Fill Their Stockings

In a few more days this link will be up and running for this year.  There are three amazing women who are responsible for Fill Their Stockings.  They ran this last year and it was fantastic.  Everyday there are items that you can win.  If you want to be entered in the drawing they ask for a donation.  Last year it was $5.  They were able to raise $15,000 split between Pearl River Outreach, Half the Sky and An Orphans Wish.  These are all charities that do great work in China.  Our son Christopher is in an orphanage that has Half the Sky programs.  He is receiving great care because of the support of Half the Sky.  They are having the first give away on November 12th.  This will link you to Ni Hao Y'all Stephanie's blog.  From there you can get to Lisa and Diana's blogs that are also participating.  Check it out on the 12th they have really great prizes.

Post a photo

Hi I think I have it figured out. I only have a few photos right now.

Testing posting from IPad

Hi all I am just trying out posting from my IPad.  I am not taking the computer this time around I am trying to travel a little lighter.  Now I have to figure out how to post photos

Single Digits

It is almost time to go to China!  I am officially in the single digits for wait time.  Eight more days and my dad and I will be on our way!  I am closer to being ready.  I have washed Christopher's clothes.  I still need to wash the bedding.  I am almost ready to pack all of my clothes.  I want to set them aside so I don't have to wash anything last minute.  We have gone over all of the paperwork and are ready to go!  We have our medicine kit ready to go.  We are waiting on a few prescriptions to have with us just in case we need them.  It will be fun trying to pack everything while staying within the weight limits for luggage(44 lbs for checked and 11 lbs for carryon).  I can't wait to get going!

I just received my In Country Itinerary today.
11/15  dad and I leave for China
11/16 We arrive in Beijing
11/17 Tour the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tian An Men Square
11/18 Fly to Guangzhou
11/19 GOTCHA DAY.  We get Christopher XiaoHu at 2:30 in the afternoon
11/20 Go to Civil Affairs Office to finalize adoption
11/21 Go to police station to apply for Christopher's passport
11/22 Children's Visa photos, medical examination and TB test
11/23 Site seeing tour of Yuexiu Park
11/25 Site seeing tour to Chen Family Temple
11/26 Pick up Christopher's passport
11/27 Site seeing tour to YunTai Park
11/28 Appointment at the American Consulate and Oath Taking Ceremony
11/29 Guide picks up Christopher's passport with Immigrant Visa.
          We take train to Hong Kong
11/30 Fly home through Chicago.

As you can see we are going to be very busy while we are in China.  Please pray that we have a safe trip and that Christopher will adjust well.  His world is going to be turned upside down.  I can't imagine how scared he is going to feel.  Please also pray for Xuelian she is really stressing over me leaving.

Halloween

Well Halloween was different this year.  Sandy caused our area to reschedule trick or treating for Saturday.  It also caused the school celebration to be moved to Friday.  Xuelian's school has the younger kids dress up as Saints and tell a little about their Saint.  Xuelian was St. Kateri Tekakwitha.  She came home all excited because there were about 20 St Kateri Tekakwitha's.  She is a newly canonized Saint.  She was canonized about a week before Halloween.  She looked great in her costume.  She has the perfect hair for braids. Unfortunately one was off kilter when I took pictures so it is hard to see.  I fixed it but didn't have time for more pics.

 On Friday there was also Family Fun Night at school.  Xuelian had a great time.  They had games, raffles, snacks and dancing.  It was fun to watch the whole school dance including most of the teenage boys.  Our school has classes from preschool all the way through high school.  It was fun to watch the kids but very loud.  I did win a hand crocheted throw for our bed.  It is beautiful is had 3D flowers crocheted onto it.  We had a great time talking with friends and making some new ones.
Saturday was trick or treating and Xuelian couldn't wait.  She was so excited she kept talking about the butterflies in her tummy.  In the afternoon we carved our pumpkins.  I have some great pictures of her squishing the pumpkin guts.

 She thought this was great!

Here they are with their finished jack-o-lanterns

Then before we knew it the time to trick or treat had come.  Tim took Xuelian out with her friend Katie and her dad and I stayed home to hand out candy.

 Xuelian was Princess Peach from Mario Brothers

Xuelian and Katie at the house across the street.

She sure brought home a lot of loot.  She is going to be sugared up for some time to come.  I need to hide the candy so I can control it better.  I was surprised that we had so few kids this year.  I thought they would be out in full force.  Tim did say he thought they were being lazy.  He said there were a ton on the main street but they skipped our side streets.  When I was a kid we were the first ones out and the last home.  You never skipped a house.  Then again candy was a treat so we were willing to work for it.  I am just glad she had a good time.

National Adoption Month

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH
There are millions of children in this world who need a family.  Here are a few who have found their families.  Is adoption in your future or maybe sponsoring a child through the many great organizations out there like Love Without Boundaries.

Things people say to Transracial Families???

I have heard most of these things over the last few years.  I really hate the "real children" remarks.  We are a real family.  Last time I checked no one in my family was imaginary.  Any how I like the video it shows how truly out of touch some people are.