Updated Measurements

Our agency sent updated measurements of Jacob today. He now has 20 teeth, has grown to 94cm = 37in and he is 14kg = about 31 lbs. From what I have seen, they weight the kids with their clothes on so I guess he will be a little lighter. We were measuring against Luke and he doesn't seem much smaller than than him! The latest paperwork news is that the National Visa Center sent our 1-800 provisional approval to China yesterday. One more tiny step taken.

I -800 Approval!

Today we got a call from our agency telling us that the National Benefits Center has given us our I-800 approval! Now our agency sends this along with some other documents to the US Consulate in Guangzhou. Once the Consulate receives our paperwork and signs our second acceptance letter, it is mailed to the CCAA and they will issue our travel approval. It is EXCITING!!!
Here is a recent photo of Jacob receiving a birthday card during his preschool class last week! He is now 3 years old.

I-800 Documents Sent!

We got word today that our 1-800 documents were sent to NBC and now we are waiting for “I-800 Provisional Approval". It is almost funny how much paperwork (most of it just reiterating what they already know) this entails. Our visas are at the consulate right now and we should have them back next week sometime. We are in the process of working on a visa for Jacob to come home. That is the update on our paperwork. I know - not too interesting, but it is nice to have things to do that make you feel like things are moving along. I think the next few weeks are gonna fly by. We are trying to finish up the school year, paint Luke and Jacob's room, go to the doctors, and start packing.

Jacob enjoys McDonalds

50 kids and 20 staff, guests and adults enjoyed McDonalds at Shepherd's Field today. Check out the photo of Jacob - looks like he is enjoying that burger.

GIVE ME AN ------ L --- O -----A!!!!

We got an email yesterday (Day 92 of waiting) from our agency that we will be getting our LOA "FedExed" to us today!!! Yea, this is what we have been waiting to hear! We have been told to expect to travel in 6 to 9 weeks. In the meantime, we will be doing MORE paperwork and getting our Visa's for China. Ric being in Florida on Reserve Duty for the next three weeks is complicating the paperswork a bit! Some things have to be signed and notarized, so there will be some "overnighting" some paperwork back and forth. We are thrilled to be able to know that we will hopefully travel to pick up our son soon. There was much celebrating in the house yesterday. The kids did a "LOA" dance and chant and we of course had to have some Chinese food too! God continues to remind us of his presence in this whole process and we praise Him for his timing and plans.

Easter at PHF

The kids at PHF have been busy celebrating Easter. They got to color eggs and go on an Easter egg hunt today! Looks like they had lots of fun. We are close to day 90 waiting for LOA and hope that we will hear SOOON!

Cute - don't you think?

He is so cute, I can hardly stand it! Don't you feel that way about your kids sometimes? There are moments that I just want to kiss their cheeks off, squeeze them till they pop, and tickle them till there is no tomorrow!!! Well, I haven't even met Jacob yet and these photos make me feel that way about my son.

Sunshine

One of my yahoo group friends is in China now spending a few days at PHF where her daughter spent the first few months of her life. She and her family were able to interact with Jacob! How cool is it that God blesses us over and over with tidbits of information about our son?! In the midst of waiting for our LOA, dealing with the flu, and saying goodbye to our best friends, God sends these beautiful rays of sunshine! Praise HIm!
"Hi,
Here are some pictures of your boy. He is very friendly and loves to get his picture taken and to see it. During a movie yesterday all of the kids were sitting to watch so I sat down kind of on the side to take pictures and he decided he wasn't having anything to do with the movie and sat in my lap to look on my screen and announce to the nannies who I was taking the pictures of. Very precious. A happy little boy who loves affection and has a great laugh. First day he wasn't so sure about me taking pictures and didn't offer many smiles but can't capture how great his laughing was on the second day!"