I have received many emails regarding Lin's Web page
and am now endeavouring to acknowledge each one on this page.
From: Sam, Brisbane, Queensland. 4 August 2008
Hi, I was looking at your website today as some friends of mine have just received the very happy news that a baby daughter awaits them in China (although still several months until they are able to travel and collect her).
It was really interesting and heart-warming to read of your experiences and see your photos - I sincerely hope my friend’s adoption results in the same joy and everyday wonder as yours has!
|
From: Natasha, Victoria. 4 Nov 2006
Hi Sandra, I am a postgraduate journalism student at La Trobe University in Melbourne. I am writing a feature article about Chinese adoption for a final assignment this semester. I've really enjoyed your
online journal about Lin's adoption and would like to ask permission to use some of your quotes for my paper. I doubt the article would ever be published, but it will be read by university faculty. Thanks very much.
|
| From: Kirstie, NSW. September 2005
Thank you so much for putting your beautiful daughter's story on the net, so far we had only been able to read stories from the USA.
|
From: Rhianna, NSW, Australia. February 23, 2005
I am not really sure how I found your website, but I did. And, I'm glad I did! I am looking into adopting a daughter from China, so your site was very informative. The information and time frames you provide are an excellent reference for me, as I am still in the infancy stages of investigating adoption. It's very insightful, and I thank you for putting it all together.
|
From: Charlene, Townsville. Dec 2004
I had a look at your daughter's page. I teach English in Jiaxing in China which is a rich city but still those who are grossly underprivileged live a life that I can't imagine, even after seeing it first hand. Any child that is adopted is saved from a life of begging in the streets.
|
Fom Heather, Canada, December 2004
What an amazing story to read! I stayed up until nearly 2 a.m. one night and made it through most of the site. I have been interested in international adoption since I was very young...long before I was a mamma! A very difficult pregnancy and delivery strengthened my interest and desire to adopt in the future! It was after reading your story that I decided to adopt from China. I have been searching the web and have been learning all about the process for adopting from China, as well as finding other families stories about their China adoptions. Thank you so much for your story. I will check back from time to time to see if you have put on further updates. |
From: Mark and Cora, Queensland, Australia. November 27, 2004
Hi Guys. We are in the process of the first stage of the adoption process and on searching for areas to obtain further info on the adoption process I came across Lins web site.
Great information. Congrats on keeping it up to date and what a great idea.
I will be checking back regularly to obtain some written comfort as the process takes shape. Regards
|
From: Shannon, ACT. November 15, 2004
I have been reading your website and it is so helpful. We are just starting the adoption process. I will continue to read your website as I need a bit of time to get through it all. Thanks for sharing your life with us. |
From: Kathy, Minnesota, USA. October 23, 2004
While searching for something else I came across your web site and my daughter’s finding ad is listed with your daughters for Mother’s Love. How small the world becomes with the internet! |
From: Philippa, NSW, Australia. October 18 2004.
Thank you for your site. I am starting on the long road. I shall enjoy reading your site. The problem is I read it briefly at work and started crying!?? Your little girl is lovely. I can't wait to read about her progress. Best wishes from a would-be Mummy. |
From: Karen. Colorado, USA. 16 August 2004.
I just stumbled upon your finding ad for your daughter and my daughter is on the same page, dated 9/30/2001 just above your ad. My daughter's name is Guo Xiao Cai and was at Hepu Welfare Institute for one month prior to going to Mother's Love. She spent 7 months there and then moved to a Foster family for another 7 months. Our day to be united was on 11 November 2002. Ana is doing tremendous and I had a copy of the newspaper with her finding ad as well. It wasn't translated, but someone that did research on Hepu sent it to me from a Hepu yahoogroup. I named our daughter Ana Linn Xiao Cai. |
From: Lee in Colorado. 19 July 2004.
I read through the whole thing and it is so nice. What an adorable little girl you have!
[ My ] daughter Ashley Kai 21 mos. from Hepu CWI. |
From: Donna, Batavia, Illinois USA. 14 July 2004
Thanks for your beautiful website. I enjoyed every bit of it, probably due to the fact that your daughter's story is so similar to mine. Our Karis Jian was born Guo Xiao Jian 11/12/2001, moved to Mothers Lover 12/01, to foster family 3/2002 until we met her in October 2003. She is also on your finding ad.
It appears that Kari's "sisters" from Mothers Love have all gone in various directions to Netherlands, Australia & Batavia, Illinois USA (where we live). I know Aileen is working on a "list" that will enable us to keep in touch at least by email.
Our daughter will answer to Xiao, Karis, or Kari. When speaking of herself she also calls herself Xiao (sounds more like dow with a d). The children at her daycare call her Chow & she answers to that to. In the 9 months she has been with us, she has developed a huge vocabulary, much more extensive than my biological daughter was at that age. I am grateful for that, since her transition was harder on her due to her age of almost 2 at the adoption, she was one sad, upset girl who missed her foster parents terribly. She is a happy outgoing little girl except for in public she is shy with others. |
12 July 2004 From: Lisa, Perth WA.
I have re visited Lin's website a few times because I just find it so comforting. We are pursuing adoption after 5 years of IVF. Thank you so much for sharing the joy. She is absolutely beautiful and you sound like a great mum. I will never forget the tape worms , and when we are flying to China I will be armed with combantrim! Cheers. |
24 Jun 2004 From: Sandy, Pennsylvania, USA.
In my continuous search for information about Hepu and China for my daughter, I ran across your website - and to my astonishment discovered that our daughters were in Hepu Childrens Welfare Institute and Mother's Love during the same time. Her information is listed in the finding ad you have on your site! ... My husband and I adopted her from Mother's Love in September, 2002. We live in central Pennsylvania, USA. I had no idea that so many of those girls are now in Australia, but was so excited to find your information... I'd love to share information and keep track of where the Hepu girls from that time are in case Gabrielle would want to have contact at some point in her life. Thank you so much for sharing the information! It's been such an incredible experience to become a mom and have such a beautiful daughter. |
18 Jun 2004 From: Susan & David, Adelaide
My husband and I are adopting from China soon. I really loved looking at Lin's website, she is absolutely gorgeous. It is
wonderful what you have done with the website, the pictures are great. It helps so much to have a first hand account of what goes on over there and what to expect. |
16 May 2004 From: Debbie
Hi Sandra, I was just looking at your website. ( I found it thru the aussies adopt china list which I just joined). It's so beautiful - not to mention professionally organised website!
I found the diarys and reports moving and touching, as you recorded your Little Autumn's progress.
All children are beautiful of course but I stumbled upon your families.... as i'm over here in china it makes me happy looking at these beautiful chinese daughters, learning to live and love and grow in Australia, while still maintaining their chinese hertiage.
Thanks for a beautiful site. Xiao Qiu is indeed special. Best regards.
|
4 Apr 2004 From: Stephen
Hi. My wife and I have always wanted to adopt. We spoke about it at length before our marriage 10 years ago and it has been on our minds all this time, even after having two children the old fashioned way.
Over the years I have researched the hows and wherefores of international adoption but in all that time tonight was the first time I have ever come across such a moving and emotive personal account of one couples introduction to family-hood.
I am at work right now (working hard - really!) But I am about to rush home and log on to this site at home, where I will enjoy poring over the stories and pictures and information again.
We still intend to adopt, but it has always been something we are going to do tomorrow, or next year. After reading your site I intend to commence the process immediately.
There's a red thread somewhere in all this - I know it will take time to get though - but I will try to let you know the outcome.
Again thanks for a wonderful story and website - Xiao is undoubtedly a lucky girl - and I is clear to me she will grow up in a caring and loving home. Kind regards. |
19 Jan 2004 From: Babette
Hi, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your website. Whenever I get depressed or anxious I go for a visit and always leave feeling positive. Lin has changed so much, and she looks so happy and healthy (and big!!). Loved the Christmas photos !! Thanks again. |
July 2003 From: Val NSW
Many" thanks for sharing your daughter's wonderful diary with me. I feel extremely honoured. I think Poppa should be congratulated on this wonderful living diary of Lin and I hope to be able to follow her progress. There is so much info here that it is a fantastic guide for other adoptive parents. |
Feb 2003 From: Cheryl
I just read every word. The pictures are wonderful! Xiao Qiu is gorgeous. She really plays to the camera. Watch out, Sandra, I think you might have an actress/model on your hands ;) It was wonderful. I just sat here imagining my little girl. I can't wait until I don't have to imagine her any longer, and I really know her. Thank you so much for sharing. |
Feb 2003 From: Shirley NSW
I looked at your beautiful daughter's web site and was touched by it. It's very special - not only will it serve as a diary for her to review but it was done by her GrandPa. This child is going to be very loved. |
Feb 2003 From: Sarah UK
Oh boy! What a beautiful child :-) I had eyes full of happy tears reading the last few entries on the website - what a magical thing it is that you and Geoff, Xiao Qiu and the adoption agency have done. I feel all inspired to go out and do something wonderful now myself! Today I feel the world is an amazing place. |
10 Feb 2003 From: Alan, USA
I am not sure if you may remember meeting the inquisitive American at the Garden Hotel in Guangzhou, but I have finally had a chance to visit Lin's web site. I hope you guys made it home o.k. and are enjoying your new family member. The web site is great and your father has done a very good job.
Right now it is 11:00 p.m. on Saturday night and my wife is asleep so I can not show her the pictures of your daughter. She will be thrilled to see them tomorrow.
We have just had our second meeting with the Social Worker who is performing our "Home Study" for our INS department. So far all has gone well and we hope to find out in a couple of weeks where we stand in our adoption process. We met a couple last week who had a 4 year old daughter whom they adopted from China 2 years ago. They stayed at the White Swan in Guangzhou during their trip to China. It really is a small world.
I will keep visiting your web site to track the progress. Good Luck and God Bless. |
Jan 2003 From: Lyn, Victoria
Lovely to see another family being formed and to hear how they are going. Lin is tiny isn't she!!! PS. Love her grandfather's humour on the front page!!!!! |
Jan 2003 From: Evro, NSW
I think Sandra's Dad is doing an excellent job putting together Lin's first website. It's just great to read the live accounts and see all those brilliant pictures. It gives those of us who are labouring through 'the process' so much hope and allows us to see a light at the end of the tunnel. |
Jan 2003 From: Helen, NSW
There's only one word to describe Lin's web page AWESOME! It always makes me happy beyond words when I read about a referral, see photos etc.. but your web page holds something more special for me. I can't explain the feeling within me - when I saw the photos of Lin and you Sandra, it's all that much more real for me. |
Jan 2003 From: Aileen, Victoria
I read through your website last night and spent the night dreaming of you in Nanning. It is great to see the photo updates. |
Jan 2003 From: Paula NSW
The website has brought tears of joy streaming down my face. She is a gorgeous little girl and it sounds like she is an especially clever little monkey. I am so very happy for your new family. There is nothing like being a mum and a dad. I especially loved the photo of Lin asleep on Geoff (also asleep). Daddy's and their little girls eh. |
Jan 2003 From: John NSW
Hi Lin, Congratulations on your first web page, reading the updates has become the highlight of my day. Good to see you have chucked a tantrum - keeps 'em on their toes! . My tip is to get a little bottom lip pout going too... |
Jan 2003 From: Cathryn & Christopher, NSW
Thanks you sooooooooo much for the privilege that is Lin's website. |
Jan 2003 From: Gail & David, USA
Thanks for the great coverage of this great occasion. It is wonderful to see the change just in those few days - moving from a child obviously not happy with the change of events to one very happy, relaxed and confident with the situation. The pride on Geoffrey's face just beams through. David thinks she takes after you Sandra! |
Jan 2003 From: Sally, Tas
That website was just fantastic. I was nearly there with you! |
|
