We Got Our DTC Date!

It is official. We received word the other day that our dossier to China has
been accepted and entered into the system. We officially have what is called
DTC (dossier to China) or Log In Date of October 28, 2004.


Ok you might be asking "what is the big deal?" Well, this date is important
to us because it has been taking about six months from the time a family is
given their DTC date to when they hear back from the agency saying that the
family has been matched with a child. So let's see here....Lord willing, we
could get information on our little girl in April. At that time we would
find out such things as the age of the little girl, her general health and
what province she is located in. We could then travel to China sometime in
late May or June.


We have also been told by our agency that we can expect a brown packet in
the mail from the US Embassy in China. This packet will include important
paper work that we need to bring to China with us. This packet usually ships
in 4 - 6 months. Guess what... Yep, we got that already. Just the other day
in fact. Now we have to dig in a wait for the Spring.


In other news things are going well for us. Traci and Anthony worked has
done a great job in cleaning out the flower gardens for the year. We had a
lot of Irises to split. Traci has giving many away since we have so many. My
dad is coming over with his big leaf blower this afternoon to help move all
the leaves to the street edge, for city pick up.


My brother Dan and his wife Christine had their first baby shower two weeks
ago. Traci made a multi-tiered cake for them. Even thought I did not see it
I was told by my family that is was incredible. When we get hold of some
pictures I will post them. Next on the docket is apple pie. Traci bought
some apples for this purpose so little Anthony and I are anxiously awaiting.


Anthony is loving playing in the piles of leaves. He is an outdoors type of
kid and Traci and I think that the Winter will be hard for him. I pray that
it does get cold so that we have a nice think layer of ice on the lake so
that Anthony and I can go ice fishing. I think that he will like that.
Anthony was excited to see a buck jump out in front our car the other night.
He could not wait to tell PaPa what he saw. He was also fortunate enough to
see a large doe walk through my parents property the other day. Anthony
really thought that was great.


Tomorrow is opening day of firearm deer hunting here in Michigan. I am not
hunting this year. There is too much going on at work and at home and church
for me to get away. I have been reading some of my outdoor magazines the
last couple of days and of course the article topics are focused on deer
hunting. Makes me wish I was hunting. I do look forward to the day when I
can take Traci and little Anthony with me.


I guess that is it for now. Come back soon y'all!