Packing (part 2) and Internet Addictions

Ok, just to clear up the title of this post a bit...here are my internet addictions. First, I found a site that you can figure out how many words you can type in a minute. Yes, it sounds boring & not very addictive, but I dare you to do it & see if you don't put it in your "favorites" and go back to it time & time again to beat your previous score! Here it is: http://speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com/ Have fun! My best time so far is 84 words a minute. I am hoping to get to 90.

My second & more heavy internet addiction is stalking adoption blogs. Now I know that I am not alone here! I know this because many of you have admitted it in your own blogs! You know who you are! :) Thank goodness it's a pretty innocent thing to be addicted to! And, I justify my prying into other people's business by praying for them. It's a good thing. Here are a few of my favorites: www.theharrells.blogspot.com www.salsainchina.blogspot.com http://wheneastmeetssouth.blogspot.com/ and there are two on this site (journey to me) under the names Nina Hope, and Isaiah Samuel. Like I said, these are only a small sample of the sites I love to visit. By the way, my family thinks I'm crazy. I think it's a girl thing.

Now, "part 2" of packing consists of the most important part of packing...the PAPERWORK! For those of you who have never adopted, please know that getting paper pregnant is much more difficult & not near as much fun as that of a traditional pregnancy! ;) I may need an epidural!

Paperwork checklist...We can't forget a single thing!

My Paper Pregnancy

Dossier

A few more things for Lucy....a girl's gotta have stylin'
shades!

And a nice handbag is a must!

Packing Part 1

Our snack suitcase! :)

Lucy's suitcase....99% packed!

I have labeled this entry "part 1" because packing to go to China for two weeks will no doubt be an ongoing process for the next 2+ weeks. I have been strategizing my packing for many months now since I have some specific concerns when it comes to hair & wardrobe. Though flying to China restrictions are reasonable but while flying in China there are several restrictions that I am extremely unhappy with but I have come to terms with the fact that I simply must abide by what this sovereign nation has implemented. First of all there are two main concerns that I must consider: 1. what if our luggage gets lost between the good 'ol US and China. I have planned to have my main necessities (hair gel, conditioner, hairspray, mascara..in that order) placed in two separate locations in our luggaging (is that a word?). I will carry the 3 oz. containers of each on the plane with me in my carry-on (where I can insure their safe-keeping). I will also have containers of each in my luggage. Whew. That should cover it. Now, the real problem begins with our flights in China, which brings me to #2. We are not allowed ANY liquids in our carry-on bags. Ok, well the biggest flaw with that is that our flights leave first thing in the morning and we have to check our luggage in the night before. No problem, you say, just shower the night before. No can do. The two problems with that are, 1. I simply cannot tolerate the least amount of greasy hair. I will be grumpy, cranky & downright mean if I don’t' feel fresh & clean. Anything less could result in me being left behind by my fellow travelers unable to put up with my "bad attitude" (whatever!). So, I must figure out a way to get a glob of each of the above mentioned liquids to save for my morning primping. The mascara will be a problem...ok; I will do without that since that does not contribute to my feeling clean. But the minute I get off the plane, I will curl, lengthen & enhance my lashes. Ok, 2. IF I did opt to shower & get ready the night before, if there is the least amount of humidity in the air while sleeping, my hair will be completely unmanageable (and unrecognizable as a human mane) and the attitude I mentioned earlier will be even more ungodly than the greasy-feeling-attitude.

As for my testosterone-filled fellow sojourners, their only packing strategy so far is their grand scheme to save space by making one pair of underwear last 5 days. Day 1, wear the traditional way (surely I don't need to explain), Day 2, wear underwear backwards, Day 3, wear underwear inside out, Day 4, inside-out & backwards...Day 5,...I can't remember & am frightened to ask, but I'm thinking it's commando. Ok, underwear doesn't take up much space, as for me, I am taking a two-week supply, thank you very much.

A Little about Lucy

Jiangxi (in pink)

I realized recently that I haven't posted many details about Lucy! So, here you go:

Chinese Name: Fu Chuan Cong

DOB: 12.9.05

Living in: Jiangxi Province, Social Welfare Institute of Fuzhou City

Her growth report says that "she likes snacks very much" (definitely our child!). She sucks her fingers while she sleeps (so sweet). She can understand adults' words and loves to imitate. She likes to imitate children on TV (oh great) and can dance. She likes to chat with adults (chatty, just like her new mama!). Her favorite toy is the singing toy.

When a child is abandoned in China the authorities place a "finding ad" in the local newspaper in hopes of a family member coming forward to claim the child. If no one comes forward, the child is eventually made available for adoption. We were able to get a copy of Lucy's ad. I was so happy to receive it, although it made me extremely sad to think of her sweet China Mama who, after caring for her for three months, made the agonizing choice to abandon her. I know in my heart that she was forced to do this because of circumstances that she could not control. I will always pray for this brave woman who left her much wanted child in a place where she knew she would be found & cared for.

We have been waiting patiently for a few weeks now to receive updated pictures & information on Lucy. Well, that's kind of a lie...I haven't been very patient about it at all. As a Mom who wants to see for herself that her child is healthy & being taken care of, I've been quite impatient. But, I am comforted by the fact that I know God has built a hedge of protection around her and that He is ultimately her Protector.

25 more days until we go to China!!

Lucy's finding ad

Dozens of ads....heartbreaking.