First things first...

Jude

is

AMAZING!!!

We have been home for 2 weeks today.  We're finding our new routine.. and settling in as a family of FIVE!  Jude fits into our family perfectly... it's hard to believe that he has only been with us for a few weeks!  He has already learned to walk... well, now run... he says a few words, likes to imitate his big brother and sister, he loves to cuddle, has the BEST belly laugh, and finds joy in everything! 

Here are a few pics from our trip...

Our first touch...  He wasn't so sure about us.  :)

Forever Family Day... May 22, 2012.

Playing with Grandma

First bath!

Shanghai... WOW.. I have never seen so many people!

Blessed to share this experience with some amazing people!

Going home!

I will not leave you as orphans;  I will come to you.  John 14:18

 

Leaving... On a jet plane! :)
WoooooHoooooo!!!!

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

I LOVE this verse!  I struggle with inadequacy.  I love that I don't have to pretend to be great or to have it all together.  I am weak, and broken... and it's ok... God is holding my hand!  I've wondered more than once why God chose me to be Jude's mom.   It's certainly not because I deserve it.  I am so blessed... and so thankful for God's grace!

We leave tomorrow!  I don't think I have ever experienced so many extreme emotions all at once.  I'm off to pack!

On 9-27-11, we saw this precious little face for the first time.

Love at first sight!

And he is coming home so soon!!! 

Travel Itinerary :)

May 16            Portland / San Francisco   (7:00A 8:52A)

May 16            San Francisco / Beijing   (12:02P 3:15P) +1 day

May 17                 Tuesday              

Arrive in Beijing at 3:15PM from San Francisco (12:02PM / 3:15PM)

May 18                 Friday                                                  Beijing  

                       Great Wall and Hutong Lane.

May 19                 Saturday                                              Beijing

Orientation at the hotel meeting room

Half day tour of Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City after group lunch

May 20                 Sunday                                                

Beijing/Shanghai flight (11:30AM / 1:40PM)

May 21                 Monday                                               Shanghai

                      9:30AM – Go to Shanghai Social Welfare Center to sign the papers and then meet Jude!

May 22                 Tuesday                                               Shanghai

                      Morning – Adoption registration and notarization

May 23                 Wednesday                                       Shanghai

Free day

May 24                 Thursday                                             Shanghai

Free day

May 25                 Friday                                                  

Transfer to airport Shanghai / Guangzhou flight (2:30PM/4:50PM)                                                                                           

May 26                 Saturday                                              Guangzhou  

                                  Visa paperwork check and Medical check    

May 27                 Sunday                                                 Guangzhou  

                                  Free day  

May 28                 Monday                                               Guangzhou  

                                  TB result check in medical clinic  

May 29                 Tuesday                                               Guangzhou  

                                 Visa appointment and Oath taking ceremony  

May 30                 Wednesday                                      

                                  Visa pick up  

Transfer to Hong Kong                                                                                                   Hong Kong  

May 31                 Thursday

                                Transfer to the airport   Hong Kong/San Francisco (11:30AM / 8:25AM

                                May/31 Hong Kong / San Francisco  (11:30A 8:25A)

                       May/31 San Francisco / Portland (10:39A 12:28P)

                                                            HOME!

                                        

Jude's quilt is done!

THANK YOU!!!

Article 5

Dear Adoptive Parent,

The Adopted Children's Immigrant Visa Unit (ACIVU) at U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou has finished processing your child's Article 5, and your file is ready to be returned to your adoption agency's facilitator.  

We thought that we had this 2 weeks ago... but, we didn't... but, now we do.. for real this time!  :)