Cabled & Article 5 Drop Off

So yesterday we were cabled!! Today our Article 5 is getting dropped off. I have no idea what it is, but we wait 2 weeks exactly for it to be picked up. So it should be picked up on May 22nd. Once Article 5 is picked up, we will then be waiting for TA. On average, that wait is 2 weeks or slightly a little more. Basically, we are expecting to be buying plane tickets in just one month!!! So now, I know that we have a 2 week break from obsessing over the emails. It feels good. I have so many other things to get ready and plan for. I am also trying to work a little more before we leave to bring Lee home. I sew for my new etsy shop and am a Scentsy and a Velata (chocolate fondue!) representative. I am actually hoping to build the fundraising aspect of those businesses (Scentsy and Velata) for now. So if you have a fundraiser (school, sports, adoption), then I would be glad to help. The sewing is my artistic relief and mental break haha I love it! I just need to get better organized with it. I am about to have little hands running through my house and I admit I need to baby proof a little better. So unless we receive an update on Lee soon, then I won't be blogging for the next 2 weeks. Well, maybe my sewing blog or the family blog. Those need a little TLC. haha Blessings, Tasha

Next Month

The thought that keeps running through my head today is that we should be holding our son and loving him forever and ever NEXT MONTH!!!! Every day, when I wake up, there is this sinking in of the realization that we will be in Ch*na next month with our son in tow. This is the same place, half way round the world, where we would threaten to kick our little sibblings' butts to because it was that.far.away. It's halfway around the world! Yikes!! and at the same time, whoa!! Each new day, is one day closer. We can't wait, and thankfully there isn't much time left to wait. Blessings, Tasha

I-800 Approval :)

Today we received an email from our USCIS officer that said that our I-800 was approved!! Our approval was mailed today to the NVC. Next week, I get to email/bug the NVC to make sure they received and cabled our approval to the consulate. So the next step is CABLING! Once we are cabled, and I receive a copy of the NVC letter, I send the copy to our agency who gets the ball rolling with our Article 5. Article 5 takes about 2 weeks to receive, and then once we have that we wait for TA!!! So excited and so CLOSE!!! Blessings, Tasha

In the Lockbox Baby!!

Last night while we were sleeping, we received a text and an email confirming our receipt notice from USCIS!! Now the application will be forwarded to the NBC for approval. Once we get approval in a couple of weeks, it will be sent to the NVC where they will enter our info. and then "cable" it to the US consulate in Guangzhou, China. The US Embassy will then issue us an Article 5, and this takes 2 weeks. Once Article 5 is issued, it is sent to China's adoption headquarters (CCCWA) where they issue us travel approval or TA, which basically means that we are allowed to go and pick up our Lee!! We should leave 7 - 14 days after TA has been issued. :) Things are moving!! Hopefully they continue to go well. I am trying to pack as much as I can and get supplies ready, because June will be here before we know it! And I have Silas' first communion and a double birthday party for Emma and Lucy to plan and host. Things will be busy... just the way I like it while we wait. ;) Blessings, Tasha

Homework: CHECK!!

So, our signed LOA arrived back at our agency on Friday. Hopefully they have either sent it or are going to send it to USCIS tomorrow. Our wonderful agency also gave us some homework. I have been working overtime this weekend and completed it all!! YAY!! The only thing that needs to be done is for us to get a few of the forms notarized tomorrow, make some copies of the forms, and then Fed Ex them to our agency so they will be there waiting for when our I800 approval comes. I am a little nervous about the next few steps, but I think we will get through them okay. I am just not familiar with what needs to be done. I have some nifty charts and a website to direct me, so we will survive. We are still over the moon to have some movement going on!! Once our I800 approval is given, then we will send off for our visas for our passports...so exciting!! I am ready for this week!! Blessings, Tasha

LOA!!!

I would write some snazzy post, but all I can think of is LOA!!! I am going to be holding my baby within the next 10-14 weeks... It doesn't get any sweeter than this! A very special thank you to everyone who has prayed for us!! Words cannot express how truly grateful we are :) Praise God!! Blessings, Tasha, Joey, and some super duper excited big brothers and sisters :)

And into the 50s

I am gonna keep this short and sweet (even though what I am about to post isn't sweet at all). STILL waiting for LOA. I'm hoping it comes this week. Tomorrow is day 55. Never thought I would see the 50s. I thought this would be the one step that would go quickly for us. Boy was I wrong. We are still going at a snail's pace. Hopefully our son will come home this summer. I would love for him to be home before his 2nd birthday. Today is Easter, and we are praying for an Easter miracle to come this week. Please pray with us. Thank you! Happy Easter! Blessings, Tasha