This was it. The day we left to take Ali home to her brothers! Our flight didn't leave until 5:30 PM... dumb mistake on our part as we had the whole day to wait around but not really able to go anywhere. We checked out of the hotel and the bell guys kept our luggage so we could just walk around one last time... and yep we ended up at the Hard Rock Cafe... they were getting sick of us. But this is how we found out that the pepsis were so dang expensive. We sat in the restaurant and had a soda and the baby had some mashed potatos and just waited until it was time to head to the bus.
The bus ride to the airport took us past all the beauty that Hong Kong has to offer and made us wish we had a few more days to adventure this beautiful country, but we were glad to be headed home.
Through customs, checking the bags, pain in the butt and on the plane. We were seated two, two and two. JoAnn and Mallory were sitting at the window and middle seat with a man on the isle. The attendent asked the man next to me to move to another seat to give us the extra space for the baby. That was so nice of her... until we realized that Mallory was sitting next to the human from Hell! He was sloshing down alcohol and popping perscription pills in the first hour. Then he went to sleep at which time JoAnn asked me to hand her the baby... the man started to cuss and slam his book. He was cussing at the Chinese mom in front of him that had a baby that cried. I got up to complain to the other attendent who did NOTHING... that was United Airlines...so avoid flying with them if you want a safe trip! She said it was a full plane and there was nothing she could do!... I told her if he yelled one more time I was going to get Nasty... but she never even went over to him. Poor Mallory had to sit next to him.
Then we landed in Chicago. The nice flight attendent announced over the speaker "it is now 6:35 PM Central time and we would like to welcome our three new American Citizens to the United States!" She became legal!! It was so great!
We did the good old customs thing... going through all the bags...what a headache... I did lose my temper about now. I said I could tell we were back in the USA with the rude people but I can't say I wasn't glad to be home!
One more flight and we were there. Our flight left Chicago at 9:15 PM and landed in Orlando at 12:30! My brother was there to get us. He snuck up behind us as we were headed down to the luggage. Ali went right to him. She isn't afraid of anyone!! YOu should have seen the truck with all our bags. We left with Six bags and came home with nine suitcases and two carry-ons each! I didn't think we would fit!
Our homecoming was GREAT! My dad and his wife, Brenda were here at the house with Chris and Chase. They had it all decorated for the new baby along with gifts!!
We both ran right into see Chase. HE LOOKED SO GROWN UP!! We had only been away for 16 days but my baby boy got HUGE!!
This is the story of Ginnie and Jay from the beginning of our journey to Alexis and on to our trials for a second child. This story also includes our life as parents with our other children.
OUR BOY
5 months old
He's rough and he's tough and he's ours!
Alexis
Referral
Alexis
One Year Later
Our Timeline
09/21/07- Letter of Intent to China for Wei
10/23/07-Applied to CIS for 171-H
11/10/07-Finger Prints
12/05/07-Turned Down from CCAA for Wei
12/20/07-Home Study Completed for Taiwan
12/21/07 -Home Study to Taiwan-Logged in
01/05/07-Home Study to CIS
???? Mailed Almost complete Dossier to ASIA
01/26/08-Approved 171-H
02/25/08-Phone call that CCAA was looking our file over again!!!!
03/25/08- Email From ASIA that CCAA said NO.
5 Months and 3 Weeks since our Home Study was completed for Taiwan
06/08/08- Was contacted that there was a little BOY for adoption
06/10/08-Received photos of OUR CHILD
06/15/08-Was asked to give him a name! PRAISE GOD!
06/16/08-Sent in application for orphanage in Taiwan
10/23/07-Applied to CIS for 171-H
11/10/07-Finger Prints
12/05/07-Turned Down from CCAA for Wei
12/20/07-Home Study Completed for Taiwan
12/21/07 -Home Study to Taiwan-Logged in
01/05/07-Home Study to CIS
???? Mailed Almost complete Dossier to ASIA
01/26/08-Approved 171-H
02/25/08-Phone call that CCAA was looking our file over again!!!!
03/25/08- Email From ASIA that CCAA said NO.
5 Months and 3 Weeks since our Home Study was completed for Taiwan
06/08/08- Was contacted that there was a little BOY for adoption
06/10/08-Received photos of OUR CHILD
06/15/08-Was asked to give him a name! PRAISE GOD!
06/16/08-Sent in application for orphanage in Taiwan
My Favorite Adoption Blogs and Websites
Legacy of an Adopted Child
Once there were two women
Who never knew each other.
One you do not remember,
The other you call mother.
Two different lives shaped to make you one.
One became your guiding star,
The other became your sun.
The first one gave you life
And the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love,
The second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality,
The other gave you a name.
One gave you a talent,
The other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions,
The other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile,
The other dried your tears.
One sought for you a home
That she could not provide,
The other prayed for a child
And her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me through your tears,
The age-old question unanswered
Through the years…
Heredity or environment…
Which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling. Neither.
Just two different kinds of love.
- author unknown
Who never knew each other.
One you do not remember,
The other you call mother.
Two different lives shaped to make you one.
One became your guiding star,
The other became your sun.
The first one gave you life
And the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love,
The second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality,
The other gave you a name.
One gave you a talent,
The other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions,
The other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile,
The other dried your tears.
One sought for you a home
That she could not provide,
The other prayed for a child
And her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me through your tears,
The age-old question unanswered
Through the years…
Heredity or environment…
Which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling. Neither.
Just two different kinds of love.
- author unknown
Life Is Too Short
'Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don't, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it.Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.' Harvey Mackay
You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When...
1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's 'real' parents.
7. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.
-Author unknown
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's 'real' parents.
7. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.
-Author unknown
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