The eagle has landed...

Well, we finally got here this morning. We arrived at 1:15am and were to be met by our guide or driver. We got our luggage and went outside. And waited and waited. I reread the part of our packet that told us about getting picket up. It said to wait 20 minutes. It is rare to not be picked up. Well one hour later, the airport turned off its lights. We were still standing. There are no phones in the airport past luggage to call anyone. So we said to heck with it and waved for a taxi. We told them the Majestic Hotel. They all just looked at us. I showed the itinerary with the name Majestic Hotel. They just looked at me, because obviously if you cant speak english, most likely you cant read it. So finally 10 taxis later, one knew what the name meant and took us to the hotel. We got here at 3:30am. So much for "rare not to have guide/driver pick you up." Once again, we are rare. I called the travel agency this morning and apparently they didnt understand that the date changed after midnight and were a day off. Oh well, here we are.
Riley has surprised me at how great a traveller he has been. He even has tried some unusual food, with promises of Ramon noodle if he doesnt like it. He has gone thru the Ramon noodles fast so far.
Today is Curtis's birthday. Only a crazy man would turn 50 in China adopting a 18 month old. We are both pretty crazy, but boy I wouldnt want to be too sane. It takes the fun out of life.
A wonderful friend from my office(Joe V) gave us a large donation of money to buy items for the orphanage in Mia's memory. I cant tell you what that did to me when I read that card. He has an adopted daughter from Korea and he knows better than anyone how much a birthmother must give up to allow someone else to raise their child. So I look at the donation as in honor of Peyton and Mia. Two girls loved so much by their families. Our guide called the orphange today to find out what they needed. She talked to the orphanage director who said that they need a digital camera to upload photos to get files ready the help children get adopted. So we went shopping and had great fun buying a digital camera. and we got so many clothes, blankets, socks and shoes, bottles, diapers. I believe it will help the orphange so much.
The director of the orphanage told the guide to tell us our daughter is beautiful, outgoing and walking. She is also the favorite of the orphange so is very spoiled. :) She will fit right in with our other spoiled boys. That is the only way I know how to raise them. I cant believe we get her tomorrow. I am excited, nervous and many other feelings only understood by me. This trip has been so much harder than I expected emotionally. But it all ok. It is as it is. God has blessed us beyond words. I pray tonight that he will cover her heart for tomorrow. She will be scared and I know it. May she slowly accept her new life completely. May we be the right parents for her. May we never compare her to Mia, for no one could compare with the tear-washed memory of a 4 year old. This would never be right, and I will try to never do it. May
we show her the way of love and Christ. I know that tonight a heavenly preparation is going on for her into our family. I do worry about us being 48 and 50. I worry that we will have the energy needed. But I am 100% sure that this adoption is not led by just us. This is a God thing. Completely. And I am in awe that he chose us to walk this precious little girl thru life.
I will post tomorrow after we get her.
I thought you might like to see the cake make by the hotel for curtis. Gotta love pretty cakes that are filled with strange things and taste horrible.
Love,
cindy