Andrew Youxuan Porter
May 2008 3yrs (be sure to click on older posts at the bottom of each page to view all pictures)
Monday, May 19, 2008
Thank you
Thank you for visiting The Porter Family blog. Be sure to click on (older posts) at the bottom of this page to view all of the pictures.
Our story in a nutshell
Our adoption journey began in 2005. Our dossier (paperwork) was sent to China in October of 2005. When we first started the process we were planning on adopting a girl 1-3yrs of age. By the time we sent in our paperwork we realized that an older child would be more realistic for us so we requested a "healthy" girl between the ages of 3 & 5yrs. 3-4 times a year our agency receives a list of children with special needs. While waiting to matched with a child we decided it couldn't hurt to take a look at the special needs list. This list is known as the COP list. It stands for Child of Promise. Well, in April of 2006 there our daughter was on the COP list. We traveled to China as a family in August of 2006. Her orphanage was in Jiangsu Province in the city of Lianyungang.
Our second adoption journey began in 2007. Our plans were to adopt another 3-5yr old girl but this time knew we were devoted to a COP child. Maybe even with the same special need as Leah. Well, in November of 2007 a new list came out. Our paperwork wasn't even finished so we didn't even think about requesting a child. After a couple of months our agency sent out a general e-mail to remind folks that there were a few boys remaining from the November list. I nervously looked at this list because I didn't want to fall in love with a boy when we all had our hearts set on a little girl. Of course there was a little face on this list that I was drawn to but I kept it to myself for a week or so. Finally I brought it to the attention of my husband who right away said are you sure????? My teenage boys were all for it and even encouraged my to call the agency RIGHT AWAY! When I called my husband with the news that we had been matched with a 3 yr old little boy he said, "My heart just lept. I feel like I did when I was told I was going to be a father for the first time." The attraction we all felt to this little guy surprised us all because we were so sure we were going to adopt another little girl.
God changed our hearts twice. In both adoptions we set out to do one thing and ended up doing something quite different. We are so thankful to have Leah in our lives. She was well cared for in China as far as we can tell and she has adjusted to her new life with us almost seamlessly. Her special need sounded a little scary but figured we would just deal with it. Well, so far it has been almost a non issue. Praise God! Tom, Leah & I plan to travel to China together to get our newest family member. September travel is estimated. We can hardly wait.
Our second adoption journey began in 2007. Our plans were to adopt another 3-5yr old girl but this time knew we were devoted to a COP child. Maybe even with the same special need as Leah. Well, in November of 2007 a new list came out. Our paperwork wasn't even finished so we didn't even think about requesting a child. After a couple of months our agency sent out a general e-mail to remind folks that there were a few boys remaining from the November list. I nervously looked at this list because I didn't want to fall in love with a boy when we all had our hearts set on a little girl. Of course there was a little face on this list that I was drawn to but I kept it to myself for a week or so. Finally I brought it to the attention of my husband who right away said are you sure????? My teenage boys were all for it and even encouraged my to call the agency RIGHT AWAY! When I called my husband with the news that we had been matched with a 3 yr old little boy he said, "My heart just lept. I feel like I did when I was told I was going to be a father for the first time." The attraction we all felt to this little guy surprised us all because we were so sure we were going to adopt another little girl.
God changed our hearts twice. In both adoptions we set out to do one thing and ended up doing something quite different. We are so thankful to have Leah in our lives. She was well cared for in China as far as we can tell and she has adjusted to her new life with us almost seamlessly. Her special need sounded a little scary but figured we would just deal with it. Well, so far it has been almost a non issue. Praise God! Tom, Leah & I plan to travel to China together to get our newest family member. September travel is estimated. We can hardly wait.
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