Article 5

Well, since my travel coordinator told me to expect our Article 5 around July 22nd, I thought I should send an e-mail to check on things. Well, I got a response today that our Article 5 was issued and all of the paperwork had been submitted to CCAA. Don't know the exact date this happened, but it means our travel approval should arrive sometime in the next few weeks. The next group leaves August 12th, and we know we won't be in that group. The group scheduled after that leaves Sept. 2nd, and we are praying we will be included with them. 4 weeks, that's what I'm talking about. I so like the idea that Aiden will hopefully be in our arms in 1 month. The kids started school today, and life should start to fall into a routine again. This should give me time to prepare for our trip. Here is a picture that another adoptive mom sent me of Aiden. She was at Starfish in mid-July taking supplies for the home there. He's looking more grown up each time I see a picture, but he'll always be my baby.

Kelly

Update

Another picture of our "big" boy. According to Amanda, this is a wheelchair that was bought with donations for a little boy at the home that can't walk. Apparently it has been a wonderful blessing for him, and he is enjoying his new independence. Aiden just felt like he needed to try it out as well. I can't believe how grown up Aiden is looking. Hate that we are missing this time, but we know God's plan is perfect for him and us. We are curently awaiting our "Article 5" (something new that I'm not sure I can explain with words). When our agency receives this, it should take 2-4 weeks for travel approval. Once we receive that, we are free to go get our boy. Unfortunately we must wait for a US Consulate appt. and for the next travel group. Could be fast (1 week) or up to a month to travel. We are preparing for school to start in 2 weeks. Kyle will be in 5th grade and Cambrie will start kindergarten. This should help the time to pass a little more quickly since we will be busy with school. I've already been praying for this new transition in our lives, as well as his. I'm praying that he will bond quickly with his brother and sister. I hope the same for his parents, but it is more important to me that they have that special bond right away. They are so excited, and have waited for almost a year to meet this guy. Eddie and I have been down this road before, and experienced the rejection (with Cambrie), so I think we can handle it, and are prepared for that possibility. Obviously Aiden will have to grieve his loss of everthing that he has known, but we pray that this is short lived, and we are able to comfort him through that time. So that is where we stand for now. Hope to post again soon with some news.

Kelly

Swim Fun

Wanted to post a picture Amanda put on her Starfish site of our happy boy. Makes the waiting so much harder. Enjoy!

RA!!!!!!

We are so excited to share that we received our RA today. Well actually it is at our agency, but will be in our hands on Wednesday. We have been not so patiently waiting for 3 months now, but trying to remain positive. It all feels real now that we have that approval, and we should be traveling late August/early September. Seems pretty close and yet not soon enough for us to hold our Aiden. We are now allowed to share pictures of him online, so prepare yourselves to fall in love. We may be biased but we think he's a pretty handsome dude. Now we wait for our final approval (TA) which should arrive in about 2 months. Thanks for continuing to cover us in prayer, and we ask for continued prayers for our travel and transition to a family of 5.

Kelly

Happy Birthday!!!

Today Aiden turns 2 years old. How we wish we could be with him to celebrate. I hate that we have missed 2 birthdays already, but rest in the fact that we will be there for all of the rest to come. We celebrated my nephew's birthday last night, and I made Aiden a small cake to honor him as well. Tonight we will light the candles, sing "Happy Birthday", and celebrate just as we would if he were here with us. It's comforting to know that he will have a celebration with his nannies and friends in China. I know Amanda will take pictures and send them to me. Hopefully we will receive our RA in the next few days, and I will finally be able to share those photos on this blog. Happy Birthday Aiden Thomas! We pray your day is filled with joy!

-Kelly

Log In Date

Well, finally today we received our LID, after a month of anxious waiting. Turns out we have been logged in since March 8th, but China only sends confirmations of the dates once a month. So we are happy to mark another milestone off the list of our journey. Only about 2000 more to go, but I'm trying to be patient.

Kelly

Update

I was waiting to update when we received our log in date (LID), but was told by our family coordinator that it may be another week or two before we hear something. I did receive an e-mail from Amanda who runs the foster home where Aiden lives. She discovered that he has 3 teeth growing out of his palate (instead of the gum line). She said he had been really fussy lately, and now she knows why. At first I was so sad about this news because I can't be there to comfort him, and get him the medical help he needs. Then I realized that it's not my place to be in control of this. God is with Aiden now, just like He was from the beginning of his life. He has protected him all along the way without any imput from me. Doesn't mean I won't still worry, as that is a momma's job, but I have to trust His plan. It's been perfect up until this point, and will continue to prove perfect until completion. Just a bump in the road, but thankfully we are still on the road moving forward. I'm thankful that Amanda is on top of the situation, and has given us updates so we can plan for his care when we return home. I plan to talk to Cambrie's pediatric dentist in a few weeks when I take her in to get his opinion. Eddie and I are thankful for your prayers for Aiden, and we will keep you updated on how God continues to bless our family with the addition of this special little boy.

Kelly