Travel Approval! Consulate Appointment! Travel Plans! Pirates!

I can't remember where I left off.

My Article 5 was dropped off on August 5 and picked up right on time on August 19.  I knew that Travel Approvals (TAs) for Tuesday pickups had been running 6 days, but I also know that in adoption nothing is ever, ever certain.  So I was hoping for TA on Monday, but I knew it was possible it wouldn't happen.

{As an aside, my students start tomorrow.  So in the midst of all this, I am trying to get my classroom ready to go for the first day.  It's been difficult to focus...}

So I heard nothing yesterday.  Nothing nothing nothing.  Finally about 6:45 pm I gave up and decided it wouldn't happen, and decided to move on (HA!) with my day.  I had some stuff I needed to do and I figured I could get to work and get that done and eat some dinner and all would be well in the morning.

Naturally at 6:53, I received an email with my Travel Approval!  I was so incredibly grateful that it came yesterday.  For a multitude of reasons, including the fact that I need to be ready to go Wednesday for work, and if I am still waiting on pins and needles for my email to ding, I am useless. At any rate.  I immediately emailed my agency back with my preferred travel dates, and received confirmation of my Consulate appointment (September 24th, for those playing along at home) this morning.

This means that I am officially traveling in September.  

AAHHHHHH!

I leave September 12, meet Ella on September 15 (after which point she is with me the entire time), finalize the adoption on September 16, have my Consulate appointment on the 24th, and return home on the 26th.  

So what now?  GREAT question.  Booking travel, getting her room ready, packing (no, I really haven't started), and oh yeah, working.  :)  I have lots to do.  Tonight, I have to make pirates for work tomorrow.  So I should get cracking.  :)

Thanks for all the excitement!  19 days till Ella Day!