Visapalooza Recap....

Spoiler Alert:

We have Visas.

After 15 hours of driving in the last two days...we have the coolest looking passport stamp thing I've ever seen. Seriously....for those who have got the Visa stamp, doesn't it just look cool?

Our visa task was kicked off when we got our plane tickets, shortly after we overnighted a key letter to Raleigh to have it apostilled.

While this has been typically a very quick process, there was a delay, and on Monday of this week Andi called the state to ask the question first postulated by Marvin Gaye, "Hey, what's going on?" They said they didn't have the documents at all, and even though it was signed for, they didn't have any record of our request. We got 2 new copies of the letter on Monday night, notarized, then I was off to Raleigh on Tuesday. Upon arriving in Raleigh (without expanding too much), I was told again that they had no record of our documents, and that the letters I brought wouldn't work. Andrea explained this to the consulate, who said we'd be fine with just a notarized copy when applying in person. Live and learn we thought...I drove home....went to work....to come home to find....the copies of the letters sent back, fully completed, by the state. Wow. I do have some perspective a day later, but if I would written about this yesterday, this would read more like an episode of HBO's Deadwood.

The drive to Hotlanta today was a joy. A chance to test drive our van, see how far you can really drive once the LCD screen reads '0 miles to empty', and just a chance for us to dialogue about our thoughts, hopes, and fears with all that is going on.

The employees at the consulate couldn't be nicer. They asked to see pics of our boys, the paperwork was in perfect order....Andrea has been the organizational queen (did you really think I would play a part in that...)...and we hit the road, visas in hand, and got her home for her work & friends shower tonight.

2 more days to go...we HOPE we have solutions for both dogs....lots of loose ends to tie down.....sigh!

Well folks....I think these guys said it best...

We're leaving together
but still it's farewell....
.......will things ever be the same again?
It's the final countdown.

The Calm...er....Storm before the Storm.

Just a quick note as we come up for air....

So, we travel in 8 days. Still no visas, still waiting on documents from Raleigh (the Observer doesn't lie...they really do hate Charlotte), still trying to finish the boys' room. At some point I'm going to put the 73rd coat of paint on the room. Going from lavender to orange requires a primer, Andrea and I disagreed, and I of course was wrong.

There is constant movement; constant action in the house. It's like a season of 24; only more violent.

People keep asking me if I'm excited, and I've said I really don't have time to be excited. There is an overwhelming joy of knowing all of this is leading to the moment we meet our sons, but the stress and panic of details like the visa situation, and tying up our respective jobs, is hanging heavy on both our hearts.

Thanks so much to family members who have helped overwhelmingly with donations. We are stunned and overjoyed to feel so loved.

It feels like we are in a raging sea right now, and I know things will certainly be no calmer when are with the boys...but by then, we'll be with the boys, ya know? But for now, were getting tossed around like the boat in The Perfect Storm, but that movie ended up okay right?.....Right?

Happy Father's Day......to me!

The posts may come quickly over the next few days...so I wanted to get this one out. Just like our 171-H, I really didn't this want to become outdated (adoption humor...hah hah).

In light of paperwork, pictures, and the knowledge that things are 99% certain, I celebrated my first unofficial father's day on Wednesday.

Here's where I reviewed our paperwork, my commerative glass filled with this, while Andrea had to work. Remember, as long as there is a waitress, you aren't drinking alone.

Lately so many things have happened that we had always hoped for....our first shower - Thanks so much to all the awesome people I work with!... painting our boys' room (no Doug...we are just painting over purple....not a tribute to Clemson), and the knowledge that this is REALLY happening.


Anyways....stay tuned kids for pictures, travel dates, airplane ticket drama, and more. The next 3 weeks will be crazy. Adoption has taken over...the breaks over.