Travel plans

Our travel plans are complete! We, along with Nancy's sister Alicia, will travel December 6-16.

Months ago (maybe even years ago!), we asked Alicia if she'd consider coming along. She was in the delivery room with us when our boys were born -- and we wanted her to be with us when our daughter came into our family. She didn't even hesitate! She said yes right away, and can now add India to her list of international travels.

Her list, by the way, is pretty amazing: she climbed Kilimanjaro last year, and climbed to base camp of Mt. Everest two years before that. Between those two treks, Alicia traveled to Taiwan with the U.S. women's amateur boxers as the team's doctor. (She will not be happy that I'm bragging her up, but I'm very proud of her, if you couldn't tell!)

So, in less than two weeks, we will all be India-bound!

Giving thanks . . .

We are especially grateful this Thanksgiving, because we just found out Anya Rashi's passport is ready!

We were up late last night (and I mean really late) when we heard the news, and then we couldn't sleep until 3:00 a.m. because we were too excited! We hope to leave in about two weeks, pending flight availability and lots of other details.

Right now, we're in a state of joy and disbelief that this long journey has almost reached completion. We told Aaron and Nathan about the passport right away this morning, and they are so excited to meet you!

We can't wait until the moment we hold you for the first time. Our hearts are full to the brim at the thought of your birthparents. Thanks to them, we will have the privilege of raising and loving you. Hold on, Anya Rashi -- your mama and daddy are coming soon!

Just a little longer . . .

Today we heard that Anya Rashi's passport may be ready during the last week of November. Last Friday was Diwala, and earlier in the week there was a strike in Kolkata (a fairly common occurrence), so many offices were closed -- so no passport action.

Meahwhile, we are also waiting for a form from Citizenship and Immigration, and for something called ICPC, which is an inter-state adoption permission (our adoption agency is located in Oklahoma). So, the wait goes on . . . but we still have high hopes to travel in early December. Our dream and prayer is to have Anya Rashi in our arms for her birthday on December 16.