Monday!

Guess what I found out!  We will be meeting Sammy on A Monday.  This may not seem significant...

But the thing is...

we are far enough along in the process now that we were sent our our final "manual" - the TRAVEL portion!

I just skimmed it as fast as I could and found out that we will get Sammy on a Monday.  It seems like A LOT has to happen in order to get to that Monday and I'm trying to remember that God's got this so I don't need to start thinking I am in control of it now.  It's always been about what God is doing.  We were kind of holding out hope that we could get Sammy in September, but after looking at all that has to happen, that looks like it would be impossible.  But my hope is in the Lord and I'm going to do my best not to stress over the millions of details!!!

There's a lot to think about...
in addition to the next phase of paperwork -

an 8 hour training
a 4 hour travel meeting
figuring out the plan for child care of our oldest three children
packing
buying gifts for several people in China (guides, nannies, orphanage director, foster parents, etc.)
visas, plane tickets
packing for Sammy - and BUYING HIS PLANE TICKET HOME!


Of course, we can't do most of that until we know our travel dates... which will mean that at some point, we will have a WHIRLWIND 2 weeks!!!

I plan on buying gifts and stashing them as I see sales and things.  Not sure if Bath and Body Works is still having there sale.

I'd like to look into if we can take donations of things to Sammy's orphanage (an extra suitcase or something with toys, balls, things like that).

We also got a sample itinerary of what we'd most likely be doing on our trip!  Check it out:

In the Province-

Your guide will meet you at the airport holding a sign with your name on it in English! In most airports, they will meet you at the first public waiting area. They will let you know when you will receive your child and will go over the week’s schedule with you. Your guide will give you a written itinerary of the week’s activities. We have given you an idea of the schedule below.

Saturday/Sunday-Arrival in your child’s province. Your guide will assist you in preparing for the week. You will go to Wal-mart (or a store like Wal-Mart) for supplies, go over your paperwork and get some rest for the week ahead.

Monday-Gotcha Day! Your guide will go over the details of your Gotcha Day. You will most likely meet your child at the local civil affairs office (a government office). Your child’s caregiver and an official from the orphanage will most likely accompany your child to the Gotcha Day. 

Be sure you have prepared a list of questions for your child’s caregiver. While you guys are getting to know your child; your guide will try and get as many questions answered as possible. 

The 24 hour time period between the Gotcha Day and returning to do paperwork is called the “harmonious period”. The harmonious period is designed as a time when you decide that this child is a good fit for your family. If you have any concerns regarding your child during this time, please let your guide and your Lifeline China contact know immediately. 

Tuesday-You will return to the Civil Affairs building to complete your adoption paperwork.

Wednesday-Shopping/Sightseeing in the provincial city. 

Thursday-If you are going to visit the orphanage, it will be done on Thursday. If you do not visit the orphanage, you will do more sight-seeing/shopping.

Friday- You will pick up your child’s passport and travel to Guangzhou.

In Guangzhou-

Rebecca, our guide in Guangzhou, will meet you at the airport holding a sign with your name on it in English. She will meet you at the first public waiting area as you exit the baggage claim. She will have an itinerary of the week’s activities. 

Saturday-Consulate medical

Rest of Trip- Your guide will go over the rest of the schedule with you once you are in Guangzhou. There is a lot to do in Guangzhou and many fun sightseeing tours and shopping sites! The remainder of your trip will also include your Consulate appointment and your trip to the consulate for your child’s oath-taking.

So, it's a pretty special moment tonight - getting the packet for the final leg to Sammy... It's HUGE!  I'll share more of the packet soon, but Phil said I should use it as a reward for getting two papers written for school tonight and then we'll look at more when I'm done.  :D