Travel Approval, Color Coded Lists and Crafting

As I eluded to below, we now have a better idea of our timeline to Nora as we received our Travel Approval this week (on Monday, October 1st) ... yippee!!!  Seems the China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA) cranked through paperwork before this week's National Holiday in China.  It was such a sweet surprise to get that phone call Monday morning!  So amazing to know that it won't be long until we are holding our baby!

Because of the holiday this week, we do not have definitive travel plans yet as we are waiting on confirmation of Nora's Visa appointment at the US Consulate in Guangzhou which will determine our exact travel dates. As of now, however, our agency is having us prepare to leave on October 18th.  Again, so amazing!!!  Because the Consulate is still closed on Monday, we should expect to know more on Tuesday.  More waiting and sweet anticipation ...

As I have heard from so many once you get to this point the process seems to move at warp speed.  So, we continue our preparations.  You will not be surprised to know that my manner of preparing includes a few color-coded spreadsheets and lists that have been edited and reworked and reviewed many times! In addition, I have found myself crafting (perhaps not the most productive use of my time when I could be ... well ... reviewing and working on my lists).

Little thank you tags to include with the traditional gifts we are bringing to China ...

As we prepare our home, our kiddos and our hearts, I pray for our sweet Nora.  I pray that God is preparing her heart ... all that she knows will be changing in a matter of weeks.  This is big ...