Let's get this party started!!!

Today I got the call that brings me so much closer to bringing Madi home. I got TRAVEL APPROVAL. Basically, now my agency can make a Consulate Appointment for her. They will try their best to get one on December 21st or 22nd, but those are highly requested at this point. I would need to leave approximately 2 weeks before the Consulate Appointment. Regardless, it means that in a couple of days I will know EXACTLY when I will be meeting her (again) in China and then I can make my travel arrangements and book my flights. I can deal with that!!

I will let everyone one know my travel plans as soon as I have them!! WOO HOO, I am ready for this party to start!!!

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours. Today we have many things to be thankful for. We spent a quiet day home with my brother, mom and aunt. It was very nice. Lots of food and a good movie. Even the cat was too stuffed to move and took a snooze on my couch. LOL. Wishing all of my family and friends a blessed Thanksgiving. Next year there will be one more place setting and I can't wait!!!

Madi got her care package

Feeling a little frustrated that I still do not have any news about my Travel Approval, I haven't been sleeping that well. I was awake around 5 am this morning so I thought I would check my email. I was so excited to see 7 brand new photos of my sweet Madi opening her care package that I sent. It was filled with candy for the children and staff, a photo album, a cute little outfit, a sitcker book, hair bows, a stuffed animal, and pictures that Emily and Alyssa had made for her. I also sent a letter to her. My agency facilitator translated the labels on the pictures as well as the letter. She looked pretty happy to get her care package. I was hoping to have her by her birthday on December 7th, but that is not likely at this point. I will make arrangements to have a birthday cake sent to her so that the orphanage staff can have a little birthday party for her. This will be the VERY last birthday you spend without your family, sweet girl. I am coming as fast as I can.

and the wait continues.....

SIGH................Day 7 and no Travel Approval!

:-(

It is still on the early end of getting it, but I was hoping it would come this week. Maybe next week!!! It has to come by Wednesday!

Consulate appointments are filling up.....sigh........

I will come back when I am in a better mood and have something positive and uplifting to say!!

Joy Joy Joy

Happy and smiling at school. She is reportedly doing well. She is smiling more and waiting everyday for her Mama to come :-( Come on TA....please come in record time. I am praying to be able to leave December 9th! I would need my TA really fast after my Articl 5 pick up next week. It is possible. Everything so far have beaten the averages....let's hope that trend continues. Here are some pictures of my sweet little girl that I recieve TODAY!!!




I do think I have another artist on my hands. It seems she loves puzzles and crafts. She will fit right in over here. Alyssa is now working on a 100 piece puzzle and Emily LOVES her art.




This beautiful woman is Madison's teacher. I watched all of the kids follow her around when I was there in February like she was the pied piper. Very sweet and a WONDERFUL teacher. We are so very lucky that Madi is sponsored to attend the LWB school. We owe her sponsors so much thanks and gratitude.




This woman is the SWEETEST and most dedicated person I know. We LOVE LOVE LOVE Miss Susie. She is such an important person in Madi's life. I owe so much to her. Madi gets very excited when she comes to visit!!! I really hope to see her when I travel. Hopefully her work schedule will allow us to meet either in Fuzhou or in Jinjiang when I go pick up Madison Grace.




Teacher conducting a lesson...



The woman in the pink scrubs is one of Madi's Ayis. The Ayi (or Nanny or caretaker) is the person who takes care of the children day after day. I remember this one in particular because she was always smiling. In Madi's orphanage, there is one Ayi during the day and one at night. There are around 6-8 children in each bedroom and the Ayi sleeps in the room with them. I am not sure if this Ayi is ALWAYS with Madi, but in my last email to Miss Susie I had asked for pictures of her with Madi as well as with her teacher and her Ayi. This is what I got, so I assume this smilely lady is one of Madi's primary caregivers!!!



My beautiful little girl...my heart is so heavy and I miss her SOOOO much. This wait is SOOOO hard!!

Happy Halloween 2011

The girls enjoyed getting dressed up for school. They were allowed to wear costumes to school this year for "Imagination" day. Whatever. Halloween isn't my favorite holiday, but they had fun trick or treating with some friends and going to a Halloween Dance at our Community Center. Fun was had by all!!! They were especially adorable as a Candy Corn and Dorothy!!! It was a nice day weather wise considering it SNOWED this weekend. IN.OCTOBER.CRAZY!!

Dr Emily at your service

Emily was part of the Little Doctor's Program at school. She had to volunteer some time at a blood drive. They learned about the importance of blood donations, how many lives are saved for each donation, and a few other important facts about being part of a blood drive. She loves science and anything having to do with learning. She does not want to be a "people doctor but would prefer to work with animals." She is such a caring and compassionate young girl and I am so proud of her! Here is a glimpse of our future "Dr. Emily."