Christmas, etc.

Not much new to report here, but here are some mini updates:

Paperwork -   I am working hard on getting all of my paperwork complete.  I have several background checks that have been sent, just waiting on results to come back.  I need to do just a few more things and I will be ready to go paperwork wise on my end.  After my background checks come back, I will begin my homestudy.  Once my homestudy is complete, I will submit paperwork for immigration approval.  That wait is at about 60 days currently.  I have heard it could be speeding up; I'm just praying it doesn't slow down!  Once that comes back, and when the rest of my dossier paperwork is complete (which it just about is!), then I will be ready to submit my dossier!  When my dossier is submitted will determine, to some extent, when I will travel.  I still expect it to be around April or May before I can submit my dossier.  As I have said before, I need to be DTC by May 27, which is less than 5 months now.  I think it is doable and my social worker thinks so too, so that's good news!  (Once my dossier is submitted, it is about 4-6 months to travel.  One piece of paperwork for people that had been really long is speeding up again too, so I am really hopeful to be on the 4-5 month end.  But I am expecting that there will be a delay in there somewhere.)


Ella - nothing new to report.  Lots of people have asked about an update.  My understanding is that when I get my Letter of Approval (LOA) my agency may request another update; they also will request one right before I travel.  So as much as it stinks, for now no news is good news I suppose!  I know she is well cared for and loved.

Puzzle - We have 61 pieces left!  I am so excited for it to be finished.  I cannot wait to get it sealed, framed, and see the back with everyone's names.  It is going to be really fantastic.  If you haven't participated yet but are interested, here are the details {Ella's Puzzle Fundraiser}.  You can donate through the secure donation website {here}.  The puzzle was initially started as a fundraiser to help cover my initial agency fee; the remainder of the funds from the puzzle will go toward my homestudy fee of $1700.

Christmas - Christmas is always fun with my nieces and nephew, but this year it had an element of anticipation.  "Next Christmas..." was a common thought in my mind.  It was a restful time and I got some very nice gifts.  Ella got some books, a toothbrush and toothpaste, Q-tips, soap, and lotion.  I appreciate my mom going very practical on Ella's gifts this year.  :)

One of the sweetest gifts I've ever received was the gift from my brother's family this year.  Upon finding out about Ella, my eleven-year-old niece Jenna wanted to do something to help.  She has been secretly (which is SO HARD FOR HER) been knitting scarves for the last month and selling them to raise money to help bring Ella home.  I got my own scarf, plus the money Jenna had raised!  It was such a thoughtful thing for her to do.  She is so excited about her cousin coming home and was so excited to be able to help.  She wants to continue to do it, so I will post more details on that soon.

I am hoping and praying that things continue to move as quickly as they have so far.  I can't wait to have this baby home sometime in 2014!