Artwork

When I opened my email this morning, we received an email the agency who did our care package for us.  Rui had drawn some pictures for us, with instructions from her teacher.  They included a note from her as well.  She hopes we love her pictures, and is looking forward to seeing her mommy and daddy very soon.  She also loved the presents we sent. 


The pictures made my day!! Here is one of them.

Come on TA!!

I thought I would give everyone a quick update. Last week our Article 5 was picked up and sent to the Civil Affairs office.  The Article 5 is Rui's visa info, and now we are waiting for them to approve her to travel and us to go and get her.  Once we get this, we will submit our day for our consulate appointment.  After all this - WE BUY PLANE TICKETS!!!  This wait is approximately 2-3 weeks, but could be shorter or longer (please be shorter!!)  We are praying we leave on my birthday (Dec. 14th) or before.  This would allow for cheaper plane tickets as well, and we would get back home before the end of the year.

Rui's room is almost ready for her.  I have had some nice people send me some hand-me-downs, which has been great.  I need to get her things put on her wall that I have.  I will try to post a pic one day.  It is hard to believe we could possible have our girl in less than a month.

We are so blessed to be able to do this, and looking forward to what Rui will add to our family and us to her life.  Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us along this journey. Keep on Praying!!

(Also, please pray for our girls as we go to get our travel shots.  This is not something they are looking forward too.  I have heard the typhoid shot is not very fun.)

VISA Application

We have filled out an enormous amount of paperwork for this adoption.  There is one set that has been a thorn in my side - VISA application! I have filled out this paperwork 3 if not 4 times and printed multiple due to mistakes I find.  We filled it out the first time and sent it in to be processed, but then the Embassy changed it's mind on something. Our agency sent it back. They also went from a 2 page application to a 4 page, because they want more info, like where you are staying, where you work, do you have insurance, etc. We also went from being able to use the Embassy to having to use the consulate in New York with a new courier.  So, we were going to wait till getting our TA before submitting it due to some extra paperwork we thought we were going to have to do.  Thankfully, with hubby in school, he can go on a student visa - YEA! This saves money and a few headaches.  Now, last week we receive an email from our agency telling us they can now do our visa paperwork and courier it for us at their rates.  PTL!! This saves us money, and we can go ahead and submit the application.  Funny thing is - I had already filled out the paperwork for the other courier, and with the new turn of events - I had to redo the application again.  If any one needs a visa application filled out for China - I am a pro!

Many are asking if we have a travel date, and the answer is - NO! We are closer though.  We should hopefully know something by the end of Nov. or first of Dec.  We are waiting on what is called Travel Approval and to now wait for our visas to come back.

Keep Praying!! Is it too early to pack?

MORE PICTURES

So happy to get these in the mail this morning.  Can we go get her NOW?!?!?! We could be leaving in as little as 6 weeks.  So much to get done.  We are coming RUI!! She has the album we sent her.

Care Package to China

Yesterday I ordered Rui's care package from Ladybugs n Love.  I knew I was to send our letter and pictures, but for some reason the email had not come thru.  I checked my spam file and there it was.  So, off went the letter and the pictures today.  I just received and email back from Angela with a picture of the care package she it to receive.  I love the photo album!! In addition to these she will receive a cake and her letter from us.  I just wish I knew what these books were about.

Past Pictures

Today I finally got some pictures together to send to Rui.  I included pictures of the family and our home.  We also got to include a letter to her.  I told her about us and some things we enjoy doing.  Every day we get a little closer to traveling to see her.  Please keep praying it will be before end of the year.

Here are a few pics of when we received our LOA/RA.  I have not had a chance to upload them until now.

The FedEx lady bringing our letter of approval. I loved that she new it was important papers!!

Our approval letter

The envelope it arrived in.

Dad signing the letter!! YES WE WANT HER!!

Immigration and Visas

Since we have received our LOA/RA we are now waiting on Rui's immigration paperwork and her visa to be approved.  We should be receiving the first step in that the week.  I had hope to get our family's visa work done quickly, but we hit a snafu in that.  The Embassy in DC no longer processes everyone's papers, but has to be done in our respective Consulates that our authentications were processed through.  We know we will be using a courier service in NYC.  Their government has also changed their forms, and are very particular how things should be filled out.  While talking to our courier service, I found out that due to my hubby's job, we cannot apply for his visa until closer to the time we leave.  The girls and I will have no problem with ours, but we have to watch our timing for his.

We also are hoping to send Rui her care package this week.  I am getting pictures ready to send her, as well as writing her a letter.  I pray that her SWI will take pictures with the camera we are sending.  We are also trying to get things moved around so we can start working on her room.  We are moving our schoolroom to the basement, but things have to be moved in order to accomplish this.  I am planning on leaving her room the color it is and use items we currently have.  I am going to let her pick out her color and bedding when she gets HOME.  I do have to get busy and finish sewing some outfits for her before we leave.

Please keep praying for her and her safety.  We love you RUI!! We cannot wait to come and get you!!!