Sunday, September 13, 2009

Travel Meeting and New Ticker!!!

Wheee....check it out! There is a new ticker at the top of my blog and it's counting down the days until Hannah is in my arms!!!

All going well, Hannah will be placed in my arms FOREVER 7 weeks from today!!!

Sunday, November 1, 2009 should be Hannah day!!!


We had our travel group meeting yesterday and it was such fun to see everyone now that we've all 'met' our beautiful daughters! It was an absolutely beautiful day and we gathered in Toronto in the backyard of our agency's representative's home. Our babies range in age from 6 1/2 months (Hannah is the youngest of the 10) to 20 months. Each one is absolutely beautiful and all of us are super excited to travel to meet our daughters! It is quite a feat arranging travel for 10 families and coordinating this with the consulate appts. with the Canadian Government too.

Our little group which is made up of myself, my mom and dad and friend Norma will be flying to Beijing on Thursday, Oct 29th. We'll arrive in Beijing on the Friday the 30th' spend one night there and then travel to Changsha, Hunan province on Saturday, October 31st. The following day is HANNAH DAY!!!

We received a lot of great information about our trip yesterday and discussed:
- money for our trip. Thankfully our agency now has us travel with Canadian travellers cheques for the orphanage donation. Rather than carrying over $5000 US cash we'll now carry the majority of our money in travellers cheques and purchase Yuan in China to pay the orphanage donation. Phew....so happy not to be carrying that much cash and it also greatly decreases the amount of money we need to obtain in 'pristine' US bills. That in itself can prove to be quite a challenge!

- hotels were discussed but at this time it has not been determined what hotels we'll be staying at

- gifts for the nannies, orphanage director, guides and more were also talked about and we now know what babies are from which orphanages which will allow us to coordinate gifts. Our 10 babies come from at least 5 different orphanages which are spread out around Hunan province.

- it had always been my dream to visit Hannah's orphanage but I think yesterday I finally grasped (for now :o) that it probably won't be possible or wise to attempt that this trip. Her orphanage is more than 5 1/2 hours away from Changsha so it would mean another really long trip for us to get there. This saddens me greatly as I would love to meet those who are caring for her and see where she is living but I just don't believe it's going to happen. One more reason for a Homeland visit in the future and hopefully at that time we could get there!

There was so much more that we talked about but right now I just can't remember what it was. We chose a couple in our group who will be amazing group leaders and help to keep us organized and where we need to be, when we need to be there along with the help of our guide.

Ooooo....can you believe I have a travel date??? 46 more sleeps until we leave for China and 49 until I meet Hannah!!!

Wheeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS - For our entourage of loving family and friends who want to come to the airport and gaze at my beautiful daughter when she comes home, our tentative return dates are either Friday, November 13th or Saturday, November 14th. I'll be sure to let you know more when I know more. Probably not until late this month.

Also, all of these dates are based on the Canadian Consulate inviting us when we think they're going to and flight availability. They could change but until they do I'm holding on to what we've been given and celebrating the final countdown!!!

30 comments:

  1. Ohhhhh! I am so excited for you and your family (grandma and grandpa must be over the moon. To think you finally see the light at the end of this journey and will be opening the door to your new journey in short time. So much to do but its coming and its so exciting! Congrats again and let the games begin!!! (Sharon in NC)

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  2. SO excited for you! I love the new ticker...

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  3. Isn't it great, after all the months of uncertainty to FINALLY know the exact day you'll meet your sweet baby! I hope those days fly by!


    Donna
    Our blog: Double Happiness!

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  4. I pray these next few weeks just seem to fly by!

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  5. Wow! Great news! It'll be here before you know it!

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  6. This is amazing news. Congratulations. I can only imagine how full your heart is. I can't wait to hear all about it. Thanks for the update on the blog. You are very dedicated. You have some loyal followers! All the "whens" are finally coming true. Our heartfelt congratulations. We couldn't be happier for you! Bring on Hannah day!

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  7. HOW EXCITING..
    SOunds like you had a wonderful meeting..
    Can't wait to see Hannah in your arms..
    hugs..

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  8. Just makes your heart sing, doesn't it? :=)

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  9. Oct 26, whoooohoooooo!!! Oh man, so exciting.

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  10. So exciting for you and so great to know exactly when you're traveling. After all the waiting, it must be so nice to have the predictability of knowing travel times! Can't wait!

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  11. We remember these last days of the wait o so well .....

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  12. It's all VERY exciting!!! Can't wait to follow along as you meet your daughter!

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  13. Hannah Day is my birthday!

    How exciting that you're making travel plans!

    -R

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  14. We had 10 families in our travel group for our first adoption. It was an incredible trip. I feel as if I have 9 additional nieces that are scattered throughout the USA. You will love have such a big group....lots of resources. I am really so excited for you.

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  15. Oh my goodness Cathy...that's just around the corner!!!!! WHOOEEE!!! So excited!!!! And to think the Lord has known that date all along this journey!!!! :)

    Hugs,
    Joy

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  16. do you get to bring her home then??

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  17. So exciting!!! Does it feel real yet???

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  18. I am so happy that you have a date to hold onto and work towards.

    Keep smilin!

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  19. it seems such a long wait? guess that's how they do things now..........in any case it will fly by and you have lots to do!! It;s all good.

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  20. Love the new ticker and all the plans being made!!! Last night I had dinner with M3 and Michelle and you were number one in our conversation....we are all SO excited for all that is unfolding for you right now! I'm counting the days with you my friend! November first!

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  21. Oh Catherine,
    I'm so happy for you! Have a great time preparing for your trip! It's a bit of work but sooooo rewarding.

    Congrats!
    Marie-Claude

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  22. Less than 50 until you see Hahhah!!! You will have her for Christmas!!!! I bet Santa has her on his good list and is getting ready with lots of gifts!!!

    I am sooooo happy for you! LiLi's 5th Gotcha Day was yesterday and I remember it like it was yesterday. It will be the most special day in your life that will be burned into your memory.

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  23. And I know for you it couldn't come quick enough! You get your little one of the first day of National Adoption Awareness month!

    You'll even have time to shop for Christmas when you get home! :)

    We got Lilah on December 12th and arrived home, in Canada, on Christmas Eve last year, what a special gift! It didn't make for a good turkey dinner though! Hehe!

    Praying the weeks turn into days for you.

    Jill xx

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  24. From referral on there is such a rush, isn't there? That meeting certainly helps to fuel it! November 1st sounds like a perfect date for meeting your Hannah! =)

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  25. We stayed at the Dolton in Changsha. If you do, get a suite, it didn't cost much more. Also, our daughter was from Xinuah orphanage, if any of your travel mates are, would you let me know so I could follow their blog (if they have one)?

    Colette
    bobco1@cox.net

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  26. Counting down with you. I can't imagine how you are sleeping with all the excitement running around.

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  27. Your timeline is basically just like ours was 4 years ago...early November is a great time of year to be in China. I can't wait to hear all about your trip and Hannah! Enjoy!!

    Julie

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  28. This is exciting news!!!Saw Ro and Ree the other day--amazing how fast they grow. Reminds me of weeds up north, and Hannah will be a little weed. Next you know she will be going to school.
    Judy in Calif

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