Day 99

and counting...

Honestly, I never thought that we would have to wait this long for our LOA (Letter of Acceptance). Today is day 99 of our wait. Since it is getting later, I do not think there is any way we could get it today. And then comes the weekend, which of course, we cannot get LOA on. Monday would be our next chance, except that it is Columbus Day and schools are closed, so I am assuming that our agency would be closed as well. That leaves Tuesday, October 14, to be our next chance to receive LOA which will be day 103 of our wait. I have been hoping that Chayah could be home for Thanksgiving, but now even that is not looking too hopeful, although I am still hoping for it!!! Hopefully we will receive our LOA soon and can bring Chayah home ASAP! I want my mei mei and this wait is getting really, really hard.

New Pictures of Chayah!

We sent a care package to Chayah a few weeks ago and we just received these four new pictures!
Chayah with her care package. (above)

Chayah holding the picture of her Daddy and Mommy! So sweet!

Looks like she loves her Dora doll! :) I love this picture!!

Showing her new Dora stick-on earrings. ;)

Awww!!! I am so in love with this girl!!! I absolutely adore these new pictures! She is just gorgeous and I want her home now!! Today is Day 90 and we haven't heard anything yet. Praying that she will be home for Thanksgiving!

That's My Girl

These sweet pictures were taken of Miss Chayah when she was 4 years old, two years ago by a fellow adoptive family. We are so thankful for these pictures. Isn't she just the sweetest? Every time I look at her pictures, I am reminded of how absolutely in love I am with this girl. I just cannot wait until she finally comes home and I can hold her in my arms. That's my mei mei! We're coming soon, sweetie!

No word on our LOA, still waiting. Today is day 84... hoping and praying it comes soon!!

Day Seventy-Five

75 days of waiting for our LOA (Letter of Acceptance)...

Chayah, waiting, picture taken in May 08.

Chayah Comes Home- Help Us Bring Her Home

I've opened a Cafe Press store to raise the rest of the funds we need to bring Chayah home. For those of you not familiar with Cafe Press, Cafe Press is a website which allows individuals to set up a store of products with your own unique designs printed on the products as you have designed. The products have a base price and a portion of the proceeds come directly towards bringing Chayah home. I've decided to call our store "Chayah Comes Home" stating directly what it is, a way to help raise the funds to bring Chayah home. The products range from t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts in sizes from baby through adult to clocks, mugs, and even greeting cards. The images on the products belong to me. Photo editing was done by my sister, Rachael.
You can view the store HERE or by going to: http://www.cafepress.com/chayah

Products for you, supporting Chayah's adoption.

Waiting

Today is Day 51 of our wait. The last I've heard, the average LOA (Letter of Acceptance) was received on approximately day 70. So, it that was true for us, 19 more days? I sure hope so! Anyone heard any other averages? I am still expecting LOA and TA (Travel Approval) to come in September, with travel in October. That is what I am really hoping for!!! It makes me so sad to think of how much Chayah is growing up, without us there to spend this time with her. We received her referral when she was 5 1/2 years old, now she has been 6 for over a month. I just want to get her HOME! I love my mei mei Chayah Elizabeth Ruby and I can't wait until she is in our arms forever! I know that God has the perfect timing for this adoption and He will bring her home in His perfect time.

Thank you Shaohannah's Hope

Our God is an awesome God! When we stepped out in this journey of faith, we did not know where the finances were going to come from. But we knew that this adoption was God's will and that He would provide. Through our wonderful agency CCAI we were shown this and now again through Shaohannah's Hope! We have been awarded a grant in the amount of $3000 from Shaohannah's Hope for Chayah's adoption! Shaohannah's Hope is a ministry created by Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, MaryBeth, to help with the costs of adoption to build bridges and families through the miracle of adoption. We received this awesome news while watching the Chapman Family on Larry King Live, and as Larry King said, "The Amazing Chapmans", and that they truly are! I cannot begin to express our gratitude towards Shaohannah's Hope; the staff, and the Chapman family, for this gift!