Our Timeline to Gracie . . . . . . . .

1. (March, 2006) Paul Ray, "Well you can adopt" Joking ???? Maybe
2. (March, 2006) Adoption is on my heart!!!!
3. (April, 2006) Momma & Daddy discuss Adoption, Baba needs lots of prayers!!
4. (May, 2006 - Mothers Day) Mom chooses an agency CCAI, Daddy still iffy!
5. (July 4, 2006) Daddy gives me your middle name. Noelle
6. (July 30, 2006) We signed the application
7. (August 3, 2006) We mailed the application (UPS - Overnight)
8. (August 7, 2006) Daddy gets a phone call from Kathi at CCAI, We're Approved!!
We mailed our announcements that we are adopting.
9. (August 9, 2006) We mailed back our Orientation Packet (UPS - Overnight)
10. (August 11, 2006) We received Password from CCAI
11. (August 23, 2006) Took Passport Photos. Meet Penny online (Summerville CCAI Family)
12. (August 24 & 25 2006) Moma & Daddy apply for Passports
13. (September 6, 2006) Our SW, Linda (From Child of the Heart) called
14. (September 30, 2006) First Homestudy Visit
15. (October 7, 2006) Second Homestudy Visit
16. (October 20, 2006) Filed our I600A and had our Fingerprints taken!!!
17. (October 28, 2006) Our Last Home study Visit
18. Received rough draft of home study report.
19. (December 7, 2006) Received approval letter from DSS. They sent to the report over to immigration on 12/01/06.
20. (December 18, 2006) I called immigration again today! (called last Monday) Our home study was received and approved on the 11th and approved on the 15th. The very nice lady said it most likely went out on Friday, if not it would go out today!
21. (December 19, 2006) OUR I171H ARRIVED TODAY!!!!!!! PRAISE GOD!
22. (December 27 & 28th) Drove our documents to Columbia to be certified by the state.
23. (December 27, 2006) Sent Paul's employment paper to TN to be certified by the county and state.
24. (January 4, 2007) Received Paul's papers back from TN.
25. (January 5, 2007) Send all certified documents (13) to courier to deliver to Washington!
26. (January 12, 2007) Received all documents from Washington!!!!!!
27. (January 16, 2007) Mailed our Dossier to CCAI!!!!!!!
28. (January 17, 2007) Our dossier arrived at CCAI at 10:00 am!
29. (January 22, 2007) Passed critical review, on the way to Colorado.
30. (January 23, 2007) Delivered to CCAI in Colorado at 9:19 am.
31. (January 26, 2007) Our dossier is sent to CCAA.
32. (January 29, 2007) Our dossier is DELIVERED to CCAA!!!!
33. (February 11, 2007) WE ARE LID!!!!!!!!
34. (July 11, 2007) We decide to submit a Medical Checklist for the Special Needs Program
35. (July 16, 2007) Mailed our Medical Checklist to our Social Worker
36. (July 19, 2007) Received faxed copy of MCC from our SW
37. (July 19, 2007) Faxed our MCC to the waiting child program
38. (Fri, Nov 30, 2007) Today I seen the most beautiful little girl on our agency's website. I immediately called and requested her file. They had a list of families wanting to see her file. But this little girl was made for our family. I would worry about her all weekend long. Paul Ray said if it's meant to be, it will happen.
39. (Mon, Dec 3, 2007) Received a phone call from Pam asking if we still wanted to see this file, I said are you serious, yes we do. She told me again that her vision was poor, that's ok, my heart already belonged to her. We sent her file to our eye doctor.
40. (Wed, Dec 5, 2007) We called Pam around 11:30 am to let her know, this was indeed our daughter, how do we bring her home. Our beautiful little girl, Lu Xin Ming born 6/10/04.
41. (Thur, Dec 6, 2007) Received our referral package from CCAI.
42. (Mon, Dec 10, 2007) Sent our LOI to CCAI
43. (Tue, Dec 11, 2007) Our LOI was sent to China
44. (Tue, Dec 25, 2007) We received our PA (pre approval) What a Great Christmas resent!!!!
45. (Sat, Jan 5, 2007) Received Home Study Addendum
46. (Mon, Jan 7, 2007) Sent CCAI Home Study Addendum (by Wed it was sent to China)
47. (Wed, Jan 9, 2007) Received Travel Packet 1
48. (Thur, Jan 24, 2007) Being Re Fingerprinted (received notice 01/14/08)
49. (Mon, Jan 14, 2008) Received Adoption Travel Training CD from CCAI
50.

Gracie's Care Package

I haven't sent her package off yet, but I hope to get it sent tomorrow (I guess that is today, it is 1:15 in the morning). I still need to put some more pictures in her book and label everything. I haven't been able to fit what I want to send in a regular size shoe box, so I'm going to use Paul Paul's size 13 box and hope that she gets it. Since there is no way of knowing.

We're sending her a blanket (that I slept with for 2.5 weeks), a hat and pair of gloves, a dress with a pair of leggings and a par or shoes, a Minnie Mouse doll, a Disney cell phone, a disposable camera and her photo book. I'm also enclosing some candy for the nannies and children.

Hunter Boy with his Thomas, he LOVES Thomas. He just kept pushing the buttons, I think he really liked it.

Uncle Paul picked this one out. Here is Little Man with his dad. He got a shotgun (no its not real) he loves to go hunting with his daddy. This one kinda favors the Benelli his dad has.
Little Man opening his baby brother, Noah's gift. He got his backpack and a camo bottle and pacifier. Little man thought that was too cool, a "hunting pacifier".

Christmas at our house

We got some luggage tags with Gracie's pictures in them, along with a small travel pillow and blanket. Thanks Santa.
Paul Ray looking at the gift Brandon gave him. I think Brandon gave him that to annoy me!

Brandon and Lyndsey, she spent most of Christmas with us. We love having her.
My baby with his letterman jacket. They haven't finished putting everything on it yet.

Paul Ray gave me a leather backpack for our trip. Granny gave me a very nice Lady Bug charm that when you open it up, it has an angel in it. My mom gave us a new camera. We have been so blessed this year.

Christmas for Gracie

I didn't expect Gracie to get anything for Christmas, well other than what I had for her. I was wrong, besides Linda's package. My mom gave her a inchworm and a Lilly the frog (it teaches letters, colors, etc).

Then when we got to Granny's, she got the following:

From Aunt Donna, Uncle Matt, Adam and Payton

• A book, Every Year on Your Birthday
• A bear that tickles, it sounds so cute. Paul Ray would like to make it quiet
• A jewelry box, you know that kind that we all had, when you open it, the doll turns

Granny gave her 2 dolls from Russia, they are very nice and will be put up out of her reach.

Next Christmas, we will have our little Princess with us. I can not wait to bring her home.

Thanks everyone for the great gifts.

Christmas For Gracie

A day or so before Christmas there was a notice from the post office that we had a package. In the sender slot, it just said Brindley. I'm thinking, now what has she sent that wouldn't go in the mail box. So on Christmas Eve, PaulPaul went and got it.

I was so thrilled to open this box and find presents for Gracie. Linda, (we worked together at D's, many years ago) I cant believe you sent her a package. I was overwhelmed. Thank you so very much.

In the box, there was, a Ladybug Tea set, Gracie's first. There was a ladybug key chain and there was a ladybug necklace, oh so cute. (we can match, Granny gave me one for Christmas).

She also included Graham crackers and chocolate bars, I'm assuming she read the blog, where Chris would not eat roasted marshmallows because I didn't have those items.

Linda, I left you a message on Christmas eve, I hope you got it. I hope that you and Brandon had a nice Christmas. Thank you so very much. I love all of it and cant wait for Gracie to play with it. Love, Peggy

Her Books. . . .

1. Guess How Much I Love You
2. Goodnight Moon
3. Gigi God's Little Princess Devotional Bible
4. Gigi God's Little Princess
5. Gigi Gods Little Princess, The Royal Tea Party
6. Gigi Gods Little Princess, The Pink Ballerina
7. Gigi Gods Little Princess, The Perfect Christmas Party
8. I Am
9. A Quilt of Wishes
10. Shaoey and Dot
11. Shaoey and Dot, The Christmas Miracle
12. I love you like Crazy Cakes
13. Just in case you ever Wonder
14. Counting Katie's Gifts
15. Tootle
16. Noah's Ark
17. My Little Golden Book about God
18. Cinderella
19. The Poky Little Puppy
20. Prayers for Children
21. I love you Mom
22. Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges
23. Shaoey and Dot, A Thunder and Lightning Bug Story
24. Orange - boardbook (mama)
25. Blue - boardbook (mama)
26. Green - boardbook (mama)
27. Red - boardbook (mama)
28. Yellow - boardbook (mama)
29. Purple - boardbook (mama)
30. Slide and Find on the Farm - boardbook (mama)
31. Playdoh Cicus of Colors - boardbook (mama)
32. Rainy Day Friends - boardbook (mama)
33. The Beginner's Bible - Timeless Childrens Stores
34. Dear God Help Me Make Friends (mama)
35. Dear God Why Are There so Many Stars (mama)
36. Dear God Help (mama)
37. My Bible Songs (mama)
38. Bible Stores - In the Begining (mama)
39. My Prayer Book (mama)
40. Parables (mama)
41. Moonbeams, Dumplings and Dragon Boats
42. My First Signs
43. Lovebug by Elizabeth Elias
44. Adeline by Bobby Strickland, illustrated by Kathryn Rathke
45. My Adopted Child, Theres No One Like You, by Dr Kevin Leman & Kevin Leman II
46. Every Year on Your Birthday, by Rose Lewis and Illustrated by Jane Dyer

Now Thats A Christmas Present!

We received an email from Sarah at CCAI today! We got our PA (Pre Approval) for Gracie. Its dated 12/25/07!!!!!!!! This just means they have received our LOI (Letter of Intent to adopt). The next thing we will here, will be that our dossier has been moved to the match room. This can take 3 months from LOI. Wow, we're just moving along now.

I'll post Christmas stuff soon, still have alot of work stuff to do first, so maybe tomorrow! Hope everyone had a Great Christmas.

From Our House to Yours

We'd like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. I hope that God has blessed you this Christmas.

Please keep our Gracie (and all the children who do not have families) in your prayers. I pray that God keeps them safe and warm, and that they have a pair of loving arms to hold them.

Baby Girl

This is our last Christmas without you, we love you and cant wait to bring you home Gracie.

Christmas Breakfast with Bonny

We had our traditional Christmas breakfast with Bonny and her family today. We've done this for many years. We rotate houses, this year we went to her house.

Bonny has been my best friend for many years, and she is more like family. She is the sister I never had. Her daughter Ashlee Gail is a true joy to be around. Here are some pictures from this morning.

This first picture is with Ashlee and her Atlanta Braves Crocs, I think she liked them. Behind her is Mikey, her brother. We gave him a John Deere "Country Boy" tshirt.The second pic is all four of our kids. Don't my two just look thrilled. They did have a good time, they then spent the next several hours with me running errands. It's a rare day when I get them both together. I tried to get them to take a picture with Santa, but they declined.This third picture, is one of the girls. Bonny, me and Ashlee Gail. Bonny is planning my "Gracie Shower". We hope to do it the first part of February. After we left Bonny, we went around the corner to visit Erin and the boys for a little while. Sir Master Noah would not wake up for me. I think he opened his eyes twice. PaulPaul let me hold him a little while after he held him first. Little Man is wired up and ready for Christmas. Hunter boy has a cold, but he let me hold him. It's always a special day when Hunter boy comes to me on his own. How cute is this little boy. Erin said he is eating VERY well. He may be the football player.

Whats Next

What's next you ask?

• We submitted our Letter of Intent on December 10 (its just a letter expressing our desire to adopt Lu Xin Ming)
• Our agency translated and forward our LOI to China on the 11th
• Several weeks later we may receive a pre-approval (PA) or they may skip that step. They will move our dossier to the SN section. Remember that is with the Feb 07 group. They are currently through October 31, 2006.
• Now we wait. We've learned all about that! They will review our dossier and issue a Letter Seeking Confirmation, (LOA). Once we sign and return the LOA, three weeks later we'll get our Travel Authorization (TA).
• After TA we can schedule consulate appointment and request our visas.

Happy Birthday Paul Ray

Tianjin Municipality

BEIJING, CHINA - DECEMBER 21: Conjoined twins drink milk at a Air Force General Hospital on December 21, 2007 in Beijing, China. The two male babies from Tianjing Municipality, born as conjoined twins of triplets on 5 November, 2007 will receive an operation to separate them at the hospital. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

Tianjing is where Gracie is.

Meet the newest Winge

Let me introduce the newest member of our family.

Noah Avery

was born this afternoon, he is healthy and handsome. This hat has been worn by all three of Chris and Erin's boys in the hospital. Mom and baby are doing good.

Auntie Peg with her newest love. I sure hope he likes me more than Hunter does.

Little Man & Brandon playing guitar

We had Little Man Friday night, the excitment must be in the air because this child was full of himself!!!! I dont know how his Mommy manages both boys. I'll be Autie again before next weekend. Poor Erin is ready to give birth to Noah and he just isnt ready to come. I'm sure he wants to arrive on Christmas, but she is not seeing it my way AT all!

Ok, if it works, here is a link to the two of them playing together.

http://www.youtube.com/wingepr?&session=MKh8lj_3NLsrL4IzoNDCGvBMgJ7gft7wuWlxngiSifhbfPp6X17Cq1crYcBR1ueC510B7SyG8L5seHnsZGQ41mPbc8EtQdMbaXQel70C0Esma-cDAebMVFFC-Tfb0znrH2gk3c-DFYms9F7xo214lqdPLXJa2MGID4uzkxiIAEcEXEAf4cRFS1v63bFNGhwXIV_WHDGZKZzqS4gNAJiZKSWbiSTrzv7ND6KETnHMlrpav9ZMLaLk-EsShzYEbelrOjVDBQLPUjA5yl5KPhbmqg==

What a Great Day

The weather is horrible, extremely windy and wet, I've got a million things to do. A family Christmas dinner to attend. But . . . . . . . . .

I recently joined another Yahoo group. It's one for Tianjin families, well I recently posted an introduction for us and when I got up this morning I received an email from a very nice lady who used to work in the TJ orphanage. She is now living in southern China and has seen many referrals but ours is the first one that she remembers the child.

She remembers Ming Ming (more on that in a minute) as a baby waiting to go in for surgery. She was such a happy HAPPY (her typing) baby, very well loved. She said after surgery, she went to foster care and she doesn't remember seeing her again. This was enough to brighten my heart just a little today. The stress I've had lately is unreal, and this gift is one I really needed.

Ming Ming. She explained the naming system to me. All the kids that entered the orphanage during the summer of 04 was given the surname of Lu. All the little girls were given the middle name of Xin. So the only unique part to her name is Ming. Ming Winge, oh poor child. We'll figure something out.

Hope everyone has a great day.
Mom to "Ming Ming"

Christmas's gone by

Christmas 1989 PaulPaul

2004 Little Man with his first John Deere, he still rides it today, along with every child that comes to our house. We should get a couple of these
How sweet is this picture, my baby PaulPaul with Little Man
He'll kill me for sure for posting this pic, he hates it when I post pictures without his "Approval".

Christmas's gone by

Brandon & PaulPaul with Santa

2005 maybe
Same year
Merry Christmas to everyone

Merry Christmas Gracie

Here is Gracie's wagon. I had the boys put it together before we found her. Paul Ray wanted to know why, I wanted her to have her Christmas too. Funny how things work.
In the wagon she has a (another one actually) backpack, two onies (no they wont fit), a thermos (I got it to take to China to keep her water warm) and yes that is a Ergo Baby Carrier. It arrived about 2 weeks before her file. Haven't decided what to do with that yet.

Now how cute are these?


Boy, I have so much to get over the next 3 - 4 months, the list is endless. I have gotten a few pieces of clothes (dresses and PJ's) I'll post those later. The dresses are just too cute.