Greetings from Beijing!!

We made it safely and so did our luggage! So far we are having a fantastic time. We went out today and did some touring. This evening we are going shopping with some members of our travel group.

I set up a blog for my family and it would be much easier to post just to one blog, especially after we have Megan.

To follow our journey, please go to http://journeytomegan.blogspot.com

We will be home on April 12th and after we are settled I will start posting here.

Have a great one everyone!!

Packed and Ready to Go

We are completely packed and ready to head to the airport. Hard to believe that this time tomorrow we will be well on our way to Megan. The plan is to post here daily. No promises, but I will try! I hope everyone enjoys the next two weeks and if I am not around have a very enjoyable Easter!!

Laundry Fun

I am still around. I have been knee deep in laundry today. I don't know who had the bright idea to put off all of the laundry until today! The plan is to finish it in the morning and then pack, pack , pack. Sound like fun? Please feel free to stop by and do a load.

Welcome Spring!

Spring is my favorite time of year. I love everything about it. I love the way everything begins to wake up. My grass is starting to green up and the flowers are poking their head out the ground. My daffodils are starting to form their flower heads. I wonder if I will get to see them bloom this year? I am so happy when the windows are thrown open, the sun is shinning and the birds are singing. Happy Spring to everyone!

Freezer Meals

I have been reading several post about freezer meals. It is not something I have ever done, but with our up coming trip I thought now was a good time to try it. Yesterday afternoon I used:

2 1/2 pounds of ground beef
4 jars of spaghetti sauce
2 packages of shredded cheese
1 box rotoni noodles
1/2 box of lasagna noodles
1/4 box rigatoni noodles

I made a rigatoni casserole for dinner last night. Then I froze a lasagna, rotoni casserole, and then some plain browned beef. Much cheaper then if I had purchased pre-frozen meals. I am sure after 17 days away from home all of this will taste great.

Spring Cleaning: Bathroom

I finished Spring Cleaning the Bathroom today. Here is what I did:

*Re-painted (used the same color, just thought the white did not look as crisp as I wanted - Yes, I know a little more then spring cleaning!)
*Washed window & vacuumed out sill
*Wiped down blind
*Dusted light fixture
*Cleaned mirror
*Cleaned sink
*Wiped down vanity cabinet
*Cleaned shower & doors
*Straightened closet
*Washed & pressed curtains
*Sweep & mopped

I 171H

On Saturday we finally received our new I 171H. (For those who do not know this is the approval from Immigration to bring an orphaned child from another country back to the US.) Our original one expired on 03/12. I have really been sweating this! I have said so many prayers for this piece of papers to come. Thank goodness it is here!! Even though I still have lots of things to do I have no worries now that I have this. Who Hoo, lets go to China!!

International Flight Dates

It is really happening!!! We leave on March 27th and will return home on April 12th.

Now where was I on my to do list....

Bag Recycling

We always seem to have an over abundance of bags around here. Grocery store bags and then after the baby shower there were lots of gift bags. After I keep a few back I wasn't sure what to do with the rest.

We loaded up and headed out for errands. Before heading to the grocery we stopped to drop off a box of items at our favorite charity, Servant's Heart. You should have seen their eyes light up when they saw all of the bags we had. It had never crossed my mind that local charities have a need for bags. Instead of taking our bags to the grocery, we will be saving them in our donation box.

Jelly Bean Candle Holder

I made these candle holders using some of my favorite things. Candles & Mason Jars! I took two pint jars, filled them up with Jelly Beans. I then sat a votive holder and candle in the top. To top it off I tied a ribbon around the top. Very easy! I just love to see their soft warm glow late in the evening. It's the simple pleasures that make me happy!

New Pictures of Megan!

We received these pictures today. They were taken on Wednesday, March 7th. It might be hard to see, but she was crying! Talk about heart breaking!! Hard to believe that was less then a week ago!!

Travel Approval

I just found out that our adoption agency, FTIA received travel approval for our group today. Yeah!!! The next step is for our agency to get an appointment for us with the US Consulate. They said it should take a couple of days to have that. Once we have that we will have travel dates. Nothing definite, but our agency is estimating we could leave the last week of March. We could be leaving in about two weeks! WOW!!

So much to do, good thing I have been spring cleaning this week.

Spring Cleaning: Living Room

Another one down! I forgot to take before pictures, but here are the after shots.

Here is what was completed today:

*Vacuumed behind all the furniture. (You might have noticed the furniture movers still under the entertainment stand. It is so heavy that hubby will have to remove them.)
*Vacuumed base boards.
*Dusted everything.
*Washed valance.
*Washed window.
*Mopped entryway.
*Vacuumed carpet.

The only thing left to do is finish organizing the closet. That's for another day.
The big decision is what should I tackle tomorrow.

Spring Cleaning: Kitchen

I finally got my act together and tackled the kitchen this afternoon. I am embarrassed to show the before pictures.



If you look at the TV that is Martha Stewart. One way to motivate myself!



Here are the after pictures.





Here is a list of what was completed today.

*Dusted decorative shelves and items on the top of cabinets.
*Wiped down the outside & inside of cabinets.
*Straighted the inside of all cabinets.
*Wiped down all appliances.
*Cleaned counter tops and all items on counter top.
*Cleaned stove (still need to clean the oven, but dinner was cooking)
*Cleaned inside of microwave.
*Cleaned window.
*Vacuumed window track.
*Washed & ironed curtain.
*Cleared clutter from table.
*Dusted table top, legs and chairs.
*Dusted corner cabinet.
*Cleaned outside of refrigerator (cleaned out inside yesterday when I came home from store)
*Sweep floor (will mop before I go to bed tonight)

I am planning on buying some new cushions for the chairs and some rugs. I am so happy that I keep taking a peek in the kitchen!

Spring Cleaning (Sort Of)

The last few days I have been having those days when one thing leads to another that leads to another. On Thursday I woke up to thunderstorms. In the Midwest thunderstorms mean one thing... Spring is coming!! So the spring cleaning bug bit me that morning. I started with the bathroom. I pretty much had it done when I thought even though I have cleaned the base boards they really don't look as bright as I would like. So I decide to give them a coat of paint. Which leads to painting the wainscoting and the ceiling. Now I am going to give the walls another coat of tan.

Then on Friday Chuck has a plumber come to fix the leak on the main shut off for the house. The main shut off is in the entry way closet. We move everything out for the plumber. I have been wanting to make it my craft/scrapbook storage area, so why not go for it since the closet is empty.

So now I have a project to finish in the bathroom and one in the living room closet. Just love it when one thing leads to another and another. Will I ever get the spring cleaning done!

Check out Monica at The Homespun Heart she has also been bitten by the spring cleaning bug also. She is offering a prize drawing for all who join her in spring cleaning.

Hopefully soon I will be posting that I have actually finished a spring project!

Baby Shower

On Saturday my sister, mom, mother-in-law and friend Lesle threw a baby shower at church.
I was overwhelmed. There were people there that I had not seen in years! The cake says Welcome in Chinese. The lady who made the cake did a fantastic job!

I thought the ladies did a great job decorating. They even made place cards that had Megan's picture and the status of our trip to China.



This is picture of my almost 14 month old niece Jamie. She was the hit of the shower!

This is what I came home with. I am so blessed to have so many people who care about my family.



Chuck's grandma made a beautiful quilt and matching pillow. The fabric has nursery rhymes on it and is edged in pink ribbon and lace. The picture does not do it justice. Simply gorgeous!

I can not thank everyone enough for a great day!

The Ultimate Blog Party

You should check out The Ultimate Blog Party over at 5 Minute Mom. You will have the opportunity to promote your blog and a chance to win some really great prizes. The best part is that there are links to some really great blogs! Happy reading.

Happy 8 Months!

Today my baby girl is 8 months. It breaks my heart that I am not with her. She is on my mind constantly. Everyday I pray that she is safe, healthy and being well cared for. I also pray for her birth mother. I hope that she has found peace with her decision not to raise Megan. I can not even imagine how difficult it was to make that decision. As much joy as each birthday will bring me, I know another woman may always have heartache on this day. She has given me a wonderful gift and will be in my prayers and in my heart for all the days of my life. Happy 8 months Megan! Mommy and Daddy can't wait to meet you.