I just called D.C. and they told me our P3 packet was sent to the Agency today. That means this... ESWS (Eastern aka: the agency in Korea) will receive this packet and send it back to the Embassy. This could take anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks. Once the Embassy receives this, they will set up the visa interview a couple of days later. After the interview, in a day or two we will anxiously await the TC (travel call!) Then HAPPY TRAVELS DADDY AND OPA to go get her!!! I just KNEW today was going to be a great day. I pray that the rest of this process will go as smoothly.
It is very strange though. Like Brooke said, "surreal." As much as I have waited for this, it seems to not have sunk in yet that she will be here soon. I walk past her bedroom, see the bottles in the cupboard, anxiously plan for what to pack for the trip here, etc. Then, I just blink and change my thoughts. Tears are always at the end of my eyelids when I think that we are so close.
I think back to when the boys were little. What was 10 months like? How can I prepare the house to be baby safe, yet not compromise and nag at the boys for their "older" and more dangerous toys for a baby scattered about the house? I know it will all come into place. It was definitely easier when the boys were at the same stages. I didn't have to worry so much because of them being so close in age. What worked for one, worked for the other.
Well, just in case you were wondering how this process was for us, here is a quick timeline....
1) Pregnant with Anthony on best rest since 12 weeks pregnant - doctor told me it was dangerous to have more kids - May 2003
2) In hospital for 8 weeks speaking to God, "Now what Lord? We were leaving this up to you. If this was girl, we had one boy/one girl and to stop having babies. It's a boy, so we asked to get pregnant again for a third, but that shouldn't happen now. If I shouldn't have more kids... what are you telling me? " - He spoke in return to ADOPT a girl! - June 2003
3) Waited until I finished my master's degree to begin applying for adoption - Dec. 2005
4) Home study completed, I171H received, fingerprints done, everything ready, logged in for China and just wait for about 1 year (HA!)- 9/6/2006
5) Sat there for 2 years..... We were told another 2-3 years waiting so we went on S. Korea's waiting list as a concurrent adoption, we wait AGAIN - Jan. 2008
6) Referral!! It's a girl! What a surprise as I made pink cupcakes that day - Nov. 26, 2008
7) Legal acceptance paperwork finished Dec. 3rd, off to DCFS - Dec. 30, 2008
8) DCFS approved - Jan. 30, 2009
9) CIS (immigration) approved - March 9, 2009
10) Nat'l Visa Center sent paperwork to S. Korea for visa - March 19, 2009
11) Embassy sends P3 to ESWS - March 26, 2009
12) yet to come - P3 sent back to Embassy
13) yet to come - Embassy schedules visa interview
14) yet to come - travel call
15) yet to come - trip to S. Korea to bring MeeNa home!!!!
Stay tuned. I apologize for this not being a shorter timeline. I can't figure out how to do that in the blog yet, and some of you want to know more info. anyway about the process. : ) I'm so happy right now!
May the good Lord help me to be patient for the time He has set to get MeeNa. Oh no, here come the tears again.
