Frankenstein

I had a coupon for a free specialty coffee drink from the new Sheetz gas station here in L-burg. Not just the cappuccino from the machine, a true espresso drink similar to what you get at a real coffee shop. I enjoyed my Hazelnut White Mocha!!!!!!!!!! Very sweet and not really tasting like coffee - just the way I like it!

I let Lily play with my cup. She helped herself to the last couple of drops which were very sticky. She got the mess in her hair. She had pigtails in, so when I took them out . . . Well, It made them stand up even worse than normal!

Wheeeee!

That is what Lily said this afternoon when I put her in her newly "turned around" carseat as soon as we started moving. For the last 7 1/2 months, she has only been able to see the backseat of the car. She seemed in awe of all the new sights. I called the police department and asked them about what to do about her. She is too tall to use the middle slat in the back seat, but didn't weigh enough to turn the seat around to forward-facing.

The officer that I spoke to in the traffic and safety department was great! He said that by 1p mths she has the neck strength to keep her head up in the event of an accident especially since she is soo close to 20 lbs. All kids heads will go forward in the event of an accident, but the biggest problem is that young infants don't have the neck strength to pull their heads back up after the impact. This cuts off their air supply and they then could suffocate before someone can help them bring their head back up.

New Book

A new book about adoption has been written. Here is a link where it is being read by Amy Tan. The author did a beautiful job! Illustrator too!

http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/motherbridge.php?user_name=SusanBedore&rep_code=US-1007982

Lily's Giraffe

She thought her giraffe from her animal train would be a good riding toy. I couldn't hardly stop laughing as I watched her try to ride her poor little giraffe!

Christmas Decorations

We got out a few Christmas decorations Sunday night. We aren't putting up a big tree this year, because I am not prepared to tell her "no" every 2 seconds. We have a table top tree and a few decorations that she can touch. She is enjoying the stuffed "what we think is a frog"!

Ice Skating

We went ice skating back a few weeks ago and I never posted pictures. Steve held her most of the time, but I persuaded him to put skates on her. They were WAY too big, but they worked. We actually got her to stand without support once. I told him that we couldn't let the daughter of a Canadian not at least put on her skates.

Lily's Day in Church

I just listened to the sermon where our pastor used Lily as an illustration of the salvation message. Here is the link if you would like to listen. You can either download an mp3 file or listening to the streaming audio directly from the webpage. The message was preached on 10/21/07. http://lynchburgnaz.com/AudioSermon.htm Enjoy!

Leaves, leaves, leaves

Lily and I "raked" some leaves for Daddy. Blogger is being stubborn and won't let me post any pics right now. Maybe it is trying to tell me to get back to work!

Avoiding work

I was avoiding working on my online class today and took an online personality quiz instead. It said I was an advocation leader whatever that means. Better get back to reading. Yuck, I can't wait for this to be over!

Jen

It's Official - They're home!

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071118/NEWS01/711180602

Link to Sandi's hometown newspaper.

http://www.wilx.com/home/headlines/11535626.html

Link to video/tv story.

Sandi and Hannah Home?

We've been told they were allowed to travel with their group home to the states. One member of their travel group has since posted about their personal arrival at home. I have not heard regarding Sandi, but assuming there were no glitches . . .

Here is a statement released by our adoption agency Friday afternoon:

"Bethany Christian Services are pleased to announce the Sheldon family has received their visas and are returning home from China this weekend. “We will continue to work with the family to make sure all their needs are met,” said John VanValkenburg, Public Relations Specialist for Bethany Christian Services.

“This has been a difficult situation for the Sheldon family and Bethany would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support for this family, including the efforts of Michigan Congressmen, Vern Ehlers and Mike Rogers.”

Due to these special circumstances, Bethany is accepting contributions to support the family until December 31, 2007. Checks can be made payable to Bethany Christian Services and please indicate the Sheldon family on the memo line.

Checks can be sent to Bethany's Donor Records at 901 Eastern Ave NE, PO Box 294 Grand Rapids Michigan 49501. Bethany Christian Services will give all donations to the family for their “Hope for Hannah” fund."

I am not pressing any of you to give. Just offering the official statement from the agency!

Praising God for his mighty power and his faithfulness! Please continue to pray specifically for Sandi over the next couple of days as she deals with being home without her husband. What was to be one of the most joyful events of their lives (coming home with their first child after 19 years of marriage), is now bittersweet.

Praying for Sandi

Mommy, Daddy, and Hannah

Hannah

Here's what I have been praying specifically for Sandi:

1. Spirit of Cooperation for Chinese and US officials
2. Peace and Comfort
3. Wisdom and Direction for Shiyan and Bethany officials
4. Travel on Saturday (11/17) as usual
5. Safe/inexpensive/comfy place to stay if an extended stay is required

The ball is rolling to get Sandi and Hannah home asap. It may not happen by Saturday, but it sounds like it will happen. Keep praying!

Jen

Cousins

Here are a couple pics. I'll post more when I get home!

URGENT- Pray and act for Sandi and Hannah!

This is from a family traveling with Sandi. The adoption is already final in the eyes of China, but the US Government is preventing Sandi from bringing Hannah into the states at this point. Please pray and act if you can!

Jen

"The US Consulate in Guangzhou has denied Sandi Sheldon permission to proceed with the adoption of Hannah. They want her to fill out a new I-171 and are making no guarantees after that. Sandi, of course does not want to leave China and leave Hannah here because she has no where to go. Sandi needs our help desparately! Please start a massive campaign of calling to her US Congressman and US Senator and urge them to intervene on Sandi's behalf. We have discussed this with Sandi and she wants our help. Please pressure these elected officials to contact the State Department and straighten this out. Sandi should not be denied Hannah's adoption because her husband passed away unexpectedly. The adoption has been finalized here in China.

Sandi's congressman is Mike Rogers. His Washington office number is 202 225 4872. His Michigan office number is 517 702 8000, he also has a toll free number 1-877-333-MIKE.

Sandi's US Senator is Debbie Stabenow. Her Washington DC number is 202 224 4822 and her Michigan office number is 517 203 1760.

Everyone should try to help and call these people until we get final approval. We should continue to pray that her adoption is finalized quickly and that Sandi can return home to Michigan with Hannah."

Prayers for Sandi and Hannah

"It looks like Sandi and Hannah will be able to proceed with the paperwork and head home on Saturday morning like planned. Her brother is flying to Tokyo to meet up with her there. He does not have to have a visa to fly to Tokyo. Sandi and Hannah will be with us and another couple Saturday morning flying out so she will not be alone. We fly from Guangzhou to Tokyo and then head in different directions but hopefully her brother will be able to catch up with her there and fly back home with her and Hannah."

This is from the journal of a family traveling with Sandi. I am assuming that she meant that he did not get a Visa to enter China when she said "He does not have a visa to fly to Tokyo" Prayers are still appreciated. Here is the link to the prayer chain started on our agency's website for them: http://discussion.bethany.org/viewtopic.php?t=43483

And the original announcement of the death of Sandi's husband on our adoption agency's website: http://discussion.bethany.org/viewtopic.php?t=43439

Sandi and Hannah

I am in tears right now. Please pray for Sandi and Hannah. Sandi is using the same agency (Bethany Christian Services) that Steve and I used to bring Lily home. Sandi and Dennis left for China on 10/30 to bring their daughter Hannah home and were set to return on 11/17. Dennis just passed away in China. Their faith has shown throughout their adoption journey and we can be assured that Dennis is resting with our Father God in Heaven.

We are praying for:
1. Spirit of Cooperation for Chinese and US officials
2. Peace and Comfort
3. Wisdom and Direction for Shiyan (Bethany's facilitator in China) and Bethany officials

We made it!

We are having a good time here in GA. Lily was a little clingy this morning when I was helping Luke or holding Hannah. She just isn't used to sharing me! She did a great job in their church's nursery though. I checked on her once and she was enjoying all the toys. They didn't have to page me either.

When I was checking her in, something funny happened! I had just about finished and was ready to leave her. The lady at the nursery check-in asked me how old Lily was! It kind of made me chuckle. She was just checking to make sure I had the right nursery. I said, oh she's 18 mths but wearing 12 mth clothing!

Once they hear her talk and watch her, most people realize she is older than what she looks. I should take her to one of those "Guess your height or weight" places at an amusement park. We might actually win a prize!

Headed to GA

Well, I thought I would take the time I had and let you know Lily and I are going on a trip! My brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew live in Southern GA. My parents bought/used airmiles to get a ticket for Lily and I to fly down! We fly out of Lynchburg at 1 on Friday and return the following Saturday.

Lily is going to find out very quickly what is like to have siblings! Luke is 2 and Hannah is 1o mths, so she is right between the two. Steve is not happy about me going. Not because he doesn't want me to visit family, he just is already missing me and I haven't even left yet! He will have something hot to eat every day for Dinner. I am in the process of packing and prepping for my absence.

The picture is a couple months old, but they are still a couple of cutie pies!

Free Fall with a Soft Landing

I happened on this article. It truly spoke to what I felt during the long wait for Lily. Here is a short quote and the link to the full article.

"Sometimes a woman gives birth and becomes a mother. But sometimes more is required. Sometimes a woman has to leap off a cliff with her eyes closed and her arms open and wait and trust that her mother is right. It will happen, Jill said. And miraculously - for every child is a miracle - it has."

Free fall with a soft landing By Beverly Beckham October 28, 2007 Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/28/free_fall_with_a_soft_landing_1193441334/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Globe+Northwest

Bethany Picnic

Here is a pic taken by Christina of Glimpse Photography. She graciously took each family's picture at the Bethany Picnic today. My mom went because Steve was busy with work and studying. Thanks, Christina, for letting us have a copy for the blog here.

News from Lily's Birthplace

This is from the lady who visited last month.

"My visit definitely reassured me that my daughter's early years in Xuwen were filled with love and attention. They have 15 nannies and 30 total staff with only about 20 babies right now. A year ago, they may have had a few more babies, but it would still be unusual to have so many nannies and staff for so few babies (based on what I've researched about other orphanages). From what I saw and heard, in my opinion, the director values human interaction over leaving the children to stagnate in their cribs with just toys to keep them company. I'm so grateful for this knowledge. The vice-director could relate to me specific stories about my daughter and her behavior, her interactions with other children, etc. This is far from an impersonal institution. Having spent the entire day with 6 members of the staff, sharing meals and long rides with them, I learned that most of them have been together for a long time, and they really consider themselves a family. I think much of what I witnessed explains why our children are happy, well-adjusted, and adventurous. They were nurtured by these fine people. More later. Linda"

We hope to have pictures and video from her in the coming months. There was one find place that she was not able to get to - and from what she said - I think it was Lily's spot. They bought the orphanage a new computer. We can now send videos of our daughters so they can see them in action. She also got the e-mail address of the director's daughter. I haven't tried it yet, but we have been told that they would love to receive e-mail updates on the girls!