A crazy, wonderful week!

On Monday of this week, we got our travel approval.  It was the most wonderful surprise!  I was hopeful, but certainly not expecting it, after only 12 days of waiting.  On Tuesday, our consulate appointment was confirmed, for May 31st.  We would have liked an earlier appointment, but for whatever reason, the civil affairs office in Hangzhou, Zhejiang (Malia's province) couldn't accommodate us until the 3rd week of May, which left us with requesting a consulate appointment in Guangzhou, the following week.  On Wednesday, we booked our flights to China.  So thrilled to be flying out of Muskegon and have a direct flight from Chicago to Shanghai.  On the way back, we'll fly out of Hong Kong and directly to Chicago, then home. 

Here is the expected itinerary of what our time in China will look like:
We'll leave  Michigan on 5/19, arrive in Shanghai on 5/20 and spend 1 night there.  The next day, we'll take the train to Hangzhou.  We'll spend the night there and either get Malia the next day (Sunday) or Monday.  We'll spend the rest of the week in her province, doing paperwork, and waiting for her passport.  On Friday, we'll fly with her to Guangzhou, the city where the US consulate is.  That is where all adoptive families meet up.  I hear it's like adoption Disneyland.  Can't wait!  We know by that time, we'll be ready to meet some other families who are going through the same experiences as us.  While in Guangzhou, Malia will need to get a tb test and she'll have a medical exam.  We will also go to the Consulate on 5/31 and if all goes well, have her travel visa the next day.  We plan to take the train from Guangzhou to Hong Kong on 6/1 and spend the night in a hotel near the airport.  Then next day, 6/2, we'll be heading home.  When we land in Chicago on 6/2, Malia will be a United States citizen! 

I know the next 2 weeks will fly by.  Both boys start baseball games next week, which will be 3 nights a week, with practices 2 nights.  Yep, time will likely fly.  I've got Malia all packed, sheets washed and on her bed, and have put together most of what I plan to bring (travel-sized items, snacks, and such). 

My parents will be staying with the boys while we're gone.  We will miss them like crazy and have never been away from them for more than 2 or 3 days.  It's a mixed blessing.  I would have likely been more stressed if we had brought the boys, but I know we'll all miss each other so much.  To have 2 weeks with just us and Malia though, will be really great for our bonding.  Yep, mixed blessing. 

Well, I think that catches up on all the wonderful things that have happened this week! 

The wait for TA

It's only been a couple weeks, but I'm already feeling antsy, anxious, excited, and a whole list of other emotions that I can't quite identify.  Thankfully, I'm in some really great company, with all of my on-line adoption friends.  There are people who've waited for over 3 weeks, some who've received approval after less than 2.  It's hard to know where we're at in the process.  All we know is, we are more than ready to bring our precious girl home and love on her forever.  It feels like our lives are in a sort of stand still right now, until we bring her home.  I'm trying to hard to be a good mom, a great mom, to our boys, and not to let on that mom is going crazy inside.  Joe is onto me and knows I check Rumor Queen dozens of times a day, for word on other people's Travel Approval.  News for one is reason for me to celebrate and have hope that ours is coming soon.  And right now, I need hope.  Even though I know we're close, it still feels like it might never happen.  The only people who can understand are those who have been through it. 

Will the government shutdown?

I'm a wreck, I have to admit!  The possibility of a government shutdown has me so worried.  Worried that we could have delays in bringing Malia home.  Worried that some families could already be in China and not able to finish their adoption process.  It just isn't right and it isn't fair!