Hotel pictures

Here are some pictures of the hotel and the street in front of the hotel.

A couple more pictures...

We're Here!!!

So we made it to Beijing. It was a long flight and we managed without much sleep. We made it on time for our connecting flight even. Once we got to the hotel last night we all fell asleep around 11 pm Beijing time and woke up at 7 am. We met the group at 9 am and went to the Forbidden City and Tianamen Square. It was nice even though it was little overcast. We walked through the area and some sections were really crowded. After we got back to the hotel we went the a restaurant next to the hotel for lunch. Then even through there was a light rain we walked to the Drum Tower. From there we had a view of the older part of Beijing, the Yellow River, and in the distance, Forbidden City. Tomorrow we will be going to the Great Wall.

Leaving today for Beijing

I can't believe that I am leaving today for Beijing. We will arrive there tomorrow (well, if we catch our layover in Narita, Tokyo). The weather here is fabulous so hopefully there aren't any issues taking off on time. I am all packed and now trying to figure out how I waste time until I need to leave for the airport. Maybe I will try some Guitar Hero to focus on something other than that I will be with Malia in 5 days!!! I will post again when we get to Beijing.

One week until Malia

One week from today I will be holding my little girl. I can't believe how slow and fast this time has went. I am ready to leave on Wednesday for a couple days in Beijing before getting Malia next Monday. Easter was good and I am getting through the to do list and the packing. Both suitcases are under 45 lbs and thanks to mom and dad for packing the food and gifts in their suitcases. I am actually feeling really prepared packing wise, now it is just the emotional side. Thank you again to everyone for the support. It has been great to know that I can count on my friends and family to help with stuff while I am in China.

One week.... I can make it!

New addition - Baby Aislinn

My brother and sister in law had their little baby this morning at 8:45 am. Baby and mom are doing well. She is 8 lbs 7 oz. and 21 1/4 inches long. Update: I visited tonight and she is a wonderful little cutie and I can wait for the girls to grow up together.

Congratulations to Jeff, Amy and big brother Garrett. ... And under two weeks until I hold my little girl. The family is growing.

Two weeks until Malia Day!!

It is only two more weeks from today until I get to hold Malia!!! I can't believe that I am leaving in a week and a half from today for China. Each day seems harder and harder to make it through. Although I know I am getting so close.

Many people have asked about my flight information for when we return. We are on flight 20 from Narita - Tokyo to MSP. We arrive at 12:20 pm and you will want to factor in about 1/2 hour for customs. People can meet us at the far end of baggage claim on Friday, 4/11, if you want to be there.

Now, back to packing, to do lists, and everything else that needs to be done before we leave. Thank you for the many offers to help out and a special call out to those that are taking on some work (i.e. dog sitting, paperwork keeper, house/mail watcher.

Grandma Update - After breaking her leg in two places and getting a steel rod and pins put in, she is recouping and getting therapy. She is staying at Presbyterian Homes & Services in Roseville, MN. She is in the same place as my aunt Arlene so we can visit both at the same time.

Leaving 3/26, Returning 4/11 - It's finally happening!

So 27 months later, Malia and I will finally be together. I first get to hold her on March 31. We got our flights booked last night and leave March 26 for a couple days in Beijing first to sight see and get used to the time change. Then I get Malia on March 31st and we leave Guangzhou on 4/9 to spend some time in Hong Kong and fly back on 4/11. It is finally feeling very real that I will finally be together with her. Thanks again to everyone for their love and support during this trying process. Now, a time to finish packing, preparing, and for my new niece to make her appearance in this world before we leave (hopefully)!

READY TO GO!!!

I got the consulate approval and I get to hold Malia for the first time on 3/31. I will post more later but I need to work with the travel agent right now.

Travel Approval is here!!!

So late yesterday afternoon I heard that travel approval was formally accepted by the agency. We now only have one more step and I can book our flights. We need the confirmed U.S. Consulate Appointment. The agency is asking for April 7th or the soonest thereafter. This would mean that we would leave around 3/19. So close now!!!! It should only take a couple business days to hear back from the U.S. Consulate so Tuesday or Wednesday the travel becomes fully real. I will keep you updated once I hear back.

It's working - TA is on it's way!

What a roller coaster still. I just got an email from my agency saying that the travel approval is on its way. They are still hoping for us to travel in March and be back early April. YEA!!! It might take a couple days to get the formal approval and then consulate appointment but we are getting closer to Malia.

OK, now waiting for Travel Approval!!!

So it has been one month since I first saw Malia Feng Sha and it has been busy but still more waiting as well. Now I am waiting to hear on travel approval. This is in China's hands to send back a letter to the agency giving us approval to travel to get Malia. Then it takes a couple days to get a confirmed consulate appointment before we can book our flights. I am really praying hard that we get travel approval soon. We need to be in and out of China before the April trade shows start on the 12th if at all possible. Otherwise, I will have to wait until May to get Malia home and that is just not something I want to accept at this point. Any prayers to get our travel approval faster will be greatly appreciated. I will keep you posted if I hear anything.

One step closer...

I just got the approval from CIS on my fingerprints (for the third time)!!!! This is required for me to be able to travel so I am REALLY relieved that the approval came through.

Now we want Travel Approval to come in this week so I can know my travel dates...

Malia Update

I just got updated measurements on Malia. The other measurements were from September. I am so excited because this helps me to know what size she might be in when I travel to get her.

Height: 34 inches
Weight: 26.9 lbs
Foot length: 4.8 inches

This puts her now closer to the 50th percentile for weight and height on the U.S. charts.

As far as I can tell this means that she might be in a maybe a size 5 shoe and 24 month/2T clothes. Whew, our initial guess is right based on the growth charts we did.

No update on travel approval yet. I am hoping to hear in the next week or two.

Spend, spend, spend, spend..

OK, you know me and shopping. I have to say that some of the outfits are gifts also.

Guanzhou Social Welfare Institute

So I found some pictures of the Guangzhou SWI that Malia was at from April 2006 until November 2007. Half the Sky (non-profit) helps at this orphange and created the playground and the classrooms. China is also renovating sections of the building which is great.

Referral Acceptance and Happy Chinese New Year

This week has been a blur but it was wonderful. I can't believe that it will be a week tomorrow since I first saw Malia Feng Sha. I turned in my letter of acceptance on Thursday and went out to dinner with friends that all have 2 year old girls from China. I also hosted a Chinese New Year party at my house on Saturday. Thank you to those that made it with the snow and really cold winds. It was a great time and awesome to think Malia will be here next year for the celebration.

Now, I am waiting for acceptances to go back to China so we can get travel approval. The estimated time for travel approval is 2-3 weeks. From there it might be another 3-4 weeks until I travel to CHINA!!!!

I believe in the red thread.....

I don't know how it is possible that this little girl is so perfect for me. Not only was she born on Christmas day, which is the ultimate holiday in my family but her personality is such a match.

• She loves watching singing and dancing shows on TV (OK, we can watch American Idol and Dancing with the Star together).
• She is quiet and fairly introverted but she adjusts well to strangers and new environments
• Her favorite place is to play outdoors and if she is upset you can calm her by going outside (glad we are coming home in the spring)
• She is speaking one to two syllable words (oh, oh - better practice my Chinese)
• She has 16 teeth but loves candies (better think about the dentist appointment)
• She goes by the name Feng Sha (so this will be her middle name)

I just had the pediatrician appointment and everything looks really good. She even typed in all of Malia's measurements over the past two years and printed off height and weight growth charts for me. It was so neat to see how she progressed over this time.

Thank you to everyone for the kind words and support. This is an awesome journey and I love that you are all in it with me.

It's a Girl!!!

It’s a girl!!!!!!!!!!!!

Name: Li Feng Sha
Bday: 12/25/05 (Christmas baby)
Province: Guangdong
She is in foster care.

Height: 31.5 in
Weight: 23.8 lbs

Stork Update...

So it looks like it might be Friday or Monday.... What a roller coaster ride but I know it will not be coming today but it is so close!

More coming....