Updates, A Ready-to-be-Occupied Room, and a Pending Haircut

Earlier this week we were sent 19 amazing photos of our boys!!!  

Several weeks ago, once we had received our official approval from China, we sent a cake and a letter to the orphanage where the boys currently live.

(we did this via a service in China that adopting families often use)

You actually get a "peek" at these photos below ...  

It was really exciting to receive the photos and the reply to our letter as well.  We were given the following update:

1. Updated measurements:

Jonah: Height: 113cm;Weight: 20kg; (44 inches/44 pounds)

Rees: Height: 106cm; Weight: 19.5kg. (41 inches/42 pounds)

2. Both Jonah and Rees are very good boys. They are not picky eaters. They like to eat chicken, steamed buns, stuffed steamed buns, banana, grape, etc.

3. Because they live in the orphanage, they don’t get to see as much as children live in a family. We have not found what they are afraid of yet. They are not scared when they saw worms, birds or geese. Maybe they will be afraid of fierce dogs.

4. To Rees, never mention words such as “Chou” (means ugly), “Bi Zi” (nose), etc. And never point to his nose, he will be very very sad. (Awe!  We will only tell him how beautiful he is!)

5. Both Jonah and Rees are very sensible. They can do some simple chores, help take care of little brothers and sisters. They help rubbing their nanny’s shoulders when she’s done working. (I love this part the BEST ... definitely going to see if I can work this to my advantage!!)

We're pretty excited because the boys' bedroom is basically complete at this point.  We have everything arranged and organized.  Now all we need is two little boys to occupy the space!!

Thanks to Brian's brother and sister-in-law (John and Cindy) and Kimberly's co-worker (Sue), Jonah and Rees ARE SET for jackets, winter coats, snowpants, boots, shirts, pants, shoes ...

AND TOYS!!!

We really have a lot of toys ready for them to play with!!!

Sue, Brynn says that the boys are really going to like the cars!  And she decided to take it upon herself to inspect and organize each one!!

It looks as if they are already here!!

OK, ... maybe not ... then everything might not look so tidy, right??

So, where are we at this point??

Well, we've received our letters from the National Visa Center.

Our cases have been forwarded to the US Consulate in Guangzhou.

Our Article 5 (a very important document) should be dropped off on Thursday (9/3) and that takes two weeks to process.  That is the last step that needs to be done before we can be issued our Travel Approval.  We are nearly there folks ... nearly there!!

WE MAY ACTUALLY HAVE OUR TRAVEL APPROVAL BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER!!!

In the meantime, we will keep busy as we begin to prepare our packing list and SCRAPBOOK!!  Yep ... that's what I said ... 

I've been working on the boys' ABC's to Adoption books, which is something we will bring with us to China to show them photos that will familiarize them with our family and home and also provide them with photos that will hopefully comfort and interest them.

I also make each of the boys a scrapbook that is similar to a "baby book" or Life Book.  I have to get that started now because when they get here ... well, ...

Your prayer are still coveted and greatly appreciated, especially as we get closer now to the end of this process and the beginning of a new adventure.

Please pray for Jonah and Rees

Please pray for us and them to be kept safe and healthy

Please pray, even now, for the travel dates, that all would be smooth and safe

Please pray that the rest of the paperwork would be processed swiftly and without issue

Please pray that the required orphanage donation will be reduced per our request

Please pray that our remaining fundraiser(s) will be successful

We thank-you for remembering us in prayer!

OH ... and I almost forgot!!!!

Here is your last look at our Molly-bug with her LOOOOOONG hair ... 

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!!!

Stay Tuned for the Documented Details!!