She Shall Be Called...

She shall be called: Melina Ai Ning Ginn.
I know many of you are wondering and asking. For so long she was to be Melina Grace, but once we got a little insight into her name and why she was probably called that we wanted to keep it. Of course, we had planned on possibly keeping part of it from the beginning if it had a special meaning, but thought that it would work with "Grace" in there too. Well, it just got to be too long and we are really fond of her Chinese name. Therefore, "Grace" was dropped. Maybe the next one we adopt can have that one!!!( I am already working on Barry!)
Today is the day that our package should have arrived. I pray she got it and that the things bring some sort of comfort to her. I pray also that her nannie will be able to take the time to share our pictures with her.
April is just going to go by way too slow!
Tryin' to chill like this ladybug while we wait for our precious ladybug!

All Kinds of Stuff Going On

This was supposed to be the nesting post, but that has passed. Other things have taken precedence over organizing! I did thoroughly organize our little teeny weeny closet that my husband and I both share. All those clear shoe boxes were well worth the $20! The rest of the house is a mess, but my closet sure does look good!
We are still waiting for Travel Approval (TA). I am hoping for an early week announcement next week.
I am thoroughly enjoying the blogs of other adoptive families that are currently over in China getting their daughters. It is so moving and exciting. I feel very unprepared and wonder if I will even know what to do.
Here's a quick update on mom. She has been back and forth between my house and Susan's. (We only live 2 streets apart!)
Bone marrow biopsy came back clean so she would be a candidate for Bexxar treatment.(a miracle)
Saw new radiologist oncologist-loved him
Basically overnight developed a very large lymph node in cervical area
Monday-Emergency CT scan
Tuesday-meeting with doctor; blood work; chest x-ray for surgical prep
Wednesday-Biopsy of lymph gland to determine if cancer transformed to more aggressive type.

Now we are waiting for the report and will find out something hopefully on Monday. What it all boils down to though is that she will not be a Bexxar candidate and she will have to undergo the standard 4-6 month chemo. All of this has happened in a span of 3 days!!
Amazing isn't it? One of my recent favorite books is entitled, When Life and Beliefs Collide. It gives an example of how Jesus teaches Mary, Lazarus' sister, "about faith and frees her from 'the incessant need to understand exactly what he is doing before [she places her] confidence in him.' And she discovers that he can be trusted in the worst of circumstances, that no matter how chaotic and hopeless things appear, he is good and nothing is beyond his control."
That is a quote of a quote from Joni Eareckson Tada and Steven Estes, When God Weeps.
I am learning to trust God during this time when I have NO clue to where He is leading or what He is doing! One day at a time.
P.S. I can't figure out how to underline my book titles! I am sure my grammar is all wrong. Please forgive me!
My girls are begging to go to Aunt Susan's swimming so I have got to leave the computer!

VISAS ARE IN!!

We got our Visas today! We are excited. This is just one step closer to Melina! We are still waiting on Travel Approval (TA) which I assume will be a few weeks more. It is very late so this will be short. I just want to say that God is good and He has been so faithful through the sorrow, pain, and just all that is going on. I will catch you all up later on Mom and her appointment with the oncologist.
Thank you all for your wonderful comments and encouragement. I am slowly replying. I will get there. I think I must be developing some sort of carpal tunnel symdrome! All this typing is hurting my wrists.
Look forward to my next post entitled: "Nesting!"

Catch Up Time

It has been a while since I have posted. As many of you know a lot has been going on and it is taking a while to get back in the swing of things. Today is Sunday and it is "good to be in the house of the Lord." It has been a month since we have been to our own church and it is good to be back! Our Women's Ministry Council blessed my sister, Susan and I, with a sweet sympathy card and gift certificates for dinner and a movie with our husbands. Babysitting included!! They are awesome! Thank you, Ladies!
Since I last posted I was able to meet a new friend named Yi. She is from China and was able to help translate some of our referral papers. I didn't realize that I would receive some from the agency later, but I am so thankful for her time. She was able to give such wonderful descriptions and insight into our little girl that we just couldn't get from a written translation. It was delightful to meet with her and I feel as if I know my baby better.
I was able to get my care package off to China thanks to my great postman! I sent it USPS and saved over $150! Sorry Jay! Brown was just way too expensive! :) I included Mary Kay products, Dove chocolate, and Florida Salt water taffy for the Nannies, and blankets, sleepers, socks, teethers, photo album and a stuffed animal for Melina and other babies. The photo album and animal was for Melina only, of course. I had everything necessary labeled in Chinese and Melina's picture pinned to the items I meant for her. I hope the nannies show her our photos so she is somewhat familiar with us when we get her. Oh yes, I also included a disposable camera for the Nannies to take pictures of her during our wait! It will be great to have pictures of her from before gotcha day!
It has been almost 2 weeks since our referral and I suppose we will have our Travel Approval in another 2 weeks. Many of us are guessing we will not travel until the first of May due to the Trade Shows that go on in China during April. It makes the place even more hectic and stressful as well as more expensive. They say it is better for baby even to wait.
I applied for our Visas last week and those should come either this week or the next. It is getting closer and I feel WAY behind in preparations! I haven't done a thing! I take mom to Shands tomorrow to see a new oncologist and after we know more what path we will take with her I will better be able to prepare and think more clearly...hopefully. Is that possible??

Apology

Unfortunately, I have offended someone and I am very sorry. Please understand that I meant NO harm with referring to Asians as having "yellow" skin. I suppose it comes from "Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World." If it is a harmful "stereotype" I regret saying it. I guess I don't think of being stereotyped when people refer to me as "white" even though my skin really isn't white either...well, maybe a few parts are really close to that, so please understand that I did not want to offend anyone and I have thought more about what you said and I will be more careful next time. I have removed that portion from my last post. Thank you for your comment.

Our Little Sunshine!

 

 

Here she is! We think she is adorable! Our hearts have been growing in love with her for a long time now, even before we knew who she was. Now we are captivated! Madeline and Meredith carry her picture in their pockets so they can show any passer by their new baby sister. She has already been such a bright spot in our lives as we journey through the difficult loss of my father. It is amazing to see God's grace in it all; in the timing of her coming, in His provision, in her beautiful eyes, in the choosing of her name and many others. We have had her name picked out for a while now and I am so glad we chose it. Melina means bright yellow. I imagined her to be such a bright spot in our lives. I also prayed that she would spread sunshine where ever she goes. I have also found recently that her name can mean "honey". I can already tell that she is "sweet as pie!" or more appropriately, "Sweet as honey!" I can't stop looking at her!

The Stork Has Landed!!

The Stork has landed and we have a baby girl!!
Her name is: Lian Ai Ning.
DOB: 07/23/06
Province: Guangdong
As you may notice I misspelled her name in the emails. Crazy! The anticipation of this phone call has been HUGE. I told Barry I feel as if I have been induced with pitocin for 2 days and she finally is here. I can remember the feeling of when Madeline was born and how they told me they needed to induce labor,and it was 4 weeks early, how emotional I was. This was just as emotional and maybe even a little more exhausting!! I guess it should have been seeing as it has been an almost 2 year pregnancy!: )
We don't have any other information, but it should arrive via FedEx on Thursday. We hope to have a picture tomorrow. I will be sure to post it as soon as I get it!

From Madeline

I cannot actually believe that we got a phonecall from Mommy and Daddy's agecy! This is so cool,they are going to the province of Guangdong!

Referral, Where Art Thou?

Referral, Where Art Thou? It is 3:00 PM and I am almost sick with waiting. My darling daughters and niece could tell I was getting a little uptight and so hid themselves to make cute little notes of encouragement for me. One said, "China, Here we come." Another one said, "Rejoice!"
I am still waiting to hear that phone ring!

Referrals Are In! Will We Get Our Call?

Oh my word!! I don't know if I can handle this! The referrals are in and a few people have already received their calls today! Will ours come today?? I am so hoping and praying that it does. I need to run errands, but don't think I will make it out of the house today. Phone- RING,RING,RING!

Half the Wait is Over

The waiting is over. My Dad has no more oxygen lines, no more catheter, no more struggling for each breath and no more 50 thousand pills to take each day. He went to be with his Saviour this morning at 3:00am. I am so sad, but glad that he is not suffering any more.