Ni Hao from Beijing CHINA!

Beijing Airport

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We MADE it!! After nearly 24 hours of "marathon" travel we have arrived. I think I ran my first 5K today in the Chicago airport so that we could make our connection to Beijing! We are thanking God that we made all of our connections; our luggage arrived and our guide was still waiting for us at the Beijing Airport even when we were over an hour late.

The boys have been great travelers! We were all quite surprised that the 13 hour flight was not as bad as expected. Each seat had it's own monitor where you could choose from a variety of movies, tv shows and video games. The food was pretty good and we all managed to get at least a little bit of sleep.

It is now 3am here on Thursday and fortunately we have nothing planned for tomorrow. We plan on sleeping most of the day and getting out a bit in the afternoon. Our planned tours begin on Friday.

Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes!! I enjoy reading your emails and comments!

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The first screen of our Flight Plan!!

Nicholas liked the Video Games!

Noah's favorite...Pizza!!

Packed and Ready to Go!

Packed for 5!!! (Will we even use half this stuff??!!)

Activities to Keep the Boys Busy!

Car Seat Ready to Bring Her Home!
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I still just can't believe this day has finally come! In less than 24 hours we will begin a journey that we have dreamed about for over 4 years. I am having a very hard time putting into words the way that I am feeling right now. Besides the obvious excitement, I am nervous, overwhelmed, joyful, scared, anxious…you name it and I have probably been feeling it!!

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I keep thinking about Eva and that she probably has no idea how her life is about to change. I think about the ladies at the orphanage who have been raising her for the last 2 years and the loss they may feel when she is gone. The birthparents who probably still think about her daily and have no idea how she is doing. I pray for a peace that only comes from God for all of them.

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I keep thinking about all of you who have supported and encouraged our family over the past few years and especially these last few months. I know that for many of you, you have had to listen to more than an earful of adoption related details and I just want you to know how much I appreciate you letting me share my heart with you!
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When we come to mind over the next 2 ½ weeks, we do have some specific prayer requests that we would really appreciate you lifting up:

• For our friend Dawn, who is joining us on this adventure, little does she know what she has gotten herself into (we are very thankful to have her along!)
• Travel Safety (July 6th – 24th) and for all of our luggage to make it too;
• Good Health for Us & Eva;
• For Eva not to have any Vision Problems;
• Good Weather throughout our Trip;
• Eva to be filled with a Peace that only comes from God when she meets us for the First Time;
• Wonderful Time of Bonding and Getting to Know one another;
• For those who have cared for Eva the past 2 years at the Orphanage; we are so grateful to them for taking care of all these precious children;
• For Eva's Birth Parents; that somehow God would give them a peace of knowing she’s cared for and loved; and
• That we might be a Light to someone in China

Our plan is to update this blog daily while we are in China. We should also be able to receive email while we are away. There is also a copy of our full itinerary under the "Letters to Read" section on the right hand side of the blog.

Thank you all SO much. We love you and can’t wait until we are ALL back home!!

Party Pictures!

I just don't have the words to express how excited I was to open my email today and find birthday party pictures of Eva!! Isn't she just beautiful??!! I am just filled with so much joy and happiness to know that her birthday was celebrated and to see that she looks so well. I can not wait to be the one holding her and celebrating all of her special occasions!!

Our Girl likes Cake!!

It's OFFICIAL!!

After 4 years of waiting & more than 4 months since referral, we are heading to CHINA!! Today we received written confirmation of our Consulate appointment in Guangzhou, China...July 21st. Since this is actually one of the last appointments of the trip, we will be leaving Lake Charles on or around July 6th!! I can't believe this is FINALLY happening!! In less than two weeks we will be heading half way around the world to bring Eva home!!

Happy Birthday Eva!

Dearest Eva,

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We had really hoped that we would be holding you today for your birthday. We want you to know how much we missed being able to celebrate with you but are so thankful to know that this will be the last birthday you spend without your family. We look at your picture every day and cannot wait to have you with us.

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I know I shouldn't, but I can't help but wonder if anyone acknowledged your birthday today? Did someone sing "Happy Birthday" to you or do anything else to mark this special occasion? Fortunately we have a lifetime of birthdays ahead of us with lots of spoiling to do!!

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You are a very special little girl to us and we all love you so very much!

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Happy Birthday Sweet Girl...Love,

Mommy, Daddy, Noah & Nicholas

A very special "Thank You" to Ann at http://www.redthreadchina.com/ for putting this birthday care package together for Eva. Ann has also arranged with a local bakery in China to deliver a fresh birthday cake this week. Thanks Ann!!

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"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:20 NIV

(Eva's birthverse from www.birthverse.com)

TRAVEL APPROVAL

Today at 3:50pm our agency called to say that they had received our "Notice of Traveling to China for Adoption" otherwise known as Travel Approval (TA).

This is the final document that we needed from the Chinese government. Now our agency will be able to make our Consulate appointment in China. We should have the date of that appointment by Tuesday of next week and then we can plan the rest of our trip around that date.

Bottom line is that we should be heading to China in 2-3 weeks....WOOHOO!! We are on our way to get you baby girl!!

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step" (from my fortune cookie last week)!!

Getting Ready for Eva

It has been so much fun getting ready for a little girl!

I truly hope that Eva likes Pink!!

The canvas over her bed was a gift from the boy's art teacher...

thank you Mrs. Blalock! It is the perfect touch to her room.
Of course Daddy did the lettering on the wall; it says "Princess - Daughter of a Heavenly King".

A new highchair...thank you Suzanne!

A new stroller...thank you Nana & Paw-Paw!

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Now all we need is Eva!! Our packing has begun and we are hopeful to hear news about travel this week. We are all getting very anxious and can't wait to bring our beautiful baby girl home!!