About our LID

The LID is an important piece to this journey because our LID date is when the clock starts ticking as we inch ever so slowly to a referral. We added a counter at the top of the blog so you can see how long we have waited to date. Currently, the wait is about 18 months from LID to referral. If the wait stabilizes, we should receive our referral in June of 2008.

Or the wait could get shorter or longer. If I take my rose colored glasses off, I see the wait could get longer.....put the glasses back on....it could get shorter! I think I will leave them on! Either way, although the wait seems unbearable, especially for DD # 1, the blessing at the end is all worth it!

For DD # 1, I just could not wait to hold her. It is no different this time, I can't wait to hold Mei Mei. But I also can't wait to watch DD #1 meet Mei Mei! She will be the best big sister ever! She is naturally caring, kind, and loves to give hugs, kisses, and cuddle! She already has quite a list of things she plans to "teach" Mei Mei.

The wait has gotten so long, many friends and family have asked "Are you still adopting?" YES YES YES!

We have a LID!

Our LID - December 26, 2006

As a girl I had a common dream to be a mom someday. My baby would have eyes of blue and hair the hue of hay. But now my dreams have been transformed. New visions fill my head. Now the tresses that I long to stroke are raven black instead. And in my dreams those eyes are not so big or blue or round. Now in my dreams they're almond shaped and colored cocoa brown. And in my dreams my arms can stretch across enormous seas. They reach half way 'round the world and hold you close to me. As you grow in your mother's womb, carefully knit together, you're also growing in our hearts where you'll stay forever. And in my dreams the moment that your mother says goodbye, I'll be right there to comfort you and hold you as you cry. Our features may not look alike: We're different as can be. But still I know the Father has created you for me. And though I've not yet seen your face, or held your tiny hands. And though we're half a world apart in very different lands, I'll be right there to get you just as soon as God allows. But til he says the time is right, I give to you this vow. I'll pray for your protection every day on bended knee. For God to hold you in His arms until you're here with me.

Written by: Gayle Leubecher

1st Post

Due to requests from family and friends to follow our journey to bring Mei Mei home, I am taking my first stab at blogging. We are very early in our process of adopting DD # 2 from China. I will posts updates and journal our trip to China on this site. And hopefully get photos up while in China. We were blessed on November 12, 2002 when DD # 1 was placed in my arms and our hearts forever! I am happy to share our journey this time with family in friend while in China for Mei Mei.

We are DTC (date dossier sent to China) 11/25/06 with no LID (log in date). The LID is critical in terms of getting that clock to begin ticking and closer to Mei Mei! Currently, the wait between LID and a referral (photo and medical info.) is 16 - 18 months. Depending on where you go, some say the wait will stabilize at 16 -18 months, and some the wait could get as long as 2-3 years. Yet others say, things could speed up. I like that scenario best :)

If the wait stabilizes at 16 - 18 months, we would receive our referral between June and August of 2008. We would travel 6-8 weeks after referral in September or October of 2008. At that point DD #1 will be entering 1st grade and will be turning 7 years old! Although I was bummed about the age difference between DD #1 and Mei Mei, I think she may be old enough to remember the sites and sounds of our journey to China to bring Mei Mei home which is a bonus.

With the long wait ahead of us, our motto has become: