Thursday, September 10, 2009

IN CHINA - DAY 2, adoptions similarities to pregnancy

My body finally relaxed enough and I slept for 4 1/2 hours straight and
woke up at 2:30am (China time). After an hour or so I was able to go
back to sleep. Mr. Incredible had the same sleeping trouble as well.
Our bodies were screaming it's 1:30 in the afternoon, GET UP lazybones!
After breakfast this morning, I came back to our room and Zumbaed while
Mr. I prepared for his business meetings. After 30 minutes I was
dying. Don't know if it's from the overall lack of sleep, lack of
exercise while traveling, that I had eaten recently or the air pollution.
Mr. Incredible still shows no signs illness. I joked with him that he's
just one hot daddy and the Chinese thermal scans just aren't used to
that. Still rejoicing that we are NOT in quarantine after our scare
yesterday.
When we landed yesterday, we got the news that Mr. T had a fever and was
coughing. The latest update is that he is holding his own with ups and
downs. I should have known this would happen, but still I am a little
nervous for T and my parents. The closest hospital is 40 miles away.
Fortunately I remembered to pack the nebulizer this time and so there
won't be round the clock trips to the EMS station- although the
gentlemen there were very friendly and helpful.
Mr. I and myself kept commenting on the way over how this all seems so
surreal. Yesterday, after our possible quarantine scare it hit me just
how this whole process is very similar to a pregnancy.
Ovulating- God planted the desire in our heart to expand our family
through adoption.
Conception- We acted on God's leading and began this whole process.
Gestation- Though not the normal 40 weeks (I think we are at week 97) as
our time has progressed we have gone through the ups and downs of
pregnancy-- the excitement, the reality check- "What if something goes
wrong and we lose the baby?", the realization -"We are having another
one?! (Especially after having been up with sick kids all night), "Is
this the right thing?", "We are having a GIRL!!!!!!", "Will the baby be
okay?", "How will God use this if the baby is not okay?", "I am tired of
waiting, will this baby ever be born?!", having some issue near the end
that threatens the baby-abruption like with Mr. T or as was on our
arrival a possible quarantine. Yesterday I looked down and even noticed
my feet and ankles had swollen :-). Talk about similarities!
Birth- Even after being "in labor" with Mr. Z for a month, that seems
like nothing compared to the event of packing for a family of seven
(including Elizabeth since she has 1/2 of Mr. I's and mine's suitcases
and a car seat), getting ready for international travel, driving the 9
hours to my parents, being awake for all but 5 1/2 hours of the 53 hours
from when we woke in B-ville to when we finally got to bed in S-zhen,
China. AND we still don't get her for another 72+ hours. Talk about
LABOR!!!!!!!!
With adopting Elizabeth we know she is not "okay" and we are OK with
that. We know God has a mighty plan for her life and we look forward to
being a part of it. It's still surreal that this going to happen. I
tear up every time I think of how far we've come.
Well, I am enjoying my lazy Friday in the hotel room while Mr. I is
somewhere out in the city doing business stuff. The picture is of the
view out of our hotel room in S-zhen. We are on the 14th floor.
There's water about 1/2 way up from the bottom and mountains on the
other side of the water. Hope you can make 'em out through the smog.
We are heading back to Guangzhou this afternoon and hope to do some
exploring. We think we might even be just a block away from the WS- our
group's hotel- had expected two+ blocks. We ended up in the V and are
already loving the free internet and MUCH cheaper price.
P.S. I have no idea how long this post will look since we are having to
use a bypass to post and cannot access directly. Also have not been
able to update FB, not sure if that is even a possibility.

Health Update, Sleep Update

Mr. Incredible was detained for a 1/2 hour because his initial temperature scan was too high, he failed the second one as well.  The officials were also concerned because his face was "red" (we had just walked a 1/2 mi. after deplaining) and his eyes bloodshot.  The officials listened that he had been traveling for over 30 hours and that he had contacts in which were making his eyes red.  Mr. I finally passed his third temperature test after hosing himself off at the lavatory.  He was finally able to join me and we could pass through immigration.  A special thanks to Mr. B who was a fellow traveler since LAX and alerted me to the fact that Mr. Incredible, who had been right behind me, was pulled aside.  One minute my Mr. Incredible was behind me and the next thing I knew he was no where to be seen.  I used that time to pray and sing in the airport.  Think of Paul and Silas in prison and how they praised, take it down several notches- since I didn't want to attract attention to myself- and there you have it, a little church going on in the Chinese airport.  We are feeling very blessed that we don't have to spend the next week in quarantine.
 
Well it's been 44 hours since I woke up on Tuesday morning, it is 1 am on Thursday (in Texas) and I have slept a total of 3 hours and 20 minutes.  Mr. Incredible dozes anywhere, so he has gotten lots more than me.
 
We are off to Shenzhen for the next day or so for Mr. Incredible to do some work.  I gotta get us repacked, shower and try to start making some sense- this update is taking all of the brain power I have.  I will probably be able to get to bed in around seven more hours.  Maybe I can nap on the train ride to Shenzhen.
 
Please lift up our tiny T, he's running a fever and coughing.  Fortunately, I remembered to take the breathing machine to my parents.
 
Picture is of us in our hotel room.
 

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

R temp high

PRAY HARD!!!!!!!!!

Www.elizabethssong.blogspot.com

In Korea

We arrived in Korea safely and passed health inspections.  About 1/2 way through our 3 hour layover before we depart for Guangzhou.  Somewhere over the Pacific we lost Wednesday. 
The picture is of Mr. Incredible at the gate here in Korea.

Exhausted and 21 hours left

Title pretty much says it all. After being up all day since 5 am, I
have been up for 20 hours already. Pray all of our luggage makes it.
Long story...

We will be with you in about 150 hours, Elizabeth!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

On Our Way

We are checked in at SAT airport. Will arrive in China in 27 hours.

Extra baggage fees exceeded what was given to us, but at this point we are not letting another $55 stop us! The blankets will be delivered!!!

God has been and continues to be our source of strength in a tumulteous time.

Thank you for your prayers.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Last 24 hours Stateside

We are fast approaching our last 24 hours before our departure. Mr. Incredible and I are overwhelmed by all that has transpired and all that has yet to transpire. We are amazed at God's goodness, grace, provision and feel truly blessed. Please pray for health and safety for us, for our kids and for my parents who are watching our kids.
B-ville is nice and relaxing. Mr. M is loving the sun and water.
We were encouraged recently by our agency about how we will represent ALL adoptive parents in China. I couldn't help but think of who else we will represent...

"You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden"

Friday, September 4, 2009

Last day

Today is the last day that we are a family of 6 in our own home. So much packing still to do. All of Elizabeth's items are packed. Most of mine. But none for Z, J, M or T. Incredible Husband noted that he has about a 1/2 a suitcase or less to pack his items. He has as much room as I do.
Well apparently there is spilled milk. Never ending....

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Ever lost a day?

Just realized we are going to lose a whole day with our flight over!
Hope it's not an important one.
Oh well!!!

Itinerary

9-10 Arrive in Guangzhou
9-11 Business Excursion
9-13 Tour Hong Kong?
9-14 New Family Day- Elizabeth's 26 month birthday
9-15 Adoption finalized- Our 153 monthiversary
9-16 Shopping
9-17 Tour
Zhong Shan Memorial Hall
9-18 Tour
Six Banyan Trees
9-19 TB test
9-20 Sightseeing to Chen family temple
9-21 Get Elizabeth's passport
9-22 Visa picture, medical exam, TB result
9-23 Guide takes paperwork to American consulate
9-24 consulate interview (this may actually be on the 23rd, waiting on clarification)
9-25 Other families in group leaving
9-26 Saved over $400 by leaving a day late. Hopefully we won't be a dollar short!