Wednesday, January 16, 2013

We Have Our Travel Date!!!

We have an official travel date to go and get Ava!!!  On February 13th we will be headed to China to finally meet our beautiful daughter.  Our Travel Approval came through last week and Holt was able to secure government appointments for the February 15th travel dates.

Due to Chinese New Year, booking government appointments proved to be a difficult task but luckily they were able to make it happen. Our tickets are bought for a February 13th departure and we arrive in Beijing on February 14th.  We will spend 2 days in Beijing touring and getting to know Holt staff and other adoptive families.  On Sunday, February 17th we fly to Shanghai AND on February 18th we meet Ava!!!  To say we are excited would be the biggest understatement ever.  We cannot wait for Ava to join our family forever!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Merry Christmas Ava

It has been a blessed Christmas for our family.  My heart is overwhelmed by the love we feel from our families for us and for Ava.  It makes me sad for those who are not surrounded by people that love them this Christmas.  I pray that my actions show those people love everyday~this is by God's strength alone. 


A family of 4 :)

We spent Friday through Christmas with my side of the family.  It was WONDERFUL.  We were blessed with time to just hang out this Christmas.  So many years we find ourselves running here and there and feeling so stressed.  We had a blast~playing games, watching movies and football, a little shopping, and some serious cooking.  So many fun memories were made.  And as for Miss Ava, she is definitely part of this family already.  She will be the first grandchild on this side of the family and they are SO EXCITED!  It's not out of the ordinary for mom and I to break down into tears just talking about our anticipation to meeting Ava.  She was not only blessed with a big stack of gifts, but also a meal made in honor of her. 
Making Pork Dumplings
 
A Chinese Feast in Honor of Ava: Pork Dumplings, Mongolian Beef, Fried Rice, and Rangoon
 
The family: a little blurry and Jack is singing to us :)
 

Ava's pile of presents
 
Ava's first KState Cheerleader Dress
 
We spent the last weekend with Matt's side of the family.  We had a blast!  Grandma and Grandpa Fuller's house is a busy one when we are all home: 9 adults, 4 kids, and 5 dogs!!  Our nephews are at a really fun age.  They are really funny and are understanding more and more all the time.  We had a blast running around the farm house with them and playing tractors.  I absolutely can't wait for Ava to join this crazy group.  Kaden and Cooper talk about Ava like she's already here!  Again, I think Ava got so many gifts.  She is so loved! 
 
My silly (and handsome) nephews: Cooper and Kaden

Seriously?!  I think we're all crazy spoiled!

Carson helping me open presents

Addie and Uncle Matt: she is the sweetest, happiest baby

Jack guarding Ava's loot
 
It's a great feeling knowing that Ava will be with us and will be able to open her own gifts next year.  And will be running around crazy with her cousins as they show her the ropes of the Fuller Farm.  And will be "helping" us cook during the next cooking adventure with the Angells.  She is going to fit right in and we are all so ready!!!