Article 5

In the middle of the night I woke and could not go back to sleep. I checked my email and to my surprise found an email from the Consulate in Guangzhou, China about our Article 5. This is the last step before we receive Travel Approval. TA will be delayed a bit however as Jan. 31st starts Chinese New Year. Everything shuts down until Feb. 6th from my understanding. So we will hold and be patient. It is getting so close! .


We also received a recent update on our baby girl.  It stated that her health is good, she is attending preschool, potty trained but still needs diaper at night, she is active and stubborn (she will fit right in!) She eats congee, noodles, dumplings, rice and juice.






So,  I just received an email confirming the delay of our travel approval.  Our article 5 most likely will not reach the Consulate until Feb. 7th after Chinese New Year.  Boo!  Then it will be 2-4 weeks before we get travel approval.  There is still a very small chance that we could leave before the end of February - but looking slim. 






Prayers for a Fast TA.
Prayers for continued health for all.
Prayers for Travel Preparation.
Prayers for our baby girl and her foster family.




Thank you.
Love,
Traci xoxox

Update

Wow!  A very busy holiday season and winter break is over.  The boys  headed back to school today.  Not easy as we had been living up the winter break with staying up late and sleeping in.  It was rather tough to get them to sleep last night and consequently we were late to get up.  Surprisingly, they were ready to go and ready to cooperate quickly as we dressed quickly, made breakfast and packed lunches in no time at all. 


Winter break was filled with a wonderful Christmas spending time with my sisters and family.  The children enjoyed playing with gifts and spending time with their cousins.  The highlight was my sister finding my 2 year old nephew in the closet choking down a pack of gum.  Let's just say the mama said "no gum because you will swallow it" and sure enough he was in the closet having at it.  Lol.  Next highlight was the band that the Cousins formed.  Let's just say my ears hurt from 2 little kids playing electric guitar, 9 yo on piano (thank God it came with headphones) and a 2 yo on microphone.  Lol.  Good times!  Lastly we had a nice trip to the beach.  The weather was a bit chilly and overcast but non the less a nice a day with Fam followed by dinner at  The Old Keylime House.  This was a fun spot.  We had never been to this Key West style Open Air restaurant.  It took family from Indiana to drag us their.  Lol. 


One day, Brian and I took the boys to see the ICE show in Orlando.  This was amazing and very cold (9 degrees).  I do not think we were really expecting that.  They give you a long winter coat to put on but we needed gloves, hats and/or ski masks.  The ICE sculptures were amazing.  The nativity scene was my favorite. 


That about sums up Winter break.  A few days of activities and mostly home just relaxing or working.


In the meantime, we are still very much working through the adoption process.  Yesterday was another notable day of progress.  We received 800 PA which means the US government will allow our girl to immigrate to the US.  With only  2-3 small steps and then the Big TA or Travel Approval coming, excitement is growing.  Time to start packing and gathering all the items for the trip in one area or room in the house.  Plus more paperwork of course! ;)


Please, we ask for your prayers as we continue to prepare for this journey and for our daughters transition into our family.  We thank you and greatly appreciate it.


Love,
Traci xo

LOA

The long  awaited paper - The LOA!  China said "Yes"  - Time for Happy Dance then back to more paperwork! :))))

Things I dream of doing with my daughter.....

 Experiences I Want to Have With My Daughter.


The moment she walks through the door and I see her for the first time

Hold her in my arms

Kiss her cheeks

See her first smile

Hear her first giggle

Watch her sleep

Give her her first bath

Brush her hair

Dress her in new clothes

Snuggle with her while feeding her

Put her hair in piggies

Braid her hair

Visit the Princesses with her and take her picture with them

Visit the live Barbie dream house in Sawgrass with her

Oh and Disney princess on Ice

Ok anything girly ........ That I can't do with the boys

Hear the sound of her voice

Hear her sing

Hear her call me mama and know she means "me"

When she initiates a kiss with me

Smell girlie lotions and fragrances

Her first purse in the crook of her arm

Hear her talk to her baby dolls/stuffed animals

Celebrate Chinese culture as part of our history

Tickle her

Tell her I love her

Comfort her when she cries

Easter dresses

Hear her first English word

Celebrate all the firsts. As a family birthdays, Valentines Day, Christmas,etc

When she recognizes her new name

Have a Picnic and Tea party

Observe her try to do and play what her brothers play

See a smitten daddy holding her tight

See her wrestle and giggle with her brothers

Watch her brothers be protective over her

Rock while reading a book together

Bouncing on the Trampoline with her brothers

Sit around the dinner table and see all my kids together

Watch her adapt to our Doggies Bella Rose and Princess Layah (this may take some time!)

Fly half way across the world together

See daddy carrying his girl in a dress

Seeing her play girly tea party and dress up with daddy and the boys

Introduce her to grandparents and cousins for the first time

Watch her enjoy her first wet sloppy kiss from our dog (may take a long long time)

Watch her taste a variety of new foods

Swing together at the playground

Kick the soccer ball together

Kiss her toes

See her on daddy's shoulders

Paint our toenails and fingernails

Hold hands as a family of 5

Go shopping at Target

Tell new friends we have 2 boys and 1 girl

Visiting girly stores and shops for a reason

Play Candy Land, the princess version

See her have a light saber war with her brothers

Teach her about Jesus and read the Princess children's bible stories

Pray  and sing with her as she goes to sleep

Help her dress her dolls and play house

Costume jewelry everywhere

Walk hand in hand with her brothers

Drag her blankie behind her

See her wrestle with daddy

Little dresses and Hair Bows -

Ruffles and more Ruffles

Visit the mall playground

Look back in the car to see a pink covered carseat

Ring around the rosie

Horsey rides on her brothers' backs

Chick fil A with friends

Teaching her Song and Dance Routines "I like my Ice Cream Cone - like my doggie likes his bone"

Trying on new shoes

Stretch on tip toes to reach things

Lots of pictures

Bubble baths with soapy hair do's

Wear aprons and bake in the kitchen

Play peek a boo

Bed Hair with sleepy eyes

Go on a walk with her in the stroller

See her run at the soccer field watching big bros

Pick up dropped snacks under the high chair - Well doggies will do that! 

Twirl around to music

Discover her personality

Blow bubbles

Watch a chic flick together

Read bible stories together

Have a mom/daughter mani/pedi

Wrap a gift together

Mommy/Daughter time while the boys are at school

Watch her whiz down a slide at the playground

Her first splash in the pool

See her blow out her birthday candles for the first time

See her unwrap a gift

See her slurp Asian noodles

Discover what makes her mad!

Tutus

Hold her in church during the worship songs

See her playing with the kids

Taking her to her first dance lesson

See her ride a tricycle/scooter for the first time

Introduce her as our daughter

Hold her hand

Go to sleep knowing she is HOME

Third Trimester and Nesting

I feel that this baby girl is coming soon.  My maternal instincts kick in as I prepare her room and get ready to travel.  All of sudden I have these urges to finish everything up, prepare, get ready.............. Nesting!

So, I have been cleaning up the house and organizing.  Gathering things around the house to set aside for the trip. 

I have found some great used books for $.01 - yeah.   Books on Adoption for Brian and I referred by many fellow adoptive parents and Children's books on adoption. 

I always like to read the reviews of books before I buy.  I like to see each persons perspective of the book before I choose a book.  I learn something every time I read these views.  I get another persons perspective on the book whether it be good or bad.  Often times it is an adoptee reviewing the book from their personal perspective.  I want to be sensitive to all of these things and I cant be sensitive if I am not aware.  Thankful for reviews.

We are in the Last Trimester and patiently waiting for the next step. 

Dear God - I thank you and praise you for all your many blessings and for this wonderful life.  I would like to lift up our sweet girl to you.  Please cover her with your love and keep her safe until her family comes to get her.  Continue to prepare our hearts and minds for this journey.  Thank you.  In Jesus Name - Amen.

Love,
Traci
XOXO

Text to Donate Day for Our Girl

Don't forget, Sunday, November 10th (all day long) is the Text to Donate day for Our Girl. 

Text  "Wish"  to 80077 and confirm with "YES" for it to be sent.  Thank you so very much!

Our Girl's Birthday

Yes, today we celebrate Our Girl's 3rd birthday miles apart.  I am so happy that God willing we will not miss another. 

I wonder if her birth mother thinks of her each year around this time? 

When I asked if I could have a birthday cake sent to her - they said that her orphanage did not allow it.  Apparently some do.  They choose to celebrate all the kids birthdays for the month at one time on one day.  This is very understandable with so many kids. 

Dear Lord,

I pray for this precious girl, that you will keep her safe and healthy until we get there.  Please protect the people of China as this storm is about to make it's way to the area.  We know only you know the plan.  Amen.

Love,
Traci XOXO