"Icy mix" was not in my plan!

As I have been thinking about this trip for the past 6 months, it never occurred to me that we would be deterred by ice storms! I guess I should have thought about that, but glad that it didn't enter my mind until now---as 'worry' is one of my downfalls, I definitely would be worried senseless by now.

But, here we are wondering how we are going to get to the airport, if our flights will be cancelled, and how my mom will survive with the boys if trapped in the house for days on end!!!

I know that God has orchestrated this event in our lives and He will not 'ditch us' now; however, I wonder why we can't have weather in the 40's with no precipitation! Would be easier, but too easy I guess. This entire journey has required much faith, and thus that pattern should continue. I must have faith that God will straighten the path and that any obstacles should draw me closer to Him, not make me worry in despair. It is His plan, not mine anyway.

We packed the bags last night, squishing our clothes into "Pack Mates" and made a mountain of clothes flat as a pancake! However, when we got on the scale, each suitcase weighed about 8 pounds over the 44 pound China limit! Time to toss out more unnecessary items!

In the US, we are able to take over 2 checked bags each; however, once in China, you are only allowed ONE checked bag. Thus, we can only take one checked bag from the US. Then before we leave we'll purchase another bag to bring home any treasures (as the international flight allows to 2 checked bags per person). All the details that one never knew existed---once again, learned all this from my chat groups and our great agency!

Today, we will pack up the boy's bags to prepare for their holiday trips. And finish gathering the last minute items. I can't believe we will be in China in 3 days---it seemed this day would never come and now is here!

We are praying for smooth travel with no delays (or fixable delays!), the boys' safety while we are gone (especially considering the weather), and that we will fully enjoy and experience the China that gave us our little girl.

The packing begins (or resumes!)

Well, I think I've been slowly packing for the past two months; but, things are now really picking up speed! I bought the last super large suitcase last week and am starting to weed out the clothes for Lydia that are "cute, but don't make the cut." Her pile of things was overflowing out of a 28" suitcase and I had to re-evaluate! If I continued in that way, *I* would be wearing 12-18 month little leggings with matching tops and Jason would be wearing little red Christmas dresses as there would be no room for *our* things!! If it were up to him, he would take one pair of jeans, two shirts, and buy underwear along the way and wear that for two whole weeks! He would really like to use the "we're back-packing across Europe" mentality; however, I think he should be happy that I'm only taking 2 pair of shoes (ok, maybe three!). "Comfort, comfort, comfort!" he says. Doesn't he know that I can be comfortable in nearly anything I have and still look nice? I don't need to look like I'm going out to mow the lawn!

All joking aside, the clothes are nearly packed and we will be holding our little girl in less than 10 days (no matter what we're wearing!). I'm starting to get nervous. Will she freak out? Will she ever calm down? Will she ever trust us? Will she like me? These are strange questions to ask oneself about your baby---I never thought a single thought near these with my other children; however, this is different. Yet, after a few months I don't think it will seem different at all. It will seem as if we've had her with us since the beginning and I will face the same fears that I have about the boys (except regarding girl stuff too!).

Travel Approval!

Well, a Christmas baby she will be! We were notified today that our Travel Approval has been received and we will be in China from Dec 12th-28th. These last 4 weeks have seemed very long, as I thought the TA would be here any day (before Thanksgiving). When that date came and went, it became depressing again and I imagined that we would never reach Lydia.

But, as always we have realized that this time in December will actually be perfect timing for our trip to China--even though we will be away during Christmas, this timing is actually better than any other: Jason will finish finals at UMKC the day before we leave; I have had time to finish up with all of my clients and get the business wrapped up; Mom will be off from work to take care of the boys over this time; and mainly the boys will have their minds filled with the holidays, cousins, travel to Indiana, and hopefully not much time to miss us.

It will feel very strange to be away from them for so long, especially as I will find myself caring for and loving a new child. Will I feel guilt? Will the boys feel betrayed? I'm sure many emotions will take place over the next couple of months--and moments that we will not have much control over. Time, careful thought, and intentional actions will ease fears, cast away doubts, and create bonds---but can we do it and how long will it take for everyone to fit into their place in our little family?!

I am absolutely giddy with excitement! I can't wait to hold her, squeeze her, and tell those little dark eyes "Wo ai ni" --- I love you.

Now to call the travel agent and arrange all of this. I'm feeling pretty confident about planning the travel---leave it up to the professionals!!! After lurking around chat rooms for the past six months, I know exactly who I want to call. "Yea" for everything learned on Yahoo groups! Jason totally makes fun of me and can't stand it when I stay up until midnight reading posts; but, amazing to say, we wouldn't be in the place we're at now---or with this exact precious child without my keeping up with posts on the Yahoo groups. It is there that I saw the Waiting Child list was coming out and I saw posts from several moms encouraging others to consider "special needs" kids. This was the major turning point in our journey that led us to Fu Bao Xing. Absolutely amazing---again I say, "Yea chat groups!"

The papers are signed!

We received our paperwork around 3:30 and had it all signed and prepared to overnight to St. Louis. They will receive it Monday and overnight it to Beijing!! Now we just wait for our Travel Approval from China that specifies our travel date. Perhaps we will have a Christmas baby!