I-800 Approval!
In our household my husband basically handles everything except two responsibilities: cooking and adoption paperwork.
But even though John can't always tell you what piece of paper we're waiting for that day, he knows that if he finds a FedEx package at the door, he should probably give me a call. So Thursday evening he called to tell me our passports had returned with our Chinese visas printed inside. He could tell I was pleased, but not turning cartwheels.
"Is that what we were waiting for?" he asked.
Sort of, I said. That's good. I mean, it's nice to have our passports back since mailing them is a little scary, and now we have permission to enter China anytime before Dec. 16. But that's not actually the next step I've been worrying about.
Today John went out to check the mail and returned with an envelope labeled "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." This time he didn't even need to ask. He knew that was what we were waiting for--envelopes from Homeland Security usually are--and there it was: our I-800 provisional approval. The next step in the wait for our Michael. Hurrah!
"So what does this mean?" my husband asked.
I launched into an explanation of the next steps in the process, which are sort of mysterious to me. His eyes glazed over as I talked about "the NVC" and "being cabled" and "Article 5." Even though we've been through this once before, these aren't terms that were being thrown around when we were counting down to meeting Louis.
"No, really," John said when I had finished. "What does it mean?"
I hesitated, knowing what he wanted to know--and knowing that I really have only a vague idea. "I think it means we'll go in September," I said.
I may be right, but--as I have demonstrated time and time again--I may certainly be wrong. All I know tonight is that we're another step closer to holding that little boy who is waiting for us in China. I wonder whether he has more hair than he did in March, and whether he loves the green, spiky ball he's holding in those last pictures. I wonder whether the "shaking car" that is supposed to be his favorite toy is the ride-on Pleasant Goat vehicle we can see in the background of one picture. I wonder whether he looks at our pictures all the time, or whether his nannies are waiting to show them to him right before we meet him. And I wonder whether they ever play our CD of songs for him.
We have so many questions and very few answers--yet. But we'll know all that and more soon enough.
And we know something else. It's probably time to start thinking about packing!
But even though John can't always tell you what piece of paper we're waiting for that day, he knows that if he finds a FedEx package at the door, he should probably give me a call. So Thursday evening he called to tell me our passports had returned with our Chinese visas printed inside. He could tell I was pleased, but not turning cartwheels.
"Is that what we were waiting for?" he asked.
Sort of, I said. That's good. I mean, it's nice to have our passports back since mailing them is a little scary, and now we have permission to enter China anytime before Dec. 16. But that's not actually the next step I've been worrying about.
Today John went out to check the mail and returned with an envelope labeled "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." This time he didn't even need to ask. He knew that was what we were waiting for--envelopes from Homeland Security usually are--and there it was: our I-800 provisional approval. The next step in the wait for our Michael. Hurrah!
"So what does this mean?" my husband asked.
I launched into an explanation of the next steps in the process, which are sort of mysterious to me. His eyes glazed over as I talked about "the NVC" and "being cabled" and "Article 5." Even though we've been through this once before, these aren't terms that were being thrown around when we were counting down to meeting Louis.
"No, really," John said when I had finished. "What does it mean?"
I hesitated, knowing what he wanted to know--and knowing that I really have only a vague idea. "I think it means we'll go in September," I said.
I may be right, but--as I have demonstrated time and time again--I may certainly be wrong. All I know tonight is that we're another step closer to holding that little boy who is waiting for us in China. I wonder whether he has more hair than he did in March, and whether he loves the green, spiky ball he's holding in those last pictures. I wonder whether the "shaking car" that is supposed to be his favorite toy is the ride-on Pleasant Goat vehicle we can see in the background of one picture. I wonder whether he looks at our pictures all the time, or whether his nannies are waiting to show them to him right before we meet him. And I wonder whether they ever play our CD of songs for him.
We have so many questions and very few answers--yet. But we'll know all that and more soon enough.
And we know something else. It's probably time to start thinking about packing!
Yay!!! Such an exciting step in the process. I remember constantly checking Rumor Queen for information when we were at this point in our waiting for Rinnah. I can't believe you guys are about to head to China again. I am so happy for you & I can't wait to follow your journey! Are you guys taking Louis with you?
ReplyDeleteJen, thanks for sharing in our excitement! Yes, you can imagine I've spent some time on RQ. ;) We're not taking Louis along. We aren't sure how hard the transition will be for Michael, and we want to make sure we can give him our full attention while we're there. If Louis were a little older, we might be making a different decision. Louis will stay here with my parents. I've promised him a camera so he can take pictures of his time too. We'll see how it goes!
ReplyDeleteI know you guys will miss Louis terribly, but I think you made the right decision. As you'll remember from our trip together, we left our three children at home when we traveled to get Rinnah. Our oldest was 16, so he could have gone, but our younger two were 9 and 7, so it would have been harder for them-not to mention the $$$. Plus, like you said, it may be best as your little one adjusts. And what a wonderful greeting he'll receive from his big brother when you guys get back home!
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember you left your older three home! We'll miss him so very much, but we know it's the right decision for our whole family. One day maybe we'll all go back together--your family too! :)
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo!!!! One step closer! So exciting. September will be a beautiful time to travel in China. :)
ReplyDeleteOne step closer!!!! Hooray!!!!!!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh Rita!!! Praise God! You are so very close!! Yay, Yay, Yay!!!!
ReplyDelete