Another Step Closer.......

Well, it has been an exciting couple of weeks. A week ago Friday we finally had our appointment in Lubbock with the USCIS to get our fingerprints done. We left on Thursday as soon as we got off work and made the 4 hour drive to Lubbock. After we checked into our hotel we drove to make sure we knew where the USCIS office was so that we wouldn't be late to our 8 am and 9 am appoitnments. (Jason's appointment was first) We arrived Friday morning around 7:45. The second they opened the door (about 7:50) we hurried to get there before all the other people waiting. We didn't run or push or anything rude like that but I didn't want to wait all morning either. I made sure to let them know that my appointment wasn't till 9 but my husband's was 8 so I came with him. They said that was ok and sent us straight to the first desk! We were fingerprinted and on our way by 8:15. So what do we do next.......start the 4 hour drive back to Perryton! We did stop in Amarillo to get Karter's Christmas gifts and eat a good lunch but then we went on home to be with Karter.

Then, just yesterday, we had the opportunity to look at the waiting child listing for the first time. It was really a difficult thing for me. We looked at just girls in the age range of 1-3. We saw about 75 girls that need a forever mommy and daddy. It's really hard to see all of them and try to pick which child you want. It just felt strange and maybe a little wrong to "shop" for a child. I struggled with my feelings during this process, but Jason and I were both drawn to and fell in love with one little girl. At this point we have no idea if we will get her or not, but our Agency is trying to help us put a "hold" on her. See we haven't actually submitted our dossier to our Agency yet because we were waiting on approval from Homeland Security who has to process our application and fingerprints.

Now for some very exciting news! We received our USCIS approval TODAY! Yes, just 1 week after being fingerprinted we received a letter from Homeland Security saying we are approved to adopt up to two children from China! Woo Hoo!! I didn't believe that we would get something like this so quickly! I have to go to Amarillo on Monday and Tuesday for some business meetings so I will leave a little early and hand deliver the approval notice to our Ageny! It's starting to feel more and more real! I'm going to be a mommy to a beatiful Chinese princess! Now I think it's go time on getting her room done. The bed is already made, but we bought new turquoise paint for the walls and hot pink curtains to hang over the windows. Also my mother-in-law is making valances with ladybug fabric to hang over the pink curtains! I just can't wait to know for sure who will be our Kayman Janessa!