Precious Christmas Update Photos...

Taken by Kristi.

Merry Christmas...

May it be blessed!!

This is our Chloe, reciting Luke 2:1-14 from memory.

Goodbye, MOI....

We are OUT! Just in time. The Haitian offices closed today and do not re-open until January 7th. This is the only Christmas gift for which I had been hoping & praying. We're beyond thrilled.

What does this mean? Asa is approved for a passport. The passport printing process can take a few weeks. As far as I know, that wait will not begin until the offices open again in January. Once his passport is printed, our file is submitted to USCIS, where an orphan investigation is performed. I'm uncertain on the time-frame for that one.... sometimes it's weeks, sometimes it's over a month (or longer). Our representatives in Haiti have been working tirelessly, though, and it seems like most families from our orphanage have been on the lower end of that wait. We're incredibly grateful for their diligence! Finally, the visa appointment is scheduled, his visa is issued and we go to pick up our precious little boy!!! We are {finally} just a few short steps away. It's almost unreal to even type that and a part of me is actually a little nervous to do so (because it's international adoption and anything can happen). But we have faith. It's feeling closer.

In other amazing news: FOUR children from Asa's creche came home this week!

Update From Haiti...

Kristi is visiting her adorable little boy in Haiti right now, and here's her sweet update on Asa:

Asa Mack- He's just him as sweet as ever I played a ton with him and Ko-Lou last night. He points to your photos and says mama!!

Asa's third birthday was last Friday so Kristi was kind enough to take down some little things we had for him. He loves 'ma-chines' so we sent three toy cars, along with some fruit leather (grape - which is always his favorite when I visit) and a mini-photo album of our family. I really hope that he understands, on some level, how much he is loved.

I've talked to a few people recently who said that, out of the blue, they've felt lead to pray for our son. We feel so blessed to have friends and family who continue to hope and pray with us for God's perfect timing in every aspect of Asa's adoption. THANK YOU!! We are truly grateful.

November's Update Photo...

Is absolutely precious. I'm so disappointed that I already had our Christmas cards printed, because this picture would have been perfect.

He's grown since October. I can tell by the shirt, which is one that I've seen the older boys wear. It says something like "Who needs the lotto, I got grandma!" I'm sure our moms will be thrilled to hear that Asa prefers them to state sanctioned gambling.