Fingerprint Appointments Received!

I went out to check the mail yesterday, Monday, July 21st around 3:30 p.m. I could not believe my eyes! There were 3 separate envelopes from Immigration Services with mine, John's and Jeremy's name on them. We have fingerprint appointments for next Wednesday, July 30th in Northern Virginia. I called our adoption agency and my bubble was burst just a little when Ky told me that they were issuing fingerprint appointments prior to the home studies being approved. This is different from the last adoption but it does get one more thing off of the "to-do" list. Apparently, once the home study is approved, and I am told it make take a couple of amendments as most families are having to do them with the new Hague requirements, our I797C form can be issued without having to wait for the appointment.

Another thing off of my "to-do" list is gifts for the folks while we are in China. I struggled with this last time as I wanted to give them something from the USA and not made in China. I ended up having my mother make embroidered pillowcases and dresser scarves. She was working on making me sets for this trip also. I won't be taking my mother's pillowcases and other items to China as I will give what I have to my children as it will be the last things that my mother made with her hands that my children will have. I can not bear to part with them except to give them to my children and/or nieces and nephews. A dear friend remembered me mentioning that I was struggling with what gifts to take and she purchased packs of gift cards that are made locally in Charlottesville with lovely scenery and historic buildings that are in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. It is a great gift idea and very generous. Now I don't even need to think about what gifts to pack for the trip! I am blessed with many wonderful friends.

I am including the most recent picture of Abigail. She has been to the market! I got back pictures that I had taken in June when John Anthony was home for mom's funeral so I am including a couple of them also.