Beijing - Sightseeing (Day 1)

We had a very busy day yesterday sightseeing and shopping!  The day started with a pretty good breakfast bar at the hotel, but I think Allie is going to lose some weight on this trip, she not adventurous at all when it comes to trying new foods!  We left the hotel and visited Tiananmen Square, this is the political center of China.  The kids got to feel what it was like to be movie stars.  Everyone was looking at them and taking pictures of them. Especially Allie because of her fair skin and blue eyes. We even had people stop and put there child with Allie and take pictures. It was fun, but Allie got a big head. Everyone kept saying how pretty and handsome they were! 

Then we went to the Forbidden City.  It is amazing how large it was and the way culture that went on during the Royal dynasties. We learned a lot!  The oohing and ahhhing over the kids continued.

After that we headed to lunch at a Chinese restaurant. It was pretty good for everyone except Allie, who ate hardly anything.  After lunch we went to the pearl factory, there are many types of pearls here in China. I got both Allie and Sarah a set (necklace, bracket and earrings) that we will wait and give to them when they are older (graduation or marriage or something like that).   After the pearl shop we visited Summer Palace, this is a garden like area that was built for the royal family many years ago.

After the Summer Palace we visited the silk factory, where I have to admit I got a little carried away!!  We got the girls some authentic silk dresses and pajamas. I also got a silk duvet cover and sheets.

We attended an authentic tea ceremony which we very cool. So proud of Mitchell, he tried all of them. He has also been pretty adventurous with trying new  things. Our guide has been great making sure we get nothing with nuts in them!  We then visited the Birds Nest (where the 2008 Beijing Olympics were held). 

After the tea and Bird's Nest we headed to dinner Peking Duck. I did not try the duck, but Jerry said was only ok. Again most of us ate pretty well, except poor Allie who was exhausted by this point and did not eat anything except the ice cream our sweet guide Sherry got her! 

 We returned to the hotel around 7:30 and the kids were asleep by 7:45 and us by 8:00. It was a very long day, but a good one!!  It is currently 6:30 am and the kids are still asleep, thank you Lord, they so needed the rest. We are going to attend an International church service today, visit the Jade factory, lunch and then the Great Wall of China.

 Thank you for all the prayers, we can really feel them. We are so blessed to be here and just can't believe that we will have Sarah tomorrow!!  It's unbelievable!

In Beijing!!

We made it to Beijing!!  The kids were a little worried on the second flight (as it was storming and they could see lighting in the background), but once we were up and going they were good.  The flight while very long - was really good.  I think the kids slept 4 to 5 hours, watched several movies and played games.  Thanks for all the prayers!

Our guide, Sherry, seems very nice.  It is currently around 1am here so we are in our room, settled and trying to get the kids to go back to sleep.  We have a very busy day tomorrow of touring so we will take TONS of pictures and get some loaded up tomorrow (or I guess officially later today for us) - LOL!

When we got off the plane Mitchell asked if we were going to get Sarah now?  How sweet, they are so excited.

Our Itinerary

 

Thursday, 5/3 – Depart from Charlotte

Friday, 5/4 – Arrive in Beijing, China!!!

Saturday, 5/5 – Beijing Sightseeing (Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City)

Sunday, 5/6 – International Church Service & Great Wall of China

Monday, 5/7 – Fly to Guangzhou and meet Sarah – GOTCHA DAY!!!

Tuesday, 5/8 – Civil Affairs Appointment

Wednesday, 5/9 – Adoption Appointments & Sightseeing

Thursday, 5/10 – Adoption Appointments & Sightseeing

Friday, 5/11 – Adoption Appointments & Sightseeing

Saturday, 5/12 – Sarah’s US Medical Exam (am) and then Consulate paperwork (for Monday)

Sunday, 5/13 – Free Day

Monday, 5/14 – Consulate Appointment (Oath–Taking Ceremony)

Tuesday, 5/15 – Pick up Visa and head out to Hong Kong

Wednesday, 5/16 – Flight Home!!

I can’t believe how close we are!  A lot to do to get ready, but so excited that I will be on a plane in 3 days and have a new daughter in 7 days!!

:-) God grace is good!!

We have final dates and we are going to be able to travel next week!!! YEAH!!  I am so happy, I think Jerry was looking forward to having a couple extra days, but I was NOT!

We are looking to leave on Thurs. 5/3 and return on Wed. 5/16.  Flights have gotten crazy expensive, but just praying the travel agency will be able to find some good deals.

We have 6 days to get ready - but I am always up for a good challenge! 

Monday, May 7th will be "Gotcha Day" - the day we get Sarah!!

Thanks for all the prayers, yesterday was not a good day - in many ways, but God's grace is new everyday and I am so thankful for that!

:-(

We still have not been able to finalize travel plans. The US Consulate was not able to give us an appt on 5/15, which is what we needed. Our agency has sent the expedite request to see if they can work us in, however if not we will have to wait until 5/10. I know that is only a week, but at this point in the adoption every day the wait is so hard. We will know more tomorrow. Keep us in your prayers. Thanks!!

We have Travel Approval!! YEAH!!

Got the call this morning that we have received our travel approval. So excited!! We are planning to travel with another from AWAA (our agency) on May 3rd. We can't book anything until we have our Consulate appointment, hoping we will have that tomorrow morning so we can get on with travel arrangements. 9 days - I can't believe how much I still have to do in just 9 days! But I just can't wait to go get our sweet little girl.

Where is the TA??? The wait is driving me CRAZY!!

We were expecting our TA (Travel Approval)this week, but did not get it! Talked with the agency and they said it had been mailed and we should get it on Monday or Tuesday. Once we receive it our agency will be able to request a consulate appointment. We are still very hopeful to travel with the May 3rd group. Since we are expedited we are hopeful that even if the appointments are full they will be able to work us in.

The wait has been extremely hard, just knowing we are so close, 12 days to be exact (not that I'm counting - haha!!!).

Please continue to keep Sarah in your prayers, that she will remain stable with her heart condition and she is being prepared to meet us.