We're Leaving In 8 Days!

Wow! I can't believe I'm typing those words. I've waited so long and now it's time! I found out last Wednesday 11/19 our tentative travel dates and they were confirmed on Friday 11/21. Thursday I had a Daisy Scout Meeting with Kara and Friday was of course a full day of Football (James team won the Sierra League Championship and now they have CIF playoffs) By Saturday I was off running making my lists and lists and more lists of things to do. Oh and by the way by Sat. I was exhausted because I had not slept since the call.

A few things on my list were....
Plan & Reserve our Travel Plans and In country travels
Organize and make copies of adoption paperwork
Fill out and mail Visa applications
Stare at Jinjue's pictures!
Get out the suitcases and pack for...
Dave
Me
Ava
Pack General things to take
Buy needed supplies for the trip
Buy gifts for the trip
Buy a couple of outfits for the trip (I'm still looking for really comfortable sweats)
Finish Ava's room
Buy a Car Seat
Prepare Kids for our departure :(
Bribe them to make our departure easier (Whatever works! :)
Buy the kids their clothes for Polar Express
Pack for their trip to Polar
Plan for our Christmas Party, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day
Decorate the house
Christmas Shopping (Only buying for the kids this year so that's easy)
Shopping for Thanksgiving
Cooking for Thanksgiving
Grocery Shopping
Buy meat for the Tamales
Make Tamales ('cmon did you really think we would leave this out :)
Get my nails, and hair done. (If I have time)

Well, that's just some of the things I'm doing right now. I wake up every morning and remind myself to enjoy this time and saver every moment. I've done okay so far and everything on my list is almost checked off.

Just think in 12days I will be holding my daughter in my arms!

I just can't wait!

Our TA Has Arrived!

Our agency called about 9:15am with the news that our TA has arrived! She asked me to grab a calendar so we could plan some tentative dates. I won't post our travel dates until they are confirmed, however let me just tell you I have never been so excited to be rushed and overwhelmed. Good thing I work good under pressure! I'm so ready to go!!

Our LOA has arrived!!!

After waiting 102 long long days we received our LOA! We are just so excited and overjoyed! Our agency called at 8:55am. I was on the phone with Robin when I saw our agencies number on the caller ID. I screamed something to her and hung up. Yeah... she is still laughing at me. I clicked over and tried to gain my composure so I could hear the much anticipated news. Then Kyle and I ran into the room to wake up Dave out of what looked like a good sleep. Called my mom and cried and called Robin back to cry and laugh.

Special thanks to Dave, Mom, and Robin..... They have had to deal with me for the past 102 days and believe me many of those days weren't pretty. I would ask them everyday... Do you think tomorrow is the day? When do you think I'll hear? Will it be this week? When they didn't tell me what I wanted to hear I would get mad ask them why they were telling me that. Thanks for your patience!

Now we wait for our TA (Travel Approval) This is taking about 21 days. So that will be 21 days from next Tuesday. November 18 to be exact! So what do you think? Will it be 21 days? Ha! Just kidding... I won't start yet. I'll start on day 18. Enjoy the time off!

Wow! Can you believe it... In about 8 weeks I will be able to hold my daughter!

Tonight we celebrate!

Dave is working, the kids and I are going to James Varsity game with my Mom and my Uncle Mando.

After the game I'm thinking pie and coffee!

Still Waiting...

Still Waiting...

For Our LOA!

Where Oh Where Is My I171-H?

Do You Think He Has It???

Okay, does every other adoptive parent who's waiting for this document run to their mailbox everyday only to slowly walk back with a stomach ache and a heart full of disappointment. This has been my daily routine. I've tried calling our local INS office only to talk to a lady who likes to tell me that she'll call me back yet she never does.

This is our last and final document needed for our dossier. Once we receive it we will travel to Sacramento to visit the Secretary of State for Certification. Then it's off to San Francisco to get our documents Authenticated by the Chinese Consulate. That's it! (I think) Finally Fed Ex our dossier to our agency for translation and then DTC!!!!!!!!

We will be gone for a week. Hopefully when we return our mailbox will have our much needed and desired document.

This wait is just so hard, know that Jinjue is growing and changing everyday without us. Maybe it's time for another care package!!!