Our Adoption: Week 11

How Far Along: 11 weeks

How I'm feeling: OVERJOYED!!!!
Gender: It's official!!  We are matched with a little boy!  BOY!
Total of bills so far: $8305.46
Total money raised: $2286!!!

Favorite moments: A few favorite moments this last week - #1 on the list is that we got Pre-Approval (PA) for our little guy!  Thursday, April 4th, 2013, we got the call from our social worker that we have been pre-approved to adopt our little guy!  Anna called and said, "I have good news!"  It's like I knew what she was going to say, but was so surprised anyway. Phil and I had resigned ourselves to the fact that we wouldn't hear until next week because of the Tomb Sweeping holiday in China.  I just kept saying, "Wow!  I can't believe it!  Wow!" HAHAHAHA!  She said she would forward me the pre-approval letter, which is in Chinese at the top and then translated at the bottom.  

Another favorite moment was telling my parents at Easter.  I made them little wall plaques that said their grandparent names in Chinese.  When they turned them around, there were fold out Bible verses.  As they unfolded each of the verses, the Scripture narrowed in on the broad spectrum of taking care of orphans down to our specific child that we have prayed for - and once they opened the last flap, there was a picture of our little guy.  We hadn't gotten pre-approval yet, so we explained that we were trying to adopt him.

Another favorite moment (I know - there are lots this week) was telling people that we got the pre-approval.  Last night, we went to Gigi's house.  We met Grammy and Gramps there for dinner with Gigi.  Auntie Linda was there, too.  We announced that we are getting a son and we told his name!  IT WAS A BLAST!  Grammy and Gigi were dancing!  After dinner, we stopped by Annalisa's house and told her the good news, too.  

Things learned: God's timing is not our own.  And when we've decided something is impossible (getting the PA this week), God will do His will no matter what!  A two week wait for PA turned into only 9 days!  Praise the Lord!
What I am looking forward to: Telling everyone that he's ours!  Oh and I'm anxious to get our home study and 800a paperwork to Immigration!  Let's get this show on the road!!!