Friday Night

is pretty low-key around here. We ordered a pizza then went outside for a little fresh air and exercise.

 These lovely roses are growing in my garden.

 And I'm not the only one who appreciates them.

This is something I haven't seen in awhile--my big girl jumping rope

 and laughing, and looking and feeling healthy.

She even got Nana to give it a try.

Three days symptom-free.  And she shines. Thank You, Lord. Another prayer answered.

Catching Up

I was field trip Mommy for Ava's class.

 Yep, we went to Sea World.

 I had it pretty easy--a group of well-behaved girls. So we did our girl power pact.

 Then went and saw a show.

 We had a few delays. Above, we were trapped in a small area of the park when the path was closed so an ambulance could pass through. The girls made the best of it:)

 My Mother's Day photo. We went to church and then I took the girls to the pool.

 Nana on Mother's Day.

Ava sporting her new high tops. This picture doesn't do their fanciness justice:)

Trusting

It turns out the adoption process cannot be expedited in China. As of the 15th, a new Chinese passport process goes into effect and cannot be rushed. Therefore, I will be away from my big kids for 11 days.

When I started this process, this was a deal-breaker for me. I have never been away from my kids even one night. I remember talking with God and saying, "I am trusting You--with all of this--but you know I can't go without my girls." (So, hmmmm, yeah--where is the trust in that?)

He has given me peace about boarding that plane alone.

I trust that God knows what He's doing. There's a reason why this journey has been so, well, refining. My faith is stronger, my humility deeper. And I have a testimony I have just started putting to paper. A testimony I hope will inspire others, lift others. And some of the people along the way, I know they've been placed in my life for a reason. They have opened their hearts, answered God's call to the orphan. If I've been used in some way to have made this happen, well, that is indeed humbling.

After all, this life isn't about me.

And yet, God has been so good to me. I am coming to the end of this journey--really, a mini-journey--where I've had to give up even the illusion of control (I really thought I had that) and lay every need at His feet. And every time, God has come through. I've had to ask for help--even 6 months ago I would not have considered doing this. I was full of pride and power--after all, being the one to help others is a very lofty place to be. How could I possibly need the help of others if I'm the one reaching out and giving out? And how could I possibly need others--this has been crucial to my growth. I think I became very good at giving and that God very much wants us to do this--to always be on the look out for those we can lift up--but that we are missing a huge piece of what He wants to give us through others.

It has been a beautiful experience, watching others open their hearts and support this adoption process. Bringing Zhen-Ju home has been a true family effort. The family by my blood and ties, but also families whose names I will never know, who stepped up when I couldn't. Families with like minds and hearts.

In two weeks I will be in China. My daughter will be placed in my arms. And an exciting new adventure will begin.

I have my plane tickets
I have my hotel reservations
My bags are packed
My heart is ready
And I know what it is to trust, completely

The Doctor is In

A virus has been going through the house. Ava was home from school a few days with a high fever, but is feeling much better today--well enough to doctor Mama along--

(Notice the fridge--had to move it in from the garage while we handle yet another situation out there.)

TA!. . .CA?

So this is the post I was writing------

My travel approval was issued Wednesday, May 2nd and it's very possible I will get CA (consulate appointment) on May 24th. This means I will fly out Saturday, May 19th and we will fly home Saturday, May 26th.

Just got of the phone with the pediatrician and ChunJu's appointment is May 30th. From there, we will see the peds cardiologist.

But then I got an e-mail from my agency and, OK, I broke down in tears. I cannot get my CA for the 24th because I cannot, after all, be expedited in-country as a new passport process will start on May 15th and there'll be no expedites after that.

So, it looks like I'll leave the 19th and return the 30th. That's a long time away from my girls and I am very sad about it.

Shoes

I really want to pack a new pair of shoes for my little one. I have asked more than once for her foot measurement when getting an update, but so far, haven't received one. I've received many kinds of measurements--height and weight, head and chest circumferences. . .

My daughter is wearing shoes in her newest photo and I know she will come to me wearing shoes, but I don't know that they fit her right. I don't know if they're comfortable. It's very common for shoes to go through several kids and for children to arrive on Family Day with shoes too small, or too big.

I feel like I'm becoming a bit obsessed about this. But I want my girl in new shoes. Comfy shoes. Her shoes.

 So I purchased a few pairs

 On sale and in different sizes

And have kept the tags on in case I have to return them. I will only be in China 5 full days, with much paperwork to do--10 days worth--and don't think there'll be time to go out looking for shoes.

Travel

It looks like I will leave for China either Saturday, May 12th or Saturday, May 19th.

My sister will drive me to the airport in Los Angeles at 6:30 am. I should check in at 9 am. My flight leaves at 12:55 pm. (Have to allow for traffic time in LA and security checkpoints in the airport).

I will arrive in Hong Kong on Sunday at 7 pm (the time change in China is 13 hours later). A guide service will meet me at the airport and drive me into mainland China, all the way to my hotel in Guangzhou. It will take about 2 1/2 hours.

My daughter will be brought to me Monday morning, and the race will begin.

A typical adoption stay in China is 10 - 16 days. We will have 5 business days to complete all paperwork.

On Saturday, the guide service will pick us up at our hotel at 6 am and drive us to the airport in Hong Kong. Our flight leaves around noon. We will arrive at LAX at 11:30 am Saturday (getting those 13 hours back).

It's possible, but not advisable, for us to leave Friday afternoon, which will get me back to my girls about 12 hours sooner. The risk is that Chun Ju's entry visa may not be ready.

The Hong Kong airport is huge, but as you can see--the signs are in English as well as Mandarin. We arrived through HK for Ava's adoption trip and I remember a few steep escalators and a packed bus ride from the terminal to fresh air. But I feel fairly certain I can naviagate my way successfully.

The Garden Hotel. Also huge. The very good thing about staying here is that anything I might need during the week I can find within walking distance. There's a KFC and McDonald's on the same block, so I won't go hungry--maybe.