Still Waiting on Travel Authorization

At the end of last week, the CCAA shut down for Chinese New Year. They are closed all of this week as well. So, we will not get our travel authorization until sometime next week (at least we hope we'll get it then).

Next week, Maddie will be 8 months old. Even though we have so much to do before we travel, it is hard to be here when she is there and turning another month older. While we don't know for sure, we estimate that we will probably travel around the first of March. About the time she gets placed in our arms, she will be almost 9 months old.

This part of the wait is getting more difficult by the day. Both Doug and I are having a difficult time sleeping or staying asleep. The other night both of us woke up at 2 AM and couldn't go back to sleep. Maddie is at the forefront of our thoughts every moment of every day. We are both blessed to be busy enough at work to have that as a distraction. That makes time go by a little faster. However, when I think of the fact that it will probably be another 4 weeks before we travel, it feels like time is almost standing still and I get just a little nutso.

Our friend Susan bought Maddie's first winter coat - a red wool cape. It is the most darling coat. Tuesday morning before going back to Atlanta (for work), Doug opened up her closet, took out the coat, and just stared at it for awhile. Then he said, "I can just see her wearing this to church with her dress and little white tights." Maddie isn't even here yet and she already has Daddy wrapped around her little finger!! Yes, our Dougie is a big old softie! :)

Maddie - we'll be there soon! Daddy and I are sending all our love on the wings of a prayer from half a world away.