When will it come.......

Okay, sitting on pins and needles will get you no where, but Microsoft Excel will get you in the ballpark when you are trying to figure out what date your Travel Authorization will come! In reading other peoples Blogs that are currently in China, you can get a sense of how long each step of the process is taking.  So with this information in hand, I put together a spreadsheet that takes all those dates, relates them to the dates we have experienced so far and then gives me a projected date for when our next step in the process will take place!  Yea, I know, too much time on my hands, but its fun and I love statistics!

So far I predicted within two days the arrival of our I-800 and within one day of our Article 5 being delivered to CCAA!  If all goes as planned (fingers crossed!), we should get our Travel Authorization (TA) either tomorrow (Tuesday) or the following day!  So everyone keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer that my statistical prognostications hold true! In the mean time, here is a look back at all the documents for our first little trip to China!  Till then......

Michael "Math is Fun", Ann Marie "What do you mean you only have 3 seats left" and Savannah "How much longer till we get there" Kennedy

A new milestone!

There are some things that happen in a kids life that are milestones.  And our little Peanut has hit that milestone on Friday night.  She lost her FIRST TOOTH.  It had been wiggling and working it's way out for weeks now and every night, we would give it a small tug to see if it was ready.  But, it was not until Friday night that the moment finally happened.  After eating a small bowl of ice cream (to "nub" the tooth I told her), Savannah wiggled and wiggled and wiggled that tooth.  And with great happiness (and a bloody smile), came around the corner proudly displaying her tooth!  She proclaimed she has finally "joined the club!"  Yup - the lost tooth club.

So, as Savannah slept with her first tooth snugly placed under her pillow, the tooth fairy visited her.  And may I say - inflation has hit the tooth fairy!  What used to be a simple quarter under the pillow became a $5.00 bill!  I guess the tooth fairy decided the first tooth was special!  :)  Savannah woke the next morning to find her loot and a very nice note from the Tooth Fairy congratulating her!

Enjoy the pictures...she loved posing to show her new "gap"!

One step closer

Well today was filled with some great news from our adoption agency.  Our Article 5 was picked up and delivered to CCAA on Thursday!  This is the last item needed for China to issue us our much awaited Travel Approval (or TA).  They also proceeded to tell us that this should come within 2 weeks and travel occurs in 1-2 weeks after the TA is received.  So, I quickly pull up my Outlook calender and start to count....one week, two weeks, three weeks.....4 weeks....Oh My - CHRISTMAS.  Yup...you heard me!  What was anticipated as a mid January departure for China to adopt Aiden is really starting to look like a December departure.  Of course, we adults think this is just wonderful news!  What an awesome way to celebrate Christmas!  My daughter on the other hand, while excited, had other questions on her mind.  Specific to Santa!  How will he find us in China?  If we aren't home and I don't leave him cookies and milk, will he still leave me presents?  Will he know to leave some for Aiden???  Of course, there was much reassurance that no matter where we are in the world, Santa ALWAYS finds his good little girls and boys! And I think I have the two best there could be!!!  My Peanut and Pop Tart!

We will keep you posted as the ride is going to get fast and fun here very soon!

The light in the Window

For those of you who followed our first BLOG when we were waiting for our daughter Savannah to come home, you may remember the pink light we placed in the window that was a beacon and reminder of what was to come.  Well there is now a blue light burning in the upstairs window serving as that same beacon and reminder that there will soon be a new addition to the family and it too will burn brightly each night until our son rests quietly in his bed here in Holly Springs!  If you drive by the house and see the light, say a little prayer that very soon our son Aiden will be home with his new Forever Family!

Starting a journey

Peanut and PopTart - a new journey.

After 4 longs years, we are about to start a new journey. A journey to bring our son home from China. Our PopTart! The name came from his big sister Savannah (aka Peanut). She decided his nickname should be PopTart. Hence, Peanut and PopTart!

So - we invite you to follow us along our exciting journey to bring our PopTart home!

The Kennedys!