I think this is truly the end of the paperchase!

I said, "I think." I wouldn't be surprised if something else comes up, but today I overnighted what I believe will be the last bit of paperwork required of me. Yipee! I received our I800 approval in the mail yesterday 8/17. I gathered our new FBI clearances, new medical clearances, and the I800/I797 and took a little trip to Springfield to have them apostilled. These are pretty fancy stamps affixed to the documents that attest that they have been properly notarized. I think it is a bit odd that I haven't received one original, notarized, stamped official anything on our little girl--just an email attachment! But I did see her with my own eyes and that is more than enough. I then sent the documents to my agency to be forwarded on to Bulgaria. We are hoping and praying that we will be stunned by how quickly Bulgaria moves. We shall see.
We are all thinking about her a lot. Out of the blue someone will ask something about her. Aubrey asked today in the car, "you are going to let me hold her, aren't you?" I had told her earlier that we needed to be a little careful about how much she held her. I said M. was going to like her better than me, if we weren't careful. Aubrey can't wait to meet her, and says so all the time.
I am dreaming of all the mommy things that I have never had a chance to do with her...give her a bath, comb her cute, curly hair, watch her sleep, clip her fingernails. Can't wait to hear her sweet little voice again.
It has been one month since we first met her. What a great day that was. My favorite part was seeing how much Bill really liked her. We loved her before we even met her, but seeing him react to her was heartwarming. He really thought she was cute. It was almost like he kept looking at me and commenting like we had just won the lottery--like, "how great is she?" It reminded me a lot of when we first had Aubrey. We were so unbelievably proud. I guess it's just how parents think.
School starts Monday. I know the time will pass so quickly. I have rooms to get ready. I hope I get into some serious nesting!
As I write this, I can't stop thinking of how blessed I am. God is so good and so faithful--in spite of me.

Good News from the Grapevine

We have heard from our agency today that we have USCIS approval. We are dealing with the government here, people...we are amazed that it has gone so swiftly. We haven't received anything in the mail yet ourselves, but hopefully it will be in tomorrow's mail. 2 1/2 weeks. Did I say how amazing that is??!! We did put in a request to expedite her approval due to some medical issues. I wasn't sure how much time it may shave off the wait or if even it would save any time at all. As of 8/11 USCIS told me that they hadn't received my I800 yet. But I received a letter dated 8/5 stating that they had received it and it was in process. Obviously there was some inaccurate information given to me. They in fact did have it and have already acted on it!

Now, once it is actually in my hand, I can get our new medicals, new FBI prints, and official I800 approval (I-797) apostilled in Springfield again and sent on to Bulgaria via our agency.

God is truly in this. I am selfish. I want her home for me, for us all. But I really want her home for her own good. To give her even more time to adjust to the changes in her life. To give her time to build trust in us. We will all need this extra time with her before her medical issues need to be addressed. Any extra time is an awesome blessing.

I stated in the side bar--About Me--that we were called to adopt, but it would be all God that would bring it to be...and He is.

I800 Complete and Sent to USCIS

Our agency forwarded our I800 to USCIS. I believe it will be a quick turn around to get our approval. Our USCIS officer is already aware of our referral and seems very attentive. I may be wrong and very disappointed, but time will tell. We already have our medicals redone and FBI prints were sent 2nd week of June. In case they are not back by the time the I800 approval is given, we have requested local police clearance. This is something that we were asked to do while we were in Bulgaria. I informed our agency that we already had sent in for FBI clearance and they thought that was best. I thought that only FBI prints were acceptable. Apparently something in hand by the time you are ready to go to court is better than nothing and may be enough to fly?? Our local police said that they state in the clearance that they have checked the FBI data base and that we don't have a record. Both entities attest to the same fact. So we will just be prepared to give them whatever we have in hand by the time the I800 approval is given. Our tiny town local police chief seemed to get a kick out of helping us. You can't live most places and expect the chief of police to come to your home to get your permission signatures ("Are you home? I'll just come by and get your permission signatures.") and sit at your table and chat a while. I wish more of the process and paperwork had this personal and benevolent feeling. Umm, not the norm! I asked if there was a fee and he said, "Just a hug from that sweet baby girl you're bringing home!" How nice!

I800 off to agency

Today, I have completed what I believe is that last bit of Major paperwork. I sent to my agency our I800. I am thrilled to be done with that part, even if I did actually enjoy doing every bit of paperwork. I would not be surprised if I get a phone call tomorrow saying that I have forgotten something. We will see??

I watched some of the video that we took while in Bulgaria. I have had a taste of M.'s personality. Now I can't wait to get to really know her. She really was so expressive and spunky. Most people think she will fit right into our family. I think she will be able to hold her own. We have video of our first meeting with her. She was so sweet and maybe a little nervous. I was nervous, too. I couldn't get the Bulgarian phrases out of my mind--I just wanted to greet her in Bulgarian. I wanted her to not be scared of us and to be comfortable with us. Seeing the videos made me miss her. I can't wait to have her home and let my kids and family meet her. We are blessed. I know we keep saying it, but we really are; wait and see, you will agree!

We have met our little girl

I just wanted to put out a quick post..I could write a book, but it is 4 or 5 in the morning, can't sleep, but I will try again after this.

We have met her and she is amazing. We are definitely moving forward with adopting her. She is a very special little girl. She is bright and happy and easy to be with. We feel very blessed. As Bill said, "She is nearly perfect." I guess no one is absolutely perfect, so nearly is as perfect as can be! I will share more as I have time and am able. Looking forward to a few more visits with her. We will visit twice today and once tomorrow and then we will have to say goodbye.
I can't quite wrap my mind around what she must be thinking. I mean, really, who does she think we are? Silly people who can't even talk right?! But we bring candy...She is a doll and is so bright. I wish I could show you her adorable face. She does something that is very adorable...she gives us a dirty look when she doesn't like something and says "ssshhh." Seems very Bulgarian. Wish you could see it!

A Gift in a Beautiful Package

I am feeling great about the trip. Had a great day with 3/4 of my kids. Missing Aubrey while she is away. I realize things could slip away from me quickly, so I am trying to stay on top of things (or catch up quick, really.)
In the midst of all the "nitty-gritty" of preparing, packing, and leaving, I am feeling an escalating AWE. This whole adoption process and referral has been a huge gift. Getting a gift is great--who isn't thrilled with a gift? But opening the gift is the BEST. I am getting closer to opening the gift--meeting my littlest girl! I am feeling so blessed, so unworthy of the blessing she will be in our lives. All my children are a blessing. I just never deeply appreciated how they made it into my life and my family. When I pray with Lindsey, I always thank Jesus for giving her to me and our family. I am thanking Jesus already for Little Miss.
I know she is being given to us to experience more of God's love and draw us closer to Himself. I may experience more joy than I can imagine. I may experience more pain than I can imagine. It is all to bring glory to His name and to draw us closer to Jesus. I welcome it all. When I am doubting--remind me of this post!
Opening my package in 6 days. God is good all the time!

Down to the Nitty-Gritty

God has given me the gift of a fairly clear schedule this week so that I can prepare to travel. Now I am getting excited! I was able to do a couple big shopping stops today to get all kinds of stuff. I laugh when I see what is laying all over my bedroom floor--mostly food! I have a very large bag of clothing for our girl and also to donate to the orphanage. I have some gift items--sort of like "housewarming" gifts. I have no idea how this "stuff" will be received. I have purchased a lot of items to entertain little miss. I have enough of that kind of stuff in my house to run a preschool, but I just had to buy new and more! I think I have lots of experience entertaining children her age. I just wish I knew what she would really like. I hope I hit the jackpot with some play item...if not, I have lots of other "tricks" in my bag!
Bill is completely confident that she will love him right off the bat--he's probably right. He seems to have that gift. He really is like a carnival--all the treats, candy, twirling, horsey rides you want. It may all backfire this time. Not sure what she thinks of men and especially men who may try to toss her in the air! Bill should stick with Smarties and Dum-Dums for the first day.
Well, this week will get spent packing, doing laundry, cleaning, packing Ryan for camp, stocking groceries--all the stuff I normally do before traveling and leaving my children. I am so blessed with a wonderful family and friends who will hold down the fort while we are gone.
It really is indescribable to think that I will be laying in bed a week from now, probably unable to sleep, imagining how meeting our little girl will go. I have to keep reminding myself that I haven't seen her in 15 months--it has been that long since her photo was taken. I bet she has changed a lot. I can't wait to see her and what she looks like now. We did not receive any recent photos of her or any video, just the official registration photo. Can't wait to see her personality. I love her, I just wish I knew her!
Soon, baby. Soon.