Today

Today was bittersweet for me.  I am thrilled to be starting my journey to our daughter but today I said good-bye to 19 amazing kids.  My students this year are amazing and very dear to me. I loved going in to school each day and seeing their smiling faces and inquisitive minds.  I received so many wonderful wishes and heartfelt congratulations - I am very lucky to have taught these children - someone did a great job raising them - thanks parents:)

We leave tomorrow morning for China.  Things were a little hairy tonight - Ethan is vomiting, Dylan is in a tizzy and there is still MORE paperwork to do.  I am sure all of it will work out as long as we make it to the airport on time:)

Good night and we will post again tomorrow!  

A word from the Dad

OK, until now it's all been about Penny, so I thought I'd add my two cents...

We leave in a couple of days. So many people have asked me if i"m SO-O-O excited. I think I may have given the wrong impression by hesitating. I'm so excited that I can't sleep right at night. The only thing that worries me is pretty much the same as any new parent worries about...Am I up to the task? With Lily we have a great advantage (no diapers, no getting up every two hours for feedings -- like I did that), but I am concerned about her not wanting to come home with us. I'm concerned about the language barrier.

In my heart though, I know that everything was put into place by God to bring Lily to us (even when we doubted it because nothing seemed to go our way), and it was his intention for us to be together. Just thinking about this makes my heart stop beating too quickly and brings me an inner calm.

Adopting a child from anywhere was probably the furthest thing from my mind when Penny and I started our journey through life together, but now I can't imagine my life without this little girl whom I've never met. It's crazy how things can change your life.

Thanks to everyone who has not only shown an interest in our adventure, but who has supported us, helped us and added their strength to ours.

We love you all!

P.S. Three more sleeps.

Update

Woohoo!

It's Tuesday - only 3 more days left!!!

We received an update from our agency's director: this week she actually met Lily!!!!!  She said that she is beautiful, happy, healthy, definitely a leader (oh no:)  and not chubby. For those of you that know the weird dreams I am having that will make you laugh.  I am so relieved and at peace to know that she is doing well. She must have been brought back to the orphanage to get ready for the adoption.  In less than a week she will be our daughter.  Many people are asking how we are doing and if we are excited.  A couple of days ago I would have said more scared than anything but now we are calm and anxiously awaiting her arrival:)  We are packed and all the horrendous amounts of paperwork are done.  Just a few more odds and ends and we are done thanks to the help of our family and friends.  Lily - here we come...

.Look at those cheeks!!!!!!!!!

My thoughts these days are constantly on Lily.  My heart aches for her and what she will have to endure in the next week.  She won't know what is going on and who these crazy white people are that are taking her away from the only family she knows. Please keep her in your prayers that she can feel our love and know that she will be taken care of and of course adored.  I truly hope that her transition is an easy one and I know she will grieve but that attachment will come quickly.  

Overjoyed!

Ken and I are overjoyed and overwhelmed by the love and support we have received over the last couple of weeks.  Our family, friends and coworkers have been so kind, supportive and loving.  We have received MANY emails, phone calls and well wishes - we sure know that Lily will be prayed for and loved.  Thank you all for taking the time to let us know how "happy you are for us" and for supporting us. It means a lot to us. 

15 more sleeps left until we are on a plane to meet Lily!!!

The next 25 days....

Well, most of the legal documentation is done. Lily's room is ready, she has clothes and some toys. We now need to start packing. I am slowly trying to get everyone ready for a trip of a lifetime. Not really sure how I go about doing that :)

We also need to decide what and where we want to go in China. Since we are staying right in Beijing there is plenty to see and do. Our family day is on Monday March 9th. We will have some government and doctor's appointments to fill in some of the days. We want to go see the Grat Wall of China, The Forbidden City and if possible (a flight or train ride away) the Terracotta Warriors.

The Room

Lily's room is finally done. Ken has worked so hard on it - and it is beautiful!!! Ethan thinks this is Ken's best work yet :)

Yeah - there's pink in my house at last - enough of the camouflage!

Here we go!!!

We got a call this week saying that we are ready to go!!!  We booked our flights and will be leaving to fly to China March 6th.  Only 1 month away. We will meet our precious Lily on Monday March 9th.  My heart is overwhelmed with joy - we can't wait to meet her and bring her home!