Friday, August 22, 2008

Kicking It Off Right!

Okay, so I came in from watching the kids swim and called The Boss at work. I was updating him on our dinner plans, as my folks are driving in tonite for dinner and tomorrow's big birthday bash for my adorable niece. I'm starting on the brainwashing early, convincing her that I'm the world's coolest aunt by hosting her 1st birthday. In my backyard with a big, cool, refreshing and clean POOL! Yup, I'm not above using my material possessions to buy a little adoration. (Kidding, I'm kidding. Sorta.)

Anyway, The Boss answered in a totally up-beat, dare I say cheery, voice. Completely uncharacteristic of him, on a Friday afternoon when he's still stuck at work and he knows we're all out basking by the pool. (NOT that's he's bitter or anything. Just a homebody who really misses his kids by the end of a long week!) I charge ahead, starting to tell him my news for the night, when he asks me if I got his message. "What message? I was out by the pool and didn't have the phone." Wait a minute. The happy voice on the phone is starting to make sense . . .

It figures. The one time this whole week that I'm out for a couple hours by the pool. With out my phone. With out my cell phone. That's when the call comes. Yup. The call we've been waiting all week for. The call that catapults us into the final stage of the journey of a lifetime. THE CALL!

WE GOT TRAVEL APPROVAL TODAY!

So, I know I just heard it from The Boss's own lips, but I speed-dialed the agency as soon as I hung up with him anyway. Just a weird quirk I have - well, one of them anyway! Plus I immediately had tons of questions running through my mind, with packing lists and letters to teachers and medical releases, and . . . . . Did I mention that I'm working on the bottom 1/4th of a 24 oz. of Diet Pepsi? I just have waaaaaaay too much caffeine coursing through my veins right now!

Okay, breathe. So, here's the deal. The agency is submitting for a Consulate Appointment on Sept. 22nd. This will allow us to travel mid-Sept. and return home by the 24th. Just in time to get over our jet lag and re-cuperate enough to travel to Massachusetts to see my mom's family for my Grandma's pre-90th birthday party. It would be a great opportunity for us to introduce our baby girl. It would be wonderful to share the new-ness of our joy with my Grandma and my aunts and uncles. Please, please. Pray with us that the Lord has an appointment available on that date. The next available might be just late enough to push us back enough to not be up for an 8 hour trip to New England so soon.

So, that's the perfect start to the perfect weekend. Family all around (except for those Norwegians, whom I miss most terribly at occasions such as this! Really guys, you must think about moving your whole lives closer. Just for me. Pretty please?!) (Kidding, I'm kidding. Sorta!). As I was saying. A perfect weekend: family all around, celebrating a first birthday for one cutie pie, and Travel Approval for the other! What more could a woman ask for, I ask ya?!

18 comments:

MississippiZen said...

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is such awesome news! I hoped we would meet in GZ ... who knows, maybe we still have a chance!

Have fun planning your trip!

Salzwedel Family said...

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!! That is a seriously fine way to kick off the weekend. I am so happy for you. Praise God!!!!

Mariann said...

HELLLOOOO. We prayed you would get that call by the end of the week - did you ever doubt God's faithfulness to answer???? Then let's believe together for that appointment in September - just in time for Grandpa's birthday - SO AWESOME!!!

Bobby and Regina said...

YIPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise the Lord! I knew it would be soon, and now, we'll be praying for that perfect date to complete your family at the US consulate!!

Love,
Regina

Kelli said...

God is so good! He even gives us the stuff we want!

Kevin, Jake and Violet said...

Congratulations! That's great news.

Beverly said...

AWESOME NEWS!!!
I am so happy for you and your family.

I sent in a request to be your facebook friend... so if you see someone you don't really know come up -- it is me!! Your blogger buddy from the South!

Again, so happy for your news!
Beverly

Julie said...

Congratulations!!! What fantastic news.

Hands-Free Heart said...

Awesome!!!

heidi @ ggip said...

Wow! That is so exciting!!!!!!!


!!!!!!!!

Amelia Antwiler said...

I would totally cheer so that you could hear me - if it wouldn't wake everyone up. ;-)

I can't wait!!!

Anonymous said...

God is so incredibly generous. Not only does He supply our every need but many times our hearts' desires in ways even we can not imagine are possible. Congratulations! Have a marvelous trip to Aidan. Enjoy China along the way!!!! We will pray with you for the consulate date on Sept.22.
Kathy

Kateri said...

I go to work for one day and I miss everything!!!
Oh my lands, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Amazing news!
So let's see...what are you thinking for Gotcha...like the 15th maybe?? We had almost 10 days inbetween Gotcha and CA but we had to stay longer in Province because of the Trade Fair in Guangzhou. You should have less time between the two.
You'd better get to packing, girlfriend. Write those letters. Make lots of lists...wait...you better have the lists done by now!
Step. Away. From. The. Pool. It is time to bring that baby HOME!!!!
Praise God!
Love ya!! and I can't WAIT to get the girls together. Alayna loves babies!

Anonymous said...

Tracy, I am so psyched for you guys!! It feels like it's all going so fast, but I guess that's exactly what you wanted.

God does move in mysterious and wonderful ways, and I know His hand is holding both you and your little girl, bringing you closer together each day.

God bless you all, and I can't wait to meet the new little one!

Becki said...

Congratulations!!! I am so excited for you to bring your ladybug home!

JMCS said...

YAY! So happy for you guys!!!!! CONGRATS. Can't wait!!! Time to go get that sweet baby girl. :)

Hugs,
Jonni

Trish said...

Hi, I am trying to catch up on everybody's news, and you definitely win the prize for the biggest announcement!

I'm so happy for you to be preparing to travel to China. (Also, your daughter's glasses are too cute, and I appreciated the post about Aidan's birth mother and her abandonment.)

Blessings as you continue on the journey!

Steph said...

Congrats on your TA! I remember that day like it was yesterday...almost exactly a year ago! Time flies and before you know it, your baby will be in your arms!