Gotcha Ming Ming!!
I really tried hard to be fun! Whew! It was hard work but we had a blast (most of the time).
Katie and I had fun together, too! Sarah took the pic!
Katie and Sarah connected right away!
Gotcha LeYi!!
She is much happier in this picture!! Dreams really do come true!
I can't help myself- I like to think ahead and plan for options in the future. We are not close at all to traveling BUT I need your thoughts!
Eleven months ago Katie and brought Sarah home! Our journey had highs and lows but not bad lows they were learning lows! They were part of the process of getting to know each other learning to trust each other and just plain trying to figure out each other. It was the trip of a lifetime and we came home exhausted and ready for our new daughter/sister to meet the rest of the family. When I read about others in China who are traveling to get their older child so many memories come back and they are good memories! I love that they share their journey with us!
Eleven months ago Katie and brought Sarah home! Our journey had highs and lows but not bad lows they were learning lows! They were part of the process of getting to know each other learning to trust each other and just plain trying to figure out each other. It was the trip of a lifetime and we came home exhausted and ready for our new daughter/sister to meet the rest of the family. When I read about others in China who are traveling to get their older child so many memories come back and they are good memories! I love that they share their journey with us!
Traveling to get Anna was incredible- it was a first time experience- first adoption, first time in China, first everything! We met the most wonderful family who adopted Anna's friend and they were such a joy to share the experience with! I didn't want it to end but at the same time I was excited to get home and see the rest of the family!
This time we will go to China in the late spring to meet Emma and Ellie. They are in foster care and leaving their foster Mom/family. This will probably be the hardest thing they will ever have to do. They have already been through a lot. Initially we will not be viewed as their wonderful new parents- they may not even like as at first- we will be the ones that are taking them away from all that is familiar.
So what do you think? Should Kate and I go again- we worked well together. Sarah loved Kate because she was young and pretty- like some of the nannies. She was good at playing with Sarah. We often modeled mother daughter behavior for Sarah to see. We had fun but it was a business trip- we got our little Sarah home to her new family safe and sound!
Should hubby and I go? Should Babba be there right from the start. He would love to be there but is not sure if he can leave work. There are two of them do we need the presence of a Babba? He is strong and could carry the girls sometimes. It could be a wonderful initial bonding time for the four of us. We could both be there to help the girls go through part of the mourning process. He is also lots of fun!
Should we bring Sarah and Anna? Will the girls warm up with their sisters there? Will the have more fun with them their or will hubby and I have an extremely difficult time (Sarah will have been home 1.5 years). Will Sarah get nervous and be more of a challenge than a help. Would we be expecting too much out of her? I see some families going and I think it is so wonderful but this is a challenging situation I'm not sure if it will work out the way we hope or plan. We have to be flexible in China because you never know- it could be a smooth or a bumpy road.
Our final decision will depend on many things. Finances, hubbies business situation, Katie's work, we will evaluate how the girls are doing and who may be able to stay with them if they should stay home. I would love to hear from you! What did you do? Would you recommend doing it that way or not?
Edit-
Lori made a great point- what about our boys! The oldest Matt would love to go BUT he works (and I am so very grateful for that!). The second son- Billy is graduating from College in May - which might complicate our travel a bit because we want to be at his graduation. (I am hoping we travel in early, early May). He could not travel until June, plus he is spending January in Australia- that is enough travel if you ask me. Son #3 is Mark and he is in school through the first week of June and desperately needs to work this summer. His college tuition is a bit spendy so he can stay home! Son #4- Johnny is a sophomore in High School (not homeschooling this one) he cannot miss school especially since he had H1N1 and has already missed 7 days. He plays on a competitive soccer team and loves it. He has no desire to travel to China or anywhere else (that is okay with us)! It is our hope that all of our children at some point in their lives will be able to go to China but it at this point it is most important to get our girls home!
Okay... I have to be honest... I really want to travel to China in the front of the plane (when traveling to far, far, far places such as China- and just so you know I have only been in the USA and China)... I'm sorry...I'm a little older and I want to feel good when I meet our new daughters... so given that new and not so pleasant info about ME... and taking into consideration the cost... who do ya think should travel... ( all of us probably won't work unless we strike oil in the back yard)!
We will decide based on our situation at that time but your experiences and wisdom will help us make our decision! We will also pray about it and see where GOD leads us!!
Thank you!!
