We're ready

We've been dreaming and preparing for a long time. We picked out her first doll and put her room in order. 

It's hard to believe that one week from today she will be with us.

Proverbs 16:9 A man makes a plan in his heart, but God directs his path.

A trip to the Oriental Supermarket

Recently we took a trip to our local "Lee Lee's" to stock up on some familiar foods for Ivy.

The girls had lots of fun taking pictures and enjoying the laughs and stares we got from other shoppers.

A nice Chinese couple helped us choose some flavors from Ivy's province.

Ni e ma?

Travel Dates Confirmed

April 13- Arrive in Beijing
April 14 - Orientation/ Tours (if mama has energy)
April 15- Travel to Anhui (Ivy's province)
April 16 - We meet Ivy "Gotcha Day!"
April 20 - Travel to Guangzhou
April 24 - US Consulate Visa Appointment
April 25- Visa Issued
April 26 - Arrive Home!

Got It!

We received that long awaited call today that The People's Republic of China has approved us to travel and pick up our girl. We submitted our requests for the Consulate Appointment date, and hopefully we will hear back tomorrow. Based on that appointment, we will book out flights. We should be able to travel in early April. Wow! Praise God!

Waiting on TA

"I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless he sees that it is good for him to wait" CS Lewis
We are trusting in His perfect timing.

Special Delivery

This most adorable backpack, filled with some goodies, showed up in our mailbox recently. It's a special gift from a special friend. Linda knows adoption, both the joys and the trials. She has been a great source of encouragement and information. Most of all she's a true friend.

How fitting that her gift will travel with us to China and be delivered to Ivy on the day we meet her!

So Close!

We are now officially waiting on our final step...Travel Approval. When we get the TA, we buy our plane tickets and go pick up our little sweetie. Our Passports have arrived. Our Visas have arrived. So hurry up TA!!!!

Updated Photos!

It makes for a real happy day when this cute face shows up in your inbox!

The whole family crowded around the computer with squeals and teary eyes. Even our oldest kids were here to share in the fun. It was a blessing to hear that she looks at her photo album every day, and often tells her friends that she has parents!

Oh my heart!! We can hardly stand it. We're comin' to get you Ivy!

Cabled!

Our agency has forwarded our documents to the US Embassy in China for the last step before China will issue Travel Approval. The Consulate reviews the file and signs off that everything is in order. So we await this  "Article 5"  letter and then we move on to Travel Approval!!

Photo Album to China!

We sent a photo album to Ivy introducing her to the family and some other soon-to-be familiar sights around the house. (Thank you, Nancy, for the inspiration) Hopefully someone will take the time to read the notes to her and help her understand that she has a family! Here's a sampling of the pages:

We had so much fun creating it. I hope she has just as much fun looking at it!

I-800 approval!

 US immigration has given their approval for us to adopt Huanyue! Next step..US Immigration communicates with the National Visa Center that we are approved. The NVC then electronically sends our file to the US Embassy in China. This is called "cableing". This is the approval of our visa petition. We hope to have this step completed in about 1 week. We're getting there!

Gifts and Celebrations

Yesterday marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebration.

Ivy received her first traditional silk outfit from some very dear friends at our church.

Celebrating the LOA, Ivy's sweet oldest sister and family blessed her with her first American dress.

Ivy, we pray this is the last holiday you celebrate alone.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Introducing Ivy Ruth "Huanyue"

We hope to travel in April to pick up our little treasure. She will turn five years old in May, and has lived in an orphanage in China her entire life.

LOA! (Letter of Acceptance)

We watched all morning for the truck to arrive with our Letter of Acceptance from China, formally approving us to adopt our little girl. The driver looks a little surprised by the camera!

Signing the official document!