice, and it's too hard to be a good boy."
In Skylar's five year old, concrete thinking mind he heard me say "turtle voice". Not exactly what I meant, but he was listening! :)
April 2012
Faith's Knock-Knock Joke
We were in the car on the way to school when Faith came up with her new knock-knock joke. . .
Knock, Knock.
Who's there?
Apple pumpkin pie.
Apple pumpkin pie who?
Apple pumpkin pie and a boo, boo, boo!
I know it doesn't make any sense, but it was so silly and spontaneous that Faith, Skylar and I just giggled and giggled.
What a wonderful way to start our day.
March, 2011
Knock, Knock.
Who's there?
Apple pumpkin pie.
Apple pumpkin pie who?
Apple pumpkin pie and a boo, boo, boo!
I know it doesn't make any sense, but it was so silly and spontaneous that Faith, Skylar and I just giggled and giggled.
What a wonderful way to start our day.
March, 2011
Skylar's Question
Skylar and I were having a conversation. You know, Mommy and son solving the world's problems. When Skylar asked; "Mommy, as I grow big will you grow little?" I tried to explain to him that as he grows bigger, and older that Mommy and Daddy will not get small, but just older. (We may get shorter, but I think that would have just confused the issue.)
Then he said the most beautiful thing. Skylar said; "Don't worry Mommy, I'll take care of you if you get too old."
What a precious, sweet soul my wonderful son has. I am such a blessed Mommy. :)
November 2011
Before I Forget. . . A Faith Saying from a Couple of Years Ago
I think of this from time to time and it always makes me smile and warms my heart. . .
A couple of years ago we were celebrating Faith's 2nd birthday. She was about to open presents when her Nana asked her; "what's the magic word?"
Without hesitation and with great enthusiasm she replied;
A couple of years ago we were celebrating Faith's 2nd birthday. She was about to open presents when her Nana asked her; "what's the magic word?"
Without hesitation and with great enthusiasm she replied;
"Mommy!"
:)
Faith Sayings. . .
Today, Faith was playing "Mommy Doctor" with her baby doll. She took her temperature, blood pressure, and listened to her heart. After listening to the baby doll's heart she said; "Her heart sounds like love." Then she listened to Mommy's heart and said; "Mommy's heart sounds like love, too!"
My eyes filled with tears of joy at these beautiful sentiments from this beautiful child of God.
June 2011
Faith Says. . .
Mommy is pretty like a rainbow, and Daddy is cool. :)
April, 2011
Skylar Talk
Skylar came up to me this morning and asked; "Mama, are you going to work?" I responded; "Yes, baby I have to go to work today."
He immediately replied; "Okay, Mama, don't bonk your head." Then he gave me a big kiss.
Ummm, I thought for a minute . . . Maybe this is his Chinese equivalent for "have a nice day". I just had to giggle.
How funny and cute. :)
He immediately replied; "Okay, Mama, don't bonk your head." Then he gave me a big kiss.
Ummm, I thought for a minute . . . Maybe this is his Chinese equivalent for "have a nice day". I just had to giggle.
How funny and cute. :)
3/3/11
Shenyang, China
Love recognizes no barriers.
It jumps hurdles, leaps fences,
penetrates walls
to arrive at its destination full of hope.
~ Maya Angelou
The Call
Every call has a beginning.
A quiet moment when GOD whispers a promise
to a mother’s heart.
A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts the journey set before him.
A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns, casting its first light on a chosen threshold.
A gentle knock, a closed door opens.
A sacred invitation sent by GOD, leads to the other side of the world.
Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows,
praying for someone to care.
And then one morning, on an ordinary day,
an orphan’s life changes.
GOD sends them a second chance, through you. . .
--author unknown
March 2010
Looking at a book we sent.
December 22nd, 2009
November '09
Calling Forever Mommy & Daddy?
November '09
November '09
When are you coming to China?
We witness a miracle
every time
a child enters into life.
But those who
make their journey home
across time & miles,
growing
growing
within the hearts
of those who
wait to love them,
are carried on the
wings of destiny
and placed among us
by God's very own hands.
by God's very own hands.
--- Kristi Larson
First Updated Photos July '09
Look at this happy boy! :)
First Updated Photos July 2009
Washing Hands
First Updated Photos July 2009
What a cutie!
First Updated Photos July 2009
All boy.
Miracles
There are only two ways
to live your life.
One is as though nothing
is a miracle.
The other is as though
everything is.
Albert Einstein
Shen Jia Kang
The picture that melted my heart.
Photo that won Faith's heart.
"That's my brother!"
A Son, Shen Jia Kang
What a beautiful child.
A Son, Shen Jia Kang
Such pretty eyes and a sweet smile.
The Gift of Life
I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.
For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.
--- Unknown
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.
For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.
--- Unknown
Family of 3, Soon to be the Family of 4
Lunch at Bistro Le Croy on the Strand
Faith - Our Vietnamese Princess
Faith and Mommy
"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break."
--An ancient Chinese belief"
--An ancient Chinese belief"
Faith and Mommy Sharing Snow Cone
At Home
Waiting for Our Son and Faith's Brother
"God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible.
What a pity we plan only the things we can do by ourselves."
A. W. Tozer
Favorite Music
Chinese Liaison for Gifts to China
Lady Bugs and Love
From Up Above
www.ladybugsnlove.com
Chinese Liaison for Gifts to China
Red Thread China
www.redthreadchina.com
Skylar's Forever Family International Adoption Agency
Skylar's Forever Family Home Study Agency
Lutheran Social Services of the South
Austin, TX
www.lsss.org
KISSES IN THE WIND
The Waiting Child's Lullabye
and touch you in my dreams.
You are here each day with me,
You are here each day with me,
at least that's how it seems.
I know you wonder where we are . . .
I know you wonder where we are . . .
what's taking us so long?
But remember child,
I love you so and God will keep you strong.
Now go outside and feel the breeze
Now go outside and feel the breeze
and let it touch your skin . . .
Because tonight, just as always,
Because tonight, just as always,
I blow you kisses in the wind.
May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you, my darling,
May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you, my darling,
I'm doing all that I can do.
Very soon, you'll have a family for real,
Very soon, you'll have a family for real,
not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always,
But for tonight, just as always,
I blow you kisses in the wind.
May God wrap you in His arms
May God wrap you in His arms
and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses
And let the angels bring the kisses
that I send to you each night.
--- © Pamela Durkota
--- © Pamela Durkota
Favorite Disneyworld Restaurants
Brown Derby
Great food, great service, great seating. Kid friendly. Special birthday dessert for me, with complimentary champagne for Rick and I. :)
Cinderella's Table in Cinderella's Castle
Good food, great service, regal ambiance, and lots of interaction for the kids with beautiful princesses. Wand, sword and Wishing Star! Cinderella portrait included.
California Grill at the Contemporary Hotel
Great food, great service, wonderful view and ambiance. Friendly companion diners.
Floridian Cafe at the Grand Floridian Hotel
Great food, excellent service, good ambiance. Beautiful dessert presentation. Excellent staff interaction with the kids.
Sister and Brother
caelitus mihi vires
Cluster Map
Feedjit
blog music
Merry Christmas! 2011
Happy Holidays 2010
The Forever Family of Four
Prayers are with you!!!! :(
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