Waiting to Depart :)

Wow, I was bundle of nerves this morning, to put it lightly. When I get stressed, I misplace things. I kept putting things in strange places. Of course, if you read my post last night, you know about my vehicle mishap. Sigh. Let me just say that I have never been more thankful for my husband Scott, Mom, Dad and sister Leah. They just helped to do what I needed to do to get things done.
By the way, Kristy, if you are reading, I was stressed last night and ate the whole bowl of salad that you brought over. I must say that was the tastiest salad I have ever had. That gargonzola cheese was awesome! It was so nice to see you, Phillip and Gracie last night. I packed the outfit, slippers, Dora items, crayons and book. Tell Gracie I LOVE the heart blanket and pillow, and I love everything with hearts.
I currently sit at Max and Erma's restaurant, within footsteps from my gate. I purchased a Motown - Detroit t-shirt for Adam in China. I also picked up a few Henry Ford postcards to put in with my Chinese gifts. My Dear "young" dad will appreciate the plug for Ford Motor Co.! What do you think they will think of the Weiner-mobile postcard? I couldn't resist.
Presently, I am enjoying M&E's Tortilla soup, cheesesticks, and a my favorite special beverage. Ask Scott about that one. :) I am so excited to leave.
I have had only positive encounters today. I hope I continue to find as many amiable, sweet people on my travels. The lady who checked my baggage and gave me my boarding pass probably thought I was crazy when I arrived. I felt like a blind girl without a leader dog when I arrived. I wasn't sure if I was in the right section, I couldn't see the signs well, and I was so nervous. The lady was so patient with me, and helped me. She asked what was bringing me to Shanghai, and I told her about the adoption, and how I only had 6 days to prep for the trip, and her eyes lit up. I explained that I was so nervous, because I had never flown overseas, and how I was scared that I was going to forget something important. She chatted with me, and pointed me in the right direction, wishing me well. I met a complete stranger whose daughter adopted domestically. She told me that she would pray for me, and that God makes no mistakes. She was ecstatic to hear about my travels to China. I am sitting next to what must be the two sweetest southern gentlemen I have ever met, other than my dad (from Missouri).
I am close to flying out. This will be an exciting journey and I look forward to each day. It's hard to believe it is real, because I have been waiting for this moment for so long.
Two days ago, it hit me how much I was going to miss T.J. I miss my little man already. I talked to him on the phone. I can tell that he is excited that he is going to be spending so much quality time with Scott. I can also tell that he is confused about exactly how long I will be gone. I am excited about looking for a special souvenier for him in China.
Well, hopefully I will be posting tonight about my safe arrival in Shanghai. If internet access is available, I will do that as soon as I arrive. Prayers for safe travels are appreciated.
Jill :)

Leaving for Airport

Wow, I can't wait.
Jill :)

Leaving for Shanghai tomorrow.

Today was my last day of work until April 26th. I leave late tomorrow morning for Detroit Metro. I need to be there much earlier, due to all of the heightened security measures.
I just found out that I am staying at the Longmen Hotel in Shanghai my first night: http://www.gtahotels.com/hotels/longmen_hotel_shanghai.htm
It looks like it is an hour from the Shanghai airport that I fly into. I believe that I will be heading to Nanching the following day. That is where I will meet Jiliang.
Tonight, I arrived home at 7:00 from work. I enjoyed the company of my cousin Kristy, her husband Phillip, and their daughter Gracie. They brought the cutest gifts for Jiliang, and DINNER for us. T.J. got Pigs-in-a-blanket and smiley face potatoes, and they brought us the best chicken enchiladas, corn and an awesome salad. Thanks!!!
I had to move my car for them to leave, and I backed into an unknown car parked on the street, and dented its passenger door. I feel terrible for the owner of the car. It was not my night. Luckily, my local police dept. handled it immediately and I had a police report within minutes of the officer coming out. Thank you Sgt. Stern for handling it so professionally, calmly and efficiently.
I am still packing. I found out I was leaving last Sat., booked my flight on Monday, and worked my two jobs all week. I wanted to pack all week, but I was also taking care of last-minute adoption paperwork. I keep packing too much, unpacking, and then remembering more things. It's a vicious cycle. It is especially hard to pack, because I don't exactly know what to wear in China. I am bringing jeans and one nice pair of khakis. I hope I am not underdressed. I am also hoping that the hotel in Guangzhou will have a laundry service, as I am packing lighter. Jiliang is hard to pack for, because I don't know what size she wears. Her things are taking up most of the space.
I am going to bed now. I will finish packing come early morning. I don't plan on getting too much sleep, as I anticipate sleeping on the plane. I will try to check back in tomorrow with any updates. If not, I hope to be able to email from China. My friend, Lavonne, will be posting for me, because I will not be able to access Blogger in China.
Good night!
Jill :)

Children...

Children never cease to amaze me! Oftentimes, we look at the world around us and see so many ways in which the world is flawed with pain, anger, pessimism and violence. Children have ways of mirroring human compassion. When they say or do something heartfelt - no matter how big or small - it brings hope to the world that we live in. I leave you with these three cute stories this evening:

1. Recently, T.J.'s friend Veronica sent her baby blanket to school and told him that she intended it for his sister, Jiliang. Recently, I asked Veronica's Aunt Monica about the blanket, because I wanted to make sure it was okay to accept the cherished gift. Last night, this is what Aunt Monica wrote in an email:
"Funny story. I asked my Mom about the blanket and she said, 'Oh yeah I gave one to take to school cause she was driving me crazy about getting it to school, because TJ's Dad was going to Haiti to work and he needed it for the children!' Don't ya just love it! My mom said keep it, its totally fine. :)"
Of course, T.J. has been talking about how excited Veronica is to meet his sister Jiliang (She wants to dress her up like a ballerina). They are also doing a Haiti fundraiser at their school.

2. This morning, T.J. said to me, "Mom, there's a note in my backpack from school about _____ crying at school." I thought, "why is there a note?" thinking maybe something happened at school. Did I miss a note from his teacher? I told him to bring me the note, and he brought me his handwritten note that he had written to me at school. His translated his creative phonetic spelling as he read, "_______ was crying on the playground, because someone pushed her, so I need to bring an ice pack to school tomorrow." I asked what happened, and he explained that ______ pushed his female friend and he didn't like it, so he got mad at the boy and told the teacher. His other friend also sat on the offender when he didn't say he was sorry, and T.J. sat on him too. Oh boy, chivalry is not dead, but not what I want to encourage either. Anyhow, he wanted to bring an ice pack to school today, in case someone got hurt on the playground. I guided him to the freezer, and he took out a lunchbox icepack. He told me after school that _____ didn't need the icepack today, but another one of his friends needed it instead, so he gladly obliged.

3. At school, my Fifth graders made an announcement that they were having a party for me tomorrow. Two of the students typed up the sweetest letter to their peers stating to bring in some snacks and music tomorrow for my farewell party. I would love to share the letter, but must preserve their anonymity. They said, "Mrs. Koeppe is going to China to adopt a Chinese little girl...Do not bring any bad music" they said to their peers, "or you will get kicked out of the party." I am really going to miss those kids!! They worked hard to challenge me these last few months, and yet they have melted my heart. They left for dinner singing and dancing, "Na na na na...Heeey...Goodbye."

Ready to Leave for Shanghai!!!!

This has been a tumultuous week for us to say the least. I was able to relax more after I booked my flight; however, planning a trip without knowing how much was actually needed was stressful. Yet, I can finally say that in the final hours, everything has come together for us. :) :) :)
Many of you have offered prayers for Jiliang to come home safely to us, and we feel very blessed for that! Many adoptive families have shared their faith and wisdom about their own adoption journeys, and I was able to witness many miracles happen for preceding families trying to pull finances and paperwork together in the final hours as well. That moved me to Pray My Way through it with the help of friends, family, and new acquaintances. Ultimately, it gave me faith and comfort in knowing that God really does have a hand in all of this adoption stuff, or anything for that matter. This has truly been a miraculous journey for me, and not just because we are getting a beautiful, amazing little girl; but because this journey has given me the strengthened faith in God, as well as faith in the human heart.
God not only provided, but HE strategically placed many kind and wise people on our journey to help us at just the right times; to encourage me when I needed lifting; to pray for us when we felt hopeless; and to heal my faith as HE intended.
This weekend will be a long-waited welcoming for our daughter in China. Please know that God's Perfect Timing is always right. I wanted my Chinese daughter so long ago, and even prayed that we would get her as late as Summer of 2006, after we first decided to adopt (2005). I can look back now and smile, because HE knew that THIS was the PERFECT time. Jiliang is worth the wait.
If you are in the process of adopting, thinking of adopting, or waiting on what seems forever, just know that HE knows best. Everything happens for a reason. All of your sorrows will be erased with joys when you meet your child. May your faith carry you through whatever obstacles you may have today. Remember, YOU can pray your way through it. HE is always listening.
Thank you for your support and God Bless you all!
Jill :)

Final Date: I Leave For China on Friday!

My dad kindly offered me his frequent flyer miles that should have gotten me a round trip flight to China. (That was the hopeful surprise that I had wanted so much a few days ago.) He spoke to someone at the end of last week who confirmed it. Unfortunately, because it was such short notice, the frequent flyer mileage needed had more than doubled, and I was not able to use them. Thank you Dad! That was a generous offer anyways! Now, I just need to donate my miles to you after the trip, so you and Mom can go somewhere amazing for your 40th Wedding Anniversary this summer. You two deserve it!
Am I sad that I did not get more notice? No way. I asked Amy at West Sands to see if Adam could get me to China during the Chinese New Year. It is a wonder that it happened so fast! I am extremely thankful that their hard efforts paid off. Traveling for adoption during the Chinese New Year is rare, I am so very thankful that I will meet my little girl during her homeland's most celebrated holiday. I find it befitting that the first week of her Chinese New Year celebration will commence and END with her loved ones in China, AND the second week of her New Year will BEGIN with getting a forever family. I couldn't have planned it better!
Now, the good news is that after being on the phone for literally 5 hours last night, I finally booked my flight today. Scott and I were actually planning on a quiet Valentine's evening last night. As a family, we ordered a heart shaped pizza, and we wanted to hang out and watch a comedy. My parents even offered to babysit T.J. What could be better? We don't get too many evenings like that. The evening turned into a nightmare! We spend hours on the phone, getting conflicting information leading to dead ends. I almost booked a flight on the 20th, with my narrow window of opportunity. It would have cost $4000 for our tickets. Yikes! I didn't have that. Luckily, at the end of the evening, I called one last time and got the sweetest lady on the phone. She found a flight for me, except it left on Friday. Luckily, she reserved it for me until Monday at 11:00 p.m. I needed to check with my work after taking a half day off on Friday. All of my time off had been locked for my FMLA. Luckily, my principal approved it and HR worked with me. Therefore, I booked a roundtrip flight to and from Shanghai for $2,100 for myself and Jiliang. You can't beat that with less than a week's notice. Futhermore, I talked to the nicest people on the phone.
Today, my stomach was so nervous, and full of butterflies. I have never felt that physically stressed before. Within an hour of booking my flight, I felt much better. It is amazing what a little closure to a trip can do for your stress levels.
Despite the stress, this adoption journey has truly showed me that God fully intends for me to bring Jiliang home. There have been so many obstacles in this journey, yet so many more wonderful, giving people that always seem to turn my luck around and leave me smiling. I strongly believe that God's Plan is unstoppable!
Have a wonderful evening everyone and God Bless You and your loved ones!
Jill :)

"The Notary is In"

That is what our friend Monica said tonight when she called. Thank God! I called in desperate need of a notary for a few final documents to take with us and she obliged. Scott and I have had some crazy work schedules and this was the ONLY day we could get a Notary before I leave, but after hours. Thanks so much for not making our lives more stressful. That was so sweet Monica!
Of all things, we had to notarize a document stating that we will get all of Jiliang's vaccinations on schedule when she returns to Michigan. We are one of the Pre-Hague families, grandfathered under the I-600, so luckily we do not have to subject little Jiliang to several vaccinations at once in Guangzhou. She is going to be tired and weary enough from all of the traveling. Unfortunately, some of my fellow adoptive families will have to endure their child's multiple vaccinations before leaving China. It is hard enough when a child has to learn to trust you, but to be subjected to that when you are trying to build their trust must be unbearable. Let's pray that will change in the future.