64 days and counting....

64 days and counting since I have seen her sweet face and held her in my arms. Found out a few weeks ago that her group had chicken pox, but she had not had them yet. Pretty sure she has by now though. So wish I could have been there to take care of her..The good news is our I800 was approved. However, our I800A expires on February 15. At this point, I am really hoping we travel before then, but seems like we are not going to make that. Have to file for an extension of at least our fingerprints. I have lost count of how many times we have been fingerprinted for this! More than most criminals I am sure! Please everyone pray that we get good news after the holiday and our Article 5 letter gets issued quickly. Then signatures from MOJ and off to court. Each step can take 4 weeks. Hope not!! Missing her so much. I am collecting clothes for the orphange when we return, which I have mentioned before, so anyone having any 4T and bigger kids clothes boy or girl, summer or winter to donate, let me know. I have a HUGE suitcase to fill. I have also rearranged her room about 1000 times and bought a few surprises for when we get home. Christmas has been keeping me busy, and I am so excited about going back for her but there is a sadness in my heart that we wont be together for Christmas. I really hope some of my friends who have adopted from Bulgaria can give me some advice on how to get through this time apart. Hope everyone has a wonderful Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, and I will update when I hear any more. So cant wait to share her beautiful face with everyone.

We have been away from her for 37 days today. Will give everyone our time line so far. We received our official referral and travel dates on October 3, 2011 and left for Bulgaria on October 9, 2011. We returned home on October 16, 2011. I-800 was sent by AA on October 30, 2011. Reveived by USCIS lockbox on October 2, 2011. It is currently with our USCIS agent awaiting approval hopefully this week. Praying nothing is amiss! Will update on that as soon as I hear. Once that is done, it is one big step closer! It has been SO hard to be apart. I have looked at her pictures and watched the video hundreds of times. It helps some, but there is an emptiness in my heart right now. With the holidays coming up it will keep me busy, but it she is always on my mind. Does she understand we had to leave her and that it was not our choice? Does she miss us or think about us? After meeting her caregivers, I am quite sure she is being cared for. I am sure those of you who have been through this already know what I am talking about. I can't even explain how much she touched our hearts and how much we love her already! Hoping to have a court date scheduled by the end of the year, but I know that is probably not going to happen. Will update again when the I800 is  approved.

Wishing I was in Bulgaria today, as it is Kaytis birthday today. It is the last one we will spend apart though I hope...Have packed and repacked over the past 48 hours. The weather is supposed to be warm, but rainy while we are there, but thats ok as I will have my sunshine! Have many things to do before we leave to keep me busy...Thats a good thing.

Where to begin telling our adoption tale...We started this journey in February 2009. It has been a LONG road to the point we are. We have had many curves and bumps along the way. I am sure when we see and hold our little girl for the first time, all of the past two years will be forgot. Well, maybe not forgot, but wayyy in the back of our minds. We are beyond excited to be traveling to Bulgaria this weekend and I wanted to create a blog to keep everyone at home updated. I have probably had every emotion run through me in the past 24 hours from excitement to sheer terror. I know Dale probably has too! Will try to write more before we go...