Update

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

I've had my homestudy update and requested another Adam Walsh clearance. Once I get that, I can apply for fingerprints and an I171-H extension.

I need to bring my girls in person someplace to renew their passports so I'll do that Thursday since I have off of work. I tried bringing them to the post office a week ago Saturday, but there was a big sign that said they only do passports Monday-Friday from 9-3. Once we get all passports back, we'll apply for Visa's. I need to find a courier service for that. My agency does it but I think a courier service would be less expensive.

I ordered a camera package with a panda bear, letter, camera, candies, pictures of us, and a pillow with our pictures on it to be delivered to the orphanage in Shanghai. Hopefully it will find it's way to Amanda. I asked for them to see if they can get the camera back so we can get some updated pictures, but I'll just have to wait to see if they can. I used Blessed Kids for this.

Santa brought a couple gifts to our house for Amanda. Hopefully he brought some to her in Shanghai as well.

I'm moving into Dance production season, girl scout cookie season, and busy season (also known as mandatory 48 hour work weeks) in a couple weeks. So I'll be very busy. I'm sure the time will fly by and I'll be going crazy trying to get everything done.

March 10th, 2011

Looks like we'll shoot for departing for China on this day! Woohoo!!!

TA - Travel Approval Received!

Back to freaking out!

My work wants me to wait until after our horrendously busy season due to 2 people (out of only 42 employees) retiring in October and December, and them not being replaced yet. What do I do?!?! I don't want to leave Amanda any longer than I have to, but it would be better for me to wait until March. Ack! Stay tuned!

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.

Introducing Amanda Li Kasper

Here she is! Qian Yu Xi is 4 1/2 years old and in foster care in Shanghai. Birthday is March 10, 2006. I probably won't travel until February to get her. I still can't believe she's finally real!!

Stay Tuned...

Keep your fingers crossed or say a little prayer that things work out the way they are supposed to.

Woohoo on Referrals!

My agency got 2 groups of LID's in this referral batch. Only 3 days included in the batch, but I consider it progress.

46 Months

I really can't believe I'm approaching the 4 year mark and there's still no end in sight. I think to stay on the NSN track, I'm going to be looking at a 6 year wait at this point. I can't even imagine the wait for those behind me in line. Maybe my agency will bring back good news from China.

Then again, maybe not. I've got other things going on right now, so it's not the best time. But if the right child comes around, I'm not going to say no.