Tick tock, tick tock..

     Many people have been asking me "When are you going to China?", "Are you packed yet?", "Are you excited?". The answers are "We don't know yet", "Nope, but we bought luggage and a travel router and have our visas" and "I can't answer that because I'll start sobbing, but if you want to split a bottle of wine and listen to me, I'm all for it!". Right now, we are at the Article 5 step...which is super close! Here is a quick explanation of this step:

Article 5

After you have received I-800 Approval and have been cabled (and gotten the NVC letter), it's time for your Article 5 letter to be issued by the US Embassy. This is a step that you don't have to really DO anything about, but it is helpful to know what is going on.

Once you have emailed your NVC letter to your agency, they will forward it to their in-China representative.

The in-China rep will take the NVC letter to the US Embassy in Guangzhou along with your DS-230 application and Parental LOA.

Why is my paperwork going to the consulate?

The consulate needs to review your new child's visa application (the DS-230), make sure it meets the qualifications for an immigrant visa, and then signs off that everything is in order for the adoption to be completed. This is called the Article 5 letter. You cannot obtain custody of your child until the Article 5 letter is issued!

The consulate takes a standard two weeks to complete this process. If your paperwork is dropped off on a Monday, it will be picked up from the consulate by your agency rep two Mondays later.

Once it's picked up from the consulate, it will be delivered directly to the CCAA for Travel Approval! 

     Our Article 5 letter is being picked up on Wednesday!!!!! Then, we enter the most exciting pre-travel phase, waiting for our TA (travel approval) from China. When we get this letter, we book our flights! Typically TA takes 2 weeks after the Article 5 pick up.  One issue we are having is that China has a holiday the first week October, so this  sets us back a week.  October 1st-8th is the Golden Week, here is a quick explanation of this holiday:

The word National Day, appeared in Chinese language as early as in the Western Jin Dynasty (265 - 316 AD). In ancient China, it usually fell on the day when the emperor ascended the throne or was born. Nowadays, it is celebrated on October 1st every year to commemorate the founding of People’s Republic of China. On that day, lots of large-scaled activities are held nationwide. Besides, the seven-day holiday from Oct. 1st to 7th is the so-called "Golden Week”, during which more and more Chinese people go traveling around the country.

     That being said...most likely we will receive our TA on October 17th.  You can travel directly after receiving this letter.  We are hoping to have Nora join our family on October 28th, normally the day you meet your child is on a Monday, so this is our best guess.  In the meantime, we are just staying busy preparing things. 

 I finally decided what to buy Nora's foster mom.  What do you buy someone who has loved your child in your absence for almost 2 years...I have no idea.  What about the woman who rocked her to sleep and kissed her boo boos...I have no idea.  The woman who saw your daughter's first steps and heard her first words...I have no idea. Based on Leslie's suggestion, I decided on this:

There really is no way to thank Nora's foster family.  The only way is to give our daughter the best life we possibly can and to always remember that she is a gift for us to cherish.  I hope those of you with children do the same....