A Look Back: July 20th, 2008

I made it to the airport but had to unpack when I got there! My suitcase weighed 52 something pounds. They charge an incredible amount for the extra weight, so I took things out and handed them to my father and stepmother right there in the terminal. They walked off carrying sandals, books, and I can't remember what else. The flight to Beijing was LONG! United seats are so close together that you cannot bend your knees. I stood in the back of the plane for most of the 13 hours. There were many Chinese people on the flight - some I talked to were going over to work at the Olympics which begins soon. I'm not completely sure of our flight path but it looked like we went straight up on the map - over Greenland maybe? - then we went over Russia and finally into China. At some point in the flight, the food turned to Chinese - noodles, chopsticks, etc. It was strange deboarding in a foreign county. The Beijing airport is large and there were lots of people. I was to look for a person holding an America World sign. Finally, I see her - what a wonderful sight. She has already found the other America World people on the flight - a couple who I saw in Washington! I had NO idea that they were with America World, but I did wonder if they were adopting because they had a neck wallet like I did. We chat all the way to the hotel. They are adopting a 2 year old little boy - their second adoption from China. We get to the hotel and discover that our rooms are next door to each other! We are too exhausted to do much else than update our blogs. It is Sunday afternoon here - we left our homes on Saturday morning. Monday morning, we will be leaving to fly to the provinces where our children are. The other 11 families are here in the hotel. They went to the Great Wall today and then out to dinner. There will be 6 other families flying to Nanchang with me. They are all adopting infants. I will meet them in the morning - right now, I plan to sleep!

A Look Back: July 18th, 2008

If I thought I had it together, I was sadly mistaken. Today I feel so jumbled that I can hardly function. I told Linda that she needed to hang out with me just to make sure I did the things that I had to do. It's one thing to think about leaving on an international trip - I've traveled a bit - been as far as Barbados and Hawaii - but never so far as China. And never to a place where they speak a different language. It's a 13 hour flight - and I don't like to fly (unless it's first class). As I think about all this I suddenly remember why I'm going - I'm going to be a mom - to a 4 (almost 5)year old. OH MY! This has been going on in my mind all day! I did have enough sense to hire a housekeeper to clean my house today! Linda helped me get the rest of the money together. The expenses that will need to be paid in China must be in NEW twenty dollars bills. I did not know that banks no longer have new money. I used to be a teller and we always had new money. Anyway, my bank worked on this all week and didn't have enough really clean twenties. So, we went to Linda's bank - and I called my Dad who was in route and he got some at his credit union. So, between the three, I have it - they're not new but they look pretty good. Tonight I had my stepmother packing, ironing, and touching up paint in the master bath! I think it's all in the suitcase now - do I dare weigh it? I can hardly pick it up. My flight leaves at 10:25am. My father and stepmother will make sure I make it to the plane. One more sleep......

A Look Back: July 17th 2008

Most of travel group 136 left today for Beijing. I have no regrets as I'm running around half crazy. Remember I mentioned remodeling? Well, the painters finished at 8:30pm tonight! I have tile grout dust throughout the house. Everything that was in the master closet is in the guest room and in Jordyn's room! My father and stepmother are arriving tomorrow and they will need a room - not to mention that Jordyn will also need a room very soon. So, it must all be put in the new closet. I'm frantically trying to do this. In the meantime, I haven't packed yet! I don't really know what size Jordyn will wear so I have 2-3 different sizes available to take. One thing I know - it's hot in China. But, I've been told that the Chinese will try to cover up your child if too much skin is showing regardless of the temperature so I need to take long pants or capris too. I'm not sure which toys I should take. There is a 50 pound limit on the international flight, but in China there is a 44 pound limit and you cannot go over - period. You can only carry on one personal item and that is considered your "carry on", so even if I carried on an extra bag to China, I wouldn't be able to take it to Nanchang on Monday because my tote bag is my "carry on". There can be NO liquids carried on in China either. So, packing is a challenge. My dear neighbor Linda came over tonight to help and I had her doing everything from cleaning grout dust to packing! Tomorrow she will just be around to help me stay focused - and to go over the checklist. As an old friend would say - 2 more sleeps until China. Who's sleeping???

A Look Back: July 15th, 2008

“For he will command his angels concerning you to

guard you in all your ways." Psalm 91:11

Dear Travel Group 136,

The time you have long been waiting for has finally arrived! You are about to meet your precious child face to face! The America World staff shares in your joy as this day quickly approaches.

Like most incredible life experiences, your trip to China will be both amazing and challenging. As Paul encouraged the Romans, so we also encourage you with this verse: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Please know that you will be in our prayers throughout your time in China. We look forward to talking with you upon your return, and hearing all about your trip. If you will be posting pictures or updates to a blog while you travel we would love to have the link and follow along. We are thankful for the blessing of walking alongside you throughout this journey. May God bless this final chapter of your adoption process!

In His Love,

Kristen Hussa

Travel Coordinator

A Look Back: July 14, 2008

Today our travel group had a 2 hour travel meeting via telephone. There are 13 families traveling and we were all on the phone! I found out a little about each family. There is one other single and there is another family leaving on the 19th. The agency travel coordinator lead the meeting. We received so much information! I tried to take notes but my mind is just too jumbled. The paperwork is so important - I have to make sure I have the right documents with me. I have an agency check list and I think I will go through it several times. I can't believe the time has almost come. Very soon I will have a precious little girl. The coordinator prayed with us at the end of the meeting - she relinquished us into God's hands. Only here can I move forward.

I'm Back!

Hello to all who are still checking this blog. I would have given up long ago! Things have been a bit crazy and I'll tell you why in a minute. I do plan to continue the "Look Back" (see below this post) up to my trip to China and our journey home - then I'm going to turn the blog into a book for Jordyn to have. I'll still update occasionally, but probably only a few times/year. Since my last post: I was out of work from January 27th until April 30th. Although I initially panicked, it was the right thing for us. And as I waited, the ideal job came along. I'm now a school nurse with Franklin County Schools. One of my schools is just 4 miles away - the other 26 miles but I split my time between them. It is VERY different from hospital nursing which I did for 26 years so I have a lot of adjusting to do. But, the hours - 8-3:30! A week+ off at Christmas and Easter - and 4 1/2 weeks in the summer (mid June to mid July). One of my schools is modified year round so I go back with them in July and work part-time until my other school opens in August. The schedule is perfect for Jordyn. Speaking of Jordyn, she is doing fantastic and has progressed by leaps and bounds. I had a babysitter with her for the 6 weeks I worked and we've been enjoying the summer since then. We went to the beach for a week and then to the mountains for few days. Jordyn has been in swimming lessons since April and she loves it. When we came home from China she was terrified of large bodies of water so she has come a long way! Jordyn is also in private English lessons every week. The language is a struggle but she is putting 2 and 3 words together without prompting now. If I had moved to China 1 year ago I'm quite sure I would not be speaking Chinese at this point! Jordyn had been in speech therapy and occupational therapy but I have stopped both for now. I had considered taking Jordyn to school with me but I have decided on a very small private school in Wake Forest. There will be less than 10 kids and much more individualized attention. She starts August 3rd! This fall will be a major change for both of us! Please pray that Jordyn will feel secure quickly and that she will enjoy going to school. That's the latest! I hope I will be able to adequately describe my feelings as I "Look Back"! Thanks to all who have prayed for us and stayed in touch with us. Much love - k

A Look Back: June 27th 2008

Today I received concrete travel dates! My agency had to first make our consulate appointment in Guangzhou - it will be July 28th at 9am - so the group is leaving for Beijing on July 17th and returning to the US on July 30th. I've decided to leave on July 19th and skip the Beijing part of the trip. The 2 days are for rest and sightseeing. Although I would love to see the Great Wall, I would rather just go and get Jordyn! So, I'll leave on July 19th - fly to Washington DC - then on to Beijing arriving July 20th. Then I will fly to Nanchang in Jiangxi province on July 21st. I will have Jordyn on July 21st. On July 25th, we will fly to Guangzhou. The children will receive their visas and then we will fly back to Beijing on July 30th and then to Washington DC and then to RDU! China bound in 3 weeks!