Last Minute Details

Well, we finally got our final accounting today.  We had asked for donations totaling $7000 to help us bring GW home.  When all was said and done we ended up getting $6000!!! Praise God.  The remaining $1000 we will borrow from our home equity line to cover our costs. 

We still don't have our hotel information yet.  That will come in an e-mail shortly. 

I was hoping to have a relaxing day tomorrow, but as usual, there is a LONG list of things to be done before we leave.  Some are HAVE TO's (like wire the money!!!)  and others are if we get time (like give AT a haircut).  We will try to squeeze in a fun bike ride for the family though. 

We would like to go to church tomorrow night, but we'll have to wait and see how things are going.  We had thought we would be leaving on Saturday, but once again, God was looking out for us.  We ended up getting flights through Newark because they were $1500 cheaper than the flights through Atlanta.  Well, the weather forecast for Newark for Sat is a high of 38* with a 70% chance of a winter mix.  Our flight would most likely have been delayed or potentially cancelled.  As it is, our flight is on Sunday and the forecast is for 37* and Mostly Sunny with a 10% chance of precipitation.

This will be my last post until we are in Kunming.  We don't have the details yet of when we get GW, but I'll post (at least a little something) as soon as I can.  Assuming the Great fireWall of China doesn't get in my way. 

Zai Jian and Xin Nian Kwai Le!

Oh, I almost forgot.  If I am unable to update this site, check out http://journeytoourboys.shutterfly.com/  for updates and all of our photos.

Ready to GO!

We are packed!!! Ok, I still need to put in the last minute items like the laptop, toothbrushes, etc, but we are DONE!.  We are going Carry-on-only and still have room to pack!  Our travels will take us from Kunming (where it is eternally Spring), to Nanjing (where the average high this time of year is about 46F), Guangzhou (where the average high is 59F) and to Beijing (where the average high is 30F).  We have packed layers to wear and camp soap to wash stuff out.  We will be buying clothes for GW and TJ to bring home.  We also want room for checked luggage on our return flight for books, snacks and gifts, souveneirs.  If we already have checked luggage, there would be TOO much to handle.  (We have backpacks packed for GW and TJ)

And our tickets showed up today.  It is getting VERY real now that we are leaving for China in just a few short days!!!

And finally, our girls got THEIR bunk beds today.  They have been begging for bunks ever since their brothers got them.  I think SG wanted them more than HJ, because HJ is a total wiggle bug when she sleeps.  In fact, SG had been sleeping on the floor in their room for the last week or so just so she wouldn't be kicked, elbowed and bumped all night.

Prayer Requests

So here is a list of specific ways you can pray for us as we approach our trip to China

• Our boys will be ready for a family.  From what we know, neither orphanage tells the kids ahead of time that they are being adopted.
• Our flights will be smooth
• Our flights aren't delayed - we fly through Newark airport
• None of us get sick before or during our trip
• My dad who is taking care of our 3 youngest for 3 weeks while we are gone - He's 78!!!!!
• AT, SG and HJ won't miss us too badly while we are gone
• Smooth adjustments of TJ and GW
• Smooth adjustments of JA, AT, SG and HJ
• Smooth adjustments for me and CP
• We are able to communicate effectively with the boys
• Jet lag has a minimal effect

We are pretty much ready to go. 
We packed yesterday - Carry on only!!!!
Picked up some cash today (though I think I'm going to pick up more tomorrow)
Set up Skype at home
Have transportation arrangements to/from the airport  - Thanks Mr. E!!!!

My focus this week is spending time with AT, SG and HJ before we leave.

Our Itenerary

So, we don't have all of the details yet, but here is what we do know:

2/5 Leave home
2/8 Meet/Adopt GW
2/9 GW's 14th Birthday
2/12 or 2/13 Fly to Nanjing
2/14 Meet TJ
2/15 Adopt TJ
2/18 Fly to Guangzhou
2/23 Consulate Appt
2/25 Fly to Beijing
2/28 Fly Home

We'll be gone for 24 days!  Nearly our entire month of Feb will be spent in China - during Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival - We can't wait!!!!!