Still no I-171, but referrals keep coming

It is so exciting that more families are receiving referrals and travel approvals, but it's making me even more anxious to get that stupid piece of paper in the mail from Homeland Security! I mean, I'm so glad they are busy keeping our homeland secure, but we would like our home more full, and we can't do that without one more piece of paper with the word "Approved" at the top. There is an adoption officer at the local USCIS office who is in charge of the adoption approvals so I guess I'll send him an email tomorrow to see what the hold up is. I probably won't word it that way though.

In other more exciting news, Little Brother has received his first gift. My friend Kim knitted him the cutest brown and light blue lovey-- it is SO soft! How fun to have something that's his. Thank you Kimmie! Since he doesn't have his own room I don't quite know what to do with it. I used to put gifts for Lily in her room (and close the door) but that little lovey won't stand a chance if it's in Big Sister's room this whole time. We're planning on the kids sharing a room so that we still have a guest room, but it doesn't make sense to change it around yet. Not that we'll need to do much changing. There's already a spare toddler bed in there that just needs some retro cowboy bedding on it instead of a Dora blanket and we're good to go. I think we'll need another dresser too (or do boys need a whole dresser for their 3 pieces of clothing?). And perhaps I'll make the window treatment more boy-friendly and get rid of the pink flowers on the mirror. And the
floral trays on the wall. Dang. I guess it's not ready to go.

And my friend Cara told me that she's been praying for LB's birthmom lately. Maybe she's giving birth? Struggling with the decision to give him up? Missing him? I immediately felt a rush of guilt when she told me, because I've been focusing on praying for him and not really praying for his family. But that's why God gave me Cara-- to pray for LB's mama because He knew I wasn't. The body of Christ is so cool (I just hate when I'm the hiney).