I-800 Approval Received!!!!

Just went down to the mailbox and found our I-797 the letter from USCIS indicating that our I-800 application to adopt Lauren has been approved!

Next step is getting a letter from the National Visa Center that indicates they cabled the Consulate in Guangzhou with notice of our approval.  We then send off our DS-230 application for Lauren's US Visa to the Consulate and get a notice from them called an Article 5 - the Article 5 is then sent to Beijing to then get our Travel Approval!!!!  We are getting closer, keep praying for favor so that we can be traveling before the end of the year!  Cameron is believing we will be in China the same timeline as we were with Hannah when we got home 2-days before Christmas.

Update on Activities: Anniversary & Project Progress.

Well, since we still do not have any new news on the status of our USCIS approval, (which we pray arrives this week) will update everyone on our home makeover progress and other activities over the past weekend.

First, Lynda and I celebrated our 27th Anniversary on Friday.

Saturday, Cameron and I completed the new flooring in the family/tv/game room.  The first picture is starting the floor the next is placing the final piece!  Just the baseboard, door trim, and touch ups and we will be moving the furniture in and starting on Lauren's room!

Still Waiting for I-800 Approval - But Cameron's Room is done!

Here are the long awaited photos of Cameron's new room (bachelor pad), he is loving the extra privacy and the fact that he can now play his music louder without getting asked to "turn it down"!

Another Room Down!

Finally finished moving the bulk of the items into the office (Hannah's old room). Cameron's room is in the final stages just a few finishing touches here and there and should be done tomorrow. Following that we will finish the TV/Game Room, and then Lauren's Room.  Should be done with all the moves/transitions within the next couple weeks. (Thanksgiving at the latest).

Updated Photos!!!

Just received a wonderful e-mail with new photos of Lauren - she does have teeth!  First time we are seeing a nice big smile with teeth.  She has grown 4 cm since July, but is still so tiny she is just 36 1/4 inches and only about 23 pounds.  She is looking healthier and happier, can not wait to get to her.  Oh - we will be taking hair bows and girly looking clothes.

Meet the Family!

Yesterday we had the opportunity for the Carr and Gonzales families to meet for the first time. Following church we went to the Spaghetti Factory for lunch then down the road to our favorite place (which happens to be a place both families love to visit)  DISNEYLAND!!!!

Hannah enjoyed meeting Eddie's sister Erika and finding out that she now would have 2 big sisters. In the photos you will see a great shot of the three of them walking hand-and-hand together; it was so great to see!

We also enjoyed meeting Eddie's parents (Eddie Sr. and Liz) and hope to spend some more time in the future getting to know them and maybe walking around Disney with them real soon.

Here is to being blessed by our future son-in-law and his family!

Gonzales Family

Hannah and her sisters!

Kevin, Hannah, & Eddie Sr.

Here is what were seeing.

Here is the picture they took. 

Fed Ex Arrived LOA Here & I-800 Gone!!!

FedEx arrived today with the package that contained the LOA and information on the rest of the remaining adoption process. We signed, scanned, and copied the LOA as we needed a copy to be with the I-800 application that goes to USCIS (Immigration).  We already had the paperwork ready and immediately ran it over to the local FedEx pickup location where the driver who just delivered the package took this one to start its journey to Texas.

LOA!!!!

Received the call today from Betty at FTIA that our LOA from China was in and they would overnight to us.  Once received we will sign, copy and send with our I-800 application and package to the USCIS for their next step in the approval process.

We will scan and post of picture of the LOA here and update once we receive it!!!