Chicken store story

I just had to share this funny tidbit with you of Riley and his friend Chloe's (who's 5) conversation about buying a chicken. This morning, apparently my dh Scott was talking about buying baby chicks at Orscheln's and so of course they both got excited and yelling that they wanted one. Well Riley called his mom and asked for her permission and she agreed. Then it was Chloe's turn to call her mom and here's the conversation... "Mama, can I have a baby chicken?" "Scott's taking us to buy baby chickens, so can I have one?"(Of course, she's secretly thanking Scott for this grand idea). "Riley's getting two, but I only want one." Her mom asked where he was getting them and Chloe replies,"at the chicken store." I just laughed to myself when I heard her say this, and thought that was the cutest thing ever. The sad part is that she couldn't have one unless she kept it here-of all places. We have no room, no extra time for another pet as we have our dog Katie, 2 kitties, an iguana, and a hermit crab! Scott says we have a small zoo already... haha. Well we ended up with 2 chics and 1 little duckie!

The little helper

Yesterday Scott and I went to pick Riley up from school early due to the snow. Well as soon as he got in the truck, Scott started talking to him about Drew. He told him that we were going to get him in a few weeks. Later I tried explaining that when he gets over here, he won't be able to talk in English because all he knows is Chinese. I asked Riley if he was going to help him learn English, and he just grinned big and said Yeah! He said," he can only talk Chinese because he's from China, but when he comes to America, he talks like us." I just had to agree with him and laugh.

Our itinerary while there

Here are our confirmed itinerary dates:
Wed. Mar. 26...We leave from Chicago enroute to Beijing (we have to get to St Louis first)
Thurs. Mar. 27..Arrive in Beijing approx 14 or so hrs later (it's a day later in China)
Fri. Mar. 28......Sightseeing in Beijing: Temple of Heaven in the morning; lunch at Dai Jia Cun Restaurant, Hutong tour and the Chinese Acrobat Show in the afternoon.
Sat. Mar. 29.....More sightseeing in Beijing: The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, Tianamen Square
Sun. Mar. 30....Fly to Urumqi, China (Drew's hometown)
Mon. Mar. 31...We receive Drew!! Do adoption procedure (registration/notary) in afternoon
Tue. Apr. 1.......Free day
Wed. Apr 2.......Sightseeing in Urumqi - museum
Thurs. Apr 3.....Sightseeing in Urumqi -Local market
Fri. Apr 4.........Get all paperwork back and complete ACS paperwork
Sat. Apr 5.........Fly to Guanzghou
Sun. Apr 6 .......Free day or sightseeing in Guanzghou
Mon. Apr 7.......Drew's medical exam, visa photos
Tues. Apr 8......American Consulate appt at 9:00 a.m. , farewell dinner
Wed. Apr 9.......Take oath at American Consulate about 6 p.m.
Thurs. Apr 10..We fly home to Malden!!! (Do you believe it will still be April 10th when we back back to the U.S. because we lose a day?.... weird.)

Oops I forgot...

Sorry everyone, I just took it for granted that you've seen the beautiful pics of our Drew. Gee, what was I thinking? So... here it goes.... trying to load them. Hang with me and keep your fingers crossed!!

These photos of Drew were the first ones I laid my eyes on and fell in love. These were on our adoption agency's waiting child list back in Oct 07. Look at those dimples!!

We're going to China!!

Today we received an email from CHI (our adoption agency)that our consulate appointment has been made ( in order to finalize the adoption and receive Drew's visa) and that we are able to finally make our flight arrangements! Yippeeee!!! Therefore, it looks like we will be leaving here on Wednesday, 3/26/08 and coming back on Thursday 4/10/08. We have so much to do before then. Yikes! What a long plane ride it will be. This I don't look forward to at all. I will post when we have final flight times made. The travel agent was out of the office this afternoon so I guess we'll wait til Monday. Wow I'm so excited! The time is finally coming to where I will officially be a mommy. Now that sounds like music to my ears at last. Everyone please bare with me, as I will be a basketful of nerves by the time we travel. Now all I have to do is PACK! What a job that will be. I always tend to overpack, I'm such a clothes horse. I wonder how many lbs our suitcases will end up being... hahaha.

Looks like it's going to rain soon

Today it's quite sunny and pretty outside, however, I'm referring to the adoption shower that my friends are giving me in a week! It appears that it's all coming together quickly. We ate at the Chinese restaurant last night and while there I had to grill the owner with questions about translating the language and everything. I'm probably about to drive her insane. I was there with my friend who is coordinating the shower plans. Looks like we're having Chinese food to eat at the shower too, yay! I'm not sure I'm suppose to know this or not but Fawn (the owner) gave my friend a deal on the food, chopsticks, and fortune cookies...sweet! I didn't realize there's so much planning that goes on for this type of occasion. Who knew? I'm Sooo excited!!!