Our Dossier Was Submitted

Since I am a day late in posting.  On Wednesday, July 30th, our facilitator confirmed that our dossier was submitted to the courts for an SDA (State Department of Adoptions) date. 

What does this mean?
It means we WAIT - however this type of wait is MUCH easier than the wait of the unknown.  The average time it takes to get a date is two weeks and then travel is set for two to three weeks after that so before you know it we will be off to get the most precious gift in the world.

Please continue to keep not only our family in your prayers but Ivanna's biological family in your prayers as well.  Even though they are very happy that she is coming to America they will also have an empty place in their hearts for quite some time but we plan on helping them with that adjustment as they continue to follow her new journey for years to come.  They will always hold a special place in our hearts and Ivanna's. 

Not sure if we have announced what her new name will be but her name will be Ivanna Patrica-Nan Stratton.  Patricia Nan Stratton was my husbands mothers name who died from cancer in October of 2004.  We are so proud that she will be taking on her Granny's name. 

Yesterday was another awesome day in which a couple of my bestest ever friends surprised me with the best stuff.  It started off with a late birthday present delivered by FedEx from my BFF, Tristina in Missouri.  This crazy girl had gone to a screen printer and had the MOST beautiful shirts printed.  Here is what they looked like:

We are going to use something really similiar to this for Buddy Walk the largest difference is at Buddy Walk time (which is the same day as her Birthday) Ivanna WILL BE home!

Tristina, publicly, we would like to say thank you as the shirts were just beautiful and awesome just like you.  Princess Ivanna will love all of her new stuff too. 

Here are some other items received for the Princess:

Then after I came back down to Earth from all of this excitement then here comes another best friend, Kristi with more surprises for the Princess.  WOW Kristi I'm not sure I needed to know there was a Disney Store so close :D.  Thank you so much and you know she will love them!  Here are some pictures:

Now if we can just get her bedroom furniture in, put together and set up in her room we will be good to go!  And oh by the way PAST ready to go.

Well, Team Stratton, is signing off for now just wanted to share a little update and some precious pictures with you.  Remember to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as well as her biological family.  I now make this sound like a "fairy tale" but we all know there will be some reality to this story coming soon.  We love you all and can not thank you enough for all of your support and well wishes and most of all your prayers.

I leave you with a picture of us in our new shirts.  We are only missing Kevin at the moment to make this picture complete and then not long we will become a family of six.