Red Thread

Brandon designed this picture for Ivy's room

We received our LOA on day 65 of our wait.  It was such an amazing and hectic day!  We had gotten word the day before that our LOA was in the match stage.  And then it totally surprised us and showed up from China the next day.  Usually the document takes 1-2 weeks to travel from the match stage.  So this meant I woke up Brandon (he worked night shift the night before) and we all loaded up in the car to the agency to sign YES!

That day we also sent out our I-800 paperwork.  This is the US immigration paperwork to approve our specific child.  We already have pre approval but now we need the final approval from the US.

Other things we did this week:

• Applied for our Visas to travel to China
• Finished our last adoption education (who knew there was so much education needed)
• Put together the final pieces of our puzzle
• Put together Ivy's bed and started working on her closet. I LOVE PINK!
• Started gathering items for our travel

So when do we think we will travel?

Our best guess is some time in March (10 weeks). 

Things to do in the coming weeks:

• Apply for Ivy's Visa
• File an Article 5.  Which is to inform the foreign central authority that U.S. competent authorities have determined the prospective adoptive parents are eligible and suited to adopt, that the child may enter and reside permanently in the U.S.
• Wait for our TA- Travel Approval
• Request our CA- Consulate Appointment
• Book our Flights
• Travel to CHINA!

I keep having to remind my heart to calm down.  It is so excited and aching to hold my precious child for the first time.  Please keep us in our prayers!