From the cold and smog in China

Pat is napping so I thought I'd post again since tomorrow is Gotcha Day, and it might be kinda crazy. The weather is so cold and wet we haven't ventured too far. We went to a grocery store and a walk--crossed two streets and didn't get killed! This afternoon we each got a massage--my back and butt are still achy from the flights. I'm feeling better but her thumbs were pretty deep so I might be miserable tomorrow.

Out our window (we're on the 31st floor) we see many rooftops. On one of them, you'll never guess this, is a jungle gym for little kids! I suppose there's no other place to put it, but are kids safe on rooftops here?!

The other two families will be here in about an hour. The cribs are already up in the rooms!! Cassidy's stuff is unpacked, now I just need her.

Hopefully the weather will improve (or at least warm up a little) so we can enjoy some sites while we're here. Pat is quite the international traveler; if it wasn't for her, I'd probably still be sitting in Japan!

It's nice to have a break from work, but I sure do miss Emily and our pets (and my soft bed...beds here are rock hard).

Pray for healthy babies who won't be too traumitized by all of the changes tomorrow!

After a good nights sleep

Greetings from Changsha where it's cloudy and rainy! I slept great--until 3:30, but feel much better since talking to Emily. She's doing great; how fortunate I am to have such good friends. In my exhaustion last night, I locked my money in the safe and screwed up the code so am locked out lol oh well, what's $8600?!

Our liason, Vicky, speaks great English. She said there are very few babies in the orphanage--fewer babies are being abadoned and more domestic adoptions. Tomorrow at 10am we get the babies at the Civil Affairs building (that's 8pm Sunday night in MN)!!! A mere twenty-four hours away!!! Then on Wed and Thursday we have two half day tours. The orphanage is 4.5 hours away; Vicky said we can go if we want and if the babies are doing ok. I'll see what the other families think.

Stayed tuned for Gotcha!!

My butt hurts

Trying to leave Minnesota in a snow storm is never wise...because you end up sitting in the plane for five hours without even leaving the ground! Yes it's true. Pat and I didn't leave Minneapolis until 6pm. I barely got any sleep. Of course we missed not only our connecting flight but the flight after that. NWA put us up for the night in a hotel, I was up until midnight rebooking flights, etc

Japan Air Lines is the way to fly. New planes, lotsa leg room, and everyone gets their own tv screen. The other families will be in tomorrow afternoon. I'm exhausted and after supper and hitting the hay.

I forgot to pack a picture of Emily; can anyone email me one that I email you to profpayeeofmn@yahoo.com? It's really hard without her. Seeing little kids makes me miss her more.

OH so we finally get into Changsha a couple hours ago and there's no one there to take us to the hotel. Everyone smokes (if half the people of China quick smoking, I think their polution problem might be licked). We're looking for our ride and are about to take a taxi 40 minutes when we see a guy running with a sign so Pat follows him. Thanks to him, we found our driver!! She had just found out about our flight changes.

Emily, if you're reading this, I love and miss you. What a lucky little girl Cassidy will be to have you for a big sister.

More later; I gotta get some sleep

Suitcase Diet

Quick message before leaving. Good news! My last trip to China, my suitcase was a whopping 96 pounds...I just weighed mine, fearing it felt heavy; it's only 55 pounds!

Here I come Cassidy!!

Less than 24 hours

So much to do. So little time. But I do have my underwear packed! "The Biggest Snow of the Season" was the headlines I just read...then quickly changed websites! Guess it makes me even happier that I'm leaving--and very excited....for a NAP tomorrow afternoon on the plane. I love love love naps but have them so seldom. Very exciting.

Emily finally melted down. She's been so smiley and excited. Tonight she started crying, "What if you love her more..." Hopefully the reassurance will last. A couple friends recommended, "The Kissing Hand." Perfect book for the occasion.

Hopefully the Advil has kicked in so my back will last the rest of packing and hauling baby toys upstairs (doubtful I'll have the energy to do it after returning!!) The other two families are already in China; we'll be meeting up, I believe, on March 1...and March 2 is Gotcha! Unbelievable!

See you on the other side of the world!
Derrinda

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break."-ancient Chinese proverb

One week to go

Manic, racing thoughts, grossly unorganized. Sounds like I'm having a mental breakdown doesn't it? Na, I'm struggling to get everything done before I leave for China next Thursday. In one mere week, I will be flying over the ocean, almost to China. Unbelievable. This seemingly unending journey started 6/05, 3.5 year ago and is finally coming to an end, yet just beginning at the same time.

This trip feels much different than the trip to get Emily, who will be six 3/25. This time, if something goes wrong, Emily will be left, and the thought of that is heartbreaking. So I will say no more, just ask for prayers.

Cassidy Lauren-Faith-WenBo was born 6/11 08 in Chenzhou, Hunan China. At four months, she weights twelve pounds, compared to Emily, who at ten months, weighed fifteen. That and the chubby cheeks staring back at me, make me conclude she's a little chunk! And bald as a cue ball! lol Yet I get lost in those beautiful brown eyes.

Returning to diapers and babyfood with Emily so independent is hard to imagine. Friends think I'm nuts. I wouldn't change it for the world. She will complete my family. Forever she will be my youngest daughter and Emily's little sister. Although the wait was unbearable at times, I believe she was the baby meant for our family.