More Pictures of Sydney

Sydney is just the cutest little thing I have ever seen!
Thanks to my membership to many Yahoo groups, I have met many families that have adopted a child from Sydney's orphanage. I have even met some families whose children are around Sydney's age and know Sydney! I have also learned that her orphanage is very nice and that the children enjoyed their time there. I can sleep easier at night knowing that Sydney is being well cared for.

One little girl in particular was very close to Sydney and she has been with her new family since August 2007. Her friend is very happy that she has also found her forever family. We hope to reunite the girls late this summer. Her family was nice enough to send some pictures from their daughter's disposable camera that had Sydney in them. She looks so cute!

They also helped me find some pictures of Sydney from some photos that were taken of the orphanage in 2006.

I am forever grateful for this family that has given me such precious pieces of Sydney's history that we will treasure for a lifetime.

Sydney Fu Xia

What we know about our daughter:
Her birthday is May 1, 2002 and she is currently at the Wuzhou SWI in Guangxi, P.R.C.

She always has a ready smile and loves to laugh.

She is active, energetic, and is not shy or fond of quietness.

(translation: a handful! :))

She loves to ride bikes, slide on the slide, likes music and picture books, and loves to play.

She can get along well with other children and can share easily. Sometimes she also likes to help other children. She seeks out an adult when she is hurt or sad.
She can sing and can tell stories. She can count from 1 to 30 and write the numbers of 1 to 7. She likes singing and dancing. She likes adults to encourage or praise her.

Her two favorite toys are a cloth doll and a toy truck.

So I think she will keep us busy but who can resist that smile?

Sisters

Elizabeth is so excited to have a sister. I am sure they will be very close. I could not choose a better big sister for Sydney than Elizabeth. She is truly the best!

Our To Do List

Dossier to China (DTC): Feb. 3, 2006
Log in Date (LID) : Feb. 28, 2006
Referral for Sydney: January 17, 2008
Send LOI (letter of Intent to Adopt): Sent to China January 23, 2008
Home study addendum: (Done January 25, 2008)
Wait for PA (prior approval): Done January 30, 2008
Receive Letter of Acceptance (LOA) :
Sign and Return LOA back to the Agency via FEDEX:
Apply for Travel Visas to China:
Receive Travel Approval (TA): Received on
Our Agency Makes Consulate Appointment:
Book plane tickets:
Leave to Pick up Sydney!!!!

Happy Chinese New Year!

The Year of the Rat! (Mark was born in the year of the Rat)

The oldest and most important festival in China is called the Spring Festival. Many people call it the Chinese New Year. No matter what you call it, it is a time of celebration for millions of Chinese people all over the world.

Because the Chinese use a lunar calendar, the date of the Spring Festival changes each year. It takes place at some time during the end of January or the beginning of February.
The Chinese calendar has a 12 year cycle and each year is named after an animal. People born in each of these years are said to have certain characteristics. The year 2008 is the Year of the Rat. People born in the Year of the Rat are said to be charming, hard-working, passionate, and practical.

Families make great preparations for this special celebration. Before the new year, families settle debts and buy new clothes. The house is cleaned and food is prepared. Homes are filled with flowers and fruit. Oranges, tangerines, and pomeloes are picked and displayed . The colors symbolize good luck and joy.

Children behave impeccably because they are warned that what happens the first day of the year may decide events for the coming year. Everyone takes care to say and do the right things and think good thoughts.

Happy New Year Sydney!!!

Where is She Now?

Crisis in China- Please Help!

There is a weather crisis occurring in China right now that directly affects our daughter. They are having the coldest weather in years and south China is simply not equipped to deal with such harsh conditions. Our little girl is in Wuzhou, Guangxi province which is located in south China.

Here is an update from the organization that sponsors the orphanage where Sydney lives:

"Welfare institutions in south and central China are having the hardest time dealing with the weather disaster. This part of the country is simply not equipped to deal with extreme cold or heavy snow and ice. The most common critical problems are power outages, lack of safe drinking and cooking water, lack of fuel, diapers and public transportation. In many places where buses have stopped running, our Half the Sky nannies have been walking hours (in one case, 4 hours) along icy roads to get to the children. As conditions worsen, our nannies and teachers are remaining at the institutions day and night.They have given up the idea of going home to their own families for the holidays. They need quilts. They need warm clothing. They need coal, water, disposable diapers and food."

If you plan to donate to a charity this year, please consider donating to help out the children in orphanages in China right now.

The website is http://www.halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php

Thanks so much.