Talk About Fast.

I sent my passport renewal application on November 15th and I got it back already! The date on it is November 19th. A few days turnaround. Wow!

Anyway, now I'm finally getting anxious for my TA (travel approval) to come so I can get my consulate appointment and know when I'm going to travel.

I decorated my Christmas tree early this year - usually I wait until after my birthday on the 2nd, but decided with the long weekend to do it early. It was fun to hang Amanda's stocking this year even though there was some jealousy over the tassle she had on her's and the patterns that could be seen in Jessica's and the multiple colors in mine.

Today Marks Month 48

But I'm not longer waiting for a referral, I'm waiting for Travel Approval (TA), and then I can set the time for travel. It will be in February since I can't go in December or January. It's still all so surreal to me. One day I can't wait to go get her and check sites to see the cost of airfare the end of December, and then other days I wonder how I'll ever pay for it all and if I'm doing the right thing for our family. It costs a lot more than it did 9 years ago, plus I feel I need to bring Jessica and Anna with me which adds a lot to the cost. They've waited as long as I have, and I just don't think they'd forgive me for not bringing them along. I promised after all that I'd take them and they've told all their friends. But that was before the ecomony tanked and I actually had a savings account. I trust and pray that it will all work out as it should. Somehow I'll figure it all out.

Freaking Out Right Now

You'd think after waiting nearly 4 years from LID (I hit that landmark next Monday), that I'd be a little more prepared to move to the travel planning stage. Well, I'm not and I'm freaking out a little, okay, make that a lot here!

I had 3 major life events happen within a span of 4 days from October 16-October 20. I moved, my mom passed away (very unexpectedly), and I got my referral. I've finally finished moving, but still have to unpack. My mom's stuff is taken care of for the most part, but I'm still in shock. And now I'm getting travel prep stuff from my agency.

I still have to finish 3 more Hague training credits (I've kept my I-600a up-to-date, but the agency asks for it anyway). I'm sending my passport renewal application off today. I still need to work on my girls' who's also expired. My fingerprints will expire before I travel in February. I need to update my homestudy for my new address. I'm just not ready.

I know I freaked out a little with my other girl's trips, but I was at least emotionally ready for this. I still have to deal with Thanksgiving, my birthday, December 2nd, Christmas, New Year's, Chinese New Year, my girls dance production that will take up all of my January weekends.

Where's the money going to come from and how soon will I need it?! The longer I keep it in my 401k plan, the more I'll have available. Yikes!!

Okay, I feel better just venting. And one of my coworkers who's privy to my life came over and let me vent as well, so I feel better.