Name is official

Last night over dinner at our favorite mexican place, we, as a family, decided on Shan Wei Feng's new name. Our daughter's name will be: Alyssabelle Weifeng Lasecki.

Here's the story - Brad and I can't agree on names at all. We each came up with a multitude of names only for the other to shoot it down - examples, Sophia, Jade, Isabelle, Kaylee, Jaden, Zoey, it goes on and on. Anyways, the only names we could agree on were Alyssa and Belle or Bella. Brad and I both like Belle and Bella but I thought it was more of a nickname than an adult name so we combined Alyssa and Belle to create Alyssabelle.

We also wanted to keep her given name for several reasons. 1) she's 2 and she knows her name. 2) we wanted her to have something to hold on to for when she's older if she chooses. 3) this may be one of the first things she was given and the only thing she may have when she comes to us; how can we take this from her? In China, the last name is the first name (Feng). We are still unsure if they are calling her simply Feng or our agency thinks they may be calling her Weifeng. So we took a vote at dinner and it was unanimously (children and parents both) that her middle name be Weifeng.

So again - the pics are on the left and let us introduce you to Alyssabelle Weifeng Lasecki.

SCL/LOA IS HERE!!!

Our SCL (Seeking Confirmation Letter) and/or LOA (Letter of Approval) has arrived. The UPS guy arrived around 4:30p today. They weren't kidding when they said the form consisted of 2 boxes - yes, I marked the "we accept" box (like there was any doubt). We have to mail the form back tomorrow morning to CHI.

The next step is waiting for our travel approval and consulate appointment. We are still hoping to travel in September, but it could be November. A travel package is forthcoming from our agency. It's been a great day!!!

Pics are up!!!!

Look to the left to see our cutie pie, Alyssabelle. She is currently residing in Shanwei City in the Guangdong province of China. Her birthday is June 28th, 2006. We were able to send her a package that arrived around her birthday and we hope that she's been able to look through the photo book and that the nannies are helping her to understand the major changes that are about to take place in her life. As of the last update that we received from CHI just before the 4th of July - she is 31 inches tall and 24 lbs. The boys are excited, the rooms are painted, pictures are up in the house, we just need her. Praying for a speedy TA (travel approval).

Adoption News

Well to catch everyone up. We are in the process of adopting the most precious little girl in China. We found her on the waiting children list back in May and today we received the call we've been waiting for. The CCAA has approved us to adopt our bella. We are beyond excited. Our agency called at 12:30p and are overnighting the package to us. We'll have to fill out some paperwork and check the appropriate box stating that we do accept our referral and than overnight it back to our agency, Children's Hope International.

From here, we wait for travel approval and our consulate appointment. We're hoping to travel in September. If we don't make it in the September travel group - we'll be pushed back to November due to holidays and work fairs in China during the month of October.

We want to thank everyone for all your support and prayers during this journey and an especially loud shout out to our awesome agency, CHI!!!!!

Don't worry as soon as I figure out (again) to post pics - I will. As you can tell from previous posts, it's been a long time since we posted on here.