Kai's Finding Ad

First, a little background:
Every child adopted out of China gets their picture placed in a local paper to see if a birth parent will come forward to care for them. When this does not happen, they are declared an official "orphan" and they are available for adoption. Hence the term: "finding ad".

The first picture above is of the publication itself. It's a short little newspaper, probably something for their local community. The second picture is of a section in the middle of the paper. Kai's picture is 4th from the right on the bottom row. The third picture is a close up of the ad itself. The writing below it only contains the identifying information that we already know:

Name: Cheng Kai
Sex: Male
Birthdate: January 20, 2004
Finding date: March 1, 2004
Finding location: Near #58 Xinglong Street, Qixinggang, Yuzhong District
Characteristic of body: Weak
Items found along with him: Nothing

Many times, adoptive parents are supplied with copies of these ads when they arrive in China to adopt their child. However, there is this amazing man named, Brian Stuy who makes it his business to track information in China regarding adoption. He collects, logs and files many of the newspapers and advertisements that contain finding ads. We supplied him with Kai's identifying information It turns out he had the actual publication that has Kai's finding ad in it!

For more information on the research Brian does, you can check out his website at: www.research-china.org

Most of the time, finding ads are run when the children are found (when they are babies). We were quite surprised to see Kai's finding ad. The publication was dated May 2007. The referral information we were given dates back to July/August 2007. After inquiring with Brian and also with our agency, there really is no way to know WHY Kai's finding ad was not run until he was 3.5 years old. I have had to resign myself that this will be another one of many mysteries there are with international adoption. Just when you think you know what to expect....Just when you think you have an answer to a question....Just when you think you understand how things are going to be....

Also interesting to note: this section of the paper had 26 older children listed. The next page of the paper also had 24 newborn babies shown-many of whom clearly had a cleft lip. So many questions...so few answers...

My favorite poems, verses, sayings about Adoption

The man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a Chickadee sang.
But, the man did not hear.
So the man yelled "God, speak to me!" And, the thunder rolled across the sky.
But, the man did not listen.
The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined brightly.
But the man did not notice.
And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle!" And, a life was born.
But, the man did not know.
So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here!"
Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.
Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.

The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
--- Lao-Tzu


LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD

Once there were two women who never knew each other
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother

Two different lives shaped to make you one
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it
The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name
One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried you tears

One made an adoption plan, that was all that she could do
The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.

Now, which of these two women, Are you the product of?
Both, my darling, Both, Just two different types of love.
---- Unknown

Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute,
You didn't grow under my heart - but in it
--- Fleur Conkling Heylinger


The Gift of Life

I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.

For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.
--- Unknown

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.
---1 Samuel 1:27

Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, `Give them up!' and to the south, `Do not hold them back.'
Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth--
--- Isaiah 43: 5-6

Like cold water to a weary soul, is good news from a distant land.
--- Proverbs 25:25

An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet,
regardless of time, place, or circumstance.
The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.
--- An ancient Chinese belief

Another Update!!!

I was pleasantly surprised, again, to have updated information for Kai on my e-mail when I got home from work yesterday! Here's a tidbit from the 2 pages of information:

Cheng Kai, male, is 94 cm tall and weighs 15.5 kg. His head circumference is 49 cm, chest circumference 54 cm, and foot length 16 cm. He has twenty teeth.

This converts to 37 inches tall and 34 pounds. It's definately an improvement from the measurements that were from August of last year. He's growing!!

Cheng Kai likes to eat eggs, milk, candy, and snacks, and he especially likes milk and eggs. He can eat several eggs and still want more. At night he still calls for milk (nai nai). He also likes to eat vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, tofu, taro, broccoli, greens, carrots, and white radishes, etc. He loves soup and meat, and he likes baked pork, soft, and he can eat several pieces. In terms of fruit, he likes bananas and apples.

Cheng Kai is a sweet boy, and he’s polite, hospitable, and enthusiastic about people. If a guest comes, he is very happy, and when it’s time to eat, he has to sit next to the guest. When the guest leaves, he will see them to the door, saying “zai jian, man man zou” (good-bye, go safely). When he sees other nannies, he will greet them on his own initiative.

Cheng Kai really likes to ride in a car, and when they leave, he runs to where the car is. He likes to go out, and he also likes to ride the escalator at the supermarket. He likes to play with other children.

Cheng Kai is in good physical condition. He has one habit when he sleeps, and that is to have his hands outside the covers, which means the top half of his body isn’t covered by the blanket. But he normally doesn’t catch cold. Cheng Kai is a sweet child and his family really likes him. Sometimes he is a somewhat insistent and after he quarrels with his foster big brother, he acts unreasonable.

The update also gave us some very specific information about his urination and bowel movements (I'll spare you the details). However, it did leave us wondering if he's familiar with using a regular toilet. Things that make you go hmmm.....

One (teeny-tiny) step closer

Just a quick update on the paper process. Our Home study update has been completed and notarized. It is being over-nighted (UPS-what a rip off they are now!) to our placing agency, CCAI in Colorado. After our Pre-Approval was issued on 1/30/08, they held our file until the home study update is attached. CCAI will have it tomorrow, they will send it to China. Now, we're waiting for the notice that our file has been moved into the "match room", where they will physically match our paperwork to Kai's paperwork. When this happens, we will get a notice from CCAI to download "travel packet #2" from their website. I'll keep you all posted....

Kai's Room is ready!!

We have been working on Kai's room since we started by painting it over the summer. Yes, I'm glad we didn't paint it pink. Yellow and green with panda bears will suit little Kai just fine. We had the furniture delivered last week. We went back and forth between: toddler bed and twin bed. Yes, I'm glad we hadn't already bought a crib. Here's a couple pics:

Care Package #2

I'm sure many of you have heard about the terrible, record-breaking snow storms all over China. I had been wondering what to send in my next care package. I wanted to send a little something for the foster parents and other 5 foster siblings. Then it came to me...scarves! I went to the fabric store and picked out some fleece fabric that reminded me of Chinese New Year. I cut it into scarves with fringe-no need to sew! I wrapped them up in red tissue for Kai, 3 older foster sisters, 2 older foster brothers, and the foster mother and father. I also included a package of oreo cookies and a small teddy bear.

I took pictures of me making the scarves and a pictures of Gary and I wearing the matching scarves I made for us. I will put these in the package--an excuse to send more pictures of us!

Quilter Needed!!!

I'm very close to having Kai's 100 good wishes for his 100 good wishes quilt. I'm currently at about 80 squares and the last 20 are trickling in. I had one prospect via the internet, but she is no longer doing quilts.

I had set aside a little money to pay someone to assemble the quilt. However, it is not nearly enough to pay the professional quilters that are being suggested to me. We are planning on traveling in about 3-5 months and I would REALLY like to have his quilt completed by the time we leave. There is not quite enough time to save more money for quilting. Although I appreciate the encouragement from others that I could do it myself, there is not enough time for me to learn to quilt AND put it all together, nor do I have the funds or space in my house for a sewing machine.

Sooooo.....If any of you quilts or knows someone who does, please contact me. I'm only hoping for a simple "sew all 100 pieces together" quilt. You can reach me via e-mail: Ninacesena@yahoo.com