Flights Are Booked

Wow! This is really beginning to feel more and more real. I confirmed our flights with the travel agent this morning. She was such a wonderful woman to work with. She got us great routes and good prices. We booked Toby a lap seat so he won't have his own seat on the plane. The travel agent booked Dave and I with a seat open between us in hopes that it stays open and we have a little more room to stretch out on the way home.

Please pray for us as we prepare to go. Pray for good health for Dave and I. Also that the Lord would prepare Toby for us. Pray for our three children who will stay at home while we travel. Pray that they remain happy and healthy while we are gone. Definitely pray for all the relatives who are so graciously staying with our little ones to care for them. Pray for strength and health for them. We are so grateful to have such wonderful family who are willing to help us during this time.

Love to you all!

We're Coming Toby!!

We received our travel approval yesterday! Today we got confirmation of our travel dates. We will be leaving on 8/19 and returning on 9/4. Now I am in the process of booking flights and reviewing my packing list. I'm just so excited that in 3 weeks we will be in China!

We're coming baby boy!

A Little More About Toby

Along with the pictures of the party that I received I sent a letter to the orphanage director thanking them for caring for Toby and I asked a few questions that I hoped they may answer. Well they passed on the info to Ann who coordinated the care package for us. I'd love to share a little more about what we found out.

Q. What is Ruo Yu's daily schedule like?
A. Wakes up at 7am, naps 11am-2pm, goes to sleep at 8:30pm.

Q. If he is upset what helps to calm him down.
A. When he is upset give him hugs and pat his back, then he will be happy.

Q. What are his favorite toys/foods.
A. He loves to push walker or little car to walk around. He loves to eat noodles.

We asked a few more questions but they probably aren't very interesting to others so I won't bore you with them. He sounds like a pretty easy going kiddo. He must also be close to walking if he is pushing cars around.

Our Happy Boy!

I have, of course, cherished each and every picture we have received of Toby but have always felt a little sad that I did not have one of him smiling. Well I arranged for a care package, including a cake to be sent to him and his friends at the orphanage. I hoped it would be a good way to say thank you to the staff and give the kids a special treat.

Well this morning I woke up to new pictures of the party they had and Toby is smiling! In the pictures I've posted he is the one wearing the crown. He even has a dimple! I needed this so much today. My heart has been aching to be so far away from him and not know how he is every day. I know we will meet him in God's time but I must admit I feel impatient a lot of the time.

Good News!

Our paperwork has finally found it's way back to the CCAA and we should get our Travel Approval sometime in the next 2-4 weeks. So far we are still on track to leave sometime in the later part of August. We are getting closer!