Patti's March 12 evening post can be accessed by clicking the following link:
Friday, March 12, 2010
Well, we have arrived in Beijing safe and sound. We've been here less than an hour, I've already had a shower and Tori is already fast asleep. We have opted not to go out looking for food tonight. I've been up for 29 hours straight and only had about 2 hours sleep the night before. YIKES! the bed is looking inviting even though it is smaller than our queen size bed at home. (Looks like a twin even though they called it a double.)
Our flights were uneventful. Tori made out fine on the flight from F'ton to Toronto. The gravol may have helped, but it was a smooth ride.
When we landed in Toronto we had time to stop for some breakfast before our next flight left. While we were at Tim Hortons (go figure, huh...) I saw a family and wondered if it might be the other family coming to Beijing with us.
We saw them again in Vancouver and that's where we introduced ourselves to them. We didn't have seats near them on the plane. But we've had lots of time to get to know each other at the Beijing airport.
We went through customs together and then collected our baggage together. And together we searched for missing luggage. Both of us had lost our strollers that we had checked. After about 45 minutes we were able to find them. Then it was out to meet our guide, Tingting. She was beginning to get worried that we had left the airport without her!
Tingting had a shuttle for us to take us to the hotel. It was about an hour's drive. The hotel is beautiful. (But I'm too tired to explore tonight.) Tomorrow we'll meet Tingting in the hotel lobby and do a little sightseeing.
Enjoy your day everyone. I'm going to enjoy my night. Love to all.
Our flights were uneventful. Tori made out fine on the flight from F'ton to Toronto. The gravol may have helped, but it was a smooth ride.
When we landed in Toronto we had time to stop for some breakfast before our next flight left. While we were at Tim Hortons (go figure, huh...) I saw a family and wondered if it might be the other family coming to Beijing with us.
We saw them again in Vancouver and that's where we introduced ourselves to them. We didn't have seats near them on the plane. But we've had lots of time to get to know each other at the Beijing airport.
We went through customs together and then collected our baggage together. And together we searched for missing luggage. Both of us had lost our strollers that we had checked. After about 45 minutes we were able to find them. Then it was out to meet our guide, Tingting. She was beginning to get worried that we had left the airport without her!
Tingting had a shuttle for us to take us to the hotel. It was about an hour's drive. The hotel is beautiful. (But I'm too tired to explore tonight.) Tomorrow we'll meet Tingting in the hotel lobby and do a little sightseeing.
Enjoy your day everyone. I'm going to enjoy my night. Love to all.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
New News
Well, a lot has happened since my last posting...where to begin?
To start with our travel dates have changed a little. We've decided to fly a day early. So we leave on the 11th. We leave Beijing on Sunday, March 14, and fly to Fujian. We'll be staying at the Lakeside Hotel in Fuzhou. We will be meeting Violet and welcoming her into our family on Monday, March 15. We fly back to Beijing on Saturday, March 2oth. My birthday, March 19th, is basically a free day...so we'll see what we can do for fun to celebrate! I remember the disappointing call we received on December 23rd when we were told that we were skipped over and did not receive a referral. My husband said, "So I guess this means there's no chance that we'll be celebrating either of our birthdays in China." Our coordinator told him that there was still that possibility...Look at us now!
The best news that we've received lately is knowing that our goal for finances for the trip has been reached! Thank You, Father! And thank you to an amazing community that has rallied around us and supported us financially and emotionally! A Chinese Supper was held in January, hosted by our church and Tori's school. Tori did amazingly well with her Read-a-Thon that her school coordinated for her. She read 26 books in the month of January, for a total of4,222 pages. She had over 100 people sponsor her and raised just over $2,000!!! I'm astounded! A fundraiser event was held in February at the local legion. It was an all-day affair - turkey/ham dinner, entertainment in the afternoon, karaoke, and then a dance in the evening. At both of the fundraisers friends had donated items for silent auctions and a cake auction.
So time is flying by as I had hoped it would. We are only 16 days away now. I found advent calendars on the weekend at a Liquidation store. They were only 9 cents each. So I got one for Tori and one for me. (Roger declined - said he had his cell-phone to keep track of the countdown.)
Violet's room had been ready but is empty now. A friend bought laminate flooring for us to lay in her room. It is almost finished and looks fabulous! Tori thought it so nice that she contemplated sleeping on Violet's floor last night. (Her decision might have also had something to do with the fact that I had piled some of Violet's things on Tori's bed.) She slept in her own bed, though. The floor should be finished tonight and then we can start putting the room back in order again.
We received a blessing yesterday from a cousin of mine. She has a new granddaughter and had clothes given to her. But they are still too big for the baby. So she is lending them to us to use for Violet. And they should fit her right away. I love hand-me-downs!
Some other exciting news for us is that I'm typing this on our new netbook. This means that I'll be able to update my blog from China! Yippee!!! I had a hard time deciding if we should purchase one. But then I thought of all the people who want to experience our joy with us and we decided to go for it. Because the last fundraiser helped us reach our goal, and the organizer had told me to use some of the money to buy a laptop, we went the most economical way and bought a netbook. It is so tiny...but perfect for what we need. It is so light it will be great for traveling.
Thanks for sharing in our joy!
To start with our travel dates have changed a little. We've decided to fly a day early. So we leave on the 11th. We leave Beijing on Sunday, March 14, and fly to Fujian. We'll be staying at the Lakeside Hotel in Fuzhou. We will be meeting Violet and welcoming her into our family on Monday, March 15. We fly back to Beijing on Saturday, March 2oth. My birthday, March 19th, is basically a free day...so we'll see what we can do for fun to celebrate! I remember the disappointing call we received on December 23rd when we were told that we were skipped over and did not receive a referral. My husband said, "So I guess this means there's no chance that we'll be celebrating either of our birthdays in China." Our coordinator told him that there was still that possibility...Look at us now!
The best news that we've received lately is knowing that our goal for finances for the trip has been reached! Thank You, Father! And thank you to an amazing community that has rallied around us and supported us financially and emotionally! A Chinese Supper was held in January, hosted by our church and Tori's school. Tori did amazingly well with her Read-a-Thon that her school coordinated for her. She read 26 books in the month of January, for a total of4,222 pages. She had over 100 people sponsor her and raised just over $2,000!!! I'm astounded! A fundraiser event was held in February at the local legion. It was an all-day affair - turkey/ham dinner, entertainment in the afternoon, karaoke, and then a dance in the evening. At both of the fundraisers friends had donated items for silent auctions and a cake auction.
So time is flying by as I had hoped it would. We are only 16 days away now. I found advent calendars on the weekend at a Liquidation store. They were only 9 cents each. So I got one for Tori and one for me. (Roger declined - said he had his cell-phone to keep track of the countdown.)
Violet's room had been ready but is empty now. A friend bought laminate flooring for us to lay in her room. It is almost finished and looks fabulous! Tori thought it so nice that she contemplated sleeping on Violet's floor last night. (Her decision might have also had something to do with the fact that I had piled some of Violet's things on Tori's bed.) She slept in her own bed, though. The floor should be finished tonight and then we can start putting the room back in order again.
We received a blessing yesterday from a cousin of mine. She has a new granddaughter and had clothes given to her. But they are still too big for the baby. So she is lending them to us to use for Violet. And they should fit her right away. I love hand-me-downs!
Some other exciting news for us is that I'm typing this on our new netbook. This means that I'll be able to update my blog from China! Yippee!!! I had a hard time deciding if we should purchase one. But then I thought of all the people who want to experience our joy with us and we decided to go for it. Because the last fundraiser helped us reach our goal, and the organizer had told me to use some of the money to buy a laptop, we went the most economical way and bought a netbook. It is so tiny...but perfect for what we need. It is so light it will be great for traveling.
Thanks for sharing in our joy!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Date for Travel
We got an e-mail from our adoption agency that our travel date is confirmed!
We'll be flying on March 12th to Beijing. Arrive on the 13th.
We leave Beijing on March 14th and fly to Fujian.
We will meet Violet on March 15th.
So I'm hoping time will "fly" until then!
And then I'd like it to stand still for a while.
We'll be flying on March 12th to Beijing. Arrive on the 13th.
We leave Beijing on March 14th and fly to Fujian.
We will meet Violet on March 15th.
So I'm hoping time will "fly" until then!
And then I'd like it to stand still for a while.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Red Thread
There is an ancient Chinese belief which states that when a child is born an invisible red thread connects that child's soul to all those people - present and in the future - who will play a part in that child's life.
Last evening we were overwhelmed by the support of the community in regards to our adoption trip. Our church and school hosted a benefit supper to help with the costs we have coming up.
One thing that stood out to me was the desire from people to be a part of Violet's life. We've had numerous requests to be an "Aunt" to Violet...from people who are not related by blood.
As I looked into the eyes of our family (family by blood and family of the heart) I saw that invisible red thread that tied their hearts to Violet's and I knew that these people would play a special part in her life.
And I must say, that I felt the red thread, too, tugging on my heart last night.
Last evening we were overwhelmed by the support of the community in regards to our adoption trip. Our church and school hosted a benefit supper to help with the costs we have coming up.
One thing that stood out to me was the desire from people to be a part of Violet's life. We've had numerous requests to be an "Aunt" to Violet...from people who are not related by blood.
As I looked into the eyes of our family (family by blood and family of the heart) I saw that invisible red thread that tied their hearts to Violet's and I knew that these people would play a special part in her life.
And I must say, that I felt the red thread, too, tugging on my heart last night.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Travel details
We're still not sure what our travel dates will be, but it looks like March 12 could possibly be the day we leave for China. Which means we will be spending my birthday there, but we will have missed Violet's. The other option for travel would be leaving March 19. Besides the fact that it is later, I really would rather not spend my birthday on an airplane. (16 hour flight)
We do know that another family will be traveling with us. That is exciting. They are adopting a son. They also have a daughter who will going to China with them. She is younger than Tori, but Tori is pleased about not being the only "kid". The family is from Ontario, and they will be going to the same province, Fujian, so we'll spend the whole time together. I like to think that Violet and their son are already playmates.
We sent more paperwork to our adoption agency last night. Visa applications, photos, etc.
Our church and Tori's school is hosting a fundraising supper for us next week. Busy, busy, busy! And we've been contacted that some people would like to host another fundraiser for us at the legion. We are feeling very blessed.
We do know that another family will be traveling with us. That is exciting. They are adopting a son. They also have a daughter who will going to China with them. She is younger than Tori, but Tori is pleased about not being the only "kid". The family is from Ontario, and they will be going to the same province, Fujian, so we'll spend the whole time together. I like to think that Violet and their son are already playmates.
We sent more paperwork to our adoption agency last night. Visa applications, photos, etc.
Our church and Tori's school is hosting a fundraising supper for us next week. Busy, busy, busy! And we've been contacted that some people would like to host another fundraiser for us at the legion. We are feeling very blessed.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
It Takes a Village...
I think we are all familiar with the African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child."
Never, in all my experience, has that rung so profoundly then in these last few days.
First of all, we've always felt that we live in a pretty, amazing community. People are friendly, and care about you.
And with the popularity of the internet, the size of our community shrinks even more. Immediately we can share our news with everyone...from people on our street to friends in Africa.
But, since posting our beautiful daughter's pictures on Facebook and sharing our incredible news, we have received so many congratulations and best wishes from our community. People care.
Whether it is the neighbours rushing over when they saw the pink balloons on our lawn, people crying into their coffee at the restaurant, or store clerks wondering how they are ever going to work for the rest of the evening after seeing our daughter's picture, people are so thankful that God has given us our precious Violet.
I know that we are not going to have a problem with a network of support for our growing family. This community has waited anxiously with us for close to five years. They've been hopeful, frustrated, expectant, and over-the-moon excited right along with us. And I know that when Violet comes home that support will continue.
Violet, your "village" is in love with you already.
Never, in all my experience, has that rung so profoundly then in these last few days.
First of all, we've always felt that we live in a pretty, amazing community. People are friendly, and care about you.
And with the popularity of the internet, the size of our community shrinks even more. Immediately we can share our news with everyone...from people on our street to friends in Africa.
But, since posting our beautiful daughter's pictures on Facebook and sharing our incredible news, we have received so many congratulations and best wishes from our community. People care.
Whether it is the neighbours rushing over when they saw the pink balloons on our lawn, people crying into their coffee at the restaurant, or store clerks wondering how they are ever going to work for the rest of the evening after seeing our daughter's picture, people are so thankful that God has given us our precious Violet.
I know that we are not going to have a problem with a network of support for our growing family. This community has waited anxiously with us for close to five years. They've been hopeful, frustrated, expectant, and over-the-moon excited right along with us. And I know that when Violet comes home that support will continue.
Violet, your "village" is in love with you already.
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