WE ARE GOING TO CHINA!!!!!!!!!!

We got our Travel Approval today!!!!  I literally jumped up and down when I got the call.  Our agency is working on us leaving A WEEK FROM TOMORROW!!!!!!  We will know for sure tomorrow.  If all goes as planned- WE WILL BE WITH KATE ON HER BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Lord!

I will give y'all all the details when I get them tomorrow!  Thank you for praying for us!

We are going to get our girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!!!!

I just got an email from our agency saying, "According to the China coordinator that lives in China-she thinks that ”the TAs are ready soon.”. That was what she said and my interpretation is that maybe yours is included and will be here this weekend."

Oh my goodness!!!!!!  I had a horrible day yesterday and cried just about all day because I had lost hope that we would be with Kate on her birthday- and then I get this email today!!!  Please, please, please be praying that our TA (travel approval) gets here by early next week.  If we get it by early next week, we could leave in as early as 10 days.  If we do not get it early next week, we will not leave for another 2 MONTHS! 

I know that the Lord knows what is best- and I trust His timing completely- but this Momma sure would love to hold her baby on her birthday!  She just might get to wear this shirt I bought for her after-all!

Updated Measurements

We got updated measurements for Kate from our agency last week!!!!  She has gained 6 pounds since her heart surgery- the doctor said that is a great sign!!!

At 23 months Kate is:

22lbs

30.7 inches tall

Wears a shoe size 4 1/2

So she is growing - but is still a peanut.  

Still no news on our Travel Approval.  We SHOULD get is this week- but we know not to hold our breath.  Please be praying!

Big brother Brett

So Brett is way more interested in his band-aid then he is in answering my questions- but thought this was cute anyway!  Brett- you are going to be the best big brother.  I can't wait to see you with your little sister!

100 Days

Today marks 100 days since we got the email that we had been selected to look at Hua La Yu's file.  100 days since we saw this sweet face.  100 days since we found out that we had a daughter- and a sister!  100 days since we had a face to put with the daughter we have dreamed of for so long.  I must say- I didn't know that 100 days could go by so slow.  Can you imagine being away from your child for 100 days- and having absolutely no contact or information about him/her for that 100 days.  Waiting is so very hard!

We love you Kate Layu!!!!

Go Dawgs!

Yes- it is me writing that.  As much as I love Georgia Tech, I have grown to like Georgia as well (to support my husband of course).  We had an awesome opportunity last month to get a "behind the scenes" tour of the UGA football program.  Brian's high school coach has a player who is on the team so he showed us around.  We had the best time.  Brian's friend from high school, Jason, and his wife and two boys came as well- so Brett had a blast. 

Brett and Brian with A.J. Green

Brett with Brandon Wood, Chester Adams, and Brandon Miller- he's not too sure about those big guys

This boy LOVES to run!

Brett and Cooper- that is one way of getting around the hurdles!

Checking out the locker room

Putting on Brandon's pads- doesn't he look so little

I just had to take this one! :)

Brett ran over every letter and shouted out what letter it was and what sound it made- what a cutie!

Mommy getting some lovin'

And of course he found a tractor

When we asked Brett what his favorite part of the day was- this was his answer- sitting on the "Vroom Vroom".  

Brett and Cooper on the scooter

Shower for Kate

Our sweet friends gave us a shower for Kate last weekend.  As soon as I walked into the backyard I started crying.  I was so touched that they would go to so much effort to throw us such a wonderful shower.  We had the best time.  Kate- you already have so many people who love you.  I can't wait for you to get home and meet them all.

Some of the girls

Baby Noah

Nana, Mackenzie, Ma, and Daddy Bob

They even brought presents for Brett- and boy was he excited!

Isn't Brian doing a great job!

One of our quilt squares for Kate's quilt

Dress up clothes!

LOA day!!!!

What a fun day it was when our LOA was finally in my hands!  I never thought I would be so excited about a piece of paper.    My best friend, Katie, and her three girls got to be here for the big day (they live in California) so it was extra special.  Katie was here the morning that we got Kate's referral and then she also got to be here for our LOA.   I told her that if we don't get our Travel Approval soon that I am flying her back out here!  My mom helped the kids make a "Happy LOA day" sign while we anxiously waited for the UPS truck to arrive. The sweet UPS man had no idea what was going on when he drove in our driveway and we started snapping pictures.  I guess we gave him a good story to tell all his buddies. 

So now all we need is our Travel Approval.  The average amount of time that you wait for your Travel Approval is 30 days.  If we get our Travel Approval by the end of this month then we should be able to travel in September.  If we don't we will have to wait until November to travel.  The first week of October is a national holiday in China, and the last three weeks there are trade fairs so the hotels are three times more expensive and our agency won't send us.  So... PRAY HARD that out Travel Approval comes by the end of this month!!!!!!!!

The UPS man bringing us our LOA

The sweet UPS man gave the pen to Brett and let him sign for our package.

Our very important package!!!!!

Here it is!!!!

Caroline with the sign the kids made and the page she made for her quilt square.

Clair in front of Kate's sign with her page for the quilt.

Cammie with her page for the quilt.