We got our LOI!!!!

Yesterday morning we received out letter of invitation to travel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We did not expect it to come yesterday and are still in complete shock - it still seems surreal that we will be traveling in the next 1-2 weeks and will meet our baby so soon.

Sooo much to do, so little time...so many more gifts to buy, so much to pack, so much to get ready....

Our visa applications are on their way to the Kaz. embassy in Wash. DC - we'll get those back next week and once we have them we can go...

Here's how the process works:

Trip #1 - 2-3 weeks - we have a 14-day bonding period with the baby, and once that's done the Dept. of Education in Taraz will (hopefully!) recommend us for adoption..

Trip #2 - About a month after we come home from Trip #1 - we go back for our court hearing at which point (hopefully!) our adoption is approved.

Trip #3 - Patrick will go back by himself 2-3 weeks after we come home from Trip #2. He will go to Taraz, get the baby, go to the US Embassy in Almaty for final approval of the adoption and then bring the baby home...

It's a long process - but it will all be worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!