Auction coming up soon!!!

We will be having an online auction just after Christmas (Dec 28-Jan 2nd) so you can spend some of that Christmas cash you might get! 
If you have any items you would like to donate please pm me, thank you.

Keep your eye open for further details!!! Help bring our daughter Tynsleigh home.

Where are we?

I am working hard on getting my final copy of my homestudy. We are only waiting on one more paper and then I will forward it to my Adoption Agency for review. Still hoping we are on track for Jan 2nd mailing to USCIS. 

I am also working toward my dossier. I only have about 5 more items (plus my finalized homestudy and I800a approval) and then it will be complete  If my homestudy gets to USCIS on time I hope to have this by end of Jan and be DTC (Dossier to China) by mid Feb. It usually takes 2 weeks for authentication. 

Where are we with fees? We have paid for Brennan's post placement report, Tynsleigh's homestudy update is paid for, FDLE background screening fee is paid for, and adoption agency application is sent in with the application fee. Next fees to come up with are medical fees ($200) and USCIS fees (still waiting to find out exactly how much it is since my second son will be 18 years old in 3 weeks), and our next Agency fee ($2000)!


We are hoping to travel at the end of summer but I understand it is all in God's timing! 

Please pray we can meet each goal during every step of our process.

Here is our financial support link and a beautiful picture of Tynsleigh (that I can't help but smile at each day)!!!

https://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/barrett-family-adoption-/269042

Thanks

I want to take this time to thank everyone again!

I want to thank those that supported me with your love, prayers, and positive words during our adoption of Brennan.

I want to say a special thank you to those that donated financially toward our adoption.

I never did find out who donated the large amount of money at the end of my adoption but God knows who you are and you will be blessed. You are an angel and I really appreciate all you did for us. I would love to know who you are and send you a beautiful Christmas card as a thank you. I could never thank you enough for what you did.

Every person who was there for us in your love, prayers, positive words, hugs and financial help is so very special to me and our words will never be enough to thank you :)

Announcement...

Did I get your interest?

Have you been reading everything I write since last week when I announced that I had an announcement?

Well, here it is...

In July 2013 (a year and a half ago) before I even saw my little boys face and committed to him I saw this little girl. She was 9 years old and bald as can be. They had shaved her head bald! Why? She has waited on the China Shared List for over 5 years and no one had inquired about her. Her eyes and dimples grabbed me. So I asked about her file and her file sounded so familiar. My children have a cousin with Cerebral Palsy and she was listed as having Cerebral Palsy. I got her file emailed to me along with 6 videos of her. She was so quiet, shy, proper, and full of smiles. She was only 7 in the videos but so precious. I am not sure why God had laid her on my heart but I began to advocate for this precious girl...all the while hoping to adopt her. I was approved for two on my homestudy and USCIS had also approved me for two but my agency had just changed their policy to only allow one adoption at a time to married or single couples. I kept advocating for her, I had her listed on Reece's Rainbow so someone would see her, I tried very hard to find her a family. Little did I know God had already found her family. I kept her picture on my phone and computer the whole time during my adoption of Brennan. I prayed for her often.

                                                                                         

I know God has a reason for everything.


My fundraising efforts were sooo very hard for Brennan's adoption but God came through. My flights to China were beyond horrible but we made it with one hour before Gotcha. My flights home were even worse and we had to drive home from Nashville (a 12 hour drive) with a toddler who hated the car seat. So I told myself I would not adopt again. I couldn't. It was too hard. But then I remembered the children that were in those two rooms at Brennan's orphanage with more severe disabilities it broke my heart. I couldn't stop thinking about their future. There are steps everywhere in China, everyone walks, so how would they get around? How would they get to and from work (if they could even work). What is their future? They didn't have one. I felt broken for them. I felt overwhelmed with the brokenness that God had laid on my heart for them. I had to do something...but what? Of course, I continued to advocate for children to find homes like I did before I traveled. It didn't seem like enough though. What was God asking me to do with this overwhelming feeling? It was hard to look at all of these faces and feel helpless.

I know God has a reason for everything.

So, I talked to God. What do you want from me? I can't do the fundraising again...it was too hard. Then I remembered I don't know hard...of course, my life has been rough, I have been through so many trials and tribulations but my life is not hard... those orphans have it hard. They don't have a mother, they don't have a family, they don't hear I love you every day, they don't have anyone to kiss on them, they don't have anyone to tuck them in, or wipe their tears, or hold them when they are sick. They have it hard!

I know God has a reason for everything.

So, what was his plan for me?

Let me introduce you to my daughter...

Tynsleigh Madisyn QingYun Barrett

We got PA for her on November 3, 2014!!

Yes!!! It is the same little girl that I fell in love with over 16 months ago!!!

Yes!!! I am adopting again!!!

Yes!!! I am absolutely in love with her already!!! 

If you want to donate to help us bring Tynsleigh home here is our link:

https://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/barrett-family-adoption-/269042

We have our first fundraiser also:

https://www.bonfirefunds.com/bringing-barrett-family-home

30 Day Challenge (Day 1-4)

I am doing a Reece's Rainbow 30 Day Christmas Challenge

We need all the help we can get for these kids...Please donate and share...

Our goal for today is to get each child I feature to have $30 donated to their fsp. Please help me spread the word each day until we reach our goal!!! $30 is all we need. It can take one, two or ten donations to get her to his goal! Please donate and share. Each day for the next 30 days I will share a new child for us to pray for and help their fsp grow by $30!!! $30 for 30 children in 30 days!!!

Day 1(Nov 17) - Kendall 

Beautiful 8 year old girl. Her fsp challenge was met.

http://reecesrainbow.org/59320/kendall

Day 2 (Nov 18) - Emma Grace

Beautiful 7 year old girl. Her fsp is still $10 away.

http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=emma+grace

Day 3 (Nov 19) - Gideon

Handsome 12 year old boy. His fsp needs to read $277.25 and he will then get an additional $100.00

http://reecesrainbow.org/70012/gideon-2

Day 4 (Nov 20) - Abner

Handsome 5 year old boy. His fsp needs to read $100.

http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=abner

My all time favorite

I forgot to add that he says I Love You Mommy all of the time and most of the time he says it first!!! He also asks for kisses too!! I love how lovable, snuggly, and sweet this little boy is...my heart is bursting with love for him.

First Post Placement Visit

We had our first post placement visit this past week. It started off rocky. I thought we set the appointment for 10:30 so I didn't interfere with the little one's lunch or nap but then realized it was set for 11:30. Then I get a call at 11:40 from my social worker saying she thought it was for 12:30. So she got there at 12:30 right after lunch, I was cleaning up and suppose to be putting Brennan down for a nap. But I couldn't because the social worker needed to meet him, see us interact and he doesn't lay down without me snuggling with him. I was worried he would be fussy. I was also worried she wouldn't get to see the amazingly intelligent boy I have because he will not talk in front of anyone that is not family (which I do not mind since he knows who family is and that is HUGE with an adopted orphan). BUT...of course, Brennan was a star. He sang nursery rhymes, talked to Chelsea and me, read us a book with animals and made their sounds, spoke in sentences, was happy, playing and she was in utter amazement at him. I am not exaggerating when I say how intelligent he is. He speaks like he has been here his entire 3 months and he only counted to 10 in English when he became part of our family. He picks up everything and knows what it means. If I take too long he has already learned to say "Come on mommy" thanks to my older children...lol.

He was a self soother from the day we got him. He use to suck his thumb when he was tired..every single time. He now does not suck his thumb any more so his lip and thumb are finally able to heal. He loves to cuddle and be held to fall asleep and I love that.

His favorite food is blueberry yogurt! His favorite toy is his Scout Puppy that sings nursery rhymes that we bought him with his baptism money! His favorite person is mommy (which I love)! His favorite place to go is to watch his brother Andrew play in his soccer games! His favorite movie (only seen it on the plane ride home 4 times) is Frozen! He is not afraid of Santa and even visited him yesterday! We went to the Frozen/Santa exhibit at the mall (only an hour or so drive away...lol) and he loved every minute of it!!!

                          

                    

                         

                                              

One month as Brennan's mother!

I know...I know... It has been a couple weeks since I have updated!! I'm sorry. I wasn't sure how many people read this since it says there are no followers but nearly 60-100 people have viewed each of my posts!!! So...I'm guessing someone might be interested in how we are doing. But I am a writer...I have been since I was in Middle School. I even use to go to Writer's Camp. Yes...I did!!! I have written books (just never got any published so I guess I write for fun). Anyways, like I was saying before I distracted myself... Since I am a writer I can't just sit down and write a little two sentence update. Have I had time to write longer than a two sentence update? NO! I have been bonding and spending time with my amazing family and this new little bundle of pure perfection!!!

First of all...our trip home was JUST as horrible as our trip to China! I keep telling everyone that God had to give us a horrible trip because the bonding and transition with my son has been seemless!!! We got in the van to head to the train station in GZ (Guangzhou) so we could take the bullet train to Hong Kong the night before we flew out. We bought our train tickets ahead of time online before we left (never will I do that again). Since we had troubles getting TO China and we had a van pick us up at the airport so we didn't miss Gotcha we didn't pick up our train tickets in Hong Kong so when we went to the ticket counter to pick them up to leave GZ to go to HK they said we had to pick them up in HK on our way into GZ and since we didn't do that they voided them. So now I am out $150!!! Then since we thought we had the tickets waiting for us we didn't get any more money converted. So we stood in the middle of this train station with no tickets, no Yuan or Hong Kong Dollars!!! We called our guide to see if she could help (NOPE)!!! All she said was ask around. Of course we had already done that for over an hour and a half. Then I saw this group of business professionals. I walked up to them with a screaming child (he was soooo done being there and he was hungry and tired since it was past his bedtime) and asked them if they had change. Thankfully they did and they exchanged our $100 USD for their HK dollars and we bought 2 tickets to get to HK! Then we get in the train station and this lady rudely shoved my daughter out of the elevator and threw her bags in the elevator and hurt the lady next to me in a wheelchair. Then she stepped in. I went down the elevator and waited for my daughter. We almost missed the train because this lady and her husband had over 7 oversized bags and shoved them all on the elevator and shoved my daughter off once again. So we got to HK about 11:30pm (way past all of our bedtime...lol). We checked in (thank goodness I was able to get this hotel on points with my bank and booked it before I left). We arranged for shuttle to the airport the next morning and went to BED! The next morning we got on the plane and headed to Seattle!! My son became a US Citizen on Wed Oct 22, 2014. Then we flew to Detroit. My boy was such a pro for the flights. He was amazing. Then we hit problems. Since we were still flying standby there were no seats to Tampa, FL. There were no seats to anywhere in FL any time in the next 5 days!!! Are you kidding? I couldn't stay in a hotel for those days. I couldn't afford it PLUS I just wanted to be home with my kids. I missed them. So we asked them to get us as close as we could. Then there was the problem that out of the 7 people who were trying to help us they couldn't all work together and I was running from the gate (that was trying to hold a plane for us) to the help desk (that was extremely helpful) to the red Delta assistance phones. I felt like I was running a marathon. UGH. Finally we got 3 seats (they couldn't like Brennan's with ours so that was the issue since ours were round trip and his were one way) to Nashville. We got into Nashville at 10pm their time and got a rental car (excpt it took 2 hours to get a car because that is just our luck). We drove straight through to home in Tampa, FL. It was a 12 hour flight that we had to turn into 18 hours because Brennan HATED the car seat and if he was awake he was screaming screaming screaming and kicking and trying to get out. He HATED it!!! He did sleep a lot since he was on China time so that made it easier and we had to make frequent stops so he could get out and run. We met my family at the airport since we had to go there to pick up our luggage that arrived the day before us and return the car. It was so amazing!!! My children and the Sotolongo Family met us there!!! My children even made special shirts for them all to wear.

I cried like a baby!!!

We were home!!!!

Bonding has gone amazingly well. He is very very bonded and attached to me and Chelsea. He loves his brothers and sisters. We took picture books with us to China for him with several pics of everyone plus we skyped every morning. He knew everyone's name after the first few days of talking to them. (He still looks at those picture books all of the time).

Brennan was baptized along with his brother, Trevor, and sister, Arianna, on Orphan Sunday! It was a beautiful day and lots of family came to celebrate this special day with us.

My oldest and my youngest!!! How sweet is this?????!!!!!!  <3

My 3 youngest that got baptized!!1

Brennan has only been part of our family for almost a month now and I am amazed at how smart he is and how fast he catches on.

Words he has learned (including the meaning)
Mommy (Not mama anymore)

I wuv foo (I love you)
Brennan (He doesn't want to be called by his Chinese name)
Brittany, Chase, Chelsea, Andrew, David, Jose, Paige, Arianna, Ameliya, Trevor, and Carter
Backpack
Eat
Cup

Drink
Mommy Truck
Carseat
Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth, Fingers, Toes, Belly
Car
Cow

Horse
Sticker

Good (with the thumbs up in reference to food)
Puppy
Kitty Kitty meow (that's what he calls our cat)
Please
Sock, Shoe
No (not my favorite but he knows it...lol)
Yes
Bye, bye
Mommy do
Yay Brennan
Water
Hello
All done

Frozen (yes my daughter taught him that because she loves everything Frozen)

Potty

And so many many more and he is learning more every day!!!!

He will not speak to anyone who is not family which is amazing for bonding that he already knows who his family is...

He knows several nursery rhymes nd their movements too!!!

His transition has been so smooth and amazing! I lay awake at night just looking at his perfect little face. He loves that mommy gives him a hundred kisses a day and never gets annoyed (thank you son for that...lol). 

All of my children have embraced him with so much love that it is amazing to see. He LOVES to wrestle with the older boys and uses them as his own personal jungle gym...lol.

I can't say enough great things about my son, his bonding, his attachement, the transition, our love for him or my appreication to everyone reading this that shared, helped, donated, prayed, and helped us to bring this little miracle home!!!

 I love my children!!! 

Oct 20 and 21 Update

On Monday we woke up early and skyped with the kids and grandkids back home (I miss them so much and can't wait to hug and kiss on them). Then we went to Brennan's Consulate appointment to apply for his Visa to enter the US. My guide will pick up Tues afternoon right before we leave Guangzhou. The US Visa will allow Brennan to become a US Citizen when he first reaches US soil. So he will become a US citizen in Seattle! Then we went back to the hotel for lunch and a nap for him. During his nap I snuck out to get directions to where we wanted to go while Chelsea stayed in the room with him. He woke up and freaked out because I wasn't there. This makes he happy that he is attached :) Then we took a taxi to the Grandview Mall. I have NEVER seen a mall like this. There were 7 floors to this mall and so many turns, bridges, escalators, they even had one whole floor for just children's clothes and toys. The top floor was a huge play area with a Carousel (yes on the 7th floor and it was HUGE), and climbing toys. This mall would be 9 of our malls around where I live. We also visited the underground Fashion Shopping. This was an outdoor booth like flea market with brand new clothes, shoes, etc. It was all kinds of turns and curves but if it was stretched out in a straight line probably would have reached 3 miles. It was huge. These two things are things that adoptive families should see. It was amazing. We also went to the Sports Stadium. It looked old and run down and not used. There was a very long walkway that we let Brennan run on. After we shopping til we dropped (my back was hurting from carrying him in the pouch all day and walking what must have been 5 miles and our legs hurting from all of that walking) we headed back to the hotel to grab dinner, baths/showers, and bed!

In China there are 2 ways to cross a street and both are nothing like where we live. The smaller streets you cross and hope you don't get hit. The pedestrians do NOT have the right of way. The cars do NOT slow down. Other pedestrians will shove you out of the way to get where they are going. The larger streets are separated by a white fence down the median which means the cars can not turn around in the streets and pedestrians can not cross. The cars have to go up on an exit ramp, turn around on the ramp and go the other directions if they need to turn that way. The pedestrians have two options (depending on which one is available). Some places have underground crossings to get to the other side of the street and others have pedestrian bridges you cross over the street. Either way you climb 100 steps up and 100 steps down. There is so much walking in China. Almost everyone walks. I have only seen public transportation on the road with the exception to 1 personal vehicle, We have to walk 5 blocks (each way) to the nearest grocery store. You have to walk everywhere. I typically eat one meal a day back home but here I have eaten 3 each day plus snacks and with all of this walking still feel like I have lost 10 pounds (and I didn't even weigh 100 pounds when I got here so I can't afford to lose any...lol). I love how healthy the culture is with all of the walking but my legs have had it. China is not clean but it is unique. It has a sense of character. The gardens and some of the greater cultural spots are amazing. You will see hundreds of apartment buildings, millions of people all with very different style, and tons of life. They do stare at us but it is to be expected. I mean, how weird would it be if there was a Chinese person walking in a predominately white neighborhood carrying a white baby with blonde hair and blue eyes like it was their own. My daughter has become a pro at getting a taxi. She has been a lifesaver while here. She carries everything for me, manages the money, juggles everything I can't, she does everything while I tend to the needs of my lil guy. She is amazing and I couldn't have made this trip without her. I love that my other daughter back home is watching all of my kids back home. She has been amazing...feeding them great meals, giving them baths, making sure everyone is doing what they should...along with juggling her own family. I have amazing children...all 7 of them!! Wow, I can now officially say I have 7 children. Brennan will have a story like no other and I am thankful for his story, his love, his life and the chance to be his family.

Today we are headed back to a shop to get one last thing and then we will head to Hong Kong tonight. We will stay one night in a hotel and then fly out the next morning to the US where my boy will become a US citizen. Please pray that our standby flights do not happen like it did to get to China. Please pray we do not get bumped from flights and we have a safe, smooth, uneventful trip home!!!

Oct 16, 17, 18, 19 Update

It has been a very busy, rough few days. On Thursday the 16th Chelsea (my daughter), Brennan and I took the trip to Brennan's orphanage. I had wrestled with this for so many weeks and even that morning I had considered changing my mind. So many "what if's" ran through my head...as I'm sure most parents go through in this situation. Even on the car ride over there I had considered asking them to turn around. On our way there we got lost, several times. He slept the whole way there in the car and when we got there he clung to me. When we go outside he usually likes to be in the Boba pouch that I have with me (and I love it for bonding also). When we got to the orphanage he wanted in it and wrapped his little hands around my arms and rested his head on my chest. I immediately felt uneasy about being there. We waited outside for the lady to come and show us around so we took pictures. We were taken in and immediately told we could take pictures of empty rooms and hallways. We could not take pictures of any children no matter what. They had one person watching us to make sure we didn't take any pictures of children. I felt horrible since in the past year there were other families who took pictures of my little guy on their visit for us. There were four families waiting for information and photos from my visit and I had let them down. The first room they brought us to was the baby room where he use to sleep when he was younger. This room had about 10 little metal cribs in it. The next room was a room with little bunk beds. It took 5 nannies to figure out which bed my son use to sleep in. We took a picture of his bed. Then they showed us the shower room where they shower and brush their teeth, the bathroom, and the classroom. Then another nanny came up to us and took my son from me. Up to this point he had been holding tight to me and didn't want me to put him down. This nanny took him and started to walk away. HEY!!! Where are you going with my son??? Chelsea and I followed them and they took him to another classroom. They took him around and had him shake hands with all of his friends. His eyes never left me. They kept talking to him in Chinese and he kept looking at me standing in the doorway. Then they brought him out and all 5 ladies were talking to him in Chinese and I tried to pick him up and he started screaming. It broke my heart. I had no idea what they were saying to him. I was mad that they took him and kept thinking "I hope they aren't saying anything negative to him". I grabbed him and started to walk away from the classroom. I just wanted to leave! The lady directing our tour took us outside to the playground and told us that was his classroom's favorite play time. I could tell that children hadn't been on that playground for a very long time. He had no idea what to do on the playground. Then one of the nannies tried to bring his class outside to play with him. It was so confusing to him we picked him up and tried to leave. Then the lady took us to the building next door. There was a room with two nannies and about 15 children all range from 0 - 8 that were crawlers. The room had bars on the door and windows. The nannies didn't talk to the children at all. They just fed them and moved them. Then we went to the room next door where the more severely disabled children were. There were about 10 children in this room from about 5 years to about 10 years. They couldn't walk. Most had either eye issues, leg braces on, or were immobile. There was one little boy blind sitting in a corner banging his head on a bucket and no one talking to him or moving him. These nannies didn't talk to the children. There was one who had his head stuck in one of the seats and the nanny was getting mad because she couldn't get his head out. There was another laying on the floor next to the same nanny just crying. She looked at him several times and just ignored him. Then she finally picked him up and put him in a little chair. His legs couldn't move. They were stuck and he just cried. Then another nanny saw us watching him so she came over to pick him up and he finally stopped crying. My daughter (who says she will have a family that looks like Angelina Jolie) fell in love with another little boy in this room. He just stood at the cabinets smiling at her. He had no hair, he had leg braces on, he didn't look like he could walk or move but he just stood there smiling at her. He was adorable and stole her heart. I think he may have changed her heart so much. This last group of children were all so beautiful. They were not handled much or spoke to. These children all stole my heart!!!

After this we left to go visit Brennan's finding spot. We were almost there and Brennan started yelling that he had to go to the bathroom. So we got out and my guide told me to let him go in the bushes. It happened that he went to the bathroom right exactly at his finding spot. In the bushes, by the bus stop outside the park. Wow, son... really? The park was beautiful but our guide didn't take us in. We were allowed to take pictures of the bus stop and then we left. Disappointing!!! Then we started our long drive back to the hotel and he screamed most of it. He was done driving, he was hungry, he was frustrated, he was just DONE!!! We stopped and got him something to eat and that seemed to help for a little bit. It was a long rough drive. This was a very large temper tantrum. We had never seen a temper tantrum yet. I am not sure if the confusion from the orphanage visit had brought on the temper tantrums or if this was something else. We got out the balloons in the van, We tried tickling, playdough, cars, washing with wipes, and everything else in our bag of tricks. Finally we were back at the hotel. It was a very rough day for all of us. We were all done...we stayed in the hotel and just relaxed the rest of the night.

On Friday, after we skyped with the family back home we took a taxi to Shamian Island. When we got to the point where our guide told us to go we asked for directions. We were sent the wrong direction but we had a great time. We got some great deals and saw some very interesting things. We bought Brennan some beautiful blue Chinese Silks. After we got back we realized this wasn't Shamian Island we went to but we still liked it.

On Saturday, after we skyped with the family back home we took a taxi to the shoe warehouse part of Guangzhou. It really is amazing. There are booths upon booths upon booths of shoes. It was like a giant outdoor flea market of nothing but shoes. Each booth had hundreds of shoes. They only carry smaller than a men's 8. So we didn't get any shoes. We headed back to the hotel, met our guide for paperwork and then went to dinner at the Mexican restaurant with our travel group. Brennan was overtired and was not his usual well-behaved self. He is not a late person.

On Sunday, we woke up, skyped with the family back home, had breakfast and then went down to the lobby to meet our travel group for our group picture. After the group picture (which of course we dressed Brennan in his Chinese silks) we went in the garden out back of the hotel for pictures of my little boy. Then we changed and went shopping again. We went to the silk market and then to the real Shamian Island. We found it and got pictures at the famous statue spot.

Brennan is very spirited, he knows what he wants and doesn't want. He is learning. He laughs a lot. He loves to give kisses and hugs. He loves to be held. He loves his mama and MeiMei. He loves to talk to everyone back home on skype. If I'm at my computer he comes running over to see if the kids are on. It is cute. He has thrown some major tantrums but it is to be expected. His whole life was just turned upside down. He doesn't like to stay up late. He loves baths. He loves mama putting lotion on when he gets changed. He loves his feet rubbed. He is learning to let mama take him potty, change him, put his shoes on and feed him. Yes, he can do all of these things on his own but he needs to learn he has a mama now and she will take care of him. He is learning. We keep telling him "mama do" and he will smile and say "mama do". It is the cutest. He now tells me he has to go potty (in Chinese but not sure how to spell what he is saying) then when he gets in the bathroom he says "mama do". I love how he is learning. He says "water" when he sees water fall or pond. He knows names of his family. He says "bye bye" and knows what it means. He even crawled up on my lap today to cuddle for his nap (he usually snuggles next me in the bed for nap). It is rough but it is amazing and worth it!!! I love my little dragon prince.

Oct 15th Update

This is the craziest thing I have ever done. Who spends a whole year doing so much paperwork I must have killed a few rainforests and then ends up on the other side of the world picking up the most perfect little boy they will forever call their son? Me!!! I still can't believe it is real. I keep thinking...am I dreaming? No, I am in China and I have the perfect little boy in my arms all day and night. Yesterday we started our day by skyping my kids back home and he loves to talk to them. Then we met our group for our appointments. First we went for the medical appointment. He got his photo taken then we went into another waiting room for adoptive families only. We waited for such a long time. (Suggestion - bring lots of toys to each of these appointments and bring a new one they haven't seen yet to the longer ones like this to keep their attention. Also, bring snacks and water. Most are around lunch time so we brought a Gerber diced apples dish and he loved it better than just Gerber puffs). These appointments are so very hard on the kids. They are long and they get overwhelmed, tired, and hungry. Prepare for them!!!! Then it finally came time for the TB test, medical check up, height and weight check and for them to see the ENT. He did great for the medical check up but then we went in the line for the TB and when the child in front of him came out screaming he started screaming and clung to me. It is HARD!!! I stood outside the door and heard him scream the whole time. It ripped my heart out (Suggestion - Step away a little bit to save your heart from breaking). Then they brought him out and were about to drop him. He couldn't jump in my arms fast enough. That made my heart smile. Then we were rushed to the height and weight station without having time to console our little ones. After that we were rushed to the ENT. He checked out fine!!! After all of the families were done we headed back to the hotel ( 3 hours later). The smaller agencies with less families were in and out in no time but we had 8 families and had to wait for each one to get done. Once we got to the hotel we got lunch, ate and had to head back downstairs for the next appointment. We restocked his back pack with some new toys we haven't shown him yet. We drove a few minutes to the police station and it was pretty quick compared to every other appointment but by this time every child was done! I brought out the little packs of playdough I had brought since there were tiny tables for each family to sit at. He loved it. It kept his attention the whole time. We just switched colors and he thought it was great. We were back to the hotel about 5pm so we went to the local store (5 blocks away and always packed) to pick up another package of wipes (we use them a lot for cleaning so pack a few packs even if your child isn't in diapers). Then on our way back to the hotel we stopped at the Italian Restaurant for dinner. It really wasn't Italian, it was ran by Chinese people, it had Mexican and Chinese food on the menu and we got poor service. They all just kept walking by looking at us with the most awful looks because we were white with a little Chinese boy. It felt like they were mad at us for taking one of their children! So, we left, went back to the hotel did baths, lotion, pajamas and bed! It was a crazy busy day. Today I get to go to the orphanage. I wrestled with this decision for so many weeks before I traveled. I didn't want him to go there and be upset that I was returning him, or go there and he want his nannies and not me, or that he would regress with bonding, or who knows what else went through my head. After spending a few days with him and knowing how bonded he is to me I decided to go to his orphanage and his finding spot. He is great in the car so I am not worried about the hour long trip to his orphanage but I am still worried about his little heart when we go there. Please pray for his heart to be full and his trip to be closure for him.
He calls me mama, loves to lean in for kisses all the time, pushes his cheek to my lips, he laughs all of the time, he can repeat all of the kids names back home and LOVES to look at his picture books with them in it (Suggestion - bring some picture books of everyone), he is fully potty trained and tells me when he has to go (he just turned 3 at the end of August), he eats great but will spit out food if he doesn't like it (he loved the white part of the hard boiled egg but spits out the yolk every time), he travels great, he knows when we go bye-bye he goes in mommy's Boba pouch and he prefers it that way. If we go outside and he is not in the pouch he panics, starts to squirm and get upset and squeeze me tight so we ask him if he wants in pouch and he yanks at it. If we are in the hotel room and we say "let's go bye bye" then he will grab the pouch and bring it to mama. He feels so safe and holds me. When we walk he constantly grabs my hands while he is in his pouch and just holds them. When he sleeps he has to cuddle with me or hold me to make sure he knows I am here. Of course, all of this I love. He does have some sensory issues so when he gets overwhelmed he runs and laughs and throws things but we just redirect and he calms down. He does not like chaos and stressful situations (like appointments). He loves when I say "Mama kisses" and he gives kisses (of course I love that too). My boy is so smart that he can count to 5  in Chinese and English. His orphanage worked with him on this I'm sure. He even holds up his fingers when he says it. He tries to copy words. He has picture cards with the picture on the front and the Chinese and English words on the back. He can match up all of the cards that we brought and we clap and cheer for him every time. He is a sweet, loving spirited boy with lots of character and the best part is...HE'S MINE!!! Brennan AsaMing Jachin Barrett

Oct 14th update

Yesterday we went to the Civil Affairs office to complete the adoption paperwork for my son!!! He is officially ours! It was really crazy because there were so many families that it took longer and the little ones got tired and hungry. Brennan got irritable because he was overwhelmed so we walked the halls. He is a thumb sucker when he sleeps and is a lover when he is awake. After the Civil Affairs office we came back to the hotel, changed, took a cab to WalMart (like none you have ever seen), got what we needed, ate at KFC (we got so many neck braking looks from others), then took a cab back to the hotel. On the way back he fell asleep on my lap so we went upstairs to the room and we all napped with him and just woke up. The longest 15 hour nap I have ever taken!!! Today we drive to the clinic to take his visa photo, get his Medical check done, and draw blood for testing and this afternoon we drive to the police station to apply for his Chinese passport!!! Going to skype at home with my kids in an hour. He already copies their names when we point at their pictures in the picture books we brought him. He loves those books and looks at them all of the time. Advise for other families, bring picture books of everyone at home... I love this little piece of perfection I can call my son!!! He loves baths, has spirit, has character, has an amazing and contagious giggle, loves kisses, and is all mine!!!!!

Oct 13th

Oct 13th was a day that started....well in an airplane.

I flew with Buddy Passes to China to get my son. I left on Friday Oct 10th because I coldn't leave earlier. I work for a church so my Visa had to be submitted one week before I left but there was Consulate closure so I got my passport on Oct 8th but the Visa service told me to give an extra day just in case I didn't get it in time so I had to leave the 10th. I got to the airport at 2:45am (by two older boys took me...such great kids). I stood in the ticket line until 4:20 when someone finally showed up to the ticket counter. Then we had to run upstairs, through security (along with 100 other people) and run to the gate and we find out we are number 17 & 18 on the standby list. Are you kidding me??? Why? I was so upset and of course we didn't make it on that flight...or the next...or the next... We were bumped 10 TIMES!!! Finally at the 2pm flight (yes we hopped gates for 12 hours) the flight was delayed by 2 hours so everyone at the gate ran to reschedule...YAY. Instantly 38 seats opened up and we got on a flight to Detroit after 14 hours at the Tampa Airport! Once we got off the plane we ran ten gates away to get on the flight to Seattle that was already boarding. We ran up to the counter and asked if there was room and he said there were two left!!! Yay... but the tickets wouldn't print. He tried for 10 minutes which felt like forever because we weren't sure and that mean't we would have to wait until the following day.He wrote two seat numbers on a piece of paper and said...pick one and go if you want on this flight... YAY. We ran down the gate to get on that plane. Thankfully we were able to sit together on both flights. Then we get to Seattle and we are stuck!! We went to a hotel for the night and went back to the airport by 9am. Our hopes were to make it on the 1:15 flight to Hong Kong and still make it in time for Gotcha. Nope...there were 9 ahead of us and it was not looking good at all. We cried, stressed, texted everyone, called everyone... then we began to run up and down every airline in that airport and ask for tickets to get us anywhere close to Guangzhou by Monday!!! Everyone was overbooked because there is a trade fair going on and everyone is flying here. UGH... but then one lady at one of the counters suggested I check out EVA Air online. They have flights from Seattle but only overnight usually and only a couple times a week so they aren't there during the day. So we did. We could fly from Seattle to Taipei to Hong Kong for $538 EACH and make it into HK on Monday morning. So we bought the tickets and my adoptive mama friend who lives in Seattle picked us up for a few hours to make a trip to the bank, eat a yummy dinner and play Disney Planes Uno game with her family. I love how Adoption has built so many amazing relationships in my life. I am grateful for every one of them. Then I headed back to the airport and got checked in and we were off at 2am!!! The flight was great! The flight attendants were of Asian decent but I am not sure which one specifically. They were all so sweet. We were served several meals, hot coffee, hot tea, they had children's chinese cartoons, and it was great. I would def fly them again!!!

We got off the plane in HK ran through Customs and Immigration, grabbed our bags, ran to our driver holding our sign, ran to the van and we were on our way at 9:30am. Then we hit Customs and Immigration getting from HK to China. We sat there for over a half an hour barely moving each time. It was killing me. God has really tried to work with me on patience but I fail each time...LOL. We finally got through and we were on our way again. Everyone says it takes 3 to 3 1/2 hours from HK airport to the Garden in GZ but it took us 2 1/2 hours. I'm sure we were speeding the whole way and I'm sorry if he gets a ticket but I am so very thankful for this young man who got us to our hotel by 12pm. We met our guide, he checked our paperwork, gave us a very very brief update and we went to the room to get things ready to go meet my son.

I still couldn't believe it. I was there...in China... getting ready to go get my son!!!! We had finally done it with the help of so many amazing people in my life. So then we meet the other families and our guide, get in a bus and we head to the Civil Affairs office. I saw other adoptive moms from one of my support groups online and we all helped each other with pics. It was amazing! Then it was my turn. My daughter had already cheated and saw him... He was beautiful. He walked right out and over to us with the person that walked with him. He wanted to go back into the play room with the toys but then I showed him the toys we had and he stayed. Then Chelsea (my daughter) and I went to a quite corner in the room, sat on the floor with him in my lap and we played for an hour. The orphanage nanny came over, they answered some questions for us and we were given some gifts from them and a picture book. We got pictures and then we all got in the bus to go back to the hotel. He sat in my lap (no seat belts or car seats in China) and he just held my arm and snuggled with his Disney Planes shades, of course.

He is amazingly perfect. He is a character, he has laughed, cried once, eats great, had his first McDonald's (and LOVED it), hugs, asks for me to pick him up, crawls up on my lap, is silly, he is attaching great to me and his sister (in appropriate ways with both of us), he loved his new pajamas, loves his new toys (and has a few favorites already_), snuggles with me in his sleep and feels around for me if he can't find me while he is sleeping (YAYAYAYAYAY)!!!!! I couldn't have asked for anything better. I was expecting the worst since the last month was so hectic getting there...
 Then the three of us ventured out to the local grocery store to get bottled water and some other drinks for us to keep in the room along with some Seaweed crackers for Brennan (MingMing). That store was CRAZY but we did hit it around the time everyone was getting off of work so that was a BIG mistake. Then we walked to McDonald's and got dinner to eat in the hotel room. He loved the cheeseburger and fries. In about 6 hours I will sign the papers and he will officially be a Barrett!!! HE IS PERFECTION!!!!


Thank you ALL for being such an important part of our journey to bringing this beautiful boy into our family!!! We are forever grateful.

Fully FUNDED

On Saturday I attended a birthday party for a very handsome and very loved little batman (it was a princess and superhero dress up party). He has only been with his forever family for a few months but has already changed so very much. His sweet parents dedicated his birthday party to my Brennan to help get him home. I can not believe the friends I have made through this adoption. I received some amazing gifts of money toward our adoption (we were still over $8368 short and that was not counting any spending money or food money). One family that has also recently adopted donated $1000 to us. I was amazed by the generous gifts. Over $1500. Then as families were leaving the birthday party I received an email that someone had donated $8000 to my YouCaring site. I have no idea who this individual is. I have tried to look for her to thank her but I can not locate her name anywhere on Facebook. I want to let her know that she brought tears to my eyes and every other adoptive parent around me at that party. I was shaking and couldn't even talk. I just walked around showing everyone the email. If you are reading this...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU...I CAN NEVER REPAY YOU FOR THE GENEROUS GIFT OF FAMILY YOU GAVE TO US~!!!!!!

I just kept thinking "Is this for real?"  "Is this really happening?" I am still in disbelief. I have praised God for the gift. He led me through this whole adoption process and I can point out every shining light he shed on our process. I am amazed at him and I hope the angel who donated to us knows how forever grateful our family will be to her. Love to everyone who donated, shared, and prayed for our family! My computer crashed a few days ago and I just got it back so I will be sending out shirts before I travel. Our Reece's Rainbow FSP is closed but you can still pay for your items through PayPal or YouCaring. We also spoke to our Social Worker today about our first post placement visit upon return with Brennan. I am so excited to finally traveling to go meet my youngest son!!! Thank you all again!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who donated!

Lil guy

Our Reece's Rainbow FSP and YouCaring site hasn't moved in two days and we leave in 6 days and 20 hours (there's a countdown on our blog)!!! We are still $8368 short. I am at a loss as to what to do or where to turn if the funds don't come in within the next 6 days!! I can't walk away from him! Please help us bring this little boy home... Here is a photo never before shared...He's not as healthy as he use to be! He needs to come home for testing and treatment!!! Please help.http://reecesrainbow.org/72960/sponsorbarrett
http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/barrett-family-adoption/238217
Bucks for Brennan shop to order Tshirts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/790715917640575/

Update

I have been asked where are we financially so here it is...

I am not sure who reads my blog but I want to say thank you to those who do! It means a lot that you are supporting us in this adventure to bring Brennan home. He is a very loved boy by so many and it makes me so very happy to tell him about everyone who supported us in bringing him home. Everyone will be part of his story. I will make a beautiful book for him for when he gets older with everything in it about who and how he came to be a Barrett!

First, let me detail out all expenses for adoption that have been paid up to this point by myself (with the help of the fundraisers I did).
Fundraisers - Tupperware, 2 Online Auctions, 2 Yard Sales, Candles, Bucks for Brennan page, sold Tshirts, and a Barn Dinner and Dance.

A great friend has offered the following - Horse riding lessons for any age, child or teen or adult. All supplied provided! $25 per lesson. 

This is where my Barn Dinner and Dance was held. 100% of proceeds from the first 3 lessons booked will go toward our adoption!

At Feathered Gaits Equine Stables in Brooksville, FL
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Feathered-Gaits-Equine-Stables/433531433441554

Paid through August 2014

Item Application Fee                              $250 Application Fee                            $1200 First Agency Fee                          $2088 Second Agency Fee                      $2088 Third Agency Fee (at DTC)         $2088 Fourth Agency Fee (at LOA)       $2088 CCCWA Log In Fee                       $800 PA Processing Fee                          $140 Medical Report                               $200 Passport/Visa Photos                        $52 Birth Certificate                                $13 USCIS                                             $975 Dossier Certification                         $33 State Certification                             $55 Chinese Authentication                   $275 Authentication Courier Fee             $150 Fed Ex Expenses                             $225 Flights                                           $2067 Train Tickets                                  $156 14943 This is what is left to pay for the next three weeks and what has been paid out of it. Flights                                      $2067 (Paid) Train Tickets                              $156 (Paid) Hotel in Hong Kong           $380 (Not paid) Orphanage Visit                           $500 (Paid) Orphanage Donation                 $5766 (Not paid) Adoption registration/passport    $502 (Not paid) Hague paperwork/Finding Ad     $124 (Paid) Wire Fee                                        $60 (Paid) Consulate Costs                           $122 (Paid) TB Test                                       $130 (Paid) Brennan Visa                               $230 (Paid) Adoption Notary                         $493 (Paid) Guide/Driver/Tips/Etc                 $985 (Paid) Guangzhou hotel                       $1720 (Not paid) Total - $13,235 Paid - $4867 Not Paid - $ 8,368 as of 10/1/2014 Please help with the remaining funds!!! Thank you!!