china trip: we've arrived in guangzhou

We've arrived, safe and sound! Just a few tiny hiccups with the Ottawa flight and our guide in Beijing, but that was all quickly forgotten and we are very excited to finally be in Guangzhou! It is 12:30 am, away past my bed time! I just wanted to update the blog in case I don't have time later today! I will try my best though!

We get Lilah at 2:30pm, a small time change that gives us the chance to sleep in one last time! Just 14 more hours to go!

leaving in the morning

Well this is it! We leave early tomorrow morning! The weather is just crazy here today; with a winter storm warning in effect, we're looking forward to a few days in a warmer climate! We are praying that there won't be any delays to our flights due to the snow and freezing rain. Next time you hear from us, we'll be holding our girl! It's truly a miracle.

stocking up

We spent today shopping for last minute items and groceries. The cupboards, freezer, and fridge are now full! We arrive home on Christmas Eve, so one has to prepare for not being able to shop right away! Not to mention, one has to prepare for the event of jet lag and a baby that doesn't know what winter weather feels like! Poor Lilah, I hope she forgives us! Today in Ottawa the weather was -23ºC with the wind chill! She has a nice warm snow suit to make up for it though!

Lilah received this personalized stocking in the mail last week. Thanks so much Joanne - it's absolutely beautiful! Just 3 more sleeps to Lilah, I feel like I'm living in someone else's dream.

1 Samuel 2:1 - And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD

itinerary

We leave Ottawa on Wednesday morning at 9am, and eventually arrive in Guangzhou on Thursday at 11:20pm (after a 1 hour flight, a 15 hour flight and a 3 hour flight, and don't forget the 13 hour-ahead-of-us time difference)! We get Lilah the next morning at 10am. How's that for perfect timing! Here are the details of our daily activities.

Wednesday 10th - Fly to Toronto, Beijing & Guangzhou
Thursday 11th - Arrive in Guangzhou
Friday 12th - *Forever Family Day* / Apply for Lilah's Passport
Saturday 13th - Shopping
Sunday 14th - Site Seeing
Monday 15th - Security Bureau
Tuesday 16th - Free Day
Wednesday 17th - Get Lilah's Passport / Fly to Beijing
Thursday 18th - Apply for Lilah's Visa / Paperwork
Friday 19th - Visit The Great Wall
Saturday 20th - Visit Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City
Sunday 21st - Shopping
Monday 22nd - Free Day / Arranged Dinner
Tuesday 23rd - Get Lilah's Visa / Fly to Toronto & Ottawa

last day of work - for a while

Today was our last day at work for a while. We have both decided to take time off with Lilah together. Colin is taking a few months and I am taking a few years off, all being well. We have already missed 18 months of her precious little life, so I think it goes without saying that we want to spend as much time as possible with our little girl.

I must admit, leaving work was emotional for me. I really enjoy my job and routine, however I also know that I will love spending time with Lilah. The fun is about to begin, just one more week to go and Lilah will be our daughter, legally!

I spent the past week opening gifts and hugging co-workers. I am absolutely in awe of the generosity and kindness that was shown towards our family by co-workers and friends. They have all shown a genuine interest and love for our daughter and she will certainly be blessed to know each one of them. Here's a photo of one of the gifts we received. I just love the words, they are so true.

Your beauty has captured our attention
but it's you who has captured our hearts

travel approval

Our notice to travel (travel approval) arrived today, along with our itinerary. Wow, it looks like we're in for a very busy time in China! I will post all about it in the next few days!

eighteen months old today

You're a year and a half old today Lilah Grace. Many preparations are being made for us to meet you in thirteen days! We already feel like we know you, God has knit our little family together and we couldn't be happier. We love you so very much.

2 Peter 1:4 - Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises

new forever family day

If I heard the voice message correct, (left by our travel co-ordinator today), we are getting our little Lilah three days earlier than we expected! Yippeee! It seems because of the 'rushed trip' we will be getting Lilah on Friday 12th December, not Monday 15th December like we were initially told. Oh the excitement of it all! Two weeks tomorrow Lilah will be in our arms!

it's all about the memories

We picked up the camcorder for our trip tonight. We'll both have to practice using it a bit as we've never used one before. I'll admit, I'm not nearly as fond of movies as I am of photos! Colin is officially in charge of it; he has been voted director, writer and editor. He just doesn't know it yet!

pink is the new black in our house

Anyone who knows me can quickly guess my favourite colour! No, I don't normally buy pink for myself! It looks like Lilah will definitely be a pink girl though, well at least until she can speak for herself!

packing and weather

This week I packed Lilah's suitcase, and then decided (after the fact) that she needs a bigger suitcase! Whoever saw that one coming! I'm blaming it on the two climates! In Guangzhou it will be quite warm, but in Beijing it will be colder. Not to mention I have no idea what size will fit our baby girl, so I have a lot of different sizes thrown in, just in case!

We also heard from our agency contact yesterday. She received a copy of the hotel reservation for Beijing, so now she has sent our passports and visa applications to the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa to have the visas processed. We hope to have our itinerary for our trip within China soon. 17 more days to go before we fly!

Weather in Beijing.

Weather in Guangzhou.

our flights are booked

Well when things happen, they sure happen fast! The flights are booked and the airline tickets were purchased today - there is no turning back now, not that we'd ever want to!

We are going to China!

As far as we know, we will get Lilah on Monday 15th December 2008. Forever family day, forever Lilah day; the day that we become a family! It's amazing, our dreams are finally becoming reality. Praise be to God, our Father!

given the go ahead

The letter of confirmation arrived today and the Justice Department has given us the green light. Wow, sigh of happiness!

Right now we just feel so blessed that this has all been made possible. In four weeks we will be receiving the greatest gift, our little Lilah. Our God is a great God.

tentative travel dates

Does this process get any more exciting than having tentative travel dates? Well yes it sure does, but this is definitely great news; it's probably as much as we can handle right now! So yes, the dates are December 10th - 23rd. We were expecting to have to spend quite a bit longer in China, however we will ask no questions!

As it stands, the Canadian Embassy (in Beijing) is a go and there are flights available. The only thing outstanding at the moment is the Justice Department, we will find out tomorrow if they give us the go ahead. So exciting!

miracle of the moment

Our 'miracle of the moment' was finding out (this morning) that our letter of confirmation was mailed last evening and is somewhere between Beijing and Ottawa! I think mail sent by purolator takes about three days to get here, so it should probably arrive on Thursday or Friday. We will find out more tomorrow regarding travel and dates...stay tuned! I think it is an understatement to say we are overjoyed; His perfect timing.

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There’s only One who knows
What’s really out there waiting
In all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is He’s out there waiting
To Him the future’s history

And He has given us a treasure called right now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about

And if it brings you tears
Then taste them as they fall
And let them soften your heart
And if it brings you laughter
Then throw your head back
And let it go, let it go

Steven Curtis Chapman
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