No TA Today!!

Arrrggghhh!!!!

Agency sent an email. TAs did not arrive with the referrals for July, and (as usual) no clear idea of when they *might* arrive.

So, again, another delay added to the stack.

And We're Still Waiting...

Sigh...

Referrals for the next group appear to be arriving today as expected. But where are the travel approvals for the previous group, our group!?!

Who knows? Every single step of this process has been delayed in some way, and it is totally maddening!

Back to work...

Waiting for the TA

I'm in between builds at the software gig, so I thought I would give a quick update on the adoption status. We continue to wait for our travel approval (TA) from China. We think it might come on Monday since there are plenty of rumors flying around that agencies have been getting TAs in the mail.

Once we do get the TA, then we wait some more for the U.S. Consulate appointment (CA) in Guangzhou. That wait (so we're told) should be very short. We do have our Chinese visas now, so that's one less piece of paper to worry about.

On another note, we got to meet Keenan last night. He slept, had some dinner, slept, cooed, slept, made some squeaking noises, slept, etc. He is very cute! His big sister Sadie and I read some books and played with some horses. I also got a kick out of seeing her daddy with his Daddle on. :)

I'll post as soon as we know about the TA.

Happy Birthday, Girls!

One year ago today, our twin girls were born in China to a mother they will likely never know. Six days later, they were left with the authorities. With them was only a note with their birth date of July 20, 2005.

Rachelle and I are sad that we are not with them today, but we will be soon.

We decided on their American names, so...

Happy first birthday to Olivia Chushuai Castleberry, and Vivienne Chushaung Castleberry!!

Synopsis of Last 2 weeks

I'm taking a month off to go pick up our babies, and spend some time with them, so my employer has been working me to the bone lately! This explains the lack of entries.

The backyard is finished with the exception of the water fountain. Rachelle *really* wanted a fountain, so we ordered one. Also, I need to hand-stain the deck and fence. It's taking a LONG time due to weather and work.

Our sailing trip to the San Juan Islands was great, although crossing the Strait of Juan De Fuca was, er, rough. Oscar the boat dog hurled, I hurled, Rachelle nearly hurled.

We are close to traveling to see our babies, but no definite dates yet. Just applied for Chinese visas, so it should be soon, perhaps in mid August.

Cat hates the groomers with a passion, so she had to have a little anesthesia at the vet to get her annual "lion's cut". Now she is pissed at us. Hee hee...

Our friend Corey got to hang out with Ringo again, this time at the gala event for the opening of Cirque De Soleil's "Beatles, Love". Yeah, Paul *and* Yoko were there too, among others. Being the huge Beatles fan that I am, I was just a tad envious, but it's cool. Corey had a blast. At least I know Ringo's nephew. That's 1 degree of separation, and I can live with that. :)

Beyond all the above, the last 2 weeks has been consumed with adoption-related things.

Later...