Ready... Set...

Here we are... ready to go.... Well, almost!  We still have some child locks to put on things, some last minute cleaning to do, and PACKING to do!!  And I currently need to get well.  Tomorrow I will be heading to the doctor for an antibiotic.  No matter how hard I tried to fight it and how many medicines I took, I can now officially declare that I have a sinus infection-- NOT ideal for flying, but I think with all the medicines and a bit of Afrin before take-off, I'll make it.  We'll take all the prayers we can get, though.  I've had to have ear drums lanced once after a painful flight; I don't want that to happen in China.  I just want to focus on our child!!

Here are some pictures of Gabriel's room and bathroom-- all ready for him!  You won't see a crib in here yet.  His crib will be in our bedroom until we feel like he's ready to move to his own room.  :)

Wednesday we'll be off to Beijing!!  After being there for a few days, we'll travel by bullet train to Jinan. We're really looking forward to the train ride there, and that same day, we'll get our son, Gabriel!!!  :)  In fact, we learned today that he will be brought to our hotel.  We can't wait to finally hug him, hold him, and tell him we love him.  It still seems kind of surreal at this point.  Seriously, a few days from now we'll be in China, and several days after arriving there, we'll be parents?!  Wow!!

We'll spend five days in his province with him, and then we will all fly together to Guangzhou to finalize the adoption!  Guangzhou is where we will also likely buy a traditional outfit for Gabriel to wear at his adoption registration/finalization, and we will buy some souvenirs for our family back home.  We'll spend several days in this province, as well, and will likely have some free time to visit the zoo if Gabriel feels up to it.

Once all of the paperwork is completed, we will travel by car to Hong Kong where we will spend the night and fly out the next morning.  Any and all are welcome to meet and greet us at the airport on the evening of July 9, but if you choose to do so, please let my brother, Michael, know.  He'll give you the details of where you'll need to be.  Also, we have to get a list of people coming in case Gabriel is sick or would not be up to a crowd for whatever reason.  If you can let Michael know your name and phone number, he'll give you a call with plenty of notice in case we're unable to meet you there.  His cell # is 317-938-2503.  Our family members will be there no matter what, but if Gabriel's not doing well, we'll have you over to meet him at a different time.  Hopefully, we'll be able to see everyone there!!  :)

Please pray for our health-- Howie's, Gabriel's, and mine as well as a smooth transition as Gabriel is welcomed into his family.  We are beyond excited to meet him and bring him home!!

The next blog I send will be from China when I have a chance to write!

Blessings to all of you,
Jenn and Howie