We are ready.
So ready.
We spent the day yesterday officially doing *nothing*. But a great deal of our day went to preparing for our girl. We unpacked and organized, put all our clothes away and even did a little laundry. And watched a movie. And played ‘Bookworm’. And ate lots of Chinese noodles. A martyr, I am not.
Late in the afternoon we headed out on foot to the supermarket down the street. Asher had a hard time believing that a supermarket would actually be housed in a high rise building. Between that, the flat escalators and the various and sundry offerings at a Chinese grocery, I think Asher enjoyed the shopping experience greatly.
He made out like a bandit, too: Oreos, milk, Pringles, Sprite and cream wafers. Heck, after the day he’d had the day before, I’d have said yes to just about anything he asked for. Vivi raked it in as well. We picked up some gel cups, sausages (Sophie’s favorites), milk boxes, formula and baby biscuits. And, as emergency back up for our first meeting, a pack of M&Ms. They might not be a panacea for everything, but they sure can cure a lot of what ails a person. Especially when you’re 2.
We were told by our guide that Vivi is, or was until this morning, still with her foster family. Which is wonderful, I would have been sick to think she’d been returned to the orphanage. But what a day she must be having today. My heart breaks for all she will endure on this day, a day our family has prepared for, prayed for and anticipated for close to a year.
But for her, it’s only just beginning.
I might be scared. And the tiniest bit sick to my stomach. But I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
Bring it on.
“Today is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”~ Psalm 118:24
**because I can’t access blogger here in Nanning (any tips?) I am sending updates to my sweet hubby who is posting them for me. But I can read all your sweet comments 🙂 Also, due to the insanely slow connection, pictures will be few and far between until we get to Guangzhou,where I hope the connection is a bit better.
Praying for Vivi's heart as she leaves her foster family and meets her forever family. Glad Asher is feeling better.
I am on pins and needles waiting for the pictures!!! I can't wait to see that beautiful baby! You guys are my heros!!!!
Praying for Vivi as she goes through lots of last experiences with her foster parents today so that she can have her first experiences with her forever family. I still remember how my Lillie mourned at 30 months of age in Gutian during her adoption. It was just plain terrible to witness. But, as you know this too shall pass. I hear "Mommy, I love you" all the time these days – how can it be two and half years passed already!
Praying for strength for you all.
Shirley
Another Gutian Mommy
Can't wait to see – so excited for you – for us it's 2 weeks away!
It may be possible for you to post via e-mail – have your DH contact me at aussie @ fuse dot net – I can guide him through the set up for that and fix you up and e-mail address that should work.
hugs – aus and co.
ausfamily.blogspot.com
I'm praying for little Vivi as her world is about to be changed forever. PTL!!! I pray that she will bond very quickly to you and Asher. God is good!!!
So happy Asher is feeling better. I posted through my email to blogger while in China. Chris will need to go to settings, choose email & mobile, posting options, complete the email address,then save settings. It was really easy. Then we just emailed our post to the blog. We could not see the blog post but everyone else could, but it was really easy to upload pictures as well. Praying for your family and Vivi today.
Bless you, sweet Stephanie and Asher. Our Chloe also went from loving foster family to new forever family over night. I expected the worst, but she supernaturally transitioned. God is on the throne!!!
Hugs to you~
I wish I had some techy secrets for you so we could ALL benefit from seeing some Vivi!! Dang it!
I, too, have been thinking a lot about how Vivi hasn't been preparing for YOU like you have HER. It is so sad – but God's grace & love will cover you and will cover her and cover her foster parents as they say goodbye to this sweet little girl – who now has a forever family.
Glad that your supermarket trip was fruitful! Especially after the trip & all!!! I just can't wait for Vivi-Day – even if we don't get the pics!
So glad to hear you are gearing up to meet your daughter. I have been watching several families & children as they are united. We are due to travel for our son in Ethiopia this spring, but I've been getting that "tug" where SN adoptions from China are concerned. Continuing to pray… thank you for sharing your experiences! And yay for M&M's!! :O)
oh my word. I thought it was the 10th somehow that you were meeting her for the first time.
Now I have to wait a whole "nuther" day!
Wait. You waited ALMOST a year.
I can wait a day. Sorry bout that!
I am so happy that Asher is feeling better! Whew!
How does it feel to be back in your China again 🙂
Josiah was with his foster family until the day he met us as well. I only wish his foster family had been allowed to come with him to meet us.
Prayers goin up!
Stefanie! PRAYING FOR YOU MY SWEET FRIEND!!! Can't wait to see her in your arms!!!
🙂
-Nicole
I feel so blessed to be able to read about your journey as you go. This is the first time I've experienced someone elses adoption trip and I'm on p&n just waiting to here more! I will keep praying for everyone!
On another note, can you have Asher remember some advice he would give to another guy his age going on a similar trip this coming fall? Ben's been reading about Asher's experience and is taking notes!!!
Take care and many blessings:)
Stefanie, I love what someone just posted previously…"God is on the throne" indeed!!! Praying on your behalf and Vivi! Can't wait to see the pictures!!!! Stacy
Praying for sweet Vivi as her life changes so suddenly. And praying for y'all the strength and grace to love her through it.
Oh, I am on the edge of my seat! Can't wait for those pictures of Miss Vivi!
How exciting! Congratulations!
Safe travels !
Praying for Vivi
Oh Im so excited!!! Been checking your blog all day long, couldnt wait to hear the news!~ We love you and are praying for you! You are my hero! Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Praying for you all and especially sweet Vivi and her foster family! Blessings to you all on this special, special day that God has made!
Blessings
Oh Stef,
I have butterflies just thinking today is YOUR day. Praying for you all!!!
Big hugs and lots of love,
Amy
Can't wait!!!! Praying for for little Vivi,for mama and for Vivi's foster family…so much emotion {{{{hug}}}}
Do you have the post to email setup? If so I think maybe then you'd be able to just email to that email address and it'll post for you.
I'm so happy for you all! Wishing you peace, joy, and love from above (wohoo, this even rhymes *ha*)
Many blessings to you!
Barb
OH WOW, it will be happening soon!!
What a blessing!!
Can't wait to see you holding your baby!! And with Big Brother.
xoxo Michele
So great to hear from you!! I, and we, are lifting you up over here!!! Prayers for Vivi's precious heart to be ready for the most amazing mom and and family soon!!! I look forward to seeing her with you soon!!!
"The one who calls you is faithful, and He WILL do it!"
1 Thessalonians 5:24
Blessings,
Diana
Thinking of Vivi and her foster family as well as you and Asher. (Glad he's feeling better!) I forgot about the time difference and was SOOOO excited when I realized that it is already "gotcha day" over in China!
Good luck and I can't wait to see pictures!!!
I am eagerly anticipating your next post ;)(and my refresh button will breathe a sigh of relief) Glad to know Asher is feeling so much better…poor kiddo 🙁
Praying for Vivi and for you as she makes this transition.
Praying for you both and Vivi to have a beautiful day of getting to know each other. Can hardly wait to read your post of Gotcha Day! Glad Asher is feeling better today.
Hugs,
Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and soon to be home Eli
I am so hoping to wake in the morning to pics of Vivi in her Mama's arms! Hugs and prayers going out to you~
Praying for Sweet Vivi.
Praying for your sweet, precious Vivi as her world changes…praying for your strength & courage as you ease her transition!!
I cannot wait to see the photos!!
HUGS!!
So glad to hear you are there and are waiting to get Vivi. I hope everything goes well today. Saying prayers for you all!
I am so glad to hear Asher is better! We are all so excited for your day tomorrow!! We are keeping you all in our prayers!
I want to wake up and see that sweet face! I think the M and M's most certainly will cure anything. Good plan! I will most certainly pray and continue to pray for this little one's transition into your arms tomorrow and the next day and every day after!
awww…praying for you! Don't eat all the m&m's before you get her!!
Praying for Miss Vivi, too!
So glad to hear from you….
I am praying that all goes extremely well when you meet Vivi for the first time!!!
It sounds like Asher is doing much better!!! Thank goodness for that!
Can't wait for your next post!!!
So excited for you!! Can't wait to see you with that sweet girl! I totally agree with m&m's, and I don't think you have to be 2 to feel the effects 😉
So excited for you!! My thoughts and prayers are with you and of course lil miss Vivi. Can't wait to see you all together 🙂
Our prayers are with you as you meet your daughter. Praying for love to abound, for Vivi and the upcoming changes, and for the transition over the next couple of weeks to be smooth.
Many blessings,
Jessica
Hey Stef~ I can feel the butterflies for you!! 🙂 I'm guessing Asher has a few himself… but what an exciting day. I can't wait to see Vivi photos!! We will be praying for all of you, but especially for Vivi that God's grace will comfort her so that she doesn't grieve to heavily in the hours and days to come. Enjoy every moment!!
God bless! <><
~Tanya
Praying for you as I head off to sleep tonight!
-Jen
Mom to a Nanning sweetie
Praying so much for you and Vivi. I know she will grieve but I hope it is not for too long and that she will see what an amazing family she has.
Can't wait to see your pictures!!
blessings,
Jody
Praying, and anxiously anticipating your next post!
just checked the time difference – and it looks like you have about 2 hours until Vivi time . . . I'm praying for your transition! I hope you get a chance to post after you meet her!!!
oh and the grocery store is always one of my favorite things in any country I visit. I'm sure Asher is enjoying all those experiences!!
God has been preparing your sweet girl…she was made for your family! I pray that bowlfuls of grace will be poured on you, Asher, and Vivi over the next few days of the long awaited "meet and get to know each other a little!" 😉 I can't help smiling from ear to ear thinking about the goodness of our Father to orchestrate this down to the tiniest detail.
Praying for you all…in China and at home!
Oh Stefanie!!! I just cannot wait!! Will be praying hard for you and sweet Vivi today!!!
Stephanie,
I am praying for God to grant you perfect peace as you wait the final few hours before meeting your newest daughter. May He grant you wisdom on how to love her "well" during this time of transition.
Blessings and prayers,
christine
Stefanie,
So thrilled that you are just hours from meeting your Vivi. I'm gonna' have to get up in the night to check…so that hubby of yours (a military hero to all of us) has got to get up and post….he just HAS to (and then he will be a hero -twice over)!! Your friends are waiting!!
Praying, praying, praying!! xo
Hello Stephanie from Greeley, CO.
Tonight I am praying for you -and looking forward to hearing about you and Asher meeting your sweet Vivi. Praying for your time with her as she grieves and begins the journey of trust!
with Love,
Lorisa
Praying for Vivi as she transitions into her new family. How blessed she is that she now has a forever family. So excited for all of you, can't wait for the pictures. God bless.
oh my word….i'm so excited and ready to see pictures i can't stand myself. sorry sorry sorry that asher had such a yucky time. guess chris won't have him in the cockpit with him any time soon!! praying for some swift bonding with miss vivi!
Stefanie,
Praying that all goes well as you are united with Vivi today!
Can't wait to see pictures!
Jenny & family
As I go to sleep I will be praying for sweet Vivi and you! She has an awesome Momma! Can't wait to see pictures! I can just picture Asher when he walked into the grocery store and scored big time!
Hoping Vivi is now it your arms!
You could have your wonderful husband (or a bloggy friend) go into your blog's settings (settings>email & mobile) and enable email postings. This lets you create a special email address that you can send to. You type an email and send it to the address and it shows up verbatim on the blog.