Travel Approval!!!
May 10, 2014 at 3:51 pm,
1 comment
We finally got our travel approval yesterday! I can't even explain what a relief that is. For anyone who has had to have any contact with me this past week, I apologize. I had been very patient about when we would travel. I knew approvals could come anywhere from 2 - 3.5 weeks, so I estimated at the high end so I wouldn't be disappointed. However, on Tuesday (exactly 14 days from article 5 pick-up), I see a lot of people posting on Facebook that they've received TA (travel approval). Then, I get an email from our agency saying "your travel approval is on it's way! How do you feel about leaving either May 14th or May 21st at the latest!" I was ecstatic to say the least! For the rest of Tuesday and the beginning of Wednesday, I did everything I could to prepare for leaving in a week's time. Then, Wednesday afternoon I hear some rumors on Facebook about travel approvals being delayed for our agency only. Doug called and found out that basically someone in Beijing left for vacation without mailing our agency's travel approvals. I felt so deflated. I had my hopes set so high and then they just fell so fast. Our agency said they'd be sent in the next few days, but there was now no way we would travel May 14th. Over the next few days, I saw people posting on Facebook about receiving their TA's with dates long after my own. I'm happy for them. Really I am! But at the same time I am feeling a little frustrated that they're getting consulate appointment dates and there are only so many appointments available with the shortened work week. (June 2 is another holiday in China - Dragon Boat Festival).
After having a good cry on Friday around 4:00, knowing that I wouldn't be getting travel approval until at least Monday, Doug and I headed downtown to watch the Pirates game. In the car around 5:30, I happen to check my email and low and behold - We have Travel Approval!!! What a wonderful Mother's Day gift!
As of now, we are trying to leave May 21st, but there really might not be any Consulate appointments left the week we need. If those TA's came just a few days earlier, that wouldn't have been an issue. I really hope to travel that week because then we would be with Nina on her second birthday and she would have her physical examination before she turns 2 which means no blood test or TB testing! One less thing for me to worry about! Although that still might happen, it's more likely that we will leave May 29th. However it works out is how it is meant to happen. We'll be getting our girl, regardless, so that's really all that matters.
I'm talking to a few travel agents who specialize in adoption travel, but of course we can't make any plans until we know which week we are going. Looking forward to finding out on Monday or Tuesday and then the crazy packing/planning can begin!
Love & Prayers,
Jenn & Aron Martino =)