Log In Date!

We received our log-in-date from China yesterday. It was great to be one step closer to being able to get Leah.  We still have a few more steps to complete but we're moving downhill.  For those of you who are not familiar with the adoption process I will outline the rest of the steps:

I.  Get official Letter of Acceptance. (Typically 2-4 months after the Log In Date ).

II.  1800 Approval.  This is a petition to classify the adoptee as a relative. ( 2-3 weeks).

III.  NVC Cable- Approval for Visa. (1-2 weeks).

IV.  Article 5- Official custody paperwork for US Embassy. (2 weeks)

V.  Travel approval- (2-5 weeks)

VI. Travel (2-4 weeks after travel approval).

As with many adoptions, the process can go faster or slower.  Of course we are hoping for faster, but realize that we will be traveling to get Leah according to God's timing not our own!

Scrapbooking

I decided that I am going to attempt scrapbooking.  This is a stretch for me because scrapbooking seems a bit too crafty and tedious.  I'm lucky if I can get pictures placed in albums with correct dates on them.  However, I did manage to make beautiful baby books for my other children and I want to have something put together for Leah too. The trouble is that everything having to do with adoption seems to be geared towards newborn adoptions.  I think I will have to make something myself.   I made one trip to Archivers and I was a bit overwhelmed and ended up leaving.  I think I will have to make the trip there again.  Anyone out there have any ideas?

Waiting

Our dossier went to China on February 2nd, 2012.  We are awaiting our log in date.  Our adoption counselor assures us that we should receive this by the first week in March.  At that point we will again wait for our approval letter.  So far, we have completed a dizzying amount of paperwork and have been matched with an adorable little 3 year old girl whom we've decided to call Leah.  The waiting for DTC, LID, LIT, LOA and TA is enough to make even a patient woman C-R-A-Z-Y!  A good deal of prayer and a little bit of wine are helpful!



Here is a picture of our completed paperwork.



Here is our little Leah. She makes all of the paperwork worthwhile!!!