Wednesday, February 15, 2012

ARTICLE 5 APPROVAL (!!) A Move to Foster Care and Life Here in AZ

It's been a crazy, full, busy few weeks around here! First & most exciting we received Article 5 Approval early this morning....so exciting! Now we are just awaiting Travel Approval- yay!

A couple of weeks ago we received some concerning information regarding lead levels in Grace's orphanage. After doing quite a bit of research, reaching out to the specific orphanage Yahoo group, I discovered that this is a significant and ongoing (10+ years) issue. Long & short we received updated blood work that confirmed Grace has a rather high lead level. Our agency was very proactive, as was the orphanage & Grace was moved to a foster home. The positive is obvious...she is out of the environment that was causing the build up of lead in her bloodstream. The negative is that her orphanage is the only home she has known for her 20 months of life. I know that move, while positive must have been an emotionally stressful move for our girl. And, she will have another very soon when she is transitioned into our arms. So, we are praying God's protection for her health and her heart/emotional well-being. And we are so very anxious to head to China so that she can begin the big move to being settled, to finding her place with her forever family.


In the meantime, we sent another care package with a few goodies including a snuggly blanket.

And, back here in AZ our sweet Georgea girl is loving life! Thriving, talking up a storm & just filling our world with so many smiles and giggles. She really keeps us on our toes! Last Sunday she thoroughly enjoyed attending her good friend Alexa's birthday party....especially the celebratory cupcake eating!

Sometimes, when you're only 3.5 and the "party girls" are all 7 years old, you need your Mama to join you in the dance party fun! And it was my absolute pleasure, of course.

Showing her independence! She only needed me for about 5 minutes & enjoyed the rest of the dancing and games "on her own." She let me slip out into the hall. I'm amazed daily at how her confidence level continues to grow. She's getting ready to be a super-star big sister!

5 comments:

Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10 said...

Congrats on the Art 5!!! You are SOOO close!
Liv needs a Georgia fix. Maybe Sunday.
nancy

Debbie said...

Amy CONGRATS!!!!!! So excited and looking forward to your next step closer to Grace :)

Aus said...

WOW - a month maybe 6 weeks at the outside for travel?? or has the timeline changed? Regardless - HOORAH!!

And yeah - Georgea will be a world class Jei Jei!!

hugs - aus and co.

Sue said...

Just seeing this post for the first time...I'm so behind!

Loved having Georgea at the big girl's party. Alexa was really thrilled to have her celebrate with her. You guys rocked out those dance moves!

That cupcake photo will always be a favorite of mine. ; )

Sue

Kristi said...

Half of our travel group had JiangXi babies and all had elevated lead levels. It wasn't something at the orphanage though. The area produces ceramics and the water is tainted with lead as a result. All of the girls' lead levels quickly came down once they were home. If the levels stay high your doctor can help you with chelation.

Your daughter is adorable!