In less than twelve hours...

I just heard my mom tell my husband, "You'll be a Daddy again in less than twelve hours."

It was about that time that I almost threw up. I am a bundle of nerves, sick to my stomach, but at the same time almost weirdly detached. The fact that I am going to be a Mommy again in less than twelve hours is too much for my brain to process.

We made the trek to Guangzhou today via a very comfortable train ride. Seeing a brief glimpse of my daughter's countryside was humbling and I felt the same way I did three years ago when we were in Korea adopting Mabel. It is such an honor and blessing that we get to be a part of these children's lives. We truly are the lucky ones.

(We are staying at the China Hotel Marriott and I will post pictures later. Today was a flurry of checking in and getting settled so there was little time to pull out the camera. It's also freezing here. I have no idea what city Weather.com and Accuweather.com were reporting on, but it certainly is not Guangzhou. It is rainy and very cold; not at all the 70 degree weather that I packed for. Also, did I mention the rain and humidity? And the fact that my flat iron doesn't work because of the voltage/converter/adapter/dohickey thing? Basically this means that I will look like Monica from Friends when she goes on vacation the entire time I am here. Just fyi.)

Please keep Wren in your prayers. Her little world is about to be rocked and turned upside down. She is reported to be especially attached to her foster family and while I am so glad that she has had the care of a family, she has no idea what is about to happen. Even though we have been waiting months and months to meet her, to love her, she has not been waiting for us. The grief that she is about to go through has kept me up nights and tonight especially I will be thinking of nothing but her.

Also, keep Mabel in your prayers as well. This transition will be equally as hard on her little heart and mind.

So. Tomorrow at 2pm.

We both become parents for the second time. Bring it. 

Hong Kong on Fast Forward

As far as 16 hour flights go, we really couldn't have been luckier. We all managed to sleep for about 6-8 hours, depending on who had sleep aids. (I'm talking to you, Nana.) And Mabel freaking rocked it out. Not one tear or whine the whole time. Those were from the adults. (I'm still talking to you, Nana.) And for those about to travel, Cathay Pacific was great. They fed us. A lot. And we had plenty of great inflight entertainment. I mean, freaking Frozen was an option if that tells you anything. So we arrived in Hong Kong, and Jr had hired a driver and a van to pick us up and take us to the hotel since there were five us and our 549 bags. I tell you, it was the best money ever spent. To see that precious little man holding a sign with our name on it was truly amazing. He took us to our hotel, The Mira, which was is in the middle of the Tsim Sha Tsui area in Hong Kong. It is an area known for its restaurants and shopping and is very, very busy. 

We got in around 8pm Hong Kong time so as soon as we checked in, we decided to venture out and find a quick bit. We ended up at a little hole in the wall that was very good and served the traditional steamed pork buns and dim sum. Although we were all like walking zombies at this point, we stopped for ice cream because who doesn't need that after eating spicy Chinese food. After getting back the hotel, we crashed. Of course someone (ahem, Mabel) doesn't understand how time change works and was up at 530am.

So, Hong Kong is so huge and we really only had one day, so it was kind of pointless to try and cram everything in. We would have loved to go up to Victoria's peak and look around, but the weather was crap and foggy and visibility was pretty much zero. We ended up just walking around the TST and Mongkok area and went to a bunch of crazy outside markets. After walking around the city all day, we decided to go see the the famous Symphony of Lights show along the Harbor. Of course at this time it was raining and cold and Mabel was not having it. And I don't know if it was because the visibility was so bad because of the weather or what, but the "light show"  was underwhelming to say the least. I saw one green laser light. You will be able to see from the pictures below what I'm talking about. I mean, the Hong Kong skyline is beautiful, but between a tired, crying child, the rain and our general tiredness, it was a pretty big letdown.

It's Sunday morning now and we are packing up and heading for the train station to head to Guangzhou. We will settle in our hotel there, The China Marriott, and get ready for meeting our girl Monday!! Thanks so much for all the wonderful messages and prayers. We feel them all and are so blessed to have such a wonderful support group of friends and family.

Next up, Guangzhou!!

Last minute jitters.

It's almost midnight the night before we leave (in eight hours) and my husband has bogarted the computer so I'm stuck posting from my phone. I wish I could say that we are brimming with excitement, but really we are just tired, apprehensive and nervous.

 Of course we can't wait to get our hands on our girl, but as I think of her spending her last few nights in the only place she has ever known, I falter a bit. And my heart breaks for what she is going to undoubtedly go through. Does she know? Have they told her? Can a three year old even begin to understand what's about to happen? Will we be enough to soothe that grief and brokenness? 

And don't even get me started on M. How this will affect her. I know in time they will be best buddies (god, Frozen, get out of my head). But I also know getting there will be a steep learning curve. For all of us. Going from our comfortable little threesome to something completely different and unknown is mildy terrifying. 

But. 

We are ready. Ready to love her in person instead of halfway around world. She is ours and we are hers.

Forever. I can't wait to meet her and look into those beautiful eyes and start our new normal. I know from experience it will be a bumpy ride but so worth every twist, turn and pothole. If you're the praying type, please pray for our Wrennie. Pray that God's hand will protect her little heart while at the same time start to heal it. 

I can't believe I get to become a mother for a second time. God is so good. 

On a totally unrelated note, check out how lightly we packed. If you know us in real life, you know that this is a miracle in and of itself. I am so proud. 

Also, just a brief snapshot of Wren's room. It's not anywhere near finished, but I just want to showcase a little corner that is. It's coming together well, I think. 

China or bust, baby. We'll see you there.