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Saturday, July 23, 2011

NEW PICTURES!!!!

We got new pictures and updated measurements of sweet Hannah! I'll start with the pictures since that is what you really want!






Don't you just want to grab her and hug her!!!!


Look at that sweet face!


I LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture! Look at her adorable legs! Her round little face is just precious!


Closer up.

We got new measurements too! She is currently 16 months old and she is 18.74 pounds and 28.5 inches. She is in the 3rd percentile for both height and weight. Her head circumference is at 58%, which means that even though she is a tiny little thing, her brain has been able to maintain adequate growth during her development.

The update we received said "she is the beautiful girl in her orphanage, every nanny likes her !!" It is always good to know that the people with her like her! I hope they love her and show her love each day! It is evident in the pictures that she looks clean and well kept. It appears they did the best they could to dress her nicely for her pictures. All of these are signs that she is special to her caregivers.

We are already so in love with her and can't wait to go and get her! We continue to wait for our LOA (day 42, but who's counting). The average wait for LOA is 54 days, so maybe it is coming soon. After getting it, travel could happen in 2 - 3 months. Until then, we are thankful for our new information on our little darling! We pray for God's timing to continue to guide this adoption. We are thankful for his provisions so far. When I worry about Hannah, I do my best to remind myself that she belongs to God and that he knows her every need. He knows how many hairs are on her head and she is worth more than many sparrows!! She is His, not mine! But my mama's heart wants her here and not there. We want to be the ones kissing her boo boos, singing songs with her and teaching her that Jesus loves her! But, God knows my heart, and so I will trust him and wait on his most perfect timing.

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:14

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Update and Care Package

Well, the last I checked in was when our Dossier went to China and China gave us our Log In Date of 6/13/11. Since then we have been waiting for China to give us our LOA (official permission to adopt Hannah). Getting your LOA is so difficult to predict. Some people have waited 100+ days while others have gotten theirs in 20 days. Our agency told us to expect it to take 2 months. We are currently on day 35, so hopefully we are at least half way there! After we get our LOA, there are many small steps that lead to us getting our TA (Travel Authorization). Based on current estimates, we reasonably expect to travel to China in early November. There are still so many steps so estimating our travel is difficult.

Last week we arranged to have a package delivered to Hannah and her care givers. It should be delivered to her this week! We are so excited that she will be getting something from us. Included in her package was a blanket lovie, beautiful pink and white blanket, disposable camera, cookies and candy for her care givers, a letter from us, and a soft photo album with pictures of us. This will be the first time that Hannah lays eyes on her family!!! We are glad she will be able to get familiar with our faces and that her care givers will see what we look like.

A lady in China is arranging the delivery of her package. When she called the orphanage she requested new pictures and updated info on Hannah. We are hopeful that they will supply the requested information. If so, I'll post them to the blog so you can all enjoy them too!

Here are some pictures of the care package we had sent...





We hope you are all enjoying your summer! We have been having a great summer! Hailey turned 2 in June. She has ditched her binkie and moved into a big girl bed! She is really growing up! The boys are busy with swim lessons and enjoying the low key days of summer! We all went to Pennsylvania for 12 days in late June/early July to visit our family in PA. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed escaping the Texas heat for a bit! Blessing to you all!