Still Waiting

Still waiting for TA
November 13, 2007
Today would have been the first chance as getting a TA . . . although still early, we were hoping to tag onto a travel group leaving this week. Doesn't look like we'll make it. TA's usually come on Tuesdays, but as we have found out things don't always follow a specific plan. Hard to say that if our TA were to come next Tuesday, if we could still travel on Thanksgiving? Anyway, it's been a little more relaxing even with all the things to remember for travel, just knowing she is our daughter is such a hugh relief. Last week brought another birthday for me and the end of Emma's field hockey season. She did awesome!!! She really got in a rythmn the second half of the season. Her team won the final game and Emma scored both of their goals. Owen continues with skating lessons so he can move into hockey this winter. Alena and Emma are both still dancing and we're hoping to get Alena into gymnastics or possibly a sport this winter. Hugh continues, well . . . . , being Hugh. All things Star Wars, Cars and Scooby Doo continue to be of special interest to him. Emma's 4th grade class put on a wonderful musical for us to enjoy last night. Go West was the theme. They did a great job. We have some turkey dinner lunches to attend at the school as well as attend some special activities in Owen's Kindergarten class this week. So things are still hopping at the Lokar house.

Reality Setting In
November 02, 2007
Although, the call came yesterday, the package arrived this morning from AWAA with the precious "Letter of Seeking Confirmation from Adopter". It's amazing how much power a single piece of paper holds. With all the documents, doctor's visits, forms, trips to DC, home visits, photos, copies, and the trips to our local UPS store, waiting, hoping and wondering, it all comes down to just two pieces of paper that mean the world. The 171H . . . the most unofficial looking thing but it means we are approved by USCIS to bring a child to the US and the RA which means Audrey is matched to our family. Tom and Hugh made the important trip back to AWAA with our signed document to be sent on to the CCAA Monday morning. Now, just one more approval and an appointment with the Consulate in Guangzhou and we can book flights. Still hoping for sooner than the end of November . . . it will be tough.

10th Wedding Anniversary & LOA
November 01, 2007
Wow! What an unbelievable day. Most importantly we are celebrating our 10th Anniversary, because without that the rest of this would not be possible. We've had quite an adventure these past 10 years and it's only getting better. To top that, we finally received the call we've been waiting for since we saw our daughter's face this past June. It has been a tough wait, but the call came @ 1PM today and we have our LOA. Three simple letters that mean the world in adoption. Roughly translated, Audrey is now "officially" ours. No more time to wonder why it took so long, why others got their so quickly and wondering if she would really be ours. We will now just wait for travel approval (TA) and we'll be on a plane to China. TA's usually take about 2-3 weeks, we can always hope it comes quicker. Time to get organized and get serious about packing and triple checking all our documents! We won't bore you with the specifics. Our heads are still spinning trying to take it all in again.

Monday Again
October 29, 2007
We had a good weekend. Emma's field hockey game was cancelled due to the rain so it was a little relaxing this morning. Owen started his next round of skating lessons. Tom took the boys, while I took the girl's for pedicures. Saturday turned into a busy day of running errands for the kids. Each of them have a project to do for school which is due Monday. Tom and I were able to snag a babysitter so got to get out for a couple hours which is nice. Sunday turned out to be just as busy and then day flew by. We've had some great fall weather the past couple of days and it looks like it will continue through the week. Hugh has party's Tuesday and Wednesday. Emma, Alena and Owen all have something going on at the school Wednesday. It is supposed to be sunny and 70 on Wednesday so we should be good for Halloween!! Trying to pass the time a little this afternoon . . . it's 3:30 which means we're running out of time to hear any good news from China today. The balance of the families (except the 4 of us) are either in China or traveling this week. Happy for them they get their children, very hard for us not knowing when we'll go. Having Audrey home for Thanksgiving is almost not possible and even Christmas is questionable? Our Agency was able to request some updated information on Audrey, so at the very least we hope to have that some time this week. They sent in for translation last Friday. No pictures, but hopefully some updated size,health information.

Tom's Birthday
October 24, 2007
Kind of a dreary day in Virginia. We are getting some much needed rain as we are under water restrictions. Good thing Tom got a bikeride in the other day. Owen and I are working on the cake this morning while Hugh is at "Spanish" preschool. Much easier to gets things done without all of his help. Just a quiet dinner at home as things have been a little crazy the past couple of weeks. Day 107 wait for our LOA, but who's counting anymore. Not much chance of hearing anything this week, so our best chance at any updated information might come Monday or Tuesday. Typically LOA's arrived early in the week, but then they started coming throughout the week, so who knows. We think our dossier is through review, but until the CCAA posts officially or someone tells us or our LOA arrives, we won't know. Just to pass the time I was talking with Carla, who is in the same boat we are, and we did a little on-line shopping together. New outfits for our girls. Well, Alena should be home any minute and the chicken should be done so it's just about dinnertime.