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.

WE GOT OUR LOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will update with more information later- just wanted you all to know!  We could travel in as early as 6 weeks- so there is still a chance we will have her before her birthday!!!!!!!

A little peek at our girl

I hesitated to post this because the quality is so bad (I held my camera up and taped the t.v. while the video was playing)- but I just had to show y'all our sweet girl.  Oh how I can't wait to hold her!

Still no LOA

We are now on day 67 of our wait- and I am about to go crazy!!!!  Where in the world is our LOA? We have waited WAY longer for this than I expected us to.  I know that God's timing is perfect- and I have to remind myself that 100 times a day- but this wait is harder than anything else I have ever waited for in my life.  I LOVE our video of our sweet girl, but I think seeing her makes the wait even harder.  To see someone else pick her up, touch her cheek, and make her smile- oh how I want to be able to do those things.  Please continue to pray for our LOA to arrive, and for me to be patient and trust in God's timing.

100 Good Wishes Quilt

 We are starting a very special project to keep us busy and help us prepare for the arrival of Kate and we’d love your help and participation. To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It is a custom to invite 100 people to contribute a single square patch of cloth. These 100 patches are sewn together into a quilt that contains “good wishes” from all the families and friends who contribute a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.

How can I contribute to your quilt?
                                                                    What you will need to do is send us three things: a 10X10 inch piece of cloth, a written wish with a small piece of your chosen cloth attached to it, and a picture of your family.

Specific fabric details                                                                                              One 10x10 inch square of 100% cotton washable fabric. It can be new or a “used and meaningful” fabric.  If you buy a new fabric, you will need to get ¼ yard of fabric cut- that will give you plenty for a 10x10 inch square plus extra to put on your card.

Specific wish details                                                                                                This is the fun part. Send us a card as small as 4″x6″ or as large as 8″x10″ with a good wish for Kate and a scrap of your fabric (glued to the paper). Your wish can be simple or elaborate, handwritten or typed. It can be something you wrote or a favorite poem, prayer, or bible verse. I’d like for you to be as simple or as creative as you’d like! You can write your wish on a simple index card, or make it more of a scrapbook type card. Please remember to sign your wish. Also remember to send a picture of you or your family with your card. These written wishes and pictures will be placed in a 12×12 album so that your wishes will always be remembered.

Where do I send my fabric?                                                                                      You can mail your fabric, card, and family picture to me at:

Amybeth Skinner

10 The Terrace

Newnan, GA  30263

 

We would love to have this done by the time Kate gets home, so if you would like to participate, please mail this by August 1st.  If you have any questions you can email me at amybethskinner@gmail.com

Thank you!!!!!!