At 5:30am the alarm sounded and I darted out of bed to start the day. The morning was very uneventful. Just getting dressed and packing up the last of our items. Our large suitcase didn't pass the weight check...coming in at 47 vs 44 pounds, but we should be able to rearrange our items before the next flight from Beijing since our other checked bag only weighed 36 pounds.
Our goal was to leave at 8am to head for the airport. Our Rommie, Rogge, was gracious enough to drop us off at the airport and will pick us up upon our return. Right when we backed put of the driveway, I glanced at the clock. 8:00am on the dot! (Of course, Brandon had to throw in that I keep my clock ahead 5 minutes, but I still thought it was pretty cool!)
We rolled up to the airport, checked our luggage, and headed over to the security check. Brandon went through first, MeiLin in the middle, and I brought up the rear. We gathered our items and went around the corner to put on our shoes. (I was last to finish, of course.). That was when Brandon said, "Where is our carry-on bag?" I look around and yeah, we didn't have it. So Brandon told me to stay put with MeiLin and he flagged down a Security guard to point him to the nearest exit (running back for his boarding pass...). I sat down with MeiLin and explained that we needed to wait for BaBa to find our bag. So I did what I always do, I texted my twin, Amber. She called immediately. "What's in that bag?," she asked. Hmmm, I hadn't thought about that. Well, there was our spare clothes in case our suitcases are lost, hats, gloves and scarves, and...OMG. ALL of our adoption paperwork. Without that, we couldn't get on the plane. Amber asked if I was freaking out, and for some reason I wasn't. (Which isn't my usual M.O.) Brandon called just then and said that he couldn't find it. He was in line to talked to American. For me to try and search in Security, maybe we left it there. So I left MeiLin sitting with our stuff, and I walk down to where I can see both her (with the rest of our bags) and the Security area. Praise God I see our bag sitting all alone!! I texted Brandon and then tried to waive down a Security Guard but he was busy. (I wasn't about to let MeiLin out of my sight!) A random person saw what I was doing and sent the guard my way. (I love random acts of kindness!) I explained the situation, and he got the bag for me. Whew, crisis averted, and I was able to text Amber the good news.
The Security line that Brandon had to go back through had grown crazy long, so I told him we would meet him at the Admirals club. They had a family lounge with a small play area, toys, and computers and we were the only ones in there. It was a great pace to settle after the adrenaline rush! That was where I asked Brandon, "Do you know what was in that bag?" He mentioned some stuff. Then I said, "And ALL of KaiLi's paperwork." Brandon was glad he hadn't realized that! I flagged down a random person to take a quick family picture. Brandon was annoyed that It was an Asian person who didn't speak English, but how was I to know? And who can't use an iPhone camera nowadays? It crackes me up that his finger is in the picture!
MeiLin's new dog, Chase!
MeiLin wearing her 'big sister' shirt!
Playing a game similar to Frogger on the computer!
Family picture (with the random finger!)
Time flew quickly. We were off to the gate and were boarded on the plane. I still can't believe that my Aunt Wanna was able to assist us in getting into Business Class just 2 days ago! We are on the new Dreamliner and it is simply amazing. It is just like First Class from our first adoption trip but with full size TVs! And the Windows don't have shades. You push a button and they dim...it looks like gas or something? You can still see out but the sun looks like the moon...really incredible!
MeiLin is ready to go!
Stickers and coloring!
The flight itself was uneventful, thankfully! MeiLin got in a few hours sleep, but neither Brandon nor I were able to sleep much. We arrived at the airport and cleared customs around 3pm local time (1am Dallas time), collected our bags, and met our guide, Rocky. (He remembered you, Janell!). MeiLin fell asleep on the drive to the hotel. That gave her a second wind, and she was literally running circles in the room. Wow, Brandon and I are exhausted!
MeiLin was AMAZING! She doesn't get cranky when she gets tired! She is my little trooper. It reminds me of my nephew, William, when Amber and I took Mom to Disney World with the grandkids between her chemo treatments. He walked through Disney World for 2 1/2 days before collapsing while walking to the bus for the final time and declaring, "I am done!" MeiLin only had one incident while we were waiting at baggage claim. She started rubbing her legs and I could tell where this was going. Growing pains. UGH! She only gets them every few months. Shortly there after she wanted me to hold her and was saying, "It hurts, it hurts!" I just held her and sent up a prayer that God should give her relief because there was nothing I could do to give her relief. God is good, because just a few minutes later she was feeling better. Her shortest episode ever - praise God!
My impression of Beijing: beautiful! Shanghai last time was so smoggy and smelt like we were behind a bus. We flew in, and there was a haze, but you can see for miles. I was very surprised!
And the hotel is clean, but can you tell it is old?
There is only WiFi downstairs, not in the room (that will be interesting!). Also the VPNs are hit and miss, so we likely won't be able to post everyday. We are doing room service for MeiLin and then straight to bed!
Our Itinerary
Wed, 1/6 - Depart Dallas to Beijing via American Airlines
Thurs, 1/7 - Arrive in Beijing @ 2:55pm and check into hotel. Our guide is Rocky Yu.
Fri, 1/8 - Tiannanmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutong Tour by rickshaw, lunch with a local family, Tea House, and a Chinese King Fu show
Sat, 1/9 - Great Wall, Jade carving factory, and Acrobatics show
Sun, 1/10 - GOTCHA DAY! Fly from Beijing to Nanchang via Hainan Airlines. Our guide is Mary Zeng, and our hotel is called the 'Galactic Peace International Hotel'. (Okay people, I can't stop laughing. What type of a name is that? Let's just say I am not expecting 5-star accommodations!) Then, we get to meet sweet KaiLi that afternoon! She will stay with us for the remainder of the trip as we complete the adoption process. (We had thought our Gotcha Day would be Monday but we are blessed to get her earlier than expected!)
Mon, 1/11 - Sign the Adoption Agreement (there is a waiting period to confirm if you still want to proceed with the adoption), register the adoption, notarized the documents, and shopping for necessities.
Tues, 1/12 - Apply for KaiLi's passport then downtime ('parenting' is what it is listed as on the sheet, Ha!)
Wed, 1/13 - Tongwan Tower
Thurs, 1/14 - August 1st Park and notarized documents and passport are ready for pickup
Fri, 1/15 - Depart Nanchang for Guangzhou via China Southern Airlines. Our guide is Jack Mao, the same guy from MeiLin's adoption!
Sat, 1/16 - Photo studio for KaiLi's picture, and medical exam/TB test. (We got to avoid the TB test during MeiLin's adoption since she was under 2.)
Sun, 1/17 - Shamian Island
Mon, 1/18 - City Zoo
Tues, 1/19 - Free Day. Our former pastor moved with his family to China to start the first recognized Lutheran church! We are hoping to meet up with them this day, God willing!
Wed, 1/20 - Visa appointment with the US Embassy
Thurs, 1/21 - (MeiLin's 3rd Gotcha Day!) Visa is ready for pickup
Fri, 1/22 - Depart Guangzhou to Beijing via China Eastern Airlines.
Sat, 1/23 - Depart Beijing to Dallas via American Airlines (The one downsize to using miles is that you have to fly into and out of the same city but absolutely worth it for 29+ hours of flight time!). We get to see Rocky again!
HOME as a family of 4 with KaiLi!
This is awesome I love following your adoption stories ! Ps just crop out the finger. ��
ReplyDeleteSo thankful the bag was easy to find. May your entire journey go smoothly!
ReplyDeleteWill follow your progress all along the way - God speed
ReplyDelete