bodner003

As I explained previously, Emily's immigration approval was forwarded to the National Visa Center in New Hampshire last week. The NVC produced and cabled our adoption letter to the US Embassy in China yesterday (almost one week later). This triggers our next wait, which should be between 2-3 weeks. Home stretch, y'all. We expect our Lifeline China team will be able to pick up our Article 5 letter (Emily's approved visa) around March 4th. Once our Article 5 letter is available, it will be couriered to the CCCWA (China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption), where they will issue us Travel Approval (TA) about 2 weeks later. At that point, it's go time! Considering where we are in the process and looking at the time frames, we are expecting to travel the last week of March. I can't believe I'm able to say that now! (Disclaimer: If you are already thoroughly bored or confused by our process, do not read this paragraph.) We can not book our flights until we ...

My precious friends showered me with love today. I am truly overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness, energy, time, and creativity that went in to organizing this very special day. I am one blessed lady. Thank you, sweet Holly, for opening your home in order that you and my other lovelies could shower this mama with goodness. Now we are officially ready for Mei Mei's arrival! There were so many great pictures taken of this special day. Here are a few...   Big sister and "Nana" My friend Carla made this amazing cake!       A bracelet with the names of my 5 special people. Love. Some of my girls who came today Anna Grace loves her Mei Mei already!   Love me some Tujagues!    

We have been notified that Emily has officially been approved for citizenship in the U.S. This approval confirms Emily's status of American citizen the second she hits American soil. I try to imagine the moment our airplane touches down on U.S. soil, after leaving China with our daughter. I'm thinking there will be plenty of tears and high fives. I've already purchased her a new red, white, and blue dress for that day... Oh what a joyous day that will be! Now that we have I800 approval, our file has been sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) in New Hampshire. In approximately one week, the NVC will create and cable a letter to the US Embassy in Guangzhou, China (while they are doing this, we will be busy filling out more paperwork, DS260 form, which is necessary in the process of obtaining Emily's visa). Here, our Article 5 (Emily's approved visa to leave China) will be produced and sent to the CCCWA. Once they receive this, they will i...