Surprise Toddler Shower

This Saturday John and I went to a BBQ at my Uncle Bennett and Aunt Joyce's home near Redding, CA. Uncle Bennett and Joyce invited my mom's family to their house after my Aunt Mary died as a way for everyone to get together, especially since the last family get together was my Grampa Gooch's memorial service in 2008. I finally got to meet my cousin Jennifer's 2 year old, Danica "Tink". After a great afternoon visiting, swimming, and eating, a few of us were sitting outside when everyone else came out carrying gift bags. I was really surprised and almost cried.Thank you!

I am sorry my Aunt Mary didn't live to see me go to China to get Thomas. After my surgery, she offered to give me her uterus. If only that would work. I love and miss you.

State Department Approval

Thursday I received an e-mail from the National Visa Center that the I-800 application was approved and a notice was sent to the American Consulate in Guangzhou, China. The adoptions agency's representative has dropped off Thomas' Visa Application. The consulate then takes a standard two weeks to issue what is called the article 5 letter. This letter lets the China Center for Child Welfare and Adoption know that the US approves the adoption. Then it will be another 2 to 3 weeks to get travel approval and then we can make an appointment with the consulate and then travel arrangements. If things go smoothly then we may be traveling at the end of September.

I walked through Target today, briefly looked at car seats and toys and felt overwhelmed. I could use some help but everyone is far away, or busy, or not feeling well. I'm hoping I can pull it together soon; I'm feeling rather alone right now.

Vegas Vacation

To back track a bit, John and I spent a few days in Las Vegas, Dixon, and Reno at the beginning of July. We had a great trip. We met with Ryan, Tiffany, Allyson and Ashley at the Luxor. We spent the next couple of days walking in the hot sun and exploring the strip. We ate lots of food, drank lots of Starbucks, and managed to have fun. We checked out Pawn Stars and it's small and grimy. The cameras make the place seem a lot cooler on TV. I even won $6, a more than 100% return on my initial two dollars. I'm a high roller for sure. For our wedding anniversary John and I saw Cris Angel and enjoyed the show. Carrot Top was on vacation, ha ha. John hates Carrot Top.

We flew back to Sacramento and stayed a couple of nights in Dixon to see my Dad, Starla, Tim and Hunter. Also, picked up some goodies at Trader Joe's for us and John's parents. I miss Davis a lot sometimes. It's amazing how I notice that the sunlight is different in Davis than it is here in Humboldt.

We then headed up to Reno and stayed with my Aunt Gayle and Uncle Jim. John and I really enjoyed spending time visiting with everyone. It was lovely to enjoy breakfast on the patio and then head out into the desert to spend the day with Micheline, Chet, Gabe, and Rebeka. I got to learn all about rocks and minerals from Gabe as well as get a look at how a six year old with leukemia lives strong. I was amazed by Rebeka's fearlessness and vitality.  Here are some pictures:

I wish I lived closer to all my family. I love you all so so much.

USCIS provisional approval

We now have provisional approval from US immigration that Thomas meets Hague criteria. They then send their approval to the US State Department who then gets a say on the approval as well. Then when we have approval from the NVC (National Visa Center of the US State Department), we can apply for Thomas' Visa. One of BAAS' contacts in China already has our Visa application for Thomas, DS-230, but I need to e-mail the approval from the NVC. All these steps are very confusing. Can someone explain why US immigration is part of Homeland Security yet Visa's are issued by the State Department? Thomas' Visa application will take a couple of weeks for approval and then an Article 5 letter is sent to the China Center for Welfare and Adoption. Then we wait for travel approval. Still hoping to travel in late September.

We have also sent applications for John and I, Grama and Mom to the SF Chinese Consulate. We should be getting them back in the mail by the end of the week. Grama is now committed. She even made an appointment with her doctor to get all her immunizations updated. I may be a nurse but I don't want anyone to become ill on our trip. John still needs to get his whooping cough and we both need Hepatitis A.

Two Sundays ago my friend Ann assisted in finding some items for Thomas' room We went to the used book store and relived our own childhoods through our favorite children's books. I bought a pile. We then visited a couple of antique stores and I found a small dresser/side table. I would never find the same quality for as good a price for new.