An invisible red thread connects those that are destined to meet,regardless of time,place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break.~Ancient Chinese Proverb

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Another Step Closer!!!

Woo Hoo!!! Today we FINALLY got word that after a month, our Homestudy was approved by SC DSS and sent on to United States Customs & Immigration! As soon as we got the call, Alex and I hopped in the car and raced to the Post Office where we overnighted our I-800a application to Customs. This is a long application which essentially requests approval from the US Government to adopt a child from a foreign country. I am doing the happy dance as I type this!! So now, we wait to receive a text or email from USCIS stating that they have received our documents. They will then mail us out a notice for a fingerprinting appt. We will drive to the Homeland Security office in Charleston to be printed. I have to admit, I am a little worried about my prints. We had to print a few months ago to be cleared at the State level, and they ahrd a hard time getting my prints to scan. Apparently those who use lots of hand sanitizer and wash their hands too much (can you say OCD) tend to be hard to get prints on. They were only able to get prints off of 6 fingers, so at their suggestion, I am using LOTS of hand lotion (like 6-7 times a day) and NO hand sanitizer, in an attempt to "plump up" my prints. I have heard some people even slather their hands in lotion and sleep with socks on their hands. Don't laugh...I may resort to this several nights before our appointment. After opening up my home to a Social Worker to evaluate every aspect of our homelife, turning over every financial document we have, having my Boys update their physicals, having my DOG update her physical (yes, you read that correct) and after giving VIALS of blood to prove we are completely healthy and free of diseases...now I am resorting to "plumping up my fingertips"
The things we do for LOVE!!!!
Approval from the US level will be the last step before we get to send ALL of this paperwork to China and introduce ourselves as the Kefeers! Once we are locked into the CCWA (The Chinese Childrens Welfare Association), we hope to be matched with our little girl.
One Step Closer

Memorial Day 2012

We spent the Memorial Day holiday with an enjoyable visit from Brian's Mom, Dad and Grandmother. We dont get to see them. as often as we would like and so the Boys thoroughly enjoyed having them here. Brian loves to cook and so we spent the weekend with lots of great food and fellowship. Nick took a fall during a field trip at school and so we made our first ever trip to the Emergency clinic for xrays. He was a little scared at first, but then began really "milking" the whole experience. He had those nurses and Doctor in the palm of his hands. Luckily, he only suffered a bad sprain, but we left with a splint and crutches....which he has put to good use at home.
Everytime a holiday or special even comes around, I can't help but thinking that with God's guidance, we will have our new little girl here with us next year to celebrate these special events. It is so funny, whenever we sit down at the dinner table as a family, Alex will look to his right at the empty chair, and say "Look, Somebody is missing". Brian and I just smile and glance at each other, because we know EXACTLY who he is talking about. Ever since we began talking to our Boys about our plans to adopt a little girl and make her our own, they immediately scooped up the idea and ran with it. They talk about "their little sister in China" who waits for us all of the time. To hear them speak of her;a faceless child at this point;warms my heart. We are blessed to have 2 incredibly stable, secure happy boys, who are so ready to be a Big brother to this sweet little girl!!



please enjoy some photos from the weekend. i think my favorite is the one of Nick comparing his crutches to his 92 year old Great Grandmothers walking cane!!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012


Mother's Day 2012

Mothers Day is always bittersweet for me.On one hand, I am reminded how blessed I am to be a Mother. For as long as I can remember,all I have ever wanted to be were 2 things...a Wife and a Mother...and today, I am both. There is nothing that makes me happier than being a Mom. I love my Boys to no end. We are blessed to have 2 carbon copies of each of us. They bring an indescribable joy to my life,like I had never imagined possible. On the other hand, I find myself dwelling on the Mother that I have lost. Sadly, my Mom died in 1999. Her passing left a hole in my heart that is slow to heal. As the years go by,sometime I doubt it will ever heal. You see, my Mom and I were extrememly close~two peas in a pod. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that I long for a Daughter of my own so badly. To re-create this amzing relationship that I had with my own Mother. Those who have a Daughter,will tell you, there is nothing like having a little girl.Ever since we were married, Brian has known my desire to have a Daughter. I am so grateful that he understands this desire and has allowed us to go on this long journey to find her. Perhaps I need her to help fill a void that I have in my heart. Perhaps I need her to complete the things that my Mom and I never got around to doing. Or prehaps, its something greater....perhaps SHE will need me as much as I need her. We will both need each other. Whatever the reason that brings her to us;this I know....she will be a Mommy's girl, an over protected little sister,and Daddy's China Princess.
On a lighter note, we got to spend the weekend with my amazing Granparents. I love these 2 people more than anyhing. They are like parents and grandparents rolled into 1. I am so fortunate for my Boys to have their Great Grandparents around. They are so lucky to know them.



enjoy some photos from the weekend..the unveiling of the snowblobe and fan (she needed it!!),the boys by the water, and my presents (including a new tube for the boat) just what I wanted!!!

Monday, May 7, 2012




We wrapped up an enjoyable visit with my Dad this past weekend. The Boys loved having him here...and I loved having him COOK for me!!I have my freezer stocked with more homemade Spaghetti sauce than I could ever eat (well...maybe I COULD!!) Just a few photos from the weekend....Nick won a crown at school beacuse he succesfully counted to 160 (???), some sprinkler play,etc....ENJOY!!!

Grandma's gonna faint !!!

My Grandparents are the only family that we have yet to tell of our Adoption journey. They are in their 80's and worry about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.Even when everything is going OK, they are just sitting around thinking of stuff to worry about. And so, we told ourselves that we would wait until our paperwork had gotten to a certain point, before we let them know our plans.As Mother's Day approaches,we are preparing for a trip to visit them. We decided that a cute way to clue them in on what is going on,are with these little China themed gifts. I found a cute little snow globed with a precious little Asian girl inside. There also is a beautiful Chinese fan. I'm not sure how long it will take them to figure out the surprise..but they can use the FAN to keep them from FAINTING!!!Keep your fingers crossed that they take it well!!

The Red Thread to China

An invisible red thread connects those that are destined to meet,regardless of time,place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle,but never break~Ancient Chinese Proverb

Today I received my Red Thread bracelet that I ordered from a sweet lady,named Ann,in China. Ann runs a store called Red Thread. Countless people visit her shop while adopting from China to purchase all sorts of things.Clothes,squeaky shoes,jewelry,custom Chinese dresses...you name it,she sells it..and CHEAP!! I have read so much about her from others traveling in China.They rave about her, and so I knew that there was no other place I would order my Red Thread braceet from.When I placed the order,she emailed me back and told me that she would be making and sending me a smaller bracelet to present to our new daughter,when we finally came to get her.On her site, you can order custom care packages to order and send to your little one,before you are able to travel to pick them up. She will deliver the packages to the Orphanage,and even take pictures, so that you can se that your child received it!! She will arrange to have a Birthday Cake and supplies delivered to the child's Orphanage, if their Birthday falls before you bring them home. HELLO!!!!Can you say CUSTOMER SERVICE??She is amazing! We have exchanged several emails, and I cannot wait until I can order my first care package to send. As far as shopping in her store, when we finally make it to China...let's just say...it will be ON!!!!
Until then, I will wear my bracelet as a constant reminder of our goal...to find the little girl that is destined to become ours and bring her home!

Friday, May 4, 2012

Homestudy sent to DSS!!!!

We found out that our Homestudy was approved by our Adoption Agency and sent to DSS for approval from the State! This is yet another hoop for us to jump through, but definately another step closer. We are told to expect a 2-3 week wait before we get an approval. Needless to say, we are hoping that the State Employees of SC are highly motivated to work quickly and efficiently over the next week or so!! We will know that it has been approved when we receive a letter from them saying that they have forwarded it on to USCIS (Customs & Immigration). I am going to try and wait this out patiently, but unfortunately that is something I don't do very well.When I think of all of the paperwork involved, "approvals" needed, and checks written, all to be able to adopt a child who has no family to care for them, it really gets frustrating. I realize that there is a process that has to be done, but let's face it~ the number of Orphans is not going down. They are still there, in mass numbers, and need homes--quickly.We know that God has his own timeline for everything, and with every wait that he gives us;a leson will be learned. So for today, we will celebrate the step we have taken;and try to think a little less of the miles we have left to go.....

Fun Times with Family

We were so excited to have Papou (my Dad) come down to visit for the week, while Brian had to travel out of town for work. The Boys have so enjoyed having him here.They don't want to say goodnight at bedtime and they can't wait to wake him up first thing in the mornings. Little do they realize, he knows exactly when they wake up. our spare guest room is directly underneath their room upstairs.Everyone who stays over knows that you can clearly hear the minute their little feet hit the floor after waking up. You can hear them make their way out of their rooms, through the upstairs and you know they will be soon running into your bedroom to pounce on you! We have played outside, cooked, gone to the toystore (for more Legos), gone to the park, gone for walks...just had a great time. Brian arrived back home last night, which thoroughly excited the Boys. We are looking forward to a great weekend,all together, with lots of time on the Lake and out grilling.





Thursday, May 3, 2012

Let Go of my Legos!!!





Oh how we love our Legos. Isn't it funny how little Boys just can't live without their Legos? I don't know about your house, but they are EVERYWHERE in our house. Aunt Debbie gave us a Lego table for Christmas;by January, they were fighting over their "space" and so we ordered another Lego table! They are in the couch cushions, on beds, on the kitchen table(while we eat), in the cupholders of our carseats, imbedded in the rugs, (which we always seem to stumble across while we are trying to tiptoe around the house in the dark while the kids are sleeping)OUCH!! Whenever we go to any store, I am asked..."Do they sell Legos here??"I will watch the boys play with these little blocks for hours, building ships, castles, this and that...all the while, their imagination is running wild. Sometimes I catch myself glancing at the mass sea of blocks while they are away at school, and I can't help but smile, when I think of how much joy these tiny blocks bring to them. The other day, Alex asked me "Mommy, do you like to play with our Legos while we are at school?" I lied and said "Oh yes! Sometimes I go in your room and build princess castles with them". I know it is wrong to lie to your kids, but his eyes lit up;he was so happy! He said "Mommy...you can play with my Legos whenever you want!!" aww...these are the moments I will look back on when they are 14 and 17 and running out the door. How I will long to just have them want to sit next to me and build something with Legos.......Living in the moment,today!!!