Still waiting. Not unexpectedly. Keeping busy planning and getting things ready. The Beijing trip is all lined up through OCDF (Our Chinese Daughter's Foundation) which is a non-profit organization probably best known for organizing trips to China especially for children adopted from there. OCDF was recommended by a friend, and we've been very pleased with the proposed itinerary and costs!
We can't finalize with them until we know the date of our Consulate Appointment (we're praying it will be Monday, Mar. 22nd) which determines when we can leave Guangzhou. We're doing a Beijing tour at the END of our trip. Usually it's done in the beginning to help everyone adjust to jet lag, but due to time constraints this works out much better for us. Plus I know it will be more enjoyable especially for the kids since they'll already be adjusted to the time change. The part I really want to see again is the acrobat show which Andrew doesn't remember at all last time since he slept through it!
Got the hotel all booked in Guangzhou as well. We decided to still stay on Shamian Island, but at the Victory hotel instead of the White Swan. About 1/2 the cost, so we're getting a suite and a regular room across the hall for Andrew's Mom. The suite has a large bedroom and a separate sitting room. As we plan to eat a lot of meals in our room it will be great for that. It will also be great for everyone's messed up sleeping schedules and routines.
Still have some gifts to buy and of course packing to do. I've already got a nice stack of things we need to take that is growing daily. I don't have any extra room in the house to get suitcases out yet, so that will be last minute.
We've been dealing with sickness in the house now for over a month. It's really getting tiring. First Jackson came down with a bad cold, then Sydney, then Kaylee. While Jackson was getting better I got it. And then Andrew! Last week all the kids were finally well when Jackson started in again with a fever on Sunday. Now he has another bad cough and runny nose. Today I'm hearing Kaylee start to cough again. Please pray we all are well by the time we travel AND stay well!
I officially pulled Jackson out of the public school for his speech therapy and decided we'll work with him at home under the direction of a therapist who used to come to our home when he was in ECI. Personally I think he's made incredible progress this last year, and isn't far off from where he should be for his age. The sounds a typical 3 yr old should make, like f, g, and k, are coming along nicely. He really needs to just work on simple phrases and not leave out sounds. Honestly he'll get more practice at home if I'm semi-responsible for making sure he's working at it!
Please keep praying our travel letter comes ideally by next Friday, Mar. 5th and we can get the consulate appt we'd like on the 22nd.
Pray we can get and stay healthy.
Jennifer
