If you remember that chart that I posted several posts ago, you can see that we are moving along!!! My Article 5 was dropped of on 10-27 and will be picked up by my agency representative on 11-10. Once that happens, all there is to do is to wait for Travel Approval. TA can take any where from 2-4 weeks to be issued. Recent trends have people getting their TAs in 11-15 days. I hope that trend continues! I am hoping to get my TA by Thanksgiving and travel around December 9th. That might be a fantasy of mine, but a girl can dream, right? If that does not happen, I need to go in January BEFORE Chinese New Year as all of the official offices close down. The only problem may be getting a Consulate Appointment after I get my TA. IF December is full, I will be forced to go in January. Either way, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. At moments I feel like a deer looking into HEAD lights...but it is a light nonetheless.
I am very excited that soon Xiaoping will be with us forever. I love her so much and pray that she is as prepared as she can be to join our family. How very afraid she must be :-(
October 28, 2011
October 23, 2011
No news but some pictures
I have to admit that I am truly spoiled with the number of pictures that I get of Xiaoping. We are so fortunate that her orphanage has a school sponsored by Love Without Boundaries. She is getting great care, lots of experiences at school and the manager of the program loves to take pictures of all of the children. As a result, the families get pictures of their children on a regular basis. Tonight I got some more, all just as adorable as the next. Once I am home with Madi, I will also get school reports and a CD with many of the pictures that have been taken of her since she has been sponsored by LWB. I think she has been in the school almost 2years so that should be quite a nice batch of pictures. I feel so privileged to be able to peek into her world for just a bit. I have to admit, that as much as these photos give me GREAT comfort to see her thriving and healthy, it pains my heart each time I get them that she is not home yet!! There must have been volunteers at the orphanage this week. The Director is wonderful and so open to having visitors spend time with the children. I hope to get cabled this week. That will mean that we are 1 step closer to travel approval. Seems like the "approvals" are endless, don't they?? But, all in His perfect timing, not mine! That is what I have to keep reminding myself of.
Enjoy the pictures.....
Enjoy the pictures.....
October 20, 2011
It has been a loooong couple of weeks...
Just in case you thought that things were always fun and games over in our house, here is a post to prove otherwise. Emily has been sent home 3 times over the past 2 weeks due to GI issues. I think we finally have the right cocktail for her and she is doing much better. She is much to young to have to deal with IBS and I feel so badly for her when she has a flare up. My poor girl!! This week she is back to her happy, chipper self...so I hope things stay that way for a good long time!!!
My Mom has had series of health issues arise the last few weeks. She has her chronic issues, non life threatening thank God. Just as one resolves it seems that something new pops up. Last week she was feeling horrible, overall achy and thought she had a sinus infection. She finally gave in and went to the doctor on Saturday and he prescribed antibiotics. She was in bed without even getting up to eat ALL weekend. By Monday morning when I was getting ready for work, I noticed that she had a rash on her face. Didn't look good. I set the microwave for when the kids had to get on the bus (yeah, Mother of the Year) and left for work. I left work after a meeting I had to be at and got her to the doctor as a walk in by 11. What I suspected was confirmed...she has shingles. OH.MY.GOSH. She is in SO.MUCH.PAIN. I feel so bad for her. She never seems to catch a break. If it isn't one thing, it's another. She has it across her face, across her forehead and into her hairline. The doctor immediately made her an appointment for the eye doctor, which I took her to later in the day. They are watching her eye closely. This week has been terrible. Nothing seems to ease the pain. Today I took her back to another specialist that she sees for another medical issue. She prescribed a regimen of pain killers and patches that are kind of like Novocaine. She also prescribed a medication that is specifically for nerve pain and shingles. She said she should feel significantly better (but not totally better) in a couple of days. I sure hope so. In the mean time we still have to watch her eye and pray that the nerves in her eye do not get damaged. Like I said, if it isn't one thing, it's another. Oh yeah, and the dog proceeded to vomit all over my kitchen. It has been a lovely day!!
My Mom really is the sweetest thing ever and while NO ONE deserves these constant ups and downs, SHE certainly does not. The girls miss her and I am so thankful that we live in the same house. It has been a juggle trying to get the girls on and off of the bus, as she isn't even up to doing that. My boss is so very understanding, but that gets old fast. It is so busy at work...I am preparing for when I take family leave...trying to get all of my holiday shopping done...trying to pack and get everything ready for when I leave for China....and I am feeling a tiny bit overwhelmed. I wish I could take family leave now!! LOL
This all will pass, for my Mom's sake, hopefully sooner rather than later. Please say a prayer that she gets some relief soon. The girls are doing well. They really are so good and cooperative and have put up with my not so patient and sunny demeanor this week LOL. Hopefully we have a quiet weekend with lots of snuggling, maybe a trip to the pumpkin farm and some smiles from Nana!!!
Next post will have some happy pictures....I promise!!!
My Mom has had series of health issues arise the last few weeks. She has her chronic issues, non life threatening thank God. Just as one resolves it seems that something new pops up. Last week she was feeling horrible, overall achy and thought she had a sinus infection. She finally gave in and went to the doctor on Saturday and he prescribed antibiotics. She was in bed without even getting up to eat ALL weekend. By Monday morning when I was getting ready for work, I noticed that she had a rash on her face. Didn't look good. I set the microwave for when the kids had to get on the bus (yeah, Mother of the Year) and left for work. I left work after a meeting I had to be at and got her to the doctor as a walk in by 11. What I suspected was confirmed...she has shingles. OH.MY.GOSH. She is in SO.MUCH.PAIN. I feel so bad for her. She never seems to catch a break. If it isn't one thing, it's another. She has it across her face, across her forehead and into her hairline. The doctor immediately made her an appointment for the eye doctor, which I took her to later in the day. They are watching her eye closely. This week has been terrible. Nothing seems to ease the pain. Today I took her back to another specialist that she sees for another medical issue. She prescribed a regimen of pain killers and patches that are kind of like Novocaine. She also prescribed a medication that is specifically for nerve pain and shingles. She said she should feel significantly better (but not totally better) in a couple of days. I sure hope so. In the mean time we still have to watch her eye and pray that the nerves in her eye do not get damaged. Like I said, if it isn't one thing, it's another. Oh yeah, and the dog proceeded to vomit all over my kitchen. It has been a lovely day!!
My Mom really is the sweetest thing ever and while NO ONE deserves these constant ups and downs, SHE certainly does not. The girls miss her and I am so thankful that we live in the same house. It has been a juggle trying to get the girls on and off of the bus, as she isn't even up to doing that. My boss is so very understanding, but that gets old fast. It is so busy at work...I am preparing for when I take family leave...trying to get all of my holiday shopping done...trying to pack and get everything ready for when I leave for China....and I am feeling a tiny bit overwhelmed. I wish I could take family leave now!! LOL
This all will pass, for my Mom's sake, hopefully sooner rather than later. Please say a prayer that she gets some relief soon. The girls are doing well. They really are so good and cooperative and have put up with my not so patient and sunny demeanor this week LOL. Hopefully we have a quiet weekend with lots of snuggling, maybe a trip to the pumpkin farm and some smiles from Nana!!!
Next post will have some happy pictures....I promise!!!
October 18, 2011
I-800 APPROVAL
YES!!!!!!!!!!!! My I-800 application has been APPROVED!!!! I just got off of the phone with an officer and he stated that it was approved on the 14th and should leave the building in about 3 days from approval. I should have it in my hands by the end of the week!
For those of you who are wondering what the heck an I-800 is and why it is important.....Form I-800 is your Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative. It's your approval from USCIS to adopt the child you were matched with specifically! Without this approval, everything is at a standstill.
So does that mean I can travel? Well, not exactly yet. But, it means I am pretty close. Typically (even though there really aren't any "typicals" in international adoption), one can expect Travel Approval around 5-6 weeks after I-800 approval. Once I get Travel Approval, my agency must secure a Consulate Appointment for me. Once that is secured, I can make my travel arrangements, usually 2-3 weeks after getting TA. So a bit more to do, but we are almost there. It will be cutting it VERY close to travel before Christmas, but I have resolved myself that whatever is meant to be will be!
Hang on my sweet girl, Mommmy is almost there!!!
For those of you who are wondering what the heck an I-800 is and why it is important.....Form I-800 is your Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative. It's your approval from USCIS to adopt the child you were matched with specifically! Without this approval, everything is at a standstill.
So does that mean I can travel? Well, not exactly yet. But, it means I am pretty close. Typically (even though there really aren't any "typicals" in international adoption), one can expect Travel Approval around 5-6 weeks after I-800 approval. Once I get Travel Approval, my agency must secure a Consulate Appointment for me. Once that is secured, I can make my travel arrangements, usually 2-3 weeks after getting TA. So a bit more to do, but we are almost there. It will be cutting it VERY close to travel before Christmas, but I have resolved myself that whatever is meant to be will be!
Hang on my sweet girl, Mommmy is almost there!!!
October 16, 2011
still waiting.....
Just a quick update to fill everyone in. My delightful USCIS officer has my I-800 in hand, but "has no idea when she will get to review it. It is in the stack." Okay then. This is the most frustrating part of the wait. EVERYTHING is done. All of the paperwork completed, just waiting for a bunch of people to just put a stamp of "APPROVAL" on the darn paperwork! Some of the families that got their LOA on the same day as me have already gotten their approval. It is very likely that they will travel before Christmas at this point. Happy for them, really I am. For me....everyday that it sits in that "stack" is one more day that puts December travel farther and farther from a possibility. Of course, I have to be pleasant and thankful and sweet when I speak to my "Officer" because she has all of the control and I don't want to anger her so that my paperwork goes to the bottom of that "stack." I am hoping that our nice conversation on Thursday prompted her to just look at it and approve it. LOL.
I am drafting a sweet as pie email to be sent off to her tomorrow night. That will be 21 days that it has been sitting in that "stack." I guess I could be thankful that my LOA came in record time. But, 21 days...come on!!! But, I want my girl. I want to hold her and kiss her and tell her that I love her. I am on edge.....and then my agency emailed me and said...maybe I should consider getting a new VISA...NOOOOOOO, I WILL travel before January 16th....stomping my feet and throwing a tantrum....I will not need another Visa. I am banking on December travel...forget about January. Come on Officer -----, pretty please, just send my approval!!! So that I can wait again....for the next approval....and so it goes....
I am drafting a sweet as pie email to be sent off to her tomorrow night. That will be 21 days that it has been sitting in that "stack." I guess I could be thankful that my LOA came in record time. But, 21 days...come on!!! But, I want my girl. I want to hold her and kiss her and tell her that I love her. I am on edge.....and then my agency emailed me and said...maybe I should consider getting a new VISA...NOOOOOOO, I WILL travel before January 16th....stomping my feet and throwing a tantrum....I will not need another Visa. I am banking on December travel...forget about January. Come on Officer -----, pretty please, just send my approval!!! So that I can wait again....for the next approval....and so it goes....
October 08, 2011
Getting closer
Just a quick update. No news to really report. About now I should be applying for a Visa so I can travel. I have a Visa from last year that is still valid, but I have to use it before January 16th. I scanned it to my agency to see if they think I should apply for a new one...meaning that I wouldn't travel until AFTER January 16th. My ULTRA conservative agency rep replied that I shouldn't need another one and that I should travel by then. WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE....I liked that response. My odds to travel before Christmas just increased in my mind lol. I really really want my itinerary to go like this:
leave on 12-3
family day 12-5 (same day as Alyssa)
come home on 12-15.
IF I get my wish, my dates will be EXACTLY the same as when I traveled to adopt Alyssa! AND then I am home to enjoy all of the school activities that the girls will participate in at school, church, etc, the week before Christmas!! I really want my girls at home to be in school when I travel so that my Mom gets a break during the day. Oh my gosh, I am getting so excited. I have the suit cases out and I am beginning to get things organized and packed.
PLEASE pray that the final approvals come without any delays so that I can get my girl before Christmas. That is my Christmas wish this year!!! All three of my girls under one roof..where they belong. That's what I want for Christmas.
leave on 12-3
family day 12-5 (same day as Alyssa)
come home on 12-15.
IF I get my wish, my dates will be EXACTLY the same as when I traveled to adopt Alyssa! AND then I am home to enjoy all of the school activities that the girls will participate in at school, church, etc, the week before Christmas!! I really want my girls at home to be in school when I travel so that my Mom gets a break during the day. Oh my gosh, I am getting so excited. I have the suit cases out and I am beginning to get things organized and packed.
PLEASE pray that the final approvals come without any delays so that I can get my girl before Christmas. That is my Christmas wish this year!!! All three of my girls under one roof..where they belong. That's what I want for Christmas.
October 04, 2011
6 years ago today
Six years ago today I saw my Alyssa's sweet face for the very first time. It has been quite a journey, but it has been an honor to watch this fragile sweet baby flourish and blossom into the beautiful flower that she is. My sweet girl, you fought the good fight and you came out a winner. No one in this universe deserves the title of brave, courageous, and PERFECT more than you. For those friends and family close to us, they have witnessed your transformation...like a butterfly fighting to get out of its cacoon! I love you to the highest star, baby girl!!!!
It was fitting that Ali and I had a Mother-Daughter Tea with her Daisy Troop this weekend. I watch her interacting with her peers, happily trotting off to play with them and I still get choked up at times. There were days I never thought we would get there...but look at her now....6 years later...my perfect, beautiful girl!!! I can't believe it has been 6 years already....it's going too fast....
October 01, 2011
Fall Fun
The school year is off to a great start. Both girls LOVE their teachers and I do as well. Emily has a renewed love for school, something she did not have last year. She is happy and excited to go each day and she comes home just as happy. Gone are the belly aches, tears and anxiety. Her teacher this year is energetic, fun and engaging. We are so excited!! Alyssa's teacher is the same 1st grade teacher as Em had. She is very nice as well. I was happy to see her name when we got teacher assignments. I am positive that she is the perfect match for Ali.
Fall fun has begun as well. Both girls opted out of dance this year. Alyssa after dancing 3 years and Em after dancing 5 years. They both love Girl Scouts and Alyssa is a Daisy Scout and Emily is now a Junior Girl Scout. I am happy that both enjoy this activity as the focus is all about being good community members, volunteering in the community and being kind to each other. Nice values that we all want out kids to learn. Alyssa is in her 3rd year of soccer and loves it!! She is up a division from the last two years and the real "rules" and penalties start this year. Still, it is the one thing that she loves to do!! Emily has decided to join a bowling league and is enjoying this new activity. She really wanted to take art classes, but it has been hard to find a class that is instructional, in our area, and during a time that we can do. Once bowling is over, I will look into this as well.
Religion classes for both girls have restarted after being off for the summer. This keeps us busy, but again, it is with a great group of kids and teachers so it is something that they look forward to in between Sunday school.
All of that keeps us very busy....throw in homework every night and my full time job and it is no wonder that I have been exhausted. It has been a bit of a struggle for me to be focused and get with the momentum this Fall. I have been busy getting things ready for Madison's arrival. Starting my Christmas shopping, getting my packing started, and obsessively trying to figure out when I might travel. It is a good chance to travel before Christmas and as equally possible to travel just after Christmas. Just depends on how quickly these final approvals come along with my Travel Approval. Then my agency can scramble to get Madison a Consulate Appointment. After MUCH thought and discussion, I have decided that if these appointments come at a time when I will need to be IN China during Christmas, I will postpone my travel until the holidays are over. As much as this breaks my heart, I know that I can't leave Alyssa and Emily during Christmas. Madi is safe and she will be fine if she waits an additional 2 weeks...although I hope I will be :-(.
That's it for now. We hope everyone is enjoying the Fall. It is my favorite time of year and it is just beginning to feel that Fall crisp air here in NY. We hope to go Apple Picking next week!! No pictures this time ;-)
Fall fun has begun as well. Both girls opted out of dance this year. Alyssa after dancing 3 years and Em after dancing 5 years. They both love Girl Scouts and Alyssa is a Daisy Scout and Emily is now a Junior Girl Scout. I am happy that both enjoy this activity as the focus is all about being good community members, volunteering in the community and being kind to each other. Nice values that we all want out kids to learn. Alyssa is in her 3rd year of soccer and loves it!! She is up a division from the last two years and the real "rules" and penalties start this year. Still, it is the one thing that she loves to do!! Emily has decided to join a bowling league and is enjoying this new activity. She really wanted to take art classes, but it has been hard to find a class that is instructional, in our area, and during a time that we can do. Once bowling is over, I will look into this as well.
Religion classes for both girls have restarted after being off for the summer. This keeps us busy, but again, it is with a great group of kids and teachers so it is something that they look forward to in between Sunday school.
All of that keeps us very busy....throw in homework every night and my full time job and it is no wonder that I have been exhausted. It has been a bit of a struggle for me to be focused and get with the momentum this Fall. I have been busy getting things ready for Madison's arrival. Starting my Christmas shopping, getting my packing started, and obsessively trying to figure out when I might travel. It is a good chance to travel before Christmas and as equally possible to travel just after Christmas. Just depends on how quickly these final approvals come along with my Travel Approval. Then my agency can scramble to get Madison a Consulate Appointment. After MUCH thought and discussion, I have decided that if these appointments come at a time when I will need to be IN China during Christmas, I will postpone my travel until the holidays are over. As much as this breaks my heart, I know that I can't leave Alyssa and Emily during Christmas. Madi is safe and she will be fine if she waits an additional 2 weeks...although I hope I will be :-(.
That's it for now. We hope everyone is enjoying the Fall. It is my favorite time of year and it is just beginning to feel that Fall crisp air here in NY. We hope to go Apple Picking next week!! No pictures this time ;-)
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