Great Way to Wake Up!

I woke up today with a wonderful email from Love Without Boundaries (LWB), Believe in Me (BIM) Huainan, Anhui Shutterfly site.  Susan, one of LWB's directors, posted updated photos of the children at the school drinking warm milk and eating eggs and other goodies as part of LWB's nutrition program...and guess who was in the pictures?  Chloe!  Her foster family just recently moved back in the vicinity of the orphanage, so she now attends LWB's BIM school.  Seeing her there is such a treat!

Article 5 Received Today!

Our agency picked up our Article 5 from the US Consulate in Guangzhou today!  This is our final stamp of approval before our paperwork is sent to the China Centre for Children's Welfare and Adoption for travel approval.  Our agency said it takes approximately 2- 3 days to be delivered and then we'll wait another 2 - 4 weeks for travel approval.  We're coming into the final stretch...and can't wait to meet Chloe!  

Below is one of my favorite pics of her and her foster mom.  It's also the pic that LWB features on its foster care gift card.  I LOVE the way she is looking at Chloe.

LONG Weekend...

This weekend was such a treat; we had four days off.  While many things on my "to do" list are still on the list, I was able to get a few things completed, including cleaning out my pantry and the coat closet.  I also picked up my daughter from the airport Saturday night and completed all of my assignments that were due for my graduate class. Although my students' essays are still piled on my dining room table, they will get the attention that they need soon...right? :)

In addition to this, Tim and I bought Kaleb and Chloe a new chest of drawers, and Zach received a new mattress since he's gifting his to Chloe.  I'll upload pics of the room when we complete it soon.

Missing my Daughter

On Saturday, I put my beautiful fourteen year old daughter on a plan to visit my parents for the week since she has two weeks off school for winter break.  While I love the idea of her spending time with my parents and grandmother and know she is having a great time, the house truly feels empty...and quiet...without her.  She always fills a space with great information, laughter, and heart.  Below are a few of my favorite pics of her.

I love you and miss you, Hannah!

I love my job....

Of course, my first and most important job is to be a good mother to my beautiful children, Hannah, Zach and Kaleb.  However, my paid day job is pretty nice too.  I truly enjoy being a teacher.  Today my junior honors language arts students were in the computer lab working on a research paper.  One of my classes was honestly driving me crazy:  chatting with each other and demanding my attention every moment.  It was one of those "I'd really rather be any where but here" times.  However, just as I was thinking this, I took a deep breath and looked around the room at each student individually.  There was not one student in the room that I didn't care about nor wish for his or her success.  Although I have been a manager, administrator, and dean of faculty, I truly believe that being a teacher is one of my most difficult, most important, and most rewarding positions.  One of my students today called me "Mama Watkins."  That is truly how I feel; my students are my classroom children, and I want the very best for each one of them.

Busy, Busy Week...

Whew!  What a busy week!  It sure had it's fill of ups and downs.  Below is a brief recap.

Monday - I found yet another error (This was the second.) on our i800 pre-approval.  I quickly emailed our agent and she sent yet a third corrected version of our pre-approval.

Tuesday - Hannah's beloved hamster, Latke, died.  While she was a part of the family for only a brief time (2 years), she was well-loved by all and a good friend to Hannah.  We held a funeral in the backyard, played her favorite song, and said a few kind words.  When Zach told Kaleb that Latke was "in a better place," Kaleb asked, "In the dirt?"  Gotta love a four-year old's perspective.  Below is a picture of Latke, in healthier times.

Tuesday evening, Zach also had his eighth grade award ceremony at school.  He earned both the Middle School Years "AB" Honor Roll (He actually only made one B his entire middle school career.) and the Principal's Honor Roll.  We are so proud of him.  Below is a video of the handsome young man receiving his awards.

  
Thursday - I emailed the National Visa Center to see if they had our i800 pre-approval in their system...and they wrote back saying that they did!

Friday - We received our letter from the National Visa Center stating that our approval had been sent to the U.S. Consulate in Guanzhou.  This is a big step!  Next, this Tuesday, all of our documentation will be hand delivered to the Consulate and in two weeks we should be issued an Article 5.  This is our final approval from the U.S.  Then, it's travel approval time!

In addition to hearing good news, the kids and I were able to spend a wonderful few hours with my sister who was in town for a conference.  We met at the Mall of Georgia, ate dinner, and walked the mall.  It is always great to see her.  She is more than my sister; she's my best friend.  Below is a picture of the two of us.