Our DTC "Secret Pal" Strikes Again!

We just received a very special gift for Mia and Anna from our DTC Spring/Summer "Secret Pal" and her daughter. They sent us two handcrafted drawstring bags each with two hair clips to match. These are absolutely adorable and I know Mia and Anna will love them. We will be sure to take them to China with us and have the girls take them when we go shopping. These little bags are perfect for shopping trips and can them be carried like a backpack. The girls can be hands free and still be able to carry their own purchases. Sometimes when parents go to China to bring home their child, the first things they receive from their parents are the first things that are theirs alone. They don't "own" anything that they can call their very own. A lot of times the parents will bring a bag filled with items just for their child. Something they can call their own. These bags will just be another special item that they can call their own. Thank you again to our "Secret pal" and her beautiful daughter. May God bless you and keep you safe!

Waiting for Article 5 and then TA (Travel Approval).

Like all International Adoptions, we are almost through the mountain of paperwork. I don't want to discourage anyone who is considering adopting so I will say this much; you do a lot of paperwork, but it is over the span of a year or so. About a month ago we sent in our I-800 and was recently approved. Once we have this approval then the I-800s for both girls are sent to the National Visa Center to be entered into the "system". We then receive the NVC letter (or in our case an email) with a .pdf attached. We forwarded this to our agency and they send it to their representative in China who hand delivers it to the US Consulate in China. Now we wait for Article 5 for both girls. This is just one step before travel approval. I can't believe we have made it this far in the process.

The problem now is that China has a holiday and all the government offices are closed from October 1 through October 8. This will delay our Article 5 by 1 week. It usually takes two weeks to receive Article 5 so we are anticipating a three week wait.

We are still hoping to bring home both girls by the end of November but with this delay we may not make it. Anna's birthday is November 26. She turns 9 years old. We are hoping that she doesn't have to spend another birthday in China knowing she has a family waiting for her.

We ask that you keep us in your prayers. We thank all of you who continue to keep us in your prayers. We wouldn't be where we are today without the help of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Our thanks and praise to our Lord and God now and forever!

More Photos of Mia!!

We received more photos of Mia and would like to share them. The email said that her best friend, Chu Benjie, is being adopted this week by an American family. We will have to find out where she is so they can stay in contact. They also said that Mia is very happy to be coming to America soon. We sent her and Anna a care package that will be delivered by the end of the week. We are hoping to have our "10 Questions" for each girl answered. We asked if Mia already had an English name. Anna's English name is Anna so we kept it. We also know that Anna's favorite colors are pink, yellow, and blue. Her favorite foods are grapes and a Chinese fruit called lichi. I will have to look for these. I do know that the Chinese store carries them.

Mia's Best Friend, Benjie, and Mia

Update is here for Mia!

We just received the update on Mia today. What a wait it has been. They sent us two photos and also a three page report on her. She is doing well and is healthy. She likes being outdoors and doing activities like mountain climbing, playing in the park, and dancing. She gets along well with her classmates and teachers. It says she likes toy cars and rag dolls. It says that she is cute and quiet. We love the information and the pictures. What a smile!!

This Month's Secret Pal Gift!

Our Secret Pal just sent us beautiful handmade hair bows, one for each of the girls, Mia and Anna. This will be the first of a two-part gift. I can't wait to see the girls wearing the beautiful bows. It seems hair bows, ribbons, headbands, and clips are making a huge comeback. Our Secret Pal reminded us that sometimes the girls in orphanages have their hair cut very, very, short either due to lice or it is easier for the caretakers. This will help the girls feel a little more like they fit in when they get to America. This is a very thoughtful gift. Thank you so much for such a sweet gift!