What a busy month! Good...but busy!! As noted in my last two posts, our LOA FINALLY came...after only 125 days ;-) Then we had a new nephew born just 2 days later.
Our LOA arrived at the agency on Monday then it arrived at our house on Thursday - we signed and overnighted the LOA back to the agency facilitator for Friday delivery. She sent the LOA back to China so that they can begin to process our TA (Travel Approval)....so now, we wait - yet again. During our wait, we will request our China Visas and try to get everything in order for travel. I hope, hope, hope we can really make LOTS of progress on the house before we travel...even finishing would be super nice!!
So what did this much anticipated paper look like....well, here it is in all it's glory.
Letter of Seeking Confirmation from Adopter...that's US!!
The CCAA seal
Yes!!! We accept!!!
Just like with all the other paperwork that you work so hard to get, to then hand over to complete strangers that have no idea what precious cargo you are entrusting to them...it is really hard. Thank goodness for tracking numbers ;-) I followed that baby from our distribution center all the way to it's destination...checking multiple times through the night and next morning until "Delivery Confirmation" was established. A great sigh of relief. The celebration quickly ends because there are still more milestones to conquer!! But, we are one step closer to Elli and Elli is one step closer to coming home to a family that adores her!!!!
In the spirit of celebration, I suppose our nephew decided it was an ideal time to arrive himself. As with any event that involved my family, there is always a story to tell....
My sister-in-law, Rodney's sister, and I went to town Tuesday morning to take Anna to pre-school for a couple of hours. We then went to visit her co-workers and run some errands. We picked up Anna and went grocery shopping. While in the grocery, I am getting a couple of "craving" hints from her about grilled food, roasted potatoes and Ore@ cake. Thinking to myself, that she is about to have a baby and this maybe the last meal that I can fix for her before she starts her kind of bland diet nursing a baby, I decide we will have all the cravings for dinner.
We go home, she rests on the sofa (I know she is exhausted...I ran her all over town!) and cuddles with Parker and Anna. I began to fix the cake, grilled steak with vegetable kabobs and roasted potatoes. When dinner is almost done, Shanda's husband arrives home and comes over for dinner. Before we began to eat, she tells me she is having some serious pains, but still motivated to feed her cravings. We start to eat and it is noticeable that she is uncomfortable at times...but still she eats. Finally her husband, Trevor, is made aware of her pains and he asks her if they need to go...she replies with, "no, I am going to eat." We waited until she had her fill of dinner and dessert before we start timing her contractions. They left around 8:30 pm so she could lie down at home and keep a better record. I call a couple of times to check on her and right at midnight they called the hospital. At 4:40 am Asa arrived.
Just 5 days old and doing so good. He really is a good baby, not just saying that because of any partiality on my part...seriously!
I totally understand coming home with a new baby and being whipped! I have been really good trying to give them space, but it takes just about all the self-control I have to not stop every time I drive by their house (we only live 2 doors down). Who doesn't want to snuggle with a newborn baby?!?!? Especially if you are trying to secure "Favorite Aunt" status!
I know a lot of my posts seem to be me whining about something...some warranted I think....but, I know that I am very blessed. God has shown us favor in every obstacle that we have faced with Elli's adoption. I didn't like facing the obstacles, but God has been faithful to us and I believe with all my heart he will continue. I have 4 beautiful, healthy children at home with me now, I have 4 gorgeous, healthy nephews and an equally gorgeous, healthy niece. God restored my mother's health after her bout with cancer, my father is healthy and both are doing everything they know to do to be Godly role models. My in laws are wonderful to me and my family. There is no warring between us and they would do anything in their power for me, my children and even my family. My in laws love my side of the family and my family love my in laws. God has provided in my sister's family, my brother's family, my sister-in-law's family and we are all striving to do our best. I do know how blessed I am. I know that it is only by the grace of God that I have all I do. We aren't "rich", but I don't know what else I could possibly have to be any happier...other than Elli and I know that she is coming. I don't deserve any of this, but I am so thankful it has been given.
Sending love and hugs to our Elli,
Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna
What a sweet girl!
I don't even know what she is writing/drawing, but I am sure it's genius!
Doing a little dance with her friends. I am most certain that the little girl on the right is her best friend. She has been in other pictures and the update stated that she is particularly fond of Qing Zu Huan. Notice the little paper flowers on their head...too cute! 
