Update

Our dossier was sent to China on February 24th so we are officially DTC!  We are waiting for our LID (log in date) and then we begin the wait for LOA (letter of acceptance).  Although I am still praying for travel before August, I am trying to accept the possibility that it won't happen until August or even September (ugh, please not that).  From reading my adoption yahoo groups and RQ (a chat site for adoption), I can see that we are not the only teachers who would like to travel during summer vacation.  I hope that many of us do get to.  I know that once I have Xialan in my arms, all the waiting will fade from my memory and not matter.  Until then, please join me in praying that things move along quickly and that we might travel sooner, not later. 
Yesterday and today have been 2 of the best days!   I received about 18 new photos and a short video of our daughter.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart to those who sent me photos.  SB and LS both visited Xialan and the other kids at Eagles' Wings while working with Bring Me Hope.  This group sends groups of volunteers to spend time with orphans in China to bring Hope and Love to their lives.  I am so grateful to them for bringing a smile to my daughter's face on several occasions.  Visit their website to learn more about their work.  Bringmehope.org