I-800 Approval!!!!!!!

We found out today that our I-800 form has been approved.  This is the U.S. approving us to adopt Kenzi!!!!  Next, a process takes place that puts Kenzi in the system to get a Visa to travel to the US.  Once the US has approved her Visa, China will issue us a Travel Approval.

We're looking at travel probably in early December, assuming everything moves along as it should.  Looks like we might get a GREAT Christmas present this year!!!

Long Time, No Post

It's been a few weeks since we've posted.  There's been a lot going on, but not much on the adoption front.

- We sent our applications away for Chinese Visas so that we can travel.  It's a bit nervewracking sending our passports to the Chinese Consulate, but it's necessary.
- We're waiting on the approval of our I-800 form with US Immigration.  This form approves us to adopt Kenzi.  Once that form is approved, a process gets started to notify the US Consulate in China that Kenzi is approved for a US visa.
- We're still looking at travel in late November or early December.
- Luke had strep last weekend.  Hopefully, he's just getting his sicknesses over now so that we can make it through the winter with minimal germs!
- Jacinda has been LOVING having Luke in school!  At first, she wasn't quite sure what to do with herself.  But she quickly realized that with Luke in school, she doesn't have to share her stuff!  So she's all over that situation!
- Luke is transitioning well in Kindergarten.  He's had a few issues, but his teacher is wonderful and she's really helping us figure out what will work best for him.
- I've been furiously sewing and crocheting.  Once the weather cools off, I love to crochet, so I've been going a little crazy!
- Hurricane Irene did come through our area.  Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as predicted.  We lost power for about 12 hours.  We also lost a tiny piece of the wood trim on the outside of our house.  Hubby and his dad fixed it with no problem.

I think that's it.  Hopefully the next few adoption steps will move quickly.  We're ready to get our little girl home!!!

We got our LOA Today!!!!!

We got the call that our LOA arrived at our agency today.  It's headed to us for our signature and we will get it tomorrow.  Once we get it in our hands, we can send out our application to US Immigration to adopt Kenzi.  There are still quite a few steps left, but they are fairly straightforward at this point.

We will probably travel to China in late November or early December!!!!!!!!!

A New Phase .....

Our family has entered a new phase in our lives.  Luke started Kindergarten today!  I can't believe it .... I mean, he was just born last week, wasn't he?  He was so excited to get on the school bus this morning!  His teacher is fabulous .... we've been emailing each other already about some of Luke's 'quirks' and she is really committed to figuring out what will work for him and making this a good year.

Jacinda was a little sad when the bus pulled away, but she's fine now.  We're going to run a few errands and maybe include a special treat just for the girls!

Preparing for Hurricane Irene

This may be my last post for a little while.  We are about to get hit by a pretty substantial hurricane.  We are ready .... everything brought inside, stocked up on food, water, batteries, flashlights, lanterns, etc.

We're most concerned about a long-term power outage.  We do have 1 pretty large tree that is really close to our house, so I'm worried about that tree falling, too.

We have not been ordered to evacuate, so we're staying put for now.

If you don't hear from us for a little while, that's why!

A Wish List for Kenzi

I've had a few people ask about things we need, so here is our Wish List on Amazon.  Items do not have to be purchased from Amazon ... there is a link on each item that says "Buying this gift elsewhere?".

http://amzn.com/w/1CI6ZURETERGR

Monday, Monday ......

We're still waiting for our LOA.  It's frustrating because there seems to be no rhyme or reason to it.  People that have been waiting less time than us have gotten theirs.  I know that once Kenzi is home, we won't even remember the waiting.  But it's hard to know that your daughter is in an orphanage and there are so many things you don't know ... does she have enough to eat (probably not), does she have someone to hold her if she gets hurt, does she get to play and laugh, stuff like that.  I really try not to think about it too much, because there's nothing I can do to change the situation right now.  Once we get our LOA, I have our forms ready to send to US Immigration, so that's my part in the situation ... being ready once we get the LOA.

In the meantime, it's pretty much the same old thing around here:

1.  We're enjoying our last 2 weeks of summer ... sleeping in and just being generally lazy.  Luke is very ready for Kindergarten to start!
2.  I (Sherry) have lost my college teaching job for this semester.  My classes didn't have the enrollment necessary to keep them.  So ... that's been frustrating, especially since we still need around $10,000 for our trip to China.  We're trusting God that this will all work out.  I am looking for other jobs that wouldn't require paying for daycare.  So we'll see if anything happens.
3.  When we're going - We're still hoping to go get Kenzi by the end of the year.  As long as we get our LOA by October 1st, we should be able to do that.  We have decided that we will both go and Aaron's mom will stay here with the kiddos.  It will be hard to leave them, especially if we end up being gone over Thanksgiving or Christmas.  But we know those are just dates on a calendar and we can celebrate another time.
4.  Kenzi's Middle Name - We're getting closer to making a decision.
5.  Packing List for China - We need to clear a space in our former guest room to start getting stuff together for the trip.  I've been buying little things here and there as they go on sale so we don't have a ton of stuff to get at the last minute.
6.  Jacinda is potty-trained!!!!!!!!  It took a loooooong time.  At the same time, I'm trying to wrap my brain around having a little one around again.  Luke and Jacinda can do a lot of things for themselves, including keeping themselves occupied for a few minutes so I can take a shower!  Life will change around here once Kenzi gets home!!!