Part I

Although we're not in Beijing yet, I am writing to this day's journal in sections since it has been such an incredibly long day.

We got our wake up call at 4:15 and at 5 am we boarded the shuttle to the airport.  I have to say, and yes, we have hardly begun our journey, that all those 100's of people that said "Pack Lightly" or "Don't overpack" knew exactly what they were taking about! OMG!   My backpack alone weighs about 20 lbs. and add another 15 lbs,. to Kai's diaper bag.   I'm exhausted.

My wonderful husband has done everything possible to make it easy for me (and my Mom) by carrying both our backpacks plus his, which I packed, so you can iimagine the weight, plus the laptop.  I packed enough snacks for the trip to allow us to be on a deserted island for a week or two.  How much have we eaten?  None of it!  Ahhhh....live and learn.  Again, I've digressed.

We arrive at the airport and do the typical checkin stuff, then had to the gate with our huge load.  Our flight didn't leave for Newark until 8:20 a.m, but we wanted to make sure we were there early, in case something caused a delay, since that seems to be the story of our lives.

As I slouched on our luggage changing positions every 2 minutes, I could hear Scott speaking to a couple of women at the ticket counter.  I have to say I am so proud of my husband.  He was telling tem about our long story and our lost referral and all the signs.   I wondered why...but it was evident that he, as we all are, are amazed by God's blessings to us, so he wants to make sure He is glorified!  I heard him saying, "This was all God's going.  It's all His perfect plan."  He never misses a moment to give God the glory for who we are and what we have.  I pray that AJ and Kai both grow up in their father's footsteps.  They are very fortunate to have such an awesome role model for a father.

I know I'm rambling, but first it's my website....tee hee hee, and second, I'm getting claustrophobic in this tin bird and can think of no better wa than to again, put my emotions on paper.

Going back to the airport,  we boarded at 7:45 and by 8:20 sharp we were heading down the runway.  I was still feeling a bit blue about leaving AJ, although I know that he is in wonderful hands.  My aunt and cousin are loving him up as if he were the only baby in the world.  The thought makes me smile.  I miss you so much, baby boy!

We arrive in Newark @ 11:05 and our flight to Beijing was leaving at noon.  Of course, we arrived at gate 22 and had to race (literally) to gate 132....did I mention we were overloaded and I HIGHLY recommend not overpacking?  Gate 132 was on the other side of the terminal.  For a couple of minutes, I really thought we'd miss our flight, but we made it.

We met another HFS family while at the gate.  A single Mom on her THIRD adoption!  How awesome is that?  She is bringing home a precious 7 year old.  My hat's off to her! What a blessing.

Then as we boarded, I began noticing a few American families with older Chinese daughters.  Obviously back at another round of this roller coaster ride.  Seeing all these beautiful families helped ease the pain of missing AJ and reminded me of the elation we felt on Dec. 12, 2005, when we were told Kai would be our son.  That's all I needed.  I sat watching the plane lift off, while at the same time feeling my heart lift with it.  We really....I mean REALLY are getting our boy!!   I love it!!   

The plane took off at 12:05 p.m. and it would be a 13+ hr. non-stop flight, which takes me to where I am now.  As I write this, it is 5:35 pm EST on the 29th.  We've been on this plane for only a short 5.5 hours and still have another 8 hours to go.  I slept, I read, I watched TV, but time seems to be crawling.  I even walked around a bit, which I never do on planes, but it gave me a lift to see the beautiful Chinese children and it also allowed my imagination an opportunity to drift away and think about what our little guy looks like.  I'm starting to get a bit stir crazy and wanting the flight to end, but thinking about the luggage we have to carry (did I mention.....DO NOT OVERPACK?) around helps my brain to say, "It's not too bad!  You could be running through the airport with 35 lbs. on your back!"  

My Mom and Amanda are doing great.  Amanda has been such a trooper and my Mom as slept almost the entire flight so far.  This is coming from a woman who says she doesn't sleep on planes.

PART II

It is now 10:50 PM EST, we have another 3 hrs. till we finally arrive in Beijing. It's funny because I REALLY wanted to sleep through most of the flight, but I've only been able to take 2 small catnaps.  My Mom, on the other hand, is STILL sleeping!!  She's only been awake long enough to eat.  By the way, although coach seats are not the most comfortable n the world - it really has not been too bad.  The flight crew has been AWESOME!  And, I've yet to break into the stash of snacks because they keep bringing us food.  Thus far, thumbs up for Continental!

I've been able to chit-chat with a few families and this is definitely feeling real now.  I'm just looking forward to getting off the plane.  We've decided we will not go to sleep until at least 9 pm China time, which will make it 10 am EST- the next day.  That would be almost 30 hrs without sleeps, but it will help with getting our body clocks on China time.

I'm obsessed with the cutest little Chinese boy on this flight.  Yes....the stalking "mode" has not gone away yet.  ha!  This little guy is with a Chinese family and is about 2 years old.  He is so darn cute!!  I keep wondering if that is what Kai will look like.

Amanda and I switched seats so she's having Scott entertain her, but after 10 hrs on the plane....is getting a bit bored. She's only slept an hour or two, at the most.  That's it for now.  I look like death, and thought about putting on some makeup, but that lasted a split second.  I just want to get there!!  Next post will be from Beijing!

PART III

Yeah!!   We've arrived.  Our plane landed safely.  We gathered our cement blocks, oopss....I mean backpacks and headed thru Chinese immigration.  We had to fill out special forms attesting that we had no symptoms of Bird Flu.  Hmmm.    Then went thru customs, which went by pretty quickly and set off to find our guide, who had not arrived yet.  Shortly after that, we met up with the other HFS family and found our guide.  We arrived at the hotel at about 4:30 p.m. China town.  We're staying at the Novotel Peace.  The lobby is very nice.  I've noticed the Chinese love marble!  When we arrived we met another Harrah's family, the Hansen's,  that was on their way out to a tour.  They are bringing home an adorable little 3 yr old boy!  WHAT A CUTIE!!!!!   

We checked in and came up to our rooms.  The rooms are spacious.  We have 2 interconnecting rooms.  They could definitely use a bit of updating, but it's really not bad.   After we put our stuff down (we decided we will live out of suitcases until Sunday morning that we head to Kai's province), we headed down the street.   We are in a very central location just a block or two from major department stores.  Across from our hotel is the Peninsula Hotel.....WOW!  It's gorgeous, with stores like Louis Vitton and Channel.  We went down the street and bought some inexpensive sneakers for Amanda, my Mom and myself.    We stopped to take a couple of pictures.  Amanda's light colored eyes are attracting lots of attention.  I noticed a few people taking pictures of her as we stopped to talk.  We have heard from many other adoptive families to expect this....so it was no big deal.  Everyone has been so friendly!! As it started getting dark out, the temperature was quickly dropping.  It's pretty cold out.   We headed back to the hotel and ate at the restaurant.  It certainly wasn't cheap!   But very yummy!  Got back to the room at 7:30 pm.   Our "roadie", Scott, put together all of the electronic equipment and I said to hec with waiting until 9 pm.  I think by 7:35 pm I was out like a light.....along with Amanda.

At 2:00 am, I woke up freezing....no heat here!!  Brrrrr!!!  And with a SPLITTING sinus headache.  Which is where I am at now.  Not sleepy, still with the headache, freezing and spending over an hour posting all this stuff.  Sorry it was so long, but it's been a long day and again, I am saving all of these details for Kai's lifebook.  Tomorrow morning we meet our guide at 8:30 in the lobby and we're off to see our son's birth country!  I CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE IN CHINA!!!

Olga Lidia.....please give my baby boy tons of hugs and kisses from Mommy!!

From China with love,

Ohilda