Thank You First Church of God in Ravenna, Ohio!

Thank you so much for your support and generosity! The church that I grew up in had a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to help us bring Robert home (Thank you Katrina and Mom, and everybody who pitched in to help, donated food, who came to the dinner, and who gave above and beyond). With the help of a few additional donations last weekend, Robert is $2,100 closer to being part of a family - yay!!!! $2,100!!! Isn't that amazing and awesome!? And to know that soooo many people are rooting for Robert to make it home is worth even more than words can describe. Grant and I have not lived in Ohio for so long that there were a lot of new faces, but I could just feel the love for our little guy from everyone that came out that day. And to hear of people, like Amanda W., who has embraced Robert and has been praying for him, is so encouraging and reassuring. Grant and I are so blessed. And I just know that Grandma and Grandpa Burrell were there too, looking down on us and rejoicing right along with us. :)

Our $751.50 Valentine!

$15.50 for parking and train ride to Chicago to Secretary of State's office for apostilles (fancy gold seals of approval - look how shiny!)
$74 for apostilles
$117 for FedEx
$500 wire transfer for translation fee
$45 wire transfer fee
Sending off the best valentine ever (our dossier) to bring home our son - Priceless!!!!

(please ignore my Chicago windblown, I-need-a-haircut do!)

We Got Our "Golden Ticket"!!!

Yep, we got it!!! Our Golden Ticket (huh, what is that!!??) Approval from U.S. Customs and Immigration to bring our little guy to the U.S. that is! It's funny how a phone call from your husband about a skinny little piece of mail can make you laugh and cry at the same time!
Now I can send all of our docs to "Robert's" country on Monday (2/14), and then we wait for a court date/travel date. Talk about having a happy Valentine's Day!