2 weeks from today...

Okay, so 2 weeks from today...WE LEAVE FOR CHINA!!!! We still can't believe that our dream of becoming parents is actually coming true! I've read so many journals/blogs about parents "getting ready to leave for China" and wondered if we would ever get there and how does that feel, knowing that they will be meeting their child soon! Now we know! And we'll tell you, it's an awesome feeling, so many emotions going all at once. If you are reading this and still waiting for "the call," just know that IT WILL HAPPEN. It's all in GOD's timing and HE already knows which child is yours! This child was meant for US! And it's so amazing how it all has happened. The phone call caught us totally off guard, we were not expecting it, at all. Which we think made it extra special. Sometimes GOD does that to you. ; )

We've been buying like crazy for our trip...personal things, baby stuff, munchies for the baby...munchies for us, just in case...gifts for the nannies and some other stuff that I can't think of right now. And all the stuff that we still need to get.....

Also, we've been watching the Olympics every night. We LOVE it when they show the sights and sounds of China, it seems to be so beautiful. And knowing that we will be there in 2 weeks...is just unbelievable. I feel like this is all a dream...so please no-one pinch me, just in case it is. : )

We have TRAVEL DATES!!

Friday we got a phone call for our travel dates!! Yippee!!!! ; ) Yes, we have our tickets already!

We leave Thursday, August 28th at 8:42 am from Orlando to DC...leave DC at around 12:30pm and arrive in Beijing on Friday, August 29th at 1:55 pm (China time). It's about a 13 hour flight from DC to Beijing. Ahhhh!!!

We arrive home on Wednsday, September 10th at around 10:50 pm.

We don't have our exact itinerary yet, but when we do, we will post it (see sidebar for Itinerary for China Trip).

So far, there are 15 families traveling with us. But we think we are the only ones going to Kunming, Yunnan (where Crystina is from).

We are looking forward to our trip and can't wait to hold our baby girl!! 3 weeks from Thursday we leave!! I can't believe we actually can say that! After SO long to be parents and in less than a month, we will have OUR DAUGHTER!! WOW!!! The past 2 months have been so unbelievable! But that's the way GOD works!

Special thanks...

We want to give a special "Thank you" to Jenovie (Barbara's cousin) for this special gift that she got for Crystina. We LOVE it!!!!!!!

This says "Crystina" in Chinese. It is SO cute!!!
Thanks Jenovie!!!!!!!!!!! ; )

Our "furry" girls & "baby" training...

We've been in training for baby duty for about 3 months now. Let us explain....

In March we got a Yorkie "puppy", whom we named Lola. Well, Lola came to us already pregnant...NO, we did not know until 3 weeks after she came home with us, when she was having "morning sickness". And on April 24, Lola had 5 beautiful puppies (3 girls & 2 boys). Dr. Edgar & my dad (midwife) helped deliver the pups. Lola did great and is such a wonderful mother. Lots of people have been telling us that this has been our "training in progress"...getting up every 2 hours for feedings, making sure they were warm and doing good, taking them to the Vet for check-ups, etc...

Here is a picture of all 5 puppies, the day they were born...

And here's one of our Lola, our furry daughter. We think she is so beautiful!! : )

And here's one of the puppies, Bertha. We are keeping her, so she and Crystina can grow up together. The other 4 puppies went to very loving homes.

Cousin Alvani's Letter

Alvani wrote this to Crystina on July 18, 2008 all by himself

Crystina - 15 months old today...

Today our baby girl is 15 months old.

Crystina,

We can't wait to hold you in our arms so we can give you LOTS of hugs and kisses and show you so much LOVE. We have dreamt of the moment when we meet...and look forward to that day. God willing that day will come very soon. We love you with all of our hearts! May GOD always bless you and keep you safe.

With all of our love...
your mommy & daddy

First gifts (since referral)

This past weekend we went to the mall and visited Build-a-bear and you won't believe what new animal was there? A Panda Bear!!! So, of course we got one for Crystina. We named her Mei Mei, which means "little sister" in Chinese.

We want to say a big "THANK YOU!!!!" to Edgar's co-workers...CNA's B&M South Region Group for the adorable pink bear. We're sure Crystina is going to love it! Thanks again!!