Travel Approval Eve-Eve-Eve-Eve-Eve...

John and I learned from our agency today that our Travel Approval is likely to be mailed from China at the end of this week, which would mean it should be here in the U.S. (in our agency's hands) by early next week--if all goes well. Our agency will then request an appointment with the U.S. consulate. Once that date is confirmed, we are set.

The best news is that our agency's best estimate is that our trip would place us in China on Friday, Nov. 20, and we would return around Dec. 4! We would be thrilled to be in China for Thanksgiving. Actually, we'd be thrilled to be in China at any time that sounds remotely soon! And we can always find another reason to roast a turkey and eat pumpkin pie.

Meanwhile, Louis's Aunt Rene' (pictured above with John in the background) plans to finish painting our dining room this weekend. Then we may or may not have the kitchen finished before Louis gets home. Still, as I have said before, that would be a nice problem to have.

John carved our pumpkin with a traditional face. Ours is not the Great Pumpkin, but he is a happy pumpkin, apparently unaware of his humble origins--a cardboard bin at Home Depot, rather than some glorious (and sincere) pumpkin patch. We'll certainly have more excitement when Louis is here to help us with the carving next year!