Pieces of the Pie

So I had to put this pic on here, because it's the sweetest!!! 

Ok, so I tried my hardest to make a pie chart, but it just wasn't happenin' so this is the best I can do to show you what we have left to pay. This all  has to be sent to China before we get on the plane to get Hannah.

Consider "Taking a Piece of the Pie"  to Bring Hannah Home


(much of this is estimated; could be a little more or less)

Todd's Flights $1600
Kim's flights $1600
Hannah's One-Way Flight $1200
Hotel $2000
Food $500
Guide $500
Tours $500
Tuberculosis Test $130
Translation Fee $360
Guide/Service Fee $500
Driver Tips $200
Orphanage Donation (mandatory) $300
Total  Estimated Travel Expenses: $9,290

We have a tax deductible account for our adoption expenses. Email me at KimberlyLPate @ gmail.com if you want more info!!!!!!

Happy 10th Birthday Hannah!!!

We had a sweet celebration of Hannah's 10th Birthday. We have the greatest family and friends in the whole wide world. We are so blessed to have so much love and support.

 

Thank you Aunt Tracy for hosting!!!

My sweet friends who helped host the shower

 

I was completely overwhelmed by all of the love

My China Adoption Mommies

All hands on China!

It's been awhile...

We've had some exciting times the past couple of months.....

• Hannah received her Christmas care package with much joy. The Nannies tell us she would not stop rambling about her new family. She told everyone how excited she is to have a Daddy who is "so tall" (ba ha ha-Todd is 5'6") and brothers that are so little. Hannah told the Nanny's "Don't cut my hair! I'm going to America and all the girls have long hair." They sent us a ton of pictures!

On the trampoline in the orphanage

We sent her a book of pictures of the family and our house and said "We will be your Mommy and Daddy"
and had some Chinese friends translate it for us.
I love her dimple!

My favorite... she is kissing me!!!

PLEASE consider helping us
bring Hannah home!!!!!!!

• Still fundraising! Still have about $12,000 to go that is all due before we travel. We are so thankful for all of you who have been so generous!! If you are interested in giving...

1. Donate to our yard sale, or come shop - Lord willing, on February 9 at our house .
2. Give to our non profit/tax deductible account (they send the money to our agency to pay the fees) ..... https://www.hhmin.org/make_donation_projects.php 

        - under project category, look for "adoption"
        - under project, look for our names "Todd and Kim Pate"
        - Enter in your name, address, etc.
        - They will send you a receipt

• Getting Hannah's room ready. I'm doing some serious "nesting."
• Making travel preperations. We have about 2 months left until travel time.
• Hannah turns 10 on February 2, which is also my Mom's  (Granny) birthday. We are excited to celebrate both birthdays this weekend. Our sweet Auburn friends are throwing us a shower on Saturday. Everyone has been so kind and generous to us. We are SO grateful. It's truly taking a "village" to bring this child home!
• Went to the Created for Care retreat in Atlanta last weekend- much encouragement and practical tips from other adoptive Mom's and professionals. I was reminded how much God loves me and cares for me. "I am the Mommy God loves" He rescued me when I was spiritually orphaned. He loves me big. And that I am commanded to LOVE BIG...love my kids big, love my husband big, love myself big, love God big.

So, What Now?
We are waiting for our travel approval from the chinese government. When we get that, we will get our in-country court date and be able to make our travel arrangements.

So, what are you going to do about school?
Well, we are going to listen to the Lord as He leads us. We've been told by the social workers and Doctor's that adopted kids usually do best at home for the first 6 months. The main reason is to be able to work on bonding and attachment as a family. We will re-evaluate at the end of the summer. The boys will still be home. Elijah will be 3. Micah will be 5 and doing some kindergarten homeschool. I have a feeling that Micah will be Hannah's best teacher. We are prepared and willing to keep all three home. If you're still reading this, you are probably thinking I am crazy. Well, yes, I am!!

Our adoption timeline thus far

October 2011 - Adoption is constantly at the forefront of my mind. Giving time or money to orphaned kids is not enough. We want to bring one home. Todd and I agree that God has called us both to adopt a child.

October 28, 2011 - Our 5 year anniversary. Our adoption application is sent into Lifeline Children's Services, and we are accepted. Originally planning to adopt from the DR Congo in Africa.

January 2012 - Begin the homestudy process.

April 23, 2012 - Things are not looking good in the Congo, as far as the adoption program goes. We switch our adoption country to China. We chose China for 2 reasons. 1.) China has a strong and rather smooth program 2.) We have many Chinese friends; there are a lot of Chinese resources in our community

August 15, 2012 - Homestudy finalized and approved. Officially "adoption ready"

September 20, 2012 - Immigration approved by Chinese government

October 1, 2012 - I get an email from Rainbow Kids saying there is a girl that meets our profile. Her name is Meiqi and is 9 years old. As I read it, my heart leaps with joy. She shares my Mom's birthday. She is with our adoption agency. She is relatively healthy. She likes younger kids and helping with the chores around the orphanage. I emailed it to Todd and he said yes!
[Rainbow Kids is a non profit organization that puts out the word about specific kids in need of a forever family. I would often get emails from them with kids available for adoption that match our profile. I would prayerfully read each email - daily]

An older picture of Meiqi

October 16, 2012 - After much prayer, and asking for counsel from Doctor's and other adoptive parents of older kids, we get the green light and commited to Meiqi. We have to wait for Chinese "Pre-approval" before she's officially ours.

November 13, 2012 - Receive Pre-Approval for Meiqi - She is officially ours to adopt!

Happy Thanksgiving, Meiqi Hannah

Dear Meiqi Hannah, Happy Thanksgiving!

That's American code for "Enjoy eating way too much food!"

I should be asleep right now but I can't get you off my mind. My belly is full of yummy turkey and Grandmother's dressing and sweet potato pie and Aunt Tracy's chocolate cake. We spent the whole day with our family. There were kids running around everywhere. An assortment of casserole dishes a mile long. Aunt Lynn's tree that was so tall it scratched her ceiling. Micah and Elijah playing with their cousins Barbie dolls (shhh, don't tell Daddy!). We enjoyed the latest family gossip. Oh, how I wish you were here with us.

We've started decorating for Christmas. Christmas is a big birthday party for someone very important and very special, a man named Jesus. You'll hear a lot more about him when you get home. We each have our own stockings on the doorway for special presents. I want to get a stocking for you. You can help me pick one out for your first Christmas next year. You can help me decorate too.

I think it's Friday afternoon for you right now. Did you eat lunch? Did you have enough to eat? I wish I could send you some Thanksgiving leftovers. We had enough to feed your entire orphanage.

How can I miss someone that I've never met? How can I love someone that I have never hugged?

I am thankful for you.

Much love,
Mama

Meet Our Little Girl!!!

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls

 

We are proud to present to you

 

Meiqi ("May-Chee") Hannah Callie Pate

 

 

Meiqi (May Chee) Hannah

 

 

Hannah (in the bible) prayed this prayer:

 

"My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord.

I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.

No one is Holy like the Lord, for there is none besides You,

Nor is there any rock like our God." (I Samuel 2:1-2)

 

 

Meiqi Hannah

 

 

We will call her Meiqi ("May Chee") Hannah

 

About Meiqi Hannah...

(according to her file)

 

She was born on February 2, 2003 - this is my Mom, Alison's birthday also

[I, Kim, was still in college!]

 

She is currently living in an orphanage near Guangzhou, China

 

She is currently 9 1/2 years old

 

She is healthy

 

Her best friend in her orphanage was adopted, and she really wants a family too!

 

She likes to sing and dance

 

Her mental development is normal

 

She is happy and outgoing

 

She likes to help with other children and the orphanage chores

 

She is very petite - about the size of an American 7 year old

 

She is doing well in school

 

We have 4-6 months wait time until we can travel and meet her

 

She will be 10 years old when we meet her

 

 

FAQ's about our child

 

What's up with all the names?

Meiqi: her name given by the orphanage. We want to keep it first because this may be one of the only things she can tangibly bring home.

Hannah: Our favorite girls name from God's word, the Bible. It means "grace."

Callie: A mix of "Connie" (Todd's Mom who passed away) and "Alison/Ali" (My Mom)

 

I thought you guys were adopting a baby?

We thought we were until we saw her on the waiting list! We were smitten!

 

Why an older child in China?

In China, when a child ages out of the system at 13 years old, they have no where to go. They have no family, no support network and they are unable to get a job (orphans don't get the proper paperwork, called their "huoku"). They usually end up on the streets as beggars or prostitutes. Our hearts have been broken by this reality.

 

Why do you still have 4-6 months to go?

We are waiting on the Chinese government to get all of our paperwork through the system, and await travel approval.

 

There are so many kids in the US to adopt, why are you going to China?

There are so many orphans there, and so few people willing to go. 1 Million orphans in China alone.

 

What happened to Hannah's biological parents?

We don't know. We just know she was found, and taken to the orphanage. In China, there is a law called the "One Child Policy" that states that parents must not have more than one child, and if they do, there are very serious consequences (ie. lose their job; lose all income; very heavy fines; basically death). The most loving decision a woman can make is to birth her 2nd baby, and give him/her to the state.

 

What do Micah and Elijah think about this?

Elijah is only 2 1/2 and doesn't really understand, but Micah is excited. He gets along well with older kids. I think they will be good buds.

 

Are you planning to take Micah and Elijah with you to China?

We're not sure at this point. It depends a lot on how the rest of our fundraising goes. 

 

Where are you guys in your fundraising?

We are still at about $20,000 of our needed $30,000.

Email me if you are interested in helping us bring Hannah home!

KimberlyLPate at gmail dot com

 

Why does it cost so much?

Travel - approx $12,000 - flights, food, hotel, a guide - for a 2 week trip

Payments to the agency - $13,000 - pays for our interviews; all of our documents being processed; corrrespondence with government officials

$5000 - everything else - passports, Visas, medical exams, random other processing fees

 

What else do you guys need?

Girls clothes - size 6 (spring/summer clothes)

Girls shoes - size 1 or 2?

Girls Bedding (for a full size bed)

Anything "girl"- baby dolls, tu tu's, hair bows

Anything Chinese - books, recipes, pictures, etc.

A rice cooker

 

So what's next?

We can send Hannah care packages, and ask some questions. It will be fairly quiet, as far as paperwork and deadlines, until closer to travel time. We are preparing her room; reading books about parenting older kids and adoption; fundraising/grant applications

 

How can we pray for you guys?

Pray that God will be working in her heart to love, and be loved, by our family.

Pray for $10,000 for remaining costs.

Pray that she will be protected .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

elijah's development update



Elijah crawling at 14 months....after many tears and many exercises to strengthen his core....He was determined NOT to crawl. Wanted to go straight to walking, which (unbeknownst to me) is a big no-no in the physical therapy world.



Our sweet Elijah

Now 29 months old...

After much prayer and struggle and knocking down the doors of every doctor we know, I've finally got some answers from the internet (I know, duhhhh, why didn't i think of that sooner?). We had a genetics test done a few months ago. The results came back that there is an abnormality on his 13th chromosome, but the lab and the Dr said they're not sure exactly what it means. So, I kinda forgot about it. I figured, well if the Dr doesn't know, then how would I get any info? Well after more struggle with speech delays and Elijah just not "getting it" I finally realized I need to do my own research on this particular chromosome (the exact gene is 13q22.1). I've always thought that there's something "more" going on with Elijah, other than just a delay.

Apparently there is an entire community of kids that have this same abnormality or something very similar. If there is a loss on this particular gene, there can be some very major issues (cancers, retardation, vision and hearing problems). Thankfully God has spared us from the severe issues. But, it also causes hypotonia (low muscle tone), speech delays, constipation, sensory integration issues...all of which Elijah has.

The information I found...
http://www.rarechromo.org/information/Chromosome%2013/13q%20deletions%20various%20FTNW.pdf

A network of families who have kids with the same "chromosome 13q deletion" 
 http://www.chromosome13deletion.com/index.html

                Elijah...you can see the drool (low muscle tone around mouth)
and squishy legs
and torn-up knees from scratching (related to sensory issues)



Learning all of this has been enlightening to me! I feel a sense of relief. This whole time, I've felt a sense of guilt, like I did something wrong, or didn't do enough, that created his delay. That its my fault. But learning about this, takes the burden off of me and reminds me that we are all "fearfully and wonderfully made" by God and he doesn't make mistakes.

I also have been comparing Elijah to big Bro Micah and other kids and think "When will he ever talk correctly?" ..... but learning about this gene has put everything in perspective for me. Most kids who have this 13q22.1 have much more issues.

God has shown me that I'm completely NOT in control. That our times are in His hands. We are all flawed. We are all messed up. But thanks be to God that He will come again and make all things new again. I've also been tempted to fear about what all this means for our future- for Elijah, for our adoption, for our family. But, again, the Holy Spirit living in me reminded me "I will not leave you, nor forsake you" Joshua 1:5

I just have to say how thankful I am to ALLLL of these people that have been helping us for the past year, helping us sort through all of this!

• Hattie Lett (Todd's Aunt)- a PT; first noticed Elijah's delay at 12 months; gave us many tools to stregthen his muscles
• Early Intervention Valley Haven - Hattie, Tricia, Jennifer, Kelly (free!) - much encouragement, love, PT, OT and speech therapy; many practical tips
• Precision Medical/Carrie Jinwright- Made Elijah's sure steps for his pronated feet (for free!); educated me more about hypotonia
• Dr Rubin - a developmental pediatrician in atlanta; did the genetic testing; relieved our fears about worse case scenario
• Dr Pitt- our chiropractor- stimulates nervous system, prayer, encouragement, nutrition support (sees kids for free!)
• My Mom- encouraging us to see the developmental pediatrician
• Our family in Auburn- Grandmother's biscuits and everyone else's love
• ALL for children- more speech therapy
• Debbie Vail- nutrition encouragement
• Lakeview friends and nursery workers- much love and encouragement
• The adoption world- opened my eyes to the world of sensory issues 
• "Scratch me nots"...He cannot sleep without his scratchmenot on...He scratches 24/7
• Dr Stiles- put tubes in Elijah's ears and took umpteen viles of blood for genetic test while he was under anesthesia
• Our pediatrician, although they did not see the delays, have been helpful with the basics

What's next....Should we see a geniticist? Looking for more nutrition help to support muscle tone. Possibly Dr Adams.