Travel arrangements

Today we got our travel arrangements. It is more expensive than I had thought it would be. Mia will be 2 on 6/9, so she has to have here own seat. That will be good for us, but stinking expensive. We took the most direct route... Indy to Chicago, Chicago to Beijing and Beijing to Chicago, Chicago to Indy home.
There was a cheaper route, but I really didn't want to go through Tokyo, Minnesota and Detroit. I think we will still get to see our share of airports on this trip.
We also found out that we are the only family (out of 12) from our agency traveling to Ningxia. We will have a coordinator with us. This scares me a little, but I am sure everything will work out ok.

First day back to work

Today I started the day with my 9 month check up. I have lost a total of 128 lbs since 8/30/07. I feel really good about myself for the first time in a long time.
Today is also my first day back to work. I have been looking forward to going back to work. I have been painting and cleaning for most of the last 10 days. Trust me, that is not something I have enjoyed!
I am trying to get everything lined out at work, as I will be leaving on 6/18 for China. I didn't realize there would be this much paperwork for every aspect of this adoption. Mia is worth it!

Our New Car~graduation~ and my new friend

This is my niece, Lillie. She is a beautiful girl. Congrats!

We went to pick up our new 2000 Toyota Camry. I think I am going to love it!

We also went to pick up more yard sale stuff. Thanks to Sue and James... This yard sale is going to be huge, and is now postponed. I kept saying as people were donating stuff, "The sale will be June 20th unless we are in China..." and guess what, we will be in China. So now I am planning for late July or early August.

We went home to get cleaned up for my niece's graduation, and there was a message on the machine. It was from Nora at the Indy Immigration office. Our fingerprints were approved and we should receive them by Wednesday next week. Nora is now officially my NEW favorite person.

Washing Machine Possessed~ Happy Anniversary

Today our washing machine went nuts. It just kept running and running and running. The tub over filled. I had water everywhere. I ended up running out in the yard to find the shut off for our water. I couldn't reach the ones behind the tub. I called Jamie and asked him if he wanted to buy his wife a new washer for her anniversary.
Yes today is our 9th wedding anniversary. It was really a crappy day. We went to a friend's to pick up more yard sale stuff... Thanks Nancy and Teresa...
We went to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate our anniversary, and then on to Lowes for my wonderful gift (a new washer.) I noticed that I had a voicemail on my cell, it was Melissa at the adoption agency. (what's wrong was my first thought.) "We are expecting to receive your travel approval (TA) tomorrow. You will be on your way to China on 6/18."
Did she say JUNE, no she couldn't have said JUNE? We don't even have our fingerprint paper.
She said she would call and check on it. I felt really sick to my stomach. I really thought I was going to throw up right there in the Lowes parking lot. It was wonderful news, but I was not ready. I now had to bust my hump to be ready. China is only 25 days away. I am flipping out!!!
Needless to say this is the greatest anniversary present I have ever received

Bathroom Repairs

Today my Dad came out and worked on our bathroom. In our tub, the handle that comes off the spout would not move. SOOOO when you got in the tub, you had to take a shower. I really wanted Dad to get this fixed before Mia comes home. For Jamie and I it is no big deal, but putting a 2 year old in the shower with it already running would probably be traumatizing. Dad got it fixed today. It was just like when I was a little girl. I was Daddy's helper. I hope Mia wants to work with Jamie and my Dad, and be their helper.

Painting Mia's room

Today Amber and I put the first coats of white on the walls in Mia's room. Jamie and I had painted it sage green when it was Jordan's room. What was I thinking??? The walls in our house (built in 1955) and really bumpy. I think they have a sand mixture on them. They are a pain to paint. Amber was here most of the day. She's awesome!

Found a car

Today Jamie and I test drove a 2000 Toyota Camry. I really liked it. It has a few issues that we will have to get taken care of, but if everything works out, we finally have a car. I wanted a SUV, but with gas at $4 a gallon, I just don't think I can afford it. I wanted something newer, but with Mia coming home sometime soon, I didn't want a car payment and have to pay out $400- $500 a month for a sitter. I think this car will be a good one for us.

Yard sale stuff

Tonight we went to our friend's house to pick up stuff for our yard sale, and a lady at work gave me some stuff. Thanks to Nicohl and Clint and Mona
This is the beginning of my vacation. I have a list of 71 items to do this week (wishful thinking...)

Fingerprinting Paper Appeal

Today I found out that I can send an appeal to get the paper sooner. I typed up a letter and mailed it to USCIS (immigration) today. I hope to hear something soon. I am getting really worried about us getting the chance to travel before the paper is complete.

Jordan came home

It was great to see Jordan. We haven't seen him since Christmas Eve. We really wish he would move closer, but what can we do. He is 22 now, and we are so proud of the man he has become. I can't wait for Mia to meet him.

Earthquake~ Mia is ok

There was a massive earthquake in China today 7.9. I have been asked a lot of questions reguarding Mia's welfare. I contacted our agency and they said there was no damage in her province. She is in the Ningxia province (the little purple on near the top) and most of the damage was in the Sichuan province (large gray one.) In the news, they said Beijing could feel it 900 miles away. Beijing is the blue star... So I am sure Mia felt it.

Happy Birthday Jamie!

Today we went to Johnny Carino's to celebrate Jamie's birthday. We have been so busy with everything that we just had dinner and went home.

Fundraising Yard Sale Scheduled

I have sent out an email to friends and family asking them to donate items to our yardsale fundraiser. I have set a date for June 20th. This yardsale is going to be huge!

Jeff Saturday comes to town

Jeff Saturday from the Indianapolis Colts came to town today. I went to have my picture taken with him. He seems to be a really nice guy! I know this has nothing to do with the adoption, but it was pretty cool!

Fingerprint paper, where are you?

Oh No! I just realized that we don't have our fingerprint paper back yet (I171H.) This paper is very important and we can not go to China without it. We were fingerprinted on 4/14, and USCIS (immigration) is running about 3 months behind in processing. Our agency is telling us that we could be going to China in early July, and we may not even have our paper back until 7/14 or later.
I have spent 30 minutes on the phone with USCIS twice trying to get an answer. I did get an email address to try for contact info. They are suppose to reply to my email in 2 business days.

Lots of clothes for Mia

A lady I work with was going to have a yard sale, so I went to her house to see the clothes that she had. She and her husband gave them all to Mia. How sweet!
Thanks Megan, Brad, and Ella

New pictures of Mia

Awww! She is so cute. She finally has more hair than Jamie... I can't wait to go get her.

Mailed back our LOA

Today we mailed our Letter of Acceptance (LOA) back to our agency. We expect to get our Travel Approval (TA) about June 1st, and will travel in July.

Holy Moley! ~ Received our LOA- Letter of Acceptance

We received our Letter of Acceptance (LOA) today. Our coordinator said she had never seen one come back so quickly. We were told to expect it to take 3-4 months. It took 9 DAYS! We are excited! Our coordinator said we could expect to travel in July. JULY! That is insane!
Now we have to wait on Travel Approval (TA). This should take 2-4 weeks.

And about the wreck... I am still in the rental car. They are in no hurry to do anything about it.