The Brown Envelope

This is the BROWN ENVELOPE! It is what Bart thought was from the government about our taxes (he must be scared of an audit), and ripped the whole top apart. He felt really bad when he realized it was for Kate.

What is the "brown envelope" ?

The brown envelope is a packet of papers sent from the US consulate in Guangzhou. They send the packet 1-3 months after receiving the cabled message (Visa 37) that you have been approved by USCIS (INS). The packet contains extra copies of some of the forms that you will need in China and a map of the area surrounding the US consulate in Guangzhou.

I had a feeling we might be getting ours this week. I watched two other IFS families get their's one after the other with earlier LID (logged in date)s. Since we were all informed our LIDs at the same time, it only made sense that ours would be on it's way shortly. This includes paperwork we will need to take to China. Have you ever kept anything for over a year without spilling coffee, dirt, toothpaste...something on it? Makes me a little nervous. Especially since Lucy already grabbed it while annoucing she wanted to "COLOR"! It is to go into the famous black adoption bag as soon as I have looked at it a couple more times.
It is a really nice reminder that we are officially waiting. And waiting we will be. Referrals come about once a month (towards the end). They were for the most part including about 30 days of LIDs. For the past 3-4 months there has been a major slow down. (many reasons, many rumors). Only 3 days of LIDs one time, 5 days, 7 days.... Really little. But a lot of LIDs were included for these days. So if CCAA (China) kept this up...we'll travel in 2010! Lots will happen before that does! We still look now to a summer...maybe (not counting on it) spring of 2007 travel. Just think Olympics are in Beijing in 2008!

Quilt Fabric In TOO!