Travel approval, Visa's and a picture

In the past we have never shared a photo of our daughters before travel but this time have been told it is ok. I wish that I could copy and paste bits of what I have wrote in the past but neither Facebook or a blog allow that action so I am typing a bit of it all again.

We are adopting TMZ who we have chose the English name of Callie Jo T.M.Z. Coats for. We hope and pray this name is one that she will love forever. This child is the one that welcomed our Vicky into the orphanage by giving her a pair of slippers to shower in and a piece of candy so she would not be scared. This child is the one that dared to always help our Vicky when she needed it, even if there were possible consequences. She is also the one little girl that always wanted to go to America. She said good bye to one friend who went to America and that left our Vicky and TMZ to be best friends and not a threesome. Then when Vicky was adopted this little girl faced telling her best friend good bye as she left Zunyi City to be adopted, to leave her there at the orphanage, and for the friend to go to America. Everything that she wanted....she was so mad and upset that she did not come to tell her friend Vicky good bye. They parted that way almost four years ago. We, thru the Grace of God, thru the Red thread that holds families together, thru government offices answers and thru the adoption agency Madison Adoption Assoc we have been able to get permission to adopt that little girl.

In the photo above on the left is our new daughter Callie Jo Tao Ming Zhu and the photo on the right is our daughter Vicky Tao Ying (on left) holding Tao Ming Zhu's hand. This photo is one of the last times the girls were together.

Today I have sent for Visa's for myself, my sister Carrie, and our two daughters Morgan and Penny. We did, because of a huge paperwork error last adoption, request a Visa for Claude too in case of an emergency again. I feel that since we have that base covered it will guarantee that there will not be an error this time. Add that to your prayer list please? Please also pray that these girls have a wonderful reunion, that the last four years being apart has not separated them. That this 7th adoption of our 7th daughter, who is 7th in the birth order of our 11 children will be completion for them and of our family.

I also want to tell you that I greatly value the small business There's Always Hope who does Visa's, state authentications and Consulate visits in the Chicago area. She does a great job! Thank you again.

Hopefully in February we will have her home. My sister will post for me on the blog while I am gone so you will be able to follow the trip. Please pray for the family that is at home and for Claude to keep his sanity listening to Justin Bieber, and looking at the color of pink :)

Christmas 2010 update

Currently we are waiting for the one piece of paper that everyone waits for during an adoption and that is travel approval. In case you missed one or two of our posts we are adopting again. Our seventh adoption, our seventh daughter and she is seventh in the birth order of our eleven. This means completion I am sure! We hope it will be here the first two weeks of January and then we can plan on leaving the 2nd Thursday of February. Nothing like having a plan! We have a small package heading to China now, it is being hand delivered to Tao Ming Z. Hopefully they will get to see her and show her photos and hopefully get some measurements...I always like to get their feet size so I can take new shoes....who doesn't like new shoes?

The girls and the boys here are all ready for Christmas. Their lists are made out and cannot be changed now...the elves are resting the final week of Christmas you know....here are a couple updated photos of all of us, enjoy and Merry Christmas to all. Claude, Ruthi and our family

October update 2010

Today our dossier goes to China for the adoption of our 7th daughter. We have been searching and searching English names. One name we have always liked is Wren. I have found one meaning of the name that sort of sealed us using it-it means part of a large family. TMZ is going to be that! So until we change our minds, or until I get to China to find out different we are calling TMZ Wren. She is our 7th adoption, our 7th daughter and is 7th in the birth order of our 11 children. 7 is completion in the bible and so after I get home from China i plan on going back to wearing a watch on my left wrist instead of a "waiting for my daughter" beaded bracelet.

I want to report that Gracie returned to school half days this week and will go full days starting next-the Dr. report was very good!

We are again in the process of moving around rooms, trying to settle everyone into rooms that maybe serve them better-Morgan is a sleeper and hates noise and would like her own room, Penny appreciates her own room too-so we are dividing with a partial wall a huge bedroom that we have and will put them each into those rooms. Vicky will get the same room she is in but will be with TMZ Wren, and the three little girls will return upstairs to the two rooms up there, Addie and Gracie sharing one and Kate having her own (she needs a lot of sleep).

Morgan is doing very well in school but complains of a C in Algebra. Personally I am thrilled that she even gets it! And she reads a library book at her reading level every night so she can take a AR test the next day! I love it! She has came so far!

Penny is doing grade level work, and has started the 13 year old "arguing" but I feel sure it will stop soon as she just gets another chore added...

Vicky is adjusting to Jr. High very well it seems, she has matured it seems most of the time to her age, but then there are moments that I think not. But hey, I am sure I am the same way.

Gracie is still smiling, and still learning, and loves the cats!

Addie is struggling in math, but has always, but third grade has all new expectations so has to really work harder. There is nothing better than Addie walking up and saying "I gotta give you something" and hugs me.

Kate lost her blankie for two days....I am sure I could close this note on that statement but I do want to report it was found and she did get a good nights sleep last night. Kate is in second grade but we all remind her she is not yet 14.

hugs to you part 2

I could not get Kate's photo to fit on the original post so here is part 2. Please see part one from earlier today-

Happy Birthday BaBa or hugs to you part 1

A couple of our girls won't hug...and all Claude asked for for his birthday today was a hug from everyone. I hope that my idea will satisfy his heart as a gift from the girls that won't hug, but to add to the actual gifts of hugs that the girls that will hug give him. So Claude (or BaBa to the girls) here are your hugs for your birthday!

Summer update in photos

It's summer time!!!

carnival fun, spreading straw on the lawn...oh my!