Departing!

I'm leaving this morning.  Here's a breakdown of my flights:
Tallahassee, FL to Dallas/Fort Worth, TX to Beijing, China to Lanzhou

I'll meet Sadie on Sunday, August 23rd at the hotel (JJ Sun in Lanzhou).  We'll be in province until Friday then fly to Guangzhou.  In GZ she has a medical exam on Saturday 8/29 and the Consulate Appointment is Tuesday, September 1.  We will stay in GZ until Friday morning and then ride in a van to Hong Kong.  Our flight pattern on the way back to the USA is HK to Dallas to Tallahassee.  I haven't left yet and I already can't wait to get back to my husband and 3 kiddos.  Please pray for safe travels and successful bonding.  Thank you to all those that have been a part of this incredible experience!

Happy 4th Birthday!

We know Sadie celebrated her birthday for the first time (ever) this week.  Equally sad and yet exciting that she spent the last one without a family and in an orphanage; we were able to order a cake and fruit basket for her and a few other children to enjoy.

We are so grateful for the service Helen provides and will treasure these pictures + the video, it's at the very bottom.  Happy Birthday, sweet girl!  Mommy can't wait to meet you in 10 days.  Please continue to keep our 4 year old in your prayers.

Travel Approval!

Playing catch up here-we received TA (travel approval) last Friday after only 3 days!  At this point I have contacted a travel agent and plan to leave Tallahassee on Friday, August 21 and meet Sadie on Sunday, August 23 or Monday, August 24; just really in awe of everything at this point.

The Consulate Appointment is confirmed for Tuesday, September 1 and I plan to start the long trek home the following night.  As we firm up travel plans I'll be sure to update all of you and call in those favors...Luke will be at home and teaching/working and parenting mostly solo with grandparent reinforcements a few days.

Please continue to pray for Sadie especially for her heart to be open to adoption, our family and the transition ahead.

Final Update & Pictures

Our agency asked for the final update and we received these 3 pictures with new measurements for Sadie: 108 cm, 17 kg, 49 cm head, 59 cm chest, 17 cm foot.  Converting the numbers that means she is 42 1/2 inches tall, weighs 37 pounds, and her foot is a size 11-11 1/2.  She's almost the same size as our big boy Beckett and is bigger than our Noah!  

Article 5

Catching up on the timeline:
I800 approval 7/13
GUZ 7/16
PDF 7/20
Article 5 drop off 7/21
DS-260 7/20
Article 5 pick up 8/4