Waiting on Travel Approval...

We are just waiting on the final green light from China.  It could come any day now.  Still hanging on to the hope that we could be in and out of China before Chinese New Year begins on February 13th.  Pray with us!

Happy 7th Birthday Mia!

Tonight as we go to bed, Mia is waking up on her 7th birthday.
We did receive notice that our article 5 has been signed.  Now all we wait on is Travel Approval - and we are hoping to have it in the next 10 days.  Then, as soon as our agency can make arrangements - we're on our way!

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....