Thursday, December 3, 2015

Adoption #2 - The Home Stretch

Ya'll, we are in the home stretch!

For my fellow adoption junkies, we received I800 approval on November 17, obtained our GUZ# via phone on November 20, finally got in and completed the DS260 on November 23, and were cabled/RTF on November 24. Due to our medical expedite our Article 5 drop off AND pick up were both completed on November 25, and then the arduous wait for TA began. We had a longer than expected wait for TA, but it arrived on December 2 along with our CA which means:

WE ARE GOING TO CHINA!

The plan is for Jordan to accompany me to China while Jason stays home with the other kids. He will have help from both sets of grandparents and a few friends. While I am sad (and, truth be told, a little nervous) that he will not be going with me, I am excited to share this experience with Jordan and for her to experience China and see the Great Wall. We are super blessed that the daughter of a family in our church lives in Beijing, China and has offered to be our guide, friend, and assistant while we are there.

I am so excited! I have truly missed China and I am so looking forward to this trip back, but the highlight and true purpose of this journey, and what makes my heart sing with anticipation, is meeting our new daughter and finally holding her in my arms!

photo of the Great Wall taken on our first adoption trip
 Our basic schedule is as follows:

12/8 Fly to China (US time)
12/9 Arrive in Beijing, China (China time)
12/9 to 12/12 Tour Beijing and hang with Abby
12/12 Fly to Nanchang (Cami's province)
12/13 Meet Cami and take custody!
12/14 Finalize Cami's adoption (& celebrate Jordan's 13th birthday)
12/17 Take bullet train to Guangzhou
12/18 Medical appointment
12/21 Consulate appointment
12/23 Fly home

And now I must go because I have lots of crazy packing and preparing to do! We leave in less than a week! Eeek!