In Zhengzhou!!!

We made it to ZZ this morning... trying to get Internet figured out so am keeping this short (at a restaurant borrowing their wifi).

We are doing great! There are 3 other families in our travel group - 2 of them brought their daughters ages 5 & 9 to China so CC has more new friends :) The three girls had a big time holding hands through the airport.

Tomorrow is the big day - we head to the civil affairs office around 9:30am china time (so 8:30 weds night CST) to meet JonJon. Appreciate your prayers for him! and us!

Here's a couple pics

Our China Timeline to JJ

July 6, 2011: Viewed Jon Jons file
July 11, 2011: Sent our application to CCAI
July 13, 2011: First home visit with Social Worker
July 14, 2011: LOI to China & Approval by CCAI
July 15, 2011: Pre-Approval from CCC*A to adopt Jon Jon

***Commence mad dash for paper chase - certified copies of original birth & marriage certs, police background checks, child abuse clearances from every state/country we lived in after age of 18!, references, etc etc etc.

July 22, 2011: Bob & Amy medical appointments
July 26, 2011: Second Home visit with Social Worker
July 27, 2011: Girls medical apptointments
August 1st: Final home visit with Social Worker
Sept 23, 2011: All dossier documents Fedex'd to DC for final authentication steps.
Oct 14th: Home Study Approved
Oct 14th: Mailed I800A off to USCIS
Oct 21st: Notice of receipt date from USCIS
Nov 9th: Fingerprinted
Dec 20th: I800A approval! (day 60)
Jan 13th: DTC
Jan 17th: LID
Feb 21st: LOA (35 days!)
Feb 23rd: Sent off our I800
Mar 7th: I800 Approval!!
Mar 15th: NVC cabled
Mar 16th: Article 5 drop off
Mar 30th: Article 5 pick-up!
Apr 13th: TA!!!!!
CA is May 14th!!!
Metcha day: May 3rd!!!

We made it!

We made it to Beijing after a long (12.5hr) and uneventful flight :) from Chicago. CC did beautifully on the plane - she even managed to sleep for 3hrs which I was grateful for! Hoping she sleeps longer on the way back ;)

We are staying here in Beijing with some sweet friends that I have known for almost 20 years. They have 2 precious daughters who are 4 and 6 years old. The three girls are fast friends, having a blast together!

This morning we got up early and went to the Great Wall... It was the perfect day to go- not too crowded or too hot. It was incredible!!! I havent been since I was about CC's age so was amazing for me to get to experience it afresh with her. I can only post the pictures I took on my phone (which aren't the best) so will try to upload the (hopefully) better camera pics after we get home...

After the Great Wall we drove into Beijing - saw Tienanmen Square, the 'pants' building aka CCTV tower, the forbidden city etc. So grateful for wonderful friends who showed us around - love you guys Danny & Jill!

Tomorrow we are heading out early to fly to Zhengzhou which is where we will get JJ. Really appreciate you prayers for him... and for me - for wisdom and insight as I start getting to know my son and try to help him through the grieving process (while traveling to all sorts of government offices to complete all the required paperwork)... And for CC as she becomes a big sister again, but in an unfamiliar place... She has been amazing - handled all the new experiences really well!!! no squatty potties yet ;)

Will try to post again tomorrow from ZZ.

Getting ready...

This mommas heart has been through the wringer this week - so very excited to meet my son but already missing my wonderful hubby and precious daughters who are staying home... 18 days is a LOOOONG time to be away! SO glad that I'll have one helper with me that I can cuddle and hoping sweet son will let me love on him too.

In prep for the trip EB and I made a paper chain for the nights momma will be gone, to help her visualize when we'll be back... She is excited to take one link off each night until mommas home :)

Appreciate your prayers - Bob has set me up with my own wifi and VPN so (if I can operate them) I'll try to post some while we are gone for those who want to follow along. Thank you SO much to everyone who has supported us in so many ways - we couldn't do this without you!

Test

Just testing to see if I can post from my phone :)

TA!!!!!!!

We found out on Friday, April 13th, that we got our Travel Approval!!!!! So very very excited (and a little all over the place!). I (Mama-bear) fluctuate between being ecstatic, to not believing that its finally here, to freaking out over the details in preparation, to longing for sweet JJ and wondering how he is doing/how he is going to respond to this all (heartbroken at the heartache he is about to go through), to being ecstatic, not believing its finally here, freaking out.... you get the idea ;)

We are still waiting to hear back from the US Consulate with our CA (Consulate Appointment) date. After we have that confirmed we will be booking flights - right now its looking likely that we (CC & Mama-bear) will be headed to China around the last of April, first few days of May... and hopefully home by May 16th. Loooooong time in China...

Will post the details once we have them... but are rejoicing to be at this stage! Not long now!!! :)

Waiting...

 on our Travel Approval... Our Article 5 was picked up on March 30th from the US consulate in Guangzhou but because of Ching Ming (grave sweeping holiday in China) it wasn't able to be dropped off at CCC*A until Thursday April 5th. After we get our TA all thats left is to schedule our consulate appointment, book flights, and GO to China!!!! I cant believe that it is all happening, is all so close.

My goal for this next week is to try and get some meals in the freezer (for Bob and the 2 girls while we are gone and hopefully a couple for when we get home too- am also hoping that it will be a good distraction technique, this momma is so ready to go get our son).

Would really appreciate your prayers as we are in this final stretch:
1) For JJ's heart/emotions - he has/is likely heading back to the state run orphanage, a place he has hasnt lived at since he was a few months old, we think... is a HUGE and hard transition for him right before meeting us and having another HUGE and hard transition... and is also not a very nice place :( is heartbreaking when I really think about it :(

2) For us here as we prepare to travel and also try to prepare for Bob and 2 of the girls who will be staying at home...

3) For our TA to come this week. TA's were taking 2-3 weeks but then last week they started coming in around 7 days so we are praying that ours will come that quickly!

Looking forward to the next post being about our TA!!!! :)