Travel Approval!

We got our Travel Approval yesterday.  Our agency is working on securing a date with the Consulate before the 3 day weekend.  Our first choice didn't work because of the Dragon Boat Festival; all offices will be closed then...so we'll be going the following week.  Just waiting on confirmation (today!) and then we'll be buying tickets!

However Motherhood Comes to You, it's a Miracle

As we are waiting for our travel approval, I think about all the little threads of a tapestry that got us to this point...

     Last April, we interviewed a new agency.  One of their requirements was that we had to take a workshop in Fort Worth.  No daycare was available, but we were excited to move forward with filling out an application.  As we started the paper trail, we looked into taking the necessary course.   The only available workshop was in September, but we asked to be put on a waiting list for a June workshop since I was going back to teaching in the Fall. A slot became available, and with very short notice, we moved forward with making plans. We decided to ask Keith's sister to fly out and meet us so that she could babysit Lia.  It was a long shot, but we were able to make it work!  We learned a lot in the workshop and Lia and Barb had a blast doing excursions (including the Dallas Fort Worth Zoo) and getting to know each other.   In the evening, we got to do really cool things...of course we went to a rodeo, and bought Lia a cowgirl hat.  We loved Texas!!!!!  And, of course, the company was wonderful.

     During the workshop, we sat next to a family that was also going to adopt from China.  We kept in touch and found out in the next few months that they had a match to a little boy in SCH.  A few months after that, we got a match to our little daughter-to-be in the SCH.  They were the same age!  So, when our friends adopted their son, they were able to meet Rosie!  How cool is that!  While they were in Shanghai,  they sent us this video of Rosie.  Watch for the ending...Rosie is one hip little chick!  It cracks us up every time.  Thank you to our friends Abbe and Scott for going the extra mile to give us this video, and congratulations on the adoption of your son Jack!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJYWnZpSK3c

Introducing...Rosie!

Last April, we started the paperchase, and then 6 months later, on October 2nd, we were shocked to find out that our agency had a match!  (We've been keeping it pretty much a secret, since last time around we announced it and it became a 5 year wait!).

Rosie is in the Shanghai Children's Home and is 4 months younger than Lia.  We are basically in the homestretch, waiting for travel approval, and then we'll be able to buy our airline tickets!  Lia is very excited to have a sister and we are super excited to become parents yet again.  We're feeling very blessed.

It's been funny the second time around.  Keith didn't take a day off to wait for the FedEx truck deliver the referral.   I didn't do any registered mail; I just tossed documents into the regular mail without thinking twice.  But how much we treasure what God has done!

Proverbs 25:25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a distant land.

Hanging out in my hometown...at the annual Mistletoe Mart

Lia wasn't sure about Santa, but then when she saw him waving to her at a distance, she felt comfortable.  He came over and was so kind hearted to her.  "I'll see you Christmas Eve at your house, Lia!".

Doing a craft with an elf has officially become a tradition.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

We went to the Macy's parade today with our good friends Esther and Will.  It was Lia's first time going!  She loved the balloons and the marching bands.  

When she got tired of being on daddy's shoulders, she sat on daddy's feet!  

This was her reaction to the first balloon in the parade, Hello Kitty.  There were a  total of 16 balloons; 3 were new this year...Hello Kitty, Elf on the Shelf, Papa Smurf.  We also spent a lot of time just dancing to the marching band's music.  Would we do it again?  Most definitely!!!!!  

Pretty, Pretty Princess

Lia turned 3 in October! For dinner, we had crockpots lined up with delicious meals, celebrating with family and friends.  Lia loved her Cinderella cupcake party!   She was so excited about seeing all the presents that she ran around the house, in and out of the circle of family and friends, totally not knowing what to do with herself!

                                     

My dear friend made this coat for Lia. We feel very spoiled... 

One of the presents from mommy and daddy was the game Pretty, Pretty Princess. This photo was taken a week later, during our power outage due to Hurricane Sandy.  

Uncle Tim bought Lia a castle...As Tim put it together working from the inside, Lia was hysterical to see the castle moving and walking around! But ultimately, it was the yellow smiley lollipop that he gave her that won her heart. (And all she wanted when I asked her what she would like for her birthday, was lollipops...)

Mommy and Lia's First Day of School

This past Wednesday, I went back to teaching, after a 2 year leave.  I am so excited to go back!  I loved being a stay at home mom, but always felt a funny empty feeling about not teaching; a longing.  

Lia is adjusting very well to the change, and is being taken care of by a good friend of ours.   She will take Lia to Nursery School on Tuesdays and Thursdays.   This Tuesday is Lia's first day of school and Daddy will be taking time off to bring her there.  Lia doesn't have any idea the fun she is going to have, but I know!

My mom used to say life is all about adjusting to new changes.  I see Lia often looking at me, watching  how I am handling it all.  As we drive together for 20 minutes in the morning to my friend's house, I am usually smiling and singing songs, or making up a silly game to pass the time.  She also has a choice of how to deal with all of this.  And I am proud to say, Lia has been absorbing it all, and enjoying her new challenges.  Good job Lia!!!!!  I often think about how God has orchestrated this all, and continues to take such precious care of us.  

More photos to come of Lia's first day...

Lia loves her new early morning routine, especially leaving the house in her pajamas!