We're in CHINA!!!!

Hi from Chongqing:

getting very excited, as we will be getting our little girl tomorrow.
Our hotel is very nice. We walked in and there was a wedding going on
in the lobby. They all stopped and stared at us, especially Mana with
her amazing red hair. She took a picture with the bride and groom and
they were psyched.
I bought Mana a calligraphy set with a "chop" which is a stone stamp
with a person's name on it. Mana told her to make it Luli and she
wrote out the chinese characters for Lu and Li and said that was a very
nice name. So I'm feeling very good about her name. She said it means
pretty and she pronounced it with the accent on the second syllable.
very cute.
Mana also took a picture with two little girls in the lobby, part of
the wedding party, and also with an old woman in Tiannanmen Sqare.
Everybody stands around and giggles at Mana, she's like a superstar.
People take cellphone pictures of her ALL THE TIME.

China is so cool. It's a totally different world. Everyone is very
polite and helpful. We can't wait to meet our Luli.

At the wedding the groom was handing out cigarettes and the bride was
lighting them. Old chinese custom.

________________________________________________________________________
Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! -

http://mail.aol.com

Tomorrow we fly...

"Anyone who truly loves God travels securely."
--St. Theresa of Avila



The Ecstasy of Saint Theresa, by Bernini

Luli, here we come!

Our agency emailed us today that our TA has been mailed from China. This is our Travel Approval. This means Luli will be in my arms in 3 weeks! I can't wait. Next week we will book our travel.

UPDATE:
We've bought our plane tickets. Adriana, Grazie and I leave September 13th for Beijing. There we will tour for one day, so we can see the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Then we go on to Chongqin where we will meet our Luli. From there to Guangzhou. We leave Guangzhou on the 29th, through Beijing.

The Feast of the Assumption

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid; for behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because He who is mighty has done great things for me."

Her orphanage, Yunyang Chenxiang SWI, Chonquing

The pictures above are of our litle girl's orphanage. She was found near a hospital in Chongqin and estimated to be 4 days old. She was brought to this orphanage where she has been ever since. By all accounts it is a good orphanage. The children from there are well cared for and adjust quickly to their new families.

DRUMROLL, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

I am overjoyed to introduce our new daughter,

Yang Fu Lin
Born 12/26/06, Just 7 months old!!
Yunyang County Chengxiang SWI, Chongquing, China


At 5 months she weighed 13 lbs and measured 24 inches in length. She is a moderate sleeper, likes to suck her fingers, laughs readily and prefers her caretaker.
I hope to travel next month, September, to bring her home.


******OUR CUP RUNNETH OVER**********

Information from her newly translated Growth Report:
When she was found, she was wearing a suit and a yellow sweater, wrapped in a blanket. She weighed 8.14 lbs and was 19.31 inches long. She was found 12/29/06 at a nearby hospital and estimated to be 4 days old. She is described as having a beautiful face, good and white skin. She eats and develops well. She has an easy going and gentle personality. She is active and lovable. She is so sensible.

THE STORK HAS LANDED!!!

Just got an email from our agency. They have our daughter's information and will be calling soon! AS IN TODAY!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I'm in labor!!!!! Don't forget to breathe, Grazie!

Check back later today for info! I'll post as soon as I have it.