Conference Call

Today I participated in a travel call with our agency, CCAI. The founder, Josh, talked with us about what to expect on our trip. He had some insightful words to share on how our children will view this day when we all meet. They will be losing their familiar world, and this may be the worst day of their lives. All of their behaviors on that day and for many after will be motivated by the fear they are feeling. He encouraged everyone in the group to pray for extra patience and the ability to steadily love our child through our care for them. At first, he said, they will start to view you as the best nanny they ever had. This will happen before they will view us as the best parents.

Josh said that their agency believes that while we struggle through these transitional days, we should have the comforts of nice places to stay. I googled the hotels on our travel plan since I had not done that before. Wow! He wasn't kidding. The hotel in Beijing and Zhengzhou are beautiful. The one in Zhengzhou, where we will spent the most time with our children has a large indoor pool. I am packing our swimsuits for some bonding time in the water.

Preparing to Travel

I put together a couple of things to help Jake know that I will be returning. We have such a predictable routine that I fear any setbacks by my absense. The poster will be like an advent calendar in that it will have a countdown with messages under each cut out. I am working on the messages. The book is a recordable Hallmark book. I recorded the words to "All the Ways I Love You". Less than two weeks to go.

Thrilled

Jim was able to work his magic and get our tickets through frequent flyer miles. I will be leaving from D.C. on a non-stop flight on the 23rd. Then, Timmy and I will return to Philadelphia on the 11th.

Today I applied for my Visa using a courier who will take the paperwork to the Chinese Embassy for approval. I am checking these tasks off of my to do list.

19 days and counting!

Meeting Timmy Soon

This is the latest picture we have of Timmy. What a thin connection to a little boy that will soon join our family. In less than 3 weeks, I will meet him for the 1st time. Then, we will spend about 2 weeks together before traveling home. I am not sure if he knows that we are on our way soon. My heart hurts when I consider his pain of leaving all he knows behind, including his foster family. Adoption is joyful and painful wrapped together.

Travel Dates!!!

We just heard today that I will travel on February 23rd to bring Timmy (Zhi Gu) home! That is 3 weeks away. We are excited and nervous, all at once. Soon, we will have our two boys together and our family will be complete. I thought this picture of gifts from my staff fit the occassion. We have much to be thankful for. :)

We have plane tickets to buy, luggage to pack, and lots more to prepare. Yea!!

A Shower for Timmy

Despite very snowy weather, my staff greeted me with a cheerful panda themed shower for Timmy. There were panda cupcakes, chopsticks,

bamboo mats and Chinese food containers with fortune cookies. They are sooo amazing and caring. We enjoyed breakfast food, and decided to wait for a less snowy day for me to open the gifts. So, the library still looks like this until tomorrow. I look forward to letting Timmy know how much others cared for him, even before he came home.

Our Other Big News!

We are moving to Harvard, MA in late June or early July. Here is a picture of the library in the town center. I just signed the contract to become the principal of their elementary school. It is a small district with only about 1,400 students with only 1 elementary school. I am honored to be the one they selected from their pool of candidates.

So, where did this come from?? Ever since Jim and I finished school (seminary for him and UDEL for me), we have talked about where we might settle next. We love New England, and so I began to look in the fall. I made it to the finalist round in two MA schools and one VT school. Harvard started to stand out after I visited there twice. Last week, the Superintendent and the director of elementary curriculum flew down to see our school. They offered me a position last Friday. Today, I accepted.

What mixed emotions; excitement about the change for our family, sadness about leaving family and friends. Also, a little overwhelmed with picking up Timmy next month, and then moving with two little boys. :) Get ready for our wild journey these next months.

Steps Towards China

Just today we received news that our Article 5 was picked up in China. The next step is travel approval (TA)! Yikes and Yippee!!! Now, all depends on whether we receive notice of TA before the Chinese New Year which closes offices in China from February 2-8. It is beginning to look like a February travel date is possible. Wouldn't that be a wonderful birthday present for me. (February 15th).

Last week I traveled to New England and was away for 3 nights. Jake did really well with his Ababa's care. That left me feeling more confident about being away for 14 or so days as I travel to China. I wish we were all going, but .... this will be easier in the long run.

I celebrated today's good news by packing another package for Timmy. Maybe this will be the last one.

Update On Our Journey to Timmy

This process for China is more complicated than Ethiopia, but we are nearing the end when we will have Timmy in our arms. This weekend I will apply for my visa to travel. We are one week into a two week wait for something called an Article 5. Once that is done, there will be about a two week wait until I hear travel news. The fastest travel date would be near the end of February. More likely, would be the first part of March. That will be here before we know it!! Yea, Timmy we are coming soon.
Jake is excited to have a new brother. He knows that Timmy will share his room and share his life. Someone recently pointed out that unlike a baby brother, Jake will have an instant playmate. We hope they quickly learn to play and love each other.
We will soon know more about our son from China. I wonder if he will fit into Jake's outgrown clothes. Will he warm to me during our two stay in China. Will he warm to his Ababa and brother quickly once we arrive at home. Will he be afraid of our black lab and cats? Will he learn English as quickly as Jake did? What health concerns will we need to overcome with him?
With adoption, we are gifted the life of a little one who comes to us complete with a developed personality, likes and dislikes, and with a life history already. This process humbles me and grants me a new perspective on life.