Waiting To Meet Miao

Preparing for a special day


We've been up since very early morning, Earl around 3:00 and myself shortly thereafter. Fortunately, Sterling seems to have had a good night's sleep, even though he woke at 4:00 am, immediately asking to eat. Thankfully, just moments before he woke, daddy had called room service to order food.

Sterling feel asleep around 8:00 pm last night, after a vigorous day of walking, swimming and playing. It was a great day yesterday with time spent on the beautiful island, Shamian Island. We spent about 5 hours relaxing at the Starbucks, walking around, taking pictures and discussing what Miao may be thinking during her last night at the orphanage.

After leaving the island, we returned to the hotel for lunch and to began unpacking Miao's luggage and preparing the room for her arrival. We have a mini-suite (thanks to dad's many travel points) and decided she will sleep in the living area, to allow her privacy, while the rest of us sleeps in the bedroom. Sterling is very happy with a pallet on the floor...funny, even at home, he is known to often get out of his bed and make a pallet on the floor. The kid loves sleeping on the floor.

Once we unpacked Miao's luggage, we all went for a swim at the hotel and believe it or not, on floor 22, Sterling spotted a playground across the street. Once we were done swimming, he continued asking to go play at the playground. Our evening was spent at the playground. The weather was and had been, perfect!

We look toward the day with anticipation! We are starting to decorate the hotel room with the banner and balloons, to welcome her home. We purchased Sterling a shirt on Shamian Island that says "little brother" in Chinese for him to wear today. We also learned last night that a family we've been in close contact with throughout the adoption, who also is adopting a 13 year old daughter from the same orphanage, will also be at the CCAA to meet their daughter. We will all be at the CCAA, together!!

We've seen many blessings throughout this adoption and God continues to show Himself in a mighty way!!! We learned only this morning that our plan for the McDonald's party just may happen!!! A total God thing. Originally, our travel agency said it wasn't possible, our friend attempted through her travel agency and that didn't work out and she also contacted a care package service for assistance and after much time and effort on their part it wasn't working out either.

This morning, as Earl was reading over the schedule for the week, on the day we visit the orphange, it also noted we are going to the local McDonald's for a party with some friends at the orphanage for our daughter. It took us by total surprise, because the original schedule did not list a party and when sending the final schedule, our travel contact stated, "no changes" same schedule as provided earlier. Thank goodness, I brought the party bags just in case something changed. By the grace of God, looks as though it did change!

We are scheduled to meet Miao at 2:30 today, which is 2:30 am Sunday night back home...so, when our family and friends wake on Monday morning, Miao will be in our family!!!