What We've Been Up To

What have we been doing since LOA? Paperwork! I've been told this part of our journey moves fast because we will be busier than before. So far, that's right. We got LOA last Wednesday, on Thursday Bella and I were at Fed Ex sending off paperwork. On Friday we were at the post office sending off more paperwork. What do I have sitting in front of me as I type? More paperwork. No complaints though! I'd much rather be doing something than sitting and waiting.

Here's a few pics from the day after LOA:


Bella, our sweet Fed Ex man (aka "the stork") and our precious LOA for us to sign.


THIS is our LOA!!!

As we get closer to China, I ask for prayers for safe travels, Shawn's transition into our family and Bella's transition into being a big sister.

Will keep you all updated!

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A Wonderful Surprise

At 3:11 today, an email "popped up" on my phone's home screen with a beautiful subject line: Your Letter of Acceptance is here! That's right...the longed for LOA was at CCAI's office!


This letter says Baby Shawn is officially our son and Bella's baby brother. CCAI is overnighting it to us to sign, along with more paperwork for us to complete for them. We will be Fed Ex'ing it back ASAP and this will get the ball rolling to China!
I was so surprised because I had given up hope of receiving it today. In fact, poor Bella had a very cranky/distraught/upset
Mommy who was trying to hold herself together. (That's what a 71 day wait can do to a normal functioning adult...beat them into an emotional pulp.) Good thing for us both I had my phone close by. :)

The big question now is "When do we travel?". As of now, families are traveling 8-10 weeks after LOA's. I'll keep you all updated as we progress.

Hold on sweet baby boy...we're coming!!!


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Truths

I love Jen Hatmaker. Really, really love her. It appears she loves me too because she's able to read my mind. (Just kidding. The woman doesn't even know I exist.) I want to share two of her blog posts on adoption. They resonate with me and speak VOLUMES on what it's really like out here.

http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/09/06/after-the-airport

http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/11/02/how-to-be-the-village

My top three favorite moments from these posts:

1. "Waiting purgatory"
2. "Sometimes her fear is so palpable, it literally takes my breath away. New places: terror. New faces: total insecurity. Transitions: help us, Jesus."
3. "Plus, we want you to know more because we’re all secretly hoping you’ll adopt later. (This is not true.) (Yes it is.)"

Oh how I wish I knew about Jen Hatmaker (and more about attachment in adoption) in 2009! Live and learn.

PS Still. Waiting. On. LOA.



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Helpful Chart

A friend posted this chart on Facebook. It looks confusing but it helps to "point to" the different steps on our adoption journey.

We are currently on step 8...waiting on our Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from China. Today makes 61 days since we were pre-approved. Here's hoping we don't hit the 70's!
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Update!

We got a wonderful surprise today....our agency sent us an update on our Shawn!!! We got two new pictures and developmental information.





He is the cutest little boy I've ever seen! :)

We learned he is almost walking and is 22 lbs. His personality is "a bit cautious, but he is very well mannered". He also likes to eat. :) He was described as a "brilliant prince" which is perfect because his big sister is a princess! We can't wait to hug and kiss this prince.

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And now it's hard...

55 days. Today makes 55 days since we were pre-approved to adopt our sweet Shawn. January 9th will mark two weeks since our paperwork was "out of translation". After surviving the wait for Bella, I thought this wait would be a piece of cake. I was wrong. His photos are all over our home and there's now a crib in our guest room. All I want (for now) is an official letter stating he's ours.

Last Wednesday was the first "hard" day. That night, a friend posted to Facebook, "Sometimes God uses the most unlikely source to speak the words we most need to hear". It linked to this song...I Will Wait by Mumford and Sons
http://youtu.be/rGKfrgqWcv0

She had no idea, but it was just what I needed to make it through the rest of that night.

Here's hoping for our Letter of Acceptance (LOA) soon.

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