While We Were Sleeping: Article 5 Pick-Up!

Woke up to an exciting email this morning!  While we were sleeping, and China was going about it's business day, our "Article 5" document was picked up from the US Embassy in Guangzhou and Express Mailed to the FINAL STOP in our adoption process!  This is our LAST official PAPERWORK WAIT before we fly to China!  Still not the last of the paperwork...but the rest will happen once she's in our arms, so those waits will be MUCH easier to handle!!

We are simply awaiting "Travel Approval" (TA) from China.  This doesn't have a set time frame, but happens in batches, about every 2 weeks on average...sometimes more or less...slightly unpredictable.  We were told that if we receive TA by Mon, 10/27 we should still be able to jump in with the travel group leaving the first week of November!  I KNOW God can do this, and while I'm praying for His Will and His perfect timing, I'm also praying that this will be part of His plan.  :-)  The last batch was received Mon 10/13...so Mon 10/27 is exactly 2 weeks.  I will be glued to my phone that day.  No prank calls, please!  ;-)

This week has been very relaxed as it finally feels like our travel is getting close.  I know that sounds backwards and I would usually be getting more stressed the closer we get, but as I look at the big picture of this entire journey, at God's faithfulness in orchestrating each step, and the fact that the WAIT is almost over, I have so much peace and joy!  I packed Violet's suitcase and I get so excited every time I pass by it.  I found her a dresser and am working on painting it- can't wait to show you all when it's done.  I've been planning and preparing for so long that I know could be ready to leave tomorrow if I had to.  It's been great to sit back and enjoy my kids; getting some good quality time in before our family makes this big transition.

We're coming soon, little peach!

My next post will be to announce our TA...pray with me that it will happen on Monday!!  That way we would be able travel the first week of November.  (That would mean we'd be able to spend her birthday with her in China AND be home in time for Thanksgiving with our kids!)  THANK YOU for your support!!

This will be our most-thankful Thanksgiving ever!

Are we there yet?

With all the excitement of being matched with our daughter in August, and the rush of paperwork in September, it's taking ALL the patience I can muster to make it through this next month of doing nothing but waiting!!  Here is a quick update for those of you who are wondering WHEN we will be able to travel!  (I WISH I could give you a solid date!!)

Today the US Embassy in China is opening back up after taking a few days off for the National Holiday.  Our "Article 5" paperwork is at the embassy and will take 2 weeks to be completed.  Then we reach the BIG step...waiting for TRAVEL APPROVAL!  The shortest I've heard for this approval is 5 days, and the longest is about 3 weeks.  The average is 10-14 days, so I am expecting to have TA (Travel Approval) by the end of October.  At that point we will be able to set our travel dates, between 1-3 weeks out, and buy our tickets!  

It still looks like we will be able to travel sometime in November.  I look at my calendar 100x's a day, and my thoughts go something like this... "Ok, if we get TA by Fri, Oct 24th, and travel groups usually leave on Wednesdays, we could fly on Nov 5th.  Adoption Days typically happen on Mondays, so we would get our daughter on Nov 10th, and get to be with her on her birthday the next day!  Our date to fly home would be 2 days after our Consulate Appt, so probably Fri, Nov 21st, getting us all home in time for Thanksgiving.  Please Lord, let this be the case!!  
"BUT, if we don't get TA until Oct 31, we probably couldn't travel until Nov 12th, missing her birthday, and flying home on the 28th which is Black Friday...when holiday flights cost a few hundred more and the airports are packed....or maybe we couldn't travel until the next week and get home Dec 5th....but that sounds so far away!!  At least she WILL be home in time for Christmas!  Lord, let YOUR WILL be done!!   YOU know the perfect timing for her transition and our travels!"

That is what is running through my head, in circles, most of the time right now.  :-)  I have to keep reminding myself that it's in God's hands and there is absolutely nothing I can do right now but pray.  I'm doing fine, feeling quite calm despite the unknown dates, and definitely appreciate your prayers and encouragement!

I feel so grateful for the opportunity we had to travel to California for our 10-year anniversary.  Curt's parents were able to come stay with the kids for 5 days, a great "trial run" for our upcoming 16-day trip to China.  As I mentioned in my last post, I was invited to be in my best friend's wedding, at the top of a mountain!  Driving up to Mt. Lassen was quite intimidating...it looked like a huge cold snowy ROCK.  But when we started climbing we were amazed by the gorgeous landscape and majestic views.  I couldn't help but worship God, the creator of it all!  It was EPIC.  We were plenty warm enough, even in the snow, and ended up taking our coats off.  The skies were blue and sunny, with an occasional cloud enveloping us.  The first few minutes were the only physically challenging ones as our bodies adjusted to the high-altitude and our legs got the hang of the climb.  We both enjoyed it immensely and would totally do it again.  At 10,000 feet we held the wedding ceremony, with our adventurous bride & groom and a dozen or so close friends and family who had braved the climb.  The hike down was relatively quick and easy, and the whole thing took just a few hours.

But the wedding fun didn't stop there!  We headed to a beautiful family ranch in the mountains, got dressed up, and held a second wedding ceremony and reception for a larger number of guests.  There was an amazing sunset!!  It was all very beautiful!  We were thrilled to be a part of this special day!

The "Guest Book" globe, which  I signed on China.

Wedding sunset at the ranch.

The remainder of our trip was spent cruising around California in a convertible, enjoying the views of vineyards and orchards, touring San Francisco (the Golden Gate Bridge and Chinatown of course!), and checking out "Old Town" Sacramento which we learned was the last stop on the Pony Express. 

Walking the vineyard.

Chinatown- San Francisco.

The Golden Gate Bridge

Enjoying the view from the beach.

"Old Town" Sacramento

What a wonderful time for us to celebrate 10 years of marriage and spend some time together before we enter this next exciting season of life!