the Great Wall

Yesterday we visited the Great Wall. It was spectacular. We were joined by our guide Helen and another couple from Atlanta who is also meeting their daughter on Monday. It was so much fun to tour the Wall with them and to share in our excitement over our upcoming adoptions.

I am very blessed because this is actually my second time on the Great Wall. My family and I visited China in 1995 and I was able to see the Wall then. I was even more awe struck this time. I don't know if it is because I am nearly 20 years older or because this is my daughter's country, but the wall was especially inspiring this time. 

We visited a section of the wall called Mutianyu. It is a little further from Beijing and therefore a little less touristy. Also, being November made it less crowded. The fall color was beautiful and the weather was perfect. We took a lift up to the wall and then we rode a toboggan down. It was so much fun. We hope to bring all of the kids back in a few years. 

We also met a fellow Longhorn on the Wall. His name is Tray Allen and he is a former football player. We think he is in town promoting the Arena Football League in China. 

fun on the wall

the fall color was beautiful

We love meeting Longhorns around the world!

we made it!

We've made it to Beijing!  We got in late last night (just as the boys were headed to school in Texas), got a good night of rest and now we are off to the Great Wall.  I was able to take some fun shots on the plane. 

Over the Canadian Rockies

A glacier in Alaska.

Somewhere over Russia

The view from our hotel.

it's the final countdown

Okay, I will stop with the song titles after this one.  We are leaving tomorrow morning.  I STILL can't believe it.  I'm not sure when any of this will feel real.  We are packed and pretty much ready to go.

I have to say that we have the best family, friends and neighbors.  So many people have stepped in to help us or else offered their help.  We feel truly blessed and are so happy that Mae will become part of such an amazing group of people.

I am starting to get very sad about leaving the boys for so long.  We spent one week away from Andrew when he was about 2 and a few nights here and there, but nothing like this.  Being half a world away will be hard.  It makes me feel so much better to know that they will be in great hands with our family!  I know they will have a great couple of weeks.

All that is really left to do is to go over last minute details and try to get a good night sleep (ha!).  Next time I write it should be from China!

leaving on a jet plane...

This time next week we will be hours away from meeting our daughter!  I am still trying to wrap my brain around the whole thing.

This weekend we are making our final preparations in between soccer games, flag football games, Church, parties, haircut appointments and about a half a dozen other things.  Somehow, it will all come together.

We leave on Wednesday the 6th and return on the 22nd.  We will meet Mae on Monday, November 11th.  We will be traveling to Beijing for a few days and then onto Guangzhou, where we will spend the remainder of our trip.  Beijing is colder this time of year, while Guangzhou should be nice and warm.

I am exhausted and still feel like I have a million and one things to do before we leave!

A little girl's room, part 2

We are almost done with her room. I thought I would share the pictures before I forget. I'm really happy about the way it turned out, especially the kitchen.

I can't wait to cook up a storm with her!

It was fun making the art for the room!

The little pelican is in his original spot.

It is so fun to see pink in this closet!

ta!

We got TA (travel approval) yesterday!  We are so excited!  We have been on pins and needles the last week or so waiting for this to come.  Hopefully today or tomorrow we will find out when we can leave for China and then we can book some plane tickets!

an update

No, not on the room, but on Miss Mae!  We got some new pictures and a video from her birthday. We were thrilled to see her amazing smile, but it is making the wait more impossible!  I can't wait to make her giggle!!

Does it get any better than this?