We made it!!!

Hi all,

Just a short post to see if this goes through.  We have tried unsuccessfully a couple of times and will post more if it does.  Lisa

It is finally here!!!

Hard to believe a year and a half ago we started this journey to add a new little girl into our family and it is finally here.  We are about to experience an amazing adventure in a beautiful country...the birth country of our two precious daughters.  As we prepared the house tonight, we did it with the anticipation that when we come home Anya will be in the house, in the toys, at the table and in her room.  How amazing and exciting that will be.  Although we have been waiting with happy anticipation, it will be a bigger struggle for her to leave her foster family and special friend who she is so very attached to.  Anya has already experienced so many changes and challenges in her little life and it may take some time for her to know that this is it...she will have us every hour of every day of every year.  She is bound to teach us all many things and that is why she has been chosen to join our family.

Well, the bags are packed (again and again and again) and they have been weighed in and out...and the extra pounds do not seem to be going away.  I think we are at the point that a few fines for many overweight bags every time we fly will be the way it is.  It will be so worth it bringing many special things along.  We leave early in the morning and arrive in Hong Kong in the middle of the afternoon China time (just in time for us to get some sleep).  We will be thinking of you all back home and will keep our blog updated whenever we can.  

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support and prayers for our new daughter Anya and her foster family and special friend who are such amazing people.  

Signing off from Canada and including a last photo of the BAGS!! 

Lisa and family

What a great class!!!

A fabulous goodbye for Carter

Hi this is Carter .  Thank you so much for the surprise party at school today.  It is very fun looking at the card that you made for me and reading all of the messages that you wrote.  I can't wait until I get to China and I will tell you all about it when I get back.  When I get back I can't wait to show you pictures of my new sister and some things that I bought in China.  I will bring home some Chinese Yuan to show you as well.  From Carter

 

IMMIGRATION IS DONE!!!

Well it was a big day today!  We got a call this afternoon that we were able to get our immigration numbers that we need in order to get our last Ministry document.  What a relief...you would not believe!!!  Thank you to all of you who pulled some strings and for the prayers that made this happen.  Now we can focus on getting the last minute stuff ready, trying to fit everything into the suitcases (that is an ongoing feat) and how exciting life will be when we come home with our new daughter.  The kids are bounding with excitement and keep telling me they can't sleep because they are so excited.  I know Scott and I will sleep well with that immigration number in hand!  Four more sleeps!!!

Beautiful Blankets

Thank you for the beautifully quilted blankets that will be so appreciated by the babies and children in the orphanages.  The rooms can be cold and the children need something warm to snuggle with.  Thought I would have to buy another suitcase to transport them in but check out the great idea (thanks Miranda) of vacuum bags which compress them right down.

Message from Bailey

Hi everyone,

     Five days until we leave!!!!!!  It's so exciting.  With so much to pack and so much to do to get ready for our big trip, our house almost never rests.  I'm so nervous.  My mom and dad have a gazillion suitcases lying around the house and stuff my Mom and Nana have bought for the orphanages everywhere.   Actually my mom is sitting here eating a box of TURTLES wondering what to pack next.   I am looking forward to seeing the Terra-Cotta warriors because last time I was not able to see them and was hoping that one day I could return to China and see them.  I can't wait to climb the Great Wall again, eat some delicious Chinese food and see some amazing animals such as Pandas.   But most of all I can't wait to see my new sister Anya.   Some of Anya's favourite foods are cheese, pancakes and noodles.   She likes playing outside on her tricycle.   She also likes going for walks, playing on swings and with dolls.   Anya's foster family is amazing!!!!!!!  I love my sister Anya!