Jia's Bedroom ....

Jia's bedroom is almost done. Just a few finishing touches and it will be complete. This room was known as the "catch all room" if it didn't have a home this is where it lived. We removed the wallpaper, removed the popcorn ceiling, painted the trim, replaced the doors and painted the walls. Now I am trying to get the rest of the projects around the house done before we bring her home. It's never ending.

Where is Jia....

Jia is at the Dianjiang County Social Welfare Institute in Chongquig Municipality. Research-China.org has some information about the area. I have contacted Brian about getting Jia's finding ad. Finding ads are published by the orphanage as the first step for international adoption. The photos used in the ads pre-date a child's referral photo by several months. Additionally, information contained in the ads is very valuable to adoptive families, especially those who have not traveled yet.

We have a name....

We have decided to keep her given name which is Jia Lan.

We are going to send a care package this week and I am leaning towards Ann with Redthread China. I need to get on the ball and dig up some pictures to put in the photo book. We are going to send the PJ package too.

This weekend was busy!! Trying to get every last home project done before we travel to China. This weekend we bought nine new doors for the upstairs and guess what.... every single one of them is about 1/8 of an inch to big. Nothing is as easy as it seems. Sunday was all about Jia, we went BabiesRUs and added some items to the registry and went clothes shopping for baby. Jay had a hay day!! I also started working on the travel paperwork and oh my is it overwhelming. These few weeks will fly by!!

Mommy and Daddy love you Jia and we'll be coming to get you soon. :o)

We are in love.....

We received baby girls information yesterday via "FedEx stork", signed the LOA (letter of acceptance) and ran out to Kinko's to catch the last FedEx drop.

She's beautiful and we are so in love!!

Do you notice that I am calling her baby girl??

Well, a while back Jay decided that Isabel wasn't "the name" anymore and really I am fine with that. I really love the name she has now....Jia Lan which means beautiful orchid. Love it! Still working on Jay but I think I am convincing him.....

Let me introduce......

Jiang Jia Lan was born on February 13, 2009 from the Dianjiang County Social Welfare Institute in Chongqing Province.

Isn't she beautiful!!

Has been in the orphanage since February 14, 2009.

Two teeth

Moderate sleeper

Holds head up

Rolls over

Grasps toys

Ready smiles

Closest to her caretaker

AND!!!! We travel in 5-6 weeks.

Tomorrow is the day!

Agency received the referrals today. We'll get the call tomorrow.
Can't wait to see that face!!

No rumor .... this is a fact.

Europe is starting to make phone calls!!
Hoping that our agency gets the package today!! If that is the case we'll hear tomorrow. Our agency always calls the day after they receive them in the mail.

We'll get to see that beautiful face soon! Can't wait to share.

Fly stork Fly.....

Rumors are floating around that the box at C2A2 has changed and the cut off date is 3.28.06. This could mean our referral is on the way.

Fingers and toes crossed!!

Rain, Rain go away.....

Time to break out the rain gear.

We are heading to Columbia, MO to see the Mizzou / Nebraska game tonight and of course rain is in the forecast all day long. JOY!!
We did get a hotel room since it is an eight o'clock game and none of us want to make the two hour journey back home. I am actually thinking that "tailgating" in the hotel room is sounding pretty good. Don't get me wrong I don't mind getting wet but when it's 40 degrees outside I mind getting wet. BRRRRR!
Go Tigers!!

This quote hits the spot....

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."-Joseph Campbell