Our Journey to Ava

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Earthquake in China

As you all know a earthquake has devastated some regions in China. The earthquake has directly effected many orphanages that our agency receives referrals from. We keep wondering if Ava's family is in any of these area's and will she be brought to one of these orphanages someday. The children that are there are in need of food and supplies. Our agency has set up a relief fund to raise money that will go directly to the orphanages. If you would like to help please follow the link to GWCA relief fund page http://www.gwca.org/newsroom/bulletin/view?donate-earthquake-5-2008

Below is an update on some of the orphanages that have been effected by this tragedy. The updates come from agencies and organizations:

Abazhou CWI: Unknown (52 children according to HTS)

Baoji, Shaanxi: No injuries reported. Minor damage to the building but they are able to remain inside. (LWB)

Chengdu: Safe, children are outside of the building during the day due to aftershocks. When it rains they go into the institution’s buses. At night they are on the first floor of the Children’s Building. There are cracks in some (but not all) buildings. (HTS and Agency). OCDF reports there is no electricity, water, or gas. They need diapers since they cannot wash. HTS reports they are having trouble finding supplies of milk and formula.

Chongqing: Safe (HTS, OCDF, and an agency)

*Deyang: Children are safe, minor damage to building (LWB OCDF)

Dianjiang, Chongqing: Children are safe, no damage to building (Parent)

*Dujiangyan: Children are safe. Children have been evacuated. Their temporary shelter has no tap water or electricity. They urgently need food, clean water, diapers, and powdered milk. (HTS)

Fuling, Chongqing: Children are okay, no damage to current building. New building that is still under construction and not occupied sustained structural damage. (Parent and Agency) LWB and OCDF report damage to the building and are not clear if it is the new building or the one currently occupied.

Fungdu: Safe, no damage to building. (OCDF and Parent)

*Guanghan: Unknown

Guangyuan : Safe, staying in tents outdoors for now. (Parent)

Ganzizhou: Unknown

Hanzhong City SWI, Shaanxi Province: Children are safe, staying outside of building due to aftershocks. There are reports that the buildings sustained significant damage, and other reports the building sustained minor damage. There are tents set up for now. (Parent) Water pipes burst, water tower has cracks. Children have been evacuated and they need more tents, bedding, and clean water. (HTS)

Liangping SWI : Children are Safe (OCDF, Parent, and agency). Reports of serious structural damage. (Agency)

Mama’s Wish: Teachers and students safe (LWB)

*Mianyang CWI: Children are Safe. (Parent and HTS) Severely damaged walls, children have been moved to a military base. They have an urgent need for diapers, bedding, powdered milk, and clean water. (HTS)

Mianzhu SWI: Unknown.

Nanchong #1: Safe (Agency and OCDF).

Nanchong #2: Children are safe (Agency, OCDF, HTS). Damage to buildings (OCDF and HTS) They need tents (HTS)

Nanchuan, Chongqing: Safe, no damage reported. (LWB and Agency)

Neijiang: Children are safe. Some structural damage to possibly several buildings. (HTS and Parent)

Panzhihua: Unknown
Rongxian: Unknown
Santai County: Unknown
Suining: Unknown
Wenjiang County: Unknown

Xiushan, Chongqing: Safe, no damage reported. (LWB and Agency)

Yibin: Safe (HTS and OCDF)

Yunyang, Chongqing: Safe. (LWB and Agency) LWB reports there is no damage to the building, but an agency reports there is some damage to the building.

Zhaotong Foster Care program, Yunnan: Safe (LWB and Agency)

Zigong CWI: Children are safe. They need bedding, powdered milk, crackers and disposable diapers (HTS)

*Zitong County: Unknown

Ava update

Everyone keeps asking if we have heard anything new. Unfortunately we have no new information. The President of Great Wall China Adoptions (our agency) had a meeting with CCAA in January. She left that meeting with the feeling that there may be a speed up at the beginning of 2009. A site that I visit recently conducted a poll to see how many families have left the China program or switched to China's special needs program. They received info from 200 families all using various agencies. So far 36% of families logged in Sept/2006 have left or switched to SN. We're not sure yet how this will effect the wait yet...only time will tell. We can only wonder how the earthquake will effect adoptions also. For now we are just trying to be patient and keep busy.

Mother's Day

We spent Mother's day shopping in Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island. Poor Brian was very out numbered.

Meagan & Jakey

Easter 2008

We spent Easter at my Mom's house this year. The kids had fun and got really spoiled! Meagan can finally reach the pedals on her tricycle...she looked so determined.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Finally home!

Ryland told us in August that we would close on 12-31-07 and we did. They did a great job...we are so happy with the house. I hated the original color so they repainted it for free. When we arrived at the house on closing day the windows we're covered with storm shutters. Due to a new law Ryland had to give us $3000 storm shutters for free. That was a great surprise!

We hate painting!!!

It took 4 of us 4 days to paint our livingroom, kitchen, diningroom, foyer and 2 hallways. The high ceilings, big rooms and my trouble choosing a color didnt help. I cant even remember how many times I went to Shermin Williams but I know I spent a small fortune. While we painted Brian and Keith changed our ugly light fixtures and installed ceiling fans, blinds and the microwave above the stove.

Out with the new??

It seemed strange to rip out brand new carpeting but that's what we decided to do. Brian and Keith took it out very carefully so Ari would be able to use it in her house. We are so glad we decided to take the carpet out because the laminate wood floors look so nice!

Moving in!

Moving twice in four months is not fun. Thankfully we had a ton of help! Nathan, Collin and Josh had so much fun helping too. Thanks so much to my Mom, Eddie, Bev, Keith, Angie, Ari, Jim and Cathy. We couldnt have done it without you guys!!!!

Brian's new toy

When Brian bought his bike in July I knew it was only a matter of time until he would want a new one. His first bike was 23 years old. He lasted longer than I thought he would. After he had to have his old bike push started 3 times in one day I caved and he got his dream bike. He keeps trying to get me to learn to ride but I'm quite content looking cute on the back :)