LOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We got it!!! LOA or SC is Letter of Acceptance or Seeking Confirmation Letter. It was the next huge milestone in our journey and today - it arrived at our agency!!!

Today, I started seeing people post on different boards about getting their LOAs who had LIDs in February...well that of course caused me to be excited as I had been anxiously awaiting the CCAA to start processing LOAs for those logged in during the month of February. No posts from our agency board though, until around 6:20 pm and a message was sent that stating all those with February LIDs should be near a phone - good news was coming. My husband was on the phone as I was reading the e-mail. I told him to take the call, if it were to beep (caller ID). He told me it had already beeped and he didn't take it! What?!?! The announcements started rolling in...LID of 2/7....2/13.....2/25 (same as us)....2/27! Finally, around 7:10, we got a call from the agency. It was the agency trying to call us when he was on the phone! But, we got the call, were are getting the letter and Anna will soon be coming home!

The CCAA is closed all next week for a May holiday, so our agency will not send off the signed LOA until Wednesday. Hopefully it will be there first thing next Monday (May 7th) morning and our TA will be processed quickly! I am seeing 14 - 18 days on multiple boards. So that would put us around May 25th getting TA (this is purely speculation based on what I have seen others do). Then just trying to get a CA (consulate appointment) as soon as possible.

It is such an emotional thing...every step of this process. Every step we get closer to her, it sinks in a little deeper that she really will be coming home - soon! I know others have waited much longer than us, but any wait away from your child is a long wait. We are blessed to have made it this far. I know God's hands have orchestrated all this from the very beginning. Before her birth, my heart longed for her and it has only grown stronger as the months have past. I know that she is my daughter, I know that I love her as my own flesh and blood, I know that there is coming a day, very soon, that she will be placed in my arms and we will be united as a family. I can hardly wait - my heart is just overflowing with joy! It may sound extreme to some, but the love of a mother for her child is unexplainable - can you imagine His love for us?

I am so thankful for this journey and for what God has done for us. To some, it is just a process that we are involved and this is just the next systematic step set in place by a Chinese governmental agency. But to me, it is the fulfillment of a promise. God told me to step out and He would prepare a way. He has and He is. We have prayed for God to be with Anna, our dossier and for our paperwork to be processed quickly. He is answering our prayers.

Praising God for His faithfulness and sending love to my Anna.

Nesting???

We are on day 54 of our "official" LOA wait. I am relatively calm, not too terribly anxious, but feeling a deep urge to get things in order. My sister asked me if I was nesting...I hope so. I hope that my internal subconscious instinct "knows" that I need to get things ready for Anna to come home soon!

The beginning of the week, I painted a twin bed that I am using for Parker, finished switching out winter to summer clothes and arranged the room (Parker and Anna's) in a way that I think will work. We were up in the air on how we were going to arrange rooms, but I think the best solution is to put Anna and Parker together for now. They are only 17 months apart and the different gender isn't an issue at their ages. Parker will be 3 June 28th, and Anna will be 2 November 10. Plus, we really didn't want to do anything to change the house structurally, because we will be putting it up for sale when Anna gets home. No need to put more money in the house when we will not be utilizing the changes made for very long, hopefully. I think it will work out good. Plus, Anna is used to having someone sleep inches from her crib. I don't think she would like a big lonely room.

My sister, organizational queen, has came over the last 2 days to help me "get rid" of stuff. I love to hang on to things that I might or might not need 20 years from now. My closet was busting at the seams, utility room was a disaster area, the kitchen had too much stuff, the large closet in Parker & Anna's room was out of control, and the chest they are to share was full. But after 2 days of hard work and "letting go", the utility room and kitchen are organized, Parker and Anna's room/closet is starting to take shape and my closet is under control. Parker has a twin bed set up, Anna's crib is in place, Anna's clothes have been put in drawers and hung in the closet, and I am about ready to start on their bedding.

Tomorrow, the living room must be tackled. We put garage sale items in a corner and folded laundry is on the couch. I really would like to straighten the den and Carter and Jacob's room as well. The momentum is flowing and I don't want to quit till it is done - maybe I am nesting. I remember when I was pregnant with all the boys, I would hit this streak and I would clean like crazy. I stayed up one night on my hands and knees cleaning the floors and moving furniture (wouldn't recommend a 9 month pregnant woman to do, but if it hits, your gonna do it). I could hardly move the next day, but my house was clean. It wasn't long, until a baby was coming. I have read today on boards that those with LID as late as 1/30/07 (special needs program) were receiving LOAs/SCs today...that's only 25 days ahead of us. It makes me really excited to think about getting a call from our agency with LOA/SC news. I will just be beside myself...but it could be soon! A couple weeks ago parents that were LID in December were getting LOA/SCs...so that is 2 months they have covered in just under 3 weeks. I know there are some that have been waiting 100+ days, but I pray they get theirs soon and they really start processing quickly at CCAA.

God knows when and how, but I pray it is soon. Like I stated before, I am relatively calm, but I want her home so badly it just hurts to think about. I am thankful that God is giving me other things to focus on right now...it might just be making a place for her little socks to go, but it keeps me sane. The thread is tugging hard on my heart and I am soooooo ready to meet this baby girl that I love dearly. The miracle of adoption is beyond words that I can express. I have known I wanted to adopt for many years, but I have known about my child I would adopt while she was still in her birth mother's womb. God placed a different burden in my heart for her, just a month before her birth. I had had the burden for adoption before, but this was a burden for my child that I was suppose to find. I have loved her, prayed for her, hurt for her, cried for her, longed for her and I am ready for her. I am ready to touch her hand, stroke her hair, feel her cheek on mine, hear her breathe, see her smile, listen to her laugh, smell her little feet and kiss her forehead. I am ready.

Asking God for quick processing of our paperwork and sending love to my Anna.

Sweet Face...

We got another picture today of Anna. The couple that got us the update and picture of Anna earlier in the week is finally home with their beautiful daughter, Ella, and was able to download the remaining pictures of the orphanage. There was another picture of Anna in the group. We are thrilled to get to see another image of our daughter...here it is...

Sweet dreams tonight and sending love to my Anna.

Just Beautiful...

The adoptive couple that gave us the wonderful update on Anna yesterday, was able to get us a picture of Anna today. It is wee hours of the morning, but I was awake and decided I might as well check, "just to see" if they had been posted. Well, to my very pleasant surprise - here she is...

She looks so good. Healthy, happy and well-cared for - perfect with the exception that she is not here, asleep in her crib where I can gingerly tip-toe into her room to watch her breathing. But, oh the day...my heart leaps for joy to think of her being here, where I can touch her, smell her, hear her and her know, that she is ours and we are hers. But, until then, I will gaze at a picture and recognize my many blessings - that God has His hand upon my children, all my children.

Going to kiss my sleeping boys once more as they sleep and sending love to my Anna.

Update, Update, Update...

We have been so fortunate to receive another update on Anna. A couple from Ohio is currently in China adopting their daughter from Foshan Nanhai SWI, Anna's orphanage. Erin, the new mommy, has been so nice to me and has gotten an update on Anna. I have posted her message so you can read what she has to say about her.

Hi-
I saw your little girl today. She looked fine and happy. I showed the
director my paper with the names on it and they went and brought all of the
kids to me to take pictures of. Very nice caretakers that really seem to
care about the kids. She was in her crib when we got there and I spotted her
right away. She was the first one I recognized. I took a picture of her in
her crib and then later they brought her out to me in the playroom to take
another picture. I talked to her and told her that mommy would be coming
soon to take her home. One of the caretakers asked me if I knew her mother.
I told her yes and I would send the picture back. She thought that was good.
All of the babies stand up in their cribs when someone comes in the room.
They really liked the attention, in fact they were craving us to come over
to see each of them.
I will download the pictures later, just wanted to let you know she was
fine.
Erin

What exciting news for us. To know that she is doing well, being cared for, and that the caretakers are asking about us, just thrills me. I hope that they show her the photo book that we sent back in December and she will recognize us from the pictures when we travel to get her. Many, many thanks to Erin, her husband and new daughter, Ella, for taking time out of their adoption journey to get an update for us. The kindness of those that have done this can never be repaid, except for us to do the same for those waiting when we travel. Cathy, Kenny & Erin - thank you!

We are so blessed that Anna is in Foshan Nanhai SWI. I have only heard good things about Ms. Tang, the director, and the caretakers. The photos and videos that I have seen show the orphanage to be clean and in good repair. Many parents have to not only deal with the fact that their child is half a world away, but that they live in a run-down, poorly equipped facility without necessities. The orphanage may not have many children adopted from the orphanage and therefore, they may never get any updated information or pictures. My heart goes out to those that must also deal with these worries.

So happy to hear wonderful news about our daughter, and sending love to my Anna.

Happy Easter...

Every holiday that passes I have moments of sadness knowing that Anna is not with our family, but the fact that "this" is the last Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc. that she will not be here is my comfort. Easter is a time to remember the most miraculous event in history, the resurrection of my Savior. It is the basis of my faith and the hope of my eternity. I hope that you all had a wonderful Easter and that God gives us all a clearer picture of who He is.

We had a great, busy day. We started our day with the traditional Easter Bunny treats at the front door, Sunday School, Sunday Message, Egg Hunt, Lunch at my Parents-in-laws, Egg Hunt, Kids playing and finally home - only to clean the kitchen from Sunday morning and to do some laundry for the next day. My mother-in-law is a great cook and lunch was delicious. Rodney's sister and husband were also there, as well as friends of ours and their two kids. We have known them for a long time and our kids love playing together. I have posted some pictures of our day.

Have you ever tried to take a family picture with three rambunctious boys? Not possible.

Happy Easter to you all and sending love to my Anna.

A Heavy Heart...

We don't see the big picture many times. Nor do we understand all God's plans. But, if we believe in Him, we have to believe that He knows what is best for everyone involved. His plans are perfect, I know that, but it doesn't mean that I understand it. My heart is heavy for my dear "Friend in NY" and a little boy named KC. God knows and He is in control. I pray His will be done and for Him to comfort all those involved.

Praying for peace and sending love to my Anna.