Say it with me: L---O---A!!!!!!!!!!t

Yesterday was a phenomenal day. Our Fedex package with our LOA came! And to top it off, so did a package of hairbows for sweet Tessa, from her cousins McCall and Baylor! This Mommy had a lot of fun opening packages yesterday. So last night I got to work in the office, having Eric sign everything, and me triple checking every document. This is the last big round of paperwork. Now all the work revolves around getting her room ready and preparing for travel in a few months. THEN, the real work begins. We have the honor and privilege of parenting this sweet child.

A little inspiration in the office:

See this folks? This is the long awaiting LOA! This means China has reviewed everything we've sent and we have been officially approved by their government to be Tessa's forever family! BIG news!

Sweet girls passport sized pics to go along with her US visa application. This was her original photo in her referral file.

Did I tell you we finally decided on her full name?

Tessa Ilene Qiaohui Kirsch

Ilene is my maternal grandma's name, and we are so excited for Tessa to share her name. She died when I was in 9th grade, and we were extremely close. I know she's smiling down from heaven as we walk on this journey. We are keeping Tessa's Chinese name as a second middle name. We feel that she should always have that part of her heritage. (I know all you southerners are freaking out about how we'll monogram. It'll just be the first two names. Tessa Ilene.)
This is also being mailed today. It head to the US government to officially approve our family for Tessa. It's kinda like step two to something we did back in April and May.

Another shout out for our agency!
All of the above is being overnighted today. Next: Mine and Eric's visa applications to travel to China. This actually has nothing to do with the adoption, it's something all visitors to China need.
So, What's next?

The I800 takes around 3 weeks to get approved. They then cable the info to the NVC (National Visa Center), and our Article 5 can be dropped off in China. That takes two weeks, and we'll then begin the wait for our TA. (Travel Approval) Once we get that, we can make our consulate appointment and book flights! We are still looking at December or January:-)