Sweet Cali
6 years ago
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Hyatt Hong Kong Playground-Fond Memories
Tonight, from our hotel room, I snapped a picture of a playground that holds very fond memories. When adopting Sterling, 5 years ago, we traveled through Hong Kong on our way home. Sterling was this very withdrawn, scared and frightened little boy. We took him to this playground, in hopes of having fun together as a family. Poor little Sterling was so scared and frightened, that he didn't find the fun in it all. It's amazing to have watched a real transformation in Sterling. 5 years later and he is this vibrant, full of life little boy who possess a deep compassion for others. While we still have a long ways to go with Sterling we are in awe in how far he has come!
Picture of the playground from our hotel room on the 19th floor!
A Taste of Home
We were thankful to come upon a "Subway Sandwich, earlier today! It's the simple pleasures that we appreciate when traveling. At home, it's not very often we eat at a Subway's but when your miles away from home and miles away from familiar foods, Subway is a small piece of heaven!
Tonight, we gear up for tomorrow's travels. We leave the hotel at 10:45 am for the airport. Next stop is Beijing! We will be in Beijing for 2 very short days, arriving Thursday early evening and depart on Saturday mid day. Then on to Jinan to be joined with Ezekiel Ming the following day, Sunday. He will be brought to our hotel room!!!! 4 days and counting!
Tonight, we gear up for tomorrow's travels. We leave the hotel at 10:45 am for the airport. Next stop is Beijing! We will be in Beijing for 2 very short days, arriving Thursday early evening and depart on Saturday mid day. Then on to Jinan to be joined with Ezekiel Ming the following day, Sunday. He will be brought to our hotel room!!!! 4 days and counting!
Made It To Hong Kong!
NOTE TO ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, WAITING TO TRAVEL: The In-China flight was HOT! As I recall from all our prior adoption trips, they have most always been warm. Something to keep in mind.
We landed Hong Kong after a 4 hour 45 minute flight from Tokyo! A total airtime of 18 hours plus some odd minutes but once you hit 18 hours, the minutes don't really count, it's still a long time inside the confines of an airplane. The total trip time, from the moment we left our house at 8:00 am Sunday morning, until we arrived Hong Kong was a travel time of 25 hours. We are thankful to have made the trip safe and sound with no challenges! Praise God! We appreciate all the prayers that have been prayed on our behalf.
We received impeccable service at the Hong Kong Airport, thanks to the Grand Hyatt and thanks to all of Earl's business travel, we had enough Hyatt points to receive 3 nights at the Grand Hyatt for free and in an Executive level hotel room. Very blessed! If it had not been for the Hyatt Points, covering the cost of our hotel, we would not have had the great service at the airport or a nice hotel room during our initial stay in China.
The Grand Hyatt had a representative at the Jet terminal, as we exited the plane! Yes, they managed to gain access beyond security to be waiting for us and to provide us personal escort service from the terminal to immigration, waited as we passed through immigration and then escorted us to the baggage claim. Saved us a load of time and stress!! We were very impressed with their door to door service. Literally! From the doors of the airplane to the doors of the hotel.
Earl made these arrangements NOT our agency. We used Hyatt points and did not want to pay for lodging in Hong Kong. Thank you to all the prayers! It's obvious they have really carried us throughout the preparation and thus far into our travels. We 've had great service, no challenges and safe flights! Thank you for the prayers. Please keep them coming!
We landed Hong Kong after a 4 hour 45 minute flight from Tokyo! A total airtime of 18 hours plus some odd minutes but once you hit 18 hours, the minutes don't really count, it's still a long time inside the confines of an airplane. The total trip time, from the moment we left our house at 8:00 am Sunday morning, until we arrived Hong Kong was a travel time of 25 hours. We are thankful to have made the trip safe and sound with no challenges! Praise God! We appreciate all the prayers that have been prayed on our behalf.
We received impeccable service at the Hong Kong Airport, thanks to the Grand Hyatt and thanks to all of Earl's business travel, we had enough Hyatt points to receive 3 nights at the Grand Hyatt for free and in an Executive level hotel room. Very blessed! If it had not been for the Hyatt Points, covering the cost of our hotel, we would not have had the great service at the airport or a nice hotel room during our initial stay in China.
The Grand Hyatt had a representative at the Jet terminal, as we exited the plane! Yes, they managed to gain access beyond security to be waiting for us and to provide us personal escort service from the terminal to immigration, waited as we passed through immigration and then escorted us to the baggage claim. Saved us a load of time and stress!! We were very impressed with their door to door service. Literally! From the doors of the airplane to the doors of the hotel.
Earl made these arrangements NOT our agency. We used Hyatt points and did not want to pay for lodging in Hong Kong. Thank you to all the prayers! It's obvious they have really carried us throughout the preparation and thus far into our travels. We 've had great service, no challenges and safe flights! Thank you for the prayers. Please keep them coming!
We Made It To Tokyo
We made it! It was a very long trip but we made it safe and sound!
WORD TO THOSE ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, WAITING TO TRAVEL: The international flights are very cold! I recommend wearing warm clothing and bring a light weight jacket. My son and I dressed in a warm up and still, we were cold. The airline did provide a light weight blanket but without our warm clothing, it still would have been cold.
Our first stop was The Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan. Flight time was 13 hours 11 minutes. Fortunately, Sterling and I had bulk head and Earl had exit row. This allowed leg room for all but especially for Earl, who is 6'4". We were not so lucky on the Tokyo to Hong Kong flight.
We had a 3 hour lay-over at the Narita Airport. We don't mind lay-overs at the Narita Airport, as it is an incredible airport with a level of cleanliness, you don't see very often. Think 5 star hotel back in the states. That describes it best. Very modern, classy and clean. We appreciate the Japanese culture and their attention to cleanliness and friendliness.
We enjoy our lay overs in Tokyo, because we have access to the ANA Airline Club. This club is relaxing, peaceful, clean and the food is great! It allows us to stretch our legs, get a bit to eat and have access to soft drinks. All free! A nice place to be when passing 3 hours of time. Very thankful to Earl's million mile status on United Airlines. All the business travel does have perks!
Sterling did well on the long flight but he misses Arabella very much! We all do. He is also very anxious to get Ming and to play with his new brother. He was exhausted by the time we reached to Narita Airport. He did not sleep one bit on the long flight from home. By the time we reached the Narita Airport, he had been awake for a solid 21 hours. He did fall asleep at the airport and sleep throughout the flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong.
WORD TO THOSE ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, WAITING TO TRAVEL: The international flights are very cold! I recommend wearing warm clothing and bring a light weight jacket. My son and I dressed in a warm up and still, we were cold. The airline did provide a light weight blanket but without our warm clothing, it still would have been cold.
Our first stop was The Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan. Flight time was 13 hours 11 minutes. Fortunately, Sterling and I had bulk head and Earl had exit row. This allowed leg room for all but especially for Earl, who is 6'4". We were not so lucky on the Tokyo to Hong Kong flight.
We had a 3 hour lay-over at the Narita Airport. We don't mind lay-overs at the Narita Airport, as it is an incredible airport with a level of cleanliness, you don't see very often. Think 5 star hotel back in the states. That describes it best. Very modern, classy and clean. We appreciate the Japanese culture and their attention to cleanliness and friendliness.
We enjoy our lay overs in Tokyo, because we have access to the ANA Airline Club. This club is relaxing, peaceful, clean and the food is great! It allows us to stretch our legs, get a bit to eat and have access to soft drinks. All free! A nice place to be when passing 3 hours of time. Very thankful to Earl's million mile status on United Airlines. All the business travel does have perks!
Sterling did well on the long flight but he misses Arabella very much! We all do. He is also very anxious to get Ming and to play with his new brother. He was exhausted by the time we reached to Narita Airport. He did not sleep one bit on the long flight from home. By the time we reached the Narita Airport, he had been awake for a solid 21 hours. He did fall asleep at the airport and sleep throughout the flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Testing, Testing: Testing Email to Blogger
Good Morning,
I am attempting to blog via our email account. This is a test message.
Bon Voyage!
I am attempting to blog via our email account. This is a test message.
Bon Voyage!
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Words of Wisdom for Families New to Adoption
My primary bit of advice, before travel, before receiving your TA (travel approval) or your CA (consulate appointment) make time for a date night!!! Schedule as many date nights as possible before receiving your travel approval because once you have TA, the crazy train begins!
My husband and I have been extremely busy, running in different directions in preparation of the boys coming and trying to keep up with the kids schedule and our work, that we never took the time to schedule a date night. It's been a LONG TIME since we had a date night and it will be a lot longer before we have that luxury, again. Keep in mind, when your child(ren) come home, it's a whole new world of transition and finding a new sense of normalcy within your family. It's not an overnight fix. It takes time, effort and probably a few tears along the way!
Stop, right now and schedule a date night! You'll be glad you did........take it from someone who is having regrets for not doing this before our lives became increasingly CRAZY! You may think there is plenty of time, as you near the end of your journey but I'm here to tell you, time flies!!!
Okay.....these are my simple words of wisdom!
My husband and I have been extremely busy, running in different directions in preparation of the boys coming and trying to keep up with the kids schedule and our work, that we never took the time to schedule a date night. It's been a LONG TIME since we had a date night and it will be a lot longer before we have that luxury, again. Keep in mind, when your child(ren) come home, it's a whole new world of transition and finding a new sense of normalcy within your family. It's not an overnight fix. It takes time, effort and probably a few tears along the way!
Stop, right now and schedule a date night! You'll be glad you did........take it from someone who is having regrets for not doing this before our lives became increasingly CRAZY! You may think there is plenty of time, as you near the end of your journey but I'm here to tell you, time flies!!!
Okay.....these are my simple words of wisdom!
Ming's Orphanage Connects & 3 Days We leave!
Wow, it's been a busy, busy day!!! 3 days we board the plane and only 2 more days to prepare. Have I started packing? NO! I've been monopolized by work but today was my last meeting and now, I'm 100% focusing on our trip to China, bringing our boys home and packing!!
We received a "friend request" from Ming's orphanage, so obviously we downloaded QQ correctly and provided the necessary information for them to find us! We are ready for tomorrow night at 8:00 pm when we will be meeting our boy!!!! Let's hope I can figure out how to translate our conversations or else, a lot of big smiles will have to do!!!
Exhausted but filled with joy that we are this close to traveling and bringing our boys home!!!!
3 days and counting!!!!
We received a "friend request" from Ming's orphanage, so obviously we downloaded QQ correctly and provided the necessary information for them to find us! We are ready for tomorrow night at 8:00 pm when we will be meeting our boy!!!! Let's hope I can figure out how to translate our conversations or else, a lot of big smiles will have to do!!!
Exhausted but filled with joy that we are this close to traveling and bringing our boys home!!!!
3 days and counting!!!!
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Care Packages for Waiting Children & Waiting Parents
I want to share a great resource that is available while you wait to bring your child home and that is, "The Care Package Service." These services prove invaluable to waiting parents!
Care Package Services can be a bridge between you and your child, during the long wait to be joined as a family. They offer a variety of services. To name a few:
1. They can call the orphanage and ask questions on your behalf. Questions, such as measurements of your child, specifics you may want to know about your child (toilet trained, do they attend school, are they walking and the list goes on) The service our family uses will allow 10 questions and typically, most orphanages will provide updated pictures of your child.
It's pure heaven to wake up to new pictures of your child and answered questions!!!
Now, I also must include that not all orphanages will respond and some may answer questions but not provide pictures or vice versa. There is never a guarantee but the care package service that I use, has a list of orphanages that typically don't respond or orphanages that are not allowed to respond.
2. You can send snacks or gifts to your child, via the care package service.
I must add that there are orphanages that will not give the gifts to your child. There are orphanages that will store the gifts away and you may or may not get the gift back, when you pick up the child. It's never a guarantee.
3. You can send a cake to your child! This my friend, is a REAL treat to the children in the orphanage. Children rarely if ever, receive treats like this in the orphanage, unless an adoptive parent sends one to their child. When you send a cake, it is shared with your child and some of the other children in the orphanage. This is also a sure way to receive pictures! See, the ayis like cake, the children like cake and the ayi's (aunties in the orphanage) want you to continue sending yummy cakes, so they send pictures to show that yes, your child received the cake.
This is a personal favorite! We love to send cakes to our children during the wait. The pictures received have always been happy, smiling children enjoying their special but rare treat!
I want to personally recommend the care package service, "Ladybugs N Love." Kelly, the owner is an adoptive mother herself and Angela, her contact in China, has a true heart for these children. Angela is a true ANGEL! These ladies are both strong advocates for the children in China.
I encourage you to contact Ladybugs N Love and see how they can help you "connect" with your child through pictures and/or videos! It's a real treat to a waiting parent!
http://ladybugsnlove.com/
PS: I receive nothing in return for this post. My objective was simply to share with other adoptive parents who may not realize this is an option.
Care Package Services can be a bridge between you and your child, during the long wait to be joined as a family. They offer a variety of services. To name a few:
1. They can call the orphanage and ask questions on your behalf. Questions, such as measurements of your child, specifics you may want to know about your child (toilet trained, do they attend school, are they walking and the list goes on) The service our family uses will allow 10 questions and typically, most orphanages will provide updated pictures of your child.
It's pure heaven to wake up to new pictures of your child and answered questions!!!
Now, I also must include that not all orphanages will respond and some may answer questions but not provide pictures or vice versa. There is never a guarantee but the care package service that I use, has a list of orphanages that typically don't respond or orphanages that are not allowed to respond.
2. You can send snacks or gifts to your child, via the care package service.
I must add that there are orphanages that will not give the gifts to your child. There are orphanages that will store the gifts away and you may or may not get the gift back, when you pick up the child. It's never a guarantee.
3. You can send a cake to your child! This my friend, is a REAL treat to the children in the orphanage. Children rarely if ever, receive treats like this in the orphanage, unless an adoptive parent sends one to their child. When you send a cake, it is shared with your child and some of the other children in the orphanage. This is also a sure way to receive pictures! See, the ayis like cake, the children like cake and the ayi's (aunties in the orphanage) want you to continue sending yummy cakes, so they send pictures to show that yes, your child received the cake.
This is a personal favorite! We love to send cakes to our children during the wait. The pictures received have always been happy, smiling children enjoying their special but rare treat!
I want to personally recommend the care package service, "Ladybugs N Love." Kelly, the owner is an adoptive mother herself and Angela, her contact in China, has a true heart for these children. Angela is a true ANGEL! These ladies are both strong advocates for the children in China.
I encourage you to contact Ladybugs N Love and see how they can help you "connect" with your child through pictures and/or videos! It's a real treat to a waiting parent!
http://ladybugsnlove.com/
PS: I receive nothing in return for this post. My objective was simply to share with other adoptive parents who may not realize this is an option.
QQ is Downloaded on the Computer!!
OKAY! QQ is downloaded on the computer, with much hesitation, as I've heard all the horror stories of how many computers have crashed due to the many viruses that QQ seems to cause. Once we visit with Ming, the plan is to remove it from the computer, completely. Hopefully, by keeping it for only 48 hours, it won't cause any computer failures. Fingers crossed!!!
We are excited to meet Ming ahead of our travels and hopefully, ease some of his anxieties. His entire world is about to the shaken to the core...he is going to be joined with "strangers" he has never met, have experiences with these strangers that he has never experienced, like riding in a plane, eating new foods, learning a new language, learning a new culture, new expectations, learning about family and what it means, learning about unconditional love, learning how to be a son, a brother and the list goes on! Stop for a moment and think....what if you were forced to leave with a stranger that spoke an entirely different language, ate different foods, and you would never be able to eat the same exact foods you had grown accustomed to, new smells, new customs, new expectations.....I think you get the message. It's a lot for anyone to process, much less a child. While this call won't answer all of Ming's questions or promise to build trust with us, we do hope that it takes the edge off his anxieties.
AND- Ming had three very close friends in the orphanage. These 4 boys have been friends for years. Well, 2 of the boys have been adopted and are here in the states with their families. We want to tell Ming that we are in contact with them. It's great that all four of the boys have families!! These four boys spent years together in the same orphanage. As of last month, all 4 boys have families and 2 of them are now home, Ming will be joined with us in 2 weeks and the last precious boy, well his family is currently in the paper chase stage! Such a blessing that we all found one another and can ensure these boys remain, life long friends! Thank you, Laura Jean Lofy for believing in our boys, loving our boys, advocating for our boys & for bringing us, together!!!
Friday night is the BIG night!!! Saturday morning, China time.
We are excited to meet Ming ahead of our travels and hopefully, ease some of his anxieties. His entire world is about to the shaken to the core...he is going to be joined with "strangers" he has never met, have experiences with these strangers that he has never experienced, like riding in a plane, eating new foods, learning a new language, learning a new culture, new expectations, learning about family and what it means, learning about unconditional love, learning how to be a son, a brother and the list goes on! Stop for a moment and think....what if you were forced to leave with a stranger that spoke an entirely different language, ate different foods, and you would never be able to eat the same exact foods you had grown accustomed to, new smells, new customs, new expectations.....I think you get the message. It's a lot for anyone to process, much less a child. While this call won't answer all of Ming's questions or promise to build trust with us, we do hope that it takes the edge off his anxieties.
AND- Ming had three very close friends in the orphanage. These 4 boys have been friends for years. Well, 2 of the boys have been adopted and are here in the states with their families. We want to tell Ming that we are in contact with them. It's great that all four of the boys have families!! These four boys spent years together in the same orphanage. As of last month, all 4 boys have families and 2 of them are now home, Ming will be joined with us in 2 weeks and the last precious boy, well his family is currently in the paper chase stage! Such a blessing that we all found one another and can ensure these boys remain, life long friends! Thank you, Laura Jean Lofy for believing in our boys, loving our boys, advocating for our boys & for bringing us, together!!!
Friday night is the BIG night!!! Saturday morning, China time.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Ming Update-Our Hearts Are Filled With Joy!!
Friends, God works in many amazing ways and he seems to catch us off-guard and at just the right time, he will send mercy, grace and encouragement through others that I like to call, angels!!!
My day started out with very sweet Facebook friends sending messages of encouragement & prayers! Friends who understand the journey of adoption and who understand the trials and tribulations we've been dealing with these last weeks before travel. Real angels that while I've never met in person, I consider them to be allies and dear friends!
The first news of joy, I can't go into all the details but we have a situation resolved that was causing much pressure and stress these last few days and were leaving many unanswered questions. I'll provide the details at a later time but friends, we are praising God for BIG ANSWERED prayers!! Thank you to all our dear friends who kept us in their prayers and who shared their personal experiences with us, it truly helped!
The second joy for today is that we received updated pictures & information on our boy, Ming!! He is our 9 year old son, who currently lives in the Shandong Province at the Linyi Orphanage. As it turns out his measurements are very close to Sterling's measurements!!! Sterling and Ming are virtual twins! (virtual twins-as they like to call it in the world of adoption) Both boys are the same age and birthday's are 3 months apart. Ming is 60 lbs--so is Sterling! Ming is 4'10" which is a bit shorter than Sterling but was to be expected, given Ming has a severe curve in his spine.
Ming is described as an extrovert, a kind & caring boy who likes to remain clean. (LOL, sounds like these boys are more like twins than just their birthday, Sterling is the definition of clean-he can't stand to get dirty & Sterling is very caring toward others, especially younger children)
We are told that Ming attends school, outside the orphanage! This was a great joy, as most orphans are not allowed the "privilege" of an education and if they have any education, it's limited to attending school within the orphanage, which isn't the best option for any child. Now, we are wondering if he speaks or understands any English. Typically, in China, the schools start to teach English at a very young age. That would be a super plus! Arabella came home with a small amount of English.
WE ALSO GET TO MEET OUR BOY ON SATURDAY MORNING!!! YEP, THIS SATURDAY MORNING we get to communicate with him via the computer!!! YEA!! Now, I must learn how to set up a QQ account (Chinese Version of Facebook) or a Whechat. I haven't a clue as to Whechat. Not sure what that is.
We are excited for this rare opportunity!! It's not often that parents have this opportunity to "meet" their children ahead of time! I leave you with the 2 pictures that we received today:
FRIENDS, WE LEAVE FOR CHINA IN 5 DAYS!!!
"I will not leave you as an orphan, I will come for you." John 14:18
He is such a CUTE kid!!!!!!!!
My day started out with very sweet Facebook friends sending messages of encouragement & prayers! Friends who understand the journey of adoption and who understand the trials and tribulations we've been dealing with these last weeks before travel. Real angels that while I've never met in person, I consider them to be allies and dear friends!
The first news of joy, I can't go into all the details but we have a situation resolved that was causing much pressure and stress these last few days and were leaving many unanswered questions. I'll provide the details at a later time but friends, we are praising God for BIG ANSWERED prayers!! Thank you to all our dear friends who kept us in their prayers and who shared their personal experiences with us, it truly helped!
The second joy for today is that we received updated pictures & information on our boy, Ming!! He is our 9 year old son, who currently lives in the Shandong Province at the Linyi Orphanage. As it turns out his measurements are very close to Sterling's measurements!!! Sterling and Ming are virtual twins! (virtual twins-as they like to call it in the world of adoption) Both boys are the same age and birthday's are 3 months apart. Ming is 60 lbs--so is Sterling! Ming is 4'10" which is a bit shorter than Sterling but was to be expected, given Ming has a severe curve in his spine.
Ming is described as an extrovert, a kind & caring boy who likes to remain clean. (LOL, sounds like these boys are more like twins than just their birthday, Sterling is the definition of clean-he can't stand to get dirty & Sterling is very caring toward others, especially younger children)
We are told that Ming attends school, outside the orphanage! This was a great joy, as most orphans are not allowed the "privilege" of an education and if they have any education, it's limited to attending school within the orphanage, which isn't the best option for any child. Now, we are wondering if he speaks or understands any English. Typically, in China, the schools start to teach English at a very young age. That would be a super plus! Arabella came home with a small amount of English.
WE ALSO GET TO MEET OUR BOY ON SATURDAY MORNING!!! YEP, THIS SATURDAY MORNING we get to communicate with him via the computer!!! YEA!! Now, I must learn how to set up a QQ account (Chinese Version of Facebook) or a Whechat. I haven't a clue as to Whechat. Not sure what that is.
We are excited for this rare opportunity!! It's not often that parents have this opportunity to "meet" their children ahead of time! I leave you with the 2 pictures that we received today:
FRIENDS, WE LEAVE FOR CHINA IN 5 DAYS!!!
"I will not leave you as an orphan, I will come for you." John 14:18
He is such a CUTE kid!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Guide Fees In China-May 2015
Today we received our fees for the guides in China. We've been asking for these prices since early on in our adoption but the agency told us, these fees are not available until a few days before you travel. Well, now we know why! These fees are outrageous...and after polling other China adoptive parents on Facebook, we received confirmation, these rates are way out of the ballpark!
We made it very clear with our agency that we are on a tight budget, we are not doing any sightseeing, not visiting the orphanage, not doing anything that will cost us extra money. We only wanted the basic package, adoption related business only, period; the end.
Our agency came back to say, we must pay for a guide and driver, every day we are in the province, regardless if we use them or not! (we've never had this with our prior 3 adoption trips)
Let me make this very clear--these charges are ONLY guide & driver. It. The end. No, it does not include hotel, planes, trains or boats.
We are to pay a total of $4,000.00 for guide & driver fees in China.
Here's the break down:
Transportation: $100.00 per day in each province, regardless if we use the driver 1 day or 5 days, we are required to pay for every day we are in province.
Extra $1200.00 ($400.00 per province) if we want driver to pick us up at the airport and drive us to the airport.
Guide Fee: We must pay $100.00 every day we are in province, regardless if they are doing adoption business on our behalf or sightseeing around town, because remember, we are only using them for adoption business. This is our 4th adoption trip, we don't require hand-holding through China.
Let's just say, those who have walked this journey, totally understand the level of stress involved just prior to travel and to have an agency adding to the stress, is even more crazy! Especially since adoptive parents pay a wealth of money to these agencies. It's crazy!
We've come up with some back up plans and Earl plans to contact the agency tomorrow. This is more that we paid for our international plane tickets for 5 people!
We can't wait for the next 11 days to pass so that we can put this all behind us, board the plane and concentrate solely on bringing our boys home!! That will be sweet victory!!!
We made it very clear with our agency that we are on a tight budget, we are not doing any sightseeing, not visiting the orphanage, not doing anything that will cost us extra money. We only wanted the basic package, adoption related business only, period; the end.
Our agency came back to say, we must pay for a guide and driver, every day we are in the province, regardless if we use them or not! (we've never had this with our prior 3 adoption trips)
Let me make this very clear--these charges are ONLY guide & driver. It. The end. No, it does not include hotel, planes, trains or boats.
We are to pay a total of $4,000.00 for guide & driver fees in China.
Here's the break down:
Transportation: $100.00 per day in each province, regardless if we use the driver 1 day or 5 days, we are required to pay for every day we are in province.
Extra $1200.00 ($400.00 per province) if we want driver to pick us up at the airport and drive us to the airport.
Guide Fee: We must pay $100.00 every day we are in province, regardless if they are doing adoption business on our behalf or sightseeing around town, because remember, we are only using them for adoption business. This is our 4th adoption trip, we don't require hand-holding through China.
Let's just say, those who have walked this journey, totally understand the level of stress involved just prior to travel and to have an agency adding to the stress, is even more crazy! Especially since adoptive parents pay a wealth of money to these agencies. It's crazy!
We've come up with some back up plans and Earl plans to contact the agency tomorrow. This is more that we paid for our international plane tickets for 5 people!
We can't wait for the next 11 days to pass so that we can put this all behind us, board the plane and concentrate solely on bringing our boys home!! That will be sweet victory!!!
11 Days & Counting!
It's hard to believe that we are 11 days from traveling!!!!
We have travel plans in place, thanks to Earl's great efforts and time! We have the planes, trains and automobiles all in place and hotels are reserved!
We depart Houston, traveling to Hong Kong with a plane change in Tokyo, Japan. We like the Narita airport, it's large, clean and has great club accommodations for United One Pass Holders. Since Earl has been traveling international for 20+ years, he recently reached the million-mile travel status, which gives he and I both, gold status with United Airlines for life. This allows us access to the United Club in Tokyo, Japan. It's very nice! Relaxing couches, chairs and tables with free beverages, snack foods (including sushi, as I remember) and showers, if you want to freshen up before your next flight. It's large and allows us, as a family, to stretch out and relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the airport. A real blessing from all his years of travel....and current travels. :-)
We depart Tokyo for Hong Kong, China. We land in Hong Kong as oppose to Guangzhou, due to the Trade Fair taking place in Guangzhou. The Trade Fair has flights highly priced. It was more economical to arrive and depart from Hong Kong, than to pay the higher rates for Guangzhou. Even including the extra leg of travel required to get from Guangzhou (our final stopping place for the adoption) back to Hong Kong. Our international flight tickets were remarkably priced at $3,900. 00 for 5 people. That my friend, is a true blessing! We must watch every single dollar spent.
We land in Hong Kong and plan to spend a couple of days, adjusting to the time difference and taking advantage of a free hotel stay! Thanks to Earl's Hyatt Reward points from recent business trips, he earned us 3 free nights in Hong Kong before jetting off to Beijing. We'd much rather spend the extra time in Hong Kong with the free hotel nights, than spending extra money for a hotel in Beijing. We plan to visit a beautiful small zoo that is located on the side of a beautiful mountain. It's a public park and zoo, all in one and the best part, it's FREE! We visited this zoo when returning home with Sterling. It holds very fond memories!
We depart Hong Kong and arrive in Beijing, China! We will be in Beijing A couple of days. Our reason for the quick stop is to allow for a visit to Bethel-Love Is Blind Project. Bethel is an AMAZING privately owned foster home to orphans who are blind. THEY.ARE.AMAZING!! Both Bethel and the children! Bethel provides these precious children, exposure, family style living, an education and life long skills for independent living. A precious French couple started Bethel about 11 years ago and it has grown into a true ministry in China for children with blindness. Bethel not only provides great support and care to the orphans in their foster care, but they have stretched the boundaries and are providing support to parents in China who have children with vision issues or blindness. Something that is not currently provided in China. Bethel is the first of its kind. Bethel's mission is to show the people of China, that individuals with blindness can live an independent life, with intervention and the right guidance and education! They are a true blessing to families in China. A remarkable story took place very recently at Bethel. Bethel had taken in a precious foster baby who was an orphan with blindness. As it turns out, the birth family of this baby stepped forward and the baby girl is now living with her birth parents and Bethel has committed to helping this family through their community outreach programs. A true miracle! We are working to schedule a visit to Bethel.
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO CHECK THEM OUT. I PROMISE, IT WILL ADD JOY TO YOUR DAY TO SEE ALL THE AMAZING CHILDREN AND THE WORK BETHEL IS DOING WITH THEM:
https://www.bethelchina.org/home/
We depart Beijing by train and arrive in Jinan, the city where we are to be joined with Ming. We are required to spend a week in Ming's province. It's going to be tricky here and we need prayers. We have learned that Ming's province is SLOW at processing the passport and has delayed families up to a week during their trip. YEP, families have had to change their flights, trains and a whole lot of other important appointments for this reason. However, other families didn't experience problems because their agency was on top of it and notified the province ahead of time to start the paperwork process for the passports. Our agency hasn't been very helpful, so we are concerned how this visit in Jinan may turn out. We are doing all that we can to encourage/convince/reach out to our agency for help but unfortunately, we don't have a lot of faith in this agency. Let's just say, once they received final payment, the customer service aspect has dropped off...almost completely. Please keep this in your prayers.
We depart Jinan by plane and arrive Guiyang. Guiyang is where we are to be joined with Eli. Once again, we must remain in his province for a solid week, then we take a very late night flight to Shenzhen, arrive Shenzhen and take a car service to Guangzhou. Friends, we are going to need lots of prayers for this one! We will not arrive Guangzhou until way in the night. Our boys will be exhausted AND we all must wake very early on Saturday for the medical appointment. We will all be exhausted. Let's just say, according to our agency, we had no choice but to travel all night to be in GZ early Saturday morning. Which seems so strange because we didn't have these same requirements with our prior 3 adoption trips!
Once we complete our adoption business in Guangzhou, we'll be free to return home!!!!
Our return flight home:
Guangzhou to Hong Kong
Hong Kong to Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo to San Fran
San Fran to Houston
11 days and counting!!!!
We have travel plans in place, thanks to Earl's great efforts and time! We have the planes, trains and automobiles all in place and hotels are reserved!
We depart Houston, traveling to Hong Kong with a plane change in Tokyo, Japan. We like the Narita airport, it's large, clean and has great club accommodations for United One Pass Holders. Since Earl has been traveling international for 20+ years, he recently reached the million-mile travel status, which gives he and I both, gold status with United Airlines for life. This allows us access to the United Club in Tokyo, Japan. It's very nice! Relaxing couches, chairs and tables with free beverages, snack foods (including sushi, as I remember) and showers, if you want to freshen up before your next flight. It's large and allows us, as a family, to stretch out and relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the airport. A real blessing from all his years of travel....and current travels. :-)
We depart Tokyo for Hong Kong, China. We land in Hong Kong as oppose to Guangzhou, due to the Trade Fair taking place in Guangzhou. The Trade Fair has flights highly priced. It was more economical to arrive and depart from Hong Kong, than to pay the higher rates for Guangzhou. Even including the extra leg of travel required to get from Guangzhou (our final stopping place for the adoption) back to Hong Kong. Our international flight tickets were remarkably priced at $3,900. 00 for 5 people. That my friend, is a true blessing! We must watch every single dollar spent.
We land in Hong Kong and plan to spend a couple of days, adjusting to the time difference and taking advantage of a free hotel stay! Thanks to Earl's Hyatt Reward points from recent business trips, he earned us 3 free nights in Hong Kong before jetting off to Beijing. We'd much rather spend the extra time in Hong Kong with the free hotel nights, than spending extra money for a hotel in Beijing. We plan to visit a beautiful small zoo that is located on the side of a beautiful mountain. It's a public park and zoo, all in one and the best part, it's FREE! We visited this zoo when returning home with Sterling. It holds very fond memories!
We depart Hong Kong and arrive in Beijing, China! We will be in Beijing A couple of days. Our reason for the quick stop is to allow for a visit to Bethel-Love Is Blind Project. Bethel is an AMAZING privately owned foster home to orphans who are blind. THEY.ARE.AMAZING!! Both Bethel and the children! Bethel provides these precious children, exposure, family style living, an education and life long skills for independent living. A precious French couple started Bethel about 11 years ago and it has grown into a true ministry in China for children with blindness. Bethel not only provides great support and care to the orphans in their foster care, but they have stretched the boundaries and are providing support to parents in China who have children with vision issues or blindness. Something that is not currently provided in China. Bethel is the first of its kind. Bethel's mission is to show the people of China, that individuals with blindness can live an independent life, with intervention and the right guidance and education! They are a true blessing to families in China. A remarkable story took place very recently at Bethel. Bethel had taken in a precious foster baby who was an orphan with blindness. As it turns out, the birth family of this baby stepped forward and the baby girl is now living with her birth parents and Bethel has committed to helping this family through their community outreach programs. A true miracle! We are working to schedule a visit to Bethel.
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO CHECK THEM OUT. I PROMISE, IT WILL ADD JOY TO YOUR DAY TO SEE ALL THE AMAZING CHILDREN AND THE WORK BETHEL IS DOING WITH THEM:
https://www.bethelchina.org/home/
We depart Beijing by train and arrive in Jinan, the city where we are to be joined with Ming. We are required to spend a week in Ming's province. It's going to be tricky here and we need prayers. We have learned that Ming's province is SLOW at processing the passport and has delayed families up to a week during their trip. YEP, families have had to change their flights, trains and a whole lot of other important appointments for this reason. However, other families didn't experience problems because their agency was on top of it and notified the province ahead of time to start the paperwork process for the passports. Our agency hasn't been very helpful, so we are concerned how this visit in Jinan may turn out. We are doing all that we can to encourage/convince/reach out to our agency for help but unfortunately, we don't have a lot of faith in this agency. Let's just say, once they received final payment, the customer service aspect has dropped off...almost completely. Please keep this in your prayers.
We depart Jinan by plane and arrive Guiyang. Guiyang is where we are to be joined with Eli. Once again, we must remain in his province for a solid week, then we take a very late night flight to Shenzhen, arrive Shenzhen and take a car service to Guangzhou. Friends, we are going to need lots of prayers for this one! We will not arrive Guangzhou until way in the night. Our boys will be exhausted AND we all must wake very early on Saturday for the medical appointment. We will all be exhausted. Let's just say, according to our agency, we had no choice but to travel all night to be in GZ early Saturday morning. Which seems so strange because we didn't have these same requirements with our prior 3 adoption trips!
Once we complete our adoption business in Guangzhou, we'll be free to return home!!!!
Our return flight home:
Guangzhou to Hong Kong
Hong Kong to Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo to San Fran
San Fran to Houston
11 days and counting!!!!
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Planes, Trains & Automobiles!
Our trip is booked, thanks to my amazing husband, who has vested much time and energy into making all the travel arrangements, himself! Yes, he booked every plane, train, automobile and hotel! He is amazing!!! While it was stressful and very time consuming, it will save us a whole lot of money! We must watch every dollar spent. We cannot pay the extra dollars required for our agency to handle the travel arrangements because the cost would have been outrageous....well, international travel is outrageous but we have a vested interest to save money, whereas our agency and their travel agency, books travel without care or concern with the cost.
We spoke early-on with our agency about booking our own travel. While they don't prefer it because ultimately, they lose money, never the less, they agreed and said clients are allowed s to handle their own travel. Well, famous last words...our agency is not making it easy. They are not answering our questions, leaving us sitting and waiting. Fortunately, this is not our first adoption but rather our 4th adoption trip, so the basics we understand but it still is difficult trying to coordinate all that must be done, with our agency not responding to questions---after they made it a point to offer us help if we need it during the planning and booking of our own travel. "Just ask, and we will be happy to help." GET THIS...............when Earl ran into a bit of a challenge and needed to know further details about the trip, he called our agency, because remember, she said, "happy to help if you need assistance, just give me a call," well, Earl did and here was her response, "GUESS YOU SHOULD HAVE ALLOWED US TO BOOK YOUR TRAVEL."
WHAT??!!! We just finished paying them an ungodly amount of money...A LOT of money and NOW THAT YOU HAVE OUR MONEY, YOU'RE GOING TO BE DISRESPECTFUL TO MY HUSBAND!!!!!!!
NOT HAPPY WITH THIS AGENCY, NOT HAPPY AT ALL!!!!!!!!!
NOT ONLY THE DISRESPECT BUT IN ADDITION, GET THIS, THE LADY WITH OUR AGENCY, DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE OF CHINA ADOPTIONS.
We were also informed over the phone, the family DOESN'T go to the Consulate Appointment, only the guide attends on the family's behalf. The family will attend 2 days later when the passport & visas are ready for pick up. WHAT??!!! I'm thinking, she's kidding, right?! She has the message mixed up. I respectfully question her about this....sharing that when we adopted 3 years ago it wasn't this way and asking if something changed. Her reply, no, the family does not attend the consulate appointment and yes, it changed about 3 years ago." I immediately contacted families who were currently in China.
THIS CRAZY!!!!! Yes, the family DOES attend the Consulate Appointment, as that is the swearing ceremony with all the other families who have the same Consulate Appointment and you must show paperwork, sign paperwork, etc. Two days later is when the guide goes by herself to pick up the passports & visas!! So, my guess is that either our case worker is totally overwhelmed and agency understaffed OR something else? Remember agency agreed to allow us to make our own travel arrangements but once we started making the arrangements, attitudes have changed.
Here is an overview of our trip--planes, trains & automobiles!
1. Houston to Tokyo (plane)
2. Tokyo to Hong Kong (plane)
3. Hong Kong to Beijing (plane)
4. Beijing to Jinan (train)
5. Jinan to Guiyang (plane)
6. Guiyan to Shenzhen (plane)
7. Shenzhen to Guangzhou (automobile)
8. Guanzhou to Hong Kong (train)
9. Hong Kong to Tokyo (plane)
10. Tokyo to San Fransisco (plane)
11. San Fran to Houston (plane)
WHEW! A whirlwind of a trip in 27 days!!!!!
BUT, WORTH IT ALL TO BRING OUR BOYS HOME!!!!!!
We spoke early-on with our agency about booking our own travel. While they don't prefer it because ultimately, they lose money, never the less, they agreed and said clients are allowed s to handle their own travel. Well, famous last words...our agency is not making it easy. They are not answering our questions, leaving us sitting and waiting. Fortunately, this is not our first adoption but rather our 4th adoption trip, so the basics we understand but it still is difficult trying to coordinate all that must be done, with our agency not responding to questions---after they made it a point to offer us help if we need it during the planning and booking of our own travel. "Just ask, and we will be happy to help." GET THIS...............when Earl ran into a bit of a challenge and needed to know further details about the trip, he called our agency, because remember, she said, "happy to help if you need assistance, just give me a call," well, Earl did and here was her response, "GUESS YOU SHOULD HAVE ALLOWED US TO BOOK YOUR TRAVEL."
WHAT??!!! We just finished paying them an ungodly amount of money...A LOT of money and NOW THAT YOU HAVE OUR MONEY, YOU'RE GOING TO BE DISRESPECTFUL TO MY HUSBAND!!!!!!!
NOT HAPPY WITH THIS AGENCY, NOT HAPPY AT ALL!!!!!!!!!
NOT ONLY THE DISRESPECT BUT IN ADDITION, GET THIS, THE LADY WITH OUR AGENCY, DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE OF CHINA ADOPTIONS.
We were also informed over the phone, the family DOESN'T go to the Consulate Appointment, only the guide attends on the family's behalf. The family will attend 2 days later when the passport & visas are ready for pick up. WHAT??!!! I'm thinking, she's kidding, right?! She has the message mixed up. I respectfully question her about this....sharing that when we adopted 3 years ago it wasn't this way and asking if something changed. Her reply, no, the family does not attend the consulate appointment and yes, it changed about 3 years ago." I immediately contacted families who were currently in China.
THIS CRAZY!!!!! Yes, the family DOES attend the Consulate Appointment, as that is the swearing ceremony with all the other families who have the same Consulate Appointment and you must show paperwork, sign paperwork, etc. Two days later is when the guide goes by herself to pick up the passports & visas!! So, my guess is that either our case worker is totally overwhelmed and agency understaffed OR something else? Remember agency agreed to allow us to make our own travel arrangements but once we started making the arrangements, attitudes have changed.
Here is an overview of our trip--planes, trains & automobiles!
1. Houston to Tokyo (plane)
2. Tokyo to Hong Kong (plane)
3. Hong Kong to Beijing (plane)
4. Beijing to Jinan (train)
5. Jinan to Guiyang (plane)
6. Guiyan to Shenzhen (plane)
7. Shenzhen to Guangzhou (automobile)
8. Guanzhou to Hong Kong (train)
9. Hong Kong to Tokyo (plane)
10. Tokyo to San Fransisco (plane)
11. San Fran to Houston (plane)
WHEW! A whirlwind of a trip in 27 days!!!!!
BUT, WORTH IT ALL TO BRING OUR BOYS HOME!!!!!!
Happy Easter!
Well, with all the excitement of upcoming travels to bring Ming & Eli home, we did manage to make time for Sterling & Arabella to spend time with their cousins. We had a nice visit with Uncle Ken & Aunt Christine and their 4 precious nephews! It's always a joy when they come over and the house is so full of energy, acceptance and pure love. These boys have embraced our kiddos since day one of them joining the family!! When the cousins get together, it's a heartfelt evening! All the cousins play like best friends.
Here are a few pictures from our time together. The kids had an Easter egg hunt, with the older teen boys hiding the eggs and the 4 younger ones, finding them. Let me tell you, they wasted no time picking up the eggs. I wasn't able to take very many pictures because they were all so quick! It was a fun filled evening!
Here are a few pictures from our time together. The kids had an Easter egg hunt, with the older teen boys hiding the eggs and the 4 younger ones, finding them. Let me tell you, they wasted no time picking up the eggs. I wasn't able to take very many pictures because they were all so quick! It was a fun filled evening!
14 Days & Counting!
WOW, I sit here tonight, numb & exhausted mixed with total joy & excitement!!!! In 14 days, we will be in route to China!!! WOW, it's been a long wait but finally it's our turn and you'd think after the many, many months of paperwork and waiting, we'd be further along with preparations to travel. But...we're... not.....we've been working non-stop until wee hours of the night and with limited sleep, waking early and going strong all day. We both hope to make up for lost sleep on the two legs it will take to get to China.
I've spent every waking hour doing nothing but preparing for my leave of absence at school which includes but not limited to, lesson planning through end of year, preparing folders on each of my students, paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork. Until I have everything in proper order at school, there is no concentration or time spent for the upcoming travels. Literally, hours upon hours have been spent lesson planning but finally, I'm beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel!! YEA!! I love my students as if they were my own children, each and every one of them, so I'm taking great lengths to ensure they are in good hands with my peers who are taking over for me through end of the school year and today, I decided to start my FMLA a two days earlier than originally planned. Original plans were to work through the Friday before we travel, but now, I've decided to make that Wednesday, my last day. This will allow me 3 days (Thursday-Saturday) for all those last minute needs, ensuring all is in order for Ms. Winnie, who is coming to stay at our house to care for Arabella during our absence and other bits of business that must be handled prior to leaving.
Okay, I have managed to find a bit of time here and there to shop for Eli! Hello Carter's, my new best friend! They always have a sale (or this woman isn't purchasing) and are always sending coupons via email, so between the great sales and a 25% off coupon, we've really gotten some great deals!!!! I'm packing plenty of clothes for this little guy!!! We even have a couple of the cutest swimsuits ever!!!!
Check out some of the outfits we have for Eli! Can't wait to see him all decked out in these!!!
We plan to try the Moby Wrap on Eli, in hopes that just maybe it will help with his comfort level and also help with the bonding phase. I wish we had known/thought about this with Sterling's adoption. I think it would have helped him greatly. Look forward to trying it out on Eli. Eli is tiny, weighing only 25 lbs and 33 inches, so he should be a good size for using this to carry him. Oh, I can't wait to love on this precious baby boy!!!!!! BUT, I can't wait to love on Ming either!!! WOW, two boys at one time.....I won't know what to do with myself!!!! LOVE THESE BOYS!!
Exhaustion, panic, sleepless nights...it doesn't matter, in 14 days we are on the plane, headed to China! It's a great day to be alive!!!!!!
Please continue to pray for our boys as their world is about to be turned upside down.......
I've spent every waking hour doing nothing but preparing for my leave of absence at school which includes but not limited to, lesson planning through end of year, preparing folders on each of my students, paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork. Until I have everything in proper order at school, there is no concentration or time spent for the upcoming travels. Literally, hours upon hours have been spent lesson planning but finally, I'm beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel!! YEA!! I love my students as if they were my own children, each and every one of them, so I'm taking great lengths to ensure they are in good hands with my peers who are taking over for me through end of the school year and today, I decided to start my FMLA a two days earlier than originally planned. Original plans were to work through the Friday before we travel, but now, I've decided to make that Wednesday, my last day. This will allow me 3 days (Thursday-Saturday) for all those last minute needs, ensuring all is in order for Ms. Winnie, who is coming to stay at our house to care for Arabella during our absence and other bits of business that must be handled prior to leaving.
Okay, I have managed to find a bit of time here and there to shop for Eli! Hello Carter's, my new best friend! They always have a sale (or this woman isn't purchasing) and are always sending coupons via email, so between the great sales and a 25% off coupon, we've really gotten some great deals!!!! I'm packing plenty of clothes for this little guy!!! We even have a couple of the cutest swimsuits ever!!!!
Check out some of the outfits we have for Eli! Can't wait to see him all decked out in these!!!
We plan to try the Moby Wrap on Eli, in hopes that just maybe it will help with his comfort level and also help with the bonding phase. I wish we had known/thought about this with Sterling's adoption. I think it would have helped him greatly. Look forward to trying it out on Eli. Eli is tiny, weighing only 25 lbs and 33 inches, so he should be a good size for using this to carry him. Oh, I can't wait to love on this precious baby boy!!!!!! BUT, I can't wait to love on Ming either!!! WOW, two boys at one time.....I won't know what to do with myself!!!! LOVE THESE BOYS!!
Exhaustion, panic, sleepless nights...it doesn't matter, in 14 days we are on the plane, headed to China! It's a great day to be alive!!!!!!
Please continue to pray for our boys as their world is about to be turned upside down.......
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Our Story Behind Adopting 2 at Once
We've been asked repeatedly about adopting 2 boys at once and while it was not initially in the plans, it is now!! We are over joyed and our hearts are filled with anticipation to bring home 2 precious boys at the same time!! We feel truly blessed!!
We are currently in the final stretch before traveling to China to bring our sons/brothers home!
Our boys are 3 years old and 9 years old and while they aren’t brothers just yet, they will be in a few short weeks! We started this journey in May of 2013, when finding our son Elijah. Due to the financial strain that international adoption can bring, we only had thoughts of adopting one boy, until we came upon the picture and story of sweet Ming.
Ming is a 9 year old boy who has lived within the confines of an orphanage since he was about 1 year old. Ming has a severe medical condition that requires a delicate life- saving surgery. A surgery that cannot be performed in China but is available here in the states. In addition to Ming having a delicate medical condition, he is considered hard to place, with very limited chances of finding a forever family, simply for the fact he is an older boy.
When it comes to China adoptions, families desire girls over boys. The mere fact that Ming is a boy, puts him in the “hard to place” category; then, when you add the fact he is an older child, (because most families desire younger children) and compound that with a severe medical condition, his chances for a family are greatly reduced. Ming has the triple whammy, being a boy, being an older boy and having a severe medical condition.
We were touched by his story and felt the Lord nudging at our hearts. His story was real, it was urgent and the fact that an American Expact took a vested interest in Ming and had been actively advocating for him for two solid years, with no family stepping forward, touched our hearts and convicted us to do something. The more we prayed the more assured we felt that we were Ming's family. We had no idea where the extra funds would come from but knew that we must take a leap of faith and step forward for this child.
And this is how we were led to adopt 2 children, as oppose to only a single adoption.
John 14:18 "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come for you
Bringing The Boys Home--A Song Sums It Up
Music has always been a strong passion of mine, a favorite way to pass time, a mood enhancer, a lift to the day, a motivator, a pick-me-up...you name it! I really, really, really enjoy music from most all genres, with my favorites being Christian, Classical, Country and Pop. Today, I heard a song that has summed up my feelings for the past 23 months about Eli & Ming and when hearing it on the radio today, I immediately went to thoughts of our boys!
This particular song, is heard quite often on the television and radio, in ads. The tune has always caught my attention but I had idea of the words associated with it....until today.
HOME by Phillip Phillips
Just know you're not alone
'Cause I'm going to make this place your home
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
This particular song, is heard quite often on the television and radio, in ads. The tune has always caught my attention but I had idea of the words associated with it....until today.
HOME by Phillip Phillips
Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you're not alone
'Cause I'm going to make this place your home
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
'Cause I'm going to make this place your home
'Cause I'm going to make this place your home
Exactly 3 weeks and 1 day, we will be in route to China to bring our boys home!
John 14:18 "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come for you."
Psalms 127:3 "sons are a heritage from the lord."
Psalms 127:3 "sons are a heritage from the lord."
Thursday, April 2, 2015
International Flights-BOOKED!
We are another step closer to our boys! I didn't get a chance to post on the blog before now and a lot has transpired over the past 48 hours but first, I want to post the happy news, the news that brings a big 'ole smile to my face. We have international flights-BOOKED!!!
Yes, you read correct, we have flights booked from the US to China! Once we received word on Tuesday that our consulate appointment was confirmed, that very evening, Tuesday night, we searched out flights. We had been watching flights and at that time, prices were escalating and availability was shrinking, but, God really sent a blessing on Tuesday night!
We had been watching prices that ranged from $968.00 (with very limited availability) to 1,200.00 up to over $2,000.00 per person. Well, Tuesday night, God blessed us abundantly!! The first search turned up NOTHING, no availability for the dates and locations. After continuing to search, Earl on one computer and I on another, we made adjustments to our arrival plans (moving it from Guangzhou to Hong Kong) and BINGO, we found flights....get ready, the blessings God allowed us will blow you away......adult tickets: $638.00, Sterling's ticket $550.00 and for Eli & Ming, since they are a one-way ticket, their rates were $900.00 each!! We are both in complete and total shock to have found these excellent fares!!!! Earl immediately got on the phone with United and booked the flights. 5 people total traveling from US to China for a grand total of $3,945.70!!! Praise God for this great blessing! Believe me, these are unbelievable prices but legitimate and true! For those of you who may be wondering, we booked directly with United.
We will land in Hong Kong, by way of Tokyo, Japan. The Narita airport is very nice and since Earl has status with United, we will have access to the airline club. The airline club is a place with comfortable seating, snacks, soft drinks & water are provided and it's a quiet area to be out of the hustle and bustle of the airport. It has brought is great comfort in the past, when returning home from China with new family members. This time around, with 2 new family members, it will be nice to have a spot to relax together as a family that is quiet and comfortable.
While events that transpired today do not bring happy thoughts, I wanted to post our happy news before sharing the struggles. And by now, you've seen that Sterling is traveling with us. Our plans were to leave both Sterling and Arabella at home with our sweet, kindhearted Winnie but due to some unforeseen circumstances, he is now coming with us. Arabella will remain at home and sweet Winnie will move in for the time we are gone. At times like this, it helps to have law enforcement as neighbors!
I'll close for now but stay tuned for continued postings as we continue to move closer to bringing our boys home!!
Yes, you read correct, we have flights booked from the US to China! Once we received word on Tuesday that our consulate appointment was confirmed, that very evening, Tuesday night, we searched out flights. We had been watching flights and at that time, prices were escalating and availability was shrinking, but, God really sent a blessing on Tuesday night!
We had been watching prices that ranged from $968.00 (with very limited availability) to 1,200.00 up to over $2,000.00 per person. Well, Tuesday night, God blessed us abundantly!! The first search turned up NOTHING, no availability for the dates and locations. After continuing to search, Earl on one computer and I on another, we made adjustments to our arrival plans (moving it from Guangzhou to Hong Kong) and BINGO, we found flights....get ready, the blessings God allowed us will blow you away......adult tickets: $638.00, Sterling's ticket $550.00 and for Eli & Ming, since they are a one-way ticket, their rates were $900.00 each!! We are both in complete and total shock to have found these excellent fares!!!! Earl immediately got on the phone with United and booked the flights. 5 people total traveling from US to China for a grand total of $3,945.70!!! Praise God for this great blessing! Believe me, these are unbelievable prices but legitimate and true! For those of you who may be wondering, we booked directly with United.
We will land in Hong Kong, by way of Tokyo, Japan. The Narita airport is very nice and since Earl has status with United, we will have access to the airline club. The airline club is a place with comfortable seating, snacks, soft drinks & water are provided and it's a quiet area to be out of the hustle and bustle of the airport. It has brought is great comfort in the past, when returning home from China with new family members. This time around, with 2 new family members, it will be nice to have a spot to relax together as a family that is quiet and comfortable.
While events that transpired today do not bring happy thoughts, I wanted to post our happy news before sharing the struggles. And by now, you've seen that Sterling is traveling with us. Our plans were to leave both Sterling and Arabella at home with our sweet, kindhearted Winnie but due to some unforeseen circumstances, he is now coming with us. Arabella will remain at home and sweet Winnie will move in for the time we are gone. At times like this, it helps to have law enforcement as neighbors!
I'll close for now but stay tuned for continued postings as we continue to move closer to bringing our boys home!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Consulate Appointment Confirmed!!
The Moore's are definitely headed to China!!!
After an 8 day wait, we finally received confirmation of our Consulate Appointment!!! This is the final step prior to booking travel. 8 days was a long wait. We're not sure what happened but we do know our agency appears to be well understaffed and under-organized. With all other 3 adoptions, we had Consulate Appointment within 24-48 hours. Unfortunately, our agency didn't even request our CA (Consulate Appointment) until last Thursday, 3 days AFTER receiving the Travel Approval. Very frustrating but very happy to finally have our confirmation.
For those who may not be familiar with International Adoption from China, all families adopting from China must pass through Guangzhou, China where the American Consulate is located. They will finalize our adoption and process the boys visas and provide us the "brown" envelope.
The brown envelope is sealed and is NOT to be opened by the family. These envelopes are to remain with us, throughout the travels home. Once we arrive to US soil, we present these envelopes to immigration who will open the envelope, ask us questions and verify we brought the boys home. This paperwork kicks off the process for their Certificate of Citizenship that will be completed.
Our Consulate Appointment is confirmed for May 19!
Such a joy!!!!!
We are now working toward booking flights, international & inner country within China, trains and automobiles. Yep, trains, planes and automobiles!!!
So excited yet so overwhelmed with all that is to be done, prior to travels!
After an 8 day wait, we finally received confirmation of our Consulate Appointment!!! This is the final step prior to booking travel. 8 days was a long wait. We're not sure what happened but we do know our agency appears to be well understaffed and under-organized. With all other 3 adoptions, we had Consulate Appointment within 24-48 hours. Unfortunately, our agency didn't even request our CA (Consulate Appointment) until last Thursday, 3 days AFTER receiving the Travel Approval. Very frustrating but very happy to finally have our confirmation.
For those who may not be familiar with International Adoption from China, all families adopting from China must pass through Guangzhou, China where the American Consulate is located. They will finalize our adoption and process the boys visas and provide us the "brown" envelope.
The brown envelope is sealed and is NOT to be opened by the family. These envelopes are to remain with us, throughout the travels home. Once we arrive to US soil, we present these envelopes to immigration who will open the envelope, ask us questions and verify we brought the boys home. This paperwork kicks off the process for their Certificate of Citizenship that will be completed.
Our Consulate Appointment is confirmed for May 19!
Such a joy!!!!!
We are now working toward booking flights, international & inner country within China, trains and automobiles. Yep, trains, planes and automobiles!!!
So excited yet so overwhelmed with all that is to be done, prior to travels!
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