Only one more step!

I realize this blog leaves much to be desired.  I promise, our days are filled with conversations about Max and about what he might like and the things we get to do once he arrives, but quite frankly, finding the time to sit down and tell you about it is, well, difficult.  I will also say that the process to getting these precious Chinese kids is taxing.  It doesn't get easier to wait, it doesn't make a difference that we have done it before, it's long, it's heart wrenching and I can't wait for it to be over.  I think the only difference is that this time I don't talk about it as much.  Maybe I'm tired of bringing all the feelings of "missing someone" to the surface, maybe it's a way for me to guard my heart.

This is our 3rd Christmas where we know that someone is missing from our family.  I know many people who hang a stocking for the child that they are waiting for, and buy lots of gifts for him or her, but for some reason I have never done that.  A few gifts were purchased for Max this Christmas, but from his adoring grandparents and aunties.  I can't explain it, but he'll have a stocking and presents under the tree next year...and he can open them!

All that to say we only have ONE STEP LEFT!!!  We're almost to the point where the stress and chaos of traveling with a family of 5 + a grandma to China for 2 weeks becomes a reality.  I'm not ready for that, but I am definitely ready to get on that plane to see what this amazing trip is going to do for our family.  Anytime in the next 4 weeks we could get a letter from China that says "COME ON!"  It is SO nice to finally be here!

I just keep thinking about the fact that we are bringing our ENTIRE family to China.  Something else that doesn't escape me is that this will be our 5 year old's 2nd trip...ha!  I don't think Xander really understands the significance, other than he knows that Lyla is very excited to return, so he feels like he should be too.  Lyla can hardly contain her excitement when she talks about it.  Living in China is so fresh, she'll only have been with us for 2 years when we travel, I know the emotions will be high for our sweet, spunky, life-filled girl.  I really feel like this whole experience has been great for her, to see what adoption is like from this side, the anticipation, the joy the family feels and I think she is even ready for the sadness and confusion that Max will probably experience.  I know she will be a big help!  I can hardly wait to see what Xander feels like when he has a brother, the one he has been praying for for years...literally.

The next time you hear from me I'll be giving you our travel dates, and we'll finally know the day that our arms will hold Max for the first time!

Merry Christmas!!

Care package!

I mentioned a care package in my last post.  We used a lady in China who will contact the orphanage for you, get some basic info and hopefully photos, and then deliver (ship) a care package to your waiting child.  We used her years ago to send Xander a package, she seems to have a great reputation with the orphanages.

Here is what we sent:

The idea is that hopefully he will receive this package (the candies are for the nannies), and they will read him the letter I wrote that tells him we are coming to meet him and make him part of our family.  We hope that they will also show him the photo album and let him see us before we get there.  WE know Xander and Lyla both received the packages we sent to them, and both of them were shown the pictures of us before we got there, so we counting on the same.

Lyla, being older, was able to tell us that she doesn't really remember a letter being read, but she did se the photo album, although maybe just once.  We also sent Lyla a stuffed animal that she brought with her to meet us, but it was very clean, and she clearly had no attachment to it. :)

I love this care package to Max for so many reasons, but mostly for the similarity to Xander's.  Xander got that same bear with a blue shirt (whom we still have and it is now named BamBam), the photo album is the same kind and the silks are the same just a different color.  Xander's photo album came with him and it was filthy, we have no idea who "used" it, which actually makes me sad to think that some of the other kids looked at us, and then we didn't bring them home... :(  Xander's silks were red, and they definitely don't fit him anymore, but it is cool that they are the same.  Now, we have no idea if we will receive any of these items when we get Max, it's the risk you take.

In paperwork news...

On Nov 27 we got our NVC cable.  Um, still, do not really know what exactly this is, just another box to check off.  PEOPLE!  We only have 3 more boxes to check!!!  Our Art 5 (another unknown Hague Convention thing) will be dropped off next Tuesday, Dec 10 and picked up Dec 24.  On Christmas Eve (is it ok to be relieved that China does have a Christmas holiday??) we will officially be waiting for our Travel Approval!!  

So, blah, blah, blah... There is still a SMALL chance that we could travel in January, but if we don't make it before the CNY holiday it will be the 1st week of February.  in about 6-8 weeks we WILL be in China!!!! WAHOOOO!!