I800 Approved

Who received their I800 approval today????  Yea - that would be us (insert happy dance here).  In case you don't have a clue what that means, I'm posting a flowchart.  Being an accountant by nature, I like to see the whole process to understand it.  Either that, or I'm just a dork.

We recently received LOA (step 8) which meant that China officially matched us with our girl.  That means she's ours.  I know - crazy.  SHE'S OURS, PEOPLE!!!  Next, we were waiting on I800 (step 10).  That means U.S. Immigration was issuing her a visa.  We received I800 today!  So now, U.S. Immigration is sending that to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou (that's in China....for all of you who are still confused..or just can't focus).  Once the Consulate does their thing, we get to request travel dates (step 12).  I know some of my accountant friends are wondering why I'm skipping steps.  Just go back to preparing your tax returns and stop asking questions.  We are almost there.  So so so very close.  Painfully close.  COME ON!!!

New Pics!

With LOA, comes updated pictures.  Yea!!!  Is she not the cutest little munchkin ever?  I can see her personality in each photo.  This is the "Yea...I'm cute" photo....

This is the "You're taking too many pictures so I'm hiding from you" photo.....

"Oh fine!  I'll humor you and smile" photo....

"Obligatory chinese peace sign" photo.....  Does it mean "hello"?  Not sure....

"You've taken enough photos" picture...I can see the annoyance growing in her face....

"Ok....now you're ticking me off" photo.  I love this girl. 

I've taken enough pictures of my kids to know how she's feeling at this point.  This sweet pea has so much personality.  We are going to have so much fun!!

A Care Package

Ahhhh!!!!  We got to send my girl her first care package!  Now things are really real.  Not just paperwork real, but super duper crazy real.  Like...she's going to know she has a family coming for her real.  She is 8 years old, so this is a big deal.  She gets it, you know?  She fully understands it all at this age.  Anyways, she is getting a backpack filled with pj's, a stuffed animal, a pretty necklace, a picture frame of our family, lollipops, and a letter that Ann from Red Thread is translating.  To say I'm excited is an understatement.  :)