Packed and ready to travel!

Two more days until our first child is placed in our arms!  We’re kind of amazed that the day is finally here.  It’s been two and a half years since we sent in our application to our adoption agency.  We naively thought we could complete the adoptions and have two daughters in our arms in about a year.  Oh how Jesus loves to crush our expectations and give us what He knows is best, not what we think is best.  We’re excited to find out why Emma and Elsie are exactly what He desires for our family.

For months now all we’ve had are a handful of pictures and one video.  Tuesday, Emma will be by our side.  We can begin to really know her.  Will she like us?  Will she want to talk with us?  Will she be a picky eater?  Will she feel safe enough, or exhausted enough, to sleep well?  Will she fit into the clothes I’ve packed for her?  Will she be willing to be carried by us?  How heavy will she be?  When will we first see her smile and hear her laugh?  Please be praying for us on Tuesday.  We are filled with questions and anticipation.  I’m sure she will be scared and confused.

Here’s our rough schedule of events.  We’re hoping to be able to post regularly about how we’re doing, but we know in those posts you’d rather just see pictures of our beautiful girl!

                (May 27^th)Monday:  Mark and I fly to Beijing.

                Tuesday: We travel by car to Langfang to meet and pick up Emma and hopefully visit her orphanage.  Then we travel back to Beijing for our first night as a family.

                Wednesday: We travel by train to Shijiazhuang, the provincial capital, to complete the official adoption paperwork.  After this meeting she is legally and completely our daughter.

                Thursday: We travel by airplane to Guangzhou, where we will spend 8 days, a little family vacation if you will.

                Friday: We have a required medical check-up appointment for Emma.

                (June 1^st -3^rd ) Saturday to Monday: We just find ways to play and enjoy ourselves.

                Tuesday: We meet with a social worker for the first portion of the first Post Adoption Report.

                Wednesday: Mark has a quick appointment at the embassy to get one last document notarized. 

                Thursday:  We have the official Consulate Appointment which completes the American portion of the adoption and gets Emma an American visa.

                (June 8^th) Saturday: We take three airplanes for a total of about 24 hours to get from Guangzhou to Chicago.  After going through customs at the airport, our baby is bona fide American girl!