China says, "Yes!"

On Monday we received great news. Our CWA caseworker called to say that she had received our Letter of Acceptance. This letter goes to all families adopting children with special needs. All you have to do is check the box for yes or no. Of course, we checked, "YES!" Now all we are waiting for is Travel Approval. It could come anywhere between 1 and 4 weeks from now. Once we have travel approval it should be 3-4 weeks until we travel!!! There is a huge trade fair in the city where we will be traveling April 15-30, so unfortunately if our travel time lands during that time frame we will have to wait until May. Receiving our Acceptance Letter this week really made me breathe easier. Until now I've been holding my breath - so afraid that the China Center of Adoption Affairs would deny us for some reason. Now I know we've been accepted and they have "assigned" her to our family. Let the packing begin!!!!!

Also this week, a very special teenager, sent me photos from when her family visited the Chenzhou orphanage in December. Her little sister, Anna Claire, is from the same orphanage as Lainie. (See previous post.) Below are some of the pictures of Lainie's first home, The Chenzhou Social Welfare Institute and the city of Chenzhou. I'm also adding a link to Anna Claire's website.

Outside of Orphanage

View of street in front of orphanage

Baby room - Anna Claire is in the photo. We believe this is Lainie's room too.

Playroom - we recognize the "prop" on the left from Lainie's referral picture. See bottom.

Lainie's Referral Photo