Emily's Room

I thought I would share Emily's room with everyone. Her room has been done now for 3 years. I knew that I wanted her to have a girly girl room when she finally came home. Of course every girly room is pink! It is my favorite color and I hope that it will be hers too, at least for a while. I also knew that I wanted her room to have ladybugs in it because ladybugs are good luck for Chinese adoption. I had my dad help me with the molding around the white border. I stamped ladybugs and flowers, used my scrap booking paper to make her name on the wall. I love the way the letters turned out. Decorating Emily's room was truly fun for me. I was blessed to have a best friend give me a crib, changing table and many other items that she had used for her little girl. I totally appreciate her generosity now more than ever. I can't even imagine having to purchase many of those items right now. (Thanks Kara, love ya) Only 17 more days until we travel. Soon the empty room that I spend time in and think about my little girl will soon be filled.

Care package

I sent Emily a care package in July using Red Thread China. Ann is a wonderful Chinese woman who runs this site. She does an awesome job of picking out items for each individual child. I am so glad that I chose Red Thread China to send my care package. Ann was very attentive and kept me updated until Emily received her package. I decided to send her the PJ care package, so she received a cute pj set, a blanket, a 27 exposure camera, candies for the nannies and children and a doll. I was so excited to see that Ann chose a Ni hao Kai Lan doll. Most times families will get a small update and new pictures of their child, but of course Panyu SWI, Emily's orphanage, is very particular about giving updates and pics. So needless to say I was very heartbroken not being able to get some pics of Em. Everything has been going very smoothly since my referral and if this is the only bump in the road left, then I guess I can wait another month or so to see my baby girl in person. I can't believe how much you can love someone you haven't met yet. I look at her picture everyday and pray to God that she is safe and being taken good care of.

 

Travel Arrangements have arrived!!!

I am excited to announce that I have received my travel arrangements! I will be going to get my daughter on Sept. 15th. I can't believe that it is finally happening. It has been a long journey with laughter and tears and I want to thank everyone that has supported me and given me encouragement along the way. I have waited and waited for months and months that slowly turned into years and now the day is coming when I will be finally holding my daughter in my arms. I couldn't have made it through this journey with out the love and prayers from my friends and family and the strength from God.

I-171H

My I-171H paperwork (updated fingerprints)has finally arrived! So now I am just awaiting my TA (travel arrangements)for China. I can't believe that I maybe meeting my daughter very soon. It is still very surreal for me after 4 long years of waiting. I think that reality will finally set in as I step onto the plane to China.

I have been very busy getting everything ready for Emily's arrival. With the help of my Mom and Brian, we have painted the living room, laundry room, stairway and upstairs hall. My Mom has been wonderful and has painted all the trim in the entire house~Thanks so much Mom, I truly appreciate all your help and effort! I have cleaned out everything and am getting ready for a HUGE garage sale very soon. I can't believe all the stuff I have found in the basement and closets to sell, WOW! Hopefully the sale will be a success and I can get rid a lot of this stuff, if not I will be making a generous donation to Good Will. I just have the deck and swing to stain and the house should be about ready. My list just keeps growing day to day with new things to do before I leave for China, I just hope that I can get most of them done. My work weekend is almost done and I am looking forward to tackling some items on my list and also taking time to relax at the beach too! Gotta love summer in Northern Michigan!

Adoption Shower!

I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends. My good friend Gloria gave me an Adoption Shower yesterday. I cannot tell you how touched I was when so many of my down state friends came to help me celebrate. We had great food and an adorable Hello Kitty cake. My girls definitely out did themselves with gifts for Emily too! I received so many great gifts that will remind me of you all each time we use them. I cannot thank everyone enough for making my shower so special and making me feel so loved. My girls started this journey with me so many years ago and I was excited that we could share this celebration together.