Last Post before I leave and Link to follow us in China!

Hi all! Well, I have been busy just finishing up a few details before I leave. It's strange leaving my other kiddos behind while I am gone. I am so used to being the one that takes care of all the household and school stuff. I am trying to make this 2 weeks that I am gone as seamless as possible. Anyway, today I plan to finish up any errands or packing that needs done. Tomorrow is all about hanging with my kiddos! I am heading to my friend Kirsten's house and spending the night. That way we will be much closer to the airport for our Friday morning flight around 7:00am. So, I say bye to my sweet family tomorrow at 5....sigh. I will not be posting on this blog while in China. I won't have access to it. So, my friend Kirsten set up a shutterfly account and we will blog on that. I did post the link on the right of the page...it has given me a little bit of problems. Sometimes instead of going straight to our blog with Sophia's picture on it, it just goes to the main shutterfly page. If I just try it again...it works. Strange... Anyway, I will post it on this post too...maybe between the two of them it will work! The next time I or Kirsten blogs...we will be in route to China or in China! Would love your prayers for safe travels and great bonding!
http://sophiagraceadoption.shutterfly.com/

Itinerary!

Here's the breakdown of our stay in China!

November 18--Leave Chicago for our 17 hour flight to Hong Kong
November 19--Recoup in Hong Kong
November 20--Fly from Hong Kong to Changsha (our daughter's orphanage location)
November 21--Meet Sophia!
November 22--Adoption Paperwork--This is when I sign the papers to legally adopt her!
November 23--Local Sightseeing
November 24--Local Sightseeing--waiting for Sophia's paperwork to be finished.
November 25--Local Sightseeing--Receive all the documents I am waiting for.
November 26--Fly from Changsha to Guangzhou
November 27--Local Sightseeing
November 28--Photo for Sophia, Medical Check for Sophia, and TB test for Sophia
November 29--Local Sightseeing
November 30--Get Medical Check Results Back
December 1st--Apply for Sophia's visa and appointment at the Consulate
December 2nd--Pick up Sophia's Visa and head back to Hong Kong
December 3rd--Fly out of Hong Kong to head home sweet home!

Sophia will be a US citizen as soon as we land in Chicago!! Awesome!

Only 3 days until I leave...so ready for this!

It's the final countdown!

NINE days to go until we fly the friendly skies!! So many things I am looking forward to, but the one thing I am not looking forward to is the oh so long flight....UGH! I think we have a 16 hour non stop from Chicago to Hong Kong. That's gonna be a tough one. But, hey...it's all going to be worth it in the end. I am not so much worried about the going, but the coming home with a toddler that is worrisome! I better bring a lot of goldfish to eat! The last thing I am not looking forward to is being away from my family for 2 full weeks...this momma's heart is breaking. Again, so worth it in the end! They get to have a lot of time with Daddy and Grandma...so life is pretty sweet. Well, off to pack and finish up the details of this trip! Please pray for all of us...we will need it.

WE GOT TA!!!!

Woohoo!!! Today, just 4 days after our Article 5 was picked up....we have Travel Approval!!! Shocked! I don't know why I am shocked. I've been praying for something miraculous to happen and this is certainly not above anything the Lord can do, but still I am in AWE! Soooo excited! I most likely will be in China with my newest love over Thanksgiving, missing my hubby and kiddos here, but praising and thanking God for my new daughter. What a wonderful Thanksgiving it may be!

Such a wonderful post

It is orphan awareness month in many churches. I enjoyed reading this post...heartbreaking as it may be...it is REALITY. Please check it out.

Waiting for TA!!!!

Yea! Our Article 5 should have been picked up today...this is something that has to do with Sophia's visa. So, now we are officially waiting for Travel Approval (TA). Our agency said it's about a 2 week wait. However, I have seen some families from our agency receive TA in 10 or 11 days. So, it is a possibility that by next Friday, Nov 11th we may have our TA. So the countdown begins! I have started to pack...slowly, but surely. I've been picking up things as I've been out and about and been putting things in the suitcase. My poor little Drew is having a bit of a tough time with Mommy going to China. If he sees me packing he immediately gets teary eyed. I feel awful. I know it's for the best...I gotta get our little girl home, but it does break this momma's heart. Pray for him. I just love that little dude.

I will keep y'all posted!! It's really getting closer!!