Official Travel Dates!

The official travel approval paperwork arrived via Fedex last Thursday.  On Monday I received an email that confirmed my travel dates.  We will be leaving on August 29th and return some time after September 13th.  My child handoff day or the "Gottcha" day will be September 2nd.  Last night, we were up until 2:00 trying to find just the right flights to and from China.  It is not cheap or easy to get from here to there.  Just kidding a little, I suggested that we fly all the way around the world by flying through Paris on the way there and come back through the West coast.  But, that route was way too expensive and it takes a very looong time. I am a little nervous about being on a plane for more than 10 hours, but I am sure every moment will be worth it.  We are stopping on the way back in Los Angeles for a few days and then traveling home probably on Sunday. I have so much do to until we leave that I am feeling.....I don't know......definately excited, anxious, estactic, thankful, a little bit crazed at the thought that I will have a son in five weeks!

IT'S HERE!!!!

Late last night I received this email:

"Dear China Families:


We are happy to let you know that your travel approval has arrived. Travel approvals do not arrive with travel dates but we are working with our staff in China to arrange your schedule as soon as possible. Scheduling depends on several factors, some of which may not support your preferred arrival, but we will try to arrange it and notify you by email when the dates are confirmed.

Please read the attached Travel Packet, a document with important travel information that will help you plan your trip, and call Holt anytime you have questions. We will also arrange a Webinar orientation and a telephone conference call before you arrive in China and provide more information about them shortly....."

That was super fast!  Only 1 week from Article 5 to Travel approval!  Can you believe it?  Now I have to make some quick decisions.  Also this week I received my VISA back from the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco.  It has the "pass" that allows me to visit China.

I'm ready to go meet my son, but I have so much to do!!!!

Article 5 Approval OMG!!!

I received an email this morning that the Article 5 approval has been processed.  One more step to go before I can travel to meet my son.  Can you believe that!!!!  I am overwhelmed with emotion right now.....

This is the China Family Timeline that I have been following. Double click on it to enlarge it. I have been checking each step as I go.  Next is Step 7, Travel Approval, then Step 8 is Family Arrives in China.  It should be about two more weeks before I hear anything about the TA.

We are getting soooooo close....