a tad bit of a change

We found out that we will actually be leaving on Friday, June 29th. Our flight is out of Denver at 6:00 AM! We have to be there 2 hours early, and we live about 1 1/2 hours from the airport. When the travel agency called, the person actually chuckled at the times!!

But you know what? It didn't matter, it just means that we are SO close to getting Kaycee - it is a feeling that cannot be described!

The next time I post, I will be just hours from leaving! Just pray that I get everything done that needs to be done!!! :)

Itinerary

June 30 - Depart for China (still don't know when exactly)
July 1 - Arrive in Fujian Province - this is where Kaycee is from
July 2 - GOTCHA DAY!!!
July 2-7 - China Adoption Processing
July 8 - Flight to Guangzhou
July 9 - Doctor's exam for Kaycee
July 10 - US INS processing - Consulate appointment
July 11 - Pick up Kaycee's Visa
July 12 - leave to come back to US

Somewhere in here, I need time to shop!

Please don't let us fly on Friday the 13th. I am NOT superstitious, however, I am scared to DEATH to fly over the water! At least they are about 16 hours ahead of us, so we should leave on the 12th and get back to the US on the 12th.

IT IS HERE!!!!!

I can't believe it!! Our TA is here! (Actually it was here two days ago, but I have been so busy, I haven't had time to enjoy it!!!)

We should be leaving on June 30th and our Consulate Appointment should be on either July 10 or July 11!!

This means in just under three weeks, Kaycee will be our FOREVER! What an incredible feeling!!

Let me tell you how it happened!!

I have another lady that I have been emailing back and forth that is also adopting SN with the same agency. (She is wonderful!)

Anyway, Monday, we emailed wondering if anything was going on. I had received phone calls and one email from my agency for small pieces of information, so I knew something was up...

But nothing came on Monday.

Then Tuesday morning came. Emailed again to see if anything was happening - nothing.

Then my friend emails out of the blue and "I GOT THE CALL!!" You should be getting yours any time.

So the clocked ticked and ticked.

Nothing...

I had to pee so bad...

Still nothing...

I had to go!

I put my cell phone in my pocket.

Walked to the bathroom.

Closed the door.

Started to sit down..

Ring, ring, ring.. Sure enough it was them.

Hello? .........

What do you think Kaycee will think about this story when I tell her?

TA

Rumors are spreading like wildfire out there in the land of Yahoo groups that TA's should be coming tomorrow. I had three phone calls from our agency and one email today alone. I think something is up...

One lady received her TA today and she leaves Friday.

What if that happens to us? I CAN'T leave Friday!! I have WAY too much stuff to do, there are not enough hours between now and Friday!

(Im)patiently waiting for the sun to rise tomorrow...

So it begins...

I have to laugh...I have started the dreaded task of packing my suitcase for the trip...

Why is is dreaded? MAny reasons, of which one is the size of my suitcase and the restrictions on suitcase weight.

I am trying to pack a light as possible but honestly it is not ending up that way. I know some of the things I can get in China, that is great - but honestly, there are some things I just want to get here, so I can do the "fun" shopping there.

My list:
diapers
bottle
pacifier
little plates
sippy cups
rabbits for the orphange
gifts for everyone
clothes for Kaycee
clothes for me
books
toys
medicine
wipes
papers
camera
charger
laptop
camera cards

I know there are other things, just can't figure them out right now...

As I get more things in order, I will post a picture of the beginning and the end :)

Interesting

I was just googling around, and found these photos of the Fuzhou Social Welfare Institute, in the Fujian Province. This is the province where Kaycee is.

These photos were taken in the late 90's, so it is possible these have changed drastically. It looks like there is a lot of grass and trees in this area.

Getting nervous

Our Visas came on Saturday - what does that mean?

There is nothing else keeping us from leaving except for the Chinese government.

AAGGHH!! What am I going to do?

Really, I have accomplished NOTHING in the past two weeks since our LOA arrived. I have three more weeks in my class, of which most of my assignments are completed. Other than that, I still have a ton of things to do.

I can't tell you how excited, nervous, anxious, and any other words I can think of, I am feeling right now.

I was able to get 5 gifts, and three outfits to take to the orphanage while I was in Kansas. I also got a couple of outfits for Kaycee.

Duct tape - got that - I have heard this is the most important item to take with you when traveling to China - got it.

I wonder what Kaycee is doing today...