Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Abby on the small screen
Here are two links to the two videos we have recieved. One is her original referral video. The other is the video from the update.
Abby 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLBR7SeUG5s
Abby 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx7WhKJQzm4
Abby 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLBR7SeUG5s
Abby 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx7WhKJQzm4
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas Update!!
We are so excited-we didn't think we would get to see Abby again before January but we got an update today!!
Here are some pics of our precious baby:
As measured on 11/25/2008, Abby's height was 20 inches, weight 7 pounds 5 ounces, head size 34cm, chest size 33cm, and she drinks 90cc of milk every 4 hours. Being new parents, we have no idea if this is normal but we are sure she is amazing!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Jonathan's Test
Jonathan took his test today to become a LEED accredited architect and......he passed.
The test was a tough one and he knows good architects who have had trouble passing so we are very thankful that he passed the first time. LEED accreditation is important for architects who are focusing on keeping their architecture as green as possible. His firm is proud of him and, of course, so are we!!
The test was a tough one and he knows good architects who have had trouble passing so we are very thankful that he passed the first time. LEED accreditation is important for architects who are focusing on keeping their architecture as green as possible. His firm is proud of him and, of course, so are we!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The World of Taiwanese Adoption: What Happens Now?
Everyone has been asking us what is happening between now and when we will travel to Taiwan to pick up baby Abby. Here is a run down of the Taiwanese court process that will legally make Abby our daughter. It gets a little technical but people have been asking and goodness knows I can't explain it all! It adds up to about 5 more months of waiting. Sigh.
District Court Process
a. The family court office reviews the case/petition and a Judge is assigned to the case.
b. Judge reviews and considers the case and schedules a "hearing". Hearings are handled differently depending on the birth family's situation, the judge's schedule, persons representing the birth family and those representing the adoptive family. The time involved in getting a hearing scheduled depends on the judge's calendar/schedule and that of everyone else, required to attend.
What happens during the hearing?
Most often, the hearing just provides a judge with more information about the case and allows him/her to rule on the adoption with confidence. The responsibility of the District Court is to make sure that every issue related to the best interest of the child has been considered. Though lengthy &frustrating at times, the District Court process protects the child, the birth parent, the organization caring for the child, AND in the end protects us as adoptive parents. When the District Court decisions have been made, adoptive families can be confident that the process was handled with consideration and in the best interest of the child.
Next comes the FIRST RULING (Part 1 of first decree)
Once the District Court hearing has been completed and the judge has had time to make a decision to finalize the adoption, he/she issues the first part of the Final Decree. This is a short statement signed by the judge that is forwarded to the parties involved (social services organization on behalf of the adoptive family and the birth family) notifying everyone of his/her decision to finalize the adoption. This first part of the Final Decree must go to each party and there is a waiting period of 10 days before any more can happen to ensure everyone has been notified of the judge's decision. The First Ruling generally comes about a month after the Hearing.
The Second and Final Ruling (Part II of Final Decree)
Once the 10 day waiting period is up, the second part of the Final Decree is forwarded to all parties. When the second part of the decree is received by your child's social service organization, the court process is DONE!
After the Final Ruling we will travel to pick up Abigail!
Families usually travel about 2 weeks after the final ruling but sometimes only a week’s notice is given-yikes!
District Court Process
a. The family court office reviews the case/petition and a Judge is assigned to the case.
b. Judge reviews and considers the case and schedules a "hearing". Hearings are handled differently depending on the birth family's situation, the judge's schedule, persons representing the birth family and those representing the adoptive family. The time involved in getting a hearing scheduled depends on the judge's calendar/schedule and that of everyone else, required to attend.
What happens during the hearing?
Most often, the hearing just provides a judge with more information about the case and allows him/her to rule on the adoption with confidence. The responsibility of the District Court is to make sure that every issue related to the best interest of the child has been considered. Though lengthy &frustrating at times, the District Court process protects the child, the birth parent, the organization caring for the child, AND in the end protects us as adoptive parents. When the District Court decisions have been made, adoptive families can be confident that the process was handled with consideration and in the best interest of the child.
Next comes the FIRST RULING (Part 1 of first decree)
Once the District Court hearing has been completed and the judge has had time to make a decision to finalize the adoption, he/she issues the first part of the Final Decree. This is a short statement signed by the judge that is forwarded to the parties involved (social services organization on behalf of the adoptive family and the birth family) notifying everyone of his/her decision to finalize the adoption. This first part of the Final Decree must go to each party and there is a waiting period of 10 days before any more can happen to ensure everyone has been notified of the judge's decision. The First Ruling generally comes about a month after the Hearing.
The Second and Final Ruling (Part II of Final Decree)
Once the 10 day waiting period is up, the second part of the Final Decree is forwarded to all parties. When the second part of the decree is received by your child's social service organization, the court process is DONE!
After the Final Ruling we will travel to pick up Abigail!
Families usually travel about 2 weeks after the final ruling but sometimes only a week’s notice is given-yikes!
'Tis the Season
Christmas time is here (to the tune of a Charlie Brown Christmas)! We have been doing fun Christmasy things and talking about what traditions we will start with our new little family. Here is what we have for sure:
Driving around to look at Christmas lights while listening to Christmas songs. Trust us, the lights look much better than the camera captured. Here is just an example.
Jon and I went to his office Christmas party at the Boathouse downtown. The San Diego harbor lights are so cool. The tall ships are all lit up and it all adds to the magic. (Am I shmaltzy or what?)
We also sang in a Christmas musical for Donna, which was fun. It was a beautiful score about the hope of Christmas.
Decorating Christmas cookies for us and the neighbors. Don't laugh-we know they don't look like much but it was fun!!
Driving around to look at Christmas lights while listening to Christmas songs. Trust us, the lights look much better than the camera captured. Here is just an example.Jon and I went to his office Christmas party at the Boathouse downtown. The San Diego harbor lights are so cool. The tall ships are all lit up and it all adds to the magic. (Am I shmaltzy or what?)
We also sang in a Christmas musical for Donna, which was fun. It was a beautiful score about the hope of Christmas.Saturday, December 6, 2008
Jon in New Orleans
Last week Jon "had" to go to New Orleans for an architecture conference. His whole family loves the city of New Orleans and he was able to get some great food and sightseeing in between his conference sessions. He called me from the Cafe Dumonde twice!
The French Quarter:
Here is a pic of the cathedral:
A great old cemetary in the Garden District:
Here is a pic of the cathedral:A great old cemetary in the Garden District:
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