Well, we got our Visas yesterday. One step closer. Still waiting for the magic call...

So we finally got the confirmation letter or Letter of Approval as it's now called. I think we've signed 4 or 5 letters stating yes we accept this child! What are the waiting for a signature in blood?! I understand the reasoning and I'm glad they are very cautious...I'm just anxious. We have very tentative date range of March 18-April 15. I'm afraid that by the time we get her she'll be in high school and asking for her own car!

But looking at the big picture: we will be getting our daughter soon and finally we'll have started our family. I'm so excited-Easter, Mother's day, Father's day, her birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas! Not to mention all the days in between!!

We just received a message from Holt International that they have received our confirmation letter! We should receive our travel dates within 1 week!!

It's finally happening! Now I just need to finish packing, cleaning the house for our house/dog sitter, and get things prepared for a toddler! I feel a little panic creeping in, but I know we'll be ok.

Katy, here we come!

Our dossier was logged in to China on Dec 1, 2006. We had been told that due to some back log that our travel date would be 2-4 months after the log in date. It has been 3 months and no travel date yet.

Todd is as calm and as steady as ever while I am going crazy! I think my parents may be more anxious than I am—which makes me smile a little whenever I think about it. I haven’t been able to get through one day without someone asking me about Katy. I’m still in awe over how many people want to be a part of her life, of how much support we have been offered.

I have been dreaming of Katy and I’m a little afraid of what our first meeting will be like. I’m afraid I’ll overwhelm her with my emotions. She is the biggest blessing in my life, she is the answer to my prayers, and she is my daughter. I don’t know if she’ll ever understand how much that means to me. I don’t know if I could ever really explain the magnitude of emotions I feel knowing she is my daughter.

Her birth mother…I pray that she has peace. I can’t imagine how difficult her life has been. I hope she knows somehow that Katy is coming to a family who loves her so much.

The foster parents…I ask for forgiveness, because I’m about to break their little family apart. I pray that they will be comforted and protected. More than anything I am grateful to them for watching over Katy and providing her a loving home. I know the joys and pains of being a foster parent. I know what it is like to love a child with your whole heart knowing that you will say goodbye before you’re ready. Words could never express my gratitude for this family.

I have been able to start a photo album during the wait, so that’s good. I should be doing a “life book” but I’m feeling a little overwhelmed at the idea of putting all of this in a scrapbook. How do I take something so HUGE and make it fit into words and pictures? I’ll figure it all out later.