Updated Picture!!

We just recieved some updated info on Mary Clare. Included is this picture taken earlier this month. Isn't she so beautiful! I just cannot believe I will be with her soon. We are almost done packing and we're about to leave to drop the kids off at Lee's parents house. My step-dad, Jim, is generously driving us to the airport tomorrow at 5:45. What a guy!




  

Welcome

Hello friends and family. Thanks for following us along as we travel to China. We have been pursuing this adoption for over a year, but now that we are so close to actually holding her in our arms and bringing her to her new home, I am having difficulty really absorbing all that will happen and change and it is happening so fast!

At this moment I am excited, nervous, thrilled, weepy, and a bit giggly.

The kids are handling the news with their typical flexibility and do not seem concerned at all that we will be gone. I know that they will be in safe and loving care and they seem to understand that too. Luke is the one that will have the most 'missing mommy' moments, but with the help of some warm hugs and other distractions including his trusty blanket, I am 100 percent positive he will be just fine. It is our return with the new baby sister that will really turn his world upside down!

Back to packing and my evil nemesis..laundry

Here's the deal:

4/1 Leave the U.S. for Hong Kong at 8am

4/2 Arrive in Hong Kong at 6pm on Sunday night. It is so strange to lose basically 2 whole days, very twillight zone

4/3 Pre-paid tour of Hong Kong. **not so into this. but oh well**

4/4 Leave Hong Kong for Guangzhou on China Southern flight

4/5
Go to the Provincial Civil Affairs Office this afternoon to receive your child. Congratulations!
The children will be delivered by the Orphanage Director and orphanage staff.

4/6 Adoption registration and notarization and apply for your child’s passport.

4/7 Your child’s visa physical exam and visa photo today. You will be walking to the clinic. Bring baby/child supplies (bottle, diaper, water, snack, etc.). Be ready to go!

4/8-10 Free time.
Optional city tours are available.

4/11 Receive your child’s adoption registration certificate & notary paperwork.

4/12 Receive your child’s passport.

4/13 Today is your Consulate appointment.

If you have medicines you are not using, please consider making a donation by leaving these items with your local rep. Thanks!

4/14 Go to the U.S. Consulate to take the oath in the afternoon. Please bring as few items with you to the Consulate
as possible. Backpacks, baby bags or purses are not permitted inside the Consulate.
Cell phones or cameras are not allowed in the U.S. Consulate or on the U.S. Consulate grounds.
Note: The U.S. Consulate prohibits your adult travel companions from entering the building. Your adult travel companions must remain at the hotel.

Receive your child’s visa packet at the U.S. Consulate.
DO NOT OPEN YOUR CHILD’S VISA PACKET!

4/15 Leave Guangzhou for Hong Kong on China Southern flight

Leave Hong Kong for the U.S.