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Pics from yesterday

Great Wall (What a Wall)

We started our day with breakfast. The breakfast is not bad. Then we were off to start our long day to Forbidden City, Tienamenn Square, and then to the Great Wall. A lot of walking and thank God that it was overcast. Still humid is saying that mildly. It was crazy at the wall the famous picture, ( I will post later) is so steep. Norman had to get the perfect shot so I just waited. No way was I going up there to kill myself before we get Olivia. I know I know once in a life time chance. but that was just too steep. He finally came down. Alot of people in our group went even a lot further. People coming here in the next couple of weeks be prepared for hot humid weather. We have a family that is with us from Miami, FL and they can't stand the humidity, so that tells you something. So now it is 2:30 in the AM and we are getting ready to take our flight to Nanning. Yes up early again. So hopefully today is a easy kind of day to get our room prepared for the big arrival tomorrow. We should receive Olivia 2:30 China time which will be 1:30 AM Wisconsin time.

WE MADE IT!!!

What a day!!! It is midnight here in Beijing and suprisingly I cannot sleep. Yes me. We got her around 3:30 yesterday afternoon. I didn't sleep a wink on the plane and Norman probably slept a hour or two. We had the exit row which was a good thing. Everyone was so nice on that flight. Long though. So we finally got out of customs which wasn't bad and boom had our first panic attack we walked out where everyone was waiting and didn't see our great wall guide. We looked around which felt like a 1/2 hour but all in all it was like two minutes. What lack of sleep can do to you. We finally found them and we were off to our hotel. We dropped all our things off and on our way to the first grocery store getting the infamous bottled water. HUMID is the word here oh it is gross you just feel slimmy. Our room is nice here but the beds. When people say they are hard they are not kidding. It is like sleeping on your box spring. They forgot the matress!!! Holy cow. Well I will sign off for now. We do the tour thing today. sounds like a long day so I am going to lay back down on my rock Love you all

Less than 24 hours

We have less than 24 hours now. This long wait has come down to the finally moments I can't believe it. We are all packed and ready to go. I cant even take a picture of our luggage because the camera is packed and I dont want to disturb anything because all our stuff has a place and our suitcase is busting at the seams but it is under 44lbs. Hooray!!! Well next time I blog will be half way around the world WOW I cannot imagine this is all coming true

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HOME STETCH

4 more days!! Are we ready? That is the magic question I hope so. Paperwork and bags are packed. If we forgot anything I hope China has it. We want to thank all our friends and family that have been by us for this long process we couldn't have done it without you. Words cannot describe how much all of you mean to us. Everyone our parents Jack, Gloria & Rosemarie, are sisters Cindy and Irene, Shane our brother, Marie, Mike, Heather, and Jon we couldn't have done any of this with out you. From everyone at our work my work in paticular my boss Val Cuarto for giving me the time to spend with Olivia and dealing with my stress and the girls Beth, Marie, and Katie. listening to me everyday with some story. Jodi and Steve for watching Oscar and Felix. Of course all our friends and family calling us in the last weeks giving us all good words of encourgement. Thanks everyone and we will see you when we get back. LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

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Room is almost done

Just a few little details and her room will be done. Olivia's room is the one room in my house that is the most organized room in the house. Oh well she deserves every bit of it. Cannot wait for her to see it. I hope she is excited as we were putting it all together. Happy Dreams Olivia!!!

Shopping Shopping and More Shopping

Carseat is all set!!! More dresses I couldnt help myself.

Travel Iternary

June 26,2008 Departing from Chicago O'Hare
June 27,2008 Arriving in Beijing
June 28,2008 Tour Beijing
June 29,2008 Fly to Olivia's province
June 30,2008 Gotcha Day ( We are forever family with Olivia)
July 5, 2008 Fly to Guangzhou which is where the American Consulate is
July 9,2008 American Consulate appointment
July 10,2008 Get Olivia's passport
July 11,2008 COME HOME!!!!!

This is iternary for now we have 25 families in our group and 11 of those families are going to the same province as us. How exciting.

WOW close to 1000 hits

If you are number 1000 please leave a comment. I dont have a prize but would love to see who 1000 is on our blog

TA TA (Travel Approval)

They approved us to go to China and pick up Olivia!!! I can't believe it!!! We will know in a couple of days when the exact days are. One more step and we are on our way