After 78 torturous days waiting for our LOA, our agency called Tuesday to let us know it had finally arrived in their office!! They forwarded us the PDF copy so we could mail out our next document, the I-800, and the hard copy LOA was just delivered via Fed Ex.
Our I-800 is the U.S. government document that approves Charlie to become a citizen. We mailed it Wednesday morning and should hear back on approval in about two weeks. I'm a little fuzzy on the steps from there, but we are saying our prayers that we can make it in the October travel group. The man with our agency that coordinates travel said its "possible", so I'm holding onto that!!
It seems so surreal that in three months we could be on our way to China and meeting our son for the first time. There is SO much to do before then - deciding what to bring and how to pack it all in as few bags a possible, finishing Charlie's room and making sure he has everything he needs (clothes, diapers, car seats, etc.), figuring out how cell phones and VPNs work so we can stay in touch while we're gone, deciding on and booking travel arrangements - not to mention keeping up with the adoption process and paperwork required to get there.
I just need to focus on one step at a time, keep lots of lists to stay organized and breathe. While it is a busy time, we are also in our last few months as a family of three and I want to cherish every second of that. Things will be different with a new child in the family and I don't want to underestimate how much things will change for us.
"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint" - Isaiah 40:31
