Count down to blast off!!

The suitcases are pretty much packed.  The paperwork organized and duplicated.  Passports and Visas - check.   $$ - check.    The house is in chaos, but it will wait for me to return.  It all still seems a bit surreal.

But I bet I will cry when that airplane takes off!!   Next Monday we will have Daniel in our arms!!

Happy Birthday, little boy!!

No, not Daniel :o).    Sunday my "D-bird" turned seven.   What a lovely child.   Always happy.  Friendly... as a matter of fact he gets in trouble in school because of his gabbing :o).  Always there with a hug and a kiss.   How did you get so big, so fast?   

Test posting

Well I've been running around doing last minute shopping, met with our
pediatrician for advice, laundry, and cleaning cleaning cleaning.
I am going to get the packing done tomorrow so I won't be stressing as
much before we leave. Nights in Datong are still in the 30's. But
Guangzhou is in the 60's at night!!! This is going to be a
challenge!!!

Joanne xxx

Hey, hey, hey !! WE GOT TA !!!!!!

I have so many things to blog about and pictures to post.   But we are about to run the 50 yard dash!!!  Our TA arrived late on Monday, and we got a call at midnight (Wed. night)  that our CA dates have been confirmed.   This means....
1.  We are leaving in ONE week!!!                                        
2.  We will be united with Daniel just a couple of days before his birthday!!
3.   OMG  I 'ld better get moving!!!

Details to follow :o)

Our TA is ~NOT~ here

Several of my adoption friends received or were notified they would receive their TA's this week.
I am grateful that at least some people are getting their TA's finally.  We, however were not one of them.
Our agency didn't get any this week or last.    We can only hope that it comes on Monday.   Since it is already March 12th, well actually now the 13th,  it is getting less and less likely that we will make it to China in March.   This makes me very sad.  Daniel will turn four on March 31st.  After we successfully got our Article 5 processed quickly I thought we were golden.   Am I feeling sorry for us?  Yes.  Are we the only ones that have had this happen?  Absolutely not!!   I just never thought when we first saw Daniel's picture a year ago (he was still two + at the time) that we might NOT celebrate his fourth with him.    I have been remarkably calm today - I just had that feeling our TA would not arrive.   If it doesn't come Monday though I think I will have a complete meltdown.  Even Grandma has been waiting expectantly for some news this week (she tends to remain quiet on these things.)   So I have my new suitcase and carry on's, but they remain empty.   I don't even want to think about traveling in May.  I just can't fathom that right now.
I better start finding things to keep me busy this weekend!!!

Rumors

Well, our Visa applications are on their way to Washington DC  and a letter and questions, translated into Chinese are on the way to Daniel's orphanage along with a photo album.   I wasn't supposed to, but I stuck a disposable camera in there too.   We'll see if it gets past my agency!!

There are rumors that Travel Approvals are on their way next week.   One family had their Article 5 picked up the same day as us to go to CCAA and their agency said their TA should be here next week.   Oh, I hope ours comes next week, too!!!   The end of March is approaching mighty speedily!!!
Fingers crossed.   I hope Daniel is being prepared for this huge change in his life.