Sunday, March 22, 2009
Jet lag
It's now 6:20 a.m. on Sunday and Andy and I have been awake/up since 3:30 a.m. We thought we were doing so well yesterday with the time change, but I guess it just took some time to hit. We went to bed around 9:30 pm last night because we were SO tired, but ended up waking up every hour or so until we just couldn't sleep anymore. I'm sure the excitement of tomorrow is playing a large part.
The best part of the lack of sleep is that we were able to 'Skype' (web video calling) with Kelsey, Amanda, Nana, Gramps, and Alison! It is amazing how technology can make it seem like you're in the next room when you are actually more than 7,000 miles away from home. It was good to talk to everyone, especially the girls - strange not to be able to text or call at anytime. We miss them! All seems to be well at home and at Gordon. Got to say 'Hello' to Josh as well since he was visiting Amanda at school. Alison is always great to talk to. She has been such an enthusiastic supporter this entire journey - even knows all of the RQ lingo! Such awesome family we have!
We'll leave the hotel this morning at 8:10 a.m. on a shuttle for the airport in Hong Kong. Our flight to Changsha is at 11:55 a.m. and we arrive around 1:15 pm. Hopefully we'll get a nap in on the flight! Aina, our guide, will meet us at the airport. Not sure of the details for the remainder of the day, but I think we'll have some paperwork to take care of.
Then TOMORROW we get to meet Natalie! Excited doesn't even begin to describe how we're feeling! I'm not sure what time as the itinerary is vague, but we'll post here as soon as we know.
Please continue to pray for us. Pray for safe travel, and for Natalie's health and that she will bond with us quickly. We will be thrilled when we finally meet, but it most likely will be very traumatic for her as we are strangers to her. We will look different, talk differently, and even smell different from anyone that has taken care of her up until now. I/we do have faith that all will be well in time.
The best part of the lack of sleep is that we were able to 'Skype' (web video calling) with Kelsey, Amanda, Nana, Gramps, and Alison! It is amazing how technology can make it seem like you're in the next room when you are actually more than 7,000 miles away from home. It was good to talk to everyone, especially the girls - strange not to be able to text or call at anytime. We miss them! All seems to be well at home and at Gordon. Got to say 'Hello' to Josh as well since he was visiting Amanda at school. Alison is always great to talk to. She has been such an enthusiastic supporter this entire journey - even knows all of the RQ lingo! Such awesome family we have!
We'll leave the hotel this morning at 8:10 a.m. on a shuttle for the airport in Hong Kong. Our flight to Changsha is at 11:55 a.m. and we arrive around 1:15 pm. Hopefully we'll get a nap in on the flight! Aina, our guide, will meet us at the airport. Not sure of the details for the remainder of the day, but I think we'll have some paperwork to take care of.
Then TOMORROW we get to meet Natalie! Excited doesn't even begin to describe how we're feeling! I'm not sure what time as the itinerary is vague, but we'll post here as soon as we know.
Please continue to pray for us. Pray for safe travel, and for Natalie's health and that she will bond with us quickly. We will be thrilled when we finally meet, but it most likely will be very traumatic for her as we are strangers to her. We will look different, talk differently, and even smell different from anyone that has taken care of her up until now. I/we do have faith that all will be well in time.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Sightseeing in Hong Kong
Andy here, this is the first time I have written in this blog. Here I am with Bruce Lee. It feels like we are now adjusting to time in China. It is close to 5pm here in Hong Kong and I am sure most of you in the USA are still fast asleep. We were quite the tourists today. We hung out all day with Lily's parents, John and Beth, and have really had a great time. We traveled by ferry, bus and then tram to Victoria Peak - it is one of the highest points in Hong Kong with spectacular views( I am calling The Amazing Race producers, I think Alicia and I would be great contestants!!) 
It was spectacular in a lot of ways but it is foggy here today and unfortunately the pictures won't do it much justice. 
To the right is a picture of the tram we took to the top and to the left is a shot of the Lion's Viewing area. Most of the people here speak English and are very nice and accomodating. We are all so excited about what the next few days will bring. Natalie has no idea what is about to happen and we feel so blessed to have this opportunity. We keep wondering what she will be like and how she will react to us. I am sure it will all go fine.
To the right is a picture of the tram we took to the top and to the left is a shot of the Lion's Viewing area. Most of the people here speak English and are very nice and accomodating. We are all so excited about what the next few days will bring. Natalie has no idea what is about to happen and we feel so blessed to have this opportunity. We keep wondering what she will be like and how she will react to us. I am sure it will all go fine. Friday, March 20, 2009
Closer to Natalie
We are now in Hong Kong - 15+ hours flight from Chicago in a 747. What a long flight! It will be interesting on the way back ...Our hotel is very nice. Once we figured out how to turn on the lights in the room we were all set - too funny. Very modern. We took some time last night after arriving to walk around. The weather is so nice and NO snow! We tried some 'local fare' at The Outback - burgers, and fries! We'll have plenty of time to be more daring in the next two
weeks.In Hong Kong everyone speaks English so communicating has been easy so far. The people here are so nice. We're going to do some sightseeing today so we should have some photos to post tonight.
Off to the gym!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
It takes a village...
Sunday was an emotional day. Emily Min was dedicated at church and it pulled hard at my heart strings. Emily is the daughter of a family we attend church with at FBC. They brought her home from China about a year ago. To see them together on Sunday was heartwarming. There is no question they are a family. Emily looks to Steve and Cindy as no one else but 'Mom & Dad'.
Our church family is one of the most genuine and caring group of people I've ever met. The outpouring of love and support overwhelmed me to tears as we made our way through all of the hugs, prayers, and well wishes after service.
I've been told 'It takes a village to raise a child' and Sunday was such a representation of that. We all stood in church and made a promise to Emily that we would be there to guide and support her as she grows up. How awesome is that? To have an entire congregation make a life-long comitment to a child! It was awesome and I couldn't help but think of Natalie. She'll be home with us in a few short weeks and will be blessed with these same people in her life. Some who will get to know her very well, some just in passing, but all who will show her love. I am so thankful for our church family, friends, and all of those who have a place in our lives and who will welcome Natalie with open arms. We truly are blessed!
Our church family is one of the most genuine and caring group of people I've ever met. The outpouring of love and support overwhelmed me to tears as we made our way through all of the hugs, prayers, and well wishes after service.
I've been told 'It takes a village to raise a child' and Sunday was such a representation of that. We all stood in church and made a promise to Emily that we would be there to guide and support her as she grows up. How awesome is that? To have an entire congregation make a life-long comitment to a child! It was awesome and I couldn't help but think of Natalie. She'll be home with us in a few short weeks and will be blessed with these same people in her life. Some who will get to know her very well, some just in passing, but all who will show her love. I am so thankful for our church family, friends, and all of those who have a place in our lives and who will welcome Natalie with open arms. We truly are blessed!
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Nursery
I kept putting off posting photos of Natalie's room thinking 'I just need to...before I take the pictures'. Well, her room is NOT exactly how I want it to be just yet, and may never be, but it IS ready for her precious little self! The banner on the wall was made by Anna (my 6 year-old niece) with the help of Kelsey for our shower. It is awesome! She is such an artist and is SO excited about the arrival of her new cousin that I had to have it hanging where we can all enjoy it each day - so here it is above the changing table. It's the same changing table that we used for both Amanda and Kelsey. You can see the newly purchased diapers and wipes! Minnie was a gift from my mom and dad. Just out of range is her hamper and the lovely old computer that still needs to be moved...
Andy's dad made this hutch. I just love it. We added new knobs to the doors - you can't quite see, but they're little flowers. He would be so pleased to see it used in his granddaughter's room. It has been handed down over the years in our own house. First it was Amanda's, then Kelsey's, and now Natalie's! You can see she has some great books and toys waiting for her. The doors hide the numerous books we have saved over time. I can't wait to sit on the floor in her room and just play with toys and read her books! It really is going to happen after all. :)
Lastly is a shot of the crib and dresser - reality! I just can't hide the truth. 
The laundry basket filled with washed clothes waiting to be packed or put into the dresser, the car seat that good friends have generously loaned us until she can go into her 'big-girl' car seat, and odds and ends cluttering the top of the dresser. Also, nothing, besides the banner, on the walls. In less than a month she'll be sleeping and playing in this room! Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Shopping
Today Andy and I headed out with gift cards in hand to do some shopping. Our goal was a booster seat, gate, diapers, first aid kit, and many other items. The booster seat proved to be a challenge, so we ended up ordering it online as well as a gate. We were SO thankful for the gift cards!
We're so excited to buy her some clothes - the girls clothes are adorable - but we decided to hold off until we're in China as we're not sure what size to buy. She has some cute 12 month outfits from the shower that we'll bring with us, and a bathing suit for the pool in Guangzhou! It has been in the 70's there recently.
We found some really sweet shoes at Target that we hope will fit. And we did buy some Pampers which just makes me laugh. It's obviously been quite a while since we've made that sort of purchase because while we were in Target I picked up a package and said "this looks good" until I realized I had a super-sized package of WIPES - not diapers!
I'm hoping my next post will be pictures of the nursery - just a few more things to do, like take our old computer out of the room!
We're so excited to buy her some clothes - the girls clothes are adorable - but we decided to hold off until we're in China as we're not sure what size to buy. She has some cute 12 month outfits from the shower that we'll bring with us, and a bathing suit for the pool in Guangzhou! It has been in the 70's there recently.
We found some really sweet shoes at Target that we hope will fit. And we did buy some Pampers which just makes me laugh. It's obviously been quite a while since we've made that sort of purchase because while we were in Target I picked up a package and said "this looks good" until I realized I had a super-sized package of WIPES - not diapers!
I'm hoping my next post will be pictures of the nursery - just a few more things to do, like take our old computer out of the room!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Travel Meeting
We had our travel meeting at MAPS last night. We have much to do before we go! Only two weeks from today and we'll be on a flight to Hong Kong!
During our time with Betsy we went over the final paperwork necessary to bring with us, what to pack (and what NOT to pack), what to expect, and lots of other overwhelming details! Andy is checking out hotels in Hong Kong for us to stay at our first two nights as they informed us it would save us money on a hotel there if we booked it directly. So we'll see where we end up!
We were really excited that we met another couple who will be travelling with us to pick up their daughter from the same orphanage. The best part is that they only live a few miles from us! How awesome is that? They have named their daughter Lily - Natalie and Lily - sounds like a good pair of friends already!
During our time with Betsy we went over the final paperwork necessary to bring with us, what to pack (and what NOT to pack), what to expect, and lots of other overwhelming details! Andy is checking out hotels in Hong Kong for us to stay at our first two nights as they informed us it would save us money on a hotel there if we booked it directly. So we'll see where we end up!
We were really excited that we met another couple who will be travelling with us to pick up their daughter from the same orphanage. The best part is that they only live a few miles from us! How awesome is that? They have named their daughter Lily - Natalie and Lily - sounds like a good pair of friends already!
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