GOTCHA!!!!

 

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What a beautiful day

The weather has cleared.  Its a nice day outside, the sun is shining, a lovely day for a walk!  I know you dont care to hear about the weather.   But it has warmed up some.

 

 

We were both wide awake at 4 am this morning.  We slept most of yesterday, just to be well rested.

We had breakfast at 7, and were eagerly awaiting the clock to strike 940! 

 

We arrive at the Orphanage at 10 am and went inside.  I got to meet Robert as soon as we got there.  We then went into a room with 4 other families all awaiting their child.  There was one family who had already gotten their child.  The child was heartbroken and cried very hard, it was heartbreaking to watch.  That made it even worse for me.  I was already a basket case, I wont lie.

Mary and Steve were there with their two children, i dont know the other families.

 

The next child came in or should I say pulled in almost, she looked to be about 4 and was not happy either.  Those families left as their child came.  Then in came Mary and Steve's little boy, he is just too cute for words at 9 months old.

 

Just as she was asking us to take a picture, she spotted our little beauty in the hall way.  Helen had been in the hall and had already started taking pictures.  She never cried, they handed her to me, they told her who we were and she repeated it.  She knew us from our pictures.  She is sleeping in her daddys arms as I type this.  (its 510 pm, we try to get her to nap earlier and she wouldnt).  We sat and held her awhile.  We thank the director and gave her, her gift. 

 

She came in wearing the outfit I had sent in her care package.  Underneath that, she wore 2 very thick pants and a long sleeve shirt.  On top she had a long sleeve red jacket/shirt.  Her foster mom sent her a bag of her favorite goodies.  It is very clear how much she was loved and taken care of.  They prepared her very well for todays events.  She wore a heart underneath her clothes with a picture of her foster mother and her when she was much younger.  We've put that up for safe keeping.  We also have several pictures.

 

In the picture book, she loves the picture of Adam and Christopher on the 4 wheeler!   She showed us that page as soon as the book came out.

 

Back out to the car, on our way to a local grocery store for some things for her.  We got our first smile, giggle and full out laughs in the car ride.  We also almost got hit by another car, needless to say Paul Ray held her close and tight.

 

Let me tell you, this child has her own personality and I dont see shy there at all.  She has played with us all day long.  At the local store, we rounded the toy isle, she is her moma's child for sure.  She spied a barbie, we asked which one, she wanted both, then spotted a bigger box that held both, she got the bigger box.  She pointed to a few things, and we got them for her.

(We also found Pepsi and Coffee for us).  From there we went to find our little (well not so little - did I tell you SHE is SOLID) beauty some shoes.  We got her three pair, however one may be a little big on her, as are her Keds that I got her and brought with us.  We wanted to find her some sunglasses, the sun really bothers her.  So at the 2nd eye glass shop we found her a pair of really cool blue ones (they didnt have pink).  She looks so cute in them. 

 

Back to the hotel to drop stuff off and let her play in the room for half an hour.  She said she was hungry, so off we went.  We walked to another local restaurant, Yes, I'm still eating their food and using chopsticks.  this hotel's breakfast is not nearly as nice as the last one.  We got stares from every table.    She can eat, so her and PaulPaul will really get along.  (I started this at 530pm and its now 325 am, we'll get to that in a minute.)  Once she was finished, we walked around downtown, for awhile, and she was just as happy as could be.  Back to the hotel, she would play with us non stop, we tried to get her to nap, it was not to happy.  Finally around 5 she feel asleep in her daddys arms.  At 530 we tried to lay her down, and that is when it all let loose.  She realized that her playdates were still there and not her "mama & baba".  I've read enough to know that just because they do so well, does not mean things are.  She woke up and WANTED her foster parents.  To watch a child grieve for their parents is not an easy thing to do.    This went on for the next two hours, we called Helen after she calmed down and decided to take her out for something to eat.  Another local restaurant, I didnt eat, my nerves had gotten the best of me.  Half way through she finally started to eat something, she loves FRIED shrimp, so I know what mama and papa will be cooking soon.  After dinner we walked back to the hotel and went into a local store to try and find some candy that she had come with stuck in her pockets, but we had to leave to take her to the "Wash Room", so we'll find the candy tomorrow.

 

Back to our room, I put her PJs on her and while I was in the other room, she attempted to put all her clothes on again, she also did this during being upset earlier.  Paul was able to get most of them away from her and hide them, so she only got one pair of pants on.  We laid down and finally fell asleep.

 

Day Two

200 am I hear Paul say something to her.  We laid there for about half an hour hoping she would go to sleep.  Uh NO.   We've been playing since 245.

 

Yes my little Miss Independent child is fully potty trained and likes to do things herself.  They may ask us to leave the hotel as loud as we are.  She can talk with the elders here with no problem.  And who knows what she is saying to us.

 

Well she is now in my lap, so that is it for now, hopefully, we'll post more later.

 

Much love from China

Did I say we have the most beautiful daughter that there is.  And we are totally in love with her.

 

 

    

 

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Much needed rest

After lunch today, we laid down to take a much needed nap.  Oops, we just woke up, or I woke up and made Paul wake up.  Hope we are able to sleep tonight.

 

We have just a little over 13 hours until we get her.  Our lives will become very different at that moment.  We'll have our little princess!!!!!! Its 853 pm here now.  We get to the orphanage at 10am. 

 

Helen, our guide, who is super sweet, has arranged for us to see the orphanage, I'm not sure if we'll do that tomorrow or not.  I know from people that were here recently, we will not be allowed to take pictures. I know we'll need to go to the Walmart (or their version) tomorrow.  She'll most likely need hat and gloves.  Unless warmer weather sets in tonight.

 

She will also find out how to take us to Gracies finding spot. 

 

Good Morning to you all as you start your day.

 

 

Early Happy Birthday to you, Sara!  I hope all the other ladies traveling ahead of me that are in their last leg now have been having a smooth easy time.

 

 

 

 

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Train Ride and Arrival in Tianjin

The train ride was very nice.  Very clean, really enjoyed it.  We got to see alot of the country side, and it looks like a really hard life.  As we left Beijing, you could see how poor it really is.

 

Our arrival in Tianjin was like stepping into a time warp.  It was just so different, immediatly upon stepping off the train, and people, OMG, its was like people every where.  Very weird.

 

We found our driver, Mr Lu, (think I like our Beijing driver much better) I'm sure we were the topic of conversation, but since I cant speak the language.?????  He found my luggage a little heavy. 

 

Lets just say the traffic in Tianjin is WILD.  I wanted to kiss the ground upon our arrival at the hotel.  They turn 3 lanes into 5 with no problem, the cars share the road with bikes and we saw one guy pulling a cart in traffic, its just so strange. 

 

We checked into our hotel, very nice.  Smells much better than our last hotel, did I mention China has some smells that take some getting used to.  (I haven't yet)  Our only complaint is the room is a little warm.  We've unpacked, put things aways, and are ready for a baby in our room.

 

We then walked to lunch, yet another LOCAL restaurant, I asked Helen on the way there, are there body parts in the chicken, she said no, I said ok, then lets go.  Our waitress looked like my Gracie.  I could not help but stare.  I mean, really, she could be her mom or sister, that is a strange feeling.  Just being here, knowing I'm not far from her is so weird.  I cant help but wonder what her foster family is doing with her today, how long have they had her, how hard it must be.

 

After lunch we walked around, we went to a market, luckily no really bad sites.  The chickens walk around loose and I did see a few stray dogs.  I think you could have bought anything there.

 

Back to the hotel, I've got the gifts set out, now I've got to put them in the bags and get our paperwork ready and that is it.   We're meeting Helen in the lobby at 940, so we are close to the orphanage.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Leaving Beijing

 We were up and ready to leave the hotel at 8:00 to travel to Gracies area.  First let me say to anyone traveling here soon.  The train was nice, however, if you are like me and have bags, rethink your decision.  I knew we would have to cross the street, which itself is a major thing.  But, there are several FLIGHTS of stairs that you must carry that luggage to get where you are going.  Let me say, the train station very nice.  People dont really look at you too much they are used to seeing Westerners in Beijing.  Anyway, one thing I'm not used to is major crowds doing everything at once.  (The other night leaving the Acrobatic Show, I had to move over and let people go by, because I really thought I'd be knocked down the stairs)  Well as it got closer time to get on the train there was a crowd forming.  There was one guy that starting talking to Paul Ray.  He was a nice young man who spoke English pretty well.  He is now helping to get the Olympics ready.  Those that volunteer now will get another Government job later, which is good for them,

 

When it was time to get on the train, Helen is front and goes through, then I'm next with a really big bag, well I couldn't go fast enough and we got left behind, it was like a cattle herd.  finally a very nice young man, stopped and let us go in front of him.  Then came the first long flight of stairs.  Mind you both big bags are over 50 lbs.   This same young man carried my bag down for me.  Then it was up a flight, My Dear Strong Husband carried both up this flight and then would have to do it again.  He was not happy but no one else could tell.  The train made the trip in 50 minutes.

 

Pictures are of the train station. 

  

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR BABY BOY PAULPAUL!!!!!!!!!  He just got his results back from the ASVAB Test for the Airforce!!!!!! 

 

We are so proud of you.

 

Love Mom and Dad
 

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Another Day of and really freezing!!!!!

 

 

I have a really big breakfast each morning.  French toast and watermelon!!!!  Our first stop today was a jade factory.  I got a jade bracelet, that I will give to Gracie.  Tradition in China is or was that the man wore a ring and the woman got a jade bracelet.  We had lunch at another factory and its too late to try and spell it.  From there we went to the Ming Tombs, we walked a long way, but never really seen any tombs.????

 

Then off to the highlight of the day!  The Great Wall, one of the wonders of the world.  I'm here to tell you, IT AINT EASY!   Helen our guides asks how long we wanted here, we agreed upon 2 hours, we were only there an hour.  WHEW!!!!  Paul Ray and the other couple made it to the 2nd tower, I waited for them at the first.  And going down is not any easy.  The steps are steep and none are the same size.  But it not something you want to miss.

 

Did I mention the SNOW!!!!!!    You'll see in the pictures, it snowed at the Wall the night before.

Ellie, the other couples 4 year daughter was enjoying throwing snowballs at Paul Ray.

 

 

We then went to a Tea Ceremony.  We tasted 6 different kinds of tea, and then got to do a little shopping.  Then it was off to the Peeking Duck (if I spelled it right), its a restaurant they say not to miss.   I must say, the duck was really good.  The sweet and sour chicken was nice, didnt care for the other stuff.

 

We are now back at the hotel.  We have to check out at 800 am in the morning to catch the train to Tianjin.  So I'll be turning it in, in just a few minutes.

 

I miss everyone at home.

 

In less than 48 hours we'll have our baby girl.

 

 

    

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 Peg

 

DH Paul Ray

DS  Brandon (22)   DS  Paul III (18)   

DD Grace Noelle  waiting for us in Tianjin

 

 http://www.ourbabygirlgracie.blogspot.com

 

LOA      02/04/2008

TPII     01/28/2008 

PA       12/25/2007  

LOI      12/10/2007  

Referral 12/05/2007  

MCC      07/19/2007   

LID      02/11/2007   

DTC      01/26/2007 

 

 

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 Peg

 

DH Paul Ray

DS  Brandon (22)   DS  Paul III (18)   

DD Grace Noelle  waiting for us in Tianjin

 

 http://www.ourbabygirlgracie.blogspot.com

 

LOA      02/04/2008

TPII     01/28/2008 

PA       12/25/2007  

LOI      12/10/2007  

Referral 12/05/2007  

MCC      07/19/2007   

LID      02/11/2007   

DTC      01/26/2007 

 

 

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We've been in China 3 days (I think - still a little messed up with the time thing).  Sorry I didnt post yesterday, we were worn out by the time we got back to the room.

 

We went to Tinanmen Square, it is really strange to see so many people from this country visiting these sites.  China really is deep in history and their people seem proud.  When we got off the bus we were immediately swamped by people wanting to sell us stuff, I mean to the point of being scary.  We are with one of family in Beijing, and one guy followed the father for quite some time trying to get him to buy a book.  You can not look at these people, because once you do, they dont stop.

 

We went on to the Forbidden City, I can only image what it must have been like when it was built.  We've learned alot of interesting things.

 

Once we left here, we headed off to lunch.  I seen the saddest sights that I think we forever be stuck in my mind here.  There was a young man sitting on a skateboard, with his legs tied up, begging for money.  There must have been 10 people there begging for money.  As much as it breaks your heart, you cant stop.  I got the impression that the Chinese people look down on these people.  Our guide said that the government gives them housing, but that did not feel that was enough.  Its hard to understand someone elses culture.

 

It was then off to lunch, it was ok.  They are kind enough to give me a fork.  I tried to try some things, and lunch was ok.

 

It was then off for the Hutong Tour.  Now most places that you go, they tend to keep you away from the poor places. We got to ride in a rickshaw (think that is right, the bicycle)  At one point I was almost expecting something bad to jump out from any corner we rounded.  We then went to a local family's room/courtyard.  There are five families who live here.  It was a very nice older lady who is retired.   

 

From there it was off to the Acrobatics Show.   (I've got to tell you about 4pm I start getting really tired) This was a five o'clock show and it was hard to stay awake.  The show itself was great.

 

From here we went to dinner near our hotel at a "LOCAL" restaurant that does not get many tourists.  Lets just say I decided right then, No More Local Restaurants.  I had just bit into a piece of chicken that was NOT to be chewed, when I hear Paul Ray say, I'm gonna leave that there.  We really should have taken a picture.  It was a foot.   Ok, really a little too much for me.

 

Did I mention how cold it is?   I checked the weather report before we left, it was not suppose to be so cold. We are really freezing our butts off.
 

Back to hotel to sleep on a very firm bed.

   

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We're In China

We'll we're posting from China.  We've been up now for 28 hours.  With about an hour total of sleep.  

 

From the beginning:  We got to the airport about 5ish I think, its been so long ago now.  My boys, my mom, Bonny, Ashley, Debbie (she drove down from Manning) and one of the twins, I still get them wrong, were there this morning along with the lady from the Newspaper.  I was ok, until it was about time to say good by to my boys.  That was hard.  Debbie took pictures, if she sent me any I'll post them.

 

Both flights were on time, no delays.  The first flight to Newark was not a problem.  On to our international flight.  OMG, let me put it to you this way.  6 hours into this flight I asked Paul Ray if he would send me back via a cruise ship.  Long flights in Economy is a very long time.  LONG!

 

Once we finally made it to Beijing, our guide Helen met us at the airport.  I was thinking, there are not alot of people here, well thats because they have a new airport.  Helen is very nice, she gave us the details of the next few days.

 

Friday - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutong Tour and a Acrobatics show.

Saturday - Great Wall

Sunday - Travel by train to Tianjin.  Our guide Helen will be going with us.

 

Well its 8 pm here, we're gonna take something to help us sleep and I hope it comes quick!

I'll post pictures later, I promise.
 

    

 Peg

 

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Easter, Packing and such

Here is "little" Noah Avery!!!!! How cute, and dont you want to pinch those cheeks.
Here is Hunter Boy, how do you like that haircut? He looks so different, more like Little man now? He still does not like me!

Here is my baby with Noah.

My Handsome guy, Little Man. His mom called me on Easter Morning, he decided to set some excitement up. He thought he would clean his ears. He got a hold of a q-tip (note to Aunt Peg - hide them) and his mom found him screaming in his bedroom, he had stuck that qtip so far in his ear, he hit a blood vessel and had blood going everywhere. Thank Goodness that was all.

My oldest son (I know, he needs a haircut, but he loves it) with his sweetheart, Lyndsey. I'm sure she will be cooking for him while I'm gone. She is a great cook, and made us a very nice Hersey cake for Easter.

Ah, the Winge men. Paul Ray and his baby brother (he is the father of Little Man, Hunter Boy and Noah) Chris on their way out to hunt Turkeys. Did I say that Paul Ray really likes living out in the country on 20 acres.

My BF, Bonny came over tonight to help me try and get packed. We are allowed one carry on and one checked bag each. the checked bag is not suppose to weight more than 44 lbs (in China, not sure what the weight is here - 50 maybe). Well I've got to tell you, I don't know how you can be expected to travel with that. NO WAY, I told you from the get go, I'm not a light packer. Thank goodness Bonny was here or it would be worst than that. Paul and I are each taking 5 outfits :(. I'm only taking 2 pair of shoes (3 total). There is just no way, you've got gifts for everyone, stuff for Gracie, not really any toys, I've packed her Lovie, a blanket, her Ladybug backpack, her clothes (9 outfits) 4 pair of PJs, 1 pair of shoes, 2 sippy cups and that is about it. Paul Ray said he thinks one bag may be 75 lbs. Well I cant help that. We need everything in those bags.

I should really be sleeping right now, but I've still got some things to do, with a list of things left to do tomorrow, not to mention clean this house. My mom is cooking dinner tomorrow night. I sure hope I can sleep some tomorrow night, I haven't really been sleeping the last few nights very well.

Two more nights at home and then the next time we sleep in our bed, we'll have a toddler in the house. Boy are things fixing to change around here.

I'll post some pics of our 70 lb plus luggage and her bed tomorrow night.

One week from tonight, I'll have my baby girl.

Last day of Real Work

Well I got through the day without any major breakdown. It for some reason was very difficult for me, this whole week has just been hard. I gave my office away and plan on staying home. I'm very happy that I will get to stay home with Grace but at the same time, I REALLY love my job. I do however still have the BEST boss in the world. I'm typing this from my new laptop that he got me. This way I can still get a paycheck, by working at home, and be there for my daughter. Before I left I set up a cubbie in the back, so when things are back to normal, I can go to the office at least once a week.

It all of a sudden just does not seem real. Don't get me wrong, by the looks of my dining room, I know its real, and I know that we'll get on a plane in just a few days, but at the same time, I just cant image it all.

In just about 8 days we'll be getting our little girl. I've pictured in my head a million times how this can go. Will her foster family be there, is she traumatized by being taken away from them, will I have to pull her away from them. You name it and I have worried about it. Will we get to visit her finding spot? How will we handle that? (I have not posted where she was found, I think that will be up to Grace to share when she is older, our family knows, but that is about it). Will we visit the orphanage?

I have so much left to do, you would have thought I'd have it done by now, but nope. I also still do not have a gift for the director. I'm at a loss on that one. I'm hoping to have everything that I need before our conference call on Monday, so I don't have to go back out until its time to go to the airport.

My mom bought us an early Christmas present, we both got a large LIGHT Weight suitcase. Our old one is like three times the weight.

Well there is lots to be done tonight, (and I bought a few more pcs of work I want to do) and tomorrow is Easter. Patricia (another CCAI mom) is in China right now, and its already Sunday there, she is getting her daughter today, I hope it goes well for her.

Happy Easter Everyone and to all the little ones and Paul & Brandon, I hope the Easter Bunny is good to you. My mom and dad are coming over for lunch and then we're going to Paul's sister to watch the kids hunt eggs at 2:00.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Can you believe its here!!!!!

One Week from Today and I'll be leaving on a jet plane!!!!!!!!!!

OK We got our Final Travel Packet, I haven't even read it yet, thought I would update this first, because it looks like a lot of reading!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited I just cant stand it!

03/26/08 Leaving Charleston (bright and early) 645 am arrive in Newark at 838


03/27/08 Arrive in Beijing, China at 2:00 pm

Our guide Helen will pick us up at the airport and us to Novotel Peace Hotel
(picture to right) for 3 nights.


03/28/08 Tour Beijing (she named them off but I didn't get them)
Tienanmen Square plus some other


03/29/08 Tour Beijing - Great Wall



03/30/08 Travel (hopefully by Train) to Tianjin
Well be staying at the Tianjin Holiday Inn (picture to right) 8 nights!



03/31/08 GOTCHA DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Complete paperwork for orphanage and apply for her passport in the afternoon


04/01/08 Registration Office for adoption registration & notarization


Looks like Helen will be still be our Guide. Note: It says our adoption is final at the time of registration. After that point, the Chinese government prohibits you from relinquishing your child to China. I'd like to see someone try and get her back. :)

04/02/08 Rest, relax, free time - it says to ask Helen for details. ????

04/03/08 Same thing, lots of rest


04/04/08 More Rest, hmmmmm or maybe some shopping

04/05/08 And More Rest - More Shopping, maybe we can find a park.

04/06/08 Waiting for paperwork

04/07/08 Travel to Guangzhou (Aboard China Southern- Gracies first plane ride) Guess
what our Guides name is???? Grace. She will take us to the famous White Swan
(picture to right)

04/08/08 Have her picture taken and get her physical.
Its says we'll be walking there, brings supplies and be ready to go.
Meet with Grace to prepare for CA.

04/09/08 Consulate Appointment

04/10/08 Oath Ceremony - No cameras allowed - that bites.

04/11/08 Travel to Hong Kong (midday - 24 hours after oath)

Leave for Hong Kong on China Southern.
Stay at the Kowloon Hotel

04/12/08 Tour Hong Kong (illness permitting)

04/13/08 Leave Hong Kong and Arrive in the USA 633 PM!!!!!! Continental 2751
Grace becomes a US citizen as soon as we step foot in Newark, NJ at 205 PM. Wow, I
may not want to leave home for a long time!

I haven't found anyone else in our group yet, maybe we're a group of 1. However, there will be lots of other adopting parents there.


To those ladies leaving this week, you'll be in my prayers for a safe trip. Keep in touch. I cant wait to see pics of you and your sweet babies. Heather, I'll see you Guangzhou.


Please keep us in your prayers. I hope my DH can put up with me that long. Just kidding. Don't let him fool you, he's just as excited as I am, except having to miss work. He's having issues with that.

I know Gracie is going to love all of you, it will just take a little while.

 

    

Test
 

  I'm testing to see how it works to send an email right into the blog.  I have brandon ready to do it all, but thought I'd give it a try and see.

 

  

 

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Just 2 More Weeks......

thats right, just two weeks from today, Paul Ray and I will be holding our baby girl in our arms. God is truly good. He has blessed me with two wonderful boys, loving parents and a husband who can be stubborn, pigheaded and then just as sweet as anyone can be. This is a long awaited dream come true. I think God was getting Paul Ray ready. I cant wait to see him and Gracie together. I have been blessed with so many wonderful people in my life, and everyone is so thrilled that we are going to get our baby girl.

I cant thank everyone enough for all the gifts, kind words and prayers.

I'll try and keep this posted. CCAI said I should have our final travel arrangements by the end of the week. Well I hope so, we are leaving next Wednesday. I'm still not sure where we'll stay in Hong Kong. I need to get that to CCAI also.


Well its time to turn in. Another day down. 9 more days to go!

CA, Oh Yeah!!!!!

CCAI called early this morning, when my cell rang, I was thinking 303 area code, what can be wrong now! Well I was half right. We did get our CA - Consulate Appointment!!!!!! That is like the golden ticket, that means, we get to plan now. Wow, that can be a tiring job.

However, our fingerprints that we redid on 01/24 have not seem to made it to China yet. I called, but I have to call back Monday, I know they were sent from the local office to the Texas office, from there, who knows. I'm not going to worry about that.

I'll post all my travel info, once it is confirmed.

Stay Tuned...........

just think 2 weeks from now, I'll be in China!!!!!!! And two weeks from Monday, I'll get my baby girl!!!!!!!!

We got TA!!!!!!!!!

Well we finally got our TA after a very, very, very long wait. What an exciting day. Even though we were expecting them, it was still a thrill to get that phone call. It took my breath away.

Who would have thought two words could mean so much. TRAVEL APPROVAL!!!!

Congrats to the other ladies who got their TA's today. Stephanie, Heather, Marilyn and Patricia, I am SO Happy for you. They will all be leaving in the next week. Wish I were going with you, but I'm still thrilled for you. Where we are going, the government will not expedite Gracie's passport and you have to be there X amount of days, and with that Tomb Sweeping Holiday, it just wouldn't work out.

I need to start getting quotes on airlines, but still cant confirm anything until we get our CA appt. (Consulate Appointment) That could be the 9th, 10th or 14th! We're hoping for the 9th of course. So our trip looks something like this.

Leave around the 26th for Beijing. Onto Tianjin on the 30th, GOTCHA day on the 31st (Cant wait to hold that sweet baby). We're there until the 7th and then off to Guangzhou until I think she said the 11th or 12th. We'll then leave there and (thanks to my dear sweet hubby) its off to Hong Kong for one night for a little sight seeing before heading home with our sweet baby girl.

It wont be long now baby girl!!!!!! About 18 more days until your momma and daddy come get you.

Here is the dress I found. This was the cutest one out there. I think its perfect for her first steps in the USA!

Aunties Pegs Easter Egg Hunt and Travel

Since we've moved here we had an Easter egg hunts for our nephews, unfortunately this year we wont be having one. I was hoping I would have our travel info by then. It was just too close to try and do that with everything else going on.

Next year will be a great one.

STILL NO TA

Really, its very frustrating, VERY. I did however talk with the travel dept and they are expecting them this week, and they plan on us leaving the last week in March. We cant make any flight info until we get our TA/CA. I'm going to give it an attempt myself. Maybe I can talk my boss into helping me, he is always making international flights. Apparently there is some small holiday the first week in April, which may be a problem. Then the trade fairs start on the 14th. She did say they hope for us to be home by then.

Also, I just have to say I do have a very wonderful hubby. I'm not sure if its age or what it is, but he is getting better and better with time. I really wouldn't trade him. I would go into detail but he said he would just deny it.

So who thinks he'll want to go back for another little girl?????? He said not, hmmmmmmmm.

I am trying to find a really nice Smock, Patriotic dress to bring Gracie home in, if anyone knows where I can get one before I go. Local would be great.

It's Official

Well its official, my baby has a name. I had to write it at the pediatrician's office last week.

Grace Noelle XinMing Winge

I sure hope she likes it, and doesn't think we were nuts!!!!!!!

It was 3 months ago today that I called Pam to tell her that this was indeed our daughter, now how do we bring her home. I've been staring at that beautiful little face for 3 months. I can not wait to hug her and kiss her and just love her.


We still have not heard anything about our travel yet, it's got to come soon, before I loose my mind.


I'm so ready for her to be home and for our lives to get to normal, or some kind of normal.

PaulPaul got her bed put together tonight, I'll post pictues once I get the house cleaned and it all looking ready.

Still No TA

I just don't think it can get any more depressing. We really thought we'd have TA by now and traveling next week. If we get TA by Friday, we will be able to travel around the 20th, if not it will be somewhere around the 27th!!!!! I know it will come when it comes, but really, this is enough to break a person. I've already missed 3.5 years with her, I want her now!

I just don't understand the wait, we need to bring our baby girl home.

The boys and I (Paul is out of town) will be putting her bed and all together, so by the weekend, it will look like a little princess lives here. Still waiting on her dresser to come in and I'm still trying to talk Paul Ray into a rocking chair. What little girl doesn't want to rock with her mommy?

No Hong Kong Disney, I tried, really hard, to talk my dear hubby into it, but he would not budge! He can be that way sometimes, not alot, but sometimes.

Enough rambling, turning in early tonight!!!!!!

Good Night and Sweet Dreams