What the heck day is it?

Well tried our best to stay up late and made it 730pm! We ate only peanuts for dinner...too confused after all we had on the plane i guess. We took a journey to the grocery store last night a few blocks away. I could have smacked myself for not having my camera. I will go back because you've just GOT to see this place. Everything is so cramped and they jam hundreds of people in. Sherie would have fallen out with the smells and things we saw on the shelves. Ladies in uniforms were standing by counters shouting out things that I'm assuming were the "blue light specials?" I just wanted to stand still and take it all in. No big carts just little baskets similar to what we have only they put them on wheels and push around. It's a scream. AND the place is 2 stories...didn't venture upstairs - will do that next time. OH and alot is not refrigerated. The eggs are wrapped in saran wrap and sit on shelves! I picked up a pack of big blue ones!! NO telling what hatched those puppies but I can bet some of it will be in our lunch today. Sim has quite the plan for us. Will take video today too and we'll post some pics when we ge back. Too wiped out last night. The beds are smaller than the double in Brielle's room, but we did not have any problems falling asleep. Was awakened by loud china chatter in the hallway at 2am - party animals? That's it for now. It is Sunday and we started the day with listening to David Jerimiah. Off to get ready and head to the breakfast buffet. Hope there are no feathers on anything. Have a great day! xx

Heeeeeeellllo from Beijing!

Even after a very long day flying 13+ hours from Newark, we are SO excited to be here. I keep pinching myself. It has actually happened. We are in China. Did I ever tell you that as a little girl my BFF and I used to pretend we were China girls? You should see the hoopla over the Olympics. People costumed in Olympic gear were all over the airport. Some standing guard so to speak in pairs waiting to help whomever may arrive for the events. It's pretty awesome to be amidst it all. I so wanted to take pictures while going through the airport, but I was instructed not to until we talked to our guide. I ended up buying a new digital camera at the NJ airport. I know stupid move but I panicked because I could NOT find my camera in either of my bags. It was heavy anyways so I bought a nifty little Panasonic Lumix 10MP. Can't wait to take pics and video. Our guide, Sim, is here now telling us what he has in store for us tomorrow and Monday. Yikes! Glad I brought my sneakers.

Nexters, here are the next three tips: #1) Fly continental - it was super. Fed us three times and had about 50 movies & programs to choose from #2) request bulkhead seating! Tons of leg room. 3) If you can swing it - get a pair of Bose noise reduction headphones. Sweet.

We are pretty tired since we've only slept about 2 hours on the ride over even with
nighty nite meds. Too excited I suppose.

It is strange being in a country where we can't communicate without assistance. But we're off to find a grocery store to get bottled water.

Lois & Steve... thanks for taking us to the airport yesterday too!
Miss everyone.. we'll keep in touch! Love yas.

We're Off!

It is 4:31 a.m and we are dressed and getting ready to throw our stuff in the car! I did sleep a few hours but ... man-oh-man I am excited!! Point #1 to you guys doing this after us... do NOT wait until the night before you leave to clean out your refrigerator. Holy Moly...just when you thought you're done another mess pops up. We got in bed sometime after 11pm.

Thanks so much to our wonderful family, friends and co-workers who already have made this a fantastic trip and we haven't even left yet! TYG!! Mike and Lydia...thanks for praying us out of here. You guys are awesome friends. Do have fun cleaning the pool while we're gone. But don't sweat it - it's just a pool, Lyd. Murphy and Nic won't want us to come home after hanging with the 4 of you for 2 weeks.

Sher, Dale, Olivia, Emma, Kris & Whitney... love you guys and take care of each other til we get home! We'll post when we get there sometime tomorrow and give a shout!

Until then....
chingchong chopsticks away!!

Happy 4th of july everyone~~~~~

I really can't believe it is July 4, 2008, and we still do not have our little girl home. I never would have believed it would take so long. However, we DO have our referral which means we know who our little girl is, and we have a beautiful picture to look at and talk to!! That is what is getting us through another long wait. Where or where is our TA?? Let's hope we see it next week. RQ reports referrals were received in Europe today. How exciting. I could not work the day before..the day of..or the day after receiving the news of Brielle. It had me paralyzed pretty much. I really can not wait to meet her.

Even though we didn't get to spend this holiday with any of our three children (gosh that sounds funny to say but sounds so good - three children) we did enjoy a really fun day. I got a bit of work done at home as did Rob and then we relaxed in the pool for a couple of hours. We then went to Brielle's god parents house ~ dear friends Mike & Lydia~ to enjoy delicious ribs and all the "fixins". Happy 4th one and all!!

In the meantime I shop

This is the second attempt at this post! How many times have I previewed a long post the then lost it because I didn't save it before previewing!! Argh!!!!!

Anyway... rumor has it that packages are in the air already? Agencies do not know what is in them, but it is thought it may be referrals. How cool that the rest of my January buds may see their babies faces just three weeks after we got ours?? That is pretty much what I anticipated... we had to wait an excruciatingly long time.... a week longer than ususal because CCAA officials were out of the provice due to the earthquake. And now we are waiting longer than usual for our TA because our paperwork got delayed. Two more weeks is what our group 123b was told on Friday!! DRATS! You think the wait is long?? Seeing that cutie pie face and knowing she is ready and waiting for us and not being able to get to her is very painful.

In the mean time... I shop. So many little items needed mostly "just in case". Medicines, thermos, baby care items, wipes, diapers, baggies, treats, etc. I've scanned numerous lists of BTDT families that say don't forget this and that. I was so blessed to have an enormous baby shower last Saturday where several dear friends gave me so many beautiful things including gift cards, and I'm using them to pick up all these necessary little items I will need for Brielle. There are so many new and exciting things available now since my two were little. Can I tell you how much fun this is?

I'm also trying to plan my clothing strategy. Cool, easy to pack and wash clothing items. I picked up a couple of runner type outfits that are made of very lightweight fabric... I am trying to choose things that will all coordinate so I don't look like I'm wearing the same three outfits over & over during the 2+ week trip!

COME ON TA!! WE'RE READY FOR YOU!!

Happy First Birthday FuFuBug!!

Today is June 15th.

One year ago today I was flying home from Denver, Colorado from the annual Human Resources Conference... and here I sit in Boston, MA once again at the HR conference. Little did I know that day that our little Brielle would be found and brought to Tingyan SWI. She was only hours old! On this very very special day I've prayed for our little girl's safety, happiness and health and that angels surround her until her Mommy & Daddy can come to get her. I also prayed for her parents who left Brielle on the side of the road. May they know in their hearts that their daughter will be loved and well taken care of. Olivia and Emma are planning a super birthday party upon her arrival home. Wherever you are today, sweet baby girl, know that we love you very much and we will get to you as soon as we can!

Happy Happy Birthday from all of your family!!!!

Here she is.... meet Brielle!