The Wife
Mood:  happy
WOOHOOOOOO!
We got word yesterday that our application with CCAI has been approved! Now we will contact with our home study agency and start the paperchase!
More updates to come!
Erin :o)

Adoption application has arrived at CCAI
Mood:  happy
Got an email stating that our application was received as of 1/9/06. We should know sometime next week whether or not we have been approved! :o)

I have started filling out the application for the home study. Nothing else new to report. Just getting excited to bring our little girl home.

The Husband
Mood:  happy
I am new at this too, as far as blogs go. I am not new to fatherhood, but I am not new at adoption, but from an other country I am. I am both excited and scared at the same time, (if that is possible). Excited that about adopting from China and getting a little girl who needs a mommy and a daddy, but scared about going to a far away place where I have never been. Not speaking the same language, basically fear of the unknown. I know that she will be happy with us and I know she will have a much better life with us than there, but I am also scared for her...she not knowing what is happening to her. Who these strangers are taking her from a place she has been used to and just getting to know. But she will forget all of that once she comes home with us and knows how much she will be loved and cared for.

My family will be surprised and happy at the same time, but not nearly as excited as my in-laws will be. I know my mother-in-law (a great lady by the way) will just shower her with love and anything that little girl would want or need for that matter.

My wife and I are so looking forward to being able to bring a little girl home, she will be loved just as much as my other children are. We have not told them yet, only because we just started the process and need to be sure things are going smoothly before we let them in on our plans. I am sure they will be as excited as we are.

I am definitely feeling my age...
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: the whirrr of the heater under my desk
Ok, forgive me if I sound a bit old, but I can't believe I actually figured out how to make one of these blog things!

This is the beginning of our adoption journey, but not our journey to have children, so there is a prequel to this that will be mentioned at a later date. Today, January 5th, 2006 is the day we sent in our application to CCAI to adopt our daughter. Not too many people know about this yet, as we are waiting until we get approved to share this with the family. SO, family... don't be upset that you didn't know sooner.

After 4 1/2 long years of trying to get pregnant, dealing with infertility, miscarriage, and then losing Rylee, we have decided to pursue adoption. The day that decision was made, it was like a weight lifted off of me. I knew in my heart that this was what we were supposed to do. I think God has been working, and planting a seed in my heart that has just GROWN with love for our new daughter from China. We have chosen a name for our daughter - Malia (pronounced MA LEAH), this is Hawaiian for calm and peaceful. Of course, her middle name will be Grace. We are so excited to be on this journey, and want to share it with all of our family and friends.

Thank you for all your love and support! Pray for the mother that will be giving life to our little Malia. Pray for the caretakers that will care for her until we journey to China to bring her home. Pray for patience for me, and that the process moves quickly.
Thanks!
Erin :o)