No really...the real official packing date...

Today was not only a  lovely spring day but we got to go to Church and watch all three of our girls serve at Mass. It was special and a fitting farewell, which continued at a bon voyage dinner after school. Nothing to do now but go and enjoy. I thought I was going to miss the trip completely because I scratched my cornea and the pain was hideous...thought I had taken my eye out. Doc said it would be ok and I wore a patch and it is slowly improving. I guess it was divine intervention because our flight got moved up and now we have 2 extra days. If I hadn't hurt my eye I would have had to refuse the flight so how lucky are we? Just a few last minute things to throw in our bags in the morning and then hop a plane over to Vancouver around 7ish. We can spend some time exploring and board our Air China flight at 1230pm. Our flight is 11 hours to Beijing. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers!!! When next you hear from us we will be in China.

Official Packing Day....

Today is the day!!! I am spending the morning packing. One big bag and two backpacks, plus a camera case and holdall for on the planes activities and snacks. Derek is taking the girls on a hike and this afternoon we are going to get our reading materials.

Here is a cool little map showing where Xi'an and Chengdu are in relationship to the capitol of Beijing.

My Favorite Picture...

I am still just marking time until I start packing this weekend.
Thought I would include a photo of my favorite girls. Left to right
are Beth, Isabel and Grace, and of course Santa. It is from 2003 but I
love it. Also want to give a big thank you to everyone who has given
money and clothing for the children at Starfish.

Testing...

I have heard that some people have difficulty blogging from China and
I know others who do it beautifully. Let's find out which we are. Bear
with us please.

Procrastinating...

This time in 2 weeks we will be sitting in Vancouver Airport passing the time until our Air China flight leaves for Beijing. I now have a pile of things on my bedroom dresser but have yet to pack.

If I leave it till the last minute I am thinking I won't over do it!! Strange logic and so unlike me. I am packing three outfits each. I am taking one medium size case with both of our things in it. Isabel will have her backpack with her on the plane things and I will have mine, plus the camera case. We are traveling on a hope and a prayer. Hope I bring everything we need and praying everything we need we will have. Feeling good about it.

Asian Journey about to begin.....

We made a promise at Isabel's adoption ceremony to one day bring her back to China. As she has gotten older I have been brainstorming as to how we were going to do that. We decided on a three week trip to Xi'an in Shaanxi province where we will volunteer at a special needs foster home. We will see what else is in store for us once we are there. Our flights have been booked since early November and our visas were obtained in short order. It is time to get packing!!! We leave in 2 1/2 weeks on March 3.....which is why I am holding my head as if I am wondering what the heck have I done now!!