Another Rainy Night (Day) in Georgia

MaCayla and I painted Hannah's nursery yesterday as a surprise for Deann. The room is pink, really pink. MaCayla was a big help painting her little sisters room. We also put up the crib and Deann went looking in the attic for MaCayla's baby clothes, which she found and decided to wash and sort. Deann is a bit frustrated not knowing what size Hannah will be when we finally get her.

We are starting to research the details of our trip to China. Everything is a mystery to us right now as we do not know what month we will travel let alone what day. We have a long way to go before we can solidify our agenda, but it is never too early to plan.

I bought a camcorder yesterday and read the manual. I actually read manuals...I know that's a bit unconventional, but it seems to work well for me. The camcorder is nearly smaller than the digital camera we bought in 2002...amazing! I hope to practice using the camcorder now so I can make a movie of the big day when we finally meet Hannah.

As soon as Deann finishes sorting through baby clothes she has piled up in the new nursery I will post a picture of the Winnie the Pooh themed room.

Oh Danny Boy! This one for you Grandpa.
Patrick Cook

Momma Pat and MaCayla looking like they have a secret!
Patrick Cook

MaCayla Cook showing off her 1st Place winning President's Day Poster.
Patrick Cook

Introducing Claire Henry the new daughter of two very special people!
Patrick Cook

We have six months to wait for our referral of Hannah. I thought this photo I snapped of a snail would represent our feelings very well.
Patrick Cook

I Need Some Advil...

I turn forty in March. I decided to play basketball this year for our church. Yeah, I know what your thinking, "mid life crisis, must have needed to see if he could still play with the big boys". Your right, and I found out I can still play with the big boys...if they're playing horse or around the world, but not full court basketball. Anyway, my mind still moves in fast motion, but my body is lagging way behind. It has been 15 years since I played. That doesn't sound right. Let me type that again "15 years". Still doesn't sound right. Help! I need some Advil and a heating pad. I know my Mom will get a kick out of reading this.

Fishing

We have a small pond in front of our house. You can see our house in the background of this picture. I love to teach kids how to fish. This is MaCayla with a Bream she caught a few years ago. I hope Hannah will like fishing. Most kids do. Especially, if they can catch them fast, so they don't get distracted or bored. Catching Bream is perfect for kids because they are small and usually provide plenty of action.
Patrick Cook

Creating Comments

I am sorry if you have tried to type comments in the past and been unable to. Please try again by clicking on the comments link after the blog entry you want to comment on. The glitch occurred because I entered the settings incorrectly on my setup page. This should be fixed now. If you are a member of blogger you can comment under your user name. If you are not a member of blogger click on anonymous to post.

Thank you for reading my blog and sharing the emotions we are feeling during our adoption process.

I would like to thank all our family and friends who have been so excited about our decision to bring Hannah into our family. You will never know how much it means to see your genuinely excited faces when we talk about getting Hannah. We feel blessed to have such loving support. Please pray for us as we are unbelievable anxious to travel to China and embrace our new Daughter. The next six months or more, while we wait will be the longest of our lives. The connection we feel for Hannah is ever present and our hearts ache to see her smiling face.

Baby it's Cold Outside!
Patrick Cook

Ice Storm 2005-Swimming anyone?
Patrick Cook

Icy Dicey

Last night a winter storm made its way through Georgia. It started as rain turned to freezing rain and then became sleet. The sleet covers the ground an inch thick in places and looks like snow at first glance. The weatherman says we are in store for some more this afternoon.

I ordered a map of China from National Geographic and tacked it to the wall. The map is very detailed and helps one to understand the enormity of the country's population. Each province is represented and everytime I find out where the referrals are from for the week or month I go to the map to see where these little ones where born. Jiangxi, Hunan, Sichuan, Guangxi etc. have all become familiar to me geographically. Six months ago I had no idea where Beijing was, except that I knew it was the capital of China.

I now ask my Chinese acquaintances where they are from and I actually know where places like Shanghai and Dongshan are on the map. I didn't even know where Taiwan was located.

I never in my life thought about going to China until we decided to bring Hannah home. Now I am starting to feel a connection with it's culture, customs, language , and especially it's children. Before, I never read a news article about China. Now, I read everything, no matter how mundane or small.

I recently finished a Book called "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck (Thanks Effie). It is a fictional story about pre-cultural revolution China. This book mentioned much of the culture and customs that are still prevalent in much of China today. The simplicity of the language and narrative intertwined with the cultural history make the story very compelling.

DTC! (Dossier to China)

Today is a very important day in our adoption process. All the paper gathering, certification, and authentication has ended for now. Our adoption agency has our "dossier" together and will send it to Beijing today. This is known as the DTC(dossier to China) day.

Now we wait for our referral of Hannah. The referral is when we are actually matched with a child and notified of the match. Soon thereafter, we will receive a picture and a report of the child's name, weight, age development, personality, and health from the Chinese government and be asked to accept or refuse the referral. We have read and been told the referral day is a very emotional day. We will lay eyes on our child for the first time that day. What a day that will be!

There is one more very important day that the referral is loosely tied to. This day is known as the LID (log in date). This is the day the Chinese government officially receives our dossier. Recent posts on internet message boards indicate LID is usually ten days after DTC. The referral wait from the LID is running in the six month range. The Chinese new year begins February 9th and ends the 13th. If our dossier is not LID before the Chinese New Year we may have to wait a little longer than expected. Many people in China vacation during the Chinese New Year and the government is shut down during that time, as we understand. We will not know our LID until sometime in March (we hope).

I am very emotional as I type this and I just want go get Hannah right now! The wait, the horrible wait.

MaCayla Cook, Hannah's big sister to be.
Patrick Cook

Happiness

MaCayla is sick today. She has a high fever and Deann was not feeling well this morning, so we skipped church. We did have a devotional on happiness. It was very interesting teaching the meaning of joy to MaCayla. The point of the study became very clear as we talked about the things that bring us happiness and what God might think of those things. It comes down to making good choices. For instance, we asked MaCayla how her choice of breakfast might influence her day and therefore her happiness. I told her eating chocolate for breakfast might make her happy for the moment, but later in the morning she may become irritable, which may cause her to misbehave. The misbehavior would have a consequence, which could steal her joy for the day. I know...a little too deep for a first grader, but hey I learned something. Every choice, no matter how small, may influence our joy. So go out there and make good choices...for your sake. God wants you to be happy!

Three Cuties

MaCayla "Cookie", Deann and Elizabeth. Elizabeth (the daughter of some very special friends) provided the final inspiration we needed to solidify our decision to bring Hannah home. Elizabeth will always hold a special place in our hearts, as will her sister, Lydia.

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him" 1 Samuel 1:27
 

My Daughter's Note to Hannah

Dear Hannah you are going to be the best little sister ever that's what I think about you because
I just think that I don't know why I think about you every day at school at church at mama jo's
and big pop's and they are two good grandperent's I'm telling you about this because I want
you to know about america.

P.S. I bet you would like to know about your other Grandparents, also. Poppa Cook, Momma Cook, Momma Pat and Bob. They are very sweet to me and they will be sweet to you.

MaCayla Cook is six years old in the first grade and has agreed to regularly contribute to this blog.

DTC Date

We received a call from our dossier specialist tonight. She explained that our DTC would be Friday, January 28, 2005. My wife and little girl cannot stop smiling and neither can I. One step closer.

Journal Entries

I began keeping a journal about our adoption experience on November 30, 2004. I hope to publish the journal on this blog in the near future. In the mean time, we are very close to DTC (Dossier to China). Right now, we know many of our dossier papers are in Houston at the Chinese Consulate being authenticated. They may even be on the way back to Holt International as I write this. We are very excited knowing we are so close to DTC and eventually LIC (Logged in China).

Photo of Cook Family sent with dossier to China. Deann, MaCayla and Patrick Cook

Message Groups

I have read message groups this past week that pertain to China adoption. I am realizing there are many other hopeful parents like us with the same feelings of love and hope for their precious children to be. I knew there were thousands of others, but after beginning to read their stories on the message boards it fills my heart with joy and somehow I feel a bond with complete strangers.

One message board has a recurring theme of "rescuing orphaned children". Most of the adopting parents are not adopting for this reason. Neither are we. I have never had the feeling I am rescuing an orphan. I simply want to love this child as much as one person can love another. Some might say "How can you love a child you have never seen". To them I say "I have seen her in my heart". Some things are impossible to explain logically and are beyond reason. Love is one of those things. It can never be bought nor sold. It can only "be". It is very similar to knowledge in that it cannot be taken from you. Like a memory it is forever yours to keep and hold close to your heart.

Anxious Moment

Have you ever had a moment when you feel like you are aware something is happening to a loved one? I just had one of those moments. A strange feeling of anxiety filled me, but I was not anxious. I started to think about Hannah. It was as if I were feeling her anxiety. I am not sure what to make of this.

Yesterday we sent the final paperwork to Holt International. No more paperwork, for now. Now we wait.

"Ruffling"

On December 23rd, we went to see "Polar Express". This movie will surely become a classic. I can't wait to sit down with Cookie and Hanna in my lap and watch it together.

On Christmas Eve Deann worked until 11:30 am and Cookie and I rented two movies. MaCayla bought a Christmas card for Deann.

MaCayla had difficulty falling asleep last night. She was very excited about Santa coming.
Santa did come bringing her a telescope, a bicycle, clothes and several dolls.

MaCayla and I "ruffled" this morning. That is what we call play wrestling. She would rather do that than play with her toys, amazing.

MaCayla and I have a very complicated secret handshake. We decided to teach Hannah as soon as she can learn.

I keep thinking that Hannah will be here next Christmas and MaCayla will have a sibling to share this special day with.

I am sitting by the fire as I write this and hope Hannah is warm and safe.

The Domino Effect

Tonight we attended our Sunday School Class Christmas Party. We had a lot of fun. Our classmates, the Henry's, are having a baby in February. We talked about their baby and Hannah for a very long time. The Henry's are very excited for us, as we are for them.

I drove Big Pop for a post-op visit today. He is doing well.

Afterwards, we drove to Henry County, where I had our Home Study certified by the Superior Court Clerk. One more domino fallen in our quest to bring Hannah home. Sleep tight little one, sleep tight.

Christmas Come Early

Yesterday we celebrated Christmas as a family at Momma Jo's house. All the cousins were there (except Ward). We ate the traditional holiday fare. Ham, Turkey, dressing and Deann made a delicious coconut cream cake. Presents were exchanged by all the children. Next year Hannah will be the youngest and be the center of attention. Deann and I spoke of missing Hannah and my mind drifted to thoughts of her well being.

Christmas is a magical time in the Cook house. Deann decorates the house with a spectacular display of Christmas cheer.

Today is Sunday. The church had Christmas programs at each service. The choir gave a lovely concert with the accompaniment of the orchestra. One of the speaking parts was especially moving. The speaker described Jesus' meager beginnings. I could not help thinking of Hannah and her beginnings. Sadly, that will always be a mystery.

Momma Jo finished Hannah's stocking this past week. MaCayla insisted it be hung right next to hers.

Tonight Cookie performs with her Christmas choir at church. She has a speaking part. She is a talented little girl.

Also, the Adkins came over for lunch today. Elizabeth said my name. No one believed me, but she said it just the same.

Remembering Robbie

This past Saturday I played golf in a charity tournament to raise money for Hospice of Savannah in memory of a good friend of mine named Robbie "Bulldog" Smith. Robbie died the day before his 30th birthday. He would be 40 this Christmas Eve. I miss Robbie dearly, he was a good friend. I wish Hannah would get to see his smiling face. Robbie and I shared many good memories.

I spent Saturday night with Poppa Cook. He is recovering from knee replacement surgery. He is walking well and I hope and pray he begins to feel better very soon. Recovering from such major surgery can be a strain emotionally.

I came home on Sunday after shopping for a few Christmas presents in Savannah. It was very cold in Savannah. The coldest day of the year, so far. I pray Hannah is warm, wherever she may be.

Robbie Smith-Robbie's High School Football Coach once said "if I had 5 linemen with a heart like Robbie we'd never lose a game".
Patrick Cook

Stressful Day

Today was a stressful day. Big Pop had bone spurs removed from his shoulder and a tendon cut that was described as looking like crab meat. Hopefully, this will relieve his pain and give him more flexibility. Deann and Momma Jo went with him for comfort.

I saw Elizabeth and Julie in the nursery at church tonight. The were born in China and have wonderful forever families that Hannah will surely meet and get to know. These two girls are so bright and cute!

I wonder what Hannah is doing today? Who is taking care of her? These questions run through Deann's and my mind all the time.

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Flowered Handles

Not much going on today. I did go to Lowes and purchase five flower shaped handles to place on a chest of drawers that Deann and Cookie painted for Hannah's room.

I am watching MaCayla do her spelling homework. She is wearing one of her Mother's night gowns and has a crown on her head. She loves to play "dress up". Hannah is in for a great life with a sister like MaCayla.

The Incredibles

We attended MaCayla's first violin recital last night. All the children we very cute and Cookie (Macayla) was especially good playing her solo.

Today is Saturday and Deann and Momma Jo are going Christmas shopping. Cookie and I are going to see "The Incredibles".

(Later)

We had a wonderful time at the movie. I have never laughed so hard in my life. Cookie sat in my lap for most of the movie, ( I loved it) she usually sits with Deann. She is heavy. Cookie and I love to watch movies together.

God's Timing

Tonight the "Love Light Tree" was illuminated in honor and memory of peoples loved ones. I want to purchase a light in Hannah's honor as her Christmas present since we will be apart.

We realized tonight that we may have to wait a little longer for Hannah than we hoped. The bureaucracy of government can be very frustrating and slow, so slow. All in Gods time we will be united. Our faith helps us understand that any delay is God's will. Only His timing will bring us together perfectly.

MaCayla had her last violin practice before her recital. She is playing "Ice Cream Cone".

I will be working very late tonight conducting a fire drill for the third shift staff.

Willie Wonka

Today is Wednesday. I taught the children at Church tonight. The lesson was on obedience. We watched four minutes of the movie "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". Charlie and his Grandfather disobey Mr. Wonka's instructions and nearly get hurt in the process.

I look forward to bringing Hannah to church and introducing her to all the wonderful people who have been so excited about her becoming a part of our forever family.

I am listening to Macayla practice for her Christmas piano recital. She is playing "Jingle Bells", "Up on the Roof Top", and "The Nutcracker".

The Journey Begins

By recording my thoughts and feelings in this journal I hope to remember the events that occurred while undertaking the process for bringing our little girl to her forever home.

We will name her Hannah which means "full of grace". And it will be by His grace that we finally unite.

I want to remember what I was doing the day Hannah was born. Hopefully, this record will help me remember that special day! If I miss that day in the blog these writings will not be for naught, because one day I hope to share this journal with her so she will know how we began this journey and how we finally came together.

Today we worked like every other day. I helped the Hospital Authority Chairman with computer concerns. Later, I helped Momma Jo fix her Christmas lights (a blown fuse). We had chicken casserole for supper and MaCayla and Deann decorated the Christmas Tree.

There are only three Christmas stockings hanging from the mantle. Next year there will be four. I look forward to sharing Christmas mornings with Hannah in the future.

Momma Jo made all our stockings and she is making Hannah's as I type this. I hope we can hang Hannah's stocking this year as a reminder of God's precious gift.

Family Photo
Patrick Cook