Finally.......the highly anticipated update and .pdf!

And there you have it! Our first picture of a happy Mariah, or as we learned, PingPing!(Details on that are below!) Not that she is not a happy baby, we just have not seen that in pictures. This was a picture taken of her for the update that we requested. 


Twelve very long days after our provisional immigration approval, we finally received our .pdf! This basically is an electronic approval of our immigration petition. From here it will be hand delivered to the US Embassy in Guangzhou. Here the visa application is reviewed to ensure that Mariah meets the qualifications for an immigrant visa. Once this is approved (which is a standard 2 week timeline), they will issue us our Article 5. This will officially begin our TA wait (Travel Approval). Right now, TAs are taking right around 14 days. Then we confirm our swearing in appointment at the consulate and get on a plane to China!!!! 


We are getting close! We are excited beyond belief!


This past weekend was spent shopping. The best part.....Jeremy was thrilled to do it! I have to admit that we had a little sticker-shock. We ended up buying Mariah's crib mattress, carseat, crib sheets, stroller, and a few more outfits. Then we had to get new shoes for all four kids. Wow! Both of my older boys have moved into men's shoe sizes! Becca's shoe size is almost the same as mine. At least Ben still has a while to catch anyone. 


With all of that shopping done, I feel like we still have so much more to do. My recommended shopping list from my agency is slowly being checked off. I still need to find a good baby carrier for us to use in China. Two are recommended but due to my "height challenge", one is really recommended for my use. I will hold off a couple of more weeks then bite that bullet, happily!


We received an email late Sunday night. It was one that I was hoping to get but not certain I would ever receive. We ordered an update on Mariah a couple of weeks ago and we were able to get two pictures and a few measurements. We had asked several questions but were not sure we would get those answers. I smiled hugely when I read what words she is saying.....Mama, Baba (Chinese for Dada), and granny! I know four women that the term "granny" will apply in Mariah's life. Jeremy and I each have a grandmother living and of course our mothers. It was such a happy quick email. 


We also learned that she still takes a bottle for water, and has been well this winter. One of the cutest things we learned was Mariah's nickname. I asked what they call her and the answer to that question is, "The nannies often call her PingPing. " 


The photos that I posted last week have already been printed up as my brag book. Then we sent those pictures to both sets of grandparents in Pennsylvania to be picked up at their Walmart. I think my mom takes that photo album out and shows just about everyone. Let's just say that the greeter at Walmart helped my mom shop for Mariah, gave my mom her work schedule, and asked for my mom to bring Mariah in to see her once we get home. My mom has also been asked for me to bring Mariah to her bank and a few other places. We already have a full schedule......in Pennsylvania!


We have been blessed again as we were completely surprised to find a grant approval in our mailbox on Friday. We received another $1000 toward our adoption expenses. Truly, this is unbelievable! 


We had bothered so many of our friends to provide these recommendation letters. Here are just a few that helped us......Marty (several times over), Caleb, Heather, Sharon, Susie, Carol, Christina, Precilla, Mandy, Tim, Pat/Kristin, and Marvin/Jeannie. We solicited our close friends and neighbors for these letters and without these letters our journey would be a lot more stressful, not to mention expensive. 


We also were awarded a matching grant through Lifesong back in January. We applied for an interest-free loan but they did not have the funds for that program. They did, however, offer us the $2500 matching grant. We struggled with considering this offer then decided we should move forward. The grant was not just matched, it was doubled!!! Our total funds raised for that grant so far has been $4930 (on Sunday someone mentioned they were sending in some more to add to the grant) then it was matched by Lifesong up to $2500 for a grant total of $7430! We are blessed with generous family and friends. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for making the difference in the life of Mariah. Thanks to you all, she will now know the love of a Mama and Baba and 4 siblings that already adore her. Not to mention the grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins anxious to meet her. I would be remiss not to mention our church family as well. You all mean so much to us as we have seen you cry along with us. Some of you have made us cry! This journey is very real to you all as well and we love you!


Thanks to everyone's generosity, we will be able to complete this adoption without incurring any additional debt! As we review our finances, we are so very close! We never would have dreamed to complete this adoption without debt! 


And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.                                                                                           Luke 18:27