Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Maddux's room is almost done (except for the scotch tape holding up the pictures). We ordered white frames but looks like we got the wrong size. Have to get mats to go inside or figure something else out after Christmas. Just need a white shelf to go above the dresser and we should be ready.

Cabled!!

We received confirmation from NVC that our paperwork was cabled today! That means that Maddux's visa application has been approved.

This is the one part of the process that has timing that is supposed to be spot on - no questions. From the time the paperwork is dropped off at the US Consulate (on either Monday or Thursday), it is ready for pick-up exactly two weeks later.

Of course our paperwork will be dropped off next Monday (12/20) and ready for pickup on Monday (1/3), but there are holidays in between there for the Consulate, so not sure how that will affect our timelines.

Good news is we are are cabled and one step closer to bringing Maddux home!

Package Received at NVC

Good news: NVC has received our 800 application from USCIS and we have been issued a GUZ#. This means that we should have our information cabled to China by tomorrow. Which means we can meet the Monday drop off for our Article 5.

This would have been done earlier, but our 800 approval from our US Gov't had a receipt date of 11/24/2011 instead of 11/24/2010, so a correction had to be issued yesterday.

Two weeks to process Article 5 = January 3rd (may be Thursday instead due to holiday)
Estimate 3-4 weeks for Travel Approval = January 31st

Which means by the end of January we could have travel approval and be able to book flights.
We know the consulate is closed for the first 2 weeks in February and not taking appointments, so we still would not be able to travel until end of February, but it seems like it is finally getting closer!

Approved!

Our 800 application (US approval specifically for Maddux) was approved on 12/8. It was sent on to NVC on 12/10 - hopefully they will receive it tomorrow, can process and get us cabled to China by the end of the week. Hoping to make the Monday drop off for our Article 5 (only can drop off on Monday or Thursday), if not then definitely Thursday of next week.

We finished Maddux's room and will post pictures soon. We finished up his care package and photo album last night, just have to label some pictures for him and off to China it goes.

We Love Skype!!!

Tonight we were able to use Skype and talk to and see Maddux in China through video. We got introduced as his mom and dad. He waved to us and sang us a song (in Chinese) and told us that he likes cars. He also got to see a close up of Mickey on the video and that got a smile out of him. He was a little bit shy, but we expected that from some of the other information we had. He knows the words mom and dad in English, but that's it for English.

Only had about 10 minutes to spend on Skype, but it was awesome!!!

Now if we could just hop on a plane and go get him!!!

Our 800 application should have been approved on Friday, but we did not hear back from USCIS. Will be calling first thing Monday morning.....everyone keep fingers crossed!