LOA! LOA! LOA!

My Letter of Acceptance arrived at the agency today! This is a huge deal! The agency will overnight the LOA to me to sign and then I will zip it right back to them. From there the LOA will return to China and then we just wait for the Travel Approval, which should arrive in about a month! This letter is a step that the Chinese Govt just added in January and it really is just to stall, in my opinion. It just basically says that I do want to proceed with the adoption of this child. Well, as my 8 year old nephew would say, "Duh!" (Although I frown at him when he says it!) So I am one gianormous step closer to my Jude today and so very thankful!

Waiting and waiting and waiting.

The waiting continues. This is day 54 into the official wait for the LOA (letter of acceptance) from the Chinese govt. Meanwhile, I am working on Jude's room, sorting a TON of clothes my SIL gave me (Thank you Valerie!). The mural in his bedroom is coming along nicely. I am also working on a scrapbook about the whole process. Anything to leep busy. I do watch the blogs from the agency (Harrah's) like hawk to keep in the loop. There are so many awesome families waiting for their peapods ,as well. Next week I will be helping with VBS at my church and looking forward to be around all the kiddos as it does seem to sooth my soul. Keep sending up those prayers folks!! Oh, and I did get a short message from the head nanny at his orphanage yesterday saying he is well and just waiting for me. :)

That's my son!

What a blessed day this has been! A family traveling to Jude's orphanage to get their new daughter got to see Jude!!! The wonderful nannies there made sure that Jude was home from school (which is 3 hours away from the orhanage) in order to get the package I sent for him with this family!!!! He saw my picture and looked up with his toothless smile and said"Fu Mama!!" He is well cared for and happy and very excited about the adoption! I cannot tell you how amazing it was to read that post today! Such a surprise! That makes the waiting just a wee bit easier. A huge THANK YOU to the Frasers for taking Jude's package to him and sending me such great news!

Starting the Journey

Hello all! I am setting up this blog, or at least trying to, so that everyone can keep track of where I am in the adoption process. Right now I am waiting for my Letter of Acceptance or LOA. All of my official paperwork is now in the hands of the Chinese Government and the ball is in their court. They will respond by sending me a LOA to sign and return to them. This is simply a paper that says China will proceed with the adoption if I agree. Well, OBVIOUSLY! Although waiting times vary quite a bit, it seems that right now other's at my agency are getting their LOAs around day 75 or so. Today is day 36 for me. Oh, the waiting!