Today we got the big call - China said it's time for us to come and get our girl! This was 8 days after our paper work pick up date and we are thrilled with that. For some people it took only 3 days but for others it has been 25 or more, so we are very happy with eight! 

I assumed it would come next week, but of course I was hopeful that I would hear something today before the holiday weekend. I didn't want to call and bother them, because I knew they would call me if they heard any updates. But more and more people from my agency were posting online that they had gotten their approvals, and many of them had dates later than mine. So around lunch time I sent over a quick email saying I was prepared to wait longer, but would they mind just checking to see if my approval was showing up in the system or not. About 45 minutes later the phone rang with an area code I didn't recognize, and to be honest, I almost didn't pick up! But I surely didn't want to miss an important call, so I answered and it was my agency! They said they got my email just as they were about to call and tell me that they had my travel approval! I'm pretty sure even China heard Anna squeal when I told her the call had come.

They gave me a run down of the possible Gotcha dates and corresponding Consulate Appointments (CA). First available is June 9, with a CA sometime in the week of June 16. For some reason Kate's province isn't doing gotcha days on June 16, so if we missed June 9 our next available option was June 23. That would be sweet because it's Nathan's birthday, but I do NOT want to wait that much longer to get to Kate! We've checked airfare and the difference between the two weeks is minimal, so June 9 is what we're planning now. Tuesday we will get an email with our confirmed CA date, and then we can book travel. We plan to tour Beijing first for 2 days so we will most likely be leaving around June 4. JUNE 4. As in, 12 days from now. 12 DAYS!!!!!!! And only 17 days until we meet Kate face to face!

We have SO much to do to get ready and my brain is spinning a million miles a minute, but I know it will all work out. I keep telling myself that if I forget anything there's always Chinese Walmart! I have a ton to get ready for the boys before we leave, things to do around the house before grandparents come to stay, final things to buy for both girls and myself, and then fit about 17 days worth of things for 4 people into 3 - 44 pound suitcases. It can be done! And just like when we had our bio babies, if the to-do list isn't all checked off when it's time to go, oh well. For now I'm focusing on that little face we've been studying since January 16 at about 10:45am. We are so close to holding her and telling her in person how much we've loved her and prayed for her, and we're so eager to build her trust day by day and watch her personality emerge. The dream that started over 15 years ago is about to come true!

Kate at 13 months.  :)

So we got our final update on Kate almost 2 weeks ago now. Those were the last photos and measurements that the orphanage would send before we travel. But just a few days later we got an email from our social worker titled, "NEW PHOTOS OF KATE!". Actually it was 14 (!) photos broken into 4 emails. Our agency had sent an (un)adopted team to Kate's orphanage in May, and while they were there they took these pictures of Miss Tiny. I laughed out loud when I opened them. Not only is she smiling and playing in some of them, but look at that hair! So funny! Not to mention the smiley face sticker right on her forehead. The 14 pictures were basically the same picture from different angles (we love every single one of them though!) but here are a few. Love seeing her personality a bit in some of these.

I know I've said this about several other photos, but this time I really do think these are the best and most detailed pictures we have of her sweet face!

I know this one is blurry, but I like it. I can almost hear her thinking, "Hmm, who IS this taking pictures of me?"

Really? You're still taking pictures?  ;) 

Might as well smile!

For some reason this picture reminds me of Ben. Must be the cheeks...maybe the tight grip on the snacks...

Precious little profile. Love seeing her eyelashes.

Mother's Day was great this year. We started the day at church, with an inspiring message for moms encouraging us in the legacy we will leave for our children. Next was brunch with my mom, sister, aunt and family. It was fun too but I had a bad head cold that had been hanging on for days and days. When we left brunch I was really starting to have a headache and feel very run down. I took some medicine, and Nathan offered to let me stay home and rest while he went to his sister's house to celebrate Mother's Day with them. I felt bad missing it, but sleep was calling my name. Off they went, and into pajamas and blankets I went. About 20 minutes later the phone rang and it was Nathan saying, "Ummm, this is a bit more of a celebration than I realized and I think you should take a short nap and then I'll come and get you". I didn't really know what he was talking about, but my head was in a fog and I was sleepy so I just said okay and set my alarm for 30 minutes. Once we arrived I saw what he meant as everyone greeted us at the door (including my own three SUPER excited kids) and yelled, "Surprise!". A baby shower for Kate! On Mother's Day! So perfect and so thoughtful!

Nathan's sisters and mom (and the men too, I'm sure!) put together so many cute details for this. Pictures of Kate and cute decorations everywhere...excuse all my iPhone photos!

Rachel and her husband Brian made this sweet graphic for the cake and other decorations. We LOVE it!

This past weekend we got our final update on Kate before we travel. I can't believe we're in the final update phase of things! We asked for updated measurements, new photos, and various questions, but we were told they may not answer the questions. And they didn't. Kind of a bummer since I was waiting on that info to know what to pack. Do we need diapers or tiny Elmo underpants? Do we need formula and bottles, or is she used to a sippy cup now? But it really doesn't matter. We will just pack a little of everything and then go from there. Also I've learned from other moms that sometimes they tell you one thing and then the child ends up wanting the exact opposite! We can ask the questions again on Gotcha day and see what the nannies say then, and ultimately we will just follow Kate's lead! 

We did get updated measurements, although I'm not sure how accurate they are! According to the update she is now:

Height - 32.2 inches

Weight - 23.1 pounds

Head cir - 17.7 inches

Foot length - 4.7 inches

17 teeth now - unsure if this means 1 of her 2 year molars is in or if a few are and she's missing some front teeth where her cleft was. We shall see....

Compared to her measurements at 24 months, that would mean she's gained 2.2 pounds and grown almost an inch in just 2 months. Possible, but unlikely! I think I'm just going to assume she's an average of the two measurements and go from there. In most brands that keeps her in a size 18 months, which is what I've been buying for her.

The best part of an update is always the photos, and oh, these were SO good for this mama's heart. You remember she looked pretty scrappy and scared in those last shots. These look so much better! She just looks happy and sweet. Now, I know the reason she looks more calm is because these were taken by a familiar nanny with no strangers around. I realize that when we see her she will be scared again, but it's so nice to see her looking comfortable here. This is the smiley-est we have seen her!

Love how her little feet barely touch the ground here!

Because it's almost May 15 in China, that means our Article 5 paperwork gets picked up within the next 12 hours or so and our wait for the travel call begins!

Last Monday we finished our school work early and headed out to enjoy the perfect weather. I was originally planning to go to a store closer to our old house, but then decided not to. So we decided to head that way anyway, and did lunch in the park first.

This was probably the 5th caterpillar she found that day. The first two sat on napkin on our picnic table and watched us eat lunch. Delightful. Eww.

Jump in.

Jump out.

Noah was excited to bring home a big fat copy of Robin Hood.

This morning I got 5 new pictures of Miss Tiny. A Facebook friend visited Kate's orphanage back in April and took these for me, and I'm so grateful! My friend said that Kate was a little afraid of them when they came in, and I think you can see that in these photos. But as we've learned, it's good for her to have a fear of strangers because that means she knows who her caregivers are and are not. But we do think we'll have to spend the first few days (weeks, months) winning her over, which is to be expected. We will be getting to know her while she's getting to know us! This is one reason that we're so happy that Anna will be with us. I know she can bring out the silly without adult fears and reasoning getting in the way.

Looks like she's wondering why she needs to be waving, ha! This may be one of the best pictures we have of her face in detail. You know I've already zoomed it in and out about 400 times! You can click on all of these to see them larger.

I love how she's peeking around here. Makes me dream of the days when we will play peek-a-boo with her in a Chinese hotel!

Blowing kisses goodbye. Sweet sweet girl!

As happy as I am to have these, I have to admit they make me feel a little sad. I know she lives in an orphanage. I know she's most likely never had a full bath, just a wipe down once a week. I know no one is fluffing her up and making her look fancy or engaging her in play and stories every minute of her day. But it hurts my heart to see her looking scrappy and scared. We are so close to travel now, but it can't come fast enough. I need to love on her and fill that little tummy, to wash her and snuggle her all clean and sweet in her bath towel, to put her in cozy pjs and tuck her in to a warm and comfy bed, knowing that when she opens her eyes we will be right there - for the rest of her life! I can NOT wait to see her smile and laugh!

One more week - 7 days - until our paperwork pick up!

Also if you look on our sidebar you'll see that our little fundraising thermometer just passed the 11K mark! THANK YOU doesn't begin to express our gratitude!!!

You know we're getting close to the end of the school year when we have the art show! Anna and Noah were excited to show off their work, although I think the table of cookies had a bit to do with their excitement.

Noah with his clay pot art

Anna and her friend Mattie made this garden themed letter I. She was very proud of the bird she drew inside the letter.