Nowhere Fast

That's all we have to say at this point. We are going nowhere fast. We continue to IMpatiently wait for the license for Worldwide and our referral. I think it might be a lot worse now that I know we're next on the list. I was much more patient when I thought we were still a couple of months away from a referral. I feel like we're on the cusp of something huge and we just can't get there.

In other news, our niece, Reagan, is finally in PGN in Guatemala. This is the last big step before bringing her home. She could be in PGN for 2-3 months depending on how quickly the cases are going. Regardless, at least she's in. This could mean that she'll be home by May or so. In the meantime, her parents and big brother, Ryker, are on their way to visit her over Valentine's Day. This will be their first meeting. I can't wait to see the four of them together, even if it's just temporary. I know they'll snuggle her enough to tide her over until she comes home for good. Don't forget to tell her how much her Uncle Ed and Aunt Amanda love her.

We sincerely hope that our next post is a VERY happy one.

Next, Please!

Well, hallelujah! We found out today that we are NEXT on the list to receive a referral for our little girl. We are so ecstatic that it's almost our turn. Imagine what we'll do when we actually get the referral.

The only hitch in this plan is that we are waiting for a GIRL. This could delay our referral. Girls are harder to come by. We feel certain that the odds are with us. Apparently, there are only two girls currently living in our baby home; so we feel certain it's time for another little lady to come in and shake things up. No doubt our Addi is the one for the job. We continue to pray for her, her birth mother and all of the children without families around the world.

Despite all this good news, our agency continues to wait for their license. Any day now... please. Don't worry Cloud 9... we're on our way!

Have 171-H, Will Travel

We arrived home from our first day of classes to find a delightful treat... our 171-H!!! What does that mean, you ask? This is the early approval from CIS to bring an orphan back into the U.S. After we are matched with a child, we then contact CIS again and they will issue a travel approval to the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam for that child. This allows us to get Addison's visa to return to the U.S. Without this, we are unauthorized to adopt an orphan from overseas. This piece of paper takes about 2 months to get, so we are thrilled to finally have it in our hands.

We also received some pieces of the dossier back from various sources. These aren't as exciting as the 171-H, but each piece is vital to completing the process. We've been grinning from ear to ear since we got home. Woohoo!!!

Nursery Completed... Almost

We finally got some of the details finished on the nursery. Our theme is ladybugs and we went a little crazy. We have a couple more things to do. In the meantime, this is what Addi has to come home to...

Progress is slow

Today we found out that although our agency still does not have its license, the Chicago CIS office is catching up to our homestudy. They were reviewing homestudies last week that were filed on November 16th. Ours was filed a week after this, so we should be looking at our CIS approval (171-H) in the next couple of weeks. It isn't going to happen tomorrow, but that really isn't the point. The most nerve-wracking part of the process is waiting for our agency to get its license to get these beautiful babies home!!!

In the last month, Ava Mei came home from China, Lucy Deegan arrived in the world, we moved up on the referral list, the holidays came and went and we got to spend a week with our darling nephews, Griffin and Spencer. We are traveling this weekend to visit military friends in Tennessee and school starts next week. Edward and I are gearing up for my last semester and his second. We're trying to get as much ready for Addi as possible over this break before the craziness begins again.

So, the nursery is nearly finished and we're finding room for some new things that Addi received from family at Christmas. Some people have strong feelings about not buying things for her until she's home (i.e. Paige) in case it jinxes the process. I know exactly where she's coming from-- I felt the same way for years. I felt that way because every time we got ready to move forward with adoption, something got in the way (deployments, moves, school, etc). However, we are actually on this journey now and I've finally given myself permission to get ready for her. It's probably okay that Paige is holding off, because when she lets go, it may be out of hand. She's been known to buy ponies for her friends' children shortly after their births. Who knows where she'll go for Addi?!? She could have a ranch waiting for her by the time we get back from Vietnam. Paige, please don't get any ideas...

By the way, congrats to my friend, Wil, who has his national television debut tonight on VH1. Wil, you're a superstar... good luck!

A Very Happy New Year!!!

As Edward and I sit in Utah with his family, we anxiously anticipate any news about our agency's license and our referral! No word on the license... still, but we are now #4 on the list waiting for a referral! All of the reports of the babies currently in the baby home say that they are happy and healthy. We couldn't be more thrilled for the families who are waiting to hold them!

Edward and I went to a Vietnamese restaurant tonight for dinner and enjoyed several traditional Vietnamese dishes. This little outing only caused more excitement about our upcoming trip. The food was outstanding and we brought home lots of leftovers.

At the end of the meal, we received fortune cookies. As if God was reading our minds, Edward's fortune read, "A social event brings family closer together. " We don't know who she is, but every day she is bigger in our hearts and minds. Celebrating her, even now, seems to make her more real to us. We can't wait to know who you are, Addi! Happy New Year!!

And congrats to Jodi, Dave, and Ava Mei on their safe return home forever.