Today we got a new picture of Pala delivered to my inbox. We haven't had a new once since late August... funny thing... she is wearing the same outfit. :) She is 17 lbs and 26" tall and walking... yes, walking!!!
Little update on the passport situation: According to Ms. Roy (Orphanage Director) the passport office computers are down and they will not issue passports until it back up and running. She is hopeful that Pala's passport will be issued next week. There are 5 other families that are waiting in limbo like we are. Please pray that this issue will be resolved quickly!! Our plans are to leave for India on November 8th and visit our Compassion child on the 10th. We had to make arrangements well in advance so I really don't want to cancel. Dilshad (and Shad & I) will be very disappointed if we can't make this happen.
Just thought I'd throw a thought out there for any future travelers. I was really worried about what to pack for Shad and found some great pants and shirts at TJ Maxx. The pants are very light weight and a khaki color by Calvin Klein ($25) and the shirts are light weight ones that wick away sweat (starting at $9). There are many different brands. BonTon had Columbia ones on clearance but not in Shad's size. Glad I picked a couple up last month when I was in there. I found some Body Glove water sandals at Olympia for $25. Crocs were NOT an option for him... I tried!! Everything is already packed neatly in our suitcase otherwise I would post pictures. Sorry... I thought about it afterwards. :) Summer clothes are now on clearance so plan ahead!!
I WILL be blogging during our trip as much as I can. Internet and electricity can be a bit sketchy in India. Right now the plan is to fly to Delhi, visit our Compassion child and prefile our paperwork, then fly to Kerala and spend time with my niece, then hopefully make it to Chennai to meet up with my high school friend Sarah (she's a teacher there... how cool is that?!), then up to Kolkata to vistit "R" and of course to pick up Miss PEA, then back to Delhi for Embassy Day and a day trip to the Taj in Agra, then home home home!!! A lot to cram in, I know! A couple of things are still in the air and they depend entirely on when Pala's passport comes through. We plan to throw a little local site seeing in there depending on how Pala is doing and airport delays, etc. Yes, we are waiting to see the Taj AFTER getting Pala. This has been discussed at length and we feel this is an opportunity we don't want to miss. After all... if we can handle driving to Iowa and Myrtle Beach with our 3 BOYS then the trip to Agra with PEA will be a piece of cake...I think it's me that Shad is more worried about... I get car sick!! Ha... he'll have his work cut out for him! :) I may be a little "green" in the pictures but it'll all be worth it!! Sheba (our inspiration to adopt from India) will be in the states at the end of October so that is why we will not be including Hydrabad to our list of stops while in India. Both Shad and I were both a little disappointed that it wasn't going to work out but are hoping to see her before we leave. I wish you all could meet this remarkable woman!!
Well, I still have some planning to do, notes to write to the school, copies to make, plus all of my daily chores....
Today we found out that we have ICPC approval!!! This is just Oklahoma and New York giving us the formal approval to have Pala placed in our home. OK-because that's where Dillon International is and NY-well because... that's where we live! :) I know, I know... all these little technicalities. ICPC was that last thing on our side that needed to happen before we can travel to India. So... now we really ARE only waiting for Miss PEA's passport!!! I have a few more things to pack for Shad and I, but Pala is all packed!! We are going to be spending 1 day with our Compassion child so if anyone has any ideas of something special to take to him I'm all ears. He is 12.
My friend Cheryl's little girl "R" is in a different orphanage in Kolkata and we plan to visit her right before going to pick Pala up. There are a few more stops planned but we are still trying to work out the kinks. We have a lot to do in our 10 days in India! :) More details when they are finalized!! We are going to be whipped, but it will be a VERY rewarding trip for us!!!
Today we got a new picture of Pala delivered to my inbox. We haven't had a new once since late August... funny thing... she is wearing the same outfit. :) She is 17 lbs and 26" tall and walking... yes, walking!!!
