UPDATE!

We just got the last of our paperwork approved! All we're waiting on now is our travel date and getting our Visa's. LOL!

Tom put the approval notice on our bed when I came home, (He changed around our bedroom so we could move stuff out of Xia Bing's room). When he brought me in to see the new improved bedroom I saw the approval notice on the bed and couldn't believe what I was seeing. I didn't think it was real. I asked him if it was a notice stating that they recieved our paperwork. When I looked the 3rd time it finally dawned on me.

I cried a little. Shmoopy me.

Closer and closer.
---------------------------------------------------------------


We're getting closer to finishing up the adoption process. Hopefully the last of the paperwork will be done in a week to a week and a half. Then we get our travel dates and visa's to pick up our daughter.

Tom and I have run the gambit of emotions in this process. Excitement, fear, worry, anguish, anger, joy, nervousness, zen. This past week was particularly painful when the Hague Program (a group under the Department of Homeland Security) insisted that because our daughter was 2 1/2 and not 2 we had to fill out extra paperwork and pay a fee of 340 dollars. This was AFTER they had already approved our paperwork. Tom and I were livid, hurt, and felt helpless. Tom ended up with a low blood sugar that day (he's diabetic) and I was so upset I was sick to my stomach. Holt (our adoption agency) pulled together and gave us a grant to pay for the unexpected fee. They have also been in contact with the Hague officers to smooth things over, move things along in an efficient manner and to make sure there are no other surprises. Our congressman's staff is also looking into getting us reimbursed because, in their words, they thought it was unfair and that Hague was holding our child "hostage for the chance of and extra fee".

Tom is working on Xia Bing's room right now. XD He's working so hard moving stuff, cleaning out her closet and making room for her. It's soooooooo sweet. Exept now he's moved into my study and started cleaning that...THAT kind of makes me nervous. LOL! I'm letting him because I know he's bored.

He still hasn't found a job yet. He's applied to several places but they either never contact him, tell him they are hiring people within the company first, contact him that they've already filled the possition AFTER saying that they would look at his resume or "Your skills are admirable but not what we're looking for at this time". And NH is supposedly one of the better places to look for a job in the country. He's frustrated and his self esteem is suffering a little. He'll find something eventually though. I know he will.

He surprised me last night. He's considering going back to school to study the culinary arts. He's thinking about becoming a chef. He's going to talk to his aunt, who works in the restaraunt (restaurant?)(spelling) business. I'm so proud of him. For all he's done in his past job, for all he's done at home, for his interest in and courage to consider changing professions. I'm gushing....But I really am proud of my husband. He's faced this so well.

Getting caught up on all your deviations and comments. I have the time now while I'm waiting for product data to come in. Our department is VERY under utilized right now, mostly due to the trimming of our old product line. Did I mention I found another possition in the company? Yup. I did. Miraculously. It doesn't start until January with some training this November. Kind of wish it would start sooner so I wouldn't be so....bored. But I can't complain too much. It means I can still afford to pay the bills and care for my family. It also promises to be an interesting job with a chance to travel to India next February. That's exciting.

Well, that's my novel. Love you all.

KG