"LOVE"

Once again today, on our ride home from ballet class, Olivia told me she misses her mei mei. I think I have heard her say these words at least 500 times in the last year, no exaturation. I'm certain there will be a great void in her daily "favorite things to say" when we return from China with Leila and she no longer needs to say it. I can only hope it will convert to "I love my mei mei." She told me she can't wait until Leila is a big girl. I'm sure the hardest part will be waiting for her to be big enough to really play with. I know with a little time Olivia's mei mei will be her best friend. And there will be love...

Approved and Confirmed

We have finally received travel approval from China to bring baby Leila home. We leave on November 9th and will return on the 22nd, which is the night before Thanksgiving. Although I'm afraid that day will be a bit of a nightmare to travel home, we will have Leila in our arms and nothing else will matter at that point. We enter the U.S. through Chicago - perhaps we'll have turkey in the windy city!

Gotcha Day will be November 13th, the day following Olivia's 4th birthday, which will be celebrated with a trip to the Great Wall. She is very excited about that! It will be hard to beat the gift of a new sister and a walk on the Wall. What will we give her next year?

Tommy and I are excited about seeing a different part of China and Keryn (our niece) is just plain psyched for the trip. She will be coming along to help out and room with Olivia. We are so greatful to her.

We are moving along - have started packing, have visa stamps on our passports, and lots of great advise for a trip to a new province from our China families who have traveled there.

Tic Toc, Tic Toc, Tic Toc

About Chenzhou

Leila Chen Yi is from the Hunan province in the city of Chenzhou, which is near the southern border of Hunan, just north of Guangdong. Hunan is a rural province and Chenzhou is the Suoxiyu Ridge is located; a naturally shaped "grotesque" rock formation, grand waterfalls, cold springs, mirror lakes, Underground House and Dragon Palace.

Changsha, Hunan Forecast : Weather Underground

Changsha, Hunan Forecast : Weather Underground