We Received Our CA

Well, this sure is a whirlwind day.  Our agency contacted me tonight and told me they have my Consulate Appointment for February 8th.  That means I will be leaving on January 29, a week from now.  I'll meet Ivy on Monday, February 1, 2010.

It is a good thing I ordered the new money and the Chinese money today.  Otherwise, I'd be cutting it close.  Believe it or not, I've had Ivy's suitcase packed for a few weeks now, and I've slowly added things to it.  Now, I need to get my things together, lesson plans worked out for the boys.

I'll ask for prayers for my safe travels and prayer for my family staying at home.  I know Mike will do just fine while I'm gone, although we joked about everyone gaining 10 pounds from fast food and pizza for 2 weeks!  I'm sure Ivy Xue will need prayers for her adjustment.  I cannot imagine the thoughts running through her head.

Thanks for the great posts and encouragement this past year and through this adoption process.  IVY IS COMING HOME!

Finally Got That TA

TA Soon?

I received an email today from our agency saying our TA has been issued and they will let us know when they receive it.  Yes, I'm thrilled, but hesitant about getting too excited.  The last time CCAA said this to our agency back in May, it took over a week to receive it.  It may have been issued, but we don't know if it is signed or sent as of yet.  I'm still banking on next Monday.

At this point, I just want to be excited about bringing Ivy home and be finished waiting on someone else to "issue" something or another.  It is hard to believe the roller coaster ride is almost complete.  It has been a long ride.

Another Week of Waiting

It has been 2 months since we received our LOA, and it has been 3 weeks since our Article 5 was picked up and sent to CCAA.  The wait for TA averages 2-4 weeks.  It appears we are on the longer end of the average this time.  Chinese New Year is the week of February 14th.  So, it is slowly appearing like I will not be traveling before then unless a miracle happens this week with TA.  I am expecting that our TA will arrive the week of the 25th of January.  It is not what I'm wanting, but rather what I am anticipating.  Oh, I do pray it will come this week and I can somehow (by God's Mercy) sneak in travel before CNY.  Please pray with me.

Water Park

This week, we went to a waterpark for a couple of days.  The last time we went, Eva had only been home for 4 months, and she did not like any of the slides, only the pool area where she could walk around. Mike, Seth and Jack had the usual fun and got a workout from climbing all those steps to the tops of the slides. This time round, Eva had the need for speed.  She went down every slide her little body was allowed to go down.  She even did the individual ones without having to sit on mom or dad's lap.  I was very proud of her.  Joy was a bit more timid about the water slides.  She endured the larger slides while sitting on our laps and only started giggling during them shortly before we left.

Needless to say, the trip was a much-needed distraction from our wait for Travel Approval.

The only slide that Joy giggled on.

Outgrowing the waterpark?

Fun with Dad!

 

When Will We Get TA?

That is the big question of the week.  There are quite a few other adopting families who are anticipating their TA today.  Apparently, their agencies have this knowledge to share with them.  We are only 2 weeks from our Aticle 5 date.  The average time between Article 5 and TA is 2-4 weeks.  So, we are definitely at the beginning of the "average" time.  Everyone that knows me, knows that I always have hope.  It seems unlikely that we will get TA today, but I love to hope.  There are many families out there who have been waiting 4 weeks for their TA.  I would love to see Ivy Xue before the end of the month!

 What a sweet face!

UPDATE:  No TA for us today.  Maybe in a couple of weeks.  Very disappointed.