Thanks be to God, for He gives us the victory through Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:57
Thanksgiving will always hold a special place in our family and have an extra special meaning.
It was Thanksgiving Day, 2009 when as a family, we shared our first Thanksgiving with Sterling! The very same day, we received approval from China (PA) to move forward with the adoption of our beautiful daughter, Miao!
Now, fast forward exactly one year-Thanksgiving 2010 and we are departing on Thanksgiving day for Guangzhou, China to bring our beautiful daughter home!
Yes, Thanksgiving will always be a blessed time for our family!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Giving Thanks-Celebrating Thanksgiving
We Have Much To Be Thankful!!
This weekend has been non-stop, but today, we set aside a couple of hours to celebrate Thanksgiving as a family. Last year, we celebrated Thanksgiving in Nanjing, China and this year, we will be in-flight to Guangzhou, so we decided to celebrate early! Justin and Elizabeth joined us making the day complete. We were together as a family and have much to be thankful.
This weekend has been non-stop, but today, we set aside a couple of hours to celebrate Thanksgiving as a family. Last year, we celebrated Thanksgiving in Nanjing, China and this year, we will be in-flight to Guangzhou, so we decided to celebrate early! Justin and Elizabeth joined us making the day complete. We were together as a family and have much to be thankful.
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| Thanksgiving-Luby's Style! |
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| Sterling's 1st Thanksgiving at Home |
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| Sterling & Dad having fun! |
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Big Brother & Elizabeth |
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Our Boys-25 & almost 5!  |
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| Christmas Angel |
Saturday, November 20, 2010
A Whirlwind Week!
It's All Coming Together!
Sorry we haven't posted. It's been a whirlwind week and obstacles trying to slow us down.
We received word on Monday morning at 11:25 that our TA reached the adoption agency. By Tuesday morning, had confirmation of our consulate appointment, (ie: US Consulate Appointment or better known as CA) and flights by lunch time!!!!
Earl was on the phone with Continental booking flights by lunch time Tuesday. After 2 hours and 40 minutes later, (yes, no exaggeration) our flights were booked! Earl had proactively reserved a hotel room several weeks ago, so it was only a matter of confirming the exact dates with the hotel.
China has several events taking place that are causing hotel rooms to book quickly. We didn't want to be forced to delay our travel should the TA arrive during one of the events, so Earl proactively reserved a hotel room for several weeks.
We are booked at the Hyatt in Guangzhou...not on Shamian Island. We didn't want to pay the astronomical prices and sleep on hard beds at the White Swan and besides, we prefer to be at a Western based hotel and Earl has elite status at the Hyatt, given all the business travel he has done to China. The Hyatt was a better fit for us. Last year when we were in Guangzhou with Sterling's adoption, we were at the Marriott, also off the island and it was only a short taxi drive to Shamian Island. Shamian Island is where the visa photo and medical clinic is located. Most adoptive families prefer to lodge on Shamian Island and at the White Swan or Victory hotel.
We've been working with our agency's travel contact to secure a guide/translator for our adoption related appointments and to schedule time at Miao's orphanage for a visit and a visit to Safari Park. (Safari Park-where one may feed the animals-like baby tigers-and pet them--I'm looking forward to this) We've been going back and forth because the price was MUCH more than we anticipated and the itinerary had extras we didn't want or need and didn't have a couple of items we requested. Long story, short, we are moving forward with our agency's requested guide, removed the "extras" that were added and working behind the scenes to schedule the 2 items we want but not able to schedule with this particular company.
NOTE those adoptive parents reading our blog: be prepared, this part of the adoption isn't discussed very often and when it is, the pricing isn't shared...the estimate our agency provided was WAY off...way off. Any adoptive parent that wants to know more details, we will gladly share! Contact us. Wish we had known this earlier in the process and had not been caught off-guard. Either way, we now have a guide/translator to help get us through the adoption process at the CCAA, The US Consulate and our daugther's passport & visa. YEA!!!!
Blessings to All!
Earl & Sharee
Sorry we haven't posted. It's been a whirlwind week and obstacles trying to slow us down.
We received word on Monday morning at 11:25 that our TA reached the adoption agency. By Tuesday morning, had confirmation of our consulate appointment, (ie: US Consulate Appointment or better known as CA) and flights by lunch time!!!!
Earl was on the phone with Continental booking flights by lunch time Tuesday. After 2 hours and 40 minutes later, (yes, no exaggeration) our flights were booked! Earl had proactively reserved a hotel room several weeks ago, so it was only a matter of confirming the exact dates with the hotel.
China has several events taking place that are causing hotel rooms to book quickly. We didn't want to be forced to delay our travel should the TA arrive during one of the events, so Earl proactively reserved a hotel room for several weeks.
We are booked at the Hyatt in Guangzhou...not on Shamian Island. We didn't want to pay the astronomical prices and sleep on hard beds at the White Swan and besides, we prefer to be at a Western based hotel and Earl has elite status at the Hyatt, given all the business travel he has done to China. The Hyatt was a better fit for us. Last year when we were in Guangzhou with Sterling's adoption, we were at the Marriott, also off the island and it was only a short taxi drive to Shamian Island. Shamian Island is where the visa photo and medical clinic is located. Most adoptive families prefer to lodge on Shamian Island and at the White Swan or Victory hotel.
We've been working with our agency's travel contact to secure a guide/translator for our adoption related appointments and to schedule time at Miao's orphanage for a visit and a visit to Safari Park. (Safari Park-where one may feed the animals-like baby tigers-and pet them--I'm looking forward to this) We've been going back and forth because the price was MUCH more than we anticipated and the itinerary had extras we didn't want or need and didn't have a couple of items we requested. Long story, short, we are moving forward with our agency's requested guide, removed the "extras" that were added and working behind the scenes to schedule the 2 items we want but not able to schedule with this particular company.
NOTE those adoptive parents reading our blog: be prepared, this part of the adoption isn't discussed very often and when it is, the pricing isn't shared...the estimate our agency provided was WAY off...way off. Any adoptive parent that wants to know more details, we will gladly share! Contact us. Wish we had known this earlier in the process and had not been caught off-guard. Either way, we now have a guide/translator to help get us through the adoption process at the CCAA, The US Consulate and our daugther's passport & visa. YEA!!!!
Blessings to All!
Earl & Sharee
Monday, November 15, 2010
TA TODAY!!!!
Isaiah 43:5-I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
Blessings Shower Down
After all the prayers and wait, our TA arrived, TODAY!!!! Our agency received a total of 9 Travel Approvals and multiple LOA's. It was a great start to the week for many families.
One last step before we book travel. The Consulate Appointment or better known as the CA.
We must have a Consulate Appointment before we travel. We requested December 7 or 8 as our first two preferences. If we get one of these appointment dates, we will be flying out either Thanksgiving day or the day after. We are thrilled to be so close to bringing Miao home and home in time for Christmas!!! YEA!!
Blessings Shower Down
After all the prayers and wait, our TA arrived, TODAY!!!! Our agency received a total of 9 Travel Approvals and multiple LOA's. It was a great start to the week for many families.
One last step before we book travel. The Consulate Appointment or better known as the CA.
We must have a Consulate Appointment before we travel. We requested December 7 or 8 as our first two preferences. If we get one of these appointment dates, we will be flying out either Thanksgiving day or the day after. We are thrilled to be so close to bringing Miao home and home in time for Christmas!!! YEA!!
The Polar Express Train Ride
GREAT Way to Kick-Off The Holiday Season!
There is a train ride that runs from Palestine to Rusk, Texas that has runs year around with different themes. This time of year it's the "Polar Express" and it is a fabulous experience for any family!
The theme is the storybook & movie, "The Polar Express." The train ride starts off with hot chocolate and snacks served to everyone. The servers are dressed in chef outfit, just like the movie and they dance around and make the children laugh. Once all snacks are passed out, the story is read over the speaker while children follow along in the book.
The train stops at the North Pole, decorated with lights, Santa and his elves. Santa boards the train and it starts once again for the return ride back to the train station. Santa visits with every child on the train. The train ride is a little over an hour and, I failed to mention, everyone is encouraged to wear their pajamas. Fun, fun, fun!! The return train ride is very festive, with everyone singing Christmas Carols. If you happen to live anywhere in Texas, it's worth the drive! We drove almost 3 hours and we plan to do it again, next year.
Sterling was in HEAVEN throughout the entire ride. He was in complete awe over the train. He has a facination with trains..as with most every little boy. He shrilled with excitement when the train made it's grand entrance, steam, whistle and all!
There is a train ride that runs from Palestine to Rusk, Texas that has runs year around with different themes. This time of year it's the "Polar Express" and it is a fabulous experience for any family!
The theme is the storybook & movie, "The Polar Express." The train ride starts off with hot chocolate and snacks served to everyone. The servers are dressed in chef outfit, just like the movie and they dance around and make the children laugh. Once all snacks are passed out, the story is read over the speaker while children follow along in the book.
The train stops at the North Pole, decorated with lights, Santa and his elves. Santa boards the train and it starts once again for the return ride back to the train station. Santa visits with every child on the train. The train ride is a little over an hour and, I failed to mention, everyone is encouraged to wear their pajamas. Fun, fun, fun!! The return train ride is very festive, with everyone singing Christmas Carols. If you happen to live anywhere in Texas, it's worth the drive! We drove almost 3 hours and we plan to do it again, next year.
Sterling was in HEAVEN throughout the entire ride. He was in complete awe over the train. He has a facination with trains..as with most every little boy. He shrilled with excitement when the train made it's grand entrance, steam, whistle and all!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
ANTICIPATION
Still Waiting for word on our TA
Remember the old ketchup commercial with the kid, waiting for the ketchup to pour from the bottle and it moved ever so slowly, as the song, "anticipation" was playing in the background...well, that's a little of what it's been like this week!!! Ever since learning we have a very strong chance of receiving our TA this week, the days are dragging by.....once the afternoon hits, I begin checking my cell phone repeatedly to ensure I haven't missed "THE" call from our agency. Torture.....complete torture.
I did some detective work this afternoon. I called an international shipping service and asked them how long it would take a letter package to arrive Delaware in the US (our agency's location) from Beijing, China and she quoted us, tomorrow, Thursday, 11/11 by 4:30 pm, providing there's no glitch with customs. So, there's still a chance we will see our TA, this week!! Another bit of hopeful news, other families who are aware their TA is coming in this batch, hasn't received their TA, either. So, the wait continues................
We viewed airline prices tonight to see how close we can book flights without them being astronomically high in price....it appears that even as short as 7 days, we can still manage reasonable prices. Thankfully, this buys us more time to receive our TA and in turn, contact China for our Consulate Appointment.
For those not familiar with China adoptions, it's both the TA and CA that are equally important with regards to travel. One must have TA to travel into China but a family must also have a CA before traveling.
Prayers for our TA & A SPEEDY TURN-AROUND WITH CA!!!
Remember the old ketchup commercial with the kid, waiting for the ketchup to pour from the bottle and it moved ever so slowly, as the song, "anticipation" was playing in the background...well, that's a little of what it's been like this week!!! Ever since learning we have a very strong chance of receiving our TA this week, the days are dragging by.....once the afternoon hits, I begin checking my cell phone repeatedly to ensure I haven't missed "THE" call from our agency. Torture.....complete torture.
I did some detective work this afternoon. I called an international shipping service and asked them how long it would take a letter package to arrive Delaware in the US (our agency's location) from Beijing, China and she quoted us, tomorrow, Thursday, 11/11 by 4:30 pm, providing there's no glitch with customs. So, there's still a chance we will see our TA, this week!! Another bit of hopeful news, other families who are aware their TA is coming in this batch, hasn't received their TA, either. So, the wait continues................
We viewed airline prices tonight to see how close we can book flights without them being astronomically high in price....it appears that even as short as 7 days, we can still manage reasonable prices. Thankfully, this buys us more time to receive our TA and in turn, contact China for our Consulate Appointment.
For those not familiar with China adoptions, it's both the TA and CA that are equally important with regards to travel. One must have TA to travel into China but a family must also have a CA before traveling.
Prayers for our TA & A SPEEDY TURN-AROUND WITH CA!!!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
It's Beginning to Look Alot Like.....
CHRISTMAS & THANKSGIVING!!
Please be in prayer with us as we await our travel approval AND receive confirmation of our consulate appointment that we may travel, the day after Thanksgiving!
As we prayerfully anticipate our travel approval arriving this week, we decided to begin decorating the house for Christmas, so that when we return home with our beautiful daughter, the house will be decorated and ready for Christmas! A first Christmas for both of our children. Sterling was home for Christmas last year, but had only been home a few weeks and was completely overwhelmed and oblivious to anything around him...this year, he will have a much better understanding and is already in awe over the decorations, especially the 12ft Christmas tree! The dinning room table is decorated for Thanksgiving, with a fun, child-like theme but the remainder of the house, looks like Christmas!
Please be in prayer with us as we await our travel approval AND receive confirmation of our consulate appointment that we may travel, the day after Thanksgiving!
Stockings are hung by the chimney with care....
Sterling's Christmas Train
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| Dinning Room Chandelier |
Our 12 Foot Christmas Tree
Indoor Wreath (one on each side of the tree)
Thanksgiving Table
Fun & Playful Place Setting
Mayflower & Turkeys
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