Mia and Lily's Room

This is what we did today. I can not believe we have a crib up again, it makes everything feel so real. I even pulled out clothes to take to China for Lily. I feel a lot better now this is done - wow I can't wait to see Lily sleeping in that crib.

Mia is beyond excited and is counting the sleeps - lets pray we go on the 22nd :).

Our biggest prayer need right now is the plane tickets, buying them so last minute is SO expensive, the prices fluctuate constantly, but we can't book anything yet.

Although we have a lot to do - tomorrow we are having a fun family day, some time where the kids can have our full attention. It might be the last time for a while where we are that free.














Boots waiting for little feet to fill them






Added shelving to the closet to make more room for clothes and toys

Fundraiser

5 DAYS TO GO still time to donate and be eligible for the ipod touch.

The Chipin will remain up until we go to China, but the raffle will end on July 16th.

WE HAVE TRAVEL APPROVAL

Our adoption agency called an hour ago to say that they had received an email from the CCAA saying we had travel approval. YAHOO :)

I think I am a little in shock. This is what we have been praying for, hoping for, longing for now it's here it's like, oh ???? we are actually going to China in 13 days :).

What does this mean?

Well - once our adoption agency receives the official TA in the mail next week they will apply for a consulate appointment for us in China. As long as we can get an appointment for the week of the 2nd - 6th of August we will travel on July 22nd. We can't by are airline tickets until we have the consulate appointment.

Unlike with Mia's adoption, I haven't done a lot to plan for our trip. It's kind of like having a second child, you are much more relaxed. With Mia's adoption, I had packing list 3 months before we went :). So now I need to put my skates on.

Our family is about to change forever and we can't wait.

I have to just add a quick fundraising report we are now over $2000 amazing, when we started this I was a little nervous that we wouldn't even make the cost of the ipod touch - oh how are faith can be so weak at times. I am overwhelmed by every ones generosity and the goodness of God in our lives.

This has been a week of good news. Chris found out he had been accepted into graduate school, and we got travel approval for Lily :). Just last week our life was filled with so many uncertainties, how quickly things change.

Lily just 16 more days and you will be in our arms.

8 Days TO GO

Wahoo we have reached $1000. I do not have words to describe how all your generosity has touched our hearts - some of you are total strangers. It is often said "it takes a village to raise a child" well I can certainly testify for us that it has taken a village for us to get our child.

There are 8 days left for this FUNDRAISER, and the opportunity to win an ipod touch.

See previous post for instructions.

iPod touch jailbreak 1.1.3, originally uploaded by Wizard Monkey.

Getting Closer

We just found out that our Article 5 was issued on July 1st, and is on it's way to the CCAA (Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs). The Article 5 is the final seal on our US immigration approval, and had to be issued at the US consulate in China.

We now ONLY need TA (travel approval). Our adoption agency AWAA said this takes an average of 2-5 weeks, but because they are asking ours to be expedited it could be quicker. I can't even think about 5 weeks - not even going there :).

Thanks again for all the activity with the fundraiser today - 10 days to go !!!! Keep posting it on your facebook.

Thank you Thank you

I just wanted to say a BIG thank you to those of you who have already given into our fundraiser either financially or by posting a link on your blog or facebook account. I know many of you don't even know us, I can not tell you how your generosity has blessed our family and touched our hearts.

Remember the fundraiser ends on July 16th - if you post this on your blog let me know so I can give you credit for it. Scroll down to see post below with fundraiser instructions.

No news yet on traveling to China, but we are hoping to hear something soon now that the holiday is over - maybe tomorrow :) ????

One Final Fundraiser

We are almost there :) !!!!! This should be the month we travel to China to bring our precious daughter home. I say should, because if there is one thing I have learnt from adoption and that is things never seem to happen quite how you expect them to. None the less we are pretty confident the time is getting close, just typing that brings tears of joy to my eyes, I can NOT wait to hold my baby girl.

As all of you know that have been following our journey to Lily adoption is very expensive. Can we afford to raise another child? Yes we can. Did we have the $30,000 sitting in the bank that we have needed to bring her home when we started this journey? NO. Is she worth every penny, and all the sacrifices? Yes she is. The reality is we would not be able to do this if it was not for the amazing generosity, love and support of family, friends and even strangers. You are not all able to adopt, but by helping us you have played a major part in saving Lily's life, and for that we are so grateful. My heart aches for all the motherless and fatherless children in this world, how I wish they could all know the love of a parent - I know I can not save them all, but I know without a doubt Lily is ours, our family will not be complete until she is in it.

Travel to China, and travel in China this time of year is crazy expensive, we had hoped to use air miles, but that is not going to work so .........

Here goes one final fundraiser, please don't feel under any obligation to give you have already been so generous, we know times are tight for everyone, if you would even just like to spread the word on your facebook page, or blog that would be amazing.


HOW IT WORKS - we are asking you to donate $10.00 - that will earn you ONE entry in a raffle to win an ipod touch. If you would like to donate more, for every $10.00 you give you will earn another entry, there are no limit to the number of entries you can earn. Fundraiser will end on July 16th.

To donate go to our PAYPAL button, make sure you leave your email so that we can notify you if you win.

For the blogging world out there, if you link this to your blog, you will earn another entry, just leave me a message on here. For those of you on facebook, you will also earn another entry if you put this on your facebook page, I have created a facebook page called I am helping to bring Lily home - fundraiser. If you link this to your facebook page, leave me a comment under this post so that I can credit you.