We're in Shanghai

July 16, 2008

4a.m. EST

4p.m. in Shanghai

**I have posted our China travel itinerary in the sidebar on the right.**

It is hour 23 of our almost 28 hour voyage to Beijing. We are in the Shanghai PudongInternational Airport, and we wait a couple more hours before we board our China Air flight to Beijing. That flight will last almost 3 hours, and then we will have arrived at our final destination. Everyone is trying to nap, but me. The four of them are stretched out across 3 or 4 seats each; the seats happen to be cushioned and quite comfortable. This airport seems very nice, and so far it has been easy enough to communicate. We are already encountering many stares and glares, and when seated together in one place, seem to be the entertainment for those around us. One elderly lady slowed as she walked by us earlier, then turned all the way around to stop and stare some more.

I sit here looking out at the runway, the overcast, humid, smoggy day. My body and my brain, a bit numb right now, and I suppose they will be, until sleep comes. Many more hours from now. I napped for only an hour or two on the 15-hour flight from Atlanta to Shanghai. The time passed quickly, though, the boys entertained by complimentary flight movies and games, by reading and writing.

Once we arrived here, getting through customs was no big deal. We were prepared to have all our bags emptied, so were pleasantly surprised when all we had to do was put our luggage through the radar machines, then pick them right back up. No emptying, no opening, no questions.

A guide will meet us in Beijing and escort us to our hotel, then I will try to post this on the blog before calling it a day. So, by the time you read this, we will be somewhat settled in our hotel in Beijing, hopefully sleeping soundly.

That’s it for now. The numb brain refuses to produce any more words here.

I must say that it is quite wonderful to be in China, to be almost 10,000 miles closer to Ahna than we were this time yesterday. In 5 days, we’ll have her. Wow.

P.S. - (From Bill) We made it to our hotel at 10:30pm Beijing time. That is 29 and 1/2 hours after we left our house in Mason, Oh. What a day! It appears we lost a small camera on the way, so we are down to two cameras. We are awake on Thursday morning now and are off to an orphanage in Beijing today to volunteer. Will post pictures later.

boo

I have failed to mention this OTHER member of our family named Boo. She is our 3-year old shih tzu, and is the sweetest pet on the face of the earth. Obedient. Quiet. Adoring and adorable. Loving and cuddly. She is just the BEST dog ever. 2 days ago Eli and I drove to TN with her, to leave her with members of our family until we return from China.

We sincerely miss her, but know that she is becoming even more spoiled than she already is. You see, when we are able to visit family in TN, most everyone is thrilled at the prospect of getting to see Boo. Granted, they're happy to see us people, too, but Boo is the center of attention.

Now I must get back to the piles that are slowly making their way into suitcases. We are getting so much closer to moving from the packing stage, to being actually packed. I have walked around all day with what I can only describe as a heightened expectancy.... I am certain that my heart has been beating much faster than it normally does. In 34 hours we'll be driving to the airport...

But this post was about Boo...

in 75 hours...

... it will be time to get ready to catch a plane...

5 of us will leave, 6 will return.

Oh, the thought of it.

a break for fun

It has been a crazy week getting ready for our trip to Ahna which is only 5 nights away! This is Bill writing and invading Cindi's beautiful blog space. I apologize for destroying the serenity so many of you come here for. But, things have been so wild I thought, hey why not have a little fun.

I have been accused of being stoic from time to time. I am not sure why, I feel so fun on the inside. Anyway, I thought I would share a few photos to prove that I know how to have fun. I mean if you can't have fun at your daughter's baby shower then when can you? If you can't laugh at spilled paint on the floor of your daughter's room, you are too uptight. Since I am sure Cindi will post something wonderful soon, maybe these pictures will tie you over.

there's a tutu hanging in my closet.......

.....and it doesn’t belong to me. It hangs just inside the door on the left side, on the top hanging rack. It greets me with its multiple layers of glittery pale pink tulle, all fluffiness and frou-frou. Most days I stop and just gaze at it, imagining the sweet girl that will someday fill it. I finger the fabric, as if straightening the wrinkles and smoothing the layers will somehow make her appear more real.

In my mind she is rushing through the house giggling, jet black hair flowing, our dog Boo at her feet. Or maybe she is playing hide-and-seek with Eli, or running to find Jacob and give him a hug. She might be rushing on her way because she heard her biggest brother strum, and she wants to go watch his fingers delicately work the strings of his guitar. Of course, she might have heard the garage door opening…. and she well knows who’ll be coming through that door, and has sped away from whatever she was doing, to run into Daddy’s arms.

So the tutu hangs there, and reminds me that she is coming. Soon.

And I cannot wait.

(written February 22, 2008)

grateful

I am pondering today, the blessings of God. His faithfulness. His unchangeableness (yes, it is a word).

I am grateful that we said "Yes" to His call; grateful that we "stayed in the line" and stood steadfastly in the path that He had us in. Many wondered why we didn't do something to make the process move more quickly; there are options in this adoption community. But we never doubted; felt a little discouraged at times, maybe. But we never doubted. And because of God's unchangeableness, we have been changed.

From part of Isaiah 30:21, the Message: "This is the right road. Walk down this road."

I am grateful for family and friends, near and far, who share in our joy. They bless us with words, with precious gifts for Ahna, and with prayers. Many sweet and unexpected and overwhelming acts of kindness have been taking place around here.

I am grateful and humbled to be the recipient of such a gift as this child; grateful to God that He chose this family for Ahna. I am confident that He has a more amazing plan for her, and for us, than we could ever imagine. He is like that.

And I am grateful that in 2 weeks, a mere 14 days, the 5 of us will be flying over that vast body of water to the other side of the world. And a few days after that, the sweet girl that we already know in our hearts, will be held in our arms. I know that we have yet to experience the full joy of these moments; there is still so much anticipation.

So, for these and so many more things, I am grateful.

What are you grateful for?