Picture day, shopping and we get those all important brown envelopes!

This morning we got the little guys all dressed up and had the traditional pictures taken.  Yes, last night, poor little Xiu injured a finger in the sliding bathroom door, so he is all bandaged up...but not slowed down one bit. :)  So there we are with our doubled family :)  All four guys were on the go in the lobby racing back and forth, trying to sneak onto the escalators (the bell boys were chasing them along with us) and generally have a jolly good time, so this is a remarkable split second in time in which they are not moving...that much, sorry that we all seem to be looking at different cameras :)
Here is our group, with all our new children!

And here is one of us and my father

An attempt at "the babies and not so babies shot" ahem...(has there ever really been a successful shot??)

Two babies are missing from this picture, and maybe you can just see the fingers of some parents trying to hold some of the little ones from behind... :)
You all must be praying, for my hip (which never just gets better on its own) is doing so, so much better in the past 24hrs or so! So much so that I had the fun of going out shopping in some tiny local shops with Kiki.  She is becoming a top notch bargainer, and we got some great deals :)
Then in the afternoon, the all-important sealed brown envelopes arrived from the consulate!  HOORAY!  Some families left today, some are leaving tomorrow, and we are leaving in 2 days approximately. :)

Consulate Appointment and shall I try delicious England?

We had our consulate appointment this morning.  It went very well, no problems at all, and much to my surprise I got all teary-eyed over the immigration oath, "I affirm that I have told the truth on all documents related to this adoption..."  It brought back such a flood of memories of the hard work that has already gone into this adoption, and I am so, so thankful to be at this point.  Which, to be specific, is tired enough to be trying to order Papa John's pizza in China.  Yes, yes, I know, I blush to even admit it, and I am NOT tired of Chinese food at all! I am just tired of walking, and I don't speak any Cantonese, remember, so I can't order from the local restaurants by phone, but rumor has it that Papa's will understand English or Mandarin or some combo of the above!  So I went on this afternoon to look at what was available and read about this mouth watering delicacy...what do you think?   Shall I order it for my hapless  happy family?

British bacon

Salad dressing distinctive vanilla base, without any set off the already outstanding temperament. To nutritious, taste excellent bacon as the protagonist, the capsules tender chicken mosaic, to be the new cool juicy tomatoes and yellow onions dancing, delicious England this bloom.

Ah, England in a bloom of Vanilla salad dressing!  Oh to be in Kew!  bahahahahah...  I think my family might not want that.  I wish you could see them now, though! (Umm, Anastasia, that is what cameras are for...) No, seriously, they are up playing on the playground in the hotel (LOVE IT!) and so, so happy.  Jian's favorite new trick is to try to "tackle" daddy. (this little guy is built like a linebacker!) He charges, laughing out loud, pushes his head between daddy's knees and then throwing both shoulders into it tries to back daddy into a corner, all the while wildly giggling.  Daddy, of course, plays along very dramatically.  Xiu goes up and down the slide, face alight, shrieks of delight.  E runs around a mass of golden curls (poor boy, he needed a haircut before China, now he REALLY does)  D is "flying" in a swing, and Xiu has been helping push him between slide runs.
Okay, I had better order something from Papa's or the bloom may leave England before I can capture it ;)

In which we tour medical facilities in Guangzhou...

As far as official tours of China go, I have pretty much missed them all: Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutongs, Liuhua Lake park, Great Wall, Zhengzhou East, Shamian Island, Pearl market etc, etc, etc...
However, I have had the privilege of getting to tour medical facilities in Beijing, Zhengzhou, and now Guangzhou (and no I am not talking about the infamous medical exam day for the adoptees ;) ha!)
The latest escapade happened a couple days ago (I am sorry I am such a terrible blogger)
E, D and Jian Hou all were running fevers for the past week, but while D and J cleared after 3-4 days (or at least seemed to be on the upswing) poor little E just kept getting worse.  So, one morning while Kiki and Grandpa were off to see Shamian Island, Daniel got in contact with our insurance company (thankfully, Daniel's company provides fantastic worldwide medical coverage as standard policy due to all the travel the employees do) and found a clinic for the little fellow and got an appt.  No one was feeling very well, so I left the 3 other boys with Daniel, strapped on E and hobbled out to get a taxi.  By this point, I was having trouble moving my left leg and my right SI was going out too. To add to the fun, I had picked up some sort of virus that made me feel like I had been clobbered with a 2x4 all over and was enjoying stabbing migratory arthralgias.   (just to add to the soap opera level y'all!)  Still, despite me speaking no Cantonese, and the driver speaking barely any Mandarin, we arrived safe and sound at the correct address.  It was actually a fun taxi ride and E and I both enjoyed it I think, because of course when we did arrive, his fever had broken, he was alert and excited, and basically acting normal. Of course ;)  (all mom's know how that is!)
For families traveling to the province, I chose to go to the United Family Clinic (a large Western clinic and hospital system across China).  Our insurance would cover all the international clinics in G, but I knew United (I have actually jokingly discussed taking a job with them in China, if Daniel's company were to relocate us to one of their China offices)  It was definitely as good as I expected it to be, very top notch, professional, kind and for families who are not into international style medical care, it is exactly like any well run clinic in the USA.  (all English speaking, of course, JC certified, etc)
Maybe I am crazy, but I am so glad I have gotten to see at least a few medical facilities in China, though I wish it had not been necessary.  There is a definite collegiality between medical professionals, and I have so enjoyed getting to meet Chinese colleagues here and talking with them.  It is like being part of a family, and I have had the privilege in many other places to meet other doctors, so as odd as it may sound, I really enjoyed getting to know a few here too.
E is doing better, still trying to recover, but definitely improving.  We all have coughs, but the noses are not running quite so freely, though several of us are having GI troubles still. I don't believe this is from something we ate, but one of our dear new son's came with a GI bug and the symptoms started after that in the others and match.
Quick note on the official medical exams for other APs:  The new clinic which is not on Shamian is just as nice as the guides tell you---clean, spacious, air conditioned.  For our group it really wasn't too crowded.  The medical exam stations are exactly like every adoptive mom has ever described before down to the very same squeaky toys.  Our boys hated the day with a passion, and that is an understatement. We survived.  I am thankful.
Today was D's third birthday, and we decided to go with the group to the Chimelong Safari Park, because he really likes animals and Daniel was hoping it would be less walking for me than the zoo. It is really nice, far too huge to see in one day, but we had fun and got to see all the pandas. :) There are no pandas at the zoo right now as they have been returned to their native Sichuan province to try to help with a pregnancy.   The hotel provided a complimentary cake for D for his birthday, complete with candles.  D was super excited and thrilled!  He was also very proud of the birthday card they gave him, and his new back pack from us and a flashlight from grandpa.  It is such a delight to see the joy on a little child's face for such simple things.  He spent the evening checking over and over that his flashlight was in his backpack (a lion or tiger thing, mommy is not quite sure what it is supposed to be) and then zipping it back up.   Now he is sleeping with it :)
Xiu Hui, E and D all enjoyed the safari, Jian Hou not so much.  We are finding out that he is very afraid of most animals, birds and fish.  But finally, he did smile at the sight of a momma and baby elephant :)
Tomorrow morning is our consulate appointment.  Due to the recent threat on the consulate, the security has heightened significantly, so our guide informed us tonight that if we bring anything: diapers,  baby snacks etc, they have to be in a clear plastic bag. The only other thing we may bring is the paperwork and our passports.  Tonight, I jury rigged  a gallon ziplock bag into a diaper bag by making it a tape handle. :)  We plan (as we did on the medical exam day) to leave the two blonde boys "home" with Kiki and Grandpa.  It sounds like with the new procedures, it would be quite a bit too stressful for them and us to have to come along.  We are so thankful for our help!
Oh, and happy father's day!  I am certainly blessed to be married to Daniel.  He is such an amazing father to these four boys.  Believe me, 4 sick toddlers, two of whom are recently adopted from different backgrounds, in a foreign country, in a hotel room, with a sick, crippled mom is as crazy as it sounds.  Actually, it is crazier and more hectic than it sounds...and Daniel has done such an amazing job of taking care of all of us.  Xiu occasionally has bad night terrors, and it is "Baba" who holds him for hours and cuddles him till he is calm again. He often carries two boys at once and pushes a stroller, and carries the backpack and handles the money. He breaks up the fights and kisses the bumped heads.  He changes the endless diapers (recall, GI bug in house) He is the best of the best.  I pray that God will bless him today and always.

Thoughts from Guangzhou

My little ones are finally asleep.  We are so grateful to be safely arrived in Guangzhou.  We will be here for 10 days, and it is a relief to be able to settle in a bit.  3 of my 4 little guys are now running pretty good fevers. Sad, but not unexpected.  E was sick when we arrived, and then both Xiu and Jian had their own coughs, and runny noses and what not, so I figured it was just a matter of time before the germ spreading began.  Still, I am praying for the Lord to have mercy on my precious babies.  It is hard to see them sick and trying to comfort them all--- well my lap is stretching.  But still, I have so, so much to be grateful for...I get to hold my babies.
On the way to the care home where little Jian was so loved, I was riding with my husband and the two new little ones with Clay, the director of the home.  I had not been on the internet at all, (very poor internet in the hotel, they were doing construction) and Clay turned around to me and sad, "I want to warn you that the nannys may be sad, because Zoe passed away yesterday--just a few hours ago actually"  My heart broke, the tears poured down my face.  We cried all the way to the home.  Zoe was a precious little girl who grew up with my Jian, and whose family gave everything they had to get her home less than 3 months ago.  I have been following their journey through open heart surgeries with growing agony.  As a doctor, sometimes reading special needs adoption blogs is heart wrenching, because you dread, dread and wince at each complication, and you find yourself heartsick and holding your breath practically.  They prayed and gave her love and home- 200%, no holding back, we prayed, they and her doctors gave everything they had,  but during her last procedure she went to home to the Jesus she loved to sing about. My heart is broken for this family.  Please keep Pastor Carr, Eva and all their kids in your prayers.
So, if it seems to you that our adoption trip sounds rough health-wise, please see how blessed, richly blessed we are!  I get to hear my son's laughter (yes, all four bubble with laughter), I get to watch them chase each other up and down, and pick them up when they come running to me with arms upraised. I get to tell them "No" when they fight, I get to snuggle them when they cry.  I get to give them medicine when their fever is high, and mix up pedialyte to keep them hydrated.  Wow, I am one rich, rich mommy.
And now, since I too am sick :) Daniel has said it is high time for me to get tucked in...please pray for him as he cares for us all.
Blessed,
Anastasia
 

Frantically Posting #2

Here are some more pictures.

All the boys enjoying a snack in Zhengzhou.

The guys hanging out in the garden.

Eating at a famous noodle restaurant in Xiu Hui's home town of Nanyang on the day we went for his Chinese passport.

Xiu Hui fancies himself as a real chef. He took great pains picking out the dinner and then carefully mixed it all together (noodles, water, beans, etc.).

Jian Hou chilling in the bamboo garden.

Jian Hou with his buddies from his group home. It is so obvious that he was happy and loved there.

That's all for now. --  Daniel

Frantically posting pictures while we can

We are in Ghuangzhou now. Our Internet connection is better and the boys are sleeping so I (Daniel) am going to try and throw out some quick photos for you all.

Some of our boys enjoying our new room.

Jian Hou really likes his new sippy cup

It is really fun to shake wildly because it sprays water out.

Xiu Hui doesn't like the camera so it is really hard to capture a smile, but he was having fun this morning.

And we were able to grab a smile.

We had the tremendous privilege to visit the group home where Jian Hou was raised. It was really good for us as well as Jian. Here he is joining in with his house mates for one last snack time.

We will try to post more when we can. Thank you so much for your prayers! We really need them!

Daniel

"Hey, Look! They are alive!"

Yes, we are very much alive.  We have been having a lot of technical
problems and non working internet, not to mention sick children,
adoption etc.  Every time I have had  a chance to blog, (read 3 AM) I
can't get on the computer, as it is set up Daniel style. (black screen
with white characters waiting for command prompts...

But this morning, Daniel kindly set it up for me at 3:30 as I couldn't
sleep due to a dislocated SI, and now 2 hours later having completely
lost all that I typed, here we are again :)

So long story short :)

Beijing: Sick E, happy D, worried me, worried Daniel. The group toured
Beijing, we toured the hospital.  End of matter: E much better, mommy
and daddy now extremely sleep deprived.

Train:  Loved it, loved it, loved it!  Very doable.  Had unexpected
help, which was a blessing, see "sleep deprived"

Zhengzhou:  I make a taxi driver mad, and poor Grandpa and Kiki have
to bear it. We survive my butchered Mandarin and end up eating well!
Surprise!. We survive scooter mania and spend our very last night as a
family of four.

Gotcha Day:  Our boys come to us 3 hours apart. So thankful, so hard,
so blessed.  They have been very well loved, and they grieved
extremely hard.  However, hours later when we get back to the hotel
room, tiny bits of personality show through.  So precious, so smart,
so handsome!  We are in love :)  Jian glues to Mama, Xiu glues to his
Baba.  D and E do an amazing job, being kind, calm, and trying to be
friendly to Jian and Xiu.  They have taken their two new brothers so
far very much in stride, and are really, really enjoying the family
increase! I know it won't be pure filial bliss from this day forward,
but Daniel and I are so thankful for this answer to prayer.  We are
startled and  touched to  find that Jian and Xiu's dearest treasures
are photo albums of the family we sent them. They recognize us, (does
not make the grief any less of course) and know the albums by heart.
Jian shocks Mama by speaking full English sentences.  (In the Civil
affairs office, while weeping his heart out, he looked me straight in
the face and sobbed: "I want to go outside"
What?  Yes, he actually does know some basic English phrases.  Xiu is
the last child to arrive. He too grieved very hard, but he was so
very, very brave.  It is very apparent, that while both were loved,
their childhoods so far have been night and day. Xiu is old for his
age, both though are developmentally much farther along than I
expected.  Still both need very tender care and lots and lots of
cuddles.

Xiu loves to sing, in the sweetest little voice, Jian is hoarse with a
sore throat right now but he loves to sing too, he is a camera ham and
a charmer, while Xiu cries at the sight of cameras, but isn't afraid
anything else as long as his Baba is holding him :)

I must run, the gang of four is awake :) The adoption is finalized,
they are ours, we are so thankful!
Today we hope to see the Swallow's nest. Yesterday we spent the day in Nanyang.

Lovely Korean Air and a rough night

Another quickie post from my phone as I stand in boarding line to China. Korean air absolutely lived up to their excellent reputation. I will try to post about it for the Henan moms later. My poor littlest had a very rough night on the plane, thankfully he is a little better this AM. Still quite ill but lungs clear and 02 sats improved so I'm holding off on abx for now. His fever broke this AM. Please keep him and his exhausted parents :)

And we're off!

I apologize to start with. I am posting this from my iPhone so it will have to be short. :) We are at the ATL airport waiting to board our flight to Seoul. The boys are super excited about the planes, the people, the shiny lights and most of all ... The automated trash can.  Ha. Shall we just say hand washing is in their future? Yes, I know what sort of mom lets her kids play with a trash can? Hey, they are happy and staying near me. That is good ;). We started this trip in a Mr Bean Holiday way. For example, Thursday night the littlest was up with a fever and I didn't get him rocked back off to sleep till 5 AM. So I when I was startled await by an early morning phone call, I started up staggered wildly to the phone not even sure what the noise was and managed to knock an oil painting off the wall onto my head, knocking it out of its frame. So there I am standing they with a frame around my shoulders babbling into the phone to the hapless caller "it is a painting! The frame? In the sink oh no stop the painting!" I frantically held into the painting whilst the caller (after a puzzled silence) informed me about a flight. Somehow I made it back to the bed still with the frame and painting and woke up my husband so I could babble incoherently about it again. And them I woke up and we had a good laugh! Unlike the paintings whose ill fate it is to be on the same continent as the laudable Bean, our painting was fine. When I was awake enough, I reframed it :). We started by going to ATL yesterday and had an absolutely lovely evening with my sister Amana and Nirmal. This morning has been fairly uneventful, minus one bonked head when the oldest tried to jump down from his seat at the breakfast table, wrong tickets for my dad, and a very sick little E (please pray for this flight he has a fever and a very sore throat and runny nose--poor baby!) and a few temper tantrums on the security line. Thankfully security did everything they could to help us so it wasn't that bad.
When we went to check in online, we found to our delight that Korean had assigned us all seats together in the bulkhead center. Very kind and thoughtful. I am sure the extra space and double escape aisles will be a blessing with our almost 3 year old and our 19 month old.  Kiki (our nanny) is being a fantastic help and so is my dad though he never misses an opportunity for any corny jokes. ;) I may try to post more later but this phone is a slow way to go. We appreciate your prayers! I don't know if reality has set in for me yet, I've been so busy, but sometimes today I have teared up knowing that finally, finally we are on our way to precious Xiu and Jian.

Only one more night in our own beds...

...for a long while! I shouldn't probably even be posting, but needed to take a breather from cleaning and packing :)  We recently moved to the South, so I know it is crucial to have the house as spotless as possible before going on a long trip: new, old, brick, or wood, you always have to be alert for the insects that thrive in this climate, and no way am I leaving a "happy place" for them! Thankfully we have never had any problems in this home, but I am not taking any risks! :)
The last few days have been fun, crazy and I can't seem to keep my mind functioning at all.  I walk somewhere, and wonder why? I tell, Daniel "Oh yes, we packed that .... I think...but I have no idea where" 
I have tried to minimize our luggage. For our family of 4 becoming 6 for 21 days we are down to two medium suitcases around 35lbs each, two small to medium dufflebags, two very small to small backpacks and my oldest's beloved "Trunki"  (a tiny Melissa and Doug child's travel case that doubles as a ride on toy) 
It doesn't sound terrible, but I am still trying to pare down...the train trip from Beijing to Zhengzhou is entirely on our own and I know as much as I need those two suitcases, I am probably going to hate them! :)  I am no fan of lots of luggage, especially when I know we will be pushing through large crowds going up and down staircases and having to jam them in overhead luggage racks and then repeat. So, I am going to try to attack the luggage one more time.
Yesterday, the boys and I had the fun of setting up "beds" for the two newest little ones.  Yes, we plan to have them sleep in our room as we want to be quickly available for comfort and security, so that is two pack and plays we have crammed in there, plus a chair for mommy or daddy to sit in at 2AM... real furniture just wasn't going to fit!

We know that in the care home where our little Jian has been living a Nanny has always stayed in the sleeping room with all the children, and it appears that our little Xiu has shared a common room with his foster family in their village.  To us, even though they are two years old, they are our "new babies" and like "new babies" we want them to learn that they can trust their parents, that their parents are there for them and ready to comfort them.  My mother always said, "when you comfort your child and hurry to care for them, you are teaching them what God our father is like--He is tender and kind to us in our weakness, and loving."

Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.--Ps 103:13

As we head out on this life-changing journey, I am so thankful for our tender, kind, loving Father!  He knows we cannot do this on our own, He knows and understands our fears, and cares about our griefs and joys.  "I have not given you the spirit of fear," He says, "but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind"
We are so grateful to all those who have prayed for us, taught us and given to help us be here today.  You are all loved.  We feel your support and thank God for you.  We are so grateful for the amazing, very human, very real adoptive families we have been privileged to meet (some only online), thank you for your encouragement and all you have taught us.  It is hard to comprehend that in less than a week, our so very beloved Xiu and Jian will become part of our family forever.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!

There is no shadow of turning with Thee!

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not!

As Thou has been, Thou forever wilt be.

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

M. Redman

Tentative Timeline for China :)

June 1--Leave for Atlanta
June 2--Fly from ATL to INC (Seoul, South Korea)

June 3--Arrive in Beijing (we "lose a day" going and "gain one" returning, due to the 12 hour time difference :)

June 4-- Likely do a little touring to help the little guys reset their body clocks

June 5--Take the High speed train from Beijing to Zhengzhou

AND THEN....GET READY FOR IT!!!

JUNE 6--GOTCHA DAY!!!! (BOTH BOYS!)

June 7--Adoption Registration Day, try to get Jian's passport--This is the day the adoption becomes official!
June 8--Travel to Nanyang, Henan to get Xiu's passport

June 17--Consulate appointment in Guangzhou, Guangdong

June 18--US Visa's

June 20--Leave Guangzhou, fly to Seoul and then to Atlanta

June 21--HOME AGAIN, GOD WILLING :)

Now, I need to get back to packing, pronto, pronto!!

TA!

For those of you on Facebook, you know our good news already! We got our TA on Wednesday...a record setting wait of 4 weeks and 1 day by our count, but technically we found out 4 weeks and 2 days...
The last week has been difficult.  Our agency, CCAI, told us that they had never had a family go past 4 weeks, and in fact we later found out that apparently no one has ever gotten past 27 days.  For non-adopters, this may sound like no big deal. But when you know there have been over 10,000 adoptions with this agency before you, same government, same system, same rules, and the average wait for TA is normallyl 10-14 days the anguish starts to set in.  "Are we losing the adoption? Has something happened here at the very, very end?" 
I made myself wait past 4 weeks and finally called our agency, trying not to cry.  "Do any families not ever get the TA? Do adoptions fall through at this point? Do we need to refile paperwork?"  The rep was super kind.  She told me that we had set a record for waiting and they were very sorry but it appeared to be due to the incredible changes happening at the CCWA as they switch from paper to electronic records.  She said "I know this isn't much, but our reps in China think that there is a packet of TAs coming soon...and we hope yours in there!"  Most of all she assured me that no one doesn't get a TA.  That was so comforting.  Even if the wait was long, if there is hope of completing the adoption at the end, we can endure, but as I was losing hope it was so hard to press on.  I hung up full of hope and very encouraged.  In fact, I stopped my obsessive 2 minute refreshing of my phone's email app that I had been doing for the past 3 weeks.  I played and snuggled with my littlest who had woken early from his nap, and it wasn't till an hour or two later that I noted that there was a new email--WE HAD A TA!!! I stopped and had a cry and thanked God.  Since then we have been madly working to find flights for 6 going and 8 coming.  More about that later, we still don't have tickets...white knuckled suspense on this end.  Oh! Yes, we got our confirmed CA Thursday AM and I will post those dates as soon as we have confirmed flights, God willing!  Pray we get the flights today, please.

No TA yet, but LOOK!!!

This morning I woke to find emails from a precious lady. (more about that another time) A Dutch family had visited the children at the foster care center where our little Jian lives--AND THEY TOOK PICTURES!!! HOORAY!! Thank you, thank you dear Dutch family!(Dank Je! Dank Je! Hartelijk Bedankt!) Our last two updates from the SWI had no pictures...so pictures of our son that are less than a week old! Oh my!
So without further ado:
One of our absolutely adorable and precious sons

 

He looks so well! So thankful to see this!

I have more pictures, but blogger absolutely refuses to upload them currently, so I will try to post them later :)
Maybe I'll have a TA by then ;) 

Hope Deferred...

...maketh the heart sick... (the Proverbs of Solomon)
I told my husband that all I wanted for mother's day was a TA :) (Travel approval), but that was not to be.
I know that God's time is perfect in this all, but these last nearly 3 weeks of waiting are seeming to grow longer by the minute! I jump every time my phone beeps--"maybe its here!"  But again and again, "No, not yet."
So, we work and try to focus on what must be done now and rejoice.  I still have plenty to keep me busy, and perhaps; it may still come today. I'll update if it does! In the meantime, "let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire lacking nothing"  after all, "But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life" :)

Mother's Day

This sweet Rockwell reminds me of many Sunday mornings with my mother in our pew. How she managed to keep her many children attentive and well behaved through a beautifully rich liturgical service, singlehandedly while my father preached, I will never know.   This little girl only lacks the tiny white gloves that were my pride and joy on Sunday mornings.

This post is too difficult to write correctly, but I wish I could express a tiny portion of my gratitude for my mother, my grandmothers, my mother in law, and certain examples (Thank you, Edith Schaeffer) who also taught me so much about being a mother.
To my mother: You are passionate about learning, books, people, travel, and most of all Christ. Your enthusiasm for learning is unquenchable.  You showed me that a woman could enjoy the thrill of quantum mechanics, theoretical physics, languages, music, history, and that there was no subject in the world that couldn't be interesting! You positively glowed when teaching us the beauty and intricacy of Greek, the richness of theology, the power of Hebrew, the music of Spanish. You taught us that etiquette was truly important, and then broadened our understanding to learn how to graciously and humbly approach very different manners and cultures from Middle Eastern to Asian to European. You love meeting all people, because you genuinely want to know about them.  You are brave.  You did everything differently, and even though I know you are shy, you were still the best speaker at any conference, the most engaging teacher, and by far one of the most broad-minded and enlightened women I know.  You are an intellectual, an academic yes, but you also taught me to sew, to knit, to can, to bake, to care for little ones and to be a living example of love. You never presented me with an "either-or" dichotomy of professional versus homemaker.  Instead, you live fully, richly, individually, and even when I see you worry about others opinions a little bit, you refuse to let their views dictate to you how you live. Yet, you are humble, kind, willing to forgive and to ask forgiveness. You want to live Christ.
To my paternal Grandmother:   Like my mother, you are strong, intelligent, world-traveled, and immensely talented. You showed me that to be a lady in the fullest sense of the word was a beautiful thing for which to strive. You inspired me to not only seek beauty, but also to create it around me. You introduced me to the best artists, and made them old friends. You always encouraged the art to blossom in me. You opened my world to the treasure of great music, the finest musicians. You are truly an example of polish and poise, graceful steel, serene dignity. Thank you for your love for me, your encouragement, your example.
To my maternal Grandmother:  You never would accept anything other than excellence. Excellence in grammar, excellence in spelling, excellence in mathematics, excellence in life. You could not and do not tolerate mediocrity. God has used you to teach me many lessons. Indeed, they are lessons I am still learning.
To my Mother-in-law:  Surely, our cultures are different, our worlds before so disparate, and yet  now so entwined. Yet, you have always shown me such grace, such beauty of spirit.  You are tender-hearted, and determined in your love toward me. I am acutely aware of how far you surpass me. I see your diligence and your humility toward your family. Every day, you put them above yourself. I wonder at your patience. I see you reflected in your son, the best husband a woman could ever wish for. Thank you for teaching him and raising him to be someone who loves to learn, and cares for people so truly. You truly exemplify the treasure of a meek and quiet spirit--the jewel of Christ-likeness.  It is my prayer to raise my sons as well as you raised your son.  Thank you for loving me. I love you too.
Dear Edith Schaeffer: I know you are enjoying your first Mother's day in Heaven. Thank you for your example. Thank you for everything you taught me about homemaking, living, loving, learning. Your granddaughter said that walking into your home was "like walking into the sunshine."  Thank you for sharing that Sonshine with the world. Your life to me is the epitome of the words:  "Love never fails."
To the Adoptive Moms who have stepped up to help me through this journey:  Thank you! Your willingness to share with me in joy or sorrow, your honesty in weakness and struggles, your fierce love for your children; all these and much more strengthen me on this path.  

Adoption Pain

Isa 42:3

What I am going to share with you are not new thoughts, they have percolated for years. I sigh when people assume we are "joining the adoption fad." (adoption has been on both our hearts for over 20 years) Still as our adoption day seems to be drawing close rapidly, these thoughts are deeply on my heart, and the content of my prayers.
Simply, adoption pain.
Not the pain of paperwork chasing, or waiting years for your precious son or daughter.  It is the pain that these precious little ones and their dear first mom's, first dad's and foster mom's have suffered and will suffer. We all know that every adoption story begins with loss and brokenness. Our own adoption was necessary because we were lost and broken. God is a God of healing, when He walked on this earth, he gave the blind sight, he restored speech, he healed quadriplegics and epileptics- the Bible states he even restored missing and deformed limbs*. 
And the healing He brings is far more than the physical.
My prayers often return to this pain though.  I grieve for my sons. I grieve for all that in this broken world they have lost. I have cried for their first parents. The ones who gave birth to them, and for reasons we may never know, felt compelled to put them where they would be found by others. I grieve for Little Lion's foster mother who has cared for him for the past 22 months. I hurt, hurt, hurt when I think of the pain that is coming to my precious sons, yes the very birth pains of adoption, leaving all they know and love (and I believe both of mine have actually experienced genuine love in the places they are being cared for).  My heart breaks for the fear this will bring to two tiny 2 year olds.  Fully capable of understanding their loss, but not able to process why.
We entered this process with great heaviness for these reasons.  Earnestly, we have questioned every step of the way "Is this right, is this best under these circumstances, Is this as ethical as possible?"  More than anything, we never want to do anything to harm these children.  We have spent hours researching, questioning, probing, listening to adoptees both happy and hurt. While we have concluded "Yes" to these questions, we approach this with humility as imperfect, learning parents, and a constant prayer for true grace, true love and wisdom and understanding of our children. 
Every day we pray for their precious hearts, not that they will not grieve, not that the loss will be erased, but that "The God of all comfort who comforteth us in all our troubles" will be present throughout their lives, not just starting with adoption day.
"A bruised reed will He not break, and a smoking flax He will not quench"
"For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

*Mat15:30,31 compare to Mat 18:8, Mar 9:43, κυλλός translated maimed, see Hippocrates usage as well (Pg 186 in Hyde's edition III)

Itchy Travelin' Feet

Travel

The railroad track is miles away,
And the day is loud with voices speaking,
Yet there isn't a train goes by all day
But I hear its whistle shrieking.

All night there isn't a train goes by,
Though the night is still for sleep and dreaming,
But I see its cinders red on the sky,
And hear its engine steaming.

My heart is warm with friends I make,
And better friends I'll not be knowing;
Yet there isn't a train I wouldn't take,
No matter where it's going.

 

Edna St. Vincent Millay

 

I think I was born with it. Traveling Feet. If they don't get used often enough, hard enough, and far enough they start to itch. Now, I love to be home, and my husband and I are very fond of our comfy bed, routines and whatnot, but maybe that's just because we generally travel often, travel hard, and travel far.  For a few months now we have had no major, crazy, whirlwind trips, and since I have been actually laid up in bed for a couple weeks the itching has really begun... Spring is everywhere!  As I write, a gentle spring rain is falling.  It is a glistening, green evening.  Dogwoods, azaleas, iris, tulips, wisteria are all in bloom.  

We drove out for small errand this past weekend as my first "out of bed" and spring was at that perfect stage where the green is a light froth over all, but not yet the dense green maze of summer, allowing us to still peer deeply into the forest.  There are only a few fleeting days here in the south where this ethereal touch can be seen. (My sweet husband took the most meandering route he could as he understood how I have missed being out)

But, it isn't just spring or the lack of traveling that has gotten me itching..

Yesterday, I received a torn fed-ex envelope, post-marked Chicago.  

With trembling hands I completed the demolition.

There they were: All six of our visas to China. It was a beautiful sight! Thankfully, our courier had packed the passports (visas attached) into a couple ziploc bags and that must have helped keep them in the envelope so that none were lost.  Note to self: 6 passports can burst a fed-ex envelope :)

Our Article 5 was completed and picked up at 4AM on Tuesday ;) and the US Consulate promptly informed us :)

Now we are trying to wait patiently for our TA, the invitation from China for us to travel!

It is our hope that our agency will be able to get us a consulate appt for very soon thereafter, and allow us to travel quickly.  In many cases, they have allowed families to do this, and given Little Lion's urgent surgical needs, I hope they will consider it.

Still even with the impatience to go, the time seems too short to accomplish all that needs to be done. But, slowly, items are getting ticked off the list.  Two new Britax carseats sit in the livingroom, much to the hilarity and delight of D and E who find it "beyond funny" to have carseats that are not in the car! Packing has begun, puzzling over how best to pack for possibly 3 different climates: Beijing, Zhengzhou, and Guangzhou. The puzzle and fun of packing for four little boys who are close to but not quite all the same size! Today we picked up the requisite red bags and tissue and such for wrapping the presents for all and sundry.  Though as Daniel so dryly remarked,  "You know we have to come up with presents for these bags."  Definitely a very backward way of getting presents! Still, if we are in the right spot for the wrapping and Chinese red envelopes...well carpe diem! All in God's time, we will be where we need to be; one foot after the other, one task at a time.

Pass the Ketchup, please!

Our little Nanyang Prince---We are coming, soon, DV,  Sweet boy!!

Catch up, I mean!
I think it must be fairly evident that blogging is not on the top of my to do lists most days, or weeks, or months...erhem.
But, there is so much to catch up on!
First, we received our much anticipated LOAs on March 11!  Fantastic rejoicing. :-D  CCAI overnighted them to us, and though I had clinic that day, I had Kiki (our fantastic Nanny) promise to text me the split second they arrived!  When Daniel and I got home we signed them and fed-ex'd them overnight back to CCAI.

We had already sent them all our I-800 paperwork, DS 230 and related stuff, so they immediately sent it in to the US government on Mar 13.  Then began the wait for the I-800 PA (which is also called an I-797) ...and our family all got sick! It was one thing right after another: Croup, Pneumonia, Gastroenteritis, Colds, unexplained fevers, and just general ickiness.  No one was spared. In retrospect, perhaps it was beneficial for me, because I stopped caring when the I-800PA would arrive.  I just wanted to survive. One.minute.at.a.time.  "Oh, Lord, just strength for right now, right now!" On top of all the illness, my company decided to move our medical office to a new location, a large number of my staff went on maternity (congrats!) or sick leave.  Utter chaos.  We are definitely not settled even yet!
But, in God's time the I-800PA arrived, on April 1, 18 days after application.  Had I been well and counting at the time, I know I would have been worried and anxious, but as I said, I had other things to think about!
We got our NVC letters 2 days later (April 3), but because of a time differential and the consulate being closed Sat, Sun, Mon, they were not delivered to the US consulate till April 9.  In the meantime, I got very sick again, and ended up in the hospital. How grateful I am for the dear church family who immediately jumped in to help, dropping everything to watch my boys, and help with housework and meals.  I have not lived "near" family since I was 18 years old. Time and again, God has cared for me and my family by this other family, the one into which we are born by the new birth.  Even as I type this, I am recovering in bed, while a sweet teen from our church feeds my little guys lunch.  Through the monitor I hear the giggles and laughter, and I am grateful. So grateful.

 We are blessed!

Zhengzhou laughter! We love you!

We talk about flying to China everyday! Aren't we grownup?

All those acronyms!

Last fall getting the dossier organized..

I'm a doctor.

I think in acronyms. 

 For instance, if you come to me complaining of chest pain and belly pain after eating, I may write the following in my note: "*49 yo ow wf co CP  w/+RUQ abd pain, w/o LE, no DOE, no SOB, no diaphoresis, no radiation, no fh CAD. no tob, no EtOH, sh unremarkable.  PMH neg for CAD, CVD, MI (STEMI, nonSTEMI), DM, HTN, CKD. ho burning sensation on back of tongue, Exam: A&Ox3, PERRLA, EOMI, ENT-MMM; CVS-RRR, S1S2, no M/R/G; Lungs CTAB; Abd: NABS, ttp epigastric &RUQ, no r/g. CMP normal, -trop, normal CK-MB, H&H normal. Normal diff.  Will wu w/ ekg, etc but given hx atypical, strong post-prandial assoc. will eval for GERD, PUD, BE, GB dz will obtain RUQ US, trial PPI Rx (NKDA). May need further w/u with EGD, ERCP and/or  MRCP. D/W pt DDx, S&S to call, when to come in, when to call 911, pt VU & A. FU in x days."  *(any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.)

:)

Okay, I admit that note is a little over the top as I wouldn't order all those tests immediately :)  but truthfully the acronym part is often not far from reality! While my made-up note uses standard acronyms, what about some regional, speciality-specific notes?  I acknowledge, I have spent a lot of time on hospital rounds trying to decipher a CT surgeons notes (there it goes again!)

 I realized the adoption community (especially country specific communities) have whole lexicons of acronyms, and when I am talking, sometimes I forget and start talking about TAs and SFs and 797s and...you get the picture! Perhaps I have already left you in the dust sometime when you kindly asked "So how is the adoption going?" 

So here you go, some basic acronym's and a smattering of jargon :)

• PAP--Pre-adoptive parents
• AP-Adoptive parents
• HS--home study, a 20-40 pg report by a licensed social worker detailing you and your family.  Based on background checks, interviews, home inspections, financial reports, references, and every personal document that describe you!
• Dossier--Not an acronym, but a collection of many, many documents including the home study that are notarized and certified up to 4 times before they are ready for China.
• MCC--a list of medical conditions given to your adoption agency detailing the medical conditions you feel prepared to and willing to handle in a child available for adoption
• NSN--non-special needs--A child with no known long term medical problems/disease or conditions
• SN--Special needs child: This could be a child with anything from mild easily correctable problems to severe syndromes or potentially life-threatening conditions.  It also includes children who are healthy, but older (often male) and have less chance of getting adopted. SN is further divided in the China adoption community to SF and LID-only.
• WC--Waiting child--same as above.
• SF--Special Focus.  SF children are children with more severe or complicated medical needs or issues, children who have been on the "Shared list" for >60 days with no family inquiring about them, and children whose age makes them less likely to be adopted. *The shared list is a list of children available for adoption released by the CCCWA that the CCCWA has not specifically assigned to adoption agencies who are working in China.  Because of the severe needs of these children and the lower rates of adoption among them, China will accept applications to adopt these children from families at any stage in the process. However, you still have to complete all the paperwork before you can bring them home :)
• LID-only--Children with medical needs available for adoption who have been deemed to have minor, more correctable medical conditions, usually much younger/infants.  Per the CCCWA, one cannot apply to adopt such a child until all paperwork is completed
• CCCWA--China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption, sometimes referred to as the CCCA, this is the central government agency that oversees all adoptions from China.  China and the US are both signatories of the Hague Adoption Convention, which aims to protect children from trafficking, innapropriate adoptions and other concerns.
• LOI--Letter of intent.  This is a letter you write and send to the CCCWA when you have recieved a child referral and want to pursue adopting that child.  In the case of WC/SN adoption it needs to detail their medical condition and the future plan of treatment.  It tells how you will care for the child and educate him, love him and never abandon him. In the case of SF children it is accompanied by financial statements, background info, and photos of your family.
• PA--Prior Approval--a PA is a special letter from the CCCWA stating that they will process your application in an expedited fashion for this specific child. Basically, that based on the information they received in the LOI and supporting documents they will plan on you adopting that child, and he is no longer available to any other family, provided you complete your dossier in a set period of time and all of it supports their original decision.
• I800A--A form submitted to USCIS (immigration) to determine whether you are suitable as candidate to adopt internationally from a Hague treat nation, and specifically, what country, what age range, how many children and whether the children can have special needs and if so, what severity for which your family is approved. Approval is based on your home study, background checks etc.
• I-797C--The document from USCIS that says they have approved your I-800A. It is usually the very last document you need to send your dossier to China
• DTC--Dossier to China--A moment to be celebrated
• LID--Log in date, the official date the CCCWA logged in your dossier.
• LOA--Letter of acceptance--Baby, you're ours!!! Also known as the LOC or LSC. This is the official seal of approval on your adoption...but wait...it's not done yet...
• I-800 and 1864w--Filed with the NBC (national benefits center)  this is the application to allow your specific child(ren) to immigrate to the USA, it cannot be filed until you have your LOA!
• NVC letter--National Visa Center letter, comes after your I800 is approved (also know as the I800PA, only here it means "provisionally approved")
• DS 230--what you actually file to get their visas, this is delived to the US consulate in China.
• Article 5--What the US consulate gives you when your DS 230 is delivered. It means you are good to go from the US side--your kids will become US citizens in China (if both parents travel to complete the adoption)
• TA--TRAVEL APPROVAL... your invitation from the CCCWA to come and pick up your children!

So, we are LID, and waiting and praying for LOA...



Please, Lord, please let my brothers come home soon



Exceeding Abundantly

Above all that we could ask or think! I have always loved that verse! It makes me catch my breath and sends a thrill through me, "Now unto HIM WHO etc.."
Today is a day that I have been privileged to see the exceeding abundant work of our Father.  We received our I-797 on Saturday late afternoon.  This was thrilling, but concerning timing as we could do nothing that day to certify it and prepare it, yet it had to be done this week due to upcoming US and Chinese holidays, and I couldn't take clinic off at such a last minute to start the process on Monday.  After talking to my clinic supervisor, she graciously helped me get all my patients from Tuesday moved to this Monday or next ;) and scheduled an extra nurse for the increased workload.  So while I saw extra pts, my husband took some time from his work on Monday and did the notary and county clerk and was blessed to get an appointment for us with the Dept of State for Wednesday morning.  Tuesday, with clinic cancelled, I drove the three hours over to our state capitol, first thing in the morning, and despite bad weather, God helped me to get in and out shortly after the government offices opened.  I drove back to our town, picked up our boys, and Daniel drove back from work, and we headed to DC, stopping only to make the requisite copies.  It was bad, bad weather all the way, blinding, driving rain, but in the wee hours of the morning, we made it to Fairfax, VA and gratefully turned in at a hotel. (Thank you, Lord for Priceline and smart phones!)  The next morning we headed to DC, had a pleasant and very quick appt with the DoS, (5 minute turn-around with a smile, how is that for a blessing?) and rushed to the Chinese embassy to turn in our paperwork.  We found that they were telling all people there that there would be no more rush (same day) service, but they were glad to get it done overnight for us. ** For other PAPs, I am not sure if this is a permanent change for personal, urgent/emergent hand delivered documents, as the option is still on the website, but the embassy staff did make it sound like this was a permanent policy change, so I would recommend planning for two days in DC.**
  This was a skewer in our plans, but we knew God had a reason, so since my parents live only 3 hrs from DC, we trucked on up to them.  Needless to say, living 12hrs apart as we do, these grandparents do not get as much time with the little guys as they would like, so this was a very fun surprise for them and us.  We are hoping and praying that my father will be able to accompany us on adoption trip, for so many reasons.  The next day, we headed back to DC, got the documents all looking pretty! and headed to Fed Ex, where I spent an unreasonable amount of time, copying, checking, collating and fine tooth combing, this which was to be our very last package of dossier documents to our agency! Poor Daniel, I think the boys were quite a handful, but I must say they were really troopers for this long crazy trip and only needed to occasionally let off a little very understandable steam now and then.
With that over-nighted to our agency, we got in our car and headed back toward home, watching the weather map that showed a bad looking snow storm was coming.  Most of the afternoon and evening we drove undisturbed, though the weather map declared we were at that very moment being pelted with snow.  God was driving the storm before us. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was CCAI, I answered, curious as to why they would be calling at this late time.  Jaime told me that our critical review was done, "yay!" but "I have some really bad news for you, can you talk now?"  Quickly she told me that all our documents that we had sealed in October had an error in that they were all lacking a date on one of the seals from the embassy.  She noted that this was a very serious error and would require all the documents to be returned to the embassy and a correction requested.  We would not likely make our hoped for goal of DTC before the New Year.   We were at a loss of what to do. D and I both had to be back in town for work and responsibility this morning, and we had already left DC.  J said she was closing up the office, but she would be happy to overnight the documents anywhere I wanted.  D and I did not know what to do. Rapidly we discussed options, but all seemed impossible given the circumstances, only two more intercountry mailings scheduled-and next week was inauguration, MLK...the list of impossibles was too long!
J did not believe that the embassy would be able to do any same day corrections.  Our hearts sank.  We thanked her for the info and hung up, puzzled and heart sick.  It seemed, humanly, that our dossier would now have to wait till after the New Year at minimum and get caught in the piles that build over this long, lovely holiday. Suddenly, I thought of my parents! Perhaps they could take the package (today) to DC. I was upset, "be ye angry and sin not" ran through my head, because "it was too late" J had said she was leaving the office and would not be back till Monday.  Daniel suggested (after I had been upset and tearful for a few minutes) that I should call back, even though the office was closed and see if J was still there.
I did.
She was.
She would.
Of course.
 (thank you, Lord for making me set up a fed ex account back when I thought I didn't really need too.) Then, Daniel began looking to see if we could find a fed ex office near us (somewhere in the boonies as our family would say) to send my father our passport copies, examples of correct sealing etc. We found one. It was closing in 2 minutes. They suggested another. We rushed there and sent off the package and got back on the road, praying. Up till this point the roads had been clear and no traffic, so we were able to do all this running around with no problem.  I called my parents and my father was happy to take on this ticklish task of running to DC and seeking a solution. Thank you, Abba!
The roads stayed clear but the snow on either side increased.  Finally, the traffic ground to a halt. Parked on the interstate, we were grateful that Daniel had filled up the tank at the last fed-ex stop.  We spent most of the night parked for a hour or so, suddenly traffic would start and we would rush on, no sign of the reason of delay, and then again, the traffic would suddenly condense and park for a couple hours.  Finally, we decided, tiredly to try the back roads if we had a chance at an exit...I cannot countenance this decision as having the slightest rationality to it.  If the interstate, which was quite clear could not move...! Daniel had been sleeping, while I watched for movement in the traffic. When it came, I pointed out that according to my phone there was a critical access road that paralleled the interstate. What did he think? We got off.  We looked at our map.  The critical access road looked very small and unlikely to be fully plowed, we were in the mountains.  We opted for some country(state) highways instead. As we drove these roads, I noticed a small dot on the map directly on our proposed route "Highest peak in the state of X" Uh Oh.  Should we turn back?  But the snow was so high, that the only way was forward. Trees were downed everywhere. The road wasn't that bad...and then it was. The plows had passed that way. Brave plow drivers! But they had only plowed their best around the trees that blocked up to 75% of the roadway.  Lots of snow remained.  Creeping along at no more than 15- 20mph we did sharp hair pin turn after hair pin turn slowly ascending the mountain.  The mountain stream on one side had become a raging and furious river tearing trees out and bearing them down (last night was the first time I have seen real waves in a stream!) and the tiny rivulets down the mountain side had become roaring waterfalls that sprayed across the road like fire hydrants.  On the other side the valley dropped down down and in places the edges of the road had given out, crumbling and tumbling down the living storming mountain.  We had to maintain enough speed to not slip and yet I was constantly afraid that we would hurtle either over the cliff  or into the raging waters.  This was all at 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 in the morning.  Finally we reached the peak, and if possible I felt that the road became worse, how I hate hairpins downhill on a good day!  I was so exhausted I could hardly keep my eyes open, but was trying to stay awake to help Daniel.  Thankfully the boys slept peacefully. Daniel is an amazing man.  I have always known that, but watching his nerves of steel last night, his calmness and skill, I am so thankful for him. He threaded around trees on steep grades maintaining the center of the road always alert. We were praying all the way.  When we finally crawled into the tiny town at the base of the mountain, there was no doubt to us that A. We didn't deserve to be all in one piece! and B. That God is very merciful! Our lives are in His hands. There were still lots of windy mountain roads (one is never quite out of the mountains around here) till the interstate, but finally we found a partially plowed grocery store parking lot and were able to sleep for an hour. Then back on the interstate, where the traffic was light, but the car in front of us immediately spun out on black ice.  We decided this time that wisdom was the better part of valor and pulled off at the next exit to rest till the sun had been up for a while.  Eventually we were able to get back on the roads, and though there was still black ice and thick fog, we were able to continue slowly and steadily.  Around 8 my mother called to let us know that they had received the fed-ex packages at 7:40 and my father was heading out to DC.  We made it home safely.  Around 1:50 my father called to say that not only had he made it safely to DC, but that the embassy had, after discussion with him, graciously and willingly corrected the seals on the spot!!!!! He had them all in hand! He was taking them to Fed Ex!  To use an over used expression--MINDBLOWN!! Definitely today, yesterday, all of this is Exceeding abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think!
So at this moment, God willing, our documents are on their way to our agency, and J says (God willing) we should be DTC next Friday!

Here I raise my Ebenezer

Hither by Thy help I've come

 And I know by Thy good pleasure

 Safely I'll arrive at Home

I-800A approval! and a catch...

We submitted our I800A mid November, and got fingerprinted December 10.  Due to some recent postal delivery issues in our neighborhood, we had become concerned (I was plain worried) that our approval might have been lost.  So, after consulting with our agency, I gave USCIS a call, and immediately got a very friendly person who was happy to help look it up! Apparently we have been approved! Praise God! So very, very thankful to hear this! The only catch is...our approval letter is not here yet...and the mail has already come today, chuckles...

When the letter arrives, DV, I need to get a copy of it notarized, then certified by the county clerk, then certified by the state, then authenticated by the US Dept of State,  and finally a sealed by the Chinese Embassy.  This is the last document for our dossier, and then, God willing, it is off to China! (the homestudy will be traveling with it too, as cost wise I was waiting to do them together.)

Now we need to decide if I should take it all to DC myself, or use a courier. Courier service takes at least a week, and therefore is much slower, but, its a long, long drive! Last set of documents we did ourselves and it was very smooth and super quick. Hmm.