North Carolina Whirlwind

Thanks to my flight benifits with USAirways, I had the opportunity to visit a branch of my family in Winston-Salem, North Carolina last week. After 21 years in an airline job, if there is one thing for which I am thankful, it is the ability to visit family without the financial burden of airfare. My most recent use of my flying benifits included a visit to my brother, Paul, and his family on January 24. For the first time, I met the wives of my nephews Dale & Brian (hope I didn't scare them too much) and my grand niece, Dale & Melody's daughter, Annalise. The poor little gal (7 months old) was teething, so she couldn't help being kind of crabby. Paul & I tried in vain to figure out what was bothering her - teething? (we gave her baby Tylenol), was she hungy? (we fed her - she still cried) she needed attention? (we both tried walking her around the house) until Rhonda came home and discovered that her diaper needed changing. Oy! I have some learning to do! It'll happen, I'm sure. So .... I wanted to share some pics of my whirlwind journey, so they include .......

Paul (my brother) with his 3 bulldogs

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Paul & Rhonda with Annalise, Dale (Paul's son & Analise's dad), newphew Brian & wife Ashley (expecting in April).

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Mama Melody with Annalise

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Annaliese

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Melody, Annalise & Dale Schafhauser

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Brian & Ashley Schafhauser (expecting in April)

The Great Wall of China

A wall in Joanna's room is being reserved for some of the gifts we receive from friends & family in anticipation of her arrival. Appropriately, it is being called "The Great Wall of China" as it has always been our wish that our girl be aware and enriched by the culture of her birth country. One of our dearest friends, Deb, whom we've known for some 28 years or so, thoughtfully gave us this wall hanging of Chinese kids in traditional garb.

Deb has been a supporter and encourager through every chapter of our lives and we looking forward to sharing this next event with her. Deb's nephews call her "Aunt Bub" as she was instrumental in raising them after her sister (a single mom) died of cancer in the late 80s. Deb is actually "Professor Deb" at the University of Central Florida. We are blessed that such a woman of God is helping to shape the futures of our young people and honored that she will continue to be an influence in all our lives upon the arrival of Joanna.

70 Days

Is this the "Year of the Impatient Parent"? The CCAA status for Applicant review has remained on January 31, 2006 for the last 70 days. Although referrals have been updated, the review process is stalled. At this point, we assume that our docs are in the review process and wait in the hope of being cleared soon.

The Pool Is Ready - The Prospective Parents Are Ready, Ms Zahn - Time To Do the Backstroke

Paula Zahn sure did the backstroke several nights ago when she readdressed the new China adoption restrictions effective May, 2007. Sadly, the first broadcast (see below) proved Miss Zahn's ineffectiveness as a panel moderator to steer the discussion in the proper direction. Instead, the stacked group swerved off course right along with Paula. If the show did one thing, it reinforced our convictions as prospective parents as to our mission to form families and not foster prejudice.

Here is the link to the transcript of the second broadcast.......

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0701/08/pzn.01.html

I have forwarded the above comments to the Zahn Posse.

Creative Things to Do While in the Waiting Room - Zap an E-mail to Paula Zahn & Her Adoption Henchmen

So ...... I heard that Paula Zahn and her guests raised quite a stir amongst prospective adoptive parents of Children from China. Comments from panelists included "Maybe they think they can adopt a smart kid that is going to grow up to be a doctor", 'Americans have this love affair with girls from China. There is this belief, this perception, irrational as it might be that if you adopt a little girl from China, she's going to be intelligent, she's going to be more lovable....... Like the porcelain doll. We definitely see that idea of the beautiful Chinese little girl, as compared to do, they really want to adopt a black boy.", & other remarks not included in the CNN transcript. Paula, You don't want to stir up a bunch of charged folks in the "Waiting Room". From the sounds of things out there in Blogland, folks are finding the remarks were racist and unfounded. Judging by the fallout, some comments to Miss Zahn and her henchmen at CNN might be appropriate. So, here's the link to the comment form.....

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http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?11

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Take a look at the link to the show's transcript ....... get ready for some hot e-mails, Paula......

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http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0701/05/pzn.01.html

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The comments in the text of this posting are from the transcript of the Paula Zahn piece as aired on CNN. Please read the item for the full text.......

CCAA Update - Latest Referral Date

The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before January 31, 2006.
The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before September 27, 2005.

Previously, the CCAA announced that those with log in dates before September 8, 2005 had received their referrals. Still no change on the review date. Our log-in is March 24, 2006. We're inching along.......

Incredible! The Harbin Ice Festival

Take a look at the link to amazing photos of the Harbin Ice Festival in Northeastern China. Incredible!

http://www.rtoddking.com/chinawin2005_hb_if.htm

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The Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando tried to duplicate the festival with their attraction "Ice!"

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http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/ICE-gaylord/index.htm

A Thoughtful Christmas Gift

We received a book (from our wonderful friend) containing photographs of beautiful children in Chinese orphanages. The title "Mei Mei" is translated "Little Sister."

The Chinese believe an unseen red thread joins those in this life who are destined to connect. For photographer Richard Bowen, that thread led him to China's state-run welfare institutions, where there are thousands of children, primarily girls, growing up without families to take care of them. Mei Mei presents a poignant glimpse of just a few of these remarkable children. Composed against neutral backgrounds, these portraits capture the girls’ inner lives, away from their often bleak surroundings. The images show an almost endless range of expressions: small faces filled with longing and hope, joy and sadness, humor and mischief, defiance and despair. Through the camera's eye these young children are no longer orphans, but individuals whose personalities are as vital, distinct, and beautiful as any mother's child. When that unique human being comes into focus, the connection is made and the red thread becomes visible. And once seen, the bond can never be broken. --

Annaliese's First Christmas

Our Grand-Niece, Annaliese (Don's nephew's daughter) celebrated her first Christmas. She was born last June and Don will probably make a trip to North Carolina to visit our newest family member sometime in January or February.

Have Yourself A Merry Diva Christmas

If our dog, Diva, had been living in Bethlehem at the right time, she would have been there with the rest of the animals, praising the newborn King. Merry Christmas

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The second image is a painting of the Nativity by Chinese artist Yu Jia-de.

The Power of Words - from our agency.....

The Power of WordsThe POWER of WordsOur Words reflect our values. They wound or heal, alienate or educate.The words we use reveal as much about us and our values as they do about the situations that we are trying to describe. Our views, experiences, biases, and assumptions are intrinsically woven into the words we use to communicate every day. The language of adoption is full of expressions we have “always heard” and all too often use. These expressions shape the perceptions of both the people who use them and the people who hear them. They convey our values and biases, and they can encourage or hinder communication.The importance of being aware of the values that our words convey is not confined to the language of adoption. It can be as simple as deciding whether to use the word “problem” or “challenge” when it comes to describing a child’s behavior. A disagreement can be described as a difference of opinion or an argument. The subtle nuances between the words we choose and those we do not can elicit profoundly different responses from the listener because the listener hears through the filter of his or her own experience and emotion.So it is with adoption. A simple choice of words can reveal our views and communicate a great deal to a listener. We encourage social workers, adoptive parents, birthparents, board members, volunteers, and supporters to use language that accurately reflects the reality of adoption.
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Rather than...
real parent(s)..................................birthparent(s), birthmother(s), birthfather(s)
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natural parent(s)............................biological parent(s)
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unwed mother.................................single parent
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real child..........................................birthchild
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Illegitimate child.............................child of unmarried parents
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Put up for adoption........................Make an adoption plan
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Give up for adoption......................Choose adoption
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Is adopted.......................................Was adopted
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Keep a child....................................Parent a child
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Hard to place child........................Child with special placement needs
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Unwanted pregnancy...................Unplanned, unintended, or untimely pregnancy
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Foreign adoption...........................International adoption

Creative Things to Do While in the Waiting Room - Take Your 94 Year Old Father to EPCOT

Every year we attend the Disney Christmas Candlelight Processional but this year, dad came along. It seems we choose the coldest day each year. 3 times each night, in the midst of all the magic, Disneys allows it's guests to get away and set their eyes and ears on the real reason for the season.

Xie-Xie

"Xie xie" (pronounced: Sheay-sheay)

Did you know that "xie xie" means "thanks" in Mandarin-Chinese?

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We are trying to keep the schedule full this Christmas to distract us from the absence of Joanna in our home this season. We had hoped that she would have arrived by now .... the day after Christmas last year, we went out and bought a truck load of Christmas lights and ychotchkes to celebrate. We'll leave them in the attic, buy some more and haul them out next year.

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We take comfort in knowing that God is soverign in this whole adoption process. The time for Joanna's arrival was determined ...... who knows when ..... so in the meantime, we are singing in 2 musicals in our church, taking Don's 94 year old dad out and about as much as possible and attending as many holiday functions as the calendar can hold ...... we also have the opportunity to step back and say xie - xie for all we have learned, adapted to, experienced and suffered through in the Waiting Room ......

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"Xie xie ni" (pronounced: Sheay-sheay nee)This is the more formal way to say "thank you" in Mandarin-Chinese.

The Mandarin language is the most commonly used form of Chinese in China and around the world. The second most commonly used Chinese language is Cantonese, generally used more in the Southern regions and in Hong Kong. There are many (hundreds) other dialects used throughout other parts of China as well.In honor of Christmas, we would like to say "xie xie" for the following:

Xie xie to China for allowing us the privilege of adopting their children.
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Xie xie to CCAA for allowing Bethany, a Christian organization to work in China and find homes for their children.
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Xie xie to Bethany's adoptive families for opening their hearts and homes to orphaned children. >
Xie xie to the caretakers of the world.
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Xie xie to the brave and selfless birth-parents that choose life for their child and oftentimes feel forced to abandon their children.
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Xie xie to those who find the abandoned Chinese children and place them in the arms of caregivers.
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Xie xie to the Bethany staff and social workers across the country that all share the same Mission to find families for orphans.
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Xie xie to the educators who help prepare adoptive families.
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Xie xie to the medical professionals that care for the children.
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Xie xie to the prayer warriors that never forget to pray for the forgotten.
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Xie xie to the communities that embrace diversity.

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Xie xie to those who share their hearts with fellow adoptive parents and support the same through the long waiting process, regardless of their preferences.
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Xie xie to those who founded adoption.
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Xie xie to those who fought for our freedoms.
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Xie xie to those who made it possible for us to pray at work and at home, as this is a freedom that many do not have.
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Xie xie to the children who resiliently adapt and embrace their adoptive families as their own.
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Xie xie to our Gracious God who Created all to be thankful for.

From the Heart

Plan Ahead

Latest from the CCAA

The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before January 31, 2006.
The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before September 8, 2005.

Looks like the date for "The Review Room" hasn't changed.

The "Referral Room" has forged ahead about 3 weeks to Sept 8. Congratulations to the new parents who have some great news!

Preparing Doggie for Baby

We love our Diva Dog and we're not sure what to expect when Joanna arrives. "The Rumor Queen" blog has a good article which other dog lovers can find useful ---- here's the link:

www.chinaadopttalk.com

Hit the item on the right sidebar titled "Preparing Your Dog for Baby".

A quote on doggie wisdom from - of all people - John O'Hurley (Mr Peterman from 'Seinfeld') -

"As humans, we tend to expose our goodness in glimpses. Dogs, however, live closer to their essence, and they are more constant in their goodness. Perhaps that is why God gave them to us - as teachers, to stay by our sides in quiet vigil, undisturbed by worry or regret, and to show us how to live each moment as it comes."

Creative Things to Do While In the Waiting Room - Go Hear "The Stradavarius Voice"

Shortly after we moved into our home in 1984, I was blessed with a case of insomnia (just like right now) and began surfing the channels. I came upon the annual Jerry Lewis Telethon and heard the most remarkable singing I'd ever heard. This gorgeous woman, with a voice like light in crystal, was singing an incredible jazz arrangement of "Tiptoe Trough the Tulips" and my ears couldn't believe themselves. The next morning I told Be about my discovery - "....and do you know who she was? I'll give you a hint .... (singing) ..... there's got to be a morning after, if we can hold on through the night ...... Maureen McGovern! The gal who sang the Poseidon Adventure song!"

At the time, I was singing with an acapella group at Disney, so I was way into exploring new singers amd expanding my CD collection with fine music.

This past Friday, we had the opportunity to hear this outstanding talent accompanied by piano, bass, drums and pops orchestra . We sat transfixed as she worked through songs from "The American Songbook" by Gershwin, Rogers, Hart, Hammerstein & Arlen, her multi-octave range in amazing form. At one point, she began scatting with one of the sax players, singing at lightening speed, duplicating and harmonizing, making my jaw drop into my lap. I listened closely, and she hit every note pitch perfect. I even got verclempt several times during the 90 minute set - especially as she interpreted "Over the Rainbow". Miss McGovern began the song on mic, stood up from her stool, held the mic behind her back, walked to the front of the stage and filled the auditorium with pure music - acapella! No sound reinforcement! The woman was in control no doubt!

We were rehearsing the music for our church's christmas cantata on the way home (a 2 1/2 hour drive from Palm Beach to Orlando) and had to laugh at ourselves as we sounded like geese in comparison. We will hear Maureen McGovern again next month, but alas, she won't be singing - she is the narrator for 3 nights at the "Christmas Candlelight Processional" at Disney's EPCOT Center. We'll reflect back on last Friday's concert and imagine her singing the script .....Well, I've depleted all of my superlatives ........ I'm outtahere ......

The Orlando Waiting Room - A Referral for Ruth & Steven

Monday, November 20 - Our Orlando area meeting of the Waiting Room Parents - We spent a good time with Ruth & Steven Holmes who will be traveling to China in early December to receive their new daughter, Yong Xiao Ling (Delicate Dawn). She is almost 11 months old with a birthday of December 15th 2005.

She is currently in the Province of Hunan in P.R. China, and they hope to be united with her shortly before Christmas!! They will be giving her the name Anaka Cerridwen Holmes.

We share in your joy Ruth, Steve & Anaka. We are thrilled for you!