Sophie's birthday and We're DTC!!!!!!

Today is Sophie's 8th Birthday. I baked cupcakes last night to take to school today, and for her family birthday party tonight. I also tried this cool giant cupcake, and the kids can't wait to tackle it! We are so proud of Sophie, and I can't believe how fast she has grown up!
Today is also a special day because we are DTC!!!! Our dossier is currently on it's way to China and the CCAA will have it on Monday. I have been waiting for this day. Now, we will pray that we receive our LOA quickly. When that comes, we will probably be able to travel in about a month. I am so ready to bring Cate home to join her family.

We have PA!!!

After spending all Sunday afternoon crying that we didn't have PA, and couldn't do anything without it, it came today!! And, we didn't miss a day because our dossier still had to be sent to Washington, DC. So, now we're ready. On, Tuesday, our agency emailed us and said that the CCAA said it would be 2-3 weeks before we heard anything. I have been praying diligently for a miracle the past few days. I even told God that I didn't know how it would come faster but I believed that He would work it out. And boy, did he! I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving today!

Waiting for PA

These are some verses that I am going to post all around my house and I'll tell you why: Our dossier is complete. Our I-171H form came in the mail on Friday. I was elated- I made the copies, had them notorized, and took them to the Secretary of State on a very messy, rainy day. I then overnighted it to our agency-all in one day. On Sunday, I was told that we could not send in our dossier without PA. PA is preapproval granted by the CCAA in China. I thought we would have it by now and didn't realize that we had to have it before we mailed in our dossier. But we do. I cried all Sunday afternoon- like a baby. But, I am going to have faith that it comes VERY soon- today? And I am still praying for a quick travel approval. Now, here they are:

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
They should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1
What is impossible with men is possible with God. Luke 18:27
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55: 8-9

Still Waiting

I was hoping that my next post would be that we have our I-171 form. But it's not. It's to say that we're still waiting. I was really, really hoping that DSS would be a little faster. Nope. But, I have great hopes that we will still be getting our form this week and that we will be DTC by next week. That will be a wonderful day! Today I sent a small package to a family that will be traveling to Cate's orphanage. They will be leaving next week. We sent her a small baby doll, some gum to share with her friends, some pictures of our family, and a card. I told her that we love her and can't wait to meet her. I wonder if that will sound strange to her or if she will even understand that there is this family telling her they love her. But it is so true and I wish that she could understand how hard we are trying to get to her.