Friday

We are here. We got in last night but we have had problems with language in getting connected to the internet. One of the small bumps when your out of the country. The flight was long and quite tiresome, but we are handling it. I already recieved a pat down at the airport and we did walk through a device that took our temperature. But we were okay. We are in culture shock and jet lag mode but laughing through it, or at least I am. We are about to go on our first tours to the Forbidden City and the acrobat show today, so when we get connected again I will post. There was a wedding at our hotel today that I wish I would have had my camera to take a picture. The Chinese people make a big deal just like we do. But the bride was so pretty in her gown and flowers. Sunday when you wake up we will have Lily. We can't wait to get home and share all of our stories. Plus I don't have spell check so forgive my spelling maybe Jill will help me out. Hint, Hint.

Hours before take off!!!

I can't believe how wonderful everyone has been on our blog. Thank you so much for the words that Lily will one day get to read. I have some very special people in my life. You all are what makes this blog so personal. It's been awhile since I wrote to Lily, I think it's time to talk to her. It's been my way of staying sane. Not addressing her has made it easier for me to not think of her waiting in China for us to come and meet her. It's been a very emotional day so I think this will help me feel better about our long journey coming to an end very soon.
Lily,
It's been so sweet to go to sleep at night and dream of meeting you, finally. I haven't went a single hour without looking at your picture or dreaming of your beautiful face. I wonder what your doing or who's wiping your tears away and hoped that you have someone who loves you very much taking care of you until I get there. Then I look at your face and know that she loves you. Who couldn't. I bought a ring for you and your foster mother that I'm going to keep for you until you get old enough to understand that there is a woman in China that has a ring just like yours to remember you by. I'm sure she will cherish it. There are so many people who have wrote such beautiful comments to you, you are so blessed already. I can't wait for you to meet all of the friends and family that have waited with us for you. I'm nervous about you seeing me for the first time because you see I have loved you for so long even before we received your picture, but you have never even seen mine. We will work through this difficult process that you are about to face. I may not do everything perfect, but I will do whatever it takes to make you feel our love. I promise that you will never have to feel alone in this world again as long as I have a breath in my body. You will always know how much I love you, and have wanted to be your Mommy. Lily, mommy and daddy are on our way. We love you.

It's almost here!!!

We are putting the finishing touches on all of our luggage. I have managed to fit all of my clothes in a carry on piece of luggage. It's amazing how I have packed for 2 weeks in a carry on suite case. Lily has the biggest piece and it is full. Paul is dragging his feet on his packing, but seems to think that he will get it done tomorrow. I'm going crazy thinking that I will forget something and he is just cruising alone in slow motion. So I have decided to just chill out and embrace the moment. I have found that I start to remember if I have forgot to pack something when I relax. But we are so excited about our trip now. I'm really not the traveling kind of girl, but this is so different. We are going to get our daughter. Paul and I are going to China, and we coming home with a baby girl that will one day call us Mommy and Daddy. I can't even grasp the words that would explain how my heart fills up with all of those emotions that every women has when she goes into labor. I think that I felt the first contraction on Friday and so if it continues until the May 3rd I think that I will have everyone beat on hours of labor. That's 9 days!!!! I can't eat or concentrate on anything. I guess I used to have school to get me through the long days, but I haven't been in school for the past week. The days are dragging, and the nights are sleepless, because I'm so excited. I hope to make one last post tomorrow, but if I don't we will post as soon as we get connected at the hotel. I also found out that at the White Swan hotel I get a Barbie doll holding a Asian baby for Lily. I think that's so sweet. Wishing everyone who is reading a safe Derby day, your going to have to do it without me this year.

Nursery!!!

We received Lily's furniture today!! And I can't believe how much of a difference it has made in her room. We ordered a full size bed that we won't be putting up until she is ready to be in a big girl bed. Until then we are using Karen's crib. I just love it.

Pediatrician

I went to visit Lily's Pediatrician tonight, they were a wonderful group. They gave me formula to feed Lily for awhile and instructions that we are going to change her to regular milk ASAP. I had to stay over since my questions were about adopting an older child, and most of the couples were pregnant. I didn't want to take up their time with my questions. But that did allow me to meet all of them and they were very nice. Dr. Heinkebein is older and he reminds me of my Doctor. I think he already understands that I have some anxiety problems. He explained to me that if she is sick or has some medical problems that she has been okay for 14 months and she will be okay for 2 more weeks until they get to see her. By the time I left all of the Pediatricians in the office where bringing me formula, neosporine and Tylenol to take with me. So I do feel much better about going to them and the care they provide for their patients. I have been going to the same doctor since I was 18 years old, so I like to have a doctor that I feel like knows me when I walk in the door. And my doctor gives me very good treatment, I want the same for Lily, just like every other mother in the world. That feels so different just saying the word mother.

Less than two weeks

Just thinking about how my life will be so sweet and full in less than two weeks. I'm counting down the days to Gotcha day. We are almost ready as far as Lily's room goes. When we get her room finished, I will feel so much better. I feel like my house is a mess, everything she has received is in the middle of the floor. Aunt Karen and Aunt Jill had a sweet luncheon for us yesterday, and Lily made out very well. I can't wait to put everything away. Thank you for your thoughtful gifts and for coming to share in our preparation for Lily. Now to the packing. That is a disaster. As I've said in the past, organization, planning ahead, thinking things through to the end, not one of my strongest qualities. So I have packed Lily's bag four times. I really don't know how it will all fit. I have went through the list and with the exception of a few extra outfits, because of the weather and not knowing her true size, I have packed lightly. If this is any indication of how my bag is going to be packed, I'm in serious trouble. But I will just layer myself in clothes for the plane ride if I have too. I will get through this, and everything will be fine. Just thought I would post a picture of the luncheon at Lynn's Paradise Cafe, which is my favorite place to eat.

Travel Information!!

We have received every document that we need for our trip, with all of our instructions on how to present ourselves while we are in China. It seems that we just need to stay calm. Who do they think will get excited or nervous? Not me, I'm sure. We have been waiting for our Confirmation of Coming to China letter, and we received that today from FTIA. All I need to do is get packed and remember to take all the paper work. Sounds easy enough. That is to be determined. Lily 's furniture comes on the 23rd, so I can get all of her new clothes and baby dolls put in place, then I will put up a photo of her room, before she comes home to tear it up. I can't wait for her to play with all of her new toys. We have tried to pay for everything we can through our travel agent, and I have every tour planned and paid for so we don't have to worry about paying while there. Paul agreed to it. I hope since they are already paid we won't back out. He may be upset when he realizes we are going to the Great Wall, on foot. It going to be rough but we need to do this for Lily.

The Gift of Life

I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.

For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.
--- Unknown

Travel arrangements are completed

We are all set on the travel. We received confirmation on our travel today
.
We leave on April 29TH and arrive in Beijing on the 30TH and stay there for 3 nights,
May 1st and 2ND is for sight seeing, Great Wall, Summer Palace and Forbidden City. We will go to the Acrobatic Show on Friday afternoon.

May 3rd Sunday morning we leave for Nanchang and stay for 5 nights, This is Gottcha Day. We will meet Lily that afternoon.

May 8Th we leave for Guangzhou for 5 nights

May 13Th we leave for Beijing and then to Chicago and then we will be in Louisville that night at 9:15pm.
Can't wait to get home from a 20+ hour flight with our baby girl!
Every day is filled with tours and culture in China but you will just have to keep up with the blog to find out what they are. It will be a surprise.

Happy Easter Lily!!

Happy Easter to my beautiful baby girl. We had the Willett side of the family out for Easter and the egg hunt. And the kids had a blast. We had Kaelin all weekend and did practice runs so she would be prepared. And she was, she knew exactly what to do. I watch as Reese tried to get the eggs, and couldn't help to think of Lily doing the same thing. I'm sure she will be ready next year. The older kids will sleep good tonight. They played so hard and we loved watching them. I love Easter for the meaning and what time of year it falls. It reminds me of softball.
We are still waiting for our final travel arrangements for in country travel and hotel accommodations. When that is sent to us we will post it for all to see. On the other hand Laurie, my sister-in-law, had my very first baby shower for Lily yesterday. It was on April 11Th, Paul fathers birthday. He would have loved to have met Lily. We miss Henry and wished he could be with us in this journey that he never had the chance see through. Henry told us before he died that he would have a little talk with God about shedding some happiness our way. And I believe his talked must have gotten through. It was nice to celebrate a new life coming to us on a mans birthday that inspired us all to be better people. Henry is with us in our hearts and we will certainly tell Lily many stories about how hard he made us laugh and remember what it means to love life. The shower was beautiful. We had a wonderful time. I'm going to have to get some pictures sent to me so I can post those also. Laurie and Bevin my niece were very thoughtful in having Lily a shower and we were blessed with so many gifts. I'm amazed at the generosity that my family and friends have shown. It's really a hard time in the world right now, and I know it's not easy to come up with extra money for a shower. It touched me deeply. Thank you to Laurie and Bevin for being you. We love you, and I know Lily will too.

Travel

We have confirmation on our international flights to China, but we are still waiting on our in country travel and hotel arrangements. We are for sure leaving on April 29TH and coming home on May 13TH. We will be posting some of our big days, and where we will be as soon as we get all of the travel information. I just wanted to update everyone on what was going on. As for now we are trying to get all of the items that we need for our travel in order. You just wouldn't believe the amount of paperwork and the suggestions from our agency that we need to pack. Three pages. But our agency tells us everything from diapers to how many pj's for dad and how many pair of socks for mom,I don't know how it will fit in our luggage. On top of all the excitement I have finals next week in school. Wow, life is not boring at the Raisor's. I'm having a hard time controlling my excitement. I think I have told everyone that I have had a conversation with for more than one minute about Lily. They really could care less but neither can I. I just want to say her name in the same sentence with the words, my baby. So everyone in Taylorsville and Shelbyville knows about Lily. We are going down the stretch, I really can't believe that we are so close to holding her in our arms.