What are we feeling?! Excited, nervous, numb, anxious, excited, happy, excited, nervous….get the picture? ;-)
Tomorrow morning we meet our travel group in the lobby at 7:30 and have breakfast. We then leave for the airport and at this point we have no idea what time our flight is at or how long it will be – although we think that it will take about two hours. Almost all the families are heading to different provinces, so we will not be back together again as a group for the next six days. Paul and I are quite nervous about being in Nanchang on our own, but I am sure that we will be fine. We will miss the group dearly, but cannot wait until we return and get to be together again, with the children.
Once we arrive in Nanchang, a guide will meet us at the airport and we will head to the hotel. I believe that the drive will take about an hour, but I am not positive about that, either. At this point, we don’t really know when we are going to meet Maelyn. We believe that we are going to have time to put our things away in the hotel room and a set up a little before she arrives, but we are not positive about that. We have made sure that our bags are ready, just in case she is at the hotel before we arrive.
Based on the time when I was writing this post (11:00 Saturday night), I figured out that Maelyn will be driven to our hotel and will be leaving her foster home about nine hours from now. The drive should take about four hours. Tonight will be the last time she sleeps in the home she has known for most of her life. We are so very happy and excited to be meeting her tomorrow, but we are also sad and worried for her and the changes she will experience in the next twenty-four hours. We have been thinking a lot about her foster family and her birth parents, praying for all of Maelyn’s family.
We will be meeting Maelyn on Father’s Day, in the lobby of our hotel. We don’t know what to expect, but we are prepared for a little girl who is going to freak out at the changes she is about to experience. We are determined to stay strong for her and to be there for her. We hope that our hugs will soon comfort our little girl.
We have prepared some things to have with us when we meet her. We have snacks, a toy, and a stuffed animal, hoping that might distract her and even possibly win her over.
Please keep our new family in your thoughts and prayers. We are looking forward to our next post, when we will have Maelyn in our arms.
Peace at last…
8 comments:
Oh brings back memories of almost 11 years ago. Wow same city AS WE were in and I think the same hotel it used to be called the Gloria Plaza. Oh my I am getting goosebumps as I write this and knowing that when we wake up you will be a family! Have fun and don't forget the camera and the video.
hugs and kisses xoxo
Our hearts are with you, dear friends. Strength and calm and joy are flowing your way.
Lianne, Brya and Cassidy
Jan and Paul,
We're following along and waiting with anticipation for that memorable post of your first meeting with Maelyn. Enjoy your journey and lavish in those first moments with your beautiful daughter!!
Enjoy Nanchang!! I'm sure you know Jiangxi is known for their porcelain - but remember it has to go in hand luggage!! :-) A wonderful keepsake of your daughter's birth province.
We can't wait to hear about that first meeting. Blessings!
Jane, Steve, Hannah, Stephanie & Quinn
i'm so EXCITED for you Ms.Gravele.Good luck with her.I bet the first time you hold her it will be a very emotinal moment for you and paul.
Hello Beatiful,
I miss you guys so much... It is 12:20 AM when I'm writing this and trying to imagine that you will have your little girls very soon... OMG I can't wait to see pictures of her in your arms... I have the entire family in my thoughts....
Love you Jan, Paul and Maelyn...
Bisous XOXOXOX
Martine
Happy Father's day... Sorry I forgot to mention it in my prev post... And by now you are probably showering Maelyn with all you love..... I'm so proud of you :)
I'm exciting :):):)
Love
Martine XOXOXOX
Hi Jan and Paul!
We're following your blog daily and are thinking of you!
Chantal
it's 8 am here and officially Father's Day in Canada, but all of us know it's Mother's day and Father's day for the both of you over in China.
I was dismayed to read your blog to find out how many unknown variables there were in your travel plans --- that must have been very stressful -- hoping all worked out -- and you know we are all there with you in spirit and wishing many blessings on this day.
Julia says "I hope you have a good time. I hope Maelyn likes her new home. Don't worry if she might be crying like a little cat like I did. It just means that you are strangers to her, but soon she will get used to you and she won't cry as much."
nuff said.
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