More paperwork

We have decided to be proactive and update our I-600a/I-171H for the third time.....just in case. It expires on May 17th, 2009 -- which means we'd have to be on a plane leaving China before it expires -- that's just cutting it way too close for us. We don't plan on making our baby girl wait one extra minute for us because of paperwork delays. Plus, with the trade fair in Guangzhou the last two weeks of April and knowing that we can't travel during that time it's all the more reason to think we'll be traveling in early May. Early May could turn into mid-May really easy and the 17th is mid-May. That's just cutting it way too close. This way by updating it now -- we'll be sure to travel in early April.

Isn't that the way it goes?
It will all work out in the end.
It will just be our insurance policy.

One step closer....we have our PA

We have our Pre-Approval. The next step is our LOA/LSC which means that Cassie is ours!!!!

Here's part of what the PA letter said:

The application of XXXXXX XXXXXX and XXXXXX XXXXXX for adoption of XX XXXX XXXX from XXXXXXX Children's Welfare Institute, XXXXXX of XXXXXX province that you submitted was received. It is hereby advised that with a review of the Rehabilitation and Nurture Plan for the Child made by the family, the China Centre of Adoption Affairs agrees to move this application file into the procedure for adoption of special-need children.

Our agency said that it normally takes between 30 and 60 days from now until we get our LSC. Pray for 30.

Right now I think we will be traveling in May. April would be so much better but I'm trying not to set myself up for disappointment. We'll see how that goes in another month or two.

PS -- the call came GW/Stephanie today at 12:32pm.

Comparing China to the US

In weather and size that is.

Third times the charm

02/05/09 UPDATE: We got our amended fingerprint extension letter in the mail today. Less than a week after having them taken!! Way to go Detroit USCIS office.


We went and had our fingerprints re-done for the third time this morning. They actual are good for 15-months and ours just happened to expire today. I had mailed a letter to the USCIS office on January 9th requesting new fingerprint appointments and the appointment letters came last Thursday the 23rd. The same day our LOI went to China. Everything is coming together. Finally.

One more thing to check off our to-do list.

No shower for you....by choice

So the million dollar question the past few days has been when is the shower and make sure I'm invited. We have decided that we are not comfortable having a baby shower since I -- Sherry....the guilty one -- have been shopping for Cassie for about three years now. She literally has one dresser, two closets, and 12 storage boxes of clothes -- in sizes from 3 - 6 months to 4T. And another 4 storage boxes of dishes, shoes, stuffed animals, toys, and misc stuff. Plus, two toy boxes/bookcase/shelf units in her bed room and one in the living room.

So how can we possibly have a shower and ask people to buy us stuff. Oh, and her room is completely done -- see this post: http://springbabies.blogspot.com/2008/07/girls-room-completed.html

Sorry - but all this shopping has kept me sane during the wait. And that's all we are going to say on my sanity. So since Sonny doesn't have the password to update this post -- I'm safe on that topic.

But, because some people are insisting on buying our wonderful baby girl something to welcome her home we did register on Target.com (available in the store too). However --- just to be very clear -- we don't need anything for her. There are a few things I need to pick up for the trip but other than that she's really all set. This info is not meant to have anyone feel like they have to buy her something. She is already our spoiled little princess. But, I had to at least do something to please the masses -- who are so wonderful for asking what our little girl needs.

Again --- she really needs nothing -- but her mom and dad to come get her.

Steps to bring our daughter home

Here are the steps we need to go through before we can bring Cassie home.

1. LOI -- Letter of Intent. The letter to the CCAA telling them we want to adopt a specific child from the Waiting Child list. This letter was sent to China through our agency on Friday night -- the 23rd of January.
2. PA -- Pre-Approval. Confirmation that the CCAA has decided to review our dossier and consider us for the child on our LOI.
3. LOA/LSC -- Letter Seeking Confirmation. Our official referral letter. Basically saying that the CCAA has approved us to adopt Cassie.
4. TA -- Travel Approval. Confirmation that we are approved to come get Cassie. This will trigger our agency to start making the arrangements for our trip.
5. CA -- Consulate Appointment. The day of our swearing in at the American Consulate. Once we have this appointment we can make our airline reservations.

The timeline from LOI to traveling is about 3 - 6 months on average.

Pray for our paperwork to speed through the steps.

After 31 months and 3 day...........................

We have a daughter!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, you read that correct -- a daughter -- of our very own -- our little girl -- who loves mommy the best -- sorry daddy -- just get used to it -- it's mommy's blog and her delusions!

We will post more info about her when we can -- until we go through all the steps/process of the adoption we have to keep her pictures, name, birthday, etc off the blog.

But I can tell you this -- she's simply adorable!!! And I'm not just saying that -- she really is.

And she's ours.
We are the luckiest two people around.

And we are so very blessed and thankful for getting the honor to raise this little wonder. Words cannot express the joy in our hearts. God has been so good to us.