Wow. Crazy sauce.
Since I put the phone down with my agency yesterday it’s been seriously non-stop. I mean, take the head-spinning craziness of getting TA and add Christmas Eve chaos and you’ve got a taste of what it’s been like around here.
Add to that the fact that Asher and I don’t have visas.
And I don’t have a POA to travel alone.
Thankfully, we’ll have both those soon. I’m incredibly grateful that FedEx runs on Christmas Eve. And that the folks at the Assistant Stork know exactly what they’re doing.
We are tentatively set to jet out of here January 8th.
And meet Vivi January 11th.
We won’t know until Monday if our Consulate Appointment request for the 19th is accepted. Then things will get really crazy with booking flights and packing and finishing Vivi’s room and packing and prepping the kids and packing.
Pretty much running around doing all the things I should have been doing while I was waiting.
Thanks for your sweet comments… I’ve loved reading every one. Wish I could tuck all you guys in my pocket and take you to China with me. That would be fun.
Stacy says
Very exciting! Merry Christmas!
Journeymark Cards & Gifts says
Oh Stephanie, this news warms my heart. Thank you for letting us be a part of your journey with you. What a beautiful Christmas blessing.
Julie says
So awesome! God is awesome!
Anonymous says
wow amazing can't wait to follow along
Anonymous says
I'm SO, SO excited for you! What a Christmas gift!!!
Virginia and Doug says
Wow, I'm so excited that you have dates!! Doesn't it feel great?! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Gin =)
Courtney says
Congratulations. What a wonderful Christmas present!
Colleen says
Congrats on the TA!!! What a Christmas blessing!!!
Have a Merry Christmas sweet friend!!!!
The Gang's Momma! says
YAY! So excited for you all. So excited to follow you through the whole thing. Thanks for sharing the good news, on this the craziest day of the year ๐
Merry Merry to Y'all!!!!!
adoptionroad says
Merry Christmas AND a Happy New Year indeed! What great news! Praying for peace in midst of the craziness!
Lost and Found says
What a WONDERFUL Christmas gift. Is this Asher's first trip over? What a wonderful mother/son experience this will be. I'm SO happy for you, Chris and the whole crew.
Karin says
Wow…how exciting!!! I have butterflies in my stomach just re-living those we-got-TA-now-we-are-running-like-crazy moments with you! What an amazing Christmas gift for you all this year! ๐
Cindy says
Wow! We will be in China the same time! Maybe I will see you and Vivi in China!
Merry Christmas!
Cindy
Mike and Barb says
I'm so happy for you! What a great Christmas present!
Barb
Deanna, (aka Dj, and Deej.) says
This is so exciting! Go and get that sweet Vivi! What a great Christmas gift for all of you!
Janet and Kevin says
So happy for you! We should be right behind you in China (still waiting for our TA) – just like our first trip with Philip – you guys were there by about a week before us bringing home Shepherd!
Praising God for your good news!
In Christ on Christmas –
Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and waiting our little Eli
Team Houston says
Wow, Merry Christmas!! I wish I was going with you to bring home a little brother for our family….some day….
I can't wait to watch your journey!
xoxo Michele
val says
A beautiful Christmas gift………….congratulations. Merry Christmas to you & your beautiful family.
DiJo says
As Shrek would say… "Take Me, Take Me!!"
Can't wait to follow in your footsteps soon!!
Merry Christmas Stef! WOOHOO
~Diana
Doug and Terrye says
May not fit in your pocket…but you can carry all our love and joy in your heart ๐
Merry Christmas
Laura says
Oh, I am so excited for you!! I can't wait to "follow along" on your trip!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year – I know it will be! ๐
Desiree' says
So happy for you!! Wish I could tag along and pick up my girl…
Merry Christmas
Rachel says
So excited for you! Merry Christmas!
Cynthia says
That is awesome!! I can't wait to watch from here!!! Will be praying for a smooth trip!
Jenny says
I'm beyond excited for you!!! Merry Merry Christmas!
Sally- That Girl! says
Can't wait to be part of another journey of yours!!! What a great way to start your celebration of our Lord's birth!!!
3 Peanuts says
Oh Stefanie!!! That is THE BEST Christmas gift EVER! I am so excited for you.
I will pray that all of the visas and permission fall into place easily.
I must tell you here something that happened on Christmas Eve. I had felt sure that our family was complete but lately I feel a nudge here and there to adopt again. I am not sure where or how old or anything but I was sure that my husband was DEAD SET against it. He feels that I/we have our hands full. Last night, I was reading your incredible Christmas letter and card and Dave walked in…I casually mentioned what an incredible family you are and how much YOU inspire me. He sat down, looked at the card, counted and recounted ALL of those kiddos, read the letter, and said….If I were younger and you would agree to move into a less expensive house and you really want to adopt again…maybe I would consider it. THAT IS HUGE! I am not saying we are there yet but after reading your letter and card (and months of my prayer), his heart is opening a little bit. So, see what wonderful little things you do with your love. Merry Christmas and THANK you for that card…it was quite a gift.
Cindy M says
So happy for you, Stefanie!! And the treat for all of us is to get to enjoy your journey with you! You're so much better a blogger than me…and you have twice as many kids! Wishing I could go along and bring home another little one myself…safe travels. I'll keep your family in my prayers!
TanyaLea says
So awesome!! I couldn't be happier for all of you. Hopefully you are one of those people who works well under pressure…I'm think'in that with of those kiddos at home,that you're an expert by now! ๐
SOOOOOOOO excited to follow along on your travels…wish I could stow away!! ๐
Blessings,
~ Tanya
Stephanie says
YAY! As usual will be following along with EXCITEMENT as you go for Miss Vivi! Gotta love Assistant Stork for always being so on top of it! Merry Christmas to you!!
Jean says
Stefanie, I am so excited for you and your family!! Wow!! I can't believe the time has come to meet your sweet daughter!!
What a wonderful Christmas present!!
Tracey says
I love this kind of news! I have goosebumps right now from reading your exciting post! Merry Christmas & have fun preparing for your trip!
cat says
oh how exciting! what a great Christmas present for the family- news! can't wait to hear all about this journey.
living4him5 says
So excited to follow your journey to China again!!!
Merry Christmas!!
Love and hugs,
Amy
Annie says
Awesome Stefanie!!!! Cannot wait to see sweet Vivi in your arms!!!
Michelle says
WOW!! Jan. 8?!? Seems so crazy that you wait, and wait… and wait some more… and then they give you so little time to get your flights and all of those last-minute details. But hey, Vivi is waiting for you, so I know you will make it happen!!
So happy for you!!
KT says
oh SO happy for you! I will be following your journey
Your family is an inspiration:)
Can't wait until we get our LID with China! Our documents could be on there way next week.
Anyway, enough about me
Vivi is a blessed child,and you are a blessed family to have a big family. I love it!
Happy Packing!
Sarah says
You'll meet Vivi on my cousin's birthday (& a month befor mine). So awesome. Let the Vivi countdown begin!
*Overflowing* says
Well, since you can't tuck us in your pocket & take us to China could you PLEASE tuck a little boy around the age of 3 or 4 in your pocket and bring him home for us???
Alyson & Ford says
Congratulations! Things will move very fast…hang on!
Alyzabeth's Mommy
Chelley says
what an amazing Christmas wish granted