Things are moving so fast here! We only just received our LSC on Monday morning. By late afternoon, we learned we will receive Ren on February 23!
I expect that we'll book our flights later today. The usual route is to fly to Beijing, then to the child's home province, back to Beijing and then home again. Paul and I have decided we'll go to Hong Kong first for a couple of nights, and then do the quick flight over to Guangzhou in Guangdong where we will receive Ren.
And what shall we do in Hong Kong? So far, the plan is to tour a very important architectural and historical wonder ... Disneyland! That's right, Disneyland opened in Hong Kong not long ago and we decided that would be a special thing for us to do with Claire on our second-last full day alone with her before Ren joins us. (How bittersweet these last days are as a family of three. How Claire's life is going to change ... in a wonderful way ultimately but it may not always feel like that to her.) The tricky part with Disneyland will be to convince Claire that we do NOT need to pack any princess costumes. Thankfully we have a cute Minnie Mouse t-shirt and a headband with mouse ears from our good friend Marianne; that'll pack much better than a flouncy gown!
Yet another piece of great news is that we will be travelling in China with good friends Carolyn and Marvin! We met them on our first journey to China for Claire and learned about a year ago that our girls - Claire and Kennedy - were actually fostered with the same family. Such a connection we have with their family already and now this. Their beautiful daughter, Jaida, is also in Guangdong so we will be travelling with them from Guangdong on. I am so thrilled that we will reunite with them in China - the best possible place for a reunion - and that we will have their companionship and support once again.
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We knew when we adopted Claire that we'd be back to China for another baby. Join us on our journey to adopt our second child!
Ren Li Walter W.
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Adoption Jargon
L.I.D. - Log In Date - the date China got our main file. This was March 5, 2008.
L.O.I. - Letter Of Intent - the letter we wrote to China asking if Ren can be ours.
L.O.A. or L.S.C. - Letter of Acceptance or Letter Seeking Confirmation - the letter from the Chinese government that says Ren is ours upon our confirmation. This usually takes several months to arrive.
T.A. - Travel Approval (also known as "Notice of Coming to China for Adoption") - letter from the Chinese government that gives us permission to enter China and receive Ren. Usually comes about 1 month after the L.O.A. We book our tickets to China once we get this letter.
L.O.I. - Letter Of Intent - the letter we wrote to China asking if Ren can be ours.
L.O.A. or L.S.C. - Letter of Acceptance or Letter Seeking Confirmation - the letter from the Chinese government that says Ren is ours upon our confirmation. This usually takes several months to arrive.
T.A. - Travel Approval (also known as "Notice of Coming to China for Adoption") - letter from the Chinese government that gives us permission to enter China and receive Ren. Usually comes about 1 month after the L.O.A. We book our tickets to China once we get this letter.
Our Timeline
LID: March 5, 2008
Appointment with social worker to switch to the WC program: June 6, 2008
Date of adoption agency's signoff on social worker's update: July 2, 2008
Received provincial approval of switch to WC program: July 21, 2008
Received referral: September 29, 2008
Accepted referral / submitted LOI: October 1, 2008
Received Letter Seeking Confirmation (also known as Letter of Approval): January 5, 2009
Forever Family Day: February 23, 2009
Appointment with social worker to switch to the WC program: June 6, 2008
Date of adoption agency's signoff on social worker's update: July 2, 2008
Received provincial approval of switch to WC program: July 21, 2008
Received referral: September 29, 2008
Accepted referral / submitted LOI: October 1, 2008
Received Letter Seeking Confirmation (also known as Letter of Approval): January 5, 2009
Forever Family Day: February 23, 2009
About Me
- Monica
- I've always loved photography. In high school and university, I took photography classes but ultimately chose a career in law and left my passion behind. Now that I'm a stay-at-home mom to two amazing kids, my passion in photography has re-ignited.
9 comments:
Disneyland in HK sounds awesome! Claire can live our her Princess dreams with all those real Disney Princesses!!! She's gonna love that!!
She will love having her little (big) brother in her life when he arrives into your world. How great a family you will have.
Hugs to you today and looking forward to hearing more about Ren when you meet him. Love from Auntie Marlene & Uncle Geoff, xoxo
I'm so happy for you guys! How fantastic that you will travel with Carolyn and Marvin.
A friend of mine just came back from China and they visted Disneyland on the way too. The kids had a blast. I'm sure Claire will be over the moon!
Hope we get to hear from you while you are in China. If that's not possible, then we'll be anxiously waiting updates when you come home.
Great News! One suggestion though - take the train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. It is about 175kms and only takes about 2hours and would be cheaper than flying and probably quicker given check in times etc. There is even a high-speed option although I don't think it is much faster. You get to see more of the country by train that air. Claire, I think, is free. Anyway, just a suggestion.
James
Yep, it looks like we WILL go to Guangzhou by train! Thanks for the suggestion, James. We thought we'd look into it but you did some of the research for us! We also just spoke to the agent who is booking our flights and he recommended the same thing. Now I'm doubly excited because we'll get to see some countryside!
We are beyond thrilled for all of you. Disneyland and finally being with Ren, all in one trip - I can not image topping that!
Cecile
YAY! YAY! YAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!
We're so incredibly happy for you guys. I'm shedding happy tears for all of you and can't wait to see Ren in your arms!
And YAY! again to hear you'll be traveling with Carolyn and Marvin, what an amazing reunion you'll have!
Much Love,
Rae, Girard and Bryn
xxxooo
Oh MY God! This is amazing!
I'm so shocked. Enjoy these last few weeks together. No, life will not be the same once you are a family of four, but you are right that it is wonderful too and Claire is going to grow and change so much from being with Ren. I hope she has the best reaction possible, but if not, don't worry -no one could have resented another human being as much as our daughter resented our son and look at them now. In less than a year they identify each other as each others' best friends.
We wish you a wonderful trip and will be following your blog relentlessly.
Dawn, Eva and Jay-Jay
Hi Monica,
Love the blog! Your daughter is beautiful! I am excited to see you travel for Ren!
Stephanie, mom to Shaelyn, Guangzhou girl, Home for 16 months)
That's wonderful that you'll experience Hong Kong. You'll have a great time there, I'm sure. And how exciting to be travelling with Carolyn and Marvin. That's fantastic news.
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