Adoption Update

I have been good about updating the timeline, but have not had time to actually write what has been going on.  My last post stated we received our I800A approval.  Since then, we filed our I800.  While waiting on it to be approved, we submitted our visa applications.  We used There's Always Hope as our carrier service.  Everything went smoothly with it.  I appreciate Denise's patience with all my questions. 

Once our I800 was approved, I had to contact the National Visa Center (NVC) to ensure our immigration paperwork had reached the US Consulate in Guangzhou.  After holding for 20 minutes, I was able to confirm that our paperwork had arrived.  Although they will mail me a letter to confirm this, we were told to ask them to email us a pdf of the letter so we could get our DS230 submitted.  The lady I spoke with would not email anything to me.  Kevin tried and was told they would.  After a few days with no email, we received the mailed letter. 

Then our DS230 (daughter's visa application) was mailed and this along with all our other paperwork was submitted to US Consulate.  From this, we received our Article 5 which is sent to CCCWA.  This is used to issue us our travel approval. 

That brings us to today.  Today, we received our travel approval.  We were given two options of when to travel.  I had been hoping that it would be as soon as mid April, but since all the paperwork was tracking at the later time frame it was looking like it would be early May.  Well, we will be traveling mid April to go get Anna Kate. 

We are excited, nervous, overwhelmed, and nervous all at the same time.  I had been working this past week to compile a list of what we needed to take.  I emailed and talked to a few friends who had gone through this and searched online.  I was not expecting what I found.  Oh my how much medicine, food, and supplies are needed.  Clothes not a necessity.  I don't want to see what that Target bill ends up being.   

I have received numerous questions about the 100 wishes quilt.  We will accept squares until April 30th.  We should be back from China then and I can start putting it together.  It has meant a lot to us for those of you who have already submitted your squares.  I am excited to see it all put together and be reminded of all the prayers and support that each square represents.