Our Adoption: Week 32

How Far Along: 32 weeks 

How I'm feeling: can't fully comprehend what all has to get done to finish the adoptions... as many times as I read the instructions and look at my to-do list, I just can't get my mind wrapped around it!
Gender: a little boy
Total of bills so far: $14,113.96

(You can see what bills we've paid in the sidebar.)
Total money raised: $18482.64

Favorite Moments: We took Sammy's monkey to our friends' house last night because the husband is flying to China today and taking it with him to mail from the airport.  :)  Also, we got our SIM number from USCIS yesterday (the receipt number saying our paperwork has been received for Sammy's visa registration).

Things learned:  We did a 9.5 hour training this week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  We learned a lot about deciphering clues from a child's behavior to learn about possible events in his background.  We also learned a lot more about parenting an adopted child.  It looks very different than a biological child.  It's possible that people will see these differences and be judgmental or confused so we'll try and explain things on the blog as we have time.
What we're waiting for:  I think we are waiting for our visa application to be approved by the National Benefit Center and forwarded to the National Visa Center

What I am looking forward to:  Getting the school room ready for school, getting caught up on laundry and cleaning, getting Sammy's car seat, starting a "packing pile".... Ultimately, getting the TRAVEL APPROVAL CALL!!!

Pictures of family and friends with Monkey before he travels to China to be with Sammy (sorry to everyone who didn't get their picture taken with Monkey - we hugged him extra on your behalf):

Our friend, Harry, is leaving today to go to China and take Sammy's Monkey with him to ship in a package once he lands in Beijing.  We also sent a flashdrive (for pictures and videos from the orphanage) and a ring of pictures.