This latest blog update is going to be a roundup of some news already posted on Facebook, as well as some thoughts that I have had over the last few days. There's so much good news packed into this update, it has been dubbed, "Everything Is Awesome". Things are going great. Paperwork is getting processed, preparations are being made, packages are being sent, and God is reminding us every day why He called us to do this.
The Village
Everyone knows the old adage of, "It takes a village to raise a child." As we were packing our carport full of yard sale donations this week, I thought, "It takes a village to adopt a child as well." When you really think about all the people who have been involved in the adoption, that really rings true. I think Jack has an awesome village waiting when he gets home. We thank everyone who has done anything to help us through this journey. I keep looking to the future when we are able to send out Christmas cards and birthday invites!
Camp
Last weekend, I went to Waukaway Springs in Vossburg, MS with my church to a youth camp. We had an awesome time hanging out, playing, and worshiping together. We read about the first church in Acts. They got rid of everything they had, lived together, ate together, shared together, and worshiped together. That's what makes church camp so awesome. It's so great to get away from "The World". As I got to hang out with all of the kids, I kept thinking, "I can't wait to share these kinds of moments with Jack." I look forward to raising Jack in the ways that the Bible teaches us to love God, and love each other.
Here is a fun little video I put together from the weekend:
Facebook Post Roundup
June 26
CCAI received our Dossier today! Woohoo!Here is the email we got from CCAI:
Hi T.J. & Brandy,
Congratulations! Your dossier has arrived at our office!
Your dossier will now go through the following steps:
Check-in: Your dossier package is checked to ensure all necessary dossier items are present. If your package is missing any item(s), we will let you know. If all dossier items are present, we will begin the review of your dossier! Please do not be alarmed if your fees are not checked-in immediately; they are handed to the Accounting Department and are processed on a different timeline than the rest of your dossier.
Critical Review and Translation: Your dossier will be here for 9-11 business days if it is complete and problem-free. During the critical review process, your dossier is looked through another 3 full times for any mistakes or errors. This review includes a careful inspection of the document in terms of content and format, possible translation problems, and dates. A thorough check of the notarization, certification, and authentication pages are also made at this time just to make sure all is in perfect order. We will notify you once this step is complete.
**PLEASE NOTE: Precedence for review is given to complete dossiers so that we can get them off to China as soon as possible. Incomplete dossiers may be reviewed within this timeframe, however it cannot be guaranteed. The 9-11 business day timeline for critical review and translation begins once your dossier is completed.
Once your dossier is complete and the critical review is finished, a summary translation of your dossier is completed, making sure the most important information is easy to locate when your dossier is received by the China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA) in China. This also helps decrease the chance this important information is mis-interpreted during the full translation of your dossier in China.
Binding: Your dossier is bound together in a very professional red folder, with photos being mounted and documents carefully lined up and ordered according to the CCCWA’s preference.
Mailing: Lastly, your dossier will be carefully packaged and sent to China via international express mail!
Remember, we are as anxious as you are to get your dossier to China and will keep you posted every step of the way!
June 30
My sweet Mom wanted to buy Jack a couple of outfits to send in his care package. It was so nice to be able to pick out some cute things for him to wear while he plays and some PJ's to sleep in. While I was trying not to be too picky about the first outfit he will receive from us (HA), it was so fun imagining him getting this care package and hoping he feels the love that we are sending with it. We should be able to have it all put together by the end of the week and send it off. This will be the first time he will know anything about us! How exciting! Also a very dear friend of mine bought him a book that records us telling him a story, even though he won't understand the words he will be able to hear our voices and let us read to him whenever he likes. He is so loved already!-Brandy
July 1
All done with the care package except for Joanna Lynn Hughes family photo! I don't have one with all 7 of them. (They keep adding to their bunch ) However I am getting that done today so I can send it off tomorrow! I cannot express how excited I am for Jack to get it. Wish I could see his little face when he opens it! This will be the first of what I am sure will be a lot that we send to him! LOL Starting to work on getting his room set up so we can send him a picture that. I pray that these packages will help prepare him some for when he comes home. And I hope that he knows how much he is loved already!-Brandy
July 1
From CCAI:Hi T.J. & Brandy!
My name is Laura and I assist the Dossier Department. This is a courtesy email to let you know that we have just finished checking in your dossier, and a response is not necessary. “Check in” ensures that our Dossier Team have all of the required documents needed to complete the critical review of your dossier. It currently appears that all of the required items have been received (hooray!), and therefore the Dossier Team will begin their critical review of the dossier immediately. Please allow 9-11 business days for completion of the review, and a response from the Dossier Team.
Thanks and have a great day!
July 3
While driving into work this morning I looked at the license plate on the SUV in front of me and read: JCKSMOM (I couldn't get a picture of it while driving 70 miles per hour) However it did make my heart speed up! It has been little things like this license plate through out this whole journey proving that God is right beside us telling us to keep going, He has got this! GOD IS GOOD!!!!! ALWAYS!!!!!!
-Brandy
