Fun at Aunt Har's

A peek at Matthew's room

We decided to use Katie's crib that converts to a daybed for the the first few months. It is our understanding that he may still be in a crib, so this option won't be completely strange for him.

Care Package for Matthew

We sent a care package to Matthew at the Orphanage. We will send this to Ann at "Red Thread" in China and she will make sure that the package arrives to the orphanage safely. (We had the pleasure of meeting Ann 4 years ago in Guangzhou) She has also translated a letter that we wrote to both Matthew and the Caretakers. To Matthew, we told him how much we love him and can't wait to meet him, To the Caretakers, we thanked them for the love and care they have given our son over the past 3 1/2 years. The package contains items for Matthew as well as tea and candy for the caretakers. Contents of package purchased from US $30.00, Postage to mail to Ann @ at Red Thread in China $41.00, Cost for Ann to get package to Orphanage $33.00, Being able to send our son a care package to say we love him...Priceless.

"I Want It All" Dance Recital

This is Katie's 2nd year at Dance and her second recital. The several hundred people sitting in the audience didn't seem to make her nervous at all. She is our little star.

Travel Approval Received!!!!!!!!

Our travel approval arrived 6/19/2009. Yeah! Excitement beyond words. This means we can now make our travel arrangements to bring our Matthew home. HOWEVER......we were just informed by our Adoption Agency that Shanghai is requiring the adoptive parents to be in country for 7 days before getting our little guy. This is to make sure we don't show signs of the H1N1 virus. This unexpectedly makes our 2 week trip to now a 3 week trip. Not exactly going to be easy leaving my Katie at home for this long. Thank goodness for SKYPE. (An internet website allowing us the talk face to face on the computer at no charge)

Who was my Mom in China?

The question I knew would come one day and dreaded most was asked by my 5 year old daughter today. I was shocked and so not prepared.

"Mom, who was my Mom in China" ? Was she at the at the orphanage?

Ohhhh my heart instantly ached as I searched for the right answer, I was silent, so unprepared and trying to hold back tears. All I could say was "I'm not sure". She immediately went on to another topic, which for now was a good thing. I have always been very open that she was in an orphanage as an infant, and that we adopted her when she was one year old. It is always my intentions to answer all her questions regarding her adoption, I just never thought I'd be asked that question so soon.