One Special Gift

I asked the local library knitters if they'd like to

send some of their work along for Will's orphanage.

 There are reported over 700,000 orphans in China.
The number seems overwhelming.

 Almost as if a little work on our part could have no impact.
But each of those 700,000 is special.
And a gift to one does matter.

What a difference these stunning 75 hats will make
to 75 beautiful children, this winter.

And here's to 700,000 minus a very special ONE, come Monday!

China Itinerary

Here's a little look at what our China trip is looking like...

SAT 11/19 - Fly from Chicago to Beijing
SUN 11/20 - Fly from Beijing to Hohhot, arriving at 7pm
     Check in at the Sheraton
MON 11/21 - Get Will at the Civil Affairs office.  Go shopping for supplies.
TUES 11/22 - Finalize the adoption and apply for passport at the Civil Affairs office.
WED 11/23 - Visit Will's orphanage, Baotou City SWI.
THURS 11/24 - Visit the Inner Mongolia Museum
FRI 11/25 - Pick up passport and fly from Hohhot to Guangzhou, arriving at 10:20pm.
    Check in at the Victory
SAT 11/26 - Medical and TB test.
SUN 11/27 - Free Day
MON 11/28 - Pick up TB test result and passport.  Eat at Noodle King.
TUES 11/29 - Free Day
WED 11/30 - 8:30am visa appointment and oath ceremony
THURS 12/1 - Pick up visa and ride to Hong Kong in the afternoon/evening.
    Check in at the Novotel Citygate
FRI 12/2 - Fly from Hong Kong to Chicago.

Trick-Or-Treating 2011

 Older brothers sharing advice on the art of trick-or-treating.

And they're off.

Leaping for Joy

These little men have some really BIG news.

 We're shouting it out!

We have travel approval from China!

 That's right!

The countdown is on.

 In just 22 days, 

 we will have Will!

 Just hoping

 there will be

 no broken legs

 before he comes home.

 Thank you, God!

Thank You for seeing us through this process and for the very blue sky, today!

Extra Time

Our travel invitation from China could arrive any day.  

I'm guessing it'll be next week.  

The closer I get to travel, the harder waiting gets.  

Luckily, I have some pretty good entertainment.

Jack wore these one-eyed cat glasses and four spider rings (put on after pancakes), 

from the time he woke up until after lunch, when it was time for preschool.
How can you not smile at that?

Unseasonably warm weather has allowed Rob to launch plastic bottles 100 feet in the air, over and over.

Can you see the bottle?

Always fun.

 Digging carrots is therapeutic.

Peeling and preparing is not therapeutic.

Fortunately, there are still tons of carrots and beets that could be dug.

 And the warm October weather also has brought the tomato plants back to life.

  I just picked all of these lovely gems, today.
Well, I had better get peeling...

Birthday Wish

Rob's actual birthday was a pretty ho-hum day.

 Today, his birthday wish came true.

 He took his closest friends wall climbing.

 Traversing.

 This is the only action shot with at least part of someone's face.

 Rob's friend, Luke, had a cast removed, yesterday.  

Luke was quite the trooper for not being able to climb!

 Jack was there for moral support only.

 The silo climb.

 Charlie, forty-something feet up.

 Post climb celebration.

 It was a perfect evening to play outside.

Happy birthday, Rob!

Dear Rob,

This couldn't have been you, 8 years ago!

It has been a joy to have you as our son.

Your grandparents see you as a blessing.

And you're the best big brother anyone could have.

Well, most of the time!

We all just can't wait to see what the next 8 years holds.

Happy birthday!!!