Family Pictures and I-800 approval!

I love these new family photos we had taken by my high school friend, Kirstie Goodman.  She is very talented and I think she captured Alexis' excitement about being a "big sister" very well!

     We are also excited that we reached another milestone in our "timeline" of steps in the adoption process.  We heard from our USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) officer that she approved our I-800 application (petition to classify treaty adoptee as immediate relative).  We had I-800a approval back in late April, but it was only for an unknown child.  After receiving the LOA (Letter of Acceptance), we could officially apply for Jaxson's specific approval.  That was the last set of documents that we really have to complete.  Now we will wait for his file to be sent to the National Visa Center (usually takes 5-10 days, I think).  They will cable his visa information to China, where our agency representative will "drop off" and "pick up" something called our Article 5.  Once it is picked up, it will be delivered to the proper Chinese adoption officials and we will wait for our Travel Approval!!!  We have more waiting, but this part of the process is generally predictable and more reliable as far as timelines are concerned.

We have a "travel meeting" with our agency next Wednesday, so we are anxious to talk about specifics regarding our travel.  We're getting closer every day!