On January 30th, we saw the face of our daughter for the first time.
On February 2nd, we sent off our LOI.
On June 5th, our dossier was on it’s way to China.
And we’ve been waiting ever since.
While we’ve been not-so-patiently waiting, our Vivi has grown. She’s gone from a baby to a toddler, from one set of pictures to the next.
She turned 2 on November 1st. We celebrated her. And missed her.
As the days go by, I find myself missing her more and more.
Her absence is almost palpable. Last night I commented at the dinner table that our family seems so “small” lately. While Chris almost coughed up his left lung, the kids all agreed adamantly. Someone is most definitely missing.
We’re hoping and praying that sometime in January, our family will be just right. Vivienne will be home.
Right now we are waiting for news on our Article 5 (please pray for us!) Once that has been signed by the Consulate, the CCAA should issue Travel Approval in 2-3 weeks.
Then we get on a plane to bring our girl home.
And our family will be just right.
Oh Stefanie, Vivienne is such a beauty! And, I feel that she will be in your arms very soon 🙂
Stefanie, you, your family, sweet Vivi, are always in our prayers!!!
PRAYING your wait comes to an end very soon!!! I cannot wait to see Vivi in the arms of her loving family!! It WILL be soon!!!
HUGS, my friend!!!
I hear ya sister!!!
Soon, very soon……
How exciting! We are also waiting on Article 5 and are hoping to go in January before Chinese New Year. In our house, we've been talking about how we would love to meet the 'Ni Hao Ya'll people' when we are in Guangzhou! Maybe it will happen.
Hopefully we'll both get Article 5 soon!
Congrats on your daughter – she is so beautiful.
PRAYING MY FRIEND!!!
Mama will have her soon!
love you,
Andrea
I know exactly how you feel. But this year is different for us. For the first time in 3 years, EVERYONE will be home for Christmas. I will keep you in my prayers for good news soon about your sweet girl.
Your little girl is beautiful and I hope that you get news of your article 5 soon.
I love your tender heart and I know just how you are feeling right now. Please know that I'm praying with fervor!!
Praying you can travel very soon to bring your beautiful girl home.
Hoping you get good news soon.
Praying you hear the news that you are one step closer soon!
I know it always make me miss my family around the holidays that cannot be here. But you made me laugh too…I feel the same way, our family is feeling kinda small lately! Maybe it is the table for 10 and only four kiddos at home? Four empty chairs…
I actually think you are a good waiter! You keep me grounded as we wait too, keep the faith!
Love seeing Vivi's pictures again, so sweet!
Sooo cute! Love the updated pic. And can't wait to see that big TA pop up on your page soon 🙂 Hugs to you while you wait.
I hope Jan. is your month! Good news is coming. It has to!
I'm waiting too ~ for our LOA at this point, today is 49 days…
Praying that January brings that sweet baby home!
This waiting is so hard on us mama's.
I'm praying for you today!
Continueing to pray that Vivi comes home soon. I wonder for how long will your family be "just right"
Praying for His timing! Your comment about Chris made me laugh!!
Stefanie, I have tears thinking about your soon to be trip to get Vivi. She's so beautiful! I totally can relate about feeling small. Although that wonderful hubby of yours coughed up his lung,LOL, he is a 'keeper'.
What a sweet little punkin'! Praying that she finds herself in the midst of your beautiful family soon!
Wow! She has grown up so much and is such a cutie! I'm sure Vivi doesn't know what that ache in her heart is, but very, very soon she will realize it is the ache for her family! And they will be coming to get her soon! Praying along with you!
Stephanie, I read this quote on a webpage about a year ago. It may have been Wife of the Prez come to think of it. Anyways, it has brought me much comfort and I hope it will bring your family comfort too as you wait.
"God knows our days, our hours and our minutes. He doesn't waste one, nor does He cut them short. He's never early, nor late–for there is no rush in eternity. He does all things in the perfect fullness of time."
He knows the exact minute the TA will come and you will hold Vivi in your arms. I pray that it will be soon.
WOW, I can't believe how much she has changed in the past few months. She is certainly a beautiful little girl.
I will definitely be praying that you hear something soon.
We too are WAITING. We are on day 65 of waiting for our LOA. I am so hoping and praying we get it soon because I really want to be with Drew when he turns 4.
Mandi
Oh, Stefanie. It is hard waiting, but God's timing is perfect. We have our TA and alas cannot travel because we need an updated I171H due to a move, an age and a special needs changes. Looks like our little princess won't be here for Christmas either. So I'm sitting her crying for your family, our family, and all the other families waiting. Just means Christmas next year will be an even jollier event with our sweeties home.
Oh what a sweetie she is… and… she has the same birthday as me… which makes her extra special… 🙂
Praying that you hear something soon…
And I too must agree – she has truly grown…
We too are in the same boat…well…maybe a few boats behind you but we are currently waiting on our 797C so we can get a DTC/LID. I so do not like this waiting (we were matched with our little boy back in May 2009)
I feel for you…I truly do…
Your daughter is adorable- I can hardly wait to follow you to China and back!! Praying that the TA comes quick!! She needs her Momma!! (her Momma needs her!)
Love the comment about hubby coughing up his left lung- still chuckling!!
Oh, I hope the Lord's timing is even quicker than yours! She is just a doll.
Stefanie, I will pray for you that
all goes quickly and smoothly.
Blessings
Praying for you and your family. She's beautiful and I can't wait to see her home with you!!
What a sweet post!! I feel the same way, we are at day 78 of our LOA wait and it just feels like we are missing someone. Even though this is #6 I love our big family!! DH says we are done but he said that at #4. Prayng you get your TA very soon!!
BTW, our fundrasing site has changed, headbands are gone and baby snugli's are up 🙂
My daughter and I are praying every night for your Vivienne and that He would grant you a quick journey to China. God is SOO Good!
Praying. She is so beautiful!
I have a feeling!!! its coming
Vivi is so precious!! I know the waiting is sooo hard. Praying that you hear something soon and are able to go get her!
Most times you crack me up…many times you make me THINK…and times like this you give me chills.
I am hoping that Vivi is home before you can blink, Honey!
xoxoxo
Dita
Congratulations! Diana sent me this way…we got our LOA today too!! Maybe we'll be in China together!!
Your daughter is absolutely beautiful!
Prayers coming your way {{{{hug}}} She is so beautiful!!!
Oh, the waiting is so, so hard. I know it has to be here soon.
When you said,"And our family will be just right" the first thing I thought was, "For now!"
Keri
Oh … she is just right indeed and His timing will be just right too. You know I am praying that Hong Kong will be part of your travel schedule. What a blessing it would be to meet you face to face for the first time with Vivi in your arms!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
She is precious! Here's to a very happy new year!
And she is such an absolute doll!! Don't you think she gets cuter every picture?? Can't wait until you go GET Vivi!!
She is just absolutely without a doubt perfect!!!!
Love and blessings, Kristy
We are praying for your Art 5 and speedy TA! As for 'just right,' you should add the caveat 'for now' – LOL 🙂
Love~
Conni
Hoping and praying for her safe arrival. 🙂
And what a wonderful day it will be to have your family complete. You are such a wonderful person for everything you do for your family and so many children waiting for there families to say yes I you are the child of God I have been praying for. God Bless you Stefanie I pray that you continue to bless others one blog post at a time.
Stef~
My prayers are with you!.. We SHOULD be leaving next week but God had different plans. A document was needed that was initially not thought to be needed. My cyber travel friend is leaving next week without us. 🙁 We hope for TA next week…our article 5 was 11/18 after our info was wired on 11/7. Vivi is beautiful!
i went from virtually shedding tears to laughing so hard, the tears fell. i can actually see that left lung :O)
can't wait until it's "just right"… and can't help but wonder, will it REALLY be "just right" or is the magic number going to be TEN?
Praying that your precious girl will be home soon.
Many blessing to you!
Sarah