99

99 Days of waiting...

99 Days of stressing...

99 Days of wondering...

99 Days of frustration...

99 Days of hoping...

99 Days of anxiousness...

99 Days of disappointment...

99 Days of praying...


It has been 99 days of waiting for our LOA (letter of acceptance). I think this is the hardest part of waiting. We have done everything we can and now we just have to sit back and wait for China to give us their final approval to adopt Kalia.

Back when we started this adoption I never in a million years would have thought we would still be waiting. Our original goal was to be DTC in January or February at the latest, putting us at traveling over the summer. Obviously that didn't happen since we are still waiting.

By the time we were ready to DTC we were ecstatic. We were finally going to be one step closer to bringing our daughter home. Then the unthinkable happened just a day, ONE day before we were supposed to be DTC. This setback was like nothing we had ever faced before but it definitely did not stop us from pressing one. In the end we "won" and were finally DTC on June 2.

I honestly had no idea we would still be waiting for our LOA at this point. I thought for sure we would have out Ta by now and just be waiting to travel. When China decided to let families reuse their dossiers within a year everyone was so excited because it was going to save so much time and money. For starters, it has save us no money! And as for time, it has actually taken us twice as long to get out LOA, which in case I haven't mentioned, we still don't have.

I spoke with our agency a few weeks ago and was told that as of 9/16 we were "in process" which means our dossier is being looked at. We were told that they were expecting our LOA within a couple of weeks. I just keep telling myself "any day now, any day."

But the true reality is that even if we get out LOA today or even tomorrow, I am terrified. I am scared to death that we are not going to have the money we need this time. I have shared my fears with Matt and he keeps reminding me that we have never had the money, but when we need it, it is always there. So, I keep praying, and putting all my faith and trust in God that He will provide.

We just got an e-mail from our agency yesterday saying that the Consulate appts are booked until October 11th. Then the fall trade show falls at the end of October going until November 6th. So, at this time, the absolute earliest we could travel would be after the trade fair. My birthday is November 9th, so my new goal is to be in China celebrating with my new daughter. That would be the ultimate in birthday gifts, don't you think?

Our fundraiser is still going strong, but we still are lacking in funds. Our immediate need is $3000.00. That is what we need to pay the agency in order to move forward. We have been awarded a matching grant from Brittany's Hope for $1000 (we raise $500 they will match). So, our immediate need is actually $2500.00. For now, that is the only thing that is standing between us and our daughter. Obviously we need more than that to complete Kalia's adoption, but we are taking it one step at a time and only focusing on what we need right now.

The Vera Bradley Fundraiser is still going so please spread the word. I know it can be done, I have seen it time and time again. I wish I could offer some really cool prize this time, or give away something free with every donation, but unfortunately, I can't.

What I can do though, is guarantee you that Kalia will be joining a family that is over the moon about bringing her home. I can guarantee you that she will be loved beyond measure. She will be an opportunity to live her life to its fullest. She will have brothers and sisters that will laugh with her, cry with her, and yes even fight with her. She will be raised to know Jesus and to learn that without Him nothing else matters. Point blank, she will have a family, one that will do whatever it takes to bring her home.