Updates!

We received new pictures and measurements today on our little boy! He has grown a little, and that makes this mama happy!

Height (cm)	Weight (kg)	Head Size (cm)	Chest Size (cm)	Feet Length (cm)
90	11.5	49	47	13

Article 5

Our Article 5 came out today! YAY! This means that our paperwork will be going in for TA (travel approval) next. The TA's have been running from 8-14 days, but with the Chinese New Year celebration in there, I would imagine we are expecting 3 weeks until TA, and then we will request a consulate appointment and book travel!

We are coming soon little boy!

Amie

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby!

Jaxon Lee (Pan Xin Wei)

Happy 4th Birthday to you! We have been dreaming of hugging you on your 4th birthday, but God decided it wasn't time yet! We love you and pray that you are having a happy day, and will see you VERY soon!

I pray that you will feel the thoughts, love, and prayers surround you on your special day because more people than you can imagine love you VERY VERY VERY much, and cannot wait to meet you.

It is unbelievable how our God can form a bond of love through faith and pictures alone, but I promise you, it is here!

I pray daily for your protection, and for you to feel the love that we have for you, and know we are coming soon to get you. I also pray for your caretakers, who have been there for you for the first 48 months of your life, and for your birth parents, who for unknown reasons had to take a step to miss out on your spectacular personality and life.

Night before last, your sister, Audrie, said that Jaxon's booty was crying and that I needed to wipe your tears like I wipe hers. Oh, honey, I wish I could reach that far!

Love your Momma (AKA Cinderella)


Thank you, God, for my children.... though some believe these are unconventional methods, we know this is your plan for us and for our beautiful children, and praise you for the road less traveled by!

Your loving child,

Amie

Only a minor hiccup....

Well, we received our LOA, and forwarded to USCIS for Provisional Approval, only to find out that the LOA was issued under Pan Xin Xei instead of Pan Xin Wei. CCCWA was very quick to reissue and email the letter, so it only was a minor delay.

We received provisional approval on Monday, December 19, and are currently awaiting our NVC letter!

PROGRESS IS GOOD!

L!O!A!

The long awaited piece of paper arrived this week. It was surreal since we have been waiting so long for this paper. Betty called on Tuesday morning at a little after 9 am, and before noon we were in Evansville picking up the LOA, and mailing it to Lewisville, TX.

I am excited to report that our documents made it to USCIS (US Immigration by 9:58 am on Wednesday!) We do not want to waste any time that we could be squeezing our little boy!

So, at last the end to the LOA wait... 4 and a half months (140 days to be exact)!

On a side note: I really thought the LOA was coming on Monday, so I was pretty down in the dumps on Monday night...thinking HOW MUCH MORE CAN I TAKE, LORD? Then, I was so wishing for the LOA on Tuesday that I actually opened up Audrie's scanned LOA and just looked it it, then commented to my work study that I needed to have my phone on my desk today. Soon after, the phone rang. God is GOOD!

Most commonly asked question for the last 8 and a half months.... "When do you get to go get him?"
Finally, we have a fairly accurate approximation: we can expect approximately 3 more months until Travel. So, we are thinking probably March.

Oh, Jax, we are gonna get you soon!

AND, I forgot to add the fact that it was SNOWING like crazy on our way to Evansville, roads actually oddly....got slick. By the time we left Evansville, it was all clear and roads were just wet. We were determined to move that paper on and nothing was stopping us!

God is Good!

A friend who is adopting right now and I were discussing.... fundraisers, and how we are going to fund this adoption.

SIDE NOTE: In case you were wondering, Yes, we knew how much the adoption would cost when we signed up (we did this once before)...BUT we did it anyway.

She said she had applied for a couple of grants and gave me names for these foundations. I searched and found one that seemed like a good fit for us.

I applied. I was really out of my comfort zone because, if you know me, I am really not good at asking for money. My foundation of who I am.... is if I cannot afford it, I shouldn't do it, or I will have to work some more if I can do this....I pride myself (Yes, I said pride) on not asking anyone for handouts. It is who I am.

God tells me he will break down my pride, and I truly believe our second adoption had a lesson for me in the background. PS... I am listening and taking notes!:-)

I really did not have any idea what I was "really" applying for, but I felt like I needed to apply. I got together references, obtained pastoral endorsement, and provided an essay with a description of how adoption impacts our life. I received a response the same day that they received all of our materials that our file would be reviewed by the end of October and we would have a decision by the beginning of November.

Well, this Tuesday we found out that we had received a grant! Not only had we received a grant, but it is exactly how much we needed. We have paid several expenses already, received some generous donations, saved a LOT, and it still wasn't enough until we got the email on Tuesday. Some may say that the foundation figured exactly what we needed, but I think there was a much bigger plan than any of us can imagine.

Now we know for sure, Jaxon is meant to be with our family. You cannot imagine how much you question yourself in a situation like this... BUT, God answered those questions this week.

Thanks to all of you who have been supportive through encouraging words, prayer, cards, and gifts. These are huge, life-altering decisions that need to be made, and any kind of support is helpful.

Love,
The Mayhalls

National Adoption Month

November is officially National Adoption Month, and while we are waiting for our LOA, I thought it a would be a good idea to post a little information about adoption.

"This is a time for us to be in prayer for the orphan in adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry. Most everyone you meet today has been or has known someone affected by the blessing of adoption whether domestic or international."

This is a quote from an article by Melissa Hovey. It is a great article and available for your reading pleasure at:
http://www.reporternews.com/news/2011/oct/29/asking-about-adoption/

We are blessed to be able to adopt our children, yet there are many more who have not found their forever families. As we prepare to spend the holidays with our families and friends, please take time to remember those who are not as fortunate as we are, and do not have forever families to share with and enjoy.

Lastly, please be supportive of those of us in adoptive situations, and understand that by being "supportive", I am not referring to $. There are lots of challenges and opportunities that are unique to the adoptive family. We can use encouraging words, listening ears, and most of all prayers from our friends and families. Your support means more than I can ever express.

Love,
Amie