Panda Mural

I am so fortunate to have friends who are helping make Lilli's room beautiful. Deena Bost, an incredible artist at school is painting a Panda mural on Lilli's bedroom wall. I am going to place the crib underneath the mural so Lilli can look at it while going to sleep.

CONFIRMED TRAVEL DATES

We received our confirmed travel dates today. We leave on November 5th and return November 22 (Thanksgiving). We need to be there on the 9th but wanted to leave early to tour Beijing.
November 5th leave Charlotte, Newark, Beijing
November 6th arrive Beijing, recover from 17+ hours flying.
November 7-10 tour Beijing - Holt orientation on the 10th
November 11 leave for Nanchang GOTCHA DAY!!!
November 11-16 in Nanchang
November 16 leave for Guangzhou
November 20 visa appointment with US Consulate
November 21 visa issued
November 22 fly home Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Newark, Charlotte

Baby Shower

WOW!!!

I was given a baby shower today and I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity, thoughtfulness and prayers. Thank you so much to all of you who participated in giving me a shower - I have to give a VERY special thanks to Christie for all of your time and work. Christie, it was such a treat to walk into our classroom and see all of the Chinese colors and displays. I love the "Lilli" pin and I especially love the "Red Thread" frame that you made!!! THANK YOU!!

Egg rolls, wontons and duck sauce also added to the Chinese theme, and the panda - lady bug cake was delicious!

TRAVEL APPROVAL!!!

We received an email from Holt today giving us tentative travel dates. The word so far is arriving in Beijing Friday, November 9th and returning November 22 (Thanksgiving). Mom, Edith and I want to explore Beijing several days before we need to be there so we will probably leave Monday, November 5th. Once we here of a confirmed date with the American consulate in Guangzhou the dates will be confirmed. Holt advised they hope to hear something early next week.

7 months old

Today is Lilli's 7th month birthday!! I wish we could be with her - hopefully we'll be together for her 8th month. We still haven't heard about our travel approval so we can book our flights but we hope to get a call in the next few days.

Waiting for Travel Approval

It has been exactly one month since we received the referral and we are still waiting for TA in order to get dates to fly. Unfortunately, It is a national holiday in China this week and all govt. offices are closed. We probably won't here anything until next week.

Lilli is so lucky to have Andrew for a brother. He is patient and kind and will be a GREAT role-model! He is currently 15, a sophomore in high school and a recent driver's permit recipient. Sports are his life. Football is the current sport, basketball is coming up and track is in the spring.