Two steps forward, one step back...

Ugh!

Yep, that about sums up yesterday afternoon and evening!

Funny that as I was finishing up with yesterday's post, I my computer chimed to let me know, "You have mail!" So I added the picture to the blog, published it, and then looked to see if it was news from the agency. And it was, but not the news that we wanted to hear...

Instead it said, "I know this email finds you all anxious to get to China to meet your precious children! We are anxious to get you there as well. I wanted to update you on the information we have received from the Consulate in Guangzhou. Unfortunately, they are booked for the week first week in February so we re-requested appointment dates for the following week."

It felt like I had been kicked in the stomach ~ hard! Or actually more like I was standing to help block a penalty kick in soccer and somehow didn't get out of the way fast enough when the best kicker from the other team let loose and wailed on the ball from some 15 feet away. Or like when you're standing not paying attention in a pick up football game and someone charges ~ well, I think you get the picture.

So we did what all people with serious let downs do, we went out for dinner (Thai) and then did some serious retail therapy. (Thanks to all of you that gave gift cards to baby stores!) After we got home, we felt a little better and today feel even better yet.

I'm going back to my thoughts from a friend last week ~ her words encouraged me then, and they still do now. (Click here if you want to read what she said.) We have new tentative travel dates, but I'm not going to get my heart set on them until we have plane tickets. We're praying and ask if you love us to do the same!

Oh yeah, just so you know... I have refocused my frustration on the packing efforts. The guest room has become the "catch all" location for the things around the house I've been collecting for the trip. Here's a peek...