For all of you out there who are curious about what we will be doing in China, here is our schedule. Just Remember, we will be doing everything 12 hours before you!
Day 1 Depart for China (15 hour plane ride to look forward to!)
Day 2 Arrive in Beijing (Finally!!!) and go directly to hotel to pass out.
Day 3 Take a tour of the Great Wall (HAnnah's dream come true)
Day 4 Meet other adopting families and have group orientation
Group tour of Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
Day 5 Travel to Nanning
Meet Emmett at the Civil Affairs Office at 3:30pm!!!
Paperwork
Day 6 Adoption registration and notorization
Group dinner
Day 7 Shop
Day 8 Touring
Day 9 Visit Yiling Village
Day 10 Touring
Day 11 Touring
Day 12 Get Emmet's passport
Travel to Guangzhou and stay at the world famous White Swan Hotel!
Day 13 Paperwork check and Visa medical check
Day 14 Visa Appointment
Day 15 Oath Taking Ceremony
Travel to Hong Kong
Day 16 Go Home!!! (Just a mere 19 hour trip!)
And there you have it. This is what we need to do in order to bring Qi Fu home as our very own. By the time we leave China, his adoption is final and he will become a legal US citizen when we enter the US. Seems so easy, doesn't it?
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Packing
Dilemma:
How to fit enough clothes for 4 people for 2 weeks into 3 bags 40 pounds or lighter, plus add in a mini-pharmacy, daycare, and toy store.
Solution:
Still working on it.
As our final days come upon me, I find myself struggling with the age old problem of packing. Not only does it require so much work to prepare for it - laundry, shopping, lists, etc. - but it also requires super human strength of will as I decide what I can't possibly go half way around the world without, and what I can sacrifice and leave behind. Throw in all the unknowns of Emmett, and it is a pretty daunting task.
But perhaps my biggest complaint is that while I have been working on packing for DAYS, Eric will come home, throw some things in the bag for himself and be done in about 15 minutes. So, unfair! This is one of those division of labors that I am pretty sure I got the short stick. But, it has to be this way. What women/mother in her right mind would leave such a sacred responsibility to a man? Not this one and not any one I know!
I am sure he would not roll the shirts together tight enough to prevent wrinkles and maximize space. I know he would forget the essentials like make-up and hair straightener. And let's not even imagine the nightmare of opening the suitcases and discovering that there is only 1 toothbrush for 4 people!
So, alas, you see my point. The burden must rest solely on my capable shoulders.
So, off I go back to the packing slave pits, mumbling under my breath and basking in my own self-depricating, OCD glory...
(Note from author: This was meant to be a humorous rant on my own foibles and not a man-hating/girls-are-better-than-boys rampage. Hope you got that.)
As our final days come upon me, I find myself struggling with the age old problem of packing. Not only does it require so much work to prepare for it - laundry, shopping, lists, etc. - but it also requires super human strength of will as I decide what I can't possibly go half way around the world without, and what I can sacrifice and leave behind. Throw in all the unknowns of Emmett, and it is a pretty daunting task.
But perhaps my biggest complaint is that while I have been working on packing for DAYS, Eric will come home, throw some things in the bag for himself and be done in about 15 minutes. So, unfair! This is one of those division of labors that I am pretty sure I got the short stick. But, it has to be this way. What women/mother in her right mind would leave such a sacred responsibility to a man? Not this one and not any one I know!
I am sure he would not roll the shirts together tight enough to prevent wrinkles and maximize space. I know he would forget the essentials like make-up and hair straightener. And let's not even imagine the nightmare of opening the suitcases and discovering that there is only 1 toothbrush for 4 people!
So, alas, you see my point. The burden must rest solely on my capable shoulders.
So, off I go back to the packing slave pits, mumbling under my breath and basking in my own self-depricating, OCD glory...
(Note from author: This was meant to be a humorous rant on my own foibles and not a man-hating/girls-are-better-than-boys rampage. Hope you got that.)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
10 Days To China - But Who's Counting?
I can hardly believe that we will be leaving for China in 10 days.
In exactly two weeks we will meet Qi Fu (aka Emmett).
I feel so blessed and grateful to be in this position today. It has taken four years of ups and downs, of doubts and faith, of hope and frustration. But we are almost there!
As I make my final lists and decide what I will pack in my 40 pound limited suitcase, I feel ashamed that I ever doubted, that I was ready to give up and throw in the proverbial towel. And all because I was impatient. Things were not progressing on my time schedule and I don't like that.
Thankfully, the Lord had other plans and I could not block out the nagging little feeling I got whenever I was ready to hang my tail in defeat and give up. HE knew little Qi Fu was being born about 2 months after our dossier reached China, that he was being left on the steps of an orphanage on the other side of the world because he was not "perfect," that he would spend 244 days in a hospital enduring casts and therapy and examinations, that he would be sent to a foster home after he recovered, that he would be termed "adoptable" and placed on the list that was given to Holt, and finally that Eric would call me as I sat in a movie theater waiting with friends to watch "Twilight" with news that would reduce me to tears regardless of my very public domain.
I have learned to trust the Lord more fully - for he sees what I do not. I have learned that when an answer is given, there usually is no promise of timetables given with it. I have gained a stronger testimony that the Lord loves me and knows what is best for me.
They were hard lessons to learn, but well worth it.
Only 10 more days...
In exactly two weeks we will meet Qi Fu (aka Emmett).
I feel so blessed and grateful to be in this position today. It has taken four years of ups and downs, of doubts and faith, of hope and frustration. But we are almost there!
As I make my final lists and decide what I will pack in my 40 pound limited suitcase, I feel ashamed that I ever doubted, that I was ready to give up and throw in the proverbial towel. And all because I was impatient. Things were not progressing on my time schedule and I don't like that.
Thankfully, the Lord had other plans and I could not block out the nagging little feeling I got whenever I was ready to hang my tail in defeat and give up. HE knew little Qi Fu was being born about 2 months after our dossier reached China, that he was being left on the steps of an orphanage on the other side of the world because he was not "perfect," that he would spend 244 days in a hospital enduring casts and therapy and examinations, that he would be sent to a foster home after he recovered, that he would be termed "adoptable" and placed on the list that was given to Holt, and finally that Eric would call me as I sat in a movie theater waiting with friends to watch "Twilight" with news that would reduce me to tears regardless of my very public domain.
I have learned to trust the Lord more fully - for he sees what I do not. I have learned that when an answer is given, there usually is no promise of timetables given with it. I have gained a stronger testimony that the Lord loves me and knows what is best for me.
They were hard lessons to learn, but well worth it.
Only 10 more days...
Monday, March 9, 2009
Lilly Wisdom or "Lillyism" For Short
Here is a bit of Lilly wisdom she shared at a wedding reception on Saturday evening as she was with me in the bathroom while I changed into my dress from my grungy kitchen-help clothes:
Lilly: Where's Whitney's new daddy?
Ira: Her daddy? Oh, you mean her new husdand!
Lilly: Yeah. Where is he?
Ira: I think he's out there with Whitney somewhere. Why?
Lilly: Good. Cuz they need to kiss...kiss for real so that they can have the same germs. Then they will be a REAL family.
(Then...on the way home that same evening)
Lilly: I didn't hear Whitney and her husband kiss.
Ira: Yeah, we saw them. Remember when they first came in and when they cut the cake?
Lilly: Yeah, but I didn't HEAR them kiss.
Ira: What do you mean you didn't HEAR them?
Lilly: You know when you kiss for real and make this sound (Smooching sound from back seat). They have to do that so they can be a REAL family!
Ira: I think they did that...the music was just too loud to hear it.
Lilly: Good, cuz they have to be a REAL family now and kiss like a REAL family!
Always enlightening to hear what goes on in that little brain of hers!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
We're going to CHINA!
I stayed away all day so that I wouldn't wait by the computer for the anticipated information. Upon my return, I was rewarded...
There it was in my in-box...a message from Holt confirming our travel dates and consulate appointment! But, the thing that stood out to me like a flashing red light was the "GOTCHA! Day" date (the day you actually pick up your child is fondly referred to as "Gotcha Day").
March 24th...
I will finally meet my son.
I will be the mother of two daughters and 1 son.
I will have a boy of my very own.
How do I feel right now? Pretty surreal. It's kind of like when you are 9 months pregnant and you want that baby to come so bad that it is practically all you can think about. But, then as labor begins you find yourself thinking, "I'm not ready! I can wait a little longer. Please let me wait a little longer!" It's not that you don't want your child, it's just that fear of the unknown has just tightened it's icy jaws around your heart and you realize everything is about to change. Permanently. Forever. And you are scared.
Yep, that pretty much sums it all up.
So, how do I move past it, you ask? Well, I to do my happy dance with Lilly in the kitchen and squeal with Hannah as we jump around the house clutching hands. It's amazing how expending a little pent up energy can clear the mind!
Now, where's my notebook? I've got lists to make, and tickets to buy, and paperwork to do, and clothes to pack, and doctor appointments to make, and...
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
New Edition
I just found out that my best bud since we were twelve - Yolanda (you all remember how attached we were!) just completed her adoption of a little girl!!! Zoe is 7 days old and was adopted domestically right there in Florida. We are so excited for them! I can't wait to see her in person. (I need to ask if I can post a photo for you all to see.)
My only complaint is that the adoption took a month! Can you believe it? We have been waiting 4 years and they make it happen in a month. Some people have all the luck :)
(Actually they have been working on the whole adoption thing for several years, but this adoption took only a month...so I guess it's all fair:))
Congratulations Yolanda, Dele, and Max!!! We love you guys.
My only complaint is that the adoption took a month! Can you believe it? We have been waiting 4 years and they make it happen in a month. Some people have all the luck :)
(Actually they have been working on the whole adoption thing for several years, but this adoption took only a month...so I guess it's all fair:))
Congratulations Yolanda, Dele, and Max!!! We love you guys.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Almost There!
Today we received our official invitation to travel to China with the purpose to adopt! WaHoo!!! We are so excited. Now we are just waiting for our US consulate appointment to make all the arrangements - we have been told it should be just a few more days (Hmmm...where have we heard that before?).
It has been so hard to wait. But, here are a few tips to help with waiting if you should ever find yourself in similar circumstances:
1. Start a blog...write a whole bunch the first week, then run out of things to say because nothing has happened because YOU ARE STILL WAITING.
2. Go to Chinese New Year and hook up with some fab people who can give you lots of advice and help as you are pretty sure you are clueless and desperate.
3. Read other adoption blogs and cry like a baby because you want it to be you.
4. Shop for clothes that you are hoping will fit your child, but aren't sure because the only sizes you have are from 10 months earlier when he was 21 months old and the size of an American 1yr old...but what the heck!
5. Read Pearl Buck's "The Good Earth" and fervently count your blessings that you live when and where you do. Then compare yourself to O-lan and realize she is so "DA WOMAN!"
6. Join Facebook so that everyone you know or ever knew can be excited for you and send you sweet encouragements that uplift you and keep you going.
7. Visit your doctor and get antibiotics and scabies ointment. Then head to Walmart and purchase as many bottles of lice shampoo you can find because you and your teenage daughter are so paranoid that you are already itching!
8. Make lists...clothing, medications, toys, snacks, tech toys, etc. (If you think of anything else we may need, let me know and I'll put it on my list.)
9. Try to learn Chinese but realize you are utterly hopeless and pray that you can at least learn how to say the important stuff: I love you, Are you hungry?, Do you have to go potty?, I know we are totally weird to you but we are your new family and we have been waiting AGES to get you and you will just love us and your new home and your new life if you will just give us a chance.... Hmmm...The last phrase may be a bit too complicated for our limited repertoire...
10. Read everything you can about separation anxiety and adjustment issues, then give up because you realize every child is different and you will just have to roll with whatever comes your way. And you are really starting to freak yourself out!
Well, I hope this list helps all of you out there waiting...and waiting...and waiting...Luckily, our wait is almost over!
It has been so hard to wait. But, here are a few tips to help with waiting if you should ever find yourself in similar circumstances:
1. Start a blog...write a whole bunch the first week, then run out of things to say because nothing has happened because YOU ARE STILL WAITING.
2. Go to Chinese New Year and hook up with some fab people who can give you lots of advice and help as you are pretty sure you are clueless and desperate.
3. Read other adoption blogs and cry like a baby because you want it to be you.
4. Shop for clothes that you are hoping will fit your child, but aren't sure because the only sizes you have are from 10 months earlier when he was 21 months old and the size of an American 1yr old...but what the heck!
5. Read Pearl Buck's "The Good Earth" and fervently count your blessings that you live when and where you do. Then compare yourself to O-lan and realize she is so "DA WOMAN!"
6. Join Facebook so that everyone you know or ever knew can be excited for you and send you sweet encouragements that uplift you and keep you going.
7. Visit your doctor and get antibiotics and scabies ointment. Then head to Walmart and purchase as many bottles of lice shampoo you can find because you and your teenage daughter are so paranoid that you are already itching!
8. Make lists...clothing, medications, toys, snacks, tech toys, etc. (If you think of anything else we may need, let me know and I'll put it on my list.)
9. Try to learn Chinese but realize you are utterly hopeless and pray that you can at least learn how to say the important stuff: I love you, Are you hungry?, Do you have to go potty?, I know we are totally weird to you but we are your new family and we have been waiting AGES to get you and you will just love us and your new home and your new life if you will just give us a chance.... Hmmm...The last phrase may be a bit too complicated for our limited repertoire...
10. Read everything you can about separation anxiety and adjustment issues, then give up because you realize every child is different and you will just have to roll with whatever comes your way. And you are really starting to freak yourself out!
Well, I hope this list helps all of you out there waiting...and waiting...and waiting...Luckily, our wait is almost over!
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