Please don't forget our fundraiser, Buy a Piece of the Puzzle. We only need to sell 200 more pieces!!
They are just $10 a piece. Just click on the puzzle picture on the right sidebar and it will take you to the site. Click on the Chip In there and it will take you to a secure site to donate.

THANK YOU!!!

Friday I found out our I800 was approved. Our approval was in 15 days which is pretty good.  They received it on the 7th and Approved on the 22nd. For those of you involved in the adoption process you know anything is possible with delays so I am just relieved this step stayed on target for average times. We now are in the process of the NVC and Article 5. I really don't know enough about these steps to share here but they will take several more weeks then we are in the official wait for Travel Approval. We are still holding out hope for 2011 travel, it'll break this mommy's heart if we have to wait until January but my agency told me to mentally prepare for January just in case. I am researching sending a care package to Ellery and requesting updated photos. I am praying they have not shaved her head again. I had a dream last night that we were in China and had Ellery and in the dream she had enough hair to stick a bow in it. It was a good dream and makes me just want to go get her more!

I am hooked... on Pinterest that is. If you haven't checked it out yet you really should!

I am getting back in touch with my creative side and will soon share some of my favorite crafty finds.

Also, I have also found some great photographs to copy, decorating ideas and gift ideas and recipes.

 He has so many cute expressions, is a willing subject and is so darn cute (no prejudice here).
 And I absolutely love the freckles popping up on his cheeks. This boy has stolen my heart.

Dear Ellery,

Campfires are possible my boys favorite thing to do while camping. We may have to bribe them to pick up in the yard at home but camping, these boys will look for wood to add to the fire forever without us even asking.  Even though it was still quite warm here for Labor Day we had campfires anyway. What would camping be without tin foil dinners and roasted marshmallows?






Our resident Boy Scout likes to take on the main fire duties while camping. He worked hard to get it going and keep it going.

Next up: Camping and Biking

SO EXCITED TO SAY THAT IT CAME TODAY!!!! THE LOA THAT IS!!!!

It is amazing how  something can bring such joy! I am sporting a huge grin so if you see me in the next few days that is why. I honestly thought we would probably have to wait a few more weeks so it was so great to get the call today. Although now I will admit I kind of had a feeling it might come today. Anyway, I am bouncing all over with my thoughts because I cannot concentrate...

I am thinking of travel and packing and organizing my house and kids for our family to take care of them and money and Christmas and Ellery and her little smile and what it will be like to adopt a toddler and much. much more! My agency suggests that we will probably travel in December. Not in my plan but obviously in GOD'S! At least I won't have to deal with Guangzhou heat and humidity!! Thank you to anyone who prayed for us during the grueling 91 day wait. I really have had such a peace about it lately and haven't worried like I usually do! Now you can pray for us to stay on track with everything else so we will travel this year! 

And I get to send my baby girl a care package now. I have a little stack of goodies to send and I cannot wait! Hopefully we will also get an update on her and hopefully they haven't shaved her head again!

Just testing out BlogPress... Lily looks so grown up in this picture.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Check out the progress on our Piece of the Puzzle fundraiser. We are just about to hit the $3000.00 mark. We have just a little over 250 pieces yet to sell. Can we do it by the end of September? If not I will probably extend the cut off since it doesn't look like we will be traveling anytime soon.

Update: We are over the $3000 mark!!!


Still no word and I don't expect any for a couple more weeks. The other day when I was feeling particularly frustrated about our wait I was browsing some blogs and came across one of another family. This family waited 108 days. If you have never endured this wait it is so hard to explain. She did a great job and then had a devotional that was comforting.  Here's the link if you want to read her blog entry about waiting for their LOA.

http://kevichele.blogspot.com/2011/08/life-lessons-and-loa.html

So apparently our LOA was marked as "in process" on August 16th. What does that mean?


I have no idea really.


But I do know it means that it is not lost somewhere in a pile of paperwork, that it did not accidentally fall into a trash can or that it is just not being worked. Just a few of the scenarios I imagined in my overactive brain.


So even though it may be weeks (sigh) before we get our LOA at least I can rest easy easier knowing that it is "in process".



I know another family that received theirs exactly one month after theirs was moved to "in process".
That means maybe the middle of September. My worst case scenario is traveling at Christmas. That may become our reality. Won't you pray for a miracle? That our LOA comes NOW! Just a quick little prayer right now. Thanks!

At one glance I love you with a thousand Hearts. - Mihri Hatun

Still waiting and yes it is painful....

I try to not let it bother me but when I saw several families get their's after waiting much shorter times than we have it did. I am happy for them but GEEZ 76 days is painful!!! If it doesn't come soon we won't even be able to travel this year. And yeah  I know to trust God, I know there is a big picture and one day I won't even think of this wait but for now in this moment, it.is.hard!

I am ready to see these dimples in person....



Thank Goodness I have 5 fantastic kids at home helping me to stay busy but seriously....

Tonight Lily had her very first dance recital. I have been reluctant to sign her up for dancing for numerous reasons but when I found out about Christian Dance Ministries Summer Camp I knew this was the perfect opportunity for Lily. She attended camp for two weeks, they dance to contemporary Christian Music and the dancing is considered a form of Worship. Tonight they had they final recital.