Silence

I wish I had some news to share, but I've nothing to say about our I800.  All I know is that our previous file was mailed from the NVC on 12/10 and immigration has yet to receive it.  It is not easy....I don't think I'm cut out for this disheartening wait.

We have a book called, "Sometime I Like To Curl Up In A Ball".  Of course, it is a children's book, but that is how I feel today.

Still Waiting to Hear Something

Well, there is nothing definite to report about our file.  But, the National Visa Center did send me a reply to my email saying my previous file was sent back to Immigration.  Please pray with me that it will arrive at the proper place early next week.  Since there has been a 3+ week delay, my new best friend at the Visa Center, Al, says he will "see what he can do about expediting our file."  I'll be calling him next week.

I've been accumulating some clothes for Ivy Xue.  Lands End was having a grand sale last week.  I ended up getting corduroys for $10, shirts for less than $10.  Lands End has great quality clothing that can be passed down to Eva without much visible wear.  On other's advice, I bought her a 5 slim in pants, and 6 in shirts.  I also ended up buying a pair of 8/9 Alison Crocs.  But, they look so small once they arrived.  I may have to bump that one up to a 9/10 in the Crocs.

I think I'm prety much set in the clothing department for Ivy, except for pajamas.  I looked at Target today, but no gowns that were not fleece.  Ivy seems quite tiny around the waist that I think that is my best option.  All those who have adopted Ivy's friends from Zhongshan CWI...what size clothes and shoes did you buy?  Or rather, what has fit?  Thanks so much!


The girls having fun dancing to Christmas music!

Visa Received and Delays

Today I received my visa/passport!  Glad to get that out of the way, and glad that it is good for a year.  Now, we are in a holding pattern.  My I800 was not sent to the Visa Center.  Normally, it would have been sent last week, right after approval.  But, because we did not adopt Maggie back in the spring, the Visa Center needs to send back our old file to immigration before immigration can send my new file.  Clear as mud, right?

So, I ask for your prayers.  Immigration requested our old file almost 3 weeks ago, but have not received it yet.  This set-back has been an immense struggle for me.  There is nothing on my part that I can do.  Please pray first that I can have peace and not frustration about this, and secondly, that the NVC will move quickly to get my file sent back to immigration.  I appreciate all your prayers.

Another Approval Down, Two More To Go

But, I'm glad to almost be finished with the immigration portion.  Now we wait for the visa center to process Ivy's visa, then onto the Consulate's approval in China, then China's Travel Approval.

Fingerprinted..Again

You'd think after adopting before and being fingerprinted many times, that we would not have to do it again.  But, no, I woke up at 4:20 a.m., and we were out the door at 5:25 a.m. to be re-fingerprinted.  Our previous fingerprints expire in January and we know I won't be traveling to China before then.  I'm so thankful to get that out of the way. 

So, now we wait on our I800 provincial approval from Immigration.  Once that is done, our file will be sent to the National Visa Center, where Ivy Xue's information will be submitted.  After that, our papework will head to the Embassy in Guangzhou, China.  Once we receive our approval from the Embassy, our Article 5 will be issued and sent to the Adoption Center in Beijing.  Once they approve us to travel, they'll mail a letter to our agency letting us know we can make our travel plans.  It seems like so much, but we're hoping it is no more than 8 weeks.