Lunch Time!

So, now that I can sit and type, I would like to apologize.  Because after about 1pm today, I am not entirely sure what happened to today.  You see, I saw a handful of these in my inbox....

Seriously, now how do you concentrate with these around?  These pictures were taken by a mama visiting her daughter's orphanage, which also happens to be Vivienne's orphanage.  This special woman prayed for my child and told her that mama is coming.  There is not a word for this depth of gratitude.  Our daughters' cribs are close to each other, and they are little friends.  Do you see my beautiful child?  Her sweet eyes, that crazy hair?  Her happy face?  Get a load of that underhand spoon grasp and the way she's stabilizing her bowl with the other hand...can't resist!  And yes, I see the shiner...I'm quite sure that was not a happy moment for for her or her nannies, with what I've heard about this child's lungs!            

Article 5 Drop Off

Okay, here we go some more!  Those three documents that the Consulate needs to process our Article 5 letter have been delivered, and we are scheduled to have our Article 5 pick-up on May 2.

After that, we wait for travel approval (TA) and PACK...because in a few weeks when that comes, we need to get our consulate appointment (CA) and book flights quickly!

I also received an extra special blessing today...and I don't think it is blog-sharable, but it's GOOD!!!    Just praise the Lord with me!

PS, eventually I will get to a shower post...because my friends outdid themselves and it was beautiful.

I800 Approval and Cabled!

We received I800 approval last Tuesday, got it in the mail Saturday!  That means US immigration approves of us adopting Vivienne specifically, and grants approval for her to be considered our child upon her adoption.

Today, immigration forwarded their approval to the National Visa Center (NVC) and the NVC sent a letter to the Embassy in C*.  This is called being cabled.

What's Next, The Short Version: 

One more complicated step, Travel Approval from C*, Consulate Appt...FLIGHTS!

What's Next, The Details:

Our agency will now take a copy of our cable letter, our LOA and another form, and a courier in C* will deliver it all to the US Consulate.  I'm hoping this is actually happening as we speak, which is to say tomorrow in C*.

The US Consulate takes about 2 weeks to issue another letter saying we are all in order.  This letter is called an Article 5.

THIS letter will be couriered to the adoption authority in C*, and they will begin our travel approval process.  Travel Approval, or TA, should come 3-4 weeks after that...but it's been really more like 15 days lately...but there's a 3 day weekend in there...sigh.  Anyway.

Once we have TA, we can request our consulate appointment (CA).  Then we book PLANE TICKETS!!!  We'll only know exact dates a week or two before we actually board the plane.  Yes, to answer the most common question I get about this part, the tickets will be very expensive...ask me if I care!  

So...6-8 weeks?!

Prayer requests:

1.  For wisdom and, yes, even just good fashioned providence.  It's been one heck of a year, and it's crunch time!

2.  For a hedge of protection as we get closer to travel.  That last week seems to be really something- there just seems to be one last volley against the blessing and grace of adoption.  But, as our our agency's lead C* caseworker reminds everyone, nothing touches this adoption without God's permission!  

3.  We're praying Vivienne is getting all the care she needs and then some, and that her heart is soft and prepared to trust us and bond with us, in the face of leaving everything she knows, and that we would have God-given abilities to meet her needs- physical and otherwise.