Andrew's now ours!

Wow, the last 48 hours have been a whirlwind! But it has all been worth it to have God's precious little Andrew in our arms and to see the other parents (Sharon & Mark, Jennifer & Sean) get Hudson and Abby Grace. Andrew looks just like his pictures and still has that beautiful smile that just draws you in and tugs at your heart. He's already walking has a mouth full of teeth. We're still trying to figure out all his likes and dislikes. Breakfast wasn't too bad this morning. He ate rice noodles and a little bread. We finally got him to drink some milk this morning on the way to take pictures (passport and family) and the civil affairs office.  He loves the peach mango puffs! We met his friend and crib mate from the orphanage. She also got adopted! We had been praying for his friends and crib mate. God is so good! Her name is Feng Yu Qing and she will now be called Natalie Jade Yu Macholl and will live in Chicago with her parents, Dan and Mary. Mary cried when she found out Andrew was being adopted also. They had brought a present for him thinking that he wasn't being adopted. He got a blanket, lion, ball and truck. Andrew has been running in the hall and enjoying his Dad taking him for walks and looking out the window.

Back to yesterday. We toured the Summer Palace, and went to the Fresh Water Pearl Factory and lunch before heading to the airport for Lanzhou. We got to the hotel @ 8:20pm and met our children @ 8:40pm. Kevin did paperwork while I brought Andrew upstairs and finally started peeling all the layers of clothes off. He was out like a light by 9:30 and slept all night. We had to wake him up this morning to give him a bath which he hated. He's used to having a bath in a much smaller tub. Then it was off to breakfast.

We're all tired and Kevin and I didn't sleep well last night. We kept looking over at Andrew and watching him. Andrew's a little snorer like his dad and still has about as much hair. Andrew is napping right now. Later, we go shopping for supplies and water. I'm going to try to add pictures later. Hope it works. Mom probably needs to close her eyes for awhile also.

Long Day in Beijing

Was cool and misty today in Beijing. Definitely glad I brought my ski jacket, cuddle duds, and winter hat! It was bone chilling! We went to Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden  City and the Great Wall today. We slept fairly well even though it was like sleeping on a board. Breakfast was at around 7:15 and then to the lobby to get on the bus for touring. The rest of the gang got here this am after missing their flight yesterday. The Forbidden City was huge. It covers 72 hectares and is very ornate. I can't even to begin to remember all the names of the different gates. Got to experience the squatty potties today when we were out and about. 

It was so foggy at the Great Wall. You couldn't see very far at all. It had snowed and was still had light snow falling while we were there. Didn't go very far climbing the wall. Was not cleared well and was very slick. It was slick enough going uphill and new it would be even worse coming back down! Didn't want to wind up having bones set in a Chinese hospital! Sharon came back from her climb with a wet bottom from where she slid down  and almost took her son out in the process! She showed us the video she was taking when she fell. She was laughing the whole time!

Ate roasted duck tonight along with other Chinese food. We've eaten Chinese for 2 meals today. I'm so tired right now I can't type 2 words without yawning! We're  too tired to even think about downloading and posting pictures right now. Will try to within the next 2 days. We go to the Summer Palace tomorrow, have lunch and then fly to Lanzhou to pick up Andrew tomorrow evening. Yipppeee! Life definitely changes as we know it tomorrow evening! No more selfishness allowed. We have to have our luggage packed and outside the door by 7:30 in the morning. So, it off to pack and go to bed. Love to you all. 

Lisa and Kevin

Greetings from Beijing!

We're finally here! What a long day! We've been up 27.5 hrs with only mini-cat naps. Travel went smoothly for us today. We got to the airport early and were given the opportunity to take an earlier flight. The plane was already there, so we took it. Otherwise we would've had a fairly tight connection in Chicago. Sorry, we missed those of you who were going to meet us. We tried to get word out to you. Two families in our travel group missed their connection in Chicago and will not make it here until the morning. It was snowing in Chicago when we took off so hopefully they will not have any problems leaving. Our hearts were broken for these families. I think I would've balled if it had happened to us.

We checked into our hotel, Guanxi Hotel, gone to the grocery store to get bottled water and are now waiting for Pizza Hut pizza for dinner before we crash. After breakfast in the am, we leave at 8:30 for sightseeing. We're going to the the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, and the Great Wall. Our guide Amy said we would not get back to the Hotel until 8:30 tomorrow night. We're pretty tired so, going to sign off for now. God bless. 2 days til Andrew!! 

PS: Sorry if this message is disjointed or misspelled.

Lisa

LESS THAN 24 HOURS TIL WE LEAVE!!!!!!

Good morning everyone! We now have less than 24 hours before we leave for Beijing! I can't believe we are finally this close and will be on our way in the morning. We probably will not sleep a wink tonight! 

Our bags are essentially packed and our backpacks filled to the brim! They will not be light to carry! We'll be going through all our paperwork today to make sure we don't leave anything behind. We're carrying 2 copies of our dossier just in case something happens to one of them. We had our travel meeting yesterday with all the travel group and the travel coordinator, Kristen. She really had her work cut out for her. Bless all of us, we lost telephone connections and all of us had to reconnect! But in the end, it all worked out and lasted 1.5 hours and was very informative.

Kevin and I would like to thank all of you for your encouragement, love, prayers, and support and gifts! God has truly blessed us beyond our wildest imagination! 

To our small group: You guys are the bomb! Never would have dreamed this would all be happening so fast! Fasting and prayer really does work doesn't it! We know you will be doing this again from Friday night to Saturday evening and gathering as a group. We covet your prayers and know we will be included in this time of worship and praise. Thanks be to God. You guys have been awesome. Jamie and Karen, you're next! We continue to pray for your referral for your wonderful and blessed child! Hopefully, soon! We will be praying this during  the same time.

To our families: You all know that God is our rock and our firm foundation! For without Him, we are nothing and can do nothing. Remember, He goes with us, before us and behind us. He is in complete control and will protect us. You all have been a true blessing and encouragement. Thank you for all you have done and for what you have given us. We are who we are because of each of you . 

To our friends, church, and coworkers: What can we say? God has truly blessed us. We feel all of your prayers, well wishes, hugs, support and encouragement. Everyone has helped us get through this tremendously long paper pregnancy! I think it's been longer than an elephant's! :)

KEVIN SAYS HE'S GOING THROUGH LABOR PAINS NOW!! :) LOL! We can't wait to meet Andrew on Sunday and for you all to see the blessing God has given us upon our return. 

"May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

This verse came from Kristen at AWAA today as an encouragement as we leave for China to be united with our children. What a powerful verse! Thanks be to God from which all blessings flow!

So long from Greensboro. Next post, China! (If everything works there!)

Love to you all,

Lisa

Chinese Lullabies

I've been sitting here relaxing after my last day of work until 5/22! The Chinese lullabies CD we ordered from Amazon arrived today. It's very soothing. :) 

It's really getting me in the mood for travel on Thursday. Not that it would take too much! I am so ready to go and get Andrew! We got our in-country itinerary today and made our payment. OUCH!  It will all be worth it. We also found out that we fly to Gansu province on Sunday and meet Andrew! Sooooo, family day or Gotcha day will be 3/30/08 and not 3/31. I feel for the others in our group who will have to wait until the 31st to get their children : -::(::: My heart is sad for them. 

Now I have to see how I can get everything we need to take in 2 suitcases, each at 44 lbs total weight! Will not be an easy task. 

We have our travel meeting on the phone at 2pm tomorrow. Will finally get to hear what all my gabby girls sound like and also find out all the rest of the details for the trip. I'm floating about 5 feet off the ground right now and have been having a tough time sleeping. I guess God's getting me ready to be a parent! Can't wait til Thursday! We'll finally be on our way!

We can feel everyone's prayers. Please keep them coming. 

Wow, What a journey!

Has it really been 4 years since Kevin and I got married?! It seems like many years and at the same time, just a short time. It has been a crazy few years since we started the adoption process. We started the paper work in 1/2006 and our dossier was logged in 12/6/06. We decided to go special needs late 7/07 and got our referral for Fu Yu Qing 10/9/07. Referral acceptance came 1/30/08 and travel approval 3/13/08! We had secured our plane tickets at an awesome price on 3/14/07 along with our consulate appointments in record time. :) It' so hard to believe we will be leaving for China on 3/27 at 0950 and arriving in Chicago to meet up with some new friends (Sharon, Denise, Jennifer and their families)! We'll finally get to meet and travel over to Beijing together and back with our new children! We'll fly to our provinces on Monday the 31st and finally become a family that afternoon.I can't wait to love on Andrew! 

It all seems surreal some how. Our God is an  awesome God and His timing is perfect and He is in total control of it all. We have waited and waited but it will be well worth it! 43 years for each other and now after 4 yrs of marriage we finally become a family with our new son, Andrew! We'll celebrate his birthday in China .(It"ll just be a little late!)

"For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord,"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

"Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever." Psalm 117

Dear friends, please keep our journey bathed in prayer. We ask specifically for prayer regarding health, safety, Andrew's attachment, his nannies, his crib mates, and his parents who chose to grant him life 2 yrs ago. Also, please pray for peace and salvation for the Tibetans and the Chinese and for paperwork, etc. to go smoothly.

In His Grip-Lisa 

YIPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. We got our travel approval today! :) We should be traveling 3/27/08-4/10/08. All the girls got their TA's today also (Sharon, Amy, Jill, Denise and Jennifer). We are all so excited to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Praise God for He is mighty and awesome. Kevin and I are floating 2 feet above the ground and we're starting to make out our lists of things to do and pack. Will add more later. Much to do!!!!!! Love to all and thanks for all your prayers and support.  

Happy 2nd Birthday Andrew!

Andrew's first e-card was from the Teague's, our hopeful travel partners. (Maybe I'll learn the way to import stuff soon. Had intended to have a copy of the Teague's ecard but it did not work.) He also got a card from his Grandpa John and Grandma Nancy yesterday. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Andrew, Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!  Can't wait to meet you my dear sweet son! The greatest birthday gift we could you receive for you today would be getting our TA! Here's hoping and praying sweet one. Everyone is ready for you to get here.  

Love you, 

Mama