We have an update!!!

What a great way to start a Friday - We have UPDATED pictures and information on Sarah:
     Weight - 22 lbs.
     Height - 32"
     Foot - 4.7"
     Intellectual Development - excellent simulating skills and good memory
     Movement - She can walk alone and quickly
     Language - She has some language delays, however can say simple works such as "bye-bye"     
     and auntie
     Meals - has 3 meals of porridge and 4 milk bottles (I was a little surprised by this - but think  
     she will be off of it pretty quickly once she uses a straw and sippy cup)!
     She is still using diapers and is a good sleeper - YEAH!!
     She likes to play with others and toys

She is so adorable, I think she looks a little darker (probably the blue from her heart condition), I think she will turn more "pink" once we get her home and have surgery! 

One Step Closer...

I received an e-mail today from our USCIS (customs and immigration) office that she has received our file and it will be approved today!  YEAH!!!  One step closer.  We have to wait and receive the letter in the mail to send for Article 5 to be issued.  The file will also be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for Sarah's visa.  Several steps to go - but we are getting so close.  With every step my heart is so filled with emotions!  I just can't wait to hold our precious little girl in my arms!

The house is slowly getting ready - we are adding a room (will be a game room) that is almost done (should be ready this week).  Furniture for the kids room is going to be delivered tomorrow - everything is falling into place.  God's timing is always perfect - even if I am impatient and want it all now!

I sit in awe of what a mighty Savior we serve.  When we started this process I was excited and could not imagine all that we have been through and the growth I would experience.  I was excited, but knew very little about adoption.  Through the process I thank God that he brought us here and we were obedient - this child was meant to be ours!  Mitchell & Allie talk about their sister all the time, they have made signs welcoming her home and I love to hear them pray for her (at home, school and church)!  What a learning experience for them as well!

We have RA!!!!

I don't even know how to explain how I feel!! I have never been so excited about a piece of paper!! The RA is our official Referral Acceptance from China. It gets the ball rolling in multiple ways, we will send to US gov't for their official approval and then to US consulate office in China. So many steps, but things are really starting to move quickly. With the medical expedite we are anticipating travel at the end of April or very early May. WOW - 5 weeks!!! With the RA we are now officially allowed to share her precious pictures....she is so adorable. We have submitted a request for updated information and pictures and I hope to get those end of next week.

With the travel coming up so quickly we did have to make a decision to not do surgery in China. I know that the Lord has opened so many doors through this process and I just sit in awe so many days at how he cares about EVERY detail! I am so thankful out of all the people in all the world he has found us worth of this precious child!

Please be praying for the remaining steps and Sarah's health! Ok, I am going to try and attempt to upload photos!

I-800 Mailed

Our I-800 application has been delivered to the lockbox in TX.  This is for the US approval to adopt Sarah!  Typically this can't be sent until we receive our RA (Referral Acceptance), however after talking with our USCIC officer she said I could go ahead and send the application and e-mail her the RA once we get it.  The application will take about a week to get to her desk so PRAYING for RA this week so we can quickly move to the next phase!!

Surgery Update

OK – we finally settled on some decisions after some surprises, MUCH prayer, lots of questions and MORE prayer!  One of the items we requested from the orphanage was Sarah’s oxygen saturation rates, we were very surprised to see it was 60.4%.  While that does not take my breath to write now (as it did 2 days ago) it is very low and she needs surgery ASAP.  We have worked with America World (Adoption Agency) and they have been great to help us start expediting steps to bring her home.  We are also trying to keep her on the list to get surgery in China if we can’t get there before she comes up.  If she has surgery in China she will go to Shanghai (which is another answered prayer).  God has worked so many miracles and shown us his mighty hand each step of the way.  I am not sure how quickly the steps can go, but we are getting everything ready so when we get the word – we are ready!  I am praying that we will be able to travel in April, but a lot has to happen for that to actually take place.  Please continue to pray for Sarah to continue fighting and all of the steps to get expedited quickly so we can bring in home in the next 6 to 8 weeks!