Itinerary

Thank you, Jesus. This very planned and organized woman has a plan for while we are in China. I hate to admit it, but it's so comforting to have a plan, I know I'll sleep better tonight than I have in weeks.

Jan 13th--fly to China
Jan 14th--arrive in China. Spend the night in Beijing.
Jan 15th--reunite with Rob. Fly to Jinan, capital of Shandong province.
Jan 16th--Gotcha day! I will hold my sweet boy for the first time. I'll try not to cry so hard that I scare him, but I get weepy just thinking about it.
Jan 17th--Sign paperwork in Jinan
Jan 18th--Travel to Linyi for passport. It's a 2 hour drive from Jinan. Return to Jinan for the evening.
Jan 19th--Sightseeing to Baotquan
Jan 20th--Sightseeing to Daming Lake Park
Jan 21st--Get Ethan's Chinese passport and leave for Guanzhou
Jan 22nd--Medical appointment for Ethan
Jan 23rd--Sightseeing to Chen's Family Temple We can worship at the same church around the corner from the hotel where God called us to adoption 4 plus years ago. I can't wait for that!
Jan 24th--Visa photo and medical exam
Jan 25th-Oath Taking Ceremony in the afternoon
Jan 26th-- Free Day
Jan 27th--Pick up Visa and go by train to Hong Kong.
Jan 28th--Fly home!

I'll See You in Beijing

Rob flew out this morning for China. He's going early to do some work before we join him in a few weeks to begin the adoption. USAir has already lost his luggage and he will barely make his flight in SF. As he was leaving the van, I said, "I'll see you in Beijing!" Our trip has started already! My bags are packed and much of the preparation is finished. I can't wait to board my plane!

We Have Flights!

Finally, after days of negotiations, we have all the flights we are responsible for booking. This is a huge relief! We leave on Jan 13th at 7:30 AM from Charlotte and return from HK on Jan 28th. Rob has all of his business travel arranged and will meet us in the airport in Beijing on the way to Jinan. Whew! I can't say how much better I feel.

Finishing Quilt Projects

This weekend, I've been finishing some quilting projects. One quilt is for Ethan and it was fun to work on. Knowing I'll be seeing him soon, makes it so fun to finish. Much thanks for my friend Debbie who helped me with the bindings on Friday. I was set up to work on the last 3 quilts of the year over the weekend. Here's Ethan's 100 Wishes Quilt. This is a tradition in Northern China to have friends and family contribute quilt squares. I started in September getting squares and finished in November. I hand-quilted this one with red thread. It's so special.

Tomorrow, we will be back to the task of finalizing flights and travel. We don't have a flight home booked, yet. But, we do have flights to China!

Leaving for China January 13th!!

We Have Travel Approval

We have our travel approval. I can so happy to finally be making definite plans to travel. We will be home for Christmas, so our children are all happy about that. In my mind, I'm switching from the paperwork "to-do list" to Ethan's needs. I'm thinking about his transition, what he will be like, how he will bond with us, getting him to sleep soundly etc. I'm wondering what size he will be. I would really love to buy him shoes, but I'm sure I would get the size wrong. I guess we will buy him shoes and a coat in China. A coat is too bulky to bring if it's the wrong size. It's just wonderful to shift into a "mom mode."

Still Waiting...Day 15

Waiting and More Waiting...we are waiting on the call to say it's time to fly to China.