Article 5

I have no idea what an Article 5 is but we've been desperately wanting one. It is issued by the US Embassy for Kailey's visa after they receive our immigration approval from the NVC. NVC - that was a mess. Our approval reached their office just as they all apparently went on vacation. From the chat online I feared there would be a riot at the NVC headquarters in New England. It was ugly. Someone got the name of one compent person and that poor women must have been bombarded with requests for help. Eventually we got the "cable letter". It should have taken 5 days but took two weeks. By the time it arrived the embassy was celebrating a holiday, which delayed us being able to apply for A5. They were then closed for another holiday, when our A5 was ready for pick up. But finally last week our agency was able to pick up our A5 and this morning it was submitted to CCAA ("china" to most of you).

We are now eligible for TA - travel approval. Yep, just like it sounds, approval to come get our girl. It will read something like this " we agree that the child, her chinese name, be placed with you for adoption. Please travel to Guangdong Province to proceed the registration formalities." Are there any more beautiful words than those? None that I can think of. We are hoping for TA the first week of November and to travel before month end. Come on TA - I want my baby girl.