Article 5 Done!!!

We got word this afternoon that our Article 5 (last document of approval from the US Consulate) was picked up and couriered to the *CCAA* today. YAY!! We are now on the FINAL step of the wait....and seemingly to adoptive parents, the longest.

The wait for TA (travel approval) is 1-4 weeks with the average being 20 days. While we originally thought we'd have Grace in our arms by Easter, it's looking like we won't travel until at least the first week of April. But you never know. A family from our agency got their TA last month in just 10 days! Our main concern as we wait for TA is that we need to travel before April 15th. Annual trade fairs begin that day and last the rest of the month into May. Airfare, hotel rooms, meals, etc. double in price and diminish in availability during this time. In fact, some agencies don't even let you travel during this time period. Thankfully, Lifeline said they would allow us to go if we chose to do so. But we certainly don't want to spend thousands more than we already have to. (At this point, I think I'd pay any amount to get to Grace as soon as possible.) If you feel led, will you please pray that TA would come sooner than expected and that (specifically) we could leave and be home before April 15th?

We're starting to pack our bags...... this is suddenly becoming much more real. :)