We took 2 taxis to the train station this morning, and maybe they had heard our story, maybe not, but they charged us the exact amount we were quoted by the Marriott staff :) The train ride to GZ was fantastic, very smooth, cushy seats, snacks, and a fascinating view of the city and countryside. Aaron slept most of the way (probably due to that phenegrin I gave him), but by the time we got off the train he was feeling a little better.
Our sweet guide Rebecca met us at the train station and took us to our hotel. We're staying at the China Hotel Marriott for the first 5 days, and when we arrived we were informed that they were upgrading us to a suite because of our Platinum status. Thank you Lord for that sweet gift! The room is amazing. It's got a living room, work space, bedroom, 2 bathrooms, shower, large tub, walk-in closet, etc. The extra space will be so nice!
So can anyone guess what we do tomorrow???? Hmmmm....well, at 1:30 GZ time we will meet Rebecca in the lobby and she will take us to the civil affairs office. And at 2:30 GZ time we will be meeting our daughter for the first time!! Oh my heart.
Didi and Neesie helped me get our room organized and we got You You's bag packed for tomorrow. We're taking some snacks, toys, a book and some candy to try to win her over. The boys also picked out special presents to give her (a soft talking Dora book from Jack and a small teddy bear from Carter). From what I understand, Jenny will be picking up You You tomorrow morning and helping her say goodbye to her foster mother and then she will bring her to us. Tonight will be the last night she spends with her foster mother before she leaves everything that is familiar to her. Please continue to pray.
After we leave the civil affairs office Rebecca will take us to the local Carrefour so that we can buy anything we might need for us or You You for the next few days. We have already made some purchases in the 7-11 and the Starbucks which are both in or right outside our hotel.
It still doesn't seem real that we will have a daugher tomorrow. And if it doesn't yet, then I'm not sure when it will feel real?? Maybe when we leave the civil affairs office tomorrow with her in our arms? Maybe when we wake up the next day and she is still in our room with us?? I don't know, but I do know that I'm ready to hold her and love her forever. Thank you all for joining us on this amazing journey. I think my cousin Elise is right, that it feels like we are all one big family!
Enjoy some pictures from our day...
P.S. Laine and Connie...Rebecca asked me about you guys today. It was so neat to be on this side and be talking with a guide about someone else!!
Praise the Lord that Aaron is feeling better! I cannot even imagine how you are feeling today. I am praying that you get a good night's sleep tonight, but I really don't even know how you will be able to go to sleep. So glad that y'all made it there safely and that all is going well. We are praying!
ReplyDeleteJoie
So glad Aaron is feeling better. I'm praying that it was just exhaustion and that one more night of sleep will make it all better. Yeah for "knock out" medicine. Maybe everyone should take some. ;) As I'm writing this, I hope that you are in the MIDDLE of your last sleep before you can hold our covenant child.
ReplyDeleteLove ya,
Michelle (very excited, jumping up and down on the inside)
Well...I have found myself very emotional for you and Aaron this morning. This has been a long journey for you but it is also a journey that is just begining. I know you can't be sleeping, unless you are totally exhausted!!! We are praying everything will go well and that Clara will feel right at home with you from the start. I know she will know she is loved. Can't wait to hear from you again. Glad Aaron is feeling better. WE LOVE YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteTatum
OK OK - I can't stand it anymore!! I am so ready to see pics of YouYou with you(ok, that sounded strange). I know that tomorrow will be etched in your heart forever!! I am praying like crazy!!! Glad A feels better!
ReplyDeleteLove -
Kristi
Just a little side note: Every time Avery sees Didi she says, "there's Dixie"! She also said that she "bets she can speak Chinese since she can speak Spanish and French and all the other languages, like English."
ReplyDeleteTatum
Every morning feels like Christmas as I know there will be a new post waiting for us. I rush through getting Wy settled with his breakfast so I can settle in with my computer and read through the latest. I don't even know the right words to say right now - I have deleted the last 3 sentences as nothing seems to convey what I am feeling/thinking for you and the family. So I guess I will just continue to pray and I can't wait for your family to become complete with the addition of little Clara. Love, EM
ReplyDeleteI can't believe this is real either! You are right, I'm not sure when its going to feel real to you. It might be when you get home and she is running all around your house saying, Mama, Mama!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that Aaron is better. We got a full prescription of Phenergran. That stuff will knock out any stomach nausea and put you into a lovely sleep!
Please post photos as soon as you get her! I am so excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This has been so exciting to be able to take the journey with you. I love waking up every morning knowing we will get more pictures and stories. I am glad Aaron is feeling better and I can't wait for more updates! Be safe and well and happy.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you will have little You You tomorrow! How exciting! Praying that everything goes smoothly and that she will be comfortable with the changes she's about to experience. Love y'all!
ReplyDeleteElise
P.S. Erica, check your email when you have a chance.
Hope you are settling in!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for tomorrow :)
Oh wow, I can remember so well how I was feeling when we were at the point you are FINALLY at. Tomorrow is going to be such an exciting, emotional, terrific, extra memorable, totally unforgettable day! We are praying for you all and for little You You. It is going to be an especially extra big life changing day for her. I am really praying for bonding - for you and Clara both. WHOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOO!!! Can you believe you are actually this close? We want LOTS and LOTS of pictures!!! PLEASE!!!! I have a horrible migraine right now, but I still feel like I could bounce all over the room. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove ya and will be celebrating with you all day tomorrow,
Jennifer
Wow!! I'm so excited to hear all about everything and get some new family pics! :-) I know you're so excited you just can't stand it!
ReplyDeleteLove,
The Crane's
I cried through this entire post. I will be a total mess at work tomorrow for sure!! In my textreme loss for words all I can come up with is WOW and more WOW! I love you all very much!
ReplyDeleteP.S.
I have to say that this is sort of surreal for me. I feel like you are still in Huntsville communicating as normal! I think it is because I am far away from you when you are not in China! I know I am seeing the pics that you are in China but it is so hard to believe that we all can know so much about what you are doing when you are literally on the other side of the world!! I am very thankful for this technology that allows us all to be there with you every minute! It is a true blessing!
Hi Erica...
ReplyDeleteI just read through the posts above and so totally agree with what Hollie wrote! I am so thankful for the technology that is allowing us to be a part of your journey. It wasn't that long ago that friends and families would not have been able to see communicate across the world like we do now. Oh what complete torture that would have been to have to wonder for weeks what you were doing!
Thanks for keeping us updated and allowing us to share in your excitement. God is doing an amazing thing in your family and I'm just honored to be able to feel a part of things.
I'm saying huge prayers for You You as she prepares for this big change in her sweet little life. I'm praying God will prepare her heart and give you and Aaron wisdom as you show her how much she is loved. I'm also praying for her foster family... what special people! And I'm praying for Jackson and Carter too... that their precious hearts will also be ready to receive their little sister!
Sorry so long... just wanted you to know my thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Can't wait for the next posts!!!!!!!!!!!
~Laura
Wow--in less than 12 hours you will meet your daughter!! I'm so excited for you!! A few months ago I was in your place. I certainly haven't forgotten all of the excitement and anxiety you're probably feeling now. I pray everything will go smoothly and God will prepare Clara's heart for her new family.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
We are glad that Aaron is feeling better. I can only imagine your anticipation. You have had some short nights (early mornings) and this may be another one as you anticipate meeting You You for the first time. May God grant you peace, patience, direction, and wisdom. It will be a great change for the four of you, but a bigger change for You You. You have each other...she is leaving everything she has known in her short life.
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you.
It's the big day!!!!! Are you awake yet? I'm not sure if we will be sleeping tonight because we will be so excited for you. Jackson and Carter look so sweet and happy in all the pictures. We can't wait to see Clara join them. We hope you have a wonderful day. We will be praying for you.
ReplyDeleteI CANT WAIT!!!! I REALLY HOPE EVERYTHING GOES SMOOTHLY!! I LOVE U AND GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see pictures!
ReplyDeleteIt'll be fun to go to Carrefour and let Clara pick out things that she wants. Have fun!
sherri
It's almost time!! I'm so excited for you, and can't wait to hear all about it. We will keep praying for good health (and we are glad to hear that Aaron is already feeling better). We will also especially pray for YouYou and the rest of you as you begin your journey TOGETHER!!
ReplyDeleteWith tears in my eyes,
Carissa
FIVE HOURS!!!! ONLY 5 MORE HOURS AND THEY WILL BE A FAMILY OF 5!!! OH MY GOSH!!! I hope that you were able to sleep and I hope that you stopped crying long enough to savor the moment!! :-) We're going to wake up in the morning to the news that Clara is FOREVER a HAMMOND!!!
ReplyDeleteOh jeez, here come the tears.....again!!!
Kristi
Sis - I so wish I could be with you when you get to meet YouYou for the first time. I am so exited that the time is finally here. I have been praying for you all to be rested and to be able to enjoy the day. I am praying especially that YouYou will know that you are her forever family and that the bonding will be immediate. No matter what happens just remember that God is in charge. He has brought you this far and will see you through.
ReplyDeleteTell Carter, Jack and Neesie that Tyler said Hi. He is very excited about the idea of seeing a 'snake on a stick'.
In only 4 1/2 hours your "pregnancy" will be over and you will be able to hold your beautiful baby girl in your arms.
I love you all!!!
It's almost 8 p.m. here in 'bama. I am not going to even try and figure out what time it is there... I just know that it is almost time for you to meet Miss You You. I am praying for all of you. I pray that it will be a happy, easy transition. And I pray that if it isn't you will have peace and will know that all will work out. Know also that we are here and waiting and that we will pray for whatever requests that you have. Let us know any requests so that we can lift you and You You up to our heavenly Father. Please tell Jenny hello for me. I am soooooo excited for all of you!!!!!
ReplyDeleteKatie