Paul and I are in the Twin Cities trying to get one last good night's rest before we set off to China. Sleep has been elusive the last couple of weeks, but I hear that sounds like parenthood. So this is the Boot Camp before the Real Thing.
Tomorrow, our flight leaves the Minneapolis Airport at 8:55 am. Then to Chicago and then to Beijing. We should arrive in Beijing around 3:30 pm on September 2nd.
We are nervous that we may not have complete some important paperwork, but we are very excited to be FINALLY GOING! There have been a couple of glitches today, so we are hoping the rest is smooth sailing!
Wish us luck! There's no turning back! Parenthood, here we come!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Aaargh!
The word of the day, "AAARGH!"
Today was a productive day, but bumpy, confusing and defeating.
The highlight was that we received our Visas and got our Passports back...ffffffffffffewww. After that, it went down hill and then up and down again. Today, my job was to book the flight. Easy right? WRONG. Because we only have a week before we leave, all the flights were more expensive and less direct.
Our hope was to fly into Beijing and out of Hong Kong. Big negitory! Our hope was to get a flight for under $1500 each (which was the cost two days ago). Guess Not! Our hope was to fly out on September 2nd, but because of my inability to clearly understand my travel agent, we're leaving on the 1st!
I just have to laugh. It is all just so ridiculous!
Today was a productive day, but bumpy, confusing and defeating.
The highlight was that we received our Visas and got our Passports back...ffffffffffffewww. After that, it went down hill and then up and down again. Today, my job was to book the flight. Easy right? WRONG. Because we only have a week before we leave, all the flights were more expensive and less direct.
Our hope was to fly into Beijing and out of Hong Kong. Big negitory! Our hope was to get a flight for under $1500 each (which was the cost two days ago). Guess Not! Our hope was to fly out on September 2nd, but because of my inability to clearly understand my travel agent, we're leaving on the 1st!
I just have to laugh. It is all just so ridiculous!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Travel Approval Is In...Visas Are On The Way!
Well, this is it!
Yesterday, we received our Travel Approval. This is the date in which we meet with the Chinese Consulate to finalize our adoption, September 16th. That means we need to be in China no later than the 5th and we leave for home on the 17th. So, we are leaving on the 2nd! Yes, the 2nd! Only 10 days away! I thought that we would have 3 to 4 weeks to prepare for this trip (we need 3 to 4 weeks to prepare), but no! We get 10 days.
So, I get this information via email. I go out to tell my business partner that I'll be leaving in 10 days, and my heart starts to beat faster and faster! Yep, anxiety attack. I really didn't know that it was possible to feel all these different emotions at one time. Happy. Excited. Scared. Nervous. Stressed. Confused. Afraid. Just down right overwhelmed. How am I going to do this? I know this is good. I know that this is what we were working towards. But its a lot, a lot of emotions, a lot to prepare, a lot to do before we go. But I know this IS good. Traci said it best, "This is 10 days less that Willa will have to wait for you." Yes, I can do this for her. I can do it!
Last night, I kissed Paul and I told him that he only has 10 days left of not being a DAD. 10 days until we are a family. 10 more days until I'm a mom. We've been waiting a long time for this, and deep down never thought it would happen. Hoped but never believed!
Also, our Visas are on their way today. The ball is rolling...fast. One major thing off that TO DO List! I will definitely blogging more often!
Yesterday, we received our Travel Approval. This is the date in which we meet with the Chinese Consulate to finalize our adoption, September 16th. That means we need to be in China no later than the 5th and we leave for home on the 17th. So, we are leaving on the 2nd! Yes, the 2nd! Only 10 days away! I thought that we would have 3 to 4 weeks to prepare for this trip (we need 3 to 4 weeks to prepare), but no! We get 10 days.
So, I get this information via email. I go out to tell my business partner that I'll be leaving in 10 days, and my heart starts to beat faster and faster! Yep, anxiety attack. I really didn't know that it was possible to feel all these different emotions at one time. Happy. Excited. Scared. Nervous. Stressed. Confused. Afraid. Just down right overwhelmed. How am I going to do this? I know this is good. I know that this is what we were working towards. But its a lot, a lot of emotions, a lot to prepare, a lot to do before we go. But I know this IS good. Traci said it best, "This is 10 days less that Willa will have to wait for you." Yes, I can do this for her. I can do it!
Last night, I kissed Paul and I told him that he only has 10 days left of not being a DAD. 10 days until we are a family. 10 more days until I'm a mom. We've been waiting a long time for this, and deep down never thought it would happen. Hoped but never believed!
Also, our Visas are on their way today. The ball is rolling...fast. One major thing off that TO DO List! I will definitely blogging more often!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
There's Never a Right Time or a Wrong Time to have a Baby
We have been waiting for a long time for Willa and there have been many times in the last 4 1/2 years that would have been perfect timing in our lives. But at this time?
Truly, this couldn't have been a worse time. But my friend, Jessica reminded me, " There is never a right time to have a baby, but there is never a wrong time either." This is my new mantra as I struggle to plan a baby's room around my business expansion. Its my mantra as I try to file for Visas, Adam Walsh forms, fingerprints and homestudies, while I'm answering phones and painting. Its my mantra as no money is coming in, but obsene amounts are going out for the agency, Visas, Adam Walsh, plane tickets, and countless other adoption expenses. That is my mantra as we wait impatiently for our Travel Approval (the dates we get to go and get Willa).
And the funny thing is, my thoughts on why its bad timing have completely changed. What once was "Why now?" is now "I just want Willa TODAY!!!!!!" Enough of this messin' around and waiting one second longer, I want to leave for China NOW!
Friday, August 13, 2010
A Beautiful Song
I apologise for the long lull in baby updates! I've been a bit overwhelmed and unfocused. After a few meltdowns and a lot of tears, I am again focused but no less overwhelmed. So where were we? Ahh yes, Yi Xuao Yuan!
Well yes, let me introduce you to our daughter, Willa Song Roos. We received her referral on the cell phone while driving in the Twin Cities during our vacation on July 15th, 2010. We learned her name, some general information on her health, and that she was 13 pounds. It wasn't until we received her picture, the next day, that we started to believe that she was real...started to believe. She was born in Jiangxi Province on January 14th, 2010. She waits for us today, and for the last 7 months. I think of her there all the time.
If there are any doubts about there being a higher power, a guiding hand, a bigger picture (and throughout this 4 1/2 years, I had my doubts), here's some proof. Paul and I had chosen the name Song at least a year ago, and upon receiving the referral, we learned that Willa Song was discovered and saved by a woman named Song Lan Zhi. Yes, definitely meant to be. And yes, Patty. You're right! Willa is meant for us and we had to WAIT all this time for her. Any earlier, it wouldn't have been her. Any earlier, it wouldn't be right. OUR Willa Song. OUR daughter. A strange, but lovely thought!
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