Waiting....again!

We still don't know when we are headed to China to get our girl.  Last week was one big emotional roller-coaster.  We were headed to China one day, then put on hold the next.  That went on all week.  The hold-up is all because we can not get an appointment at the US Consulate in Guangzhou.  Our whole trip revolves around this one appointment.  Finally on Thursday my friend (thanks A) told me to contact our US Representative and ask if he could help with our situation.  He acted immediately and contacted the US Consulate in Guangzhou himself about getting appointments for us and the other families in our group.  I woke up Friday morning to an email that he forwarded to me from the Chief at the US Consulate saying that they were tentatively holding 9 spots for Sept 29th for our group!!!!  I was beyond excited- but worried about the "tentatively" holding part.  I contacted our agency immediately and they resent our request.  The problem now is that China is 12 hours ahead of us- so although we sent the request in on our Friday morning- it was already Friday night in China.  So now we have to wait through the long weekend to find out if we got the appointments or not.  We should know something for sure by Tuesday.  If we do get the appointments, we will leave on Sept. 15th and return on Oct.1st.  Please be praying that we get this appointment.    I will write again on Tuesday and let you all know if we got it or not.

Thanks again for praying- we have certainly felt your prayers- especially this past week.

Bad news

We didn't get our Consulate Appointment, so that means that we won't be leaving next week.  Instead, we have to wait until the second week in October to travel.  Kate will spend yet another birthday all by herself.  And her mom can't stop crying because she won't be with her when she turns two.  Please be praying for all of us. After the "high" from yesterday, this "low" is almost more than I can bear.  My heart is broken.  I want my girl.

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!!!!