The boys both started a new school in August. Wyatt started Kindergarten at a local private school. We plan for him to do Kindergarten twice, since he is a summer birthday. So, after lots of research we found a great small Kindergarten program right down the street from us, at a local church. He is in a class of 11, with his own little desk, and they still take naps!! Curriculum ends at 12:30, so you can either pick them up then, or they can stay until 3:30. If they stay after 12:30, the kids have lunch, take a nap, play and work on homework. This works great for our family! On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, he stays until 3:30, because I am working. But on Monday and Friday, I get to pick him up at 12:30 and enjoy some extra TLC. They also have a preschool program, so we moved Xander there as well. It is much smaller. Xander is having a little harder time adjusting, but I think it is just his age. This will also be the program Morrissey will start in January. I am hoping that having her and Xander in the same class (which only has 6 kids currently) will help her adjust.
Maternity/Paternity Leave - That's a whole other blog. But basically, we are going to try our hardest to cocoon her at home between me and Matt both taking time away from work. We want to do this through the end of the year. Hopefully she will attach to us quickly and her immune system will be strong enough for a childcare setting. If not, we will look into finding a nanny for her on the few days I work.
WE HAVE TA!!!!!!!!! What does that mean??? Basically, all approvals have happened. We got our GUZ#, then our NVC letter, then TA (Travel Approval) and then a confirmed CA (Consulate Appointment). Travel approval is China saying yes for us to travel. The consulate appointment is our last appt in China. It is highly suggested that you wait to buy any plane tickets until you have these dates. (Unless you plan on buying refundable flights or flights that you can change without a charge). So, we got TA on September 6th and our CA was confirmed on the 7th. Those 24 hours I worked with our travel agent to book our flights! If you are on Facebook, you can join the group by clicking here This is where I will be posting daily updates as we travel through China!
Booking flights is NOT easy. Of course you want, good seats, the fewest layovers, layovers that are long enough to change flights and go through customs, but not too long. You want a good price and with all this you are buying LAST MINUTE! But, I think we found the best option. We will be flying Delta for majority of the trip. We have 2 layovers (2-3 hours each) and we got pretty good seats I think. Whew...flights are booked! Hotel is booked!
So you would think I would be on Cloud 9 and gleaming with excitement, right?!? I am. But, it's also been a weird situation, where I am watching other families, getting TA's at the same time I am, leaving this week. It's a long story, but in short, that wasn't really an option for us. At least, it was never really presented as an option, and now, we are so close to the dates, that everything else at home that needed to have been organized (work, childcare, etc) would not be feasible for a one-week notice to travel. And, our agency only travels once a month...so we wait. Again.
I just want her in my arms. And if I can't have that, I want an update. Someone tell me that she is ok? Someone send me a picture and tell me she is eating ok and gained a little weight. Someone tell me she got the pictures I sent of us. Someone tell me she has seen a doctor recently. No updates. We are praying for an update this week. But, we have to prepare ourselves too, that updates are few and far between, and not always accurate. Which leads me back to...I just want her in my arms.
God, I know she is yours. You know where she is. You have her in YOUR arms. You know the number of hairs on her head. You created every perfect cell in her body. And the hard truth is, even when she is in my arms, I still must hold an open hand. My arms will give her love. I will do everything in my power to get her the best medical care, to love her, to help her grow, to teach her about Your love. But, tomorrow is not promised to us...to any of us. My grip on her, or any of my children, family, friends, has to be open. May I serve you Lord each day you give me. And may I teach my children to do the same. My heart aches for the days I lost with Morrissey. But I thank you for letting me be her mommy now. Your timing is perfect. I may have lost 20 months with her, but I prayerful and thankful for many years ahead.
36 days until you are in my arms sweet girl. I know you may be scared when you see me. I know you may not trust me yet. I know you may not see me as mommy. But your mommy loves you and she is coming.
"Why even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:7
36 days can't come soon enough!
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