Wow! WHAT A WEEK!!!

Well, it's been awhile since our last posting... and to be honest, nothing really had been happening during most of that time. We were in waiting mode... long 24 months+ waiting mode. But we have some AMAZING news!!! We're going to China THIS SUMMER!

I apologize if I haven't been able to share this news with everyone individually, but we've just had a crazy and busy week. I just haven't had time to email or call. We just told our own parents last evening, and today we were gone all day visiting the National Museum of Natural History (a scheduled trip), so I haven't been home much.

CWA, our agency, receives a list of a special needs children from China from time to time (approximately every 3-4 months). Last Friday, I got an email that the list would be posted on Tuesday. So, of course I got online on Tuesday when the list was just posted. Mike and I were IM'ing and decided to ask for the files of a little girl. Sure enough, a few minutes later, her files were in my Inbox! By Friday morning, Mike and I had prayed and researched and had inquired with an adoption-specialist doctor to go over her medical files. We told the agency on Friday morning that we're a go!

We will be naming her Gracelynn. After we told the kids her first name, Ben says, "Well, she could always just write 'Grace' on her school papers like I write 'Ben' instead of Benjamin." So, yes... Grace or Gracie will be a short, easy, commonly-used nickname. :-) Grace was Mike's paternal grandmother's first name. Lynn is my middle name. And yes... we do know that it sounds like a famous travel destination when put together, but hey... she has us "All Shook Up". So, how appropriate. :-)

After speaking with Dr. Mason from the International Adoption Clinic (who I highly recommend as he was very professional and understanding and thorough... even when our phone lines went bonkers mid-conversation), we made our decision. On Thursday night, after our blast of winter snow and while eating at the Main Street Wings in Purcellville, we told the kids about their soon-to-be new baby sister. They were thrilled! Ben and Reagan are already making plans for her and finding ways to welcome her. Tommy hasn't quite grasped what it means to have a baby sister ("A babysitter? Like Emily?" was his reply.) But he now can tell you that he gets to move into Ben's room, which he's been dying to do, and his baby sister will move into his room soon. Of course, when we talk about a little girl, his baby sister, he'll always say, "Maggie?" (his friend)... he's a little confused. So, we'll have many, many, many more talks with him.

Our current estimates of travelling dates are June or July 2008. This is just an estimate and will depend on many factors. But late June or early July sounds perfect to me. Our other three kids will be home and won't be involved in as many sports or activities for our parents to worry about (when babysitting). It'll be before the Olympics, so perhaps we'll beat the rush yet get to see some neat sites. And it'll be after my Dad's trip to Alaska, so he'll hopefully be able to travel with us when we go to China!!!

We've always had a few goals in mind when we talked about going to China: having lost some weight and gotten into shape, having bought a laptop (to communicate with everyone in the US while over there), having her room finished, having a wardrobe waiting, etc. Boy, our goals now have a much more imminent date. But, I'm up for the challenge!

Well, I suppose I'll have a lot more to discuss over the next few months, so keep checking in... I promise to write more often! In the meantime, we have a long list of things to accomplish, and welcome any advice from adoptive parents of Chinese and/or older children.

Wow. I'm still shocked by the news. What a difference one little week makes. God is Great! Feel free to comment or email us. We're all so excited over here!