Back in Business

The U.S. Consulate reopened Thursday afternoon to process visa applications for the families stuck in Guangzhou and have reopened for consulate appointments. Word is that they are committed to getting the families processed that had their appointments canceled because of the closure and to work through the backlog asap/pdq.

For us, that means that our Article 5 should be "in process". It is a standard 14 day process from drop off to pick up. Just not sure right now when drop off was and when pick up will be.

Now we contend with the CCCWA closure as they implement new software the last week of May. I am not certain if this will really effect us as that should be the week our Article 5 is picked up and we begin the wait for travel approval.

BUT WAIT, then the CCCWA will be closed for the Dragon Boat Festival June 10-12!!!

AND, we can't forget that we will probably be effected by Independence Day, which the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou will close. HMMMM, should I start thinking of a red, white and blue outfit for Emma Claire to wear?

In the meantime, I have worked like a mad woman on our travel documents. Chloe was home sick today from school (well, she came home early from school because she didn't feel well. She stayed long enough to finish her state-mandated test and then I came and picked her up) and both kids have made a mess of the house been watching Charlotte's Web and taking it easy. It's too bad, it's a beautiful day but I am not sure if Chloe has allergies or a cold. While they have been destroying everything in their wake this afternoon, I have been putting together all the documents that we need to take to China. In all honesty, I already had half of it put together---this isn't my first rodeo.

The handy dandy notebook containing pertinent adoption paperwork. This little red, zippered notebook will have been to China twice and Ethiopia once when it is all said and done.