We are here

We are finally here in Beijing!!! That was a horribly long plane ride---but we made it!! Arrived in Beijing at about 10 pm. By the time we went through Immigration, got our luggage, found our guide and arrived at the hotel---it was midnight (China time). About lunchtime your time!! So it has been something like over 24 hrs with no sleep! But after a nice sleep last night--we are up and ready for the Great Wall!!! Our guide is great by the way==his English is very good and he will be with us until Saturday when we catch yet another flight for Guangzhou, China--where we will meet Lila!!! So far everyone is very nice and very cordial!!! And most people here in Beijing anyway can speak some English! Our hotel is gorgeous and comfortable--speaking of that it is breakfast time!!! I will check back in tonight with pics hopefully.

Tomorrow's the day!!

We leave tomorrow morning for China!!! Hip Hip Hooray!! WooHoo!! We finally get to bring Lila home! After almost 2 years of hard work and planning--we are there. I never thought this day would come! Now--I am scared to death!! This is our first time to travel abroad and it is very scary. We are about as prepared as we can be----just counting down the hours! Stay tuned there's more to come in the next few days!
Bon Voyage!!

Six days and counting!!

We have 6 days until we leave for China! I know in comparison to how long we have waited thus far--6 days is nothing----but it feels like forever!! I am so anxious to finally meet and hold Lila---but it also breaks my heart for her- knowing what lies ahead. She has not been planning anything like we have for almost 2 years --she will wake up on 8/29 (gotcha day) just like every other day but it will not be like every other day....... although her situation will be much better--she does not know that so she will be very scared and it breaks my heart for her. I pray that God is preparing her heart for us and the very large extended family she will be a part of!

Planning the trip

We made our plane reservations today--we leave 8/23 at 10:03 am and after many stops, including a layover in Tokyo Japan,  we arrive in Beijing at 10:30 pm on 8/24. We will sightsee in Beijing for 2 days. We are definitely going to the Great Wall and Forbidden city--also a few other places. Whatever we can squeeze into 2 days! On 8/27 we fly to Guangdong Province which is in Southern China--close to the South China Sea. We will stay in Guangzhou--the capital of Guangdong and also where the American Consulate is located. We are lucky that she is in the Province where we have to end up any way!! Most go to their child's Province and then have to fly again to Guangzhou to wrap everything up at the American Consulate. We finally get Lila on 8/29!!! Her orphanage is 3 hours from where we are staying. Hopefully, if the orphanage gives us permission, we will be able to visit and see where Lila spent the first 14 months of her life. Most are able to visit. We are in Guangzhou until 9/7 which is when our Consulate appointment is--we have to stay for 24 hrs then take a train to Hong Kong which is not far from where we are staying and on 9/9 begin our journey home!!

Travel Approval!!

Hip hip Hooray!! WooHoo!! We received both our travel approval and Consulate appointment today!! Travel approval is China saying it is okay to enter the country for the purpose of adoption. Our consulate appointment is the day we go to the American Consulate and Lila officially becomes our daughter!!! The consulate appointment is the basis for what day we will travel. It is also the last day we are there. Before then we have more paperwork, Lila has to get checked out medically at a clinic and did I say more paperwork?! So we have to be in her Province (Guangdong) on 8/27 and our "gotcha day" is 8/29--our Consulate appointment is 9/7--we have to stay for a day after the Consulate Appointment (not sure why) but we will come home 9/9. We actually will depart B'ham on 8/23 to arrive in Beijing late on 8/24. We will visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Hutong tours and whatever else we can squeeze into 2 days--then off to Guangdong Province by plane again! We will have a guide/translator the whole time we are there. Oh there is so much more but I will save that for another post!! Once again I must say we are so thankful God chose us to love and care for one of his children! I guess he knew how loved/spoiled a little girl would be in our house!!

Article 5

Our Article 5 letter was picked up on 8/3!!  Woohoo!! That letter states everything clear to complete the adoption and Lila can enter and live in the US. Now we are waiting on our Travel Approval from China---then we leave to get our baby girl!!! We are so excited and sooooo ready to bring her home! It has been long enough!!

Still Waiting........Inpatiently

We are still waiting........and the anxiety is building...... I feel like someone who is 9 months pregnant and waiting to go into labor any day now!! Her room is almost finished and as soon as it is I will post a pic! Last night I bought diapers, wipes, lotion and another toy for her. Please, please let our TA (travel approval) come soon!