Still Waiting

It has been a long time since I posted. Our documents were cabled to the US Consulate in Guangzhou on September 7. However, our agency representative was with another adopting family and our paperwork did not get submitted for our Article 5 until September 13. The Consulate only accepts these documents on Mondays and Thursdays, so there is a limited window. I was sad that our papers sat for 5 days because our agency only employs 1 person in China to handle all of their families. Moving on. Our Article 5 was picked up by our agency representative on September 20 and overnighted to the CCAA. Once they get those papers we wait for the CCAA to issue our travel approval (TA). Once our agnecy gets the hard copy in the mail from CCAA they fax a copy of it (TA) and requested dates for our Consulate Appointment (CA) which is the last stop where we get Zadie's Visa medical exam, TB test, shots and Visa to leave the country. I am still hoping for October departure - however, China has some holidays in October so things are shut down from October 1 - 7. If we don't get our TA and schedule our CA in the next 4 days - then nothing gets processed until after the holiday. My stomach is in knots and I keep checking my email. Our regular representative at AAI (our adoption agency) is out of the office at a meeting with CCAA reps in California this week and another girl is handling our adoption processing. I am so worried that she doesn't know what to do and is going to delay our travel. I keep on praying and praying that God will make a way - but I have to trust in His mercy and grace and follow His timing. I want control!!! I am also feeling anxious about leaving Zach, Jacob and Izzie for such a long time. I know that Mom and Dad will take great care of them - but I will miss them so much. The boys were so amazing when we went to get Izzie and I wish they could go with us again - but it isn't possible financially and it would be a hard trip for Izzie, even though she is a great traveller. We would need 2 hotel rooms and 2 cabs in China and it would be rough. Plus the boys would get far behind in school and that would be hard for them to play catch up. It will be ok - I am just a worrier. I am praying for God's peace during this time because I am feeling very anxious.
The boys are doing great in public school. They both have great attitudes and are getting ready in the morning with no complaining! I do miss them during the day. They are growing up so nicely. I am glad they have Jesus on their side! Zach scored his first goal in a JV soccer game a couple of weeks ago! It was great to see him persevere! All the "never give up" speeches were not in vain! I am proud of him. Jacob is such a great big brother to Izzie. He has been sleeping in the "pink bedroom" with his little sister for the past 6 nights! He loves her so much! He says that he realy likes the new sheets because they are soft!
Yes, the bedroom is done! I painted the boys old bunkbeds white and the walls pink. Grammy bought the girls pretty new sheets and comforters, too! It is sooooo girly! I love it! My back and my arm and hand will take a while to recover, but it was worth it!!! I can't wait for both the girls to be tucked into their beds here at home.
It is oficially fall. The sun is shining now and the wind is blowing the leaves off the trees! I love living here and watching the seasons change by God's design.
Kerry Doud and I went shopping last Friday and I bought some outfits for Zadie (and Izzie). I need to start packing - but I am not ready yet. I am sure I will panic when we get TA and then I will run around wondering why I didn't start earlier.
Gotta go read with Izzie and then it's naptime!
Bye!