We Are Getting Closer Every Day!

I truly can't believe how quickly things have happened.   I'm almost afraid to say how smoothly things have gone for fear I may jinx something!
We received our letter that our "approval" has been sent to the American Consulate in Guangzhou, China.  While there our coveted article 5 will be signed and then - it will pass through a few more hands before our TRAVEL APPROVAL is issued.  I know this is mumbo jumbo to those outside the adoption world - but here is what it means:
There is a slight chance we could travel by end of January - and a strong likelihood that we will at least have travel approval by the end of January and be traveling in February!  Did you hear me?  I said January - as in the month that begins THIS WEEK.  I gotta get busy!!!! I mean MORE busy.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

So Proud of Her....

Every now and then you have one of those moments as a parent that gives you hope that despite all of your failures you are somehow teaching your kids something right.   Jillian gave me one of those moments this week.  She decided on her own that this Christmas she would ask 2 or her aunts to give her money instead of a Christmas gift so that she could give it to a needy family.  Those two aunts gave her the money and this week she delivered it to the principal at our school and asked her to pass it on to a family who needed help this Christmas.  The principal graciously accepted the money and told her that she had just talked to a mother the day before who didn't know how she was going to provide Christmas for her children this year.  Our principal  told Jillian she would make sure that the mother received her money.  The nice thing about working at my kids' school is that I get to witness moments like these.   It is my prayer that this daughter of mine continues to grow a heart of compassion and an awareness of the needs of those around her.

I'm so proud of you Jillian.  Today and every day.

It's beginning to look......

We are busy with Christmas festivities as I'm sure you are as well.  I'm trying to make a conscious effort to stay stress free and keep it all under control so I can really soak up all of the good times with family and friends.  Every day we think about Mia and wonder what her life is like and how she is being prepared for the transition into our family.  Please pray that those preparing her would have wisdom and compassion.

I had lots of help today wrapping gifts!  She sat with me for over an hour carefully threading the ribbon through the tiny hole in the ornaments.

This was our shot for our Christmas card this year.  In the past I've sent over 120 cards - but that didn't make the budget this year.  So, I'm posting here for all of you.  Merry Christmas!  Is it just me or does Trey look about 20 years old here?

"Look mom, I built the Great Wall of China!"  Lainie now talks about China and her sister all of the time.  Today she built the Great Wall and asked if Mia lives near it.

Will and Lainie with cousins Ella, Abi and Honor watching our town's Christmas parade.

We had a wonderful visit with my friend Christy and her family.  Christy and I met in 1988 when we were paired as roommates at Campbell University.  We didn't know each other before that day, but over those four years a rich friendship grew and it has been one of the greatest blessings in my life.

Has it really been 3 years?

Three years ago this week I saw this picture for the first time.  It changed my life FOREVER and I am so very glad.

That was then. 
This is Lainie now....

Our new friend..... Hudson Bryant

Our dear friends, The Bryants, are adopting a precious little boy from China.  Hudson will be two in February.  You can read all about him by visiting their blog:  http://www.lillymakesfive.blogspot.com/ .

Congratulations Bryants, you continue to amaze us!

Yesterday...

Yesterday it happened.  I let myself feel it all.  I have been cautiously holding back from letting my heart totally feel all of the emotions that this waiting process can intell.  I have almost refused to look too deeply into the brown eyes that look so sad in the photos of Mia we've received.  I've refused to look at those little hands and imagine them holding mine.  I've refused to imagine what her life might be like while she waited for us.  I've just not let myself go there.  Until yesterday.  I sat at the computer and looked into that sweet face and studied every detail and felt every emotion that comes when a child you haven't met, yet love already, is waiting for you on the other side of the ocean.  It was then that I noticed her shoes.  They are only visible in one of the photos, and it is the first time I'd really looked at them.  They say alot about her plight.  This mama can't wait to buy her little girl some new shoes.  Shoes that show she is forgotten no more.

Today our agency received our letter of acceptance.  Maybe my heart knew yesterday that it was on the way.

The shoes aren't totally visible here, but just take my word for it.  She needs new shoes.