I800 Approved!

Whoooo hooooo!  I'm doing a happy dance here!  I just received this news in my mailbox a few minutes ago: "There was a delay in processing the I-800 on Monday as we had a storm approach and our office was closed on Tuesday for hazardous weather.  I finished the I-800 yesterday morning and the approval notices went out in the mail."

Great news!  We've waited longer than usual for this step to be finished! 

It is March!

It is March!  A time for spring and new beginnings.  According to my oldest daughter the best reason to celebrate March may well be because February is over!

Annually, on March 1, Ohioans celebrate Statehood Day, confident that the day of commemoration coincides with the date that Ohio was admitted to the Union. There is little doubt that Ohio was the seventeenth state admitted to the Union, falling between Tennessee and Louisiana, but the actual date upon which the event happened is not so clear.  Some think we weren't admitted to the Union until August.  If this is of interest to you see the official website When Did Ohio Become a State?

Or perhaps it is the March 2 birthday of Dr. Suess or March 3 birthday of Alexander Graham Bell that is the big deal of the month?  How about National Frozen Food Day on March 6 or National Cereal Day on March 7?  The historical reenactors in our family may appreciate JohnnyAppleseed Day on March 11.

As I look at the calendar I'm reminded that March is when we will turn our clocks ahead, celebrate St. Patrick's Day, the first day of Spring, Easter and Passover.   The month of March will have many special days for the Lanz family, also.  Take a look at these red letter days!

Our girls are part of a Lenten emphasis called Forty Days to Forever .  These are daily devotional thoughts and awareness directed towards forty particular orphans.  Our girls were chosen to be part of this emphasis.    Abigail is featured today, on March 1 here  and Jennifer tomorrow, on March 2  here..  In addition to showing support for our girls, you can win some pretty awesome "door prizes" for your participation. 

March 7 is Jennifer's 7th birthday!  We ordered a cake (in her city) that should be arriving at her orphanage shortly.  For all we know it is the first birthday cake of her own that she has ever had.  We're anxiously awaiting the promised photos of her special day!

Our family was chosen by Owls for Orphans to receive 50% of the sales of each owl ordered - in March only - through our link.  Please make sure to mention our name when you order so we receive credit. There is lots of cuteness to be found on their website so check it out! 

March holds the promise of our I800 approval.  Remember my "downer" perhaps too honest assessment of a week ago?  I was at last contacted by our immigrations officer on Monday and told that our forms were on her desk to review that day.  This means that we will very soon move on to the National Visa Center's office, and our Article 5 application to the US embassy in Guangzhou.  These are the last steps before we receive our travel approval!  It could possibly even mean that March is the last full month before we travel to bring our girls home!  I do believe this spring will be one of our most memorable.

P.S.  If you are new to our blog, we welcome you friends!  Click around on the tabs found at the top of the page (just under the title bar) to find out more about our girls, our adoption story, and our family.