T to the A

That's right! We got our travel approval! I had a strong suspicion it would come today but didn't want to get my hopes up too high. Shortly after lunch, I saw a missed call and voice mail from a Tennessee area code. I knew it could only mean one thing!

I'm currently working on possible travel dates with our agency but we should know a lot more in a few days. It'd be wonderful to have a Lucy date and tickets purchased by the end of the week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please pray for Lucy. She's weeks away from having her life turned upside down.

And pray for the Lord to give us wisdom on how to be what she needs during this time.

This is really happening.

dinner guests

We had the privilege of hosting this crew at our house Saturday.

From left to right: 

Isabelle, Dalton, Jude, (me), Poppy, (Andy), Vivienne, Shepherd, Tallula, Asher, Sophie. Wow.

Somebody pinch me :) Can't wait to throw The Goose into the mix one of these days.

sunday snapshot {a token}

Just what I needed. A refreshing reminder of His great love and mercy.

 "though it is a bow, yet without arrows, and is not turned downwards towards the earth, but upwards towards heaven, and so is a token of mercy and kindness, and not of wrath and anger." ~ John Gill

My camera is a Canon Rebel T3i. My lens for this shot was a 50mm 0.45m/1.5ft. My settings were: ISO 100, aperture f/3.5 and a shutter speed of 1/250. I did a tad bit of editing in my trial version of Lightroom 4, which I know NOTHING about :). As always, I'd love suggestions of what I "could have done" better.

You can check out Stefanie's rules for Sunday Snapshot if you want to play along!

A5 pick-up

Next stop: travel approval

We should have TA in 2-3 weeks. And be on a plane 2-3 weeks after that. Whoa.

Agency Application

Home Study Approval
I-800A
DTC
LID
Referral
PA
LOA
I-800
NVC
Article 5 drop-off
Article 5 pick-up

TA!!!

ladybug shower

Our mommas just love their granddaughter. And her Auntie Laura is pretty crazy about her too.

That's why they threw her a ladybug-themed shower yesterday!

I had no idea about the theme. When I walked in, the red and black popped! It was just beautiful.

Everything was so well-thought out and planned. Apparently, my mom has learned to use Pinterest and I'm quite proud of her!

And Grandma Lynch not only baked up some darling red velvet cupcakes, but she decorated them like a pro!

It was a special time with family and friends, celebrating once again the little life that waits for us across the world.

 

and finally! the birthday girl

I was ecstatic to see an email from Ann at Red Thread come in this morning titled: "Li Ya Min's party pictures".

Thankfully, I was about to head to Andy's office so held off on looking at them until we were together. That was a long car ride.

Without further ado, I introduce to you THE birthday girl. (of course, these were taken almost 2 months ago)

Oh. My. Word. Precious is all I can think of.

Party dress and all!

Surrounded by her little buddies.

 And lots of beautiful fruit.

Her sweet arm is about as big as that banana she's eying.

This is her baba's favorite pic in the whole bunch.

She's not quite sure what to make of all the fuss.

And who's her little sidekick?

Perhaps a birthday boy himself? Two candles - one pink, one blue. Icing on both of their faces.

Make a wish, sweet one.

Your mama and baba are coming as fast as they can.

We love you more every single passing moment.

article 5 drop-off

This chic is Tinley. She's one month older than my goose and supposedly the same size. What do you think? Could this be me and my girl hanging out by the pool soon???

A5 was dropped off today...set to be picked up July 17th!

I'm telling ya. This list is getting shorter and shorter!

Agency Application
Home Study Approval
I-800A
DTC
LID
Referral
PA
LOA
I-800
NVC
Article 5 drop-off
Article 5 pick-up
TA!!!

while the pot boils, friendship endures

We said goodbye to some dear, dear family yesterday. The Shepards have been friends for quite some time now and we knew they were only on loan from the big state of TX for little while. But still, it's never easy facing reality when the day rolls around to say good-bye. They are packed up and heading west for the next season of their lives. We're grateful to have had them around and will forever treasure the years we spent, usually around a table, laughing, eating and enjoying each others' company.

We'll miss their little family, their faces, their fellowship, their friendship and...their FOOD! Our last Supper Club together, Taylor and Jenny lavished us all with quite the meal.

 Everything was well-thought out.

 With so much love and detail.

 And oh so delicious.

 From the beginning to the end.

 But best of all was the company.

Thanks for the memories, friends. You are already missed.

Fervet olla, vivit amicitia: While the pot boils, friendship endures.

Latin Proverb