DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE FOR CHINA

Two Weeks

Two weeks from today we will meet our new daughter. I know the itinerary says we won't receive ? Grace until August 13 but we really think it will be August 12. We have been doing a lot of packing this weekend. Still have more to go, though. I have a huge list of things left to do, too. It will all get done.

We have been praying all along that ? Grace will have a smooth transition into our family. As the time grows closer our prayers grow stronger. We are praying that the foster parents are preparing her for this by showing her the photo album we sent her and talking about us. Children that are prepared do so much better. They still grieve, it is just a little easier for them.

Name Game

We are still playing the name game. I told Dallas to look through this book with 25,000 girls names. Out of all the names he found about 10 he liked. We will decide we like one name best and then a couple of days later we change our minds. I hope they give us a day after we meet her to decide. I have a feeling we will have to know minutes after meeting her.

Our Itinerary

We received our itinerary for China, yesterday. We are still working out a few things but it should stay pretty much the same.

 

RDU to Newark, NJ August 8 7:40a.m.

Newark to Beijing August 8 12:40 p.m.

Arrive in Beijing August 9 1:45 p.m.

 

At this point we use travel guides through our agency.  This is our itinerary while in China.

 

Aug.09: Arrive Beijing by CO89 at 13:45. Transfer to hotel.

(Chang’An Hotel)
http://www.beijingservice.com/hotels/5-hotel/changangrandhotel.htm

 

Aug.10: One day tour to Greatwall. Include lunch.

 

Aug.11: Summer Palace. Lunch. Acrobatic show.

http://www.chinasummerpalace.com/

 

Aug.12: Forbidden City. Lunch.

 

Beijing-Fuzhou by MF8108(15:55—18:25). Transfer to airport.

(Lakeside Hotel)

http://www.sinohotel.com/hotel/hotel.html?hid=304

 

Aug.13: The family will meet child and sign agreement.

 

Registration in the afternoon.

 

Aug.14: Notary and apply passport.

 

Aug.15: Xi Chan Temple. West Lake.

 

Aug.16: Museum. TeaHouse.

 

Aug.17: Take passport in the afternoon.

 

Fuzhou-Guangzhou by MF8305(19:20-20:40). (Victory Hotel)

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/hotel/victory-hotel-guangzhou.htm

 

Aug.18: Medical.

 

Aug.19: Guangzhou Zoo with Panda.

 

Aug.20: 09:00 Visa appointment. River Cruise.

 

Aug.21: Take visa in the afternoon. Leave Guangzhou-HK at 19:10.

 

Transfer to Train Station.

 

Once we get on the train we are on our own again. We are taking the Train to Hong Kong. We will spend the night in Hong Kong.

 

Our flight leaves Hong Kong at 10:20 a.m. August 22.

Arrive Newark, New Jersey at 2:05 August 22

Arrive Raleigh at 9:05 August 22

 

That’s right; we arrive back in NC the same day we left China even though we have been flying for 13 hours. I am sure we will be experiencing some jetlag.

 

 

Julia's Haircut

Last week I broke down and got Julia a haircut. She was tired of having to put bows in every day. It is so sad seeing my little girl grow up. So what do you think? I still can't decide if I like it. Of course, she is adorable no matter what her hair looks like.

The Concert

Friday night we went to see Jack Ingram,Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift, and Brad Paisley. It was a great concert! I think it was the first time I ever cried at a concert. Kellie was in tears as she sang "I Wonder." She is from North Carolina and the song is about her mom leaving her and moving to California. We really didn't think she was going to be able to sing the whole song. I have a new respect for Kellie. Brad's best song was "When I get where I am Going." While he was singing they showed pictures of people that had passed away. Included were Elvis, John Ritter, Ronald Reagan, John F Kennedy, Johnny Cash, Dale Earnhardt, and many more.

As much as Dallas and I like concerts, I told him I don't know if I want to go to anymore. The amount that people drink is unbelievable and a lot of them still drive home. I am always scared we aren't going to make it home in one piece. It was the same way when we went to the Braves game.

Happy Birthday, Leigh-Anne!

Leigh is in the red dress. I will try and find a baby picture of her tomorrow.

Happy 17th Birthday, Leigh-Anne! Am I getting old or what? I know it was just yesterday my sister was in the hospital giving birth. Dallas and I had been married alittle less than 2 months when Leigh-Anne came into the world.

Leigh-Anne is a great kid. She is very athletic, involved in Girl Scouts, and does well academically. She has lots of spunk.

Have a great day!

TA Today!

We are going to China! We received Travel Approval today. When I saw the agency number on my phone, my mind went blank. It was the wrong time of day, no way could they be calling with good news. Ginger delivered the great news. We won't know for a few days when we are leaving. I am hoping for 2 weeks but I have a feeling it may be three. We will take whatever we can get. China here we come.

A New Day

It's a new day. Praying that TA comes today. The call won't come until at least 7:30 p.m. A long day it is going to be.

No TA Today

Well, we didn't get Travel Approval today. Stefani just posted on the board that they only received one TA and it wasn't ours because our phone has not rang. There's always tomorrow.

Labor

I feel like I am in labor. I am "expecting" Stefani(our agency director) to call tonight and say we can go get our baby. Waiting for an adoption to take place can be similiar to pregnancy. First, you wait for them to approve you and tell you that you are pregnant. Then you get lots of tests done and fill out lots of paperwork. You prepare the child's room and wait to hear everything looks good. You gain lots of wait stressing about the process and if it is all going to happen. This time I gained 30 lbs that I had recently lost. You are continously search for information about your baby and what needs it will have when you receive it. I am so ready for this pregnancy to be over. We should know by the end of the week when we will hold our baby in our arms.

Going Home

In a couple of hours, Nicholas and I will be headed back to NC. We had a good time visiting with family. Nicholas liked playing golf with his DeeDee.

A couple of pictures of our trip. One is Nicholas and his dream car. The other is Zachary's Sparky. Doesn't he look like a smart dog?

Good News Travels Slow

The good news I was hoping would come last night never came. Our agency director sent an email today saying they are expecting 3 more packages with TAs next week. We were in the 1st group to send back our LOA so we should be in the 1st package or the 2nd. I would explain why we may not be in the first package but it is complicated and I am sure you don't really care.

So the point of this post is to let all 6 of my readers know that we should be getting very good news next week.

Love Songs

Who do you think is more romantic? Dallas or I? One is his favorite love song and one is mine. Can you guess which one is which? I think I win hands down.

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To Florida We Go

Nicholas and I are off to Florida this afternoon. Express Jet is the best! We can be there in an hour and a half. The flight times are very limited but at least we are there pretty quick.

I am hoping to post great news in the next few days or next week at the latest. Rumors still flying...they still seem to be in our favor.

Adoption Poem

This poem was posted on one my adoption forums. It is so true.

From An Imaginary Adopted Child from China

Oh, orphanage director
I don't think this will do.
Each time this momma speaks to me
I haven't got a clue.
I thought that she spoke English:
You told me words to say--
But when she tries to talk, I hear
"LOA, PA, TA."
"CO, CA, CZ"--they're airlines?
I just want some tenderness.
And SN, NSN, what's that?
I can't begin to guess.
I hoped to hear "wo ai ni."
I hoped for hugs and smiles.
Instead, a broken record:
Acronyms from all her files.
"BCIS, LOI, CCAA" --when will she really see
Bureaucracy will fade in time,
Her focus should be....ME.

Current Mood

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This song reflects my current mood. I have been singing this song in my head a lot lately. Dallas and I are so blessed. We have each other, 4 wonderful kids, and will be traveling soon to get our 5th child. God is an AWESOME GOD!

Promises

I know, I know I promised not to mention TA again for a couple of days. I just can't help myself. The latest rumors are great! Hope I am not getting my hopes up for nothing. The news is there is going to be a big party on the China adoption forum Friday or Monday(may not be until Tuesday for us, our agency is always a day later).I think we may be invited. So they could mean in less than a week we will know when we are going to China. I so hope this is true.

So What do Ya'll Think?

Yes, I did grow up saying ya'll. I am sure most of you missed it but I have changed my blog heading about 4 times today. I couldn't get it just like I wanted it. By George, I think I have finally got it. Of course, if we ever decide on a name I will have to change it again. Thanks Amy for your help. I don't know if I would have thought about using Photoshop if you hadn't suggested it.

So now the bad news... I don't think we are getting TA this week. Now there are rumors saying they are still sitting on the directors desk at CCAA(Chinese Consulate of Adoption Affairs). I know, I know it will all happen in God's time. So now I am going to try and be patient. No more mention of TA for a couple of days.

Will this be our week or not?

Wow! This waiting is really starting to get to me. The question is will this be our week. From rumors, I am pretty confident there will be some Travel Approvals issued this week. The question is will ours be included. There are some people that received LOA on 6/6 that haven't received their travel approval yet. They are before us. We received ours on 6/19. Sometimes they send travel approval for two groups at the same time, sometimes they don't. We won't know until they get here. It looks like this is going to be a long week. Rumors say they won't arrive until the end of the week. If we don't receive it this week, it could push our travel way back. I really want Kristopher and Nicholas to be able to travel with us. I guess time will tell. God knows the plan. I just wish he would let us in on it.

Happy Birthday, Renee!

A good friend of mine is turning the same age as me today. Have a great birthday, Renee! We are thinking of you in North Carolina.

Julia's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Julia!

Happy Birthday to you, Julia! Our little girl turned 5 years old today. This is her 3rd birthday in the U.S. She continues to amaze us. We are so proud of her!

Guess where we went for Julia's birthday? Yep, you guessed it, Great Wolf Lodge. Have I mentioned we love that place? My good friend, Paige and her nephew met us there. Paige made her an adorable Dora cake. As usual we had an awesome time.

Sorry, but you are going to have to suffer through another slide show. I just love pictures and my kids!

100 Wishes Quilt

百家被 THE BAI JIA BEI, or "100 GOOD WISHES QUILT" CUSTOM
To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the Northern part of China, to make a Bai Jia Bei, or "100 Good Wishes Quilt." Traditionally 100 squares of fabric are donated for the quilt, by family and friends. Much of the time, the squares were scraps from their worn clothing and is said that the LUCK, ENERGY and GOOD WISHES of the people who wore these clothes now surrounds the child when he/she is wrapped in the quilt. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.


We are making a 100 Wishes Quilt for Julia and Grace(name still undecided). I am on a group that swaps squares but I also would like to ask my friends and family for fabric squares. If you would like to participate, please send 2 8 by 8 inch fabric squares to me, one for Julia and one for Grace. The fabric can be anything you would like,it can even be cut from clothing. On an index card or similiar card please write a special wish for the child. It can be a bible verse, a prayer, a saying, or anything you want. Make sure you include your name on the card so they will know who each quilt square is from. Also, cut a small sample of the fabric and attach to the card. I will be making a book out of the wish/fabric card. Later,I will post a picture so you will know what I am talking about. I would love to be able to include you in Grace and Julia's quilt. It will be cherished item for both girls.

For those of you who know I can't sew, don't worry, there are lots of people who will do this for me.

Happy 4th of July!

Free MySpace slideshows, photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We went to the July 4th festivities last night in our big town of Fuquay Varina. We had a great time. They had lots of free rides and bouncy things for the kids. We placed our blanket right in front of the playground so we could sit and watch the kids play until the fireworks began. The fireworks were pretty good, too. They can't compare to watching them the day after Thanksgiving at the Boat Parade at Jacksonville Landing or to watching them at Jacksonville Beach on the beach but for Fuquay Varina they were excellent. You can see in the slideshow what Kristopher thought of the rides and playground but I am just thankful he still does these things with us.

Blogging Addiction

62%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Mingle² - Online Dating

I was pleasantly surprised. I thought my addiction was much worse. Take the quiz and see where you stand.

Give Aways

As many of you know I am a Blog Addict. One of my favorites is a mom that has 6 kids and just adopted her 7th from Guatemala. Abby is absolutely adorable. She always looks happy and has a smile that could melt anyone's heart. Anyway Abby's Mom is having 3 giveaways right now. If anyone is interested let me know and I will give you her email so you can get an invite to her blog. You are sure to love reading her blog as much as I do.

Travel Approval

I am predicting we will receive TA(travel approval) the week of July 10 and we will leave for China the week of July 25. There is no information to base this prediction on, just speculation. Of course if it came this week, we would be delighted.