Sunday, May 6, 2007

Our Itinerary

It is hard to believe that we are now only 5 days away from leaving for China and just a week away from meeting Lilly. The time has really been flying by as we have been so busy making all of the necessary preparations. The picture above shows the paperwork that we have been working on to take to China. This stack of papers is actually rather small compared to the dossier paperwork that we did at the end of last summer. We have been packing and making arrangements for the boys as well as our dogs, cats, and chickens. Thank you to those of you who have been so kind and generous in offering to help while we are away. Thank you Granny and GG, and Mimi for watching our boys. Thank you Kim, Karla, and Kim for having the boys over to play. Thank you to Barbara for caring for our pets, garden, and plants. Thank you to Kendall and Olivia- 2 great babysitters for helping to watch the boys and ease the load on the grandparents. Thank you to all of you who have prayed for us. A special thank you to my sunday school class at Trinity. You all have been such a constant source of support during these last 5 months, and I have certainly felt your prayers. I'll miss you, but Lilly and I will be back soon.
Itinerary:
May 11: Depart at 6:00 AM from Columbia for Washington, D.C. Depart for Beijing at 12:23PM
May 12: Arrive in Beijing at 1:55PM (this will be 1:55 AM back at home)
May 13: Sightseeing at the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China (Happy Mother's Day)
May 14: Fly to Changsha, Hunan at 11:10 AM and arrive at 1:35 PM. We will meet Lilly in the afternoon- exact time unknown. (We will meet Lilly while you are sleeping so please pray before you go to sleep)
May 15- May 19: Some paperwork and appointments concerning the adoption and lots of bonding time with Lilly. Sightseeing and shopping as Lilly allows.
May 20: Fly from Changsha to Guangzhou arriving at 3:35 PM.
May 21: Photos for Lilly and her physical exam (standard for all babies being adopted).
May 22: Visa appointment at 11:30 AM at the US Consulate.
May 23: Swearing ceremony at the consulate and receive Lilly's visa.
May 24: Fly from Guangzhou to Hong Kong at 8:30 AM. Depart for home at 12:45 PM. Arrive in Chicago at 2:20 PM. Arrive in Columbia at 7:46 PM.

11 comments:

Rebecca and Danny said...

Yeh, so great to see details of your trip!!

Kim Sylvia said...

It's finally time, you've waited so long and now it's time! I'm so excited for you all! Our prayers will be with you. God speed.

Sharon said...

Jan,
We are so excited for all of you! Lilly is in our prayers.

Hugs,
Sharon

Melonie said...

I'm so excited and can hardly wait to meet Lilly! What a tremendous answer to prayer! My prayers are with you for a safe journey.

Kim Smith said...

Jan, I have been thinking of you as Friday draws near. I am so excited for all of you! I will keep you in my prayers. I'll be looking so forward to meeting Lilly! Love, Kim

Unknown said...

Can't wait to follow your journey! We'll be praying for you guys!

Sharon said...

Jan, I'm so glad we talked last night! I woke up a little before 6 this morning and said a prayer for all of you! You are on your way!!! :) HOOOOOOORAY!!!!

Hugs,
Sharon

Rebecca and Danny said...

I woke up in the night and prayed for all of you. Prayed you would not forget anything needed paperwork wise to get Lilly. Praying now as you are in Washington DC waiting the long lay over. Love ya!

Sharon said...

Jan, I sat today and watched my watch click over to 12:23 and I knew you should be on that BIG plane that would take you to China. Lots of prayers! I will miss you while you are gone!

Sharon

Kim Sylvia said...

All went very well in NC! We should hear from them early next week. We are very excited!
We will pray for your adjustment to the time change.

Sharon said...

Jan, I tracked your flight all the way to China yesterday on flightview.com and saw that you arrived a few minutes before your scheduled arrival time! HOORAY! I pray that all is going well for all of you!
A family is visiting Bailey's SWI today or tomorrow and they have received permission in advance to see her and take pictures of her! :) I guess that is the next best thing to receiving our LOA!
Standing by for news of your first impressions of China!

Hugs!
Sharon