our agency agreeing to all the terms, conditions and hold harmless on travel, all of which needed to be notarized. We also received an email letting us know that Chongqing was one of the few provinces where we could opt to wire our orphanage donation fee. Yippee, that's a lot less crisp, new 100's that we have to worry about obtaining and carrying around. Our final bit of paperwork was the application for our visas.By Saturday I had all the forms filled out and notarized (Thanks Dan!). Early Monday morning I was at the bank getting a money order for the orphanage fee and writing out a check for the visas and then it was on to the post office to mail everything off. By Wednesday everything was received by CCAI and the travel agency obtaining our visas.
Now we're waiting for our visas to come through, we're still waiting on our updated I-171H and of course still waiting for travel approval (TA) so that consulate appointments can be scheduled and travel dates can be set. So close and yet still so far away especially when we look into Maisie's eyes.
We have so many things on our plate right now that hopefully the next week or so should pass quickly. Today my parents come in to spend the week with us. Tomorrow is my baby shower and I'm so excited. Then of course is preparing for Thanksgiving and that whole day. Then the Saturday after Thanksgiving is Eammon's Wetting the Baby's Head which means Sunday I'll be taking care of him!!
I'm really hoping that before Thanksgiving maybe we'll hear something about not only our TA's but also our I-171H. Please keep your fingers crossed for us!!
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I got all that paperwork done too except for the visa. We are going to make our own arrangements and I am waiting for my niece's passport and then I will send off for the visas.
ReplyDeleteWow! Lots to do and still waiting...sigh! You will be there soon and Maisie will be in your arms and in your life forever.
ReplyDeleteLove the Wetting the Baby's Head term. Must share it with DH.
Have a wonderful visit and a super shower!
Keep smilin!
This is such an exciting time.... get all you can done now because once the baby gets here? All bets are off! LOL : )
ReplyDeleteLoved the urban dictionary.... never saw that before!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Lisa :)
I read that "wetting the baby's head...have to take care of him..."
ReplyDeleteand all I have to say is that I have a very, very, dirty mind.
I have never heard of that,and I must say, I was afraid to click on the link you had for it. Didn't know what would pop up!!!!
I have misplaced my baby shower invitation and am in total panic mode. If I can't come up with it, I may need to call you for directions!!!!!!!
What a nice blessing you have to be Thankful for this Thanksgiving. I know what you mean about everything having to get done. We just bought a new house and are moving Decmeber 14th. We are expecting referral in the next batch so its going to be a busy little house around here. JUST BRING ON THAT REFERRAL PIC :-)
ReplyDeleteDeb
More Paperwork??? I thought that was the torture of the Paperchase!!! I wish I could have made it to the shower... HAT and all!!! I will be thinking of you when the showertime rolls around!!! I only wish I could have meet those amazingly supportive and loving ladies who lunch!!! AND MELISSA!!!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Sounds like you are on a roll. Maisie will be with you before you know it.
ReplyDeleteI love the Wetting the Baby's Head tradition. I'll be celebrating then right there with you. :)
Shell
P.S. - Interesting, um, dictionary. :)
Waaaahhhhh!!!!! I have to work tomorrow!! I know I'm going to miss a great time!! hmpf!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard that expression before!
ReplyDeleteYou've been very busy, haven't you?
Wow it must be one hugh relief not to have to carry all that cash.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you are looking forward to the shower and have a great Thanksgiving!!!
from Canada
Hmmm, maybe we'll wet the baby's head in honor of Maisie over Thanksgiving, too:)
ReplyDeleteOh!! Enjoy your baby shower, girl. I do look forward to pictures!!! How wonderful that you guys don't have to worry yourselves with carrying all of that CASH! Cold, hard, CRISP cash - that is. Great news!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanks-Maisie-Giving. XOXO
We didn't know what to epect from the visas and so were surprised when all we got back was our passports. A quick look through them and they revealed the visa stickers!
ReplyDeleteHave fun at your showers, ours is on December 3.
Travel Mate Karyn
Oy, good luck with Eammon on SUnday! He will be a poorly boy.
ReplyDeleteHave fun at your shower and we will keep everything crossed that the postman delivers your 171-h pronto.
I can't wait until you have that little sweetie in your arms! Good luck finishing all the paperwork!
ReplyDeleteSo busy - always a good thing. I always forget that after the wonder of the referral comes THE WAIT. I hope things move by quickly. Enjoy your shower and Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteSo exciting! I have everything crossed for quick word for you.
ReplyDeleteHmmm....'wetting the baby's head' in my vernacular isn't nearly as wild. I'll have to try it sometime in the new definition of the term.
Can't wait to hear about the shower!
Ah, the paperwork and visas it is always fun to fill out more paperwork. But, isnt great to wire the money for the fees? We were so happy to do it too. A lot less to worry about, especially in the midst of travel and gotcha day. Here is to hoping you receive great news on this week of thanks.
ReplyDeleteLots of folks dont talk about the paperwork that they have to do once they get a referral. Thanks for keeping me informed. I have been wondering. .
ReplyDeleteHey Lisa,
ReplyDeleteJust checking in on you to see how its going. Has your feet hit the ground yet :-)
Can't wait to see you travel through China.
Deb
(hoping for referral this month)
BTW: Would you mind adding our blog to your sidebar so others can follow us too. Thanks chickie
I've never heard of "wetting the baby's head" and I love it!!! What a great time for Eammon.
ReplyDeleteI think the next few weeks will go by quickly with all you have to do!
Happy Thanksgiving.
I hope you hear about TA soon too!
ReplyDeleteLOVE Amen's excuse to get his drink on! Gotta keep CSP away from your blog or he'll be wetting our baby's head too!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed!