I-800A & Raeanna's Birthday Care Package

Yesterday, we received a letter in the mail from our government!  It says they received our application on February 4, 2010, and it is in process. Our notice date is February 8, 2010.  Now, we are waiting for our fingerprinting appointment.

Tomorrow is the beginning of the Ch*nese New Year celebration, which is a very important holiday for the Ch*nese.  It is also the date that Raeanna's birthday was estimated to be. We sent her a care package through a service called LadyBugs and Love from Above.  The package we ordered included a birthday cake for her.  Every picture I've seen of the cakes sent through care packages have been beautiful!  Her orphanage won't send pictures until the adoptive parents pick up the child, except for the update pictures sent to the adoption agency, so we'll have to wait to see it.  Angela, with LadyBugs & Love from Above, is in Ch*na, and she arranged it all.  She bought candies and nuts for the others at the orphanage, and a panda bear and a little doll for Raeanna. We also sent a letter. The orphanage assured Angela that they would order the cake for her, and we're hoping they let Raeanna have some of it. She will be having her birthday,  Ch*nese New Year, and Valentine's Day, all rolled into one!  Next year, however, will be like a first birthday celebration for her, because she will be with her family!