Pooh for Ava Lu

We sent our package off to Ava Lu at the orphanage on Friday. Included in the package is a Winnie the Pooh for Ava Lu, a small photo album with family pictures that we hope her caregivers show her, a disposable camera (that we hope they take pictures of her with while she waits for us over the next month) and a few gifts for her caregivers.

It was so fun to think of sending something to our daughter and truly hope that she receives the items we sent for her.

We do not have any further news on our travel dates yet. We sent all of our Visa paperwork in last week as well. More to come hopefully soon.

Jim and Michelle

Ava Lu's pictures

We received Ava Lu's packet today. It's the best delivery we've ever received. Jim and I could hardly wait to open the FedEx envelope and see our baby girl. Oh my goodness - wait till you see Ava's precious face!

Our referral pictures are below.

We love her so much!!!! The promise has come true.

Thanks so much for sharing in our joy,

Jim and Michelle

Referral Day!!!!!

We are so excited and can hardly believe the day has come - news about our baby, Ava Lu. We received the call from our agency today and have the referral information on our daughter.

Name: Jiang Mei Yu
From: Dianjianj Social Welfare Institute, Chongqing (picture of the SWI - orphanage is above)
DOB: May 19, 2005
She's been at the Dianjianj SWI since May 20, 2005
Weight in Aug 2006: 16.7 LBS
Height in Aug 2006: 28 inches
She has seven teeth
They say she is a deep sleeper, able to stand, can put blocks in and out of cups, covers the top of bottles with caps, likes to smile and is active (oh no!).

We'll receive our referral packet with photos tomorrow. We'll post them to our site hopefully tomorrow.

Thank you, God, for an answer to prayer.

Michelle

Progress on the room

We've made some progress on the room and continue our work to make it just right. The walls are all now painted, the furniture is in and the sewing. . . . well, it continues! Also, all the finishing touches still need to be done - complete the crown moulding, hang the chandelier, hang the drapes and artwork and repaint the ceiling. The room will be complete this month, in time for the arrival of our girl.

You can see from the pictures the progress we've made. It's coming along quite nicely and will be such a warm, cheerful room when it's done.

Jim and Michelle

Christmas in San Francisco!

We were able to go to San Francisco and spend Christmas at Robert's house. It was a great time - we really enjoyed the escape to the City and being with family. And. . . even Ava Lu received some Christmas gifts!

We're looking forward to 2007 and a new year filled with joy, happiness and our gift from China. Our promise from God is this - Prov. 25:25, "Like water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a distant land."

We'll be posting our referral pictures and news whenever we receive it. . . stay tuned.

Blessings to you all,

Michelle