On to CCAA, next stop TA!

I found out today that our paperwork has been sent on to Beijing for Travel Approval! If we get it by next Monday, we'll leave the 15th. Slim chance, but it could happen!

Thank you so much for all of your prayers. Tyson will be home soon!

To take her, or not to take her...that is the question!

It's only 9:25, and the LOAs and TAs are already rolling in on the RQ forum! I love these days, they are so exciting. Those letters mean that families are being made! Yay! We know ours is not one of them, as we have not had word of Article 5 being signed, so we are assuming our paperwork is on someone desk or shelf. Still.

So the big question here is this: Do we take Kacie to China? Here's why there's no right answer to this question:

Taking her means that we could all be in quarantine. If anyone three rows in front or behind us has flu symptoms or a fever, we will be in a qurantine hotel for up to 7 days. Maybe she'd finish that math book or actually do some reading? Not a bad thing. OK, I know I shouldn't make light of the situation, but really, what can you do? 7 days in a hotel for us would not be a bad thing. We all have electronic toys to play with. The bad part is if one of us actually gets H1N1 (Like Lola's family). But if Kacie ended up with H1N1, there is no guarentee we could go to the hospital with her, although we'd fight like hell and hopefully the embassy could argue that she's only 8 and needs her parents. That's the worst case scenario. But it also means that we are all together to get Tyson, as a family and that she is there to meet her brother, and her brother can begin to get to know her too. That's been the game plan all along.

If we don't take her, she will miss out on the opportunity of a life time. She will be without her mom and dad for 2-3 weeks. Oh, I know my family and friends would take good care of her, that I don't worry about. But we would miss her intensely and immensely and she would miss us. And chances are that we'd get there and be fine.

So, we have decided to continue to pray and asses the situation carefully. We are praying that when that coveted TA arrives, that the decision will be crystal clear, one way or another. So for now, we lean on God to direct our path. I often think about Proverbs 3: 5-6, but it has never been more true than now for our family.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your path."

Lola's story has a happy ending. They are all out of quarantine and they have their new daughter Rory! All is well. And we will be fine too, no matter what direction God takes us.

Happy Birthday Kacie!

Kacie's 8th birthday was last Friday, but we had her party last night--a sleep over party! Yes, I am insane. And very tired. But the girls were fantastic!

And in case you didn't notice, my children will have birthdays 3 days apart in June: 19th & 22!

PICTURES of TYSON!

I couldn't believe my eyes last night. The orphanage sent pics of Tyson's birthday! I was floored at how much he had changed, but his eyes are exactly the same. His nose look fantastic! Then I got a little worried because he is so serious in all his pictures. But many adoptive parents have said they went through the same thing. We try to read too much into the pictures, and a birthday party is chaos with a lot of stuff going on. It can be overwhelming. So here are a few pictures! Look at all that hair, and notice the nanny (I think from half the sky, that's what her shirt says!) holding his arm down. I'll bet he wanted to get into the cake! Also, Ann from redthread told me it is normal for them to change clothes during pictures, so some pics he's in white, others he's in orange.

Praise reports and decisions to make

I have praise reports!

My friend waitingforcaileb got her LOA on Monday after waiting 7 months! I was at school cleaning my classroom when I got her email. I was so excited for her! Praise God!

Shirlee has her daughter Q! Praise God! Her sister did an update on her blog. It sounds like things are going as planned.

Lola Granola has a date/time her family will be released from quarantine: Saturday at 5:30 am, which will be around 2:30 Friday for us. They were upgraded to a better room and it seems that no one else has fallen ill. Continue to pray for her husband.

So, now we have a decision to make: do we take Kacie to China? I think it's easy for people outside of our family to say "NO!" But if you know us, you know that we are tight. Three Muskateers. I think Kacie's birth and the fact that she has been our only child in our home for 8 years also has something to do with it. We are all watching Lola's family carefully. She is blogging about once a day from her cell phone. Statistically, the chances of the worst case scenario happening is slim--very slim. If the embassy can assure US Citizens that children will not be taken from their parents, then yes, she will go. If not, we will be praying about it. A LOT! This is not how we planned this, but God will show us what to do. That we know!

Tyson is Two Today!

At least I am so incredibly busy today that I won't have time to dwell on how sad I am that I'm not spending today with Tyson. Ann at RedThread was sending him a cake and photo album of us, which mean by now he knows about us and knows we're coming. Wow!

I have to finish officially cleaning out my classroom. Then I have a class from 4-8 tonight and 8-2:30 tomorrow. Then busy with Kacie Wed/Thurs. Somewhere in there I have to clean my house because it is filthy!

So after Thursday, I will be on the mission of packing for China. I don't want this to be last minute. I have the gifts I need, I picked up the antibiotics, ordered cleft bottles, ordered an Ergo carrier, I have chosen my car seat that I will buy, I need to finish Tyson's room... But really, I think I'm in a good place!

I am thinking of Lola Granola and her family who is in quarantine in China. I am also thinking of Shirlee who is in China now and is getting her daughter. Blogger is down, so she can't update. I am also thinking of "waitingforcaileb" who is over 200 days waiting for LOA. It's ridiculous, but she is staying strong! Praying for you all!

Pray for "Lola" and her family

I am not sure of her name, but she is known as Lola Granola in the adoption community. Her family was quarantined in Beijing after they had already been there a few days because a person behind them on the plane had the H1N1 flu. They had a great attitude about it, and they felt fine and did their swabs to be tested. The just go the results back, and her husband tested positive, and some of the others aren't feeling well either. Three adults, three children, and the Chinese officials may separate the children from their parents. They are off to the hospital and will not have internet access. We are all very worried about them. Please pray for this family. It's a worst case scenario.

Cable to NVC TODAY!

I called NVC today and was totally surprised to find out that our file had been cabled (send electronically) to Guangzhou TODAY! It was a great feeling and a great way to end the day.

Today my Bear turned 8. Bear is my daughter, who has asked to be called Bear online from here on, so that's what we'll do. I was telling her how people gave their kids different names online, and her nickname has been Kacie-Bear since she was born and looked like a little teddy bear under the incubator and lights in the neo-natal intensive care unit.

And not to be forgotten, today was the last day of school! It will be a busy summer as I prepare for first grade before leaving for China. I still hope for a a departure by the end of the July to go to China. One family was quarantined today due to a passenger on their plane having the flu. I have no other info than that, but I know that 3 adults and 3 kids are quarantined until Wednesday to see if they develop flu symptoms. How awful!

Info not cabled yet!

Update: I was approved 8 days ago for I-800. I just called NVC, and my paperwork has not been cabled to Guangzhou YET!

Can just one step be within a reasonable time frame for me? Just one? Why does paperwork sit on people's desks when a child's life and health is at stake? WHY!!!

Paperwork arrived at NVC!

I called this morning, and our paperwork arrived at NVC on Monday, June 15th! So then I asked when it would be sent electronically to Guangzhou, and the reply was, "Hopefully in a couple of weeks." WHAT???

Wait a minute, the RQ chart that we share our stats on says that it only take 6-8 days from approval to cable (filing paperwork electronically), so it should get cabled on Thursday of this week, according to averages. So I said that I knew that others only took a week, and she said I could call back next week and see. But I also know my agency will be checking daily too in Guangzhou. So, I will call on Friday to find out the status of this.

Once the paperwork goes to the US Consulate in Guangzhou, we know we are getting close!

Birthday Care Package for Tyson

I always hoped I wouldn't have to do it, but I had to. I sent Tyson a birthday package. He will get a cake on his birthday, June 22, and he will be 2. We sent a 6 page photo album with pictures of Dan, Kacie, myself, our house, backyard swingset, and his bedroom. Hopefully this will help him transition by recognizing us in China and recognizing where he will live. I was hoping to get some info, but Ann didn't have any. That's OK though, I know our orphanage isn't easy to get info from.

This is getting so real! How do you love and miss someone so much, and you've never met him/her? It's easy, when you're an expecting mom. No matter what form it takes, adding a child to your family is an exciting time.

I800 approval confirmed and Level 6 of H1N1

I emailed my I800 officer just to make sure the approval did happen after hearing of some mishaps of a few people on RQ. I got a nice email back that said yes, we are approved! So the big crazy pile of papers is getting ready to be sent to the National Visa Center.

Well, the WHO moved H1N1 to Level 6 today. That just means that the virus is now in more countries, not that it's more severe. It'll be interesting to see how the world reacts. I think (hope) that China just continues its current practice and doesn't make things worse in terms of quarrentining travelers.

I800 will be approved today!

I called our officer at NBC Hague to check the status of our I800 since we didn't have a notice of receipt yet (it'll probably come today). Our file was on her desk and she said she is approving it today! One step closer. She said it should be at NVC early next week--I'm calling Monday! On the RQ charts, it looks like a bout a week turn around before they "cable" it (I had to learn that term--it means they scan it and send it electronically) to the US consulate in Guangzhou.

Keep praying! I'm a few days past the average on this step, but not bad. I'd say late July/early August is realistic for travel. Hopefully this TB thing will be worked out by then AND the swine flu scare will be over too. But I'd go today if I could get Tyson home.

My beautiful girl

She's going to be 8 in less than 2 weeks. Where did the time go? I'd do anything for this girl, as crazy as she is! She's ours! 8 years ago she was born 5 weeks early with Respiratory Distress Syndrome, sepsis, jaundice, not holding her body temp, etc... But she was just as beautiful then as she is now, and now she is healthy (and mouthy) and beautiful! I think I let her get away with a bit much because of how much love her and how so close we were to losing her. Where does the time go?

Thanks--I'm calling tomorrow

Thanks to everyone who responded to my vent! Ugh, no notice again on the I800. Why am I always last? Why????

Well, no use in complaining. I'm calling in the morning. It will motivate me to wake up by 6:00 am to call. Hopefully it's approved and I can relax.

Jolene

If I can't vent here, where can I?

I have needed to vent this, and since this is my blog, this is where I'm venting. If you don't like it, stop reading. I have massive anxiety that I am trying to give over to the Lord. It's not that I don't trust Him, of course I do, but I am merely flesh. Though I choose to walk in the spirit, the flesh returns.

Today is day 12 since sending the I-800. Not a peep from USCIS/NBC or whoever it is. Nothing. And I want to call them, badly, but I don't know if I should.

People on RQ with similar dates as mine are getting TAs. I knew it would happen, as I watched them get their LOAs while I waited and waited. But now, it hurts. You see, I should be with them. I should have had my LOA in April, and I should be close to TA and getting ready to travel. No, I should have TRAVELED in April, but USCIS took their sweet 104 days of time on my I-800A. So instead of being close to picking up my son, Tyson sits in the orphanage, probably starving due to his cleft, and I sit and cry. I wonder...does he even know about us? And if he does know about us, will he forgive us for taking this long? Does he even know what it feels like for his belly to be full of food? Or to have a hug and kiss before bed? Or that he has a Jie Jie (big sister) waiting to play with him, and she cries because her brother is so far away. And most importantly, does he know the love of Jesus, and that God is going to care for him and love him all of his life? No, he knows none of it.

So the mayor of New Orleans has been quarrentined in Shanghai because he was sitting near a passenger with flu symptoms, maybe H1N1, and so I wonder...Will we even get into China? And now with the new TB requirement, will I get out with my son? Will my daughter be OK to travel with us?

On a positive note, I picked up all prescriptions today, and I have the gifts arranged. I began to clean my classroom. I am excited to teach first grade next year.

That's my vent. I wish I was getting ready to travel now. This totally sucks, and I hate that word, but it does. I want my son home.

Sleepless Saturday June 6

I am off to school to get some packing done, along with grading 1 million papers. I will NOT miss this part of sixth grade next year!

My agency really had no news about the new TB requirement in China, except to say that there should be some discussion on it next week. It amazes me how God puts one obstacle after another in front of me, and yet I come through each one stronger than before. Throughout this process I have learned to love and seek God in all that I do. I could be a total basket case right now, but God is bringing me through it all. God told me years ago I would teach 1st grade again. When this opportunity came to move to first grade, I didn't jump at, I just said I'd do it if needed. I let God place me where he wanted me. In that, there is comfort. But people ask, "Are you excited to move to first grade?" Well, it's hard to be excited about it when there is an adoption that will be taking place shortly! For that, I am excited!

We saw Night at the Museum/Smithsonian last night at an IMAX. A spendy little outing, yes, but we don't get a lot of family time, so we had a great evening, and Dan had never been to an IMAX, so it was pretty fun.

With that, enjoy your weekend! There are light showers right now...I am so glad we did our yard sale last Saturday--sunburn and all!

The Checklist!I

Money--yes! Bank of America came through in many ways.

Prescriptions for Tyson--yes! They will be ready for pick up tomorrow.

Gifts--most of them. Still need a director gift and some more candy for provincial offices.

It feels good to have a handle on the little things.

Now there's the TB fiasco. Our own governement--the CDC-- has a new law as of July 1st. All children 2 and over must be tested for TB. If they have it, they have to stay in China for who knows how long! Ugh! That is the shortened version. My agency should have more info tomorrow, and I'll explain more then. In the meantime, please pray for me that my nerves will be calm until then.

The new wait for TA

We were told Monday that our paperwork has arrived in China and it is being taken to consulate where it is waiting for it's friend, the I-800 from the US! Then together they become an Article 5.

My garage sale was a success on Saturday! I made almost enough to make my car insurance payment that I totally spaced off (we pay 3x a year). God provides!

The school year is winding down, and I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. If I haven't said it already, I am moving from teaching sixth grade to first grade next year. Wow....crazy timing for that, but I think it will be good too.

The weather here is hot and sticky...we don't do hot and sticky very well in the Northwest. So we need to go water our plants! Yeah, that's about as exciting as it gets around here.

Oh, I shopped for Tyson! Diapers, little swimmers, bibs, pajamas....wow, this is happening!