the path to you...

early august -- saw you for first time

august 19 -- saw the 'mist'

august 21-- LOI

august 25 -- found out 'jenni', your BFF, was being adopted and lived 10 minutes away :)
sept. 3 -- PA from china
all of sept. -- home study (ugh)
oct. 7 -- mailed your birthday package
oct. 11 -- you turned 11!
oct. 18 --birthday package arrived :)
oct. 21 -- home study approved
oct. 26 -- 1800A sent to USCIS
oct. 28 -- packet arrived at USCIS

11/5 -- receipt notice #1 from homeland security

11/13 -- receipt notice #2 from homeland security

12/3 -- mailed second package to you :)

12/9 -- USCIS fingerprint appointment

12/18 -- I-800A approval

12/28 -- dossier to agency

12/29 -- DTC

1/8 -- LID

3/29 -- LOA!!!!

4/19 -- Provisional Approval

4/27 -- NVC letter

Article 5

TA

CA

-- travel dates :)

thinking of YOU!

do you know how many times someone has said "I can't wait until Abigail is here with us next year." Lord willing, of course :)

we are at the beach and have been for a good long time. it has been an incredibly great family time. we have done hardly anything and everyone is loving it. there's been swimming in the ocean everyday and the temperature is like bathtub. the shelling has been good, not great, but we have found some amazing shells. of course, i am making lots of little things with them which requires trips to michaels. and reading books, reading blogs, working puzzles, watching movies. the boys have played way too many computer games, the girls watched watch too much disney, and your dad and i have well done nothing...compared to home anyway.

and i am still attempting to wrap up our home study. the fingerprint nazi lady kicked out my prints, but those are hopefully wrapped up. brooke sent the first draft to diana for her review butg we haven't heard back yet. all the paperwork to file the 1-800A is ready to go. sandy (jenni's mom-to-be) and teri (hailee's mom-to-be) chat via email alot. i can't wait for the three of you to be friends. here, that is :)

tomorrow is your birthday and you will be 11 years old. we sent you a package and i am praying everyday that it finds its way to you soon. very soon. like this week. we included a letter which told you that you have a family. a forever family. and we sent a picture of all of us from the beach (your dad looks silly because he had to keep running back to get in the photo). and a neat, slinky dress. and matching headbands. and pajamas. and a stuffed cat. and some markers, colored pencils, and paper.

your dad is making a delicious asian dinner tonite. i hope you are proud of your country. we love it and we want you to as well. be proud of yourself, okay? you matter.

even though i don't post often, i think of you constantly and pray for your heart always.

xoxoxo, mom-to-be but already in my heart :)