I haven't posted too much about our adoption timeline, mostly because I am trying not to obsess about it! I have gone into this trusting God and His perfect timing and have TRIED not to worry about the timeline. BUT.... last night I felt (for the first time) an overwhelming sense of WHEN WILL SHE BE HERE!!!! After work today I got an email that made me jump for joy! We reached an important step in the process that deserves its very own post. At day 49, our LOA came!!!!!!!!!
Hmmm, so what does that mean exactly? The LOA is the Letter of Acceptance. It is the "official" approval from China. This is the big unknown in the adoption process. It can take one month... it can take 5 months... but the average is 50-70 days. It is pure torture waiting for the LOA. Once it comes, you know you are on a plane within 3 months.
I received an email this week that outline all of Hannah's surgeries and the outcome of those operations. It also listed her heart condition and all of the meds she is on for her heart. Not going to lie, it was a bit overwhelming. I think that is when it hit me that this little girl NEEDS to come home.
Here are the most recent pictures of Hannah. Doesn't she look GREAT? I am so thankful for her care to this point. I know her medical needs have been a challenge, but they never gave up on her. I am certain that if she stayed in a Government run orphanage, she would not have survived. I am also thankful for the staff that listened to our request to hold future surgeries until she is home. I can't get over how full and healthy her cheeks are... and that SMILE, oh I just love it!
I know that we have a long road ahead of us with this little one. Her needs are great. But when I look at this picture, it gives me HOPE!
Here is the first picture of Hannah when she arrived at 10 months. Hannah was abandoned at what they believe was 5 months. We are hoping and praying the orphanage will have pictures of her from 5-10 months. Emma's orphanage did not, so the earliest pictures we have of her start at 9 months of age when she was sent to SFCV.
We are so thrilled that Hannah will be home well before summer. We can get her surgeries lined up and get her care started with the HOPE that she will start school in August. Keep praying for our little girl. Hannah, we will be there soon!!!!!
