Life after TA

Life after TA is crazy, insane, emotional...its like a race that never ends, but you know the grand prize it worth it! Here's what's been done in these last six days-

-more passport photos
-book airline tickets (took 2 days for hours each day)
-print and read 30 page travel packet from agency
-print and copy ALL the millions of documents we need to bring
-have sweet friend's husband fix both our computers which were not working
-garage door broke (of course) get it fixed
-send cashier's check overnight to agency
-banking
-arrange all household things while gone (yard, bills, school for boys, etc)
-finishing shopping for necessary travel items
-contact international adoption dr. for scripts
-arrange surgery for once home
-schedule peditrician visit once home
-downloads VPNs
-Verizon for calling options
-PACK everything for 17 days in two bags under 50 lbs.
-pack orphanage donations
-set up house for Chloe's return (high chair, crib sheet washed, pack n play)
-LOVE ON MY BABY BOYS!!!

There's more...my brain is just totally on overload so this is all I can think of off hand!

Planning to do one more post before we leave, but if I run out of time (tomorrow is FAMILY DAY) then talk to you from China!!!

Travel Approval

Late last night we finally got these two little letters in our inbox! We are going to China!

Words will never be able to express the emotions...the enormity of what we are about to do...a dream that has been mine for so many years is happening shortly. Our daughter will be in our arms sooo soon! Chloe Rae, we are coming!!!!

Celebrating Chloe

Last Friday night our lifegroup celebrated Chloe! Pool, BBQ, and yummy cake! It was a great night!!!

Bumps in the Road (Thanks Maureen)

This has been a frustrating two weeks! We have been waiting on our travel approval (one little piece of paper that says we can come to China to get Chloe) for 18 LOOOOONNNNNGGG days! The most irritating part is that little approval hasn't come because of computer/printer issues/updates at the CCCWA. It is really hard to believe computers and printers are keeping us from our Chloe...and to add to that frustration...the US Consulate is closing for TWO WEEKS in July...so if we don't get our travel approval soon we won't be able to get a Consulate appt (to get Chloe's visa) till late JULY!!! I cry at the thought of that! It's been almost 90 days since we have seen Chloe's face!! 90 days...this mama's heart is about to burst...really need that travel approval soon! Our Pastor recently preached a message about us being on God's side and not God being on our side...a concept He is really trying to teach me through all of this. It's a hard lesson...and one that sure doesn't come naturally. Last night, I found out one of our fellow adoptive mamas came home yesterday from China with a new son and daughter. Her son had a serious heart condition and passed away after their return. This hurts my heart...and gets me to thinking why can't adoption be easier...why can't we get to our medically needy children sooner...why in the world are computers and printers stopping us from getting to China. God has a plan...I believe that...therefore, I have hope...despite my heavy heart and frustrations!!!

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will WAIT for him."
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:22-26

Here's a link to my friend Maureen's blog...she does a wonderful job of explaining the details of all the Bumps in the Road that we are experiencing right now. Love her!!!

http://www.findingmeimei.blogspot.com/

Day 10 TA Wait

Today marks the 10th day that we have been waiting for travel approval. One mommy in my fb group on the exact same timeline as us got her TA yesterday. I have been refreshing my email tons today and NOTHING! I have managed to accomplish a lot during the last 10 days:

-Wrote wills and medical auth forms had witnessed and notarized
-Spent hours on the phone with CIGNA about all the info needed to cover Chloe
-Contacted two surgeons in Orlando to schedule consults
-Ordered luggage, money belts, packing cubes, compression bags
-Borrowed more luggage and necessities from the Julianos
-Addressed and stuffed our mailing once we get TA
-Packed all of Chloe's stuff
-Bought/ordered all the stuff I still needed for her
-Finished my last day with clients (yesterday)

I am sure there's more, but during all of this we've managed some fantastic quality time with our boys! My heart is heavy at the thought of leaving them for so long...but so thankful for these moments of sweetness together as a family before we leave.

Chloe's Chinese Celebration

Could she get any cuter?? I mean, seriously, I think I am a little biased since she is mine....but oh my word!!!! I could eat her up:) We were soooo, soooo, sooo fortunate to get these pictures from Chloe's orphanage yesterday! The thumb drive we sent was put to good use:) Ann of Red Thread sent a birthday care package to our doll including the cake last weekend. Ann told us that Chloe's orphanage would not share pictures. My heart broke a little at the thought of never seeing our girl on her actual first bday, but then yesterday Ann sent me these pictures of her celebration! I am incredibly thankful. Ann said that I am a very lucky lady because the orphanage never shares any photos or videos with her. My precious baby had a very special day, even without a mommy. Still a little confused about why there are two candles on the cake (and tomatoes-thank for pointing that out Heather), but nevertheless, she was celebrated!



Chloe's U.S. Celebration

Nick's aunt Evelyne and Memere (his gma) stayed with us last weekend so they got to celebrate Chloe with us! We went out to Kobe for Japanese...seems appropriate right?! LOL! I am not a huge Chinese fan so we thought we would save room for sweet and sour cat while in China:) And our boys adore Hibachi so Kobe was the lucky restaurant for the celebration! We were so happy to have Memere and Evelyne here!! Chloe is loved by soooooo many!!!