Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

in China itinerary… and we’re outta here!

01/08 Depart Newark at 9:58 AM for Beijing

01/09 Arrive Beijing at 3:00PM / Depart Beijing at 9:00PM for Nanning

01/10 Rest. Chill. Prepare.

01/11 Go to the Civil Affairs Office to meet Miss Vivienne!!!!

01/12 Go to the Civil Affairs for adoption registration

01/13 Travel to Guilin by train

01/14 Sight-seeing in Guilin / Hopefully visit An Orphan’s Wish!

01/15 Li River cruise / Fly to Guangzhou

01/16 Vivi’s Medical Exam

01/17 Sight-seeing in Guangzhou

01/18 Medical exam follow-up

01/19 Visa interview

01/20 Go to the consulate for the ceremony

01/21 Go to the consulate to pick up Vivi’s visa

01/22 Fly to Shanghai / Fly to Newark / Fly HOME!

We’re all set! Our visas and POA arrived this afternoon! And my tooth is fixed (if with a temporary crown, but it’s fixed!) and I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all your prayers. They were definitely felt, as getting the crown was less painful and less stressful than getting the filling the month before!

So to everyone who took a minute out of their day to pray for me, for us… THANK YOU 🙂

And, amazingly, we’re all packed. All the donations for An Orphan’s Wish somehow managed to fit into the four bags we’re allowed to check. We even had time to go out to celebrate Miss Sophie Lulu’s birthday a few days early, come home and have Hello Kitty cake and strawberry ice cream and play a final game of Killer Bunnies.

I’ll be posting updates here, as regularly as China will allow. As much as I wanted to have another My Adoption Website for this trip, I just wasn’t able to get it together in time. I’ve already confessed, I’m a bit of a last minute girl.

Maybe that should be a New Year’s Resolution.

Nah.

More good news is that Tori taught me how to shoot video with my Nikon, so I’m hoping to upload some video of my sweet girl. AND she loaded Skype on both the laptop and our desktop.

I’m going to be all over the ‘net, baby.

We’re loaded with snacks, pillows, moolah, tooth cement and baby toys… now all we need is our GIRL!!

Comments

  2. WOOHOO!!! You are going to China! Can't wait to follow along. We will be praying for you all!

    Reply

  3. Stefanie….
    I was hoping we would be in China together. Our consulate appointment didn't work out, so we are about a week behind you.

    I was SO hoping to meet you … ,maybe another time!!!

    I still want you to know what an inspiration you are to SO many of us.

    I can't wait to see little Miss Vivi!!!!

    I hope you have a safe and wonderful trip!

    Reply

  7. girl i will be praying … i am so sorry i haven't checked in lately, but i will be praying and checking on the updates … blessings !!!!

    SO SO SO EXCITED !!!

    Reply

  8. And away you go! Our prayers are with you to China and back!
    Praise the Lord, Vivi is COMING HOME SWEET HOME!

    Reply

  9. Thanks for the update. This is soooo exciting!!! Wishing you and Asher and Vivienne a wonderful, amazing, incredible journey together! I will keep you all (and there are a LOT of you) in my thoughts and prayers. Safe travels!

    Reply

  14. Ok Girl!!! I have, and I will be lifting you, and your handsome escort up!!! And, of course for precious Vivi for what is yet to come!!! I will be anxiously waiting to see you three together soon!!! Honestly, I can't wait to celebrate with you! Thank you for sharing your journey with me…. You are such a role model for many of us!!! Thank you for sharing your amazing heart with so many! Now, go and get your girl!! It is time!

    "The One who calls you is faithful, and He WILL do it!" 1Thessalonians 5:24

    God Bless you my friend!
    Love,
    Diana

    Reply

  15. OH the memories are flooding back! We left 11 years ago tomorrow to get our first daughter from China. She turns 12 tomorrow and I can't believe it! Can't wait to see updates from the trip and I am so happy that the day went well! Travel safe!

    Reply

  17. Can you believe it's really THAT TIME already!?! SO excited for you!! I will SO be stalking your blog in the days (weeks) to come… can't wait to see that sweet girl in YOUR arms!

    Praying for safe and healthy travels!!

    Hugs,
    Tanya

    Reply

  18. I am so excited for you and for Vivi and can hardly wait to see you in each others embrace. Knowing you are going to be so close is killing me. Wonder how I could swing a visit to Gullian?!!
    We will be following along for every update and lifting you up in prayer from Hong Kong!
    Love & Blessings,
    Kim

    Reply

  25. YIPPY!!!!

    Cant wait to see Vivienne in your ARMS!!

    China here you come.

    I will be praying.

    xoxo Michele

    Reply

  28. Yahoo! Can't wait to follow your journey to your sweet girl. And, I don't think many people travel to China with tooth cement…but probably a good idea! 🙂

    Reply

  29. YIPEEE!! Praying for you and Asher and you travel daily. Can't wait to see Vivi's sweet litle face wrapped up in your arms.

    ~Branda

    Reply

  30. Praying..Psalms 91 for you,Asher and Vivi. I'll be praying for Vivi's transition. Praying for Chris and the children to stay safe and healthy while you are gone.

    Reply

  32. I tell you what, you ROCK Stefanie! You have handled everything so well from last minute dental to last minute deliveries. I don't know that I'd survive all those last minute hurdles. I don't believe in luck, just blessings so I'll say MANY BLESSINGS to you and your family as you get make it through these next few weeks

    Reply

  33. So glad to hear that you received your the rest of your necessary paperwork as well as fixed that darn tooth.
    I will be keeping you in my prayers during your trip and can't wait to see sweet Vivi in your arms.
    Hopefully we will not be too far behind you in getting Drew.

    Blessings,
    Mandi

    Reply

  36. Prayers for your family will be constant, can't wait to see you and Asher with Vivi!

    Your family is amazing and our family is blessed to have God intertwine our paths!

    hugs

    Reply

  38. one more thing…now I know we can get our act together when the time comes…and get out the door! Wow!

    Reply

  39. Yay! Yay! I can't wait to see you guys holding little Miss Vivi and kissing on her and covering her in the Love of the Lord through your hands. I. canNOT. Wait! I am so excited for you all and will be praying. I just linked to your blog so my followers can follow the journey too!

    Blessings for a safe, happy trip. Yay!

    Reply

  40. Have a wonderful safe trip. If you have a layover in Newark on the return and want a welcoming drop a line.

    Reply

  41. Many prayers and blessings to your family from ours ~ May you and Asher have an amazing time together ~ a journey he will never forget ~ May your bonding with little Vivi go smoothly ~ safe travels girlfriend ~

    Reply

  44. So excited for you! Can hardly wait to see Vivi with you crew!!

    While in Guilin keep your eyes open for two sweet sisters- Our Emma and Ellie (Qin, Fuyuan and Qin Fuquan).

    Blessings on your journey!!

    Reply

  58. YAY!!!!! Have a wonderful trip Stefanie and of course our prayers go with you! Cannot WAIT to see little Vivi in your lovin' Mommie arms!!!

    Reply

  59. Well…you are probably flying somewhere over northern Canada right now…YAY!!! Finally, you are on your way!!

    Praying for a safe & uneventful flight…praying for Chris holding down the fort…praying for all of sweet Vivi's siblings at home…praying for an easy transition for precious Vivi…praying for YOU, momma, that your fears & anxieties are calmed with the peace of the Lord!

    I CANNOT WAIT to see Miss Vivi in your loving arms & in Asher's as well!! GODSPEED, my friend!!

    XOXO
    Patricia

    Reply

  60. Happy Travels!!! I'm so unbelievably excited for you and can't wait to see you with that sweet girl in your arms!!!!

    Reply

  61. Been thinking about you all day today! Praying for all that is and all that will be.
    Can't wait to see pictures and video!

    LOVE YA!
    Sharon

    Reply

  63. Can't wait to see Vivi in your arms!!!!! Major prayers for "Y'all"!!!

    Doreen in Montreal single mom to Faith-Jiangxi& Mia-Sichuan

    Reply

  64. You sound so ready! I am laughing out loud. I wish I could spend just an hour with you! I know I'd be smiling the whole time! CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOUR GIRL IN YOUR ARMS!!!!!!!

    Reply

  66. Yay! So glad the dentist visit went well. I'm so excited for you! I have always wanted to go to Guilin and try that Li River cruise. It will be fun to experience it through your blog. 🙂

    Reply

  69. Oh My. Just reading your itinerary makes me tired – I'm too close to the experience for comfort just yet. Have a wonderful trip. Take care of yourself.

    Reply

  70. Wow, you´ve made it!
    Very, very soon you will hold your precious child .
    And when you look back you can see God was with you! And you can just look forward, cause he won´t leave you. Even in the first days, when it´s not so easy.

    I´m still praying for you , it´s just great what you are doing….

    Reply

  71. I love following your blog! I am a new reader and I have enjoyed reading all your posts! I can't wait to see your china updates and I am happy to know that I am not the only last minute person! Praying for you on your trip.

    Blessings,
    Melanie

    Reply

  75. Stephanie – sorry that we'll miss you – we will wave tho….we'll probably leave for Korea on the 20th, then fly to Jinan on the 24th.

    Maybe on the 'next trip'? 😉

    hugs – aus and co.

    Reply

  76. Stef
    we JUST got back today! Have fun! The island is a nightmare being under construction EVERYWHERE! Be careful as you have to walk in the street. 🙂 I hope to read updates!!!
    Kathy T
    mom to James since 12/28!

    Reply

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