We're in the plane

We're in the final stages before we start our flight from Newark, NJ to Beijing. Our journey started at Harrisburg Airport this morning with a 9:10 flight to Newark. We are all very excited about the journey ahead. Taylor Grace, we're coming!!

For My Mei Mei

Jordan made this panda Build-a-Bear today for his mei mei (little sister) who he will get to meet in one week.

I Have So Much To Do

I feel like I am 90% ready now to leave my classroom in good hands.  I met with my sub today to go over everything.  Lesson plans are done until Christmas. Now I need to start with the serious packing. 6 more times to go to sleep before we leave for China.  11 more days until we kiss our precious daughter's cheeks.

Our Itinerary in China

 

11/18/2009 Leave Harrisburg at 9:10AM Flight to Beijing!!

11/19/2009 Arrive in Beijing at 3:00 PM (Beijing time), Lisa will meet you at the airport and take you to check in the King Wing Hot Spring Hotel. After getting settled, you will meet back up with Lisa for dinner.

11/20/2009 Tour Tianan Men Square and the Forbidden City. Visit the Temple of Heaven and see the Chaoyang Acorbatics show. (B/L/D included)

11/21/2009 Climb the Great Wall of China, drive by the Olympic Bird’s Nest, visit the LH Fangshan orphanage and enjoy a Peking Duck dinner. (B/L/D included)

11/22/2009 Flight MU2802 from Beijing to Nanjing, Jiangsu 10:30am-12:10pm. Nancy will meet you at the airport and take you to check in the Mandarin Garden Hotel

11/23/2009 Pick up baby at the local Civil Affairs Office!!!!!!!!!!!! Guide will take you shopping for supplies

11/24/2009 Trip back to the local Civil Affairs office to do the paperwork

11/25/2009 Rest, or visit your child’s orphanage
11/26/2009 City Tour

11/27/2009 Pick up notary paperwork and baby passport. Flight to Guangzhou, HU7114, 3:20pm-5:20pm. Judy will meet you at the airport and take you to check in the Victory Hotel

11/28/2009 Baby medical check, visa photo, and visa paperwork

11/29/2009 Tour Guangzhou

11/30/2009 medical check again to read tuberculosis results

12/1/2009 Rest, free day!

12/2/2009 Consulate appointment. Guide will deliver the paperwork, family will wait in hotel room until guide calls.

12/3/2009 Trip to the USC to recite the group oath

12/4/2009 Pick up the baby’s visa in the afternoon
12/5/2009 Flight to Beijing, CA1330, 10:00am-1:15pm Flight to Newark 5:00 (Beijing Time). Flight to Harrisburg 7:55 PM (EST)

WE'RE GOING TO CHINA

We found out today that we will be leaving on November 18 and returning on December 5. I can hardly believe that it is really happening in less than two weeks!!!

Travel Approval

We finally have our travel approval. I got the phone call yesterday at about 3:45. I really didn't think that I was going to come so it was quite a shock. We went out for Chinese food to celebrate. We are hoping to get a consulate appointment for December 1. If we can get that appointment than we will be leaving on November 18--IN TWO WEEKS!!!!!!!!
There is so much to do before we go, but we are all so excited.

Sweet baby girl--Mama, Baba, and Gege are coming for you.

Funny Jordan Sayings

Jordan has said many funny things lately. A few Saturdays ago we went to Masonic Villiage to pick apples at the orchard. As he reached for his first apple he said, " Is it lefty-loosey?" We quickly told him that that applies to screws not apples.

He wanted to play his Leapster with the cord because his batteries needed charged. I told him to go into the dining room to plug it in. He yelled, "Mom, can you take out the spark plug for me?" He wanted me to remove the baby proof plug cover.

We were at a restaurant celebrating Stefan's birthday and Jordan asked me, "Does that apple in my throat (his Adam's apple) have a stem? What color is it?" I guess he thought there was a real apple stuck there.

We never know what funny thing will come out of his mouth, but we love the sense of humor that God gave him.