Thursday, August 25, 2016

Triple Special Day

Today is and always will be a triple special day for our family!

One this day in 2009 I was in China, I had Hudson in my arms for the very first time! On that exact same day, our twin boys Rowen and Rylen were born! How amazing that we will forever share such a special day. How amazing that I was in my sons birth country on the day they were born! WOW!

First about Hudson:

I will never, ever forget the day I met Hudson. It was so hot and muggy in Shanghai, we arrived a bit early to the civil affairs building. There was no air conditioning. I was nervous, but felt at peace, this was the day we had waited 17 long months for! My guide got a call that they were running behind, and the eventually showed up about 1.5 hours late. They walked in, telling us he had been sick in the car, he was ill, he didnt feel good. Hudson sat in a chair just out of arms reach from me. A very serious face and so quiet. I handed him a sippy cup of water, they tried to tell me he would get sick, but he quickly took it and took a few drinks. He gave me a little smirk. I met with the orphanage director and the nanny for a bit. As soon as they stepped out of the room, Hudson hopped down from his chair and came to me. I began to get out snacks and toys and he just gave me a bit smile! We took a selfie together!

Drinking his water


Our first selfie

By the time it was time for us to leave the office and head to the hotel, Hudson was happy and eager to take my hand and go! It went so much smoother than I could ever imagined. I had prayed so many times for God to please keep me calm and ready to handle any situation. And for Hudson to be ready for us, ready to come to me and go home! God sure had His hand on us! 

The two weeks in China with Hudson was everything from amazing to crazy! I would do it all over again and again if I had to. I wouldn't of changed a thing. This boy was so loved before he ever got to be in my arms. We loved him so very much and this day is so special to me, today is "Mommy & Hudson day"! 

Now, today, Hudson is sitting in his second grade classroom. He is handsome, smart, funny and so loving. He is a typical 7 year old boy. He loves his family, school, and to pester his sisters and brother. He would live on his Ipod or TV if we let him and would eat snacks all day long. He loves Pokemon, I believe mainly because his big brother watched it with him and told him how much he liked it as a kid. Hudson is loved and cherished. We are so very blessed to have him as our son!
 
Mommy & Hudson Day 2016


Rowen & Rylen

These handsome little boys turn 3 years old today. I still can't get over the fact that I was in China, meeting their big brother, the day they were born just a few hours away! Amazing! 

These boys are so cute and we just can't wait to get our hands on them! I day dream every single day of what our first day together is going to be like. This time I am not traveling alone, Brock's sister Alicia is sweet enough to come with! She will be awesome help and I am so happy she will be there with me! 

We found out recently that they boys are now living with a family within the orphanage, like a foster family. They sleep, spend holidays and weekends with this family. We are so very thankful for them. We have photos and a video that shows the foster mom and she seems very sweet and loving towards the boys. We feel like this is a wonderful opportunity for the boys to get a glimpse of what family like can be like. Of course, they spend the day and meal times at the orphanage. I know this may make it harder for them to transition to me when the day comes, but it is giving them a chance to have a special bond with a mama figure, allowing them to be in a small setting, together. We have asked if they could please remain with this family until we arrive and I have been told yes! Praise God! 

Im a bit sad that they are not home celebrating their birthday. But, I am reminding myself that today is the last birthday they will have pass by them and not be recognized. All the rest of their birthdays will be filled with love, cake and gifts! They will be shown how special of a day this is, they will be celebrated and loved. They will be at their home with their family for all the rest of their birthdays. Sure, we missed out on the first three, just means we will have to celebrate extra big next time! 

I had a little fun with their pictures!


Now, we are still very short on funds. I have applied for adoption grants and hope and pray we will hear back and be granted something, but so far that isn't happening. We still have our 100's chart to get filled up! 

Each number in the chart represents an amount to donate...$1-100. You can choose as many boxes you want to sponsor as you want (ex. 7,8,16,19 to represent our children's ages...or any order for any reason at all). You comment which number(s) you want to sponsor then send the money via paypal (or if local you can hand deliver). I will cross out the boxes as they are sponsored. Once ALL boxes have a sponsor we will choose a sponsor to win a $100 giftcard to either WalMart, ITunes, or Amazon! Winners Choice! You get entered for the amount you donate...donate $20, you have 20 entries, donate $55 you get 55 entries! All of the money raised go towards our adoption fees!


If you can help out in this way or any other way, we would so greatly appreciate it! We are ready to get these boys home! 



Monday, August 22, 2016

One step closer!

DTC----Dossier to China!



We have finally made it, we got official word on Friday (8/19/2016) that we are now DTC. What does this mean? It means that all the important documents that we have done here in the USA, that were approved, got notary stamped, certified, authenticated, etc etc etc are all now all sent to China to have them translated into Chinese, reviewed and approved! This is a huge step in our adoption process.

We also received a few new photos and a video of each of the boys! We got to hear their voices and Rylen saying mama! They are so precious! We can not wait to get them home!

So, once you are DTC, travel can be 3-5 months, if there is no expedite. Since they boys have potential for things to turn bad fast, we have filed for a medical expedite for our case. This does not mean they will honor it. It will be up to the person reading the papers in China to decide if their case is urgent enough to issue the expedite. If we get an expedite, I would think travel could be 2-3 months, tops. We know this is all in the Lords timing and only He knows the perfect time. If we are not approved for expedite, I will rest assured that other children that are much sicker are getting into their families arms quickly as needed. Im not sure when we will know if they honor the expedite, I am guessing within the next couple of weeks.

We are also still VERY short funds. I know I keep throwing out huge numbers on what we still need, this time I want to break it down as to what we need and what for, so some of you may have a better understanding. Here is what is remaining....

Agency Fees

* Program Coordination                    $3250
* Post Placement Supervision           $1000
* Post Placement Reports                  $1000

Country Fees

* Chinese Government                     $2000
* Care of Children                            $5800
* Host Fee                                        $1500

Third Party Fees

* Travel visas                                  $ 280
* Child's medical exam                   $ 140
* Child's passport                            $ 400
* Child's visas                                 $ 650
* Airfare                                         $8000
* Lodging                                       $2000
* In country transportation             $2000
* Misc fees, food, etc                     $4000

Grand total needed as of 8/23/2016  $30,020


Like I have said many times before, I know it is a huge number, but our God is bigger. He will see this thru. We are doing what we are called to do, we are caring for orphans. We are bringing them home, caring for their all of their needs, getting them much needed medical care, showing them they are loved, wanted and cherished. We are going to teach them about God, they will go to church ...things they would never get to do in China. We are going to change their world!

Would you like to help us get some of these fees covered? There are many ways to do so...

Paypal...there is a link on the top right of this page, or you can click the link below here. When you donate thru PayPal, we get 100% of the money!
https://paypal.me/PaulAdoption

Mail or drop off to the bank...of course donating to our bank, we get 100% of your donation!
First Federal Savings & Loan
Paul Family Adoption
800 West Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920

Go Fund Me...we do not get 100% of the money this way, there is a small fee taken out, but we get most!
www.gofundme.com/paulfamilyadoption

You can also follow us on Facebook, we keep that page updated a little more than our blog. You can find it by searching....Paul Family Adoption or go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1000528550027746/ 

Please continue to pray for the boys and their health. Please continue to pray for us as we wait and anticipate their arrival. Pray for those who are working on our papers in China. And please pray for the finances to be there when needed. 

       Rylen LeRiger Paul                                                                       Rowen Terry Paul