LOA...Yay!!!!

That's right! We got our LOA today. We were out back attempting (emphasis on the word attempting) to build Aiden and Ethan's :) new play set when my phone rang at 3:27. I glanced down at it, and the caller ID read Holt, OR. It is amazing how many thoughts can race through your head in a split second. With eyes wide, I whispered to Troy, "It's Holt, OREGON!" Hope warred with dread. So, what has gone so dreadfully wrong that they're calling instead of emailing? Was it good news? How could it be? We just got out of translation a week ago today, and I was told it should take about 4 weeks for our paperwork to work its way through "in-process." Then again, crazier things have happened in the adoption world. Did we have our LOA? All of these thoughts and emotions ripped through me at lightning speed, in the 10 steps it took me to walk into the basement.

"May I speak to Diane or Troy Sturgeon, please?"
"This is Diane."
"Diane, this is Kristen with Holt, and I have some VERY good news to share with you...."

Everything after that is a blur. I quite literally, to my dismay and chagrin, dropped to my knees and sobbed. I did at one point tell Kristen to hold on while I composed myself, but that never really happened. At least I stopped crying and was able to put together a coherent sentence or something that closely resembled one. I think. Kristen informed me that I will have my LOA in my hands TOMORROW via FedEx. (That poor FedEx guy doesn't know what he has in store for him. I will be stalking the front door all morning tomorrow.)

So, the next step? More paperwork, of course. BLECH. Nine pages for the I800 (not including the supplement 1), copies of all material we've received about Chang Bo Yong / Ethan since day 1, the I864W, a copy of our I797C/I800A Approval Notice, and...wait...our training certificate?! Guess what. We can't find our copy and the regional office where they (prayerfully) have a copy is closed. UGH! I have an email in to them and am praying that they can email / send us a pdf copy. It is going to be a LONG wait overnight. If they can't...well, that doesn't bear thinking about! In essence, then, I'm done with pretty much everything, but we're waiting for our LOA which we'll get tomorrow and our Article 16 Letter which will be enclosed with the LOA. (And, of course, the training certificate. PLEASE, God, please let the Holt Midwest Branch have it!!!)

That may all sound like a lot of mumbo jumbo, but seldomly have I seen more beautiful words. Ethan, my sweet baby boy, we're one step closer!!!!!