Packing, Packing, Packing

Oh boy!  Not my favorite thing to do....packing...  In less than three days I will be leaving for China.  In seven days I will see my son.  How do you pack for the one of most important events in your life? This week has been a very emotional week, as more and more people, especially at school, now know that I am adopting.  Everyone has been so kind with their words.  I can't begin to thank enough, all of those who helped me get to this point.  As I am taking this quiet moment to write, I want to especially thank the following people....I hope some day that I can be as wonderful to you....

Jolynn and Fernando, Jodie, Tami, Sharon Z., Sharon B., Desi, Cheryl and Ken, Pastor Linda, Nanci, Dr. D., Maureen(the notary), Mrs. Gregory, David, and most of all, Dad.

Without their help in one way or another, I wouldn't have made it this far.  It also has helped that I can be very determined if I really want.

Counting Down the Days

12 more days until I will meet my son.  Can you believe it?  I am feeling a little overwhelmed tonight.  Carpet arrived today and the extra room that I have been working off and on for two years is almost ready.  School starts tomorrow morning.  How fast does the time go!!!  I will be toning things down this year at school, I think.  I need to cut back on all the extra decorating.  But, you know, the kids love it.  I still have a lot to do before next week.  I just keep running my lists over and over in my mind.  I hope that I don't forget something. 

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....

I Believe, I Believe, I Believe

The NVC confirmation email/letter came this morning.  Next will be the Article5 approval and then the travel approval.   I finally believe that this might will happen, SOON!  Here are some more pictures:



My favorite and the picture that captured my heart.



Keep your prayers coming!!

I am almost afraid to post this.....but I don't think that I can hold it back any longer.  I have been disappointed so many times in the past 5 years, that's right, 5 years, however, I believe that it is actually going to happen this time.  So without any more drama......introducing Zhao Lin...

My LID, Log in date, was 2/17/2012,  my LOA (letter of approval) came on May 22nd.  The I800 approval arrived on June 11th.  Now I am waiting, again, for the NVC confirmation letter, which should be here any day.  After that arrives I will be waiting for the Article 5 from the US Consulate.  Lastly, the CCAA will send my TA, travel approval, to Holt International for me to plan for my departure dates.  I should be traveling somewhere between the end of July and middle of September.

So keep me in your prayers!!

Thank you.