Happy Chinese New Year!

Daddy/daughter love!

Having fun and looking all grown up at a friend's Sweet 16 party!

Braving the roads for our church directory picture.  We are minus one very important Meletio though!

It's been an exciting last few days!!! In adoption lingo we received our GUZ# from the NVC (National Visa Center). This means that our i800 approval (immigration approval) was cabled to the US Consulate in China. I have to admit that it was a pretty stressful few days because we were hoping and praying that our Article 5 drop off would happen before the offices in China shut down for the Chinese New Year. We made it...barely!!! We came as close as one could come to the deadline. Seriously! I received a call from our agency one hour prior to the deadline in China that one of the copies that's necessary for the drop off was not a clear copy. David and I scrambled trying to make a better copy, etc. Long story short, we were able to our rep what she needed as she was literally walking out the door with what she had for us (and others from our agency) in order to make the deadline! Praise God for prayer warriors, our awesome agency, and a powerful God who prompted me to even contact the agency! HE got it done (I just about broke out in hives though- a tad too close for comfort for my taste, but that seems to happen a lot for us!). Now...just a few more steps and we'll be in CHINA: Article 5 pick up, TA (Travel Approval),  CA (Consulate Appointment) date set.  Hoping for mid-March travel!

The girls have been out of school since Tuesday due to snow and ice- craziness!! Abigail missed all week because she was sick on Monday. We've had a great time though. David's been home. We've thrown snowballs, slipped and slided on the ice, made snow angels, and played games as we've been housed in all week.

So thrilling that we skyped with Chan last night! Praying for the sweet little heart of his. He was very timid at first then he charmed us with his smile!