Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2 days left to go before Disney and tomorrow will be two weeks until China. Needless to say we're a little stressed! Once we get on the plane to Orlando we can relax (yeah right!) for a week. Here's some photos of our Princess Belle. She's very excited about Halloween and even more excited that she will have breakfast with the REAL Princesses next week :)

6 days until Mickey!

We leave Saturday to visit the Mouse himself. Trying to get things done around the house before we leave for a week in Disney. Daniel's suitcase is packed and some other stuff is done. I'll have to do the majority of the China packing when we get home from Disney. The house is getting toddler proofed as we speak. Leah was an easy child and did no climbing. However, I'm not too sure about this little guy :) All the dressers and bookshelves are being secured to the walls. The baby gates are up. I think we are set. These photos are from our last Disney trip in Dec 2005. Time sure does fly!

Itinerary

We have our itinerary. We leave on 11/15 and will return on 11/29. Here is the full itinerary:


Friday, November 16 - Arrive in Beijing and stay at Beijing Hotel.
Saturday, November 17 - Sightseeing in Beijing at the Great Wall and the Summer Palace.
Sunday, November 18 - Sightseeing at the Forbidden City first and then leaving Beijing for Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan Province.
Monday, November 19 - Gotcha Day - We meet Daniel!
Tuesday, November 20 - adoption Day ,
In the afternoon of this day, go to Luoyang City, the nation-wide famous place of interest for sightseeing. We will be spending the night in Luoyong City
Wednesday, November 21 - This morning, we will go to Xinyang on van to visit the orphanage and will be spending the night in Xinyang.
Thursday, November 22 - Happy Thanksgiving! Paying a visit to the Monkey And Bird Island, and on the afternoon of this day, returning to Zhengzhou by van.
Friday, November 23 – Picking up Daniel's passport. Free day in Zhengzhou
Saturday, November 24 - Flying to Guangzhou
Sunday, November 25 - Sightseeing in Guangzhou at the Temple of Six Banyan Trees (The Liurong Temple) and the Liuhua Lake Park.
Monday, November 26 – Daniel's visa-photo taken and Daniel's physical check-up.
Tuesday, November 27 - Visa-interviewing at 9:00 a.m.On the afternoon of this day, you will be sightseeing at the Five Goats Park (the Yuexiu Park).
Wednesday, November 28 - On the morning of this day, sightseeing at the Chen Family Temple. In the afternoon, Oath Ceremony held in the US Consulate
Thursday, November 29- Leaving Guangzhou for Hong Kong and going home.





Whew I'm tired just looking at it all! Here is a map of China and a map of Henan Provice to show where we'll be:

CA and packing

We received CA (Consulate appoint) from the US consulate in Guangzhou China. Our appt is 11/26. We've collected all our letters from DTC, LID, LOI, PA, LOA, TA and CA! We are now allowed to go to China and bring our son home! We should be leaving for China on 11/15 or 16. I'll know more tomorrow hopefully.


Now the fun starts. Trying to pack for 3 people for 16 days in 2 suitcases and 2 carry ons. The hard part is not knowing what size your child wears so we're taking 18 month and 24 month sizes. It gets, better. We get to go to 2 different climates. The suitcases cannot weigh more than 40 lbs each. Add up the clothing, the toys, the medications (which weigh about a ton), the sippy cups, bottles, diapers, shoes and last but not least a huge box of Cheerios. What does that spell...............overweight luggage fines. It's a challenge. I'll keep everyone updated with the results. I'm not betting on us. I think the airline is going to win this war.

TA Has Arrived!!!!!

TA IS HERE!!!

We received an email from our agency today and our Travel Approval has arrived! This is basically an invitation from China to travel in their country. We are leaving either 11/15 or 11/16 and meeting Daniel on 11/19 :) I'll post more info on our itinerary on Monday when we receive it. We are travelling alone as the rest of our group is leaving on 11/1 while we're visiting Mickey Mouse. It's going to be a crazy month of November!

Surprise Shower

Last Sunday my wonderful friends surprised me with a baby shower. It was a total shock and I still am overwhelmed. We received many adorable things for Daniel. Here's a photo of some of the gifts.

We are blessed to have so many wondeful people in our lives. Thanks everyone!

Kisses in the Wind

KISSES IN THE WIND

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.

You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.

But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...

Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.

I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.

But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.

And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.

--- Unknown

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

LOA is heading back to Pearl Buck today and will be shipped to China. They should have it by Monday.



Our tentative travel date is Thursday November 15th!!!!!!!!!!! Yippeee!!!! Will know more soon!

LOA is here!

LOA has arrived!!!!!!!

AHHHHHH! Our social worker called at 2:20 today and told us our LOA is here!!! Totally unexpected! It will be overnighted to us. We have to sign it and return it to our agency. We'll most likely travel the 2nd week of November. Hang on little guy! Mommy and Daddy are coming soon!!!!!!!!!!

NL East Champs!!

How 'bout those Fightins?!

WHOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

NL East Champs!

Go Phillies!

Finally! Dave and I were at the game yesterday and it was UNBELIEVABLE! Let's go Phils!