Snow in Beijing

February 26, 2011

Today I awoke to snow in Beijing. This is unusual for the city. We were advised to dress warmly for our tours of the Ming Tombs and the Great Wall. Our guide, Forest, gave us great history lessons about each place. He also shared in depth information about Chinese systems and lifestyles during the 3+ hours on the bus. The Great Wall looked even more impressive covered in snow. The weather made the climb more dangerous as the steps were steep and slippery.

Tonight I was able to Skype successfully with Jim and Jake after buying a camera and microphone in a Chinese Walmart (what an experience). It was so wonderful to finally hear their voices and see them. Jake danced around singing.

Tomorrow morning I fly out to Zhengzhou where we will finally meet our children. Most of the other families are going to the same province. The age range of the adoptive children varies from 15 months to 8 years old. The adoptive families on this trip with me come from a great variety of states including Alaska, Wyoming, South Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania. We are getting along well and having fun.

Here in China!

Phew!!! Finally in Beijing. We arrived close to midnight last night, so it was perfect to jump into bed and catch up on my sleep. Now, it is 5:30am and I am wide awake. Customs was quick and easy. The Beijing airport was clean and quiet. There are English words on lots of signs, so navigating was easy. Right across the street from our hotel is a huge Tiffany’s building; all lit up like New York City.

I met a couple on the flight who are also adopting a little boy with the same agency. They happened to join my flight after their connection was canceled stateside. We have a lot in common. Talking with them made the experience more enjoyable and time moved more quickly.

This update comes to you by way of e-mail to my brother and then posted. There is no access to Blogs or Facebook over here. More later and thanks for following!

Saying Goodbye

I just said goodbye to Jim and Jake. They were able to park and come into the first concourse, but soon after checking in, they were unable to go further without a ticket. Jake gave me a long, sad hug. Then we had a family hug before we parted. I felt much better knowing that Jake would have his Ababa to take care of him. But, the days will seem long until we are all back together.

Packing Fun!

This is what my packing looked like after Jake rummaged through the contents. It took me some time to get everything back together. I am now mostly packed. Uncle Mike and Aunt Bernadette took Jake for a few hours today, which gave me time to get ready.

Jake is getting more worried about me leaving. He is asking lots of questions and throwing more fits. I can tell that he is feeling less secure. We are giving him lots of reassurances and trying to help him through.

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!!