Our Schedule!
Well in about 48 hours we'll be in China. It is sooooo crazy to think our time has come. After all this time waiting and waiting reality is having a really hard time setting in.
We leave bright and early Sunday morning, arrive Monday afternoon in China, have a couple days in Beijing and then off on another flight to Guangdong. We will get Olivia Thursday afternoon which is Wendsday night in Canada. We then have some tours set up to the local zoo, markets, and other local sights before heading back to Beijing. Once back in Beijing we are going to do the Great Wall, Silk markets and other tourist attractions that the guide has set up for us.
The one place we really want to go is Olivia's finding spot. We are going to ask the tour guide to set up a taxi for us so we can go and spend some time there. Just thinking about what her birth mother had to go through leaving her in that spot is going to be very emotional. We want to spend lots of time there taking pictures and soaking up every once that we can. We also want to see if we can get a tour of the orphanage. There are lots of things to see in China but our main focus is going to be Olivia. We are going to be very baby focused and if that means missing the tours than that's what it will be. It's funny because all along I've been talking about all the things we'll get to see in China. Since getting her picture and especially the recent video, my mind has changed. I think my maternal instinct is already kicking in and I don't even have her yet.
Tomorrow is going to be a major day of house cleaning and finish the last minute packing. We still haven't figured out when we'll change our sleep routine over, but I guess it will all work its self out.
If I don't get a chance to post tomorrow - thank you to everyone who is following our journey and I'll be reading your posts while in China. The support that family, friends and the adoption community provides is beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you to everyone.
We will try to post daily!
Big cyber hugs to all
Debbie & Kirk
We leave bright and early Sunday morning, arrive Monday afternoon in China, have a couple days in Beijing and then off on another flight to Guangdong. We will get Olivia Thursday afternoon which is Wendsday night in Canada. We then have some tours set up to the local zoo, markets, and other local sights before heading back to Beijing. Once back in Beijing we are going to do the Great Wall, Silk markets and other tourist attractions that the guide has set up for us.
The one place we really want to go is Olivia's finding spot. We are going to ask the tour guide to set up a taxi for us so we can go and spend some time there. Just thinking about what her birth mother had to go through leaving her in that spot is going to be very emotional. We want to spend lots of time there taking pictures and soaking up every once that we can. We also want to see if we can get a tour of the orphanage. There are lots of things to see in China but our main focus is going to be Olivia. We are going to be very baby focused and if that means missing the tours than that's what it will be. It's funny because all along I've been talking about all the things we'll get to see in China. Since getting her picture and especially the recent video, my mind has changed. I think my maternal instinct is already kicking in and I don't even have her yet.
Tomorrow is going to be a major day of house cleaning and finish the last minute packing. We still haven't figured out when we'll change our sleep routine over, but I guess it will all work its self out.
If I don't get a chance to post tomorrow - thank you to everyone who is following our journey and I'll be reading your posts while in China. The support that family, friends and the adoption community provides is beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you to everyone.
We will try to post daily!
Big cyber hugs to all
Debbie & Kirk
Posted by The luckiest mommy in the world at 10:20 PM::
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41 Comments:
Hope you have a wonderul trip...I can only imagine the emotions you will have going to her finding spot. Just found your blog tonight can't wait to see you we are home pictures Hugs Candy and Kya Blu
Have a wonderful, safe trip of a lifetime to your girl! I can't wait to follow along.
Oh - to answer your question from the other day. Nurse-midwife.
Have a safe and memorable trip. Take it all in. Enjoy every moment.
Keep us posted!
We are all so excited for you.
Keep smilin!
HI Deb,
A trip of a lifetime is about to begin. We arrived home yesterday and have our precious Emma with us. Guangdong is sure something to see. I could tell you so much but tooooo tired...jet lag and a 13 hr time difference is brutal. Safe journey! Say hi to Marui as I am sure she will be your guide...she is incredible! Amy Gr 241 www.jhumphreys.com/emma
Oh Deb, so happy and so excited for you!
In less than a week sweet Olivia will be in your arms! Safe travel and we look forward to hearing from you.
Debbie, I can't stop thinking about you guys and Samara's family. Can't wait for updates and to know Olivia is soon in your arms forever!
Happy Last Day!!!!!!
HI Debbie and Kirk:
Have a wonderful trip and hope meeting Olivia for the first time is everything you have hoped and dreamed about! We met Kelly a day early, were so tired from the jet lag and didn't get many photos from that day (lots of video though) as I had hoped but it was an amazing day!
One idea about touring, which is what we did back in Jan. 2004. Dave went to a few things on his own with the group, so he could get more gifts, see some sights while I stayed back with Kelly at the hotel.
On the one tour day early on in Nanjing, I joined them for the afternoon with Kelly as the bus was coming back to the hotel to pick up and drop off members of our group.
Try to shop and sightsee a bit in Beijing first because those activities are easier without a baby, considering it will be cold there. We didn't have much time in Beijing to do those things because of our flight schedules and I wish now that we had been able to do those things.
I had about 200 pictures from China that I had taken but now have over 600 in our album. I was able to get digital photos from our travel group so I have pictures of places like the huotong tour which we didn't do with Kelly and a few other spots because of the sharing of photos between our group. We were tired near the end of the trip and did less touring but still got the photos.
Pace yourself with activities so you all stay healthy.
I will enjoy following your journey to Olivia. It will be a great treat at the end of my school day to see your photos from China.
Take care,
Theresa, Kelly's Mama
Wow-she is turning 4 in 2 weeks! how time has flown by. She started out at 17.5 pounds at 11 months and now is about 39 pounds and almost 40 inches tall.
PS
I hope that you get to see the orphanage. We didn't even though it was scheduled but I did get some photos of the building from see other on-line friends in the US. And if you don't, you have those priceless photos and video taken from that special friend from the US.
PS I took some blank scrapbook pages and a marker and had everyone in our group sign them for Kelly's book. I was so glad that I did.
Good luck Debbie and Kirk! We will check your blog daily.
Lisa, Brent, Gracie and Maggie
http://www.journeyformaggie.blogspot.com/
Words cannot even say how excited I am for you!
I look forward to following along here.
Olivia is one lucky little girl to have such a great mommy with so much energy and laughter!!
Have a safe and wonderful trip,looking forward to following along.
group 253
Have a wonderful time! Try to soak in as much of China as possible so that you can tell Olivia all about it. And savour each precious moment leading up to and when she is placed in your arms. Don't rush anything. Remember that this moment will only happen once and you want to remember each second of it!
Best wishes guys...we will be following along and then JOINING YOU in just a few days now. Hugs!
Safe travels Deb - see you half way around the world.
k
We'll be following along and thinking of you as you begin this wonderful journey to bring Olivia home. Be safe and well, my friend.
Have a wonderful trip. You know the entire October Yahoo group is following along with you vicariously.
WOW! I cannot believe its here!! Wishing you both a safe and fabulous trip of a life time. I am soooo looking forward to following along on your adventure. Big hugs - have fun!!!!
Colleen
Thrilling!
Safe travels and all the best.
I can't wait to see her in your arms.
Have a safe trip! I can only imagine the butterflies that are in your stomach right now with all the excitement! I can't wait to see you get your Olivia.
Godspeed on your journey to your daughter's homeland and back to her new home! Can't wait to see her in your arms...
Kris
quite the lurker, but love your blog!
Oh my, Debbie and Kirk we have been thinking of you guys all weekend. Have a safe and wonderful trip take lots of pictures and give that little precious doll lots of kisses and hugs for us. Take care and know that we are so happy that this day is finally here for you, we can't tell you how happy we are for you!!
Lori,Richard,Logan,Aunt Helen and Uncle Perc and Leslie and Mark
Have a safe and incredible trip. I am looking forward to following along on your journey, and can't wait until Olivia is in your arms.
Aimee
Wow! Seems like such a long time ago we "met" on the web and looked head-long into this journey. Now you are ready to fly and I'm not too far behind (hopefully!) All the best to you guys. We'll be watching, hanging off of every word of every post, living vicariously through you and sharing every emotion. It's a wild ride. Enjoy every moment because it goes by so fast. You'll be back home before you know it with your baby in your arms.
I want to wish you both the best of luck on your journey to Olvia. You both must be going around in circles.
Just think that when you lay down tonight to get a couple of hours sleep (maybe)you will be on your long awaited flight to get your darling angel.
Have a safe trip and our prayers are with you.
God Bless.
Phyllis, Tony and Aunt Betty W.
Have a great trip. Can't stop thinking about you guys right now and the emotions you must be feeling. Enjoy every moment you derserve it. Will be checking daily for new update this week.
Tanya, Mark, Jordan & Mitchell
I am SO excited for you! Safe blessing for you (and Miss Olivia) as you are finally united! I can't imagine how emotional I am going to be when my time finally comes, I am getting choked up just thinking about it! I will be praying for you guys!
Meg
HI guys, I guess you are pretty excited about now, We want to wish you all the best on your journey to Olivia God Speed and We hope you have a safe trip. Hope to here from you soon ,we will be following your blog as we have been over the last several months. So happy for you and we will think of you expecially on Wed Night when you hold her near.
Take care
Snowed in in Arnold's Cove
Carol Ann, Boyd and Mason
We will be going with you on your journey in our minds. Living vicariously through your updates.
I am sure the time will fly. Enjoy.
I CAN NOT WAIT to watch your journeys in China! I am soooo excited for you!
Wishing you ALL the best, may your trip go well, may you soon have your wonderful daughter in your arms!
Janet T.
Have a wonderful safe trip. Can't wait to see the pictures with Olivia safe in your arms!
YAY! Travel safe. Sleep well. Enjoy every minute!
You are already on your way! Safe trip and I will be looking for updates!
Deb you are flying right now. Thinking of you and am so excited for you.
Congratulations dear friend!!!
I'm sooo glad I'm getting home in time to watch your journey!!!
You are probably on the plane now, crossing paths in the air with Catherine!!
Congratulations!!! Can't wait to see more updates soon!!
Dawn
Hi Guys,
Well you are en route right now. I am so emotional as I think about what you must be feeling - I can't imagine how you are able to sit still on that long flight and not be screaming on top of your lungs how excited you are :)
I wish the three of you all the love and happiness your hearts can hold, you are so deserving of it.
Have a wonderful and safe trip. I will be thinking of you as you hold your little angel Wednesday night.
Love and God Bless,
Lori, Lou & Kristyan
Have a WONDERFUL trip. Looking forward to seeing those updates!!!!!
Looking forward to following your journey! Safe travels....
Best of luck, I hope you have a safe trip & a WONDERFUL forever family day.
Wow....looking forward to following your blog in the coming days!!! How exciting! Keep posting lots of pictures!
Take care,
Jennifer
I am so excited for you I am going to explode. The only thing I like better is when I am in China getting a baby. If you are out shopping buy Olivia shoes in all kinds of sizes. China has the best shoes and they are inexpensive but real leather.
HiDebbie and Kirk,
According to your letter you should be being introduced to little Olivia tonight!!! I know you will not be reading this tonight because you have so much more important things to do tonight. How fantastic!!! I am so happy for you both.
Your Friend,
Marlene
This is great info to know.
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