I haven't posted anything since Wednesday because I realized that a picture (or 2) was worth a thousand words! It still seems a bit surreal that we actually received our phone call and referral packet. We have waited so long. Both Marti and I just stare at the 2 pictures of Kate and still can't believe that she will be joining our family in just over 2 months. I am sure the next 60 days will seem longer than the last 40 months.
Besides being asked what we will call our newest daughter, the most common question seems to be, "So when will you go get her?" Right now we do not know the exact travel dates but most of the time families travel approximately 8 weeks after receiving their referral. So prayerfully, we will be leaving around September 24th for China.
When our packet arrived, there were several forms that we had to fill out; our acceptance letter, 2 USCIS (the U.S. "immigration" department), and our travel forms. We filled these out and returned the next day. In addition, we have submitted a visa request from the U.S. for Kate to be admitted into the U.S. once we have completed the adoption. Once the USCIS forms and visa approvals return, we will await our Travel Approval from our adoption agency. That is when we will buy our airline tickets to travel to China.
So, in the meantime, we will wait (prayerfully with grace and patience). And go to work. And take the kids to Shakespeare Camp, football practice, clean the house, buy groceries, and well, you get the picture.
Congrats, guys! This is so exciting! :)
Posted by: Jim Cottrill | July 30, 2009 at 07:19 AM