Friday, October 31, 2008

Halloween






We are not huge Halloween people, but the girls do love to dress up. There are several older families in our neighborhood that like for them to come and visit as there are not very many kids in the neighborhood any more. I must say, Emmie and Livvie were beautiful tonight!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

BIG DAY

1. Celia Grace turned 18 months old today. We will have her before she turns 19 months old!

2. We leave for China 3 weeks from today!!!!!

3. Emmie and Livvie went to the dentist today. No cavities for either girl (whew!!) and Livvie did not kick the dentist today!

Does it get any better than that?!

Monday, October 27, 2008

The 3 most beautiful girls in the world





"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
Ecclesiastes 4:12

I am truly blessed beyond measure.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Hubei Reunion






Saturday, 4 out of 10 of the families who traveled to Hubei in May of 2004 with Great Wall China Adoption met for a little reunion. This was Olivia's adoption trip. We received our new daughters on Mother's Day 2004. All of the girls are now in kindergarten. How quickly the time goes. It was wonderful to visit with these dear friends with whom we shared 2 of the most memorable weeks of our lives.

Orange Belt




Friday evening we spent watch Emma Rose test for her orange belt. She has been taking TaiKwonDo since August and has already earned a yellow and orange belt. Most importantly, she loves going!

Emma Rose turns 8!




On October 18th, my Emma Rose turned 8 years old. Since it was a Saturday, it was a day filled with festivities. We had gifts at home in the morning. Then, she had a few friends from school meet us at the mall for lunch and a trip to Build-a-bear. That was a big hit. We ended the day with some family friends coming buy for dinner. She said it was the best birthday ever!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Travel Plans

Here is the plan:
November 19th: After school, we will drive to Dallas and spend the night at a hotel near the airport
November 20th: We depart on American Airlines and head for Tokyo. In Tokyo, we switch to JAL and fly to Beijing
November 21: With the time difference we will arrive in the evening
November 22: Tour Beijing
November 23: Fly to Jinan
November 24: Get Celia Grace
November 30th: Fly to Guangzhou
December 2: American Consulate Appointment
December 3: Get Celia's Visa
December 4: Leave in morning from Guangzhou. Fly to Tokyo, then to DFW. Drive home to Waco.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Travel Approval has Arrived!

Today I got word that my Travel Approval has arrived from China. The agency told me to plan on leaving November 20th! We will have Celia and spend Thanksgiving with her in China!

Monday, October 13, 2008

New Pictures of Celia Grace!




Here are a few pictures I received from the orphanage. They were taken last week. Can't wait to go get my sweet girl!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Updated Info on Celia Grace

I have some update information from the orphanage/foster parents on Celie Grace this morning.

They say that Celia is not on any medication and does not have any limitations due to the congenital heart disease. She healed well after the surgery and is now doing well. As you know, her 14mm VSD and PFO were both repaired right after they found her at 3 months old. There were some notes in her original hospital admission papers that indicated that she had pulmonary hypertension along with pneumonia. However, the pulmonary hyypertension was not mentioned in any of the follow up reports. The cardiologist and pediatric cardiologist who reviewed her file both said that they believe that the PH is no longer an issue as her repair was done at such a young age. I am encouraged by the fact that she is doing well and has no limitations.

She did not have a note with her when she was found.

They say her personality is active and restless (I think that loses something in the translation--maybe it means she likes to explore). She is smart, talkative, and cute. But of course, I could tell that already!!! I guess she is talking some already!

She enjoys the outdoors.

I asked what she does not like and their reply was:
"She likes new things, so if you give her a toy that she's been played with, she won't be happy."

They say that she adjusts quickly to new situations, is lively and out going and a lovely girl.

She is 31.6 inches tall and weighs 22 pounds. She has 14 teeth.

Their internet was down, so they will try to send the pictures of her tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

ESTIMATED Travel Dates

I just got word from my agency, Great Wall China Adoption, that they are estimating my departure date to be around the end of November/ early December. I am still waiting on my travel approval before the agency can schedule my consulate appointments. Here's hoping for sooner rather than later!

Also, the service I am using to obtain updated information on Celia and get new pictures told me today that the orphanage has emailed the questions I sent to the foster parents and have asked them to bring Celia in tomorrow (that is tonight our time) to take new pictures of her!! I am hoping to hear back in the next day or so. I can't wait to see recent pictures of her sweet little face.

Monday, October 6, 2008

The Fair







Saturday my mom and I took the girls to the fair. They rode all of the kiddie rides, inspected the livestock, watched the weiner dog races, and ate cotton candy and ice cream. The outing ended with the rodeo which Olivia slept through!

Emma Rose's Gotcha Day!




On Septemeber 19th, we celebrated Emma Rose's Gotcha Day! It was 7 years ago that I received a tiny, scared 11 month old baby in the hotel lobby in Xian. We celebrate this day every year. Here are a few pictures from this year's celebration.

School Girls





Well, with all of the commotion of starting school and submitting Celia's LOI, I never got around to posting our first day of school pictures. Emma Rose is now a second grader and Olivia is in Kindergarten. I am very fortunate to teach at the same school that the girls attend.

Waiting for Travel Approval

All of the official documents are signed and delivered to the CCAA. Now I await the last document--the travel approval. Once I receive this, my agency will be able to schedule my consulate appointment. I am hoping to travel the beginning of November. Here's hoping that the timing of the TA and consulate appointment work out!