January Updates Are In!!

We love getting our monthly updates! :)...  Here are the responses this month:

1.  No she does not have any teeth yet.
2.  She is doing pretty good.
3.  She likes the lamb that makes soft sounds we sent her for her birthday.
4.  She is now wearing size 6-12 months
5.  She does not have dry skin or diaper rash
6.  She does regurgitate sometimes after eating.
7.  She does still drink a bottle with milk at night.  She cannot hold the bottle by herself.
8.   Her skin color looks good

We asked questions about how she was found, but they did not answer those questions.  We can ask again on GOTcha day.  We just want to know more about our little Olivia's story.

We love you Olivia!  We are trying to come as fast as we can!!

...And We Wait...

Alright - I thought the tough part was behind us!  I have found that, believe it or not, the closer we get, the tougher the wait!  I'll think to myself 8-10 weeks isn't very much time - that will give us time to get her furniture in and prepare to bring her home.  However, I'll be sitting down one night and think about what time it is in China and what she is probably doing "right now" and I'll wonder how I'll EVER get through all the many nights I still have left to go!  Danny says I don't need to tell God how big the mountain is, but tell the mountain how BIG my God is :)...  We are keeping busy - in addition to of course working, we have painted her room and just ordered the new carpet for her room.  We just got some of her bedding in too!
...Here's what is coming next...
Our I-800 packet is off to the USCIS and we are now waiting on our I-800 approval (this will be the next event) - then we wait on a letter from the National Visa Center (approx. 1 week later), and then everything gets sent to China and we wait approx. 6 weeks ( tear :( ) to get our travel approval.  Then, they say we'll travel approx. 2 weeks later!!  The only problem is that the Chinese new year starts February 2nd - so the entire government shuts down for at least a week. :(. 

Too much good news for one day!!

WE GOT OUR LOA!!!  This is what we have been waiting on since the end of November!  Believe it or not, we got it really quick!  So, I have had to take the morning off so I could track down the FedEx package before I fly out this afternoon.  After being on the phone for 30 minutes, they have located our package and pulled it off the delivery line and we're about to go pick it up!!  YAY!  We have to sign it and ship it back off immediately.
Many people have asked what getting the LOA means...  Here is your adoption 101 for the day - it means we get to send our final round of paperwork off.  We will sign the LOA and send it with our I-800, I-864w, and DS-230 to a lot of important people.  We will also send off our Chinese Visa applications :)

We got a new video of our precious, sweet Olivia!!!  For some reason, it won't post!  It is of her eating :).  I can't wait to hold this little bundle of joy in my arms!!  I told you it was too much good news for one day!  Her mommy almost can't take it :).  I'll try to figure out the video and get it on here.

God is Good!

These days I wake up earlier than I used too.  I get up, come directly in the kitchen, make a cup of coffee (starbucks verona - YUM), call my mom (usually waking her up), and check our email to see if there is any news about Olivia.  It's like I think they have nothing else to do but email about my baby :).  We sent her January update questions a few days ago, so I am hoping we get those soon.

We put the first coat of paint on yesterday and I'm convinced I got more on me than on the wall!  We only had one injury when I jammed my toe into Danny's shoe - OUCH!!

Before we started painting, we decided to pray over Olivia's room and the work we were beginning.  We asked God to let her know how much we loved her as we prepared a place for her here.  While we prayed, I began to think about our Heavenly Father and how He is preparing a place for us.  He must be so excited about the day His children will finally arrive!!  I began to sob during the prayer as this reality began to sink in.  He REALLY does experience life with us and He REALLY does understand and know what we go through.  He knows the excitement and pain as I wait for Olivia because He has the same excitement and longing as He waits for us! 

Thank you Jesus for preparing a place for us and for allowing Danny and me the privilege of preparing a place for Olivia here on earth.  We are honored that you selected us as her parents so that we can tell her all the wonderful things about you and so that we will all come to that place you are so wonderfully preparing for us!!

P.S. You have given me many talents, thank you for showing me painting isn't one of them!!

All our Love,
Danny and Julie

Olivia has furniture!!

We are so excited!!!  We just purchased Olivia's bedroom furniture!  I have to give her Aunt Leslie create for finding the set :).  After looking at 1000 baby cribs - we finally picked the perfect one :).

It will take 8 to 10 weeks (good thing we bought it now) to come in.  Danny and I start painting her room tomorrow while we await our daughter's arrival.  Wish us luck since you did read that last sentence correctly - Danny and I will be painting the room.  ;)...

Okay - so I tried to post a picture, but I can't figure it out, so here is the link.  Olivia is the proud new owner of a crib, armoire, 6 drawer dresser, and mirror :)
http://munirefurniture.com/bristol_01.htm

Our I-800 packet is completely finished and ready to mail!! :)  All we are waiting on is our LOA.  We are hearing it should come in the next 2 weeks, which seems like a lifetime to us.  We will share the good news as soon as it comes.  We are just praying we find favor with this next round of approvals and that they agree our case warrants expedition.

All our Best,
Danny and Julie

We received new pictures from her 1st birthday party...in China!

 This picture was taken at an earlier date, but we just got it with the new ones.

 This is a new coat and bib that we sent in her care package.

 You can tell that they really have her bundled up.

 She's not too sure about the hood on this jacket.

 These are a couple of toys that we sent to her for her birthday.

 Mesmerized by the candles!

 This cake looks a lot better than the finished product I picked up.  Looks delicious!

 My first cake!

Livi likey!

Happy 1st Birthday Bing Bing!!

Here is her 1st birthday cake!  Danny had this made as a surprise :).

Today our little girl turns 1!!!  We first saw her when she was 9 months old and she has changed our lives forever!  We cannot wait to go and hold her in our arms.  We still anxiously await our LOA which we expect in the next 2 weeks.  Its seems crazy that we will still have 2 or more months to wait after that!  We know God has already selected the day we will meet our little China doll so we will simply have to trust in His timing.

Here are some of her Christmas presents from her family!

Missing Olivia

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

I know we have not posted in quite sometime.  There has not been any news to report.  Our dossier continues to be at the CCAA and we are just waiting (anxiously I might add) to receive our LOA and get this show on the road :). 

We are thrilled to report that Olivia's orphanage has decided to have a birthday party for her 1st birthday!  We are so excited to hopefully get pictures or maybe even a video!  The party was Friday and our little miracle turns 1 tomorrow!!!

Since it's already Sunday in China - Happy Birthday Olivia!  Mommy and daddy are missing you more than you can imagine and are coming soon to get you!