LOA!!!!

China Says YES!!!!!!!!!

We received our Letter of Acceptance, known as the LOA, on Monday Decemeber 9th. China has now reviewed everything and they have given their offical approval, Dang Zi Shu will be Penelope Mei Fulton!

Folks, This. Is. Huge.

We got our LOA on day 47. Very, very quick. There are families that have waited well over 3 months, for their LOA, so I can't overestimate what a major blessing it is to have it in 6 weeks.

I had hoped we would get it this week or next, but when I got the email on Monday I think I was in a little bit of shock! It had already been a great day, my work had surprised me with a shower for Penelope-more to come on that-when I got back to my office, there was the best email I could possibly ask for! 

I think Jason and I still may be in a little bit of shock. Thing just got real up in here!! 

We're. Going. To. China. 

  

So the obvious question-What Next?

Monday our agency received the electronic copy of our LOA, AKA the "soft LOA". The hard copy should arrive from China within a week or so.

Next is more immigration approval-Jason and I have already been approved to bring a Chinese orphan into the US, that was our I800-A. Now we will apply for our I800, which approves Zi Shu specifically.

 This usually takes 2-3 weeks but this is the step we got expedited last time and hope we will be able to again. If you are praying with us, we can specifically use prayers that we are able to get this step expedited.

Here's what it comes down to, if things go well, I believe we are on track for February travel. With US holidays and Chinese New Year I am doubtful it could be sooner.

I have unofficially heard in the online China adoption world that the first available "Gotcha" day is Monday February 10th. We would need lots of things to fall into place for this to happen, so I hesitate to even put it out there, but I'm going to.

I am praying for February 10th. As in, less than 2 months from today!!!!!!

So-short term goal is for Chinese mail to come ASAP so we can apply for our I800.

Mama's Coming Baby Girl!!!! 

Oh Christmas Tree.....

Two posts in one day. Made possible by my black lungs. I've been fighting bronchitis/pneumonia-depends on who you ask-I say bronchitis. Nurse practitioners are not the best patients. I gave up on Sunday, Jason took me to the walk in clinic in Charleston and I got more drugs. They were fabulous there by the way, Sarah Bush is just the best! Of course I may be biased, but their website shows wait times at both the Charleston and Mattoon walk in clinics. Impressive!
One of my patients walked in right behind me. We agreed he had made the right decision to come since there was no way I was making it in to the office on Monday.

Anywhoooo...

This weekend we did something completely new for the Fulton Family. We got a real Christmas tree!
We went to the Clark Family Tree Farm.

 The boys loved it! They ran up and down the rows of trees.

Brady was manning the tractor. I love a family business!

The impossible task of getting all 3 boys to stop long enough to look at the camera! 

Dex decided he needed a few selfies... 

The boys like this little Charlie Brown tree. 

The boys found a rock pile to play on.

A few races and karate chops later, the tree was found.

The decision was made so Brady comes to cut our tree down. Jason and I agreed that we couldn't imagine Gabe with a chainsaw. He's definitely a town kid.

We made it home with the tree

Getting the tree to stand up was another story. Jason spent the better part of an hour like this.

 He finally got it to stand up straightish...

The boys did a great job decorating the tree. Real Christmas tree needles are sharper and stickier than fake.. 

 Quincy showing off some moves.

 Tragedy struck as my Anna Maria Island ornament shattered. Boo.  

 The boys putting the star on the tree. I don't know why Jason didn't want to lift Gabe up there???

 

Multiple fruitless attempts at a good picture in front of the tree...

 Penelope Mei's ornaments. Can't wait for her to put them on next year! 

Jury is out on whether this is a new Fulton Family tradition. My money says next Christmas is spent somewhere warm and magical. Either way, this was a great way to start our last Christmas season as a family of five! 

Slow.....

Unfortunately, I have nothing to share about Zi Shu. We continue to wait on our LOA, the letter from China we need to move on to the next step. Our agency had predicted 1-2 months, we are currently on day 41.
                                         

I'm not gonna lie, waiting is tough. I thought once we sent our dossier to China it would be such a big relief because the paperwork was done. Turns out waiting is much, much worse. We are still completely  in the normal range of the LOA wait, but every day puts us another day from her.
Unfortunately the holidays will likely slow things down some more. We will get into Chinese New Year. China shuts everything down during that holiday.
We really need our LOA in the next week or two to have a chance for February travel.

It's hard to put into words how much I miss her. In some ways I know nothing about her, but in others I feel like I already know her so well.
Going into this adoption, I knew this would be hard, but it's much, much harder than I ever could have imagined. I truly feel like a piece of me is missing.

I am doing my best to stay positive and stay focused on all the great things around me every day.



 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
                                                                                          Isaiah 40:31


                                                                           
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
                                                                 Psalm 27:13


In the mean time....
We had a great thanksgiving. Both of our families came to our house. The food was fabulous. Basically, I just provide the location and everyone brings everything so I can say how good the food was without bragging.

And, Gabe got glasses! Just for reading but I think he looks super cute and smart!