Still Waiting...

We haven't heard anything yet about our travel approval. A couple of other RQs received their TAs today, and at least one of them was a quick one! Hoping we could even have ours by the end of the week....yes, hoping.

Here are some pictures of our cute boy and Christmas....

Though we are sad that Eme isn't with us this year, we know God is faithful and we'll be with her soon! We're going to love on her so much she won't know what hit her....and she won't be able to get rid of us either!










Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

Officially waiting for Travel Approval

As of yesterday we are waiting for TA! We received an email from our agency that our Article 5 was picked up yesterday and would be mailed to Beijing. Nothing left to do but wait....and make lists of things to buy and pack....and try not to spend too much time worrying about leaving my little baby boy behind while we travel to China for his sister. :)

God is good!

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

One Month from Today

I hope we are in China! I have seen several very quick travel approvals from the girls on the RQ forum - two received theirs in less than two weeks! I know it is a leap, but it would be awesome to receive ours on....oh January 3rd seems like a good day. :)

We forwarded Eme's updated info to the folks at Children's Hospital down in Columbus. Although we haven't done much research, I think their team will become Eme's docs once she is home. They recommended doing her cleft repair first and then her lip saying both would be done in 2011. Our poor girl! She has a big year of medical junk to come home to....but it will be worth it in the end. Praying she is a trooper and resilient!

I am still expecting our Article 5 to be picked up Monday, and we will be officially waiting for TA!

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

When are we going to travel?

We made the drop off at the consulate this past Monday so our agency's rep in China should pick up our Article 5 (standard 2 week wait for this) on December 20th. Then we will officially be waiting for our Travel Approval (TA)! These have been coming in 3-5 weeks, but we are hoping our early LID will put us on the short end of that timeframe. Once we receive TA, we will hopefully travel in two weeks. Anything could happen, but we would love to be on our way to China around January 13th or 14th.

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

Update from China

We were surprised with an update on our girl today! We were very nervous about seeing a new picture because we have falled in love with her little face from 6 months ago. She is SO cute! And, she has so much hair!

She is now 16.5 lbs and almost 25 inches tall. Another very important measurement I was anxious to know is her shoe size! :) It's size 4! She seems to be right at the lower end of measurements for size 12 month clothes. Let the shopping begin!

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

Corrected!

I just saw an email from our officer at USCIS saying the corrected approval is in the mail.

God is soooooooo good! Now if only we could get some updated info on our sweet girl.....prayer time! :)

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

I800 Approval - Fast Forward/Rewind

I800 approval 11/23....received 11/27.......realized the wrong name was on the approval 11/28. As of today we are still waiting on a response from the USCIS. Our case worker/officer is the only one who can correct it. We have left several messages....spoken to several other people there....and have received no response from our actual case worker. No one seems to know if she has been at work this week. Frustrated. Tired. Going to bed hoping for good news tomorrow!

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

Tri-State Quizzing and Birthdays

I spent Friday and Saturday coaching our teen quizzers from church at Tri-State down at MVNU.

After a bit of a rough round robin Friday night, these four won first place in the Experienced Silver Division. Anna, Stephone, Katie, and Elizabeth went undefeated! And, they were a blast to coach! Although we were all a bit disappointed to only make the Silver Division, everyone left with some big study goals for Thanksgiving break. (Right guys??)

Happy First Birthday Sweet Eme! Wish we could be celebrating with you! Keeping our fingers crossed that we will be celebrating Chinese New Year together!

Some of the quizzers enjoying cupcakes in honor of Eme's birthday.

Katie and I before she started feeling "green" on Saturday. She quizzed amazingly considering how the trip ended!


Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

Care Package to Eme

We received an email from Ann at Red Threads this morning that Eme's care package is on its way. We sent her the birthday care pkg so in addition to the bear and letter (the candies are for her nannies), she will receive a fresh cake from the local bakery. Very sad that we will not be celebrating her 1st birthday, but we are confident she is celebrating it with those in China who love her. We will be there soon! Hopefully her nannies will use the camera to take pictures of her celebration.

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

Pink

After starting this adoption journey for our little girl four years ago, tonight we finally bought the prettiest light pink paint for her room. What a long time coming! Gabby has been working on Eme's room since last Saturday and thinks he will be done tomorrow. We still need to paint the trim and get carpet - but then we can get to decorating! My wonderful friend Brooke is letting us have her little girl Claire's bedding, and I am so excited to see how the room will turn out. I may have to recruit my decorating buddies...but having their help makes it so much more fun. Will be posting pics as we make progress. Still crazily hoping to travel in December...or realistically January. I asked John tonight when he thought we would leave for China, he said December 27th. I said January 13th. I hope he is right.

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

LOA ~ LOA ~ LOA ~ LOA

We were shocked to find out yesterday that our agency received our LOA! It was such a quick turn around - we were expecting to receive it hopefully by Thanksgiving. There are still many steps to go through before we actually get to China. But, I am praying that maybe we could travel before the end of the year (that would be God moving mountains!). More realistically, if we do not run into any unexpected delays, we should go sometime in January. Isn't that exciting???!!!

John is looking at potential flights right now. It seems so unreal. We are coming sweet Eme!

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

I should be sleeping...

Yes, it is election night. And, since I've been home tonight, I haven't looked at anything election related! Instead I am scouring the forums at Chinaadopttalk to see what is happening with the other lovely folks over there who are in the long wait with me for their kiddos.

Maybe I should give myself a time limit for how long I can surf.......hmmmm....but who would enforce this? Ha ha ha!

Pics

Awww, I think Jack looks so BIG and OLD in this picture! Cute of course, but BIG and OLD, too!

Cutest Pirate

It was cold so we didn't hit too many houses. Jack was the cutest thing though and I wanted him to stay dressed up all night! He ate some gummie candy and then two little packages of M&Ms. The rest of his candy is still in his bag. Auntie C gave him enough at her house that we didn't need to go to any others!

Bloggin' on the cheap

Well, I'm looking to move my squarespace over because we are trying to save money! Adoption is pricey...but worth it! :) Most of the blogs I follow and read seem to be this style. I'm hoping this one will be easier to use. AND upload pictures!