We got our LOA!!!!!

We got our Letter of Acceptance on Thursday!!!!  That means, China has official approved us to adopt her.  We still need to file some paperwork with US Immigration that will approve Ava to immigrate to the US. But getting this LOA is a huge step.  We got the phone call as we were on our way to Minneapolis, we didn't get back until yesterday, so I couldn't post until now.  Hoping to travel by sometime in April, but only time will tell.  We are so excited about this, but now that it's coming down to the wire, we've got A LOT to do including....

Collin will be having leg straightening surgery on 3/1.  We knew he needed the surgery, but didn't quite plan on it happening so soon.  I called on 2/18 to schedule surgery.  They said they had just received a cancellation for 3/1 otherwise, we'd have to wait until 7/14.... So, for many reasons we decide to go for the 3/1 opening.  Please keep Collin in your thoughts and prayers, I will post about his progress here too.

We took the trip up to Minneapolis to talk to an Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Perra, about Brian's back.  He's had problems with spinal stenosis for the last several years.  We went expecting to hear that Brian needed surgery too, but thankfully, the doc thinks we can hold off for now, he suggests another epidural injection to help with the pain and numbness he is experiencing currently. Please keep Brian in your thoughts and prayers too.


There are 2 bedrooms to finish too.  We added a bedroom in the basement for Collin.  All that needs is carpeting and then Collin can move into his "man cave"... although, Collin will be healing from his surgery for the next 3 - 4 months, so getting downstairs may be a bit challenging.  Time will tell.  If Collin can't get downstairs, we've decided that Shannon will just take his room until he can get down there.  Plus, we have to do Ava's room (Collin's old room).  We have all that we need for her room, just need to paint it and set everything up.

And then there's all the prep for the trip to China too....................wow, good thing I thrive on busy-ness and chaos!  Ha-ha!