Day 3

Today, we picked up the passport.

Tomorrow, we visit the orphanage.

Lots of hotel time, today.

 He's very busy, but unbelievably happy and well behaved.

Definitely counting these blessings, one day before Thanksgiving!

Day Two

We started our day with a trip to the Inner Mongolia Museum.

JiaLe was fascinated with every display.

He kept accidentally bumping his head on the display glass.

 The weather outside was blustery to say the least.

JiaLe didn't seem to know what to think of it.

He was an unbelievable trooper, nonetheless.

 After dozing off on my lap twice, both on the way and back, I didn't expect naptime to go so well.

He has a thing for toilet paper.

I finally hid the rolls so that he would leave some for its intended purpose.

 Paper, I showed him, could be a close second.

First, he filled ten sheets, both front and back, with crayon.

We waded them up, and shot baskets.

 Then, he created his own game of tearing them into tiny pieces and dropping them into the trash.

 This kept him occupied for over an hour.

This process has been like a fairy tale, thus far.

He's attaching beautifully.

His personality is so laid back and happy-go-lucky.

I just can't wait to get him home!

Introducing Will!

Look what just happened to arrive a day early!

 Will was already at the hotel when I arrived.

There have been very few tears.

This kid has been AMAZING me all night and day.

Every hour.

By the hour.

Speaking of hours, he actually fell asleep in my arms while rocking him within two hours of meeting.

 Our first meal, together, happened at breakfast.

JiaLe looked like he had never seen a fork before.

After a few extremely awkward attempts, he was eating with a utensil in both hands.

 Food is his FAVORITE thing.

He inhales it.

 We had to sit at the adoption signing/notarizing session for almost 2 hours, today.

He sat QUIETLY, smiling for the entire thing.

He did refuse to take off his three layers of tops and shoes for the first 18 hours.

I found what I think might be his second MOST thing...stacking cups in the bathtub.

We couldn't get the clothes off fast enough when he discovered they and he would be enter, together.

 The other thing is he needs to carry at least three things in his hands at all times.

 He serenaded me with some really long song that I'm pretty sure really was a song.

His vocabulary is huge.  And I think he thinks he'll just teach me his language.

Although he has already repeated things like water, good job, uh-oh, and no.

By this evening his orneriness started coming out.

It started as retaliation for washing all of his orphanage clothes. 

He was purposely doing things to get me to scold, then he'd repeat what I said and smile.  

This hotel is loaded with mirrors.

And he loves to see himself and smile, kiss, talk to, etc to the twin in the mirror.

This kid is going to be so much fun.

I could go on and on, but I'll have to save it.

It is bedtime.

Can't wait to see what the next 24 holds!

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!