Adoption updates (*new update added)

Well, it looks like we may be hitting our first bump in the road after being matched with Sophie.

Due to the concern over the swine flu, it looks like China is extending TAs that were issued between Mar 1 and Apr 30, from 3 to 5 months, and if they are doing that, I'm guessing they will probably hold off on issuing new ones for the time being. With that said, it's unclear at this time if the CC@A is not allowing travel for those who have TA now, or if they are just advising against it. You can read the announcement from the CC@A here.

Time will tell for us on whether our June time frame for travel will come to fruition or not. I was doing OK with the wait until this, as I have to say, my heart is heavy right now, as I really just want to hold my baby!! I know I need to trust in His plan and that His timing will be perfect, as always. I do feel blessed with the access we have to Sophie, and my heart is at peace with the care and love she is receiving at New Day while we all wait.

That brings us to Sophie's quilt. I have a little over 50 squares/wishes now. (I plan on posting pictures soon!) PLEASE, if you could contribute, there is still time. I would love to hit 100:-). I'm remaining positive that if there is a travel delay, it will be short, and Sophie WILL be home in a timely manner. Therefore, I need to set a firm deadline to receive fabric by May 10th. I plan on hanging her quilt in her bedroom, and I would love to have it completed by the time she comes home. If you need my address, just contact me via email, found in my profile. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this.

As for travel to China, John and I have decided it will just be the two of us.

Thank you to all of you who gave your input. It really did help with our deliberation. It was a very hard decision, as there are pros and cons to both ways, but in the end mostly due to financial constraints, the amount of in-China travel we will have, and the fact that this will be the only block of time Sophie will have with our undivided attention, John and I felt leaving the boys at home was the best choice for us. The fact that Sophie will have waited close to 4 years for a mommy and daddy,(PLEASE God let her be home for her Aug birthday), and has had to share attention all her life, it weighed heavily on our hearts that we give her this 'one on one' time with us. I hate leaving the boys behind, and I really don't know how I will do as I have never been away from them for this amount of time, but they will be in good hands and I can imagine will be kept very occupied. I do plan on having a little something special for them to open or look forward to everyday from us, and we will have sk*ype which should help a bit with the distance and time apart. Well, that's it. The decision is made, and I need to move forward.

And...just for fun....


Time for a hair cut:-)??

As always, God is good!

**update as of 4:00pm EST...My agency confirms that the CCAA is issuing a travel alert, but WILL CONTINUE TO ISSUE TAs, and if the family wishes to postpone travel they will extend their TA.

So, as for now, it looks like we're on schedule.

I sure hope this swine flu burns itself out soon!!!!