Let the Countdown Begin

OK...now I have some more confirmed travel dates and details! Only 18 days before I leave!! Woo Hoo! I meet Emma in 24 days! Here's my basic itinerary. I will fill in more, when I know more.

November 29: Me, Mom, Jan & Karen Depart LA

November 30: Arrive Beijing

December 1: Siteseeing (Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Etc.)

December 2: Visit Great Wall

December 3: More cultural/site-seeing stuff. Eat Peking duck.

December 4: Travel to Nanchang, Jiangxi Province

December 5: MEET EMMA LUMAI

December 6: Emma becomes an official member of my family

December 7-10: Paperwork/siteseeing in Nanchang

December 10: Aunt Jan and Aunt Karen go home

December 11: Travel to Guangzhou

December 12: Paperwork

December 13: Appointment at U.S. Consulate

December 14: Get Emma's Visa

December 15: Come Home!!

TRAVEL DAYS AHEAD!!

I just got the word from my agency that we have a confirmed date where Emma and I will be introduced and she will stay with me forever after. . .

December 5th!

Less than one month away and just a few days after her 8 month birthday! This is great news. Of course, I wish it were sooner. . . but it is what it is. We will probably leave for China on November 28 or so (to spend a few days in Beijing prior to going to get Emma). We will come home on December 15th! Home in time for Christmas. The best holiday ever for me!

So Spoiled

I'm so spoiled. . . or should I say blessed? I had the most wonderful baby shower last night. Many friends were there - about 60 or so!! It was given by my dear, dear friends Jan Fryer, Donna Bentz, Mary Kay Stout, Susan Jensen, Andrea Ramirez, Dorothea Williams and Maki Gruninger. I had such a fun time. There was delicious food and best of all, the fantastic friends. Many people had asked, so I told "the story" of my adoption...what led me to this point, the process, etc. (of course I cried while talking about Emma). There was definitely a Chinese "theme" to the evening. I gave everyone a little bookmark that I had made, with a Chinese Knotted ribbon. We ate Chinese chicken salad and even the sugar cookies were painted with Chinese characters.

And, while I doubt I deserve such an outpouring of love. . . I certainly did get it! Check out all the stuff and clothes I got for Emma. She is very loved by everyone, and they don't even know her yet. What a joyous occasion. I am so lucky and blessed! She has many "aunties" here that can't wait to babysit her and hold her and love her.