LOCC Sponsor Update: Date recieved May 29, 2014

On May 29, we recieved our quarterly sponsor update of you. All I can say is you are "all boy"; and you and Kainan are going to have a ball together! The report was created on April 3, 2014.

You are gaining weight, and growing taller. All good signs!

Here's what your nanny's had to say:

Kai has really good character. Every time you see him, he will smile at you. He is also very naughty. Once nanny took him out to play. He untied nanny’s shoe tie when nanny did not pay attention to him and smiled at nanny with naughty face. Now, he learned how to ride rocking car. He loves riding it when he goes out. No one can grab it from his hand. He is good at playing. Moreover, although he is naughty, he will sit beside nanny quietly and listen to the cartoon books that nanny reads to him occasionally.

A Visual

Here's a visual of our paper 'race' to meet Kai. Almost to the finish line! 12 days!
* barrowed from another adoption mom.

We're the Lucky Ones

I would like to share another mom's most recent post from her blog "Finding Mei Mei" with you. It's not short, but it is dead on. Maureen has a gift for words. And although you may not be connected to her story, like I, as this is the story that I have followed through our entire process...and I would even say somedays is what I clung to for inspiration and hope. I do think the message is important to share.

I want you to help me share how lucky we all are to have Kai in our lives. He's not the lucky one, and I don't want him to grow up feeling he is lucky to have us, or that he owes us gratitude. Jason and I feel that we are the lucky ones that God blessed to be Kai's parents.

http://www.findingmeimei.blogspot.com/

Haircut

Today we recieved an update from Bo's mom. She was at the Public Security Building and you were there with the Orphanage Director and your nanny getting paperwork ready for us to come for you. Apparently all the kiddos at the LOCC got haircuts. Sad to see your hair shaved, but so happy to see your smiling face. Can't wait to have you in my arms.

Love mom

Travel Approval! A very special Father's Day in 2014.

I have so many thoughts...but I am at lost for words. Today's post I will keep short and sweet. We are preparing for travel. On May 23, 2014 we received travel approval (TA) and were given two dates for our possible travel, June 11 and June 18. Today we found out we will be traveling on June 11 to get you Kai!!!

I am so excited. And I can honestly say, I am sooo ready for this next step of our lives, to become a family of four. I feel like I've known you forever. And I believe that's because you have already been in my heart for some time know. Now I'm ready to have you in my arms.

Love you Kai! We are coming for you. Let the count down begin, 20 days.

Oceans

Today I found the need to refresh a zillion times, just to make sure I didn't miss a very important email. Unfortunately, not today. But soon, this I know for sure. Today as I drove home from work, I thought about you. I thought about the moms that are coming this week and will get to lay their eyes (and hopefully embrace) you next week. I thought about how amazing and unique and genuine of a bond I've developed with ladies across the US, all with one passion, love, drive that is focused oceans away. There are no boundaries that separate our love of our daughters and sons in China. Then I did what I do most days while driving alone, I talked to God. I asked for strength, and prayed big for the Travel Approval this week- May 23. Right then, Oceans by Hillsong United came on. And all the I could hear in the song today was "I am yours and you are mine". And was over come with peace. This song is what peace sounds like to me. Followed by my other recent favorite... Hold us Together by Matt Maher.

We love you Kai, and we are coming soon!

http://youtu.be/xoZE2RsthRg

http://youtu.be/-he2DohfwWE

Happy Mother's Day!

Getting closer! And what a wonderful present for Mother's Day. Just found out today that our Article 5 was picked up on May 11, 2014. So what's next....

You guessed it, we WAIT. But the good news is that it's our last wait for paperwork, and then we start packing. I am praying for a June 9th Gotcha Day, and right now, that seems pretty realistic.

Mother's Day weekend was so wonderful. We celebrated Uncle Brad's birthday and spent the weekend on the boat. Time with family is so precious and I am so grateful we have been blessed with the opportunities we have to be with family more and more.

Last week was the hardest for me yet. Not sure if it was due to the approaching holiday, or if I just finally couldn't hold all my emotions in any more. What I do know is that you have an amazing dad. He is our rock! And between the "just right" words of your grandfather, the weekly check-in from your nana, and a grandmother that gets as emotionally charged with each up date (or lack there of), as me; it's been a wild and amazing ride. This truly has been a family journey in faith and love. Wow are we all blessed.

And then, came one more present....
This morning we recieved a message from another mom. She doesn't get to come for her little guy as quickly as I hope to come for you; but she was traveling on business and came for a visit to your orphanage. She sent us lots of pictures, videos, and even a personality update on you. You have no idea how wonderful this info was...and guess what, you didn't have on pink monkey pjs...I giggle as I type this.

She said:

i have to tell you Kai is such a happy kid! I brought some toys and he gravitated towards this little farm house toy that he would not let go! he also can climb in and out of his crib fairly adeptly .. very coordinated and knows what he wants. HE is really good friends with our little guy... you may need to scroll down in the folder to see the videos that are near the bottom. When are you traveling? Happy mother's day!

Kai, we are coming for you...and it is starting to seem REAL...as in, today, it finally feels real.

Love, Mom