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Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

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China Eve

Amazingly, astoundingly, it is time.

Technically it’s not actually time, because I’m not on a plane and my hair is not fixed and my teeth are not brushed. (I’m in deep-packing mode, man.) But it’s almost time.

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In less than 9 hours we’ll be on our first flight heading for China.

*gulp*

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And so what does a mama – after she finishes making color-coded chore charts and chocolate-chip cookie dough – do with her last few hours at home?

She heads outside for a few pictures to memorialize the brave crew who will be sitting alongside her on that China-bound plane.

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Sweet Clementine will be part of that crew, because (as previously mentioned) she is currently all about mama and it’s been an arduous road to get here. We kinda want to do all we can to keep her feeling connected and safe.

So, despite feeling like it’s just a leeeetle bit crazy, Clementine is coming to China for her baby sister.

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Asher is coming as well. Because Clementine.

She loves him so much, and since he came with me to Cincinnati for her surgery, well… they’re tight.

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And he’s big and helpful and can make me laugh at the drop of a hat – all marks of an exceptional travel companion.

(Please do be praying for his motion sickness to be manageable… it’s truly his only travel-companion flaw but it’s a whopper, y’all.)

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And the other (surprise!) tag-along on this trip is Dalton.

About a month ago he came to me and shared how deeply he wanted to join us on this trip. After laughing hysterically and reminding him that we had approximately zero dollars and zero cents to make that happen, I pressed to see how serious he was.

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Encouraged by his gumption and surprised by his willingness to put his money where his mouth was, I called our agency to find out just how much it would increase our travel costs. The only additional costs for him to come along would be food and a rollaway.

And so we struck a deal: if he could raise the funds for his plane ticket, he could come.

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He got to work and reached out to some close family and beloved friends and – with not much time to spare – was gifted with every last cent. (A huge thank you Momo and Popo, G.G. and Connie – this boy has been forever marked by your big hearts!)

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And that is us. The cast of characters adventuring out to bring our girl home.

We would be so very grateful for your prayers – over us, over motion-sickness, over Clementine and over Magnolia who has absolutely no clue that this crazy bunch is coming for her.

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Ready or not, tiny one, here we come.

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P.S. If you joined us in our Known By Heart effort, please consider supporting us once more by wearing your Known By Heart on May 9th, sharing a picture on FB or IG and tagging it #bringhomeMagnolia. It would feel like a big ol’ hug from halfway around the world from sweet friends as we mark the beginning of becoming family.

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

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05.03.16 · Asher, Clementine, Dalton, Magnolia, To China for Magnolia

I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
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our china journeys

magnolia - 2016
clementine - 2014
tallula - 2012
penelope - 2011
vivienne - 2010
shepherd - 2008
jude - 2007
sophie - 2006
isabelle - 2005

ways to make a difference

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a dirty secret in adoption
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there's no such thing as an easy adoption
if I can, you can.
co-sleeping, why we do it.
gawsh. the series.
crazy
affording adoption
God and me.
Vivi's diagnosis
the ugly, beautiful truth
special needs: my .02
my testimony
dear anonymous
my chinese son

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