where are we? I know you are asking

So, where are we? Well, in a nutshell: We LID'd (received our Log In Date) back in July and then that started our LOA (Letter of Acceptance / Letter Seeking Confirmation) wait. Then, as most of you know, 68 days later we received that magical envelope that our stork delivered : 

our stork :) 

Most of the time, people are counting down the days during their LOA wait. I'm talking like stalking their email...recounting days. It gets a little crazy. (it's kind of like that 3 minute wait when you take a pregnancy test...and you just don't know what the answer is going to be...except this 3 minute wait is more of 60-100 days). Well, we needed more room and the perfect house became available to rent...so we moved. And THAT'S what I did with my wait. lol We moved. Not everything is unpacked. Nothing is really finished (pictures aren't on the walls or anything). oh - and many have asked...we're still working on the kids room. They'll be sharing a room (it's big!) and we're going to have twin beds in there. I'll share pictures when it's done...but don't hold your breath for that to happen soon! lol  I'm hoping to finish unpacking boxes soon. But I'm getting there. SLOWLY, but surely. :)  Meanwhile, adoption stuff is happening as we are cleaning the house and moving. Citizenship paperwork is being filled out and sent to the appropriate place, work is picking up as the busy season starts, and fundraisers are happening. (At one point I actually had to tell someone, "please be patient with me. I'm not operating at 100%...I need a 30 second processing delay to comprehend what you just asked me". ridiculous, yes. necessity, YES)

And now...as of Monday the last chunk of paperwork was picked up from the consulate in China. That paperwork said that Austin is approved to be a US Citizen when he comes home. PRAISE GOD! Now that paperwork got forwarded to the official agency in China that oversees all adoption in that country. GUESS WHAT WE ARE WAITING ON.... 

WE ARE OFFICIALLY WAITING ON OUR TRAVEL APPROVAL!!!!! 
this is the last step yall. THE LAST STEP. (other than getting on the plane) This means that we could get the call in the next 2 weeks saying we are getting on a plane. We are experiencing every emotion that you think we would be. We're excited. happy. sad. nervous. anxious. over joyed. curious. EVERYTHING. I've been told that this is the most excruciating point...you're so close...but just don't know when the next thing is going to happen. It's kind of like when you're 38 weeks pregnant and you're just ready. Ready to meet this person you've been praying for and preparing for. And you know that your water might break...but where will you be? How will it happen? Are you going to freak out or remain calm? You're cleaning everything in sight. nesting like crazy...scatterbrained like crazy. 

WE ARE ALMOST THERE.