TA!!!Hang on Lila we're coming for you!!!

WE GOT OUR TA!!!!!! We will be going to China June 25, 2008 and getting Lila AiLing Monday the 30th!!!! I almost can't believe that there is an end to this adoption and now we finally get to know our daughter!!!! What a beautiful journey though stressful, depressing, anxiety ridden ... I could go on but I will stop myself but here is nothing like the up side of it all!!!

More confirmation that TA's are in the air!!

A girl in my agency's yahoo group just spoke with the travel dept and here is what she was told:

y'all didn't hear this from me, but a friend with a 5/20 LOA (different
agency) just got a call that said CCAA 'loaded' their TAs on their
site...SO, I called Sheri and asked...

WE ARE GOING TO CHINA BABY!!!!!

oops, didn't mean to scream (sort of)...Sheri told me TAs are 'in the mail' to arrive hopefully tomorrow (Thursday) but probably on Friday. Oh -- huge admonision NOT to buy plane tickets, but she said our timing should work out just fine (29 Jun travel, 14 Jul Consulate appt).

Did I mention that WE ARE GOING TO CHINA!!!


I am so excited to hear the real news when they are here and will post ASAP!!

And the days drag on!!!!

Well, I e-mailed my agency to milk them for any info on our TA's and here is the response:

It does look like your travel approvals have been issued but it is very hard to determine when they will arrive in our office as the information is not always accurate. We do request consulate appointments the same day the travel approvals arrive. We drop everything when they arrive to be able to request an appointment as soon as possible.

I know our TA should be here any day and that is what is killingme I should say us because even Scott is getting very anxious as well. We are in limbo with so much to plan and can not do a thing until we get our appts settled. So once again we are waiting for that single sheet of paper inviting us to come and get our daughter!! Ugggg... I feel like time is standing still!!! Next time I post it will be with some good news!!!

Got a call from the agency......

Well about 4 I got a call from CCAI Travel Dept and no they don't have any word yet about our TA just wanted to make sure everything was ready for travel. China is very secretive about this whole process and doesn't let you know until they are ready to, but I think we should here next week about our TA. So the agency hopes we will leave June 26th and come back around the 10th( the standard 14 days stay). That sounds good to me.So lets keep hope alive and who knows tomorrow might be the beloved day of the TA. Hang on Lila we are in the home stretch now!!

Lila Update!!!

My agency just e-mailed me Lila girls current measurments YEAH!!!

Age 2 yrs 6 mos
WT 28lbs.
Head 18.9 in
Chest 19.29 in
Height 33.86 in
Feet are 5.9 inches
She has 16 teeth and Healthy
Now I will go through all the clothes I bought her to make sure they will fit her! Now I will have to bring my measuring tape to the shoe store!!! I wish I had received new photos but not yet!Well I am happy to hear anything at this point they must be sending my TA soon!!

Goodbye Kindergarten ..Hello First Grade!!!!

Yet another Stark has graced the graduation stage. We are so honored and proud to annouce that Jake Thomas Stark has completed Kindergarten!! For those of you who know us you know what a big deal this was and as always our son has gone way beyond our expectations. He did so well and his fantastic teachers, Ms Beamer and her assistant Ms Smith, just loved him to pieces. Jake has grown up to be a good reader, follow directions and stay in line! Now I don't know about you, but what else do you need to succeed in life. The Kindergarten program was last night and was just adorable! Jake was singing so loud we could hear him over the crowd of 90 Kindergarteners! I think Scott and I shed a few tears of pride over our boy's stellar performace. Unfortunatley, the still pics didn't come out that great, but Scott is going to download some video for all to enjoy.The first bad pic is Jake accepting his certificate from Principal Jenkins and the next one is Jake and Trent at the reception.
As all of you know Jake is an exceptional person and rest assured you will never meet another kid like him. His heart is pure gold and doesn't have a mean or hurtful bone in his body. Jake has made us better people and has shown us that a strong will can overcome any limitation placed upon you. I can only wish everyone could experience the beautiful gifts our son Jake has given to us. How lucky are we, Jake Rules!!!!

Can you really blame me????

I mean come on how could I let this sassy number escape me! And lets not forget I am helping Mia Hope to come home. This one is called Springtime in Paris and it is just adorable! Robin, the master creator, said that her daughter loves to twirl in this dress. I have to put myself on restriction from her sight, but I don't know if I have that kind of will power. Oh on another note we recieved our Travel Visas back today,so it looks as if my stalking is over early. I hope we hear about travel dates this week because now we are ready to go!!! Tonight is Jake's class program and I will be sure sure to let you know how our little showman does!!