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9.10.2008

Did I mention that I have a son?

I just can't get enough of his sweet face so here it is again!

My son ~ it amazes me still to type those words... ~ will be joining our family in a matter of weeks now. Please agree with us in prayer that his transition will not be too difficult. As excited as we are, my heart aches to think of how confused and terrified he will be initially to leave his foster family that he has known for some 22 months! We pray that God will help our bonding process and that Caleb's transition to pale skinned, funny speaking people will be as smooth as Kylie's was.

Several folks have asked us if Kylie and Caleb are from the same area of China. They aren't completely across the country from one another, but Kylie is from the southeastern province of Guangdong (found in yellow toward the bottom of the map) and Caleb is from the central province of Hubei (found in yellow in the center area of the map). When you consider the sheer size of the country of China, this would be something like going from Florida to Kentucky.

I'm somewhat frustrated to say that we still have no updated measurements on Caleb. He was a peanut at 11 months (compared to Kylie) and I'm thinking that he will be behind on clothing sizes, but it is so hard to tell how much he may have grown in the past 13 months. We've still got a few tricks up our sleeves to find out how big he is now, so pray with us that we'll find out ~ I'd love to be able to shop for my son!

Our RA should be on its way back to China by now as it was due back in our agency's office by noon yesterday. Apparently the transit time from Beijing to our agency is four days (including the weekend) because it was dated on the 4th and arrived here on the 8th. Hopefully that means that the CCAA will have it by Monday at the latest and can go about securing our travel approval (next in the chain of events) that will allow our travel plans to become more concrete. There is work to be done between now and the time we leave to meet Caleb, but I've always worked best under pressure...

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can attest to your great work under pressure...seems like I remember a few late nights back in the day...

Can't wait to know more about Caleb. As wonderful parents as you and Ian are, the transition will be fine. No one can help but feel loved when they are with you guys and Caleb will feel that same way when he meets you.

Good luck on the future tag-teaming. I've always said my girls never get along better than when they are both mad at me or Tim!

Beth

Kathy said...

Thanks for the map!! That makes it so much easier to visualize where Caleb is from and where you will be traveling. I am so excited that Caleb will soon be with us. And I also pray that his transition will be as smooth as possible - though I know that such a big change has to be difficult for him at his age. He will have lots of loving attention when he gets home, you can be sure. And I know the three of you are perfectly suited to make his transition easier. You are such a beautiful and loving family.
Love, nainai

Heather said...

Kristi,

We will be traveling with you very soon! Your little guy is so sweet. I read your post today and if you want updated measurements - try this serivce. We used them (Laurie did too) and I have BEEN so happy. We even recieved four new photos just today!!!
http://ladybugsnlove.com/index.php

Good luck,
Heather AWAA family waiting for Eli

Anonymous said...

That's wonderful to hear. Last sunday when you shared about having no word on caleb, i committed right then and there to pray for your family! Wow, the Lord is amazing! Wonderful news. I will still continue to lift you up and pray for everything to come.
Joy Bruce

Anonymous said...

He is so precious! I can't wait to meet him!
Aunt Cici

Anonymous said...

There are boys in my house - and Spiderman shoes
And 200 papers in various blues.
There's Bob (he's a builder) and Thomas the Train,
There's a fireman coat to wear in the rain.
They have cars on their shirts and frogs on their hats
There's a glove and a ball and a red plastic bat.
There's dirt on a face and a smudge on a nose;
Grass stains on knees and sand between toes.
There's bathtime at night with bodies to scrub,
And when we're all done there is dirt in the tub!
There's bandaids and bruises and curious bumps,
There's smiles and laughter and sometimes there's grumps.
There's odors most icky; there's boogers so green
There's more yucky things than I'll ever get clean.
There's piles of laundry; there's stories at night;
There's bedtime and bathtime and dinnertime fights.
There's cars and there's trains and there's books about trucks
There's Scoop, Lofty, Dizzy, and Travis, and Muck.
Sometimes there are bugs, and sometimes there are frogs;
Sometimes they are lions, or dinos, or dogs.
There are cute little vests and darling neckties
Dragged right through the mud - oh what a surprise!
There's running and climbing and jumping and falling
And laughing and crying and hugging and brawling
And rolling and losing and finding and creeping
And whining and stealing and sometimes there's sleeping.
There's tantrums and time outs and extra loud noise -
There's love in my house shaped like two little boys.

I know you'll only have one little boy, but I thought this would make you smile.

Love ya! Tricia