Leaving for Shanghai in 6 days

I will be leaving Detroit Saturday and flying into Shanghai on Sunday. Sunday, I will also get Jiliang. Shanghai and Gaoyou are both in the Jiangsu province, so I am not sure if I am getting her in Shanghai or Gaoyou. Regardless, Jiliang and I will be visiting her orphanage in Gaoyou a few days later, which I am happily anticipating. Our next destination will be Guangzhou. That is the last official stop for adoption business. I would fly out of Guangzhou on the 5th, but it may work better getting a roundtrip ticket and flying back out of Shanghai. That way, we will have a non-stop, 14 hour flight back to Detroit. I have opted NOT to go to Beijing, so I will missing out on many Beijing attractions, including The Great Wall of China. However, I am opting to stay in Shanghai for an extra few days in case there are any delays in the process at all. I am looking forward to some relaxation in Shanghai before catching a long flight back with my new little one.
Scott and didn't feel that Beijing would be in Jiliang's best interest, especially not knowing how she will be feeling. Scott suggested that I return to China with Jiliang when she is older, so that we can retrace her childhood and view China's rich history together. I couldn't agree more. I plan to do a little sight-seeing, but I want my time to be focused on getting to know Jiliang. Relaxing by a pool with suit me fine. :)
Jill

I'm Leaving For CHINA next Saturday, Feb. 20th!!!!!

I can barely breathe! I just got home and found out that I am leaving for China next Sat. I fly into Shanghai on the 21st, and I get Jiliang next SUNDAY! If we go to Beijing for the tour, we will return on March 7th. Otherwise, we would leave from Guangzhou on the 5th of March.
If I would have been able to leave on the 16th, I could have done the Beijing tour first. I wanted so much to see Beijing, The Olympic Stadium, The Great Wall of China and The Forbidden City. I will have to make that decision tonight. I always pictured my daughter and I standing on the Great Wall after she became my legal daughter. However, I am concerned about her health, stamina, and the weather, so that is something to consider.
Somehow, I feel that I will be back in China with my little girl when she is a little older. There is a wonderful group called Our Chinese Daughter's Foundation (OCDF) that coordinates return trips for Chinese adoptees. There is always a possibility to do it then.
I am sure that China will be exciting and bring many wonderful adventures that I can experience with my beautiful daughter. I can't believe that I am going to be holding her next Sunday. It's surreal.
I am planning to order my plane tickets tomorrow. I will keep you all posted. I am ecstatic that I will be holding her next week.
My good friend Cathy McAtee-Luick also just bought some little shirts to take to the orphanage for Jiliang's friends and a few for Jiliang. Wow, I will be delivering them in a week - thanks Cathy. Also, Jiliang's Chinese Ling doll came in the mail today. Thank you so much Katherine. I love the Ling doll. She is so cute. Now, I can properly say "I love you" in Chinese.
So happy and excited beyond words,
Jill :)

Unexpected Blessings & Earth Angels

Jiliang is the one wearing the hat and the green coat.



We received new pictures of Jiliang today, courtesy of Ladybugs 'N Love. I ordered a cake through LNL in January. The orphanage agreed to order the cake, and in return they were asked to take photos of the event. We were blessed with three photos of our beautiful little girl. Happy Valentines Day to us! Thank you to Kelly and Angela, who have blessed us immensely with these photos. Jiliang's cake read, "Bright Blessings await you Gao Ji Liang". The name Jiliang means "bright blessings", which is what she will mean to us, and what we will commit to giving her. I didn't expect such a huge, elaborate cake. What an awesome cake! Our little girl is the one with the hat on, and what a lovely sight to see. All of the children are SO beautiful and look like they are enjoying the cake too. A month ago, T.J. had a party to celebrate being a Big Brother to Jiliang. Now, he understands that Jiliang had a party to celebrate getting a big brother, and being somebody's Little Sister, AKA: Mei Mei.

These last few weeks, I have had some generous prayers and donations from my Loving China's Children Christian group to help bring Jiliang home. They have all been an amazing support for me during this trying time. Friends and family have also donated, prayed for us, and supported us during this trying time. We have almost met all of our financial requirements for our adoption. The remaining expenses now include airfare. A week ago, it seemed financially impossible to bring Jiliang home. Luckily, donations, tax refunds and a retroactive work check kicked it in the knick of time. It is nothing short of a Miracle. God is good.

Unexpected angels: I have the opportunity to meet some really wonderful people in this adoption process. Random acts of kindness have blessed me this week.

The other day, I met a kind lady through EBAY. I have been trying to spend very little money, but I had been looking for a Ling doll for 3 months to no avail. She is a doll that speaks Chinese and English, but it no longer being made. A few days ago, I saw a Ling doll on Ebay. The auction was for 3 dolls: a Chinese doll, a Spanish doll and a Japanese doll. I asked the seller if she would sell me just Ling before the auction ended, otherwise I wouldn't get her in time. I explained that I wanted to present Jiliang with a doll that spoke Chinese so that she might be comforted by that, as the adoption experience can be scary to children. The seller, Katherine, offered to send her to me as a gift. She shipped Ling out today. What a wonderful surprise and a treasure that I can take to China for Jiliang. Thank you Katherine! It was such a sweet act of kindness and it meant so much to me. I will post pictures of Jiliang and her doll once we get home.

Today I went to New China Buffet in Tecumseh. The owner was excited that we were adopting and he offered to make her a special food item when she got back, free of charge. He gave me his phone number and told me to give him at least 2-3 days notice. I thanked him and he shook my hand and said, "No, thank YOU!" I decided to have a Welcoming party for Jiliang with my family at New China Buffet. I am so excited.

There is so much to look forward to, and I can barely contain myself as I wait; but I am actually able to rejoice in my trip now, as I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and now that the financial worries have been lifted. There are still some financial hurdles, but nothing that we cannot meet.

Please know that God is working in YOUR life. Let my story be a Testament to HIS work in our lives. What seems impossible is not when you have God on your side. Miracles do happen. It is always easy to see how many bad things happen in the world when you turn on the news, but just have Faith that there are many compassionate, good-hearted people in this world.

Sincerely,
Jill :)

Great News ~ Prayers Appreciated

I am still waiting on a travel date. Hopefully I will hear something on that in a few days. A couple of wonderful things have occurred over these last few days. I will post about them when they are certain. Many people have shown generosity and support for our adoption. We appreciate it so much. Your prayers are helping!! Please know that. The funds for our adoption are miraculously coming together in the final hours. Praise the Lord!!! What seemed impossible is happening and unraveling right before our eyes. I have full faith that we will have all of the funds to bring Jiliang home very soon. Please continue to keep Jiliang in your prayers. We also pray that we will have the faith, strength and perseverance to overcome any obstacles that may stand in our way of getting her home soon.
God Bless You All! I will post updates as soon as I can.
Jill :)

Jiliang's New Bike

Today I got to splurge a little, thanks to Alan and Abbie Jacobson. I used the Target gift certificate that they graciously gave to us to use for Jiliang. I love Target and there are tons of things on my Target Wish List for Jiliang, but I was saving the gift certificate for something special. The orphanage told us that Jiliang loves to ride the orphanage bike and play ball. Since she has never had anything of her own, including a bike, I couldn't resist this adorable bike. T.J. approved, because yellow is his favorite color. I love the daisies and the little "Backpack, backpack" on the handlebars. She is going to love it! Thanks Alan and Abbie.

Snow Day! Snow Day! Snow Day! :)

Just when I absolutely needed a break, we got a Snow Day. I was able to leave work a little early today from my full-time job, and my after-school job was cancelled, as were all activities in the district. I was able to go home and pick my son up from school. I walked to his school and escorted him home on a sled. I have been waiting for a day to do that. He was so excited. Then, we sledded in our back yard for an hour together. What a blast! I haven't had that much fun in the snow in years, and I certainly got a workout today.

Tomorrow, T.J. and I both have Snow Days! I really needed a day at home with my little guy. I also need to complete the last of the adoption paperwork and really need a weekday to accomplish that. I feel so relieved. I do love my jobs, but I am in need of a day off to catch up and have some R&R with my favorite boy in the world. There is so much to do before I travel.

This evening, I also found out that Human Resources at my husband's workplace is working proactively to get all of Jiliang's information lined up so that she can be added to our insurance the moment she is in my arms. That is a huge relief, especially since she is going to need a medical exam and surgical recommendation by a pediatric cardiologist as soon as she gets home.

Praise the Lord!!
Jill :)

Updates and Thank yous!

Yikes, there IS more paperwork. I received about eight more official forms to be notarized, and an important document that needs to be picked up from my agency this week. Just when you think...oh well. :) :) This will all be SO worth it in the end!

I have been blessed to receive some wonderful donations from friends, family and my generous LCC group. Every dollar counts and helps us bring home Jiliang to our home where she belongs. Hence, every prayer has certainly been heard as HE has paved the way to our little one in China. Many miracles are in the making as we journey to Jiliang.

I also received some good news that may occur in the next few days. I will post it when I can. Needless to say, I am touched by the magnitude of generosity around us. Many people have come forth to show support in a variety of ways and we are forever grateful.

Please continue to keep our little girl in your prayers. I look forward to the day when I can bring her home and share our joys with all of you, and extend my generosity in ways that will help other orphaned children come home to their forever families.

God Bless You All!
Jill :)

P.S. I am officially immune to Chickenpox, Measles, and Mumps. That is always good news too, especially when it means less shots and dollars spent on vaccines. :)