hurdle jumped, that is.Â
Found out today that our “Article 5” has been picked up from Guangzhou and is headed to the CCAA in Beijing, China. The Article 5 is basically another approval…this time, the US immigration saying that they approve us to adopt this specific child. This is THE LAST document that China needs in order to issue our Travel Approval. Once we get TA (in around 2 weeks), our agency will begin scheduling our consulate appointment in China. This date determines our travel dates…they build our trip around our consulate appointment. Â
I’m betting on Thanksgiving travel. I’m also assuming there is no roast turkey and sweet potato casserole in China. I think I’m willing to delay our turkey dinner for Dylan.
My “China corner”…the blue box holds all of our China documents, copies, etc. The other boxes are where I stash things as I find/buy them. Everytime I go to the store, I try to pick up something on my master list. Tonight, I actually pulled out a suitcase and started choosing what clothes to bring for Dylan.
Wow. This is feeling real.
When Lainey saw HER suitcase pulled out, and I mentioned I was going to do some packing, I thought she knew I meant for China. We’ve talked about it a lot, she’s seen me buy things, she’s helped me pick out things for Dylan.
I had left the room, and when I came back she had some of her things in the suitcase. I explained to her again that it was just mommy and daddy going…that she would be staying here with family. She got pouty, came up for a hug, and said “I don’t want you to go to China”. Break my heart, baby. I can see that it’s feeling real for her, too.
We’ll be doing a lot of talking about the trip, about how we’ll keep in touch while we’re gone…anything to make this easier on her.
October 15th, 2010 at 3:07 am
Major progress! Good for you!
October 15th, 2010 at 5:14 am
Getting ready to get in the truck and head for NJ, but first I thought I’d reply real fast. Hope we know something in 2 weeks!! This will be our NEXT trip after NJ….bless Lainey’s heart. She’ll be fine, with her siblings and Granpa and me, especially since she’ll be home and not at someone’s house she’s not familiar with. We’ll say some prayers for her. Love you guys!!!
October 15th, 2010 at 9:26 am
now this rocks— i heard TAs were coming in 2 weeks after A5– unlike ours– which was 4 weeks– argh– wow– you are so there- and i LOVE LOVE China in November– we were there 2 years ago in mid-November for Ben and Zhengzhou is cool (in the 50s) but Guangzhou– GORGEOUS!!!!! it was in the low 70’s- and the Starbucks had awesome holiday flavor not found here- and everything is all decorated for Christmas:)
Now– to save money– i would totally rec that you stay at the Victory instead of the White Swan–CCAI will NOT tell you about this. You can ask for a 2 room suite in the victory. the food is great, free internet– and esp since you won’t be using the pool at the WS- i would totally rec the victory– and CCAI will book it for you- you just have to tell them when Sherri callsright before your TA comes:) woohoo- can’t wait– you’ve been waiting for soooooooo long– we have sooooooooooooooo been there:)
October 17th, 2010 at 12:09 am
Wow, you really are in the home stretch. Prayers for fast TA and CA. I’m so happy for the whole family. Such a blessing! I know Laney is going to love her new little brother.
October 19th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
I cannot believe you are so close to leaving!! Yet, I know the wait has been endless. So looking forward to following your journey to Dylan. =)