Thanksgiving Celebration Ending

We are leaving Tennessee in a couple of hours to head back to Indiana. We have had a wonderful visit with Roy's side of the family. Right now Roy is at breakfast with his dad and both of his brothers. I think it is special that they can have time without everyone else around. I image the conversation is a little different than with all the wives and kids around. Anna has had 3 short nights of sleep because she is too excited to go to bed early but is still up at either 6 or 7 am. I think she will take a good nap on the 7 hour drive home today.

It is 4 days for the count down to our China trip. We are all so excited to complete our family of 4 with Grace!

Debra

Yangxi Orphanage caring for our Grace

Yangxi Social Welfare Institute

These are pictures that other people have taken of the Yangxi Orphanage. They are not pictures of our Grace.

The Yangxi orphanage facility was completed in early 2002, and immediately began doing international adoptions. Yangxi is located in Western Guangdong, one of the few areas in China where abandonments are increasing.

The orphanage has four babyrooms, two on the second level and two on the third. The children move from room to room as they age, so every child is cared for by all of the nannies. The children sleep in steel cribs, one per child.

Prior to mid August 2005, all of the children were surnamed "Qiu" after the orphanage director. The CCAA at that time instructed the orphanages to give names that reflect their birth cities, so the orphanage changed the surnames to "Yangxi." In June 2006, the CCAA notified the orphanage that "Yangxi" was an inappropriate surname, since there are no surnames in China like it, and everyone would know that the children were from the orphanage. So, beginning January 2007, children are surnamed "Song.""Song" has historical significance in Yangxi County, being an old name for this area.

<>There is no foster program in Yangxi.

Yangxi County is 300 kilometers from Guangzhou in south west Guangdong Province, west of Yangjiang City. There are 460,000 people in the county, which includes nine towns: Zhilong (or Zhigong), the downtown area of Yangxi County, where the orphanage is located; Chengcun, Xitou, Shangyang, Pupai, Shapa, Rudong, Xinxu, and Tangkou.

Prominent crops in the area include potatoes, rice, wheat, sugar cane, peanuts, as well as various fruits. Fishing is the most important industry, due to its proximity to the South China Sea. 42% of the area is wooded mountain region, making wood the second most important product. Average temperature is 72 F (January 60 F, July 82 F).

Alexis Allen was honored today by Riley Hospital

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008811210456

Alexis, my neice, was honored as the Riley Champion in the Indianapolis area. She was asked to flip the coin at the Colts game on Sunday and the Pacer game last night as part of the honor. Her family also received complimentary tickets for the professional sports events. Today she spoke at a banquet of 1200 people at the Westin Hotel in downtown Indy. On the radio this afternoon Alexis compared going to Riley Camp as getting to go to Disney World. She is a good fundraiser for Riley! She will be on the local news at 5:20 tonight.

Below is the article that was written in the "Riley Messenger."
Motivated and motivating - this Mini pacer is grateful for Riley Hopspital and Camp Riley
Alexis Allen, an outgoing, optimisted 14 -year-old from Noblesville, Ind., was born with spina bifida, a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord. The form of spina bifida she has led to hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid in and around the brain, and paralysis from the waist down. Alexis had 10 major surgeries in 10 years at Riley Hospital for Children. "It is nice to have Riley Hospital so close to home," said Angela Allen, Alexis' mother. "We have a special regard for the staff and what they have provided for Alexis." Alexis utilizes a wheelchair. While the disability prevents her from doing things as easily as other children, Alexis and her family always find the silver lining. The eighth grader at Noblesville Middle School maintains a great attitude and is especially outgoing. "Alexis is a social butterfly," and Shay Dawson, director of therapeutic recreation at Bradford Woods. "People do not see her physcial disability because she is always smiling and enjoying life." Dawson, who directs summer sessions for Camp Riley, agreed with the selection of Alexis as a Riley Champion. "She is a good leader and an eloquent speaker for being 14 years old. When it comes to a challenge, she puts her nose to the grindstone and just gets it done," said Dawson. "She has a very positive impact on other campers." These qualities explain why she was chosen to speak on camera when WXIN-TV (Fox 59 Indiananpolis), came to Camp Riley to showcase the importance of the facility for children with physical disabilities. "I don't know what I would do without Camp Riley," reflected Alexis. "It has made me more indepenmdent. It also provides me the opportunity to feel normal by helping other kids." Alexis has attended Camp Riley since she was 8 and has plans to attend even beyond the age limit of 18. Someday she hopes to become a counselor and have Shay's job. Shay is certain Alexis can achieve it with hard work. Her attitude helps her shine in athletics as well. Through the Rehabilitaion Hospital of Indiana (RHI), Alexis participates in wheelchair basketball, soccer, tennis and adaptive water skiing. Her basketball team, known as the Mini Pacers, practices every Saturday from September through March and competes in tournaments in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. Alexis has spoken on behalf of Riley Children's Foundation at several fundraising events, including at the Purdue University Dance Marathon. Her former principal at Stony Creek Elementary School, Bob McDaniew, also recruited her to help represent Kids Caring & Sharing (KCS) at the Indiana Association of School Principals Conference in 2006. KCS is a stateside school fundraising program that annually raises more than $680,000 for Riley Hospital. "We are very proud of Alexis." added Angela. "Her personality and confidence have blossomed." A champion from an early age, Alexis has now offically received the honor.

Inside China Travel Itinerary

We leave two weeks from today on Dec 3rd, but don't get to China until Thursday. We will return on Thursday, Dec 18th at 6:33pm on NW flight 1011 at the new Indianapolis airport. If you want to see the new airport or our new baby come join us for a celebration at the airport!!

Inside China Travel Itinerary
Guangdong Group
December 4— December 18, 2008

Dec. 4 (Thu) Arrive in Beijing Flight: NW 29 Arr.: 9:40pm
Stay at Zhaolong Hotel (3 nights)
Tel: 01186-10-65972299 Fax: 01186-10-65972288
FTIA Coordinator: Catherine: 01186-13910937695

Dec. 5 (Fri) – 6 (Sat) We will arrange tours to the Great Wall, Summer Palace and Forbidden City.
(Watch Acrobatic Show on Friday afternoon)

Dec. 7 (Sun) Morning: Beijing to Guangzhou Flight: CA 1315 (11:10am-2:10pm)
Stay at White Swan Hotel (11 nights)
Tel: 01186-20-81886968 Fax: 01186-20-81861188
Local guide: Helen: 01186-13724018461

Dec. 8 (Mon) Afternoon: Go to the Civil Affairs Bureau of Guangdong Province to receive your child

Dec. 9 (Tue) Morning: Go to the Civil Affairs Bureau of Guangdong Province to complete the adoption
registration and notarization procedures

Dec. 10 (Wed) Afternoon: Pick up the registration card and go to the Public Security Bureau to apply for your child's passport

Dec. 11 (Thu) – Dec. 14 (Sun) Tour may be arranged and will be optional. Free time available if not touring
Have visa picture taken and medical exam performed for your child on Friday

Dec. 15 (Mon) Afternoon: Tour may be arranged and will be optional. Free time available if not touring
Pick up all notarized paperwork and the passport for your child

Dec. 16 (Tue) Morning: Your local guide submits the visa application documents for you to the U.S.
Consulate

Dec. 17 (Wed) Afternoon: Have the group-oath taken at the U.S. Consulate
Receive your child’s visa

Dec. 18 (Thu) Morning: Guangzhou to Tokyo Flight: NW 28 Dep.: 8:30am

Have a wonderful trip!

There is no arrangement of visiting the orphanage on the itinerary. The round trip from Guangzhou City to the orphanage is about 6 hours, the fare is about $450.00 (it can be shared by the families going together). You can pay the fare to your local guide if you decide to go.

(Please note: your actual schedule in China may vary slightly from this itinerary)

China Travel December 3-18!!!

YEAH!!! We found out this morning that we are traveling to China to bring Grace home from Dec 3-18. It is probably Monday, December 8th that we will have Grace put in our arms which is one day before Grace turns 10 months old. Yes, we will have to have a 10 month family birthday party for her in China. When we adopted Anna, she was 5 days younger than Grace will be when we meet her. Couldn't be much closer in age for the Gotcha Day. I am so excited!! This means we will be able to travel to Roy's family in Tennessee for Thanksgiving. Then only 2 days of school/work until we leave for China. We will do some quick laundry and be on our way to Baby Grace!! Hang on Grace, we are coming soon!

Halloween Pictures

This next week we should know travel dates to China to bring home Grace.

Here are some pictures of halloween for my Anna "Banana. " She really got into trick-or-treating this year. She would sing songs at people's door and gave out hugs to some of your neighbors. Not the shy Anna that trick-or-treated last year. Daddy also had a party at his work the day before Halloween and at school they had a parade of costumes on Halloween day.

Today we go to the Park Tudor Fall Play of "Charlottes Web," and Anna is very excited.

Travel Approval (TA) is coming this week.

Our agency found out that China is planning to send our TAs on
Wednesday 11/6. This means that our agency, FTIA, will receive them on
Friday or Monday so travel can be set. FTIA is going to try to get a
US consulate appointment for Dec. 17th which means we will leave on Dec
3rd and return on Dec 18th. It all depends on if the US consulate has
an appointment available on the 17th. If they don't then travel could
be pushed back a week which is a US consulate appointment on Christmas
eve. I don't know if that is even possible but we will see. It is
exciting to have a target date that is less than a month away. The
baby suitcase has been packed since Halloween, and now I am going to
start getting the paperwork organized for the trip. Grace we love you
and are going to be there next month to bring you home. This will be
the best Christmas present possible for our family!!!