Like the string on a balloon...

I bought a book for our little one over a year ago.  I keep it sitting in the bedroom that will one day belong to him/her (MAN I can't wait for the day I can stop saying "him/her").

This page.

This is where we are right now.  And it is HARD.

But here is the update:  We had a great visit with our social worker a couple of weeks ago.  We found out that our medicals and background checks are expired and have to be updated in order to update the home study.  We will also need new DMV records, new employment verification and a letter from the bank. whew.

We are unfortunately in a time crunch right now (adoption is all about "hurry up and wait").  Our immigration approval will expire on October 1st.  You can receive one free update/extension but you have to apply for it before the expiration.  In order to apply, you need an updated home study...and in order to get an updated home study, you need allll the paperwork I mentioned above.  Most of the items will be easy to receive in time.  The only one we are worried about is the Virginia Child Abuse Clearances...They usually take several weeks.  If we get it back soon, we will be able to apply for the extension.  If we do not receive them until after October 1st, I am pretty sure we will have to reapply for approval and pay the fee again (over $900).  Not the end of the world, but we would love to avoid that!

So, for now we are simply asking for your prayers.  Could you please pray that our clearances will arrive in time?