Three Little Letters... and We're In the Home Stretch!

It only took 68 days, but...

WE GOT LOA!!!!!

(Quick reminder for those who are trying to keep up with the acronyms: LOA = "Letter of Acceptance". It's the official document that states that China has officially matched us with Leah... officially!)

This wait was MUCH longer than I anticipated, and I'm so relieved it's done. So, now we're in the home stretch!

... Sort of. Now our LOA travels with our I-800 application to USCIS (US Immigration). They have to give approval to classify Leah as an immediate relative. This typically takes a couple of weeks. After that, there's a few small steps that involve emails flying back and forth between me and a couple government offices and our agency. There's Leah's US visa application, and our China visas for our passports. Then the US Consulate in Guangzhou has to promise to grant her the visa we've applied for, once we arrive in their office for our consulate appointment (during travel). This document is referred to as the Article 5 (A5). Ideally, that will be picked up in mid-July, and then all that's left is to wait for Travel Approval (TA). TAs seem to be a little more unpredictable in their arrival then they have historically been (at least from my observation). So, I'm really hoping ours comes within a friendly amount of time. 

... and then we get on a plane! 

I can be packed and ready in 16 hours. Let's go!

So, we're not quite there yet, but we're considerably closer than we were, and I feel like such a weight is lifted. 

In the meantime, we've got plenty going on to keep us distracted and busy. Summer camps and swim lessons and finishing up schoolwork. Papa started renovations upstairs today. The "Retention Wall" that he and Josh put up before Asher came home (to keep the LGM safely in the playroom and away form the stairs) got taken down today, and soon that playroom with be turned into an actual bedroom.

I've been having crafty fun in my spare time, making hair bows and such. 

I ordered her a few things on Amazon, including this cute baby doll, which I may or may not want to bring everywhere with me.

I put together a quick second care package to send to Meimei (love the little ladybug toy and the giraffe outfit).

And I have to share the adorable dress my sweet friend Kelley sent to celebrate LOA. It's made from my favorite little Chinese girl fabric!  

It's so fun to daydream about the little one all this is for!

And also there's this:

Yep! It's only been 4 years, but we are finally getting Asher's Bai Jia Bei quilt put together. Thank you, Laurie Jarvis for being wonderful and crafty! So for everyone who took the time and energy to send pieces in way back when, I can't wait to show you the final product!

Not too much longer now!