More on Ke Xin's Foster Care

When the Milwaukee family was told Ke Xin had been put into foster care, they were also told she'd gone to that foster care with a little boy. It turns out the little boy, Qi Meng, is being adopted by another lady on my Henan Yahoo Group. When we started looking back at our kids' original referral paperwork, Qi Meng's mentioned a big foster sister and Ke Xin's mentioned a little foster brother. The paperwork is from June of 2008, so that leads us to believe they have been together for some time. That's good because it means they may have been able to bond with each other - excellent for future attachment (with their new parents). Qi Meng's mom is Allison. She and her hubby live in Louisiana. It's not next door, but it's not too far away, either. (I'm thinking New Orleans and seafood...) It should be fairly easy for the kids to keep in touch. They are just alittle behind us in their paperwork and should be DTC in a couple weeks. It may still work out for us to travel together. That would be great!!!

Our adoption agency has established a foster care program for some of the kids in Xe Kin's orphanage. I have asked our Waiting Child Coordinator, Pam, to try to find out if Ke Xin is part of that program or if this is something the orphanage arranged on its own. I also found out we DON'T get updates every three months. We just get the one, 3 months after receiveing our Pre-Approval. Phooey. Closer to Gotcha Day, we'll send a cake and have some pictures taken by a care package service in China.

I have been investigating what shots/immunizations we'll need for the trip. None are required, but several are recommended - Hepatitis A & B, typhoid and tetanus. I think I'd rather be safe and get them. Debbi is going to ask her doc. I'm just going to the local Travel Clinic.

My painting is continuing, though slowly. I'm painting the 2 story foyer using the platform that Mark designed. It has worked wonderfully! Now we just have to figure out how to paint the 2 story staircase (and change the light bulbs that burned out about 3 years ago...) Ha!

Olivia is getting psyched about our trip. She mentions Ke Xin alot and made her an early birthday card the other day using her Scooby Doo stickers! I think she'll be a great big sister. I just hope Ke Xin can open up fairly quickly and accept her attention without freaking out. Here are a few more Olivia pics. She has quite the personality! The last photo is of her in her "High School Musical" outfit. She coordinated it herself and she is VERY proud of it.