The End

It has been a very quick two weeks. I had one week off before we left and every single day was filled with going somewhere and getting something done for the adoption. I wasn't able to sleep in like usual, probably because I knew there was so much to do and little time to do it in. The deadlines were immediate and often required "within 24 hours". Up until the very end, we didn't even have enough money to complete the adoption! Fortunate for us to have such loving friends and family that donated their money to help make our dream a reality. The final almost-setback was on the day we were leaving (yesterday) when we were informed by GWCA that they had not received our payment and if they did not get payment that very day, our flights would be affected and we would possibly not be able to travel. Long story short, the post office in Austin had the package there. GWCA was able to pick up the package and we followed through with our plans.

The plane ride from Tyler to Houston was very bumpy. We waited for our luggage for about 45 mins only to learn that it was already enroute to Beijing! We waited another hour for the hotel shuttle to finally pick us up. We are staying at the Hilton Houston North. Very nice hotel, but it was after 10p.m. when we finally arrived and did not get to enjoy the beautiful hotel or it's scenery. We leave in 15 minutes and had to get a taxi since the shuttle services do not run this early. An inconvenience, but hopefully we'll get to the airport by 5a.m. The plane leaves at 6.

We have been in awe and wonder that this is actually happening. A part of me is even a bit terrified by it, mostly because I have been so sleep deprived that I can't imagine this being a way of life!

and the Hilton just charged me $10 for internet access, so I'm logging off now. More later

Today: we got our tetanus shots. That's about as far as we've gotten as far as any sort of adoption progress goes. There's really not a whole lot more we can do at this point except wait. I am going to work on Chanz's room tomorrow as it has become a bit disorganized. All of our travel things have been piling up in his room so hopefully I can get it all organized. That's all the update I have for now.

omg omg omg omg

Every conversation revolves around our shock. We're bringing a child from all the way around the world to our home. Without even trying, we are stressed and excited and even a little scared. Towards the end of the day today I had one of my nurse friends, Kathleen, take my blood pressure because I felt so stressed. It was normal, but I still felt wired and just 'weird'. I began to talk to her and another nurse about what I was feeling, mostly that there will be a child in my house! And I have no idea what it's going to be like. He's already 2, will he like us? Are we going to know what to do with a kid? Can we even do this?! My friend Anna said I was having a new mom moment. She said she wanted a baby, wanted a baby, wanted a baby. When she finally got pregnant she was like "omg omg omg omg omg" (while dramatically and slowly falling into a chair:) I felt so much better after that. SO I'm not a horrible person for being scared and unsure I'm even doing the right thing??

Once I got home, Tim and I finally had time to go through all the emails I have been bombarded with the last couple of days from the agency. There were lots of tips and helpful information as well as more pricing information, which is what we were really needing. I think we feel a little bit better for now.

What a YEAR!

Plunking Down Plastic

Just spent the best $3500 on plane tickets ever! Flying from Tyler to Houston, where we will stay overnight, then on to Bejing! It's been such a crazy 2 days, since we have found out our travel date. I am still just in shock that it is already here. Today I was a little stressed out to make sure we booked our planes on time, since they only gave me 24 hours. I was able to get it all done and taken care of, however.

Now it's trying to sort out what money to take out from where, how much we have or do not have, what luggage to take and what to put in it! We have been given tons of useful information from the adoption agency, as well as through others in our Yahoo group who are in the same boat we are. It will be very exciting to meet the other parents that arrive in China with us!

Whirlwind

What a day.. I was standing in the middle of PACU, just outside the OR in the hospital. I noticed I had a new email message notification on my phone so I had stopped to read it. It stated, "Consulate Appointment Confirmed" WHAT?! I quickly scanned the email and it said we would be leaving January 2oth. I said out loud, "January 20th?!" A nurse looked up from her charting, then back down. I immediately dialed my husband's phone and it went to voicemail. I buzzed him on chat; no reply. A few seconds later my phone rang and it was him. I quickly rehearsed what I would say to him and answered. I asked what he was doing, how his day off was, blah blah blah. He sounded extremely casual, so I messed that up real quick, "We're leaving January 2oth." A pause..."What?" I stated "Yes, we're leaving January 20th". There was much stuttering and gasping on the other end of the line and I laughed. I had never heard him so speechless before! And that's pretty much how the rest of our day went. Walking to and fro, looking and not seeing, trying to finish a task and not even remembering what it is we meant to be doing. It was great!

I called my mom and she was beyond excited. She pretty much just wanted to get off the phone so she could tell everyone so I let her get to it. The rest of the day at work, for me, felt like a holiday, when there is excitement in the air. We tried real hard to figure out what we needed to do next but the reality of our dream coming true was just too overpowering to focus.

Unbelievable. We will be in the air in 2 weeks and when we come home, our lives will be forever changed, and so will Chanz's. What a miracle this has all been! I keep telling Tim over and over that I can't believe we've even made it this far. Without God, we wouldn't have! So THANKS to our heavenly father who paved the way and made this blessing possible. His grace and mercy is astounding as are his blessings!

TA!!!

Chanz's first Christmas present! A little pillow pet from his cousin Deana.


We received our travel approval today... WOW! We didn't think we would get that until the end of January! Suddenly we're in rush mode. It's like we've finally made it to the top of the Texas Giant and now we're starting the down hill!

I told my mom and she texted me later, "I can't stop crying!" I didn't cry..I felt more shocked than anything. It hit me like a bucket of cold water: We're going to be parents.

I had to quickly contact my old employer about cashing out my 401K to pay for the orphanage "donation" fee plus give us some spending money. Nevermind the tax hit we'll get later, that's just details. We have a pretty good idea what our 2 weeks will look like so I'm not too worried about that. We are more concerned about having all the funding available so quickly. I can't believe we've made it this far! I am not about to start worrying about it now. God is good, all the TIME!

Ganner (my mom) bought Chanz a couple of sleep outfits the other day.

Tim likes the green one best. I love them both! I can feel some spoiling coming on :)