Lauren's Journey Home...is Complete.

We are home safely and our flight home went as well as flying 26 hours can go! ;)
Coming home we were welcomed by signs and balloons at the Airport by my wonderful friends Terri, Mary, and others. It was soo wonderful to see them and finally have Lauren in my arms! Mary leaves this Wednesday for this amazing trip that we just completed. It's soo good to see our March group finally bringing our daughter's home!! Terri, Steph, Kayce, Sooze, and other's I'm rooting for you and following you closely! Kayce, Lauren wore your bib the other day to eat her coveted watermelon! It was so nice, I almost hated to put in on her, but it fits perfectly and works great!!

When we came home our family was all waiting to welcome Lauren home and it was so wonderful to have those closest to us to celebrate this amazing moment. Lauren's Journey Home at it's completion. Now, our new journey begins...

Lauren did great and she is just blossoming now that she is home. It's amazing to see more and more of her personality come our each new day. Today she surprised us by saying "yee ha!" while riding her little pony and dancing when hearing music. She is so perfectly ours! Our first two night here have been rough since our Guizhou girl is still on Guizhou time, however, we managed to keep her up all day today and she just fell asleep, so we are hoping we can get back on Phoenix time. I'll post here from now on. Oddly enough, our Shutterfly website won't let me post a journel entry right now, so I just left a quick note in the title.

I love you all! Here are some pic's since home.

36 hours

We leave in 36 hours! Work is behind me, schoolwork is checked off and the only thing I have to concentrate on now is...Lauren!!! I thought this picture I saw on Seventh Diamond's blog was perfect for how I am feeling today. I'm packing our things tomorrow. There is little room left for us after packing all of little miss Lauren's belongings! :) Gosh, someone pinch me, I must be dreaming!! One week from today I will be holding her!

I will be posting as often as possible at our travel site that is linked at the right. If I am not able to post due to censorship, Steph, my wonderful dear friend has offered to post for me. So, we'll see how this all goes!

Love you all!

Six Sleeps!

This week is so surreal. I am working 85 hours this week to get all my shifts in before I leave and to get as much clinical time in as well. So, it's helping to keep me sane by just waking, going to work, coming home, sleeping. As I go throughout my day, there are moments when it hits me that we are leaving next week and that I will be holding Lauren in 12 days and it just brings a smile to my heart. It is absolutely incredible to be finally reaching this point after this long, long wait. I started a journal 2 nights ago that I am writing letter's to Lauren in. I plan to continue this and give her the journal when she is older.

You know how there are different stages to pregnancy? well, I'm finding there are stages to adoption as well. My heart is changing from "I'm waiting" to "I'm a mom" and I find myself trying to do everything I can to help her lead the life God has chosen for her. My mom has been such an amazing role model and I think of her often and it reminds me of all she has done for her children throughout our lives. I am praying Jesus shows me how to lead and love Lauren the best that I can.

Let the Packing Begin!

My guestroom has looked this way for over a month and I am finally rolling clothing, assessing our needs and packing! Lauren's things are almost all packed now. We have a total of one checked bag each (44lb max per China requirements) and one carry-on (which we are each carrying a backpack). I thought I'd post what we are doing to pack in case it helps anyone else. It's a small miracle to pack for this trip! ;)

Dan's backpack will have our original documents for the adoption and all electronics such as cameras, laptop, extension cords, batteries, mini surge protector (those following us soon--go get one of these), and hand sanitizer.

My backpack will have copies of all adoption documents, plane ride items such as playing cards (the deck that is in Chinese characters that my sweet secret pal, Steph gave me!),books, an outfit each for Dan and I,tylenol,and of course, hand sanitizer! :)

I'm packing our checked luggage as if I'm planning on losing one of them. I like to plan for the worst and hope for the best. So... I have Lauren's clothing, Dan's clothing, and my clothing separated into each piece. I split the bottles, drop-ins, diapers, etc. into the two luggages as well. As I packed clothing, Dan cut out the directions to all over the counter medications and then rubber banded the medication to the directions and put them in a ziplock bag(This way it cuts down on space). I have put all OTC medications, lotions, baby wash, nail clippers,etc. into a rectangle tupperware in which I will use to wash bottles, nipples, etc. when in China.

I bought a "heating coil" from REI that Steph recommended. This nifty device boils water quickly. I plan to use this to warm water in a large cup and then warm Lauren's bottles in this. ~note to Steph~ can I make coffee with this? Is it safe to drink the water after I use this coil?
I plan to give Lauren a morning bottle and an nighttime bottle for the purposes of attachment and bonding mostly. During the day, she will most likely eat her normal table foods, etc. This of course, will be guided by what her nanny tells me when we meet.

Dan has a money belt in which we will be keeping our money "crisp" and I pray we can hand it over to the officials soon after landing.

To you, my awesome friends who are going on this journey soon, I'm also writing down everything I put into each bag and I will post this. As far as formula, I am bringing one can of Similac Sensitive, just in case I need it. I may end up buying what Lauren has been on in a local store or maybe her nanny's will give me something. If not, I know the sensitive is better for digestion and figure, we can start there.

I cannot tell you how excited I am. If I'm not working or at clinical, I HAVE to be doing something toward our trip to China. Yesterday Dan and I watched "Wild China" on the Travel Channel for 2 hours. I go to bed looking at Lauren's face and she is the first thing on my mind when I awake. I am so in love.

Today, being Dan's first baba's day, Lauren gave him a sweet card and a Red Tie. :)

Travel Site

I have created a new site that I will post to and update with pictures while in China. I have heard from numerous people that they have been unable to access blogs while in China, so I have followed Steph's lead and created a travel site on Shutterfly. I'll copy it here and I've also added a link to the right margin for future reference.

http://ourjourneytolauren.shutterfly.com/

23 sleeps until China! ;)

Our Anniversary Weekend

What an amazing time away. We sat by the pool reading, listening to the waterfalls all around, and talking about our past 10 years together.


Each night there was entertainment at the open lobby bar. So relaxing...we sat under the stars, enjoyed a glass of wine, and listened to the beautiful music.


On Friday afternoon there was a Native American Dance that was so fun to watch!This hoop dancer was extremely talented! He could "jump rope" with a small little hoop!


Danny wrote me a letter that was absolutely beautiful, I will cherish it forever. It's the greatest gift I have ever recieved from him.

What an amazing journey we have had together this far. I am forever grateful to God for placing Danny in my life and allowing me to live each day with this incredible man. We know this 10 year anniversay also marks a chapter in our lives that is soon to close and a new, exciting, wonderful chapter is to start. Just 3 weeks until we make the most miraculous trip we've ever taken. We will hold our daughter for the first time and I cannot even fathom how that will feel. We are so incredibly blessed...

Cautiously Excited!!

Just back from our wonderful anniversary getaway and I have good news! We bought our tickets to China yesterday! We received news from our agency that we have now been given confirmed approval from Guizhou adoption center and the ACIS for us to travel! I thought my friend Bella stated it perfectly...we are cautiously excited!

We had to laugh when we opened our hotel door Friday morning to the USA Today lying at the door step with a picture of two little girls from Hong Kong wearing their H1N1protective masks on the front page! :) This is going to be quite the trip. There is a pretty high probability that we may be quarantined while there, but we really don't mind at this point. Just get us to Lauren! :)

We stopped by REI on the way home and bought a few more travel items including a luggage scale. I thought I'd leave you a link to Waiting for LaurenElizabeth's blog. She has a great, detailed travel list and great travel tips. When going to her site, click on 2008 in the archives on the right and you will see her travel tip posts.

24 sleeps until China!!!

Anniversary Get Away

Tomorrow Dan and I celebrate our 10th Anniversary. What an amazing 10 years...we are headed now to the Gainey Ranch Hyatt in Scottsdale for 3 nights. We have never stayed here before, but it has amazing amenities. Gondola rides, pools, sand beaches, outdoor bar, spa, etc. So.. after just spending 6 hours at the computer finishing school assignments...I am off to spend hours just looking into Danny's eyes. :)

Speaking of eyes, we will see Lauren's eyes face to face July 12th! We received a wonderful email today that notified us that Guizhou adoption center is now stating we can pick up Lauren on July 12th! This means we will leave approx. July 7th! We are just waiting for one more confirmation from the US embassy and we can then book our flights again!! woohoo!

I'll post later with pictures of our trip!

Buying Bows

Last night Dan and I met with a few of our travel group members that live nearby and had dinner at Mimi's. We had such a good time! One of the girls has been to China before and had great tips! One I hadn't thought about was to call our bank and credit card company to let them know we would be traveling in China so they wouldn't deny our purchases. Also, she said we can easily go to ATM's and get money using our debit card, so no need to bring Yuan with us. What a blessing to have met these wonderful people in our group and I look forward to our trip even more now!

This morning, I am up shopping for bows! Seventh Diamond has started her own shop and her bows are unique and wonderful! Click on the picture above to go check out her boutique!

Agency Update

I just recieved the following email from our agency. There is still an "IF" in this email, however, it's something! :)

Dear Guizhou families,

I received this information from our BJ Staff.

“The appeal letter has helped.

I contacted Guizhou local adoption center and the director gave us an approximate travel date. She said that if the H1N1 flu is not getting worse, they would like to receive our families in the middle of July. I have sent the appointment request for July 13th to meet the children. She told me to check with her early next week and she would confirm the date by June 10th.

Please see the tentative itinerary of Guizhou group below. Please do not let families book their airline tickets until all dates are confirmed. We have to change the ACS appts when the adoption date is confirmed.”

For: Guizhou
Fri, July 10-arrive in BJ
Sat, July 11- sightseeing in BJ
Sun, July 12-travel to province
Mon, July 13-receive children
Tues, July 14-adoption process
Wed-Fri, July 15 - 17-sightseeing and free days
Fri, July 17-fly to GZ in the evening
Sat: July 18-Medical in GZ in the morning
Sun: July 19 – free day
Mon: July 20-free day
Tues, July 21-free day (will receive children’s passports from Guizhou)
Wed, July 22- appt at ACS (first choice)
Thurs, July 23-take oath
Fri, July 24, departure from Guangzhou (depends of date of ACS appt)


p.s. I have no idea why I chose this picture...I really am going crazy over here!:)

Dan and I went to see "UP" yesterday. We went looking for laughs and a good time. We did laugh and had a great time, but something surprising happened during the movie. As we sat arm in arm, my head on his shoulder, together with our 3D glass on,tears were streaming down our cheeks! It was such an endearing movie! It has a lot of great life lessons and it renewed our gratefulness for our present state. The Now. What a wonderful life God has given us. Our marriage, our joy-filled pup, our beautiful daughter with her red shoes, our families...life is just so good! I have been tempted recently to be angry at my current situation with our wait seeming endless, but this movie reminded me that everyday counts and is a blessing.

If you haven't seen this movie, grab a kleenex box, your 3D glasses and go have a wonderful time!! I give it 4 Stars! :)

Worth It All

When things go wrong
and sometimes they will
when the road you are struggling in
Is a twisted hill

When you need help
and the debts are high,
you want to smile
But you have to sigh

When care is pressing
you down a bit
rest if you must
But never quit

Life is hard
during its twists and turns
as everyone of us
Sometimes learns

And many a failure
will turn about
when we might have won
Had we stuck it out

Never give up
though the pace seems slow
you just may succeed
With another blow

You never can tell
how close you are
it may be near
and still seem so far

Stick to the fight
when at your hardest hit
its when things seem worse
That you must never quit
~by Felipe Gomez

Trusting God

Today, the eve of when we were originally to be leaving for Lauren, I received this email from our agency:

Dear Guizhou Families,

I am very sorry to deliver this news, but I just received this information from our staff in Beijing (at June 1, 3:04am St. Louis time).

“The director of Guizhou local adoption center told us just now that they couldn't receive adoption families in June. She said that there was a group for touring which was just quarantined for 7 days. So Guizhou local government canceled all adoption appointments in June. They couldn't tell when they would be available for adoption appointments. I will keep contacting them every day from now to see when they would be open.”

Unfortunately until they tell us when they will be able to give us an adoption appointment, we will not be able to make any travel plans for the Guizhou group.

I am very, very sorry.

Dreams, Tears, and Kisses

I'm famous for saying, "I don't produce tears"...but come to find out...I do. Maybe a part of this wait has been to soften my heart and let my walls crumble in preparation for giving all of me to my daughter.

KISSES IN THE WIND
(for our daughter in China)

We hold you in our hearts
and touch you in our dreams.
You are here each day with us,
at least that's how it seems.

We know you wonder where we are...
what's taking us so long.
But remember child,
We love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze
and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight, just as always,
We blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand
until We can be with you.
We promise you, our darling,
We're doing all that We can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family
for real, not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always,
We blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms
and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses
that We send to you each night.
--- Unknown

One Degree Closer to Insanity

My hotslings were delivered today. I bought them to carry Lauren with me and to help with our bonding. Well, since our travel plans are on hold, I have resorted to carrying Bailey. :)

Travel on Hold, but possible referral batch out!

It's been an extra busy week this week, so I haven't been able to post, but I wanted to post a quick note before heading out. First of all, our travel has been put on hold indefinetly until the swine flu scare is over and China allows us to travel. We have cancelled our flights and they are on hold now.

BUT...Mary may be getting her call today!! Oh I so pray she does!! I will be thinking of you all day Mary! I remember the day I got my call and I was shaking with excitement. It's been a long time coming and I am so excited that my good friend Mary may get to see her daughter's face soon! Who knows, maybe we will even travel together.

Off to clinical now...

My Baby Shower

My family and friends put on the nicest baby shower I have ever been to last Saturday. Pink Oriental laterns hung from the ceiling, music that was on my blog over the years played in the background, M&M's with Lauren's little face on them as well as her birthdate and my favorite scriptures for her, a beautiful yummy cake with one of Steph's designs on the top and personalized with Lauren's name, a garden stone made with thought and hard work that quotes, "For this Child I prayed", fun games including one called "adoption maddness" ;), the list goes on. What meant the most to me was having all my family and friends together and thinking and dreaming of Lauren's arrival very, very soon!

The Arizona Adoption Mama's made there appearance as as pictured above! :)

Thank you everyone for the beautiful, amazing, baby shower. My cheeks hurt for days from smiling so much. :)

Have Tickets--Will Travel!!

Well, things have turned around today. Our travel dates were confirmed, our Consulate appointments were made and we bought our tickets! We leave June 2nd and return June 19th! We had planned on leaving the 3rd, but tickets were much higher on that day for some reason, so our travel agent suggested the 2nd!

We are flying round trip (including our PHX to SFO trip) for $824.00/person! Pretty awesome eh? By the way, travel agent, Sue Sorrel was recommended by CHI, and she has been great to work with and got us a great price and also a good flight schedule with plenty of time between flights, etc. We are flying from SFO to Tokyo then to Beijing on Japan Airlines. Sue said it was a great airline, so we are happy!! :)

I will be truly happy once my dear friend Mary gets her referral. Please pray the referrals are sent soon.

Coping

While at work today, I thought I would check my email quickly for any news on our travel approval. I found an email that made my heart drop. I quickly told my co-worker I needed to step out for a minute and shaking, I called Mary.

The email said that our travel approval's have arrived, however...

"there is an adoptive family in Guangzhou quarantined because they took the flight Northwest 29 from US to Beijing with a passenger who is confirmed to have H1N1 (Swine Flu) yesterday. The family was dismissed from White Swan Hotel and was sent to a hotel out of the downtown Guangzhou area. The family’s body temperature is normal. The family will be quarantined 7 days and they will be free at that time, if there is no symptom like fever or flu. The family was scheduled to meet their child this afternoon, but they have no choice but to wait until after the quarantine. The guide and the driver are asked to stay at home and take body temperature everyday for 7 days. They are all under the observation of the Guangzhou Disease Control Center.This is not the only case. There is another family scheduled to meet their child this afternoon, who is quarantined in Beijing now.
So our coming families may meet the similar situation. At that time, they have no choice but to go through the quarantine process to see whether they could finish the adoption process.

CHI is not in control over the Disease Control Centers in China. So if a family is quarantined in China, CHI is not able to help the family and will not be responsible for any related financial costs.

Your travel approvals were received and we are now in the process of requesting your appointments at the American Consulate. We will need a response from each family today regarding their travel to China. The CCAA has extended the expiration date of your travel approval from 3 months to 5 months.

Yes, you wish to travel in June to China or No, you wish to delay your travel until the situation has changed in China."

After collecting myself, I responded with: Yes, I wish to get my daughter as soon as possible.

Driving home today I was exhausted and needing to just cry. I numbly pulled into my neighborhood Albertson*'s and bought the items above.

Going to China? Say. I. Wont.

TA's Have Been Mailed

Good news! TA's (Travel Approvals) have been mailed from the CCA*A. Our agency was notified today that TA's were sent out yesterday. So, we should be getting our approval soon, there are still a couple of steps before we know for sure that our travel dates are solidified and thus we cannot buy our tickets yet, but we're getting close!

Tentative travel dates subject to change:

Thurs, June 4. leave the US

Fri, June 5, arrive in BJ

Sat,June 6 , sightseeing in BJ : TianAnMen Square, Forbidden City and the Great Wall (Juyongguan), lunch is included; CHI orientation

Sun,June 7 , fly to province, ;(may meet children this day)

Mon,June 8, or meet your child and do adoption process

Tues-Sat,June 9-13 free days and sightseeing while waiting for the paperwork for your children

Sun, June 14, Fly to Guangzhou

Mon,June 15, free day

Tues, June 16, medical exam for children,

Wed, June 17.first choice for ACS appt

Thurs, June 18 take oath at the ACS and get child’s visa late in the day (depending on confirmed date at the ACS)

Fri, June 19 , return to US. (depending on the confirmed ACS appt date)


I have soo much to do. I am trying hard to not freak out and just take one thing at a time, however, there are so many unknowns and it's hard to feel prepared.

I'm really excited for my baby shower this Saturday! My mom, family, and friends have done so much for this special day. I was at my mom's house the other day and she had huge ladders in her living room and I asked, "What are you doing?" She said, "Preparing for your shower!" :) I have such an amazing, wonderful, supportive network around me, I truly don't know what I would be doing right now without all of you!!

Below are a couple more pictures of the nursery. The picture above the crib is Steph's artwork. It is so beautiful, the camera shot really doesn't do it justice. Thanks again Steph!