Thursday, May 16, 2013

You made some noise

I hardly think it's a coincidence that as soon as you all starting make some noise--and I mean some LOUD noise--that things starting looking up for the 80ish families stuck in China.  It seems like once we all started being real pains in the ass, things got moving.  I think you all had something to do with it, and we could never thank you enough.

You prayed, you wrote senators, you Facebooked and tweeted.  Parents here were up all hours of the night, emailing the President while their un-visa-ed children slept.  P and I wrote immigration officials and alerted the media.  It just seemed crazy that so many Americans were stuck, and no one was covering it.  If there's one thing that seems to work in America, it's the media.  Social media, TV media, any media.  And, just to be real clear, not ONE single family who was stuck wanted or expected people to walk into a building that was dangerous or contaminated.  All we wanted was a back-up plan, a contingency plan.  Move the interviews to another site.  Get another consulate to print up the visas.  Please, don't be so silly as to think we wanted ANYONE in harms way.  We all just wanted a way home.

The Consulate opened Thursday at 3:30pm for the visa interviews.  At first there was no info on the Monday people who had already done the interview and were just waiting on the visa.  The silence was pretty nervewracking.  Then, later today, we finally got the word that our visas would be ready late afternoon on Friday. Just. One. More. Day.

So, thousands of dollars and several days later, on Saturday we'll finally check out of the Holiday Inn Shifu and head to Hong Kong to fly home.

To the people who think the extra expense and extra days away from home are nothing to get worked up about, you definitely were not here living this.  And, you definitely have never been on an adoption trip when all you want by the end is to go home.  To get your baby home.  To get your family home.  To see the family you left behind.  To start bonding in your REAL home, not some hotel.  To get your new child to see their physician...their surgeon, their cardiologist, their pediatrician, their hematologist.  You want to clear up that rash they have, get prescription meds for that horrible cough, get them the blood they likely need.

So, again, thank you to everyone.  I've never seen such an amazing outpouring of love and support.  Of course, my family for being incredible through this even though they are a nervous wreck about the girls.  And a special, heartfelt, shout-out to the moms in the thal community.  You all know who you are.  For people I have never even met, the amount of concern and genuine care you have sent our way is just astounding.

Let's get packing!



18 comments:

Pattie and Joe said...

HOORAY,!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'mm

Erin Schmidt said...

Yippeee! So happy and relieved that you will have that visa in your hands soon. Safe travels home!

Ladybug Dragon said...

I'm so glad!! I remember having the scare last month of having to stay another 2 weeks and our consulate appt canceled. It was stressful to say the least. I'm so glad you'll get the visa tomorrow!! Can't wait to see photos of you all home!

likeschocolate said...

Yahoo! So excited for you!

Unknown said...

Yay!! Blessings for a safe trip home.

Shannon said...

Great news!

Rita @ Open Window said...

Wonderful news!!! Thank goodness you will be on your way home soon!

Diana Cutaia said...

So very happy for all of you!

Maureen said...

So happy you guys will be heading home. I am so sorry about all that happened, but looks like you guys handled as best anyone could. Looking forward to seeing your post about arriving home! Good luck and safe travels.

Anonymous said...

You don't know us, but we followed you all on your first adoption trip and it gave us great encouragement as we waited for the TA and our turn to collect our little girl. (She joined our family in September and she is a doll.) Religiously followed this trip too. So very sorry you had troubles. I have told your story to everyone we've met and many prayers have been said for you all and the other families. So very glad you have plans now. Travel safe and get busy just being a family.

Robin,
Another adoption Mama

Anonymous said...

So glad that you 2 with your 2 cuties will be heading home soon!!! Cathy in Illinois!!!

Renate said...

So good to hear.wish it was Friday not Sat. Gods Speed.requldl

Christine said...

So relieved for you...Safe travels back home. Your girls are precious and so loved for sure!

Sarah said...

Yay!! We're relieved to hear that things are moving for all the families. Thank you for your wonderful blog- we've loved following the journey. There will be a lot of people happy to see your family safely at home!

Ally @ Even Miracles said...

Yea!' So happy to hear you will be headed home soon. Hang in there and thanks for sharing your special journey with all if us! Blessings for a safe and uneventful trip home
Ally @ Even Miracles

groovy mama said...

So get packing & safe travels!
Hugs all around
Donna~

Anita (The Netherlands) said...

One more day to go..... and then a flight (which WILL end) HOME.
Wishing you a save flight and hoping you will have an absolute warm welcome in your own home.

With love,

Anita
(The Netherlands)

Anonymous said...

So happy to hear you are coming home.... And praying my hubby and his Dad are able to get our girl with less drama... Lol..... But you all handled it soooo well! Praying for safe travels!!!!

Lisa and Family.... Soon to be Mama to Leah :-)