Maya's finding ad arrived today

The ad appeared in the Nanfang Farmer's Daily Newspaper on Oct. 28th 2006. We think she was around four or five months old when this photo was taken. It confirms that she was found on March 29th 2006.

The translated information states that Maya was found in a box, wearing a white tee-shirt. The box was found under a tree out side of the local hospital. She was described as having big eyes, no belly cord--so her birthday date was estimated to be 3/18/06. She weighed approximately 5.5 pounds and was 20 inches long.

This is such precious information. It is how Maya came to be and how she was eventually chosen to be our daughter. I truly belive God watched over her that day and knew she was meant to have a Mom and a Dad and to become a caring, loving person.


Love,
Aleisa and Patrick

Rumors about TA's are starting to pop up

Some of the boards have people stating they have received their travel authorization and could potentially be leaving for China by April 23!
I don't expect to hear anything until next week. Once we receive our TA we should then receive information regarding our Consulate Appointment (CA)-which tells us when we have to be in Guangzhou with Maya in order to process her immigration paper work!

We will update you as soon as we know for sure when we will be traveling.

Thanks,
Aleisa and Patrick

One year ago today-a miracle took place

On March 29, 2006, a miracle took place in Lian Jiang City, Guang Dong Province-China. An angel from God found our baby girl and brought her to a safe place. I will never know why Maya's birth parents did what they felt they had to do. We do not live in a perfect world and I am not going to judge their actions. However, I will forever be grateful for the gift they have given us.

I truly believe that God was called upon that day and stepped in. He knew this beautiful baby girl deserved a life of love and happiness. We have been chosen to be the ones to give her that love and more. Maya is a survivor!

I ache to hold her and tell her how much she is loved, how special she is and how honored I am to have been chosen to be her mother.

Patrick and I hope to travel in the next 35 days--so close!

We have truly been blessed.
Love,
Aleisa

Meet the newest member of our family!

This is our announcement that we have ordered to send out to family and friends.

Being a domestic goddess!

Yes, I have found my true calling-Martha Stewart watch out! I've managed to do laundry, dishes, change the sheets and complete four scrapbook pages for Maya's book all in one day. My friend Mandy kindly pointed out that I managed all of this because my little one is not here yet :) She's home with two little girls under the age of two!
I did thoroughly enjoy my first day home! Each day that goes by is one day closer to bringing Maya home.

Aleisa "DG" Dunn

My new job!

I have officially left my position with the Osceola County School District. It was bittersweet to say the least. I will miss my students and co-workers who have supported me over the past three years. However nothing compares to my new position--motherhood. This is a full-time position with the best benefits!

I have waited for what seems like forever for this moment and I am so excited to be able to have the next couple of weeks to get ready for our trip to China. I have a bunch of little projects I want to do around the house before Maya comes home. She will be running around here in no time!

Thanks again to all my PHS friends for being part of our journey. We couldn't have done it without you!

Love,
Aleisa

Welcome to the world Morgan DeRight

Our dear friends Matt and Mandy announced the arrival of their baby girl Morgan. Morgan finally arrived today at 5:20 p.m.
Matt reports that both Mandy and Morgan are doing well.

Morgan joins big sister Kelsey, who is 18 months old.

We can't wait until Maya comes home to meet her new friends and playmates.

Congratulations!

Two weeks ago today

It has been two weeks since we first saw our precious baby girl's face! We received our visas and hope to travel within the next six weeks.
Today is also our 17 months since LID. We did our traditional visit to the China pavillion at Epcot. This time when we watched Reflections of China and paid more attention--especially the part about southern China--it was so pretty.

Happy Spring to all of you!

Love,
Maya's mama and daddy

Happy 1st Birthday Maya

To our baby girl-
We wish we could be with you today to celebrate your first year of life. You are our precious gift from God and we cannot wait to bring you home.

We had a birthday party in your honor with family and friends. You are loved by so many people! You got some beautiful clothes, books and a giant stuffed animal from Caroline.
Katie made you a special book for Mama and Daddy to write in when we come to China.

We hope that you are being well cared for by your "Yaya" and know that we are coming very soon.

Love always,
Mama and Daddy

Lianjiang Social Welfare Institute-Maya's current home

Here is where Maya is currently living in Lianjiang City, Guangdong Province.

Introducing Maya Lily Lian Dunn

It is with great pride and honor that we share the news of our long awaited referral for Maya Lily.

Her Chinese name is: Lian Bao Yan--which translate to "Beautiful Pearl"

She is currently residing at the Lianjiang Welfare Institute in Lianjiang, Guangdong Province, The People's Republic of China!

Born: March 18, 2006--she is a Pisces!

Current ht/wght--as of Jan. 1, 2007--26 inches and 19 pounds--very healthy Buddah baby!!

She can crawl and hold herself up. She likes music and is very active!!

We are overjoyed and can't wait to bring our baby home!
Love,
Aleisa "Mama" and Patrick "Daddy" Dunn

Sitting pretty

Here is our sweet baby girl sitting pretty like a big girl--she is looking like she is full of personality--just like her mother!!

The first time ever I saw your face!

I first saw my beautiful baby's face while sitting at my dest at work. She is the perfect morph of Patrick and I.
She has her daddy's eyes and hair--my nose and lips--both our cheeks--my chin and hands!

It is uncanny how perfect she is and how amazing the CCAA matching room folks do at placing the right child with the right family. She is so meant to be our daughter!

Mama and the FEDEX man

Sharing tears of joy--the FEDEX man and me with our precious package!

The FEDEX Stork arrived today

I made the FEDEX man cry today!
My friend Jim and I were having lunch outside when the truck arrived. I ran in the house to grab the camera. The driver asked if I was Mrs. Dunn--I said yes. Then I asked him if he new what he was delivering--he said no--but that it must be important because it required a signature!
I told him that he was delivering my baby girl from China--I think I said he was the stork. At first he laughed and said he had never delivered a baby before. I then told him how precious this package was and that I would forever be grateful to him for bringing her to me. I then asked if I could give him a hug--I am bawling at this point--he said yes and then started to cry too! Jim of course was dying!! He managed to take a picture of the FEDEX man and me--which I will treasure forever!

The FEDEX Stork will arrive tomorrow

I can't post pictures yet because they are in PDF format--however the FEDEX delivery will arrive tomorrow and once I scan them I will post them.

Thanks again for all of the love and support you have given us.

She is precious.

Love Aleisa and Patrick

We have a girl

FHSA called again at 5 p.m.

We are the proud parents of Lian Bao Yan, born March 18, 2006 (almost 1 years old)
She is currently residing in the Guangdong Province.

Photos to be posted as soon as we receive them!!

Update from our agency

Karen from FHSA called today at 4:15 p.m. and confirmed that our referral will be received by their office on Wednesday.
She promised to scan a picture and send an email as soon as possible.
She also told us that we should receive our FEDEX package sometime on Thursday!!

Cut off date confirmed--10/24/05

So now we wait to hear from our coordinator Bonnie at FHSA. Apparently the agency did not receive their package from China today--hopefully they will receive it tomorrow.

Keeping our fingers crossed.

Aleisa and Patrick

Cut off date--rumored to be 10/24/05

That means we are in!

The rumors also indicate that the stork has landed in Europe--which means by later today or tomorrow our US agencies should have our referrals.

We are hopefully only days a way from seeing our little girl.

We are doing the happy dance!!