Monday, December 23, 2013

The longest wait.....

It's Day 6 of my wait for travel approval and this last stretch is definitely the hardest.  Even knowing that once I get my TA it could be weeks and weeks before I go isn't as hard as knowing I could have weeks more of waiting for this.

Once it arrives I can plan, and organize, and make lists.  I can count down the days until he will be in my arms.  I will KNOW when I am leaving.  I will be able to answer the question "so when are you going to bring Jonah home".  

I've been asked that for 10 months.

And for 10 months I've said "I don't know"

But, boy oh boy do I want to KNOW!

Until that day comes I am trying to remind myself to enjoy this time.  Enjoy sleeping in, and naps, and quiet time.....

.....and also checking my email 27,000,000 times a day

In the meantime, if you are still interested, I am still accepting donations on Jonah's behalf.  All money donated will be used directly to cover the cost of the adoption fees that still need to be paid once I am in a China.

Donations can be mailed directly to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 40, Gridley, IL 61744.  Lifesong has been blessed with a partner that underwrites all U.S. administrative and fundraising costs (TMG Foundation and other partners).  That means that 100% of your donation will go directly to the adoption.   Checks can be made out to Lifesong for Orphans (Note: Please include Keener #3881 on the memo line).

Donations are also accepted online at www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate/.  Select "Give to an adoptive family".  Complete the online form and fill in "Family Account  Number" (3881) and "Family Name" (Keener) fields.  Note: PayPal charges an administrative fee (2.9% + $0.30 USD per transaction).  Your donation will be decreased by the amount of this fee.

All donations are tax deductible.  Following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization.  This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor's suggested use.  Individual donations of $250 or more and yearly donations totaling $250 or more will receive a tax-deductible receipt.  Receipts for donations under $250 will gladly be sent upon request. Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.  

Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers during this process.  I cannot wait to introduce Jonah to you all!!

Thursday, December 12, 2013

An Update

It's been awhile since I updated everyone and it hasn't been from lack of activity.  Since my last post I have had my i800 processes through immigration, received my all important GUZ number from the National Visa Center and had all of Jonah's visa papers dropped off at the US Consulate in Guangzhou (article 5)

While I know that waiting for my Article 5 paperwork to be picked  up and sent to Beijing takes 2 weeks (at the very LEAST), I have spent the past ten days obsessively checking my email and plotting out possible travel dates.

It has not been good for my mental health.

Or for my friends and family (sorry friends and family)

It would seem that each new step takes exponentially longer than the last (even though each step has gotten faster and faster).  

The process of getting my dossier ready for China took 8 months which is an unusually long time.  In retrospect the past ten days began someone around the dawn of time.

But it am closer! So very much closer.  

Once my Article 5 gets picked up I wait for Travel Approval which can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks (recent, super short, travel approvals have come through in the past week which make me alternately ecstatic  and terrified).  Esctatic because I can't wait it bring my boy home, and terrified because HOLY COW I AM GOING TO BE WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANOTHER PERSON!!!!!

After Travel Approval arrives I will be given my consulate appointment date and, most importantly, my GOTTCHA DAY!!!!

The timing of this is very up in the air.  There are a lot of holidays between now and the end of January which could push travel back into February or (gulp) even March.  I honestly have no idea when I will go.  I know that the timing will be perfect.  I know that the later I go the less time I will have back at work before summer.  I know that there are tons of other people in my same boat, waiting for those few available days on January to bring their babies home.  I know he is healthy, and happy, and loved where he is.  

But mostly I know that he is MY son and that I want him home!  (I mean look at that smile...can you even, just ahhhh!)


In the meantime, if you are still interested, I am still accepting donations on Jonah's behalf.  All money donated will be used directly to cover the cost of the adoption fees that still need to be paid once I am in a China.

Donations can be mailed directly to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 40, Gridley, IL 61744.  Lifesong has been blessed with a partner that underwrites all U.S. administrative and fundraising costs (TMG Foundation and other partners).  That means that 100% of your donation will go directly to the adoption.   Checks can be made out to Lifesong for Orphans (Note: Please include Keener #3881 on the memo line).

Donations are also accepted online at www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate/.  Select "Give to an adoptive family".  Complete the online form and fill in "Family Account  Number" (3881) and "Family Name" (Keener) fields.  Note: PayPal charges an administrative fee (2.9% + $0.30 USD per transaction).  Your donation will be decreased by the amount of this fee.

All donations are tax deductible.  Following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization.  This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor's suggested use.  Individual donations of $250 or more and yearly donations totaling $250 or more will receive a tax-deductible receipt.  Receipts for donations under $250 will gladly be sent upon request. Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.  

Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers during this process.  I cannot wait to introduce Jonah to you all!!


(P.S. If any of you have the skills to photoshop a T-Rex into the background of that picture it would totally kick ass!)