Travel Approval

Yesterday was awesome.  We got our travel approval (TA)!  Our agency gave us a few possible dates for consulate appointments, and we requested the earliest one!!  If we are able to get the appointment date we want, we will be leaving for China next Thursday, August 2nd!  Nothing like last minute, right?  I rushed home yesterday to start packing!  The luggage restrictions are pretty strict and we are trying to pack as light as possible.  I started laying out certain items, like medicines and other baby supplies...that alone takes up a whole suitcase!  Luckily we will be able to do laundry or have it done while we are in China.  We are bringing clothing in various sizes for Jack, since we don't know how big he is right now.  We requested updates on his measurements, but haven't received any new information.

I can't forget to mention Avery's reaction to the travel news.  When I told her that we might be leaving next week, her response was, "Well, I have to check what field trips I have..."  Little does she know that she will be going on the filed trip of a lifetime!!

Although we have been anticipating this event for years, we are now in last-minute panic mode.  We have lists of tasks to be accomplished and items to be purchased in the next few days.  It is expected that families adopting from China will bring gifts for the orphanage directors, nannies and various others.  It is a challenge to find appropriate items that are not MADE IN CHINA!  Typically, families bring items that are unique to their home state.  I think we brought Florida t-shirts last time, and maybe some American candy.  Just more to pack!

We are still learning the ins and outs of blogging.  If you are getting this post as an email sent directly to you, I assume you are not getting any photos.  To see the photos, you have to actually visit the blog.  I am not sure what happens when you go to the blog and either "subscribe" or become a "follower."  Could someone try that and let us know?!  For those who haven't actually been to the blog site, the link is:  http://journeytojackandback.blogspot.com


It is now Wednesday afternoon in China. Let's hope they are working on confirming our consulate appointment. I will post more details as soon as we hear anything!