7-15, Almost Time......

Yes, it's almost time.  As we were walking through Walmart yesterday, we saw a lady who was pregnant, VERY pregnant, and I thought to myself:  "I wonder which one of us will meet our baby first."  I'm sure this mother-to-be has her hospital bag packed.  As for me, I have my suitcase packed, my carry-on packed, and a very full suitcase packed for a mysterious little girl in China.  We have prescriptions, medications, travel forms, passports/visas, clothes, toiletries, toys, games, books, cameras, music, bottles, formula, diapers, snacks, orphanage gifts, and surely more as every bag is completely FULL.  And here I sit, a mere few days before we set out on this journey of a lifetime, wondering-- how will our lives change?  I've imagined every possible scenario in my mind.  It's like I've already lived the future-- like a movie playing inside my head. But as I think about it, I know that I can't possibly understand that which has yet to be revealed.  It's like a gift that has been left wrapped under the tree for the past 6 years, a gift that when opened may be the biggest surprise of all.  Until then, I can only imagine.  Yes, only a few days now.  We'll be 'unplugged' while in China, so I guess the outcome will be a surprise for all of you, too!  It's been awhile (ha, ha, ha.....10 years....) since we've had a little one running around the house.  Who knows how long it will take me to go through the thousands of photos I plan on taking, but I will get the blog updated when I can.  Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement you have expressed every step of the way.  We can't wait to tell Emalie what wonderful people await her in America.

7-15, Emalie's Lock

An adoptive mother who is a friend of ours told us a neat story the other day.  She said that weddings are performed each year at the Great Wall.  It is customary for the newly married couples to place locks on the chain that runs along the wall.  This tradition has been broadened to include adoptive families, and red ribbons further symbolize these forever families.  The lock is a symbolic, yet tangible, link for each adoptive child to her/his country of birth.  We were eager to create a lock for Emalie that we can place on the chain at the Great Wall on our second day in China.  Since we will visit The Great Wall prior to receiving Emalie, I wanted to photograph her lock for her.  We hope to take her back to China someday and let her touch this symbol of her youth.  The date inscribed is her "Gotcha Day"-- the day we will finally meet this special child.