Received I800 approval today!

We are so excited... today in the mail we received our I800 approval from Homeland Security to bring "Lauren" home. We are thrilled to have moved one more step towards our little girl. We pray for her often and wonder what she's doing, if she's happy and healthy. We are ready for her to be home, we have clothes and shoes of multiple sizes...toys.... and her room is all set. We don't allow ourselves to really think she'll be home yet this year.... since we've been told it will likely be Jan, Feb, or March of next year... but wow what a great Christmas gift that would be. Our agency is making a trip, I believe in Sept...so we might get updated pictures... can't wait for that!

Well, gotta go...need to pack for our little weekend trip to a wedding and Holiday World.... Joshua can't wait...the water slides are great, we hear. If I don't go soon.... Joshua will have every game and puzzle he owns stacked up ready to be loaded in the van... so I need to supervise his choices for things to take along :) He's so cute... this kid LOVES vacation and staying in hotels with mommy and daddy... swimming in hotel pools... and really just experiencing travel and places he hasn't been before. Here's hoping Lauren is as good a traveler as he is.... really gotta go... Joshua just asked, "mommy are these good choices as he's stacked up several puzzles"... good thing we have a van.

Renae.

Last of the Paperwork

On Wed. June 1st we sent off our last paperwork - I800, I864, and DS230 - all forms accepting our referral and asking for approval to bring her to the U.S. - also VISA application. It felt great to get all the paperwork done! Now the waiting continues...they say still another 8 months - 10 months to travel, but we're praying for sooner. Either way, it's going to be a great 2012! We are so ready -- her room is ready, we have some clothes for her, toys, and books.

We have also been blessed by our fund raising project. We are blown away by the generosity of people... we are well on our way to funding all remaining expenses. We just can't believe it sometimes.

For now, this summer...Renae plans to take off as much vacation time as possible spending it with Joshua at the pool, park, and play-time. This will be his last summer before going into all-day school -- so we want him to get lots of rest and fun before the fall. He's a great kid, no doubt.. we are blessed. We aren't taking a "real vacation" this year - saving for adoption, etc...but we are doing a few small weekend trips. One is 4th of July! A college friend is getting married -- so we can't wait to attend the wedding -- should be a great time...catching up with all my BFFs. What's great about those kind of friends... is that when you do see them, it's like you were together just the day before.... time and distance doesn't change a thing. So looking forward to that.

Well..off to do some cleaning ...and then to enjoy this beautiful Kentucky weather. all for now... keep praying for our little Lauren.