We made it!

Good morning from Beijing!!  I am so incredibly happy to be here, it is hard to put into words. All of the anxiety of the last few days has disappeared and I have moved to complete excitement and happiness.  This is absolutely an adventure of a lifetime, and I am so happy that it is here!!!

Our flights went really well, and thankfully for me (the terrified flyer), it was extremely smooth.  The seatbelt light never even came on for the almost 15 hour flight!  We had individual TV screens in the back of the seats of the airplane that had movies, television shows, and games.  Z was completely happy and occupied for almost the entire flight.  I wouldn’t say the food was fantastic.  Z got fish flavored chips in his kids meal.  I’m guessing that is just the beginning of our food adventures. 🙂 None of us slept very much, but really I think that was for the best since we were able to fall into bed at the hotel last night and sleep through the night, so hopefully we are on our way to adjusting to the 12 hour time change.

We met several families from our agency last night, and should meet as many as 9 others this morning.  Several other families brought children, so I’m hoping Z will have some kids to play with at times.

Here are some pics of the beginning of our journey:

About to board the biggest plane I have ever seen!

Over a mountain range in Russia.  We also flew close to the North Pole!

A brief stop in the Seoul airport


Finally in Beijing!

Our first hotel room.  The beds are barely bigger than twin beds, but there was no complaining from us after our 24 hours of traveling! 🙂

This morning we head out to tour around Beijing! 🙂

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Today is the day!!!

We are about to head out for the airport.  Thank you all for the support and encouragement.  Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.  We will check in from CHINA!! 🙂

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2 days!!!

Oh my goodness, 2 days!!  WOW!!  I can hardly believe that in such a short time we will be on our way to our girl!!  I am such a mix of pure excitement and incredible anxiety as it is getting so close.  Plus, I am having to say goodbye to D and K for 2 weeks, which is breaking my heart.  Today Z asked D if he was going to miss him while we are in China.  D responded, “Of course I am going to miss you.  I’m gonna miss you SO much, like one hundred twenty three!”.  I know I am going to miss those guys like a billion!

We had Chinese food this weekend with some of our family.  Here was my fortune. 🙂

Definitely praying for that!!!

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14 days!!

Z with our count down numbers! 🙂

2 weeks from right now we will be on our way to China!!  Woo-hoo!!  It is definitely starting to feel real.  We got our itinerary yesterday.  Here is what it looks like:

Wednesday, October 5-  Depart for Beijing, China, through Seoul, Korea

Thursday, October 6-  Arrive in Beijing, go to hotel

Friday, October 7- Tour Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and see acrobatics show

Saturday, October 8- Tour Great Wall

Sunday, October 9- Depart Beijing for Zhengzhou, Henan, China

Monday, October 10- HANNAH MIN DAY!!!!!

Tuesday, October 11- Go to registration office to complete the adoption paperwork

Wednesday, October 12- Optional tours

Thursday, October 13- Free day/ optional tours

Friday, October 14-  Receive Hannah’s passport.  Depart Zhengzhou for Guangzhou, China

Saturday, October 15- Hannah’s physical and visa photo

Sunday, October 16-  Free day

Monday, October 17- The all important Consulate Appointment, where we will take an oath.

Tuesday, October 18-  Receive Hannah’s Visa to go to the United States!  Depart for Hong Kong.

Wednesday, October 19-  Depart for the U.S. through Seoul, Korea, and arrive home!!!!!!!!!!

During one of our free days, we may have the option of visiting the orphanage that she has been in for so long in LuoHe, or we might go to Puyang, to see her “finding spot”.  We really won’t know those exact details until we are there.  I think both experiences would be invaluable, but we will have to travel several hours to get to each place, and I don’t think we can do both.  I think I will just have to evaluate the situation when we get there.  I can’t believe it is really almost here!!

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28 days and counting…

We tried calling the Consulate, but really had no luck.  After MUCH deliberation, I think we will be leaving on October 5.  Thank you to everyone who sent me messages with different opinions and viewpoints. I took them all very seriously.  So sad that we have to wait another few weeks, but I am trying to focus on the fact that this time next month, I will be writing my blog from China.

In the meantime, I am going to do my best to focus on my precious ones at home.  We had a wonderful meeting at Z’s new school tonight, and got to see his self portrait and read his autobiography.  Definitely gave us some needed smiles. 🙂

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