It is very surreal to think that we will be meeting our sweet girl in only seven hours! We are very excited and just can not wait to see who she really is. Please pray for Makinley. This will be the scariest day of her life. She has lived at the orphanage all of her life and she knows nothing else. She will be traveling 2 hours to get here. Pray for God's protection and a peace to fill her. Let her just 'know' that we are her family. We prayed these things for Ashlyn when we adopted her and God was truly faithful. Praying for that same outcome today.
So, many of you have emailed me and asked where we are staying. We are at the China Hotel (Marriott). Last time we stayed at the White Swan. This hotel is only 10 years old so it is a lot newer and more modern than the White Swan was. The room is a little larger than our room at the WS, but it is prettier and we have a regular king size bed this time instead of two twin beds that were low to the floor. The bathroom is nicer too. However, the location is not as good. We would much rather be on the island again. Here you are in the city. There is a park across the street with a tunnel that runs from the hotel to the park. We have not seen it yet. I am sure once it warms up and is not raining (it is suppose to rain tomorrow and the next day) that we will go over there with Makinley. There is also a 7-11 attached to the back of the China Hotel, for those of you that will be staying here soon. We bought our water and snacks there.
So as soon as we get back to the room and get settled in I will try to post pictures of our Family Day! Then, of course, we will be skyping with our children back home so that they can meet their baby sister.
Love the emails!! Thank you all for praying for us and supporting us!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Yun Tai Garden
This morning we were able to visit Yuntai Gardens. It is a beautiful park with amazing flowers and trees from several different countries. We spent about an hour and a half walking around this peaceful park and enjoying the cool weather this morning.
Most of you know how much I love rose gardens. Well imagine my surprise when we turned the corner and saw the largest rose garden that I have ever seen. There were thousands of different kinds of roses. Most were as big as my hand! And the smell was absolutley amazing! Needless to say, we stayed at that part of the park for awhile.
As far as sleep goes, that has not improved. I woke up this morning at 2am and never was able to go back to sleep. Donny, however, did sleep better. He slept until 6am this morning. The night before I think he only slept a total of 2 hours. So we are hopeing that tonight we will both get a good amount of sleep since it will be our last night without the baby!!!
The two little girls asked me to take their pictures. They were so cute and giggling the whole time. They practiced a couple of english words with me.
Hope you all enjoy the pictures!
Most of you know how much I love rose gardens. Well imagine my surprise when we turned the corner and saw the largest rose garden that I have ever seen. There were thousands of different kinds of roses. Most were as big as my hand! And the smell was absolutley amazing! Needless to say, we stayed at that part of the park for awhile.
As far as sleep goes, that has not improved. I woke up this morning at 2am and never was able to go back to sleep. Donny, however, did sleep better. He slept until 6am this morning. The night before I think he only slept a total of 2 hours. So we are hopeing that tonight we will both get a good amount of sleep since it will be our last night without the baby!!!
The two little girls asked me to take their pictures. They were so cute and giggling the whole time. They practiced a couple of english words with me.
Hope you all enjoy the pictures!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Our Trip So Far
On the first, we ended up spending most of the day in our room. We had a very relaxing day just catching up on some reading and watching tv. We headed out to find some lunch and walked around the city for a while. We ended up coming back to the McDonald's next door to the hotel for lunch. It actually tasted just like McDonald's to our surprise. We do not typically eat at McDonald's but it was a decent lunch, none the less.
After lunch we realized that we definitely need to find some restaurants around the hotel because we did not want to end up eating McDonald's for two weeks! Unfortunately there are no other restaurants that we would eat at around our hotel. There are a couple of local restaurants, but we have learned in the past that if the guide does not recommend it, you should not go there. We ended up eating dinner at one of the restaurants in the hotel. Our dinner, which consisted of a not so good club sandwich and a not so good hamburger, both with fries and a drink, ended up costing us $40 (US). That was rediculous and now we are back to only having McDonald's.
Today we met up with our group and headed over to Shamain Island for some shopping. It is our favorite place in Guangzhou. Last trip, our hotel was actually on the island so there was a nice place to walk and a handful of good western restaurants to eat at. We could not wait to get to eat at Lucy's again. The food was great and the atmosphere is wonderful. We sat outside to eat lunch and watch all the people in the park. This was one of the things that we have missed about our last trip to China.
On the way back to the hotel our guide told us that Papa John's delivers to the hotel and the delivery charge is only about $1(US). So guess what we ordered for dinner tonight :D
Tomorrow we will be sight seeing and we will post some pictures. Donny did not remember to upload the pictures from yesterday, so sorry, no pictures for this post.
Sleep has been our problem. We have not yet adjusted to the time difference. On the first day we were tired by 3:00pm and finally went to bed at 9:00pm. We only stayed up that late because we had to wait until 8:00am to call back home. There is a 13 hour time difference. Hopefully we will do better tonight.
Thank you for all of the emails. We read them a couple of times a day. We are so excited when we see one in our inbox. Keep them coming. They make our day!
After lunch we realized that we definitely need to find some restaurants around the hotel because we did not want to end up eating McDonald's for two weeks! Unfortunately there are no other restaurants that we would eat at around our hotel. There are a couple of local restaurants, but we have learned in the past that if the guide does not recommend it, you should not go there. We ended up eating dinner at one of the restaurants in the hotel. Our dinner, which consisted of a not so good club sandwich and a not so good hamburger, both with fries and a drink, ended up costing us $40 (US). That was rediculous and now we are back to only having McDonald's.
Today we met up with our group and headed over to Shamain Island for some shopping. It is our favorite place in Guangzhou. Last trip, our hotel was actually on the island so there was a nice place to walk and a handful of good western restaurants to eat at. We could not wait to get to eat at Lucy's again. The food was great and the atmosphere is wonderful. We sat outside to eat lunch and watch all the people in the park. This was one of the things that we have missed about our last trip to China.
On the way back to the hotel our guide told us that Papa John's delivers to the hotel and the delivery charge is only about $1(US). So guess what we ordered for dinner tonight :D
Tomorrow we will be sight seeing and we will post some pictures. Donny did not remember to upload the pictures from yesterday, so sorry, no pictures for this post.
Sleep has been our problem. We have not yet adjusted to the time difference. On the first day we were tired by 3:00pm and finally went to bed at 9:00pm. We only stayed up that late because we had to wait until 8:00am to call back home. There is a 13 hour time difference. Hopefully we will do better tonight.
Thank you for all of the emails. We read them a couple of times a day. We are so excited when we see one in our inbox. Keep them coming. They make our day!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
We Made It and Happy New Year!
After 24 hours of flying yesterday we finally made it to Guangzhou at 8:45p (China time). We were really looking forward to celebrating the New Year China style only to find out that they do NOTHING for New Year's Eve. Nothing...nada...zip!!! They only celebrate Chinese New Year which will be in a few weeks for them. So we were a little disappointed. We had hoped to see one spectacular fireworks show. But in the end it was ok because after we skyped the children at home it was 10:30pm and I was going to bed.
We actually slept very well last night. I made it to 5 am and Donny some how made it to 7 am. We have just been hanging around the room this morning. We are looking forward to celebrating New Year's with our kids in a little while. We are going to skype so we can all be together for the countdown. That's better than any fireworks display!
Our schedule is all out of whack since they changed the holiday days around, so we don't know what we will be doing on what day. We do know that we meet Makinley on January 4th, but the rest is still being determined. I think our guide said tomorrow we would be going to Shaiman Island to shop, but we still have not heard what time yet. When we know, I will post it. (My daughter likes to follow along and know what we are doing and when).
Hope you all have a wonderful New Year's!!
We actually slept very well last night. I made it to 5 am and Donny some how made it to 7 am. We have just been hanging around the room this morning. We are looking forward to celebrating New Year's with our kids in a little while. We are going to skype so we can all be together for the countdown. That's better than any fireworks display!
Our schedule is all out of whack since they changed the holiday days around, so we don't know what we will be doing on what day. We do know that we meet Makinley on January 4th, but the rest is still being determined. I think our guide said tomorrow we would be going to Shaiman Island to shop, but we still have not heard what time yet. When we know, I will post it. (My daughter likes to follow along and know what we are doing and when).
Hope you all have a wonderful New Year's!!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
The Number of the Day is......
Tomorrow we will be on a plane to China!!
This will be my last post until I return after the 14th of January.
If you would like to follow our trip please click on the link below:
Thanks so much for your support and prayers.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Update: Change of Plans
We just received word as to why our Gotcha Day was pushed back a day. It seems that the Civil Affairs office decided not to reopen from the holiday until January 4th.
Change of Plans
I just received our final itinerary at it seems that the day we meet Makinley has been moved to January 4th.
Feeling very sad right now.
I hate leaving my children and knowing that I will be sitting in China for three days before I can even meet her (when I could be home with my children) is kinda yanking at my heart.
I know that God has a plan. And I will enjoy the time alone with my husband. It is just a long time to be away when you have littles and bigs at home.
Good news is, we do leave in two days. I know I will feel better when I get there. I am just already missing my children and I haven't even left.
Feeling very sad right now.
I hate leaving my children and knowing that I will be sitting in China for three days before I can even meet her (when I could be home with my children) is kinda yanking at my heart.
I know that God has a plan. And I will enjoy the time alone with my husband. It is just a long time to be away when you have littles and bigs at home.
Good news is, we do leave in two days. I know I will feel better when I get there. I am just already missing my children and I haven't even left.
The Number of the Day is......
And the plan for the day is packing.
Well, at least to finish packing.
I will be shopping for food for those we are leaving here and then I will be washing clothes and finally finishing up the packing process.
I have to say that as excited as I am to get Makinley, I am also so very sad to leave my children here for such a long period of time...AGAIN!!
I know I will feel better once we actually get there.
The 25 hour flight is not helping in the excitement area.
You all know how much I LOVE planes.
I still can not believe that we only have two more days!
Don't forget to follow us here:
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
The Number of the Day is......
Can you believe it??
Only four more days and we will be on a plane!!
I am so ready to meet my baby girl.
China, here we come!!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
The Number of the Day is......
Praying you all have a wonderful Christmas Eve with your family and friends!
Friday, December 23, 2011
One More Week!
One more week!
I can not believe that there is only a week left!
More importantly, I can not believe that our Makinley will be home in three weeks!!!
So if you want to follow our journey while we are in China, we will be using this site:
Just click on the link above and it will take you to our page.
Or you can go to Journey to Me and click on adoption journals. Then you just click on Journey to Makinley and it will take you to our page.
We will be posting every day so try to keep up with us...
We do appreciate your prayers and support. PLEASE email and comment on our posts. It gets pretty lonely there, even when you are busy all day long. We loved all of the emails and responses last time and we look forward to seeing who is following along with us. We read EVERY ONE OF THEM!!!
Also, please pray for us as we will be meeting Makinley on January 3rd at 2:30pm China time. That would be 1:30am at home (eastern time zone).
Love you all and have a very Merry Christmas!!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
The Number of the Day is......
I had a very hard time sleeping last night.
I kept waking up and lists would start running through my head.
Things to do for my business.
Things to remember to pack.
But mostly, I kept dreaming/thinking about the day I will meet my sweet baby girl.
Praying that God wraps her in peace and security that day.
Praying for an easy transition for our family.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The Number of the Day is......
And with only five days until Christmas it has been a bit busy around here!
I am missing my sweet cheeks. I so can not wait to meet her!!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
The Number of the Day is......
I have a friend who just visited the orphanage today, but she was not able to see Makinley. I am a bit sad, but I do understand. We will be there soon and they wanted to focus on seeing children that still have to wait for their families a bit longer. Praising the fact that there were 11 children on the list for her to go visit. That means 11 children will have a family!!
My emotions are a bit here and there the past couple of days. It is my favorite time of the year and right after Christmas we get to go and get our baby girl. I am not feeling overwhelmed, just like I can not focus on one thing. I want so badly to enjoy Christmas with the kids. I also want to be as excited as I was when we were leaving to get Ashlyn. It is kind of weird how I feel.
I will be happy when in 12 days I am getting on one of many planes to FINALLY head to China. I am also looking forward to celebrating the New Year alone with my husband in China. Who gets to say that they were in China on New Year's Eve!! After all, they did invent the firecracker!!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
TWO WEEKS!!!
I need to finish packing.
I guess that with the holidays I have just not been totally focused on the fact that in two weeks I am getting on a plane and traveling half way around the world.
It just seems very surreal to me.
So blessed to be on this journey again.
It is absolutely life changing!
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