LOA/LSC ARE HERE...

A short 2 minute 13 second phone call at 2:06pm today has sealed the deal. China has granted our request to adopt our two newest sweethearts. This simple piece of paper (well two) officially makes us a family. But we didn't need that paper to confirm what we already felt in our hearts for Tristan and Marin, they were already ours.

It's amazing how a simple phone call can change your life and a few simple words can, in this case, "congratulations mom" make you weak in the knees.

What's in a name (Marin)?

Clark - a nice, super common Scots/Irish last name is what we have. So with a name that spans pages in the telephone directly we wanted to make sure our kids had something slightly off the usual path, but not strange and over the top, won't get you teased in school. Her siblings are: Griffin, Elena, William, Jocelyn and Tristan. If I don't say so myself, I think we did a pretty darn good job name choosing.

Marin (Latin) - Of the Sea
Elizabeth (Hebrew) - God is my vow
HeYi (Chinese) - He: Gentle, Kind Harmonious. Yi: Happy Joyful, Cheerful.

Her names are so peaceful and we know she will bring much happiness, joy and cheer to our family - she already does!

What's in a name (Tristan)?

Once again we've needed to find the right name for one (or in this case two) of our children. I find selecting "the" name to be very difficult, almost impossible. For months I pour over baby name books with tens of thousands of names (most way over the top for us) and look up ideas on the Internet. While it's a name we, as mom and dad decide we like, what do the kids really think of it when they are old enough to have an opinion about it? Does it work when you are liitle but also an adult? How does is sound following an introduction such as, All rise for the Honorable.....

And name meanings, holy moly, they can range from wild to weird. So what's one to do when you find "the" name you wish to go with and the meaning isn't what you'd expected? Do you crumple up your list and toss it in the fireplace in frustration or do you go with it? Determining the definition of a name does not define the person, is the way we approached it so this is what Len chose as our names for our little man:

Tristan: (Gaelic/Welsh) - Tumult
James: (Hebrew) - Supplanter
Xuan: (Chinese) - Gorgeous/Colorful

I think dad did a great job and our boy is indeed gorgeous!!

Marin's February Photos

Well, it's been a great week for updates on the kids. We got photos of Tristan the past two weeks and now some of our girl. With out further delay, here she is. Love those rosy (since I'm dressed in 18 layers of clothing) cheeks. She is a pretty little lady, isn't she!

February photos of Tristan

We have been very lucky to have so many families offer to and be able to get photos of Tristan when they visit EnMei Ningo CWI to meet their own child(ren). From the last photos we recieved of him just a couple of months ago he already looks different. He's filled out a bit more in the face and his hair is growing in. This is the first batch of photos where he isn't glaring and is almost smiling. He also doesn't look like he's been an cat fight, no scratches or scowel this time. Thanks for our EnMei friends in the Netherlands for taking these photos for us. We are happy to have them and offer our congratulations on the adopton of their child and wish them a lifetime of happiness. So here he is...

We Are Logged In...

It's official, our dossier is now in the hands of the CCCWA to review, match and approve our adoption of the kids. Anywhere between 6-9 months until travel, without any bumps in the road that is.

We are DTC

Thanks to a bunch of help from our rockin' Dossier Specialist Diedra, our dossier is on its way to China as we speak. All I can say is thank heaven for GWCA's Dragon Dossier Plan, its been a life saver, used it for William and wouldn't have done without it this time, either. No more paperchasing, certifying or authenticating. What will I do with myself now?

Now we wait for a host of new steps and milestones as we move through the process and with each step get closer to bringing the kids home. With any luck LID will be quick and painless, unlike the anticipated wait for LOA/LSC and I-800 approvals. But good things come to those who wait and what could be any better than those beauties who are waiting for us?