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!