OK got some things done, but not everything...

Oh what a Merry Christmas is was!!  Santa was very good to us and we are very happy to have spent another wonderful, safe and magical holiday with our family!  I've done alot and not sure where to begin....

Well last Sunday my sister came over and helped me pack Tia's suite case.  Turns out I had a pretty good layout of what to take, just tweaked a few things.  Then I remembered that I didn't pack bibs or a hairbrush/comb for her so I fixed that.

Nursery completed.

I bought the gifts for the orphanage -  2 outfits and some meds.

I got the paperwork all completed and organized.

As Sam and I sit down and talk about the most exciting changes that we are about to embark on, we come up with more and more questions.  How should we pack our carry on bags?  Should I pack mine, like I would if Tia was already with me?  Do we really want to make extra copies of our paperwork (worried about lost luggage)?  Do the airlines include the suitcase handles in their measurements?? And then there is the whole confusion of paying fees for checked baggage.....

So with all of these questions, we've decided to take our suitcase as is to the airport as it's just a few miles from our house and have them weigh it and then we'll pick the airlines brain!  Problem solved!!  Now, just finding time to do that......

I have 4 days left of work until I'm officially on maternity leave.  I am so Blessed to have the honor to work for a company/firm that is allowing me the amount of time off that I'm taking.  I couldn't of asked for a more awesome place to work for and really can't see myself working anywhere else!  But it still hasn't really hit me yet that we're leaving in 2 weeks.  However, we are getting more and more excited with every passing day!!

For me, there was a period of utter fear of "WTF am I/we doing??"  I am assured that this is completely normal whether you're pregnant or adopting.  This made me feel better but still wasn't quite convinced.  Then I don't know what happened.  I was having a daydream of Tia and her being upset about something and she's crying for me.  I'm at her side in a heartbeat and soothing her tears.  In that moment, a sense of peace and calmness came over me.

Of course I know that I will be doubting myself and have a fear or worry as we are raising her, but I know that will be a different kind of emotion than what I was feeling before.

But now I feel total and utter peace and calmness in my journey to becoming a mother for the very first time.  I have totally love and excitement in the joy she'll bring to us and our families.  I really can't put into words what I'm feeling, but I'm sure you all know what I mean. 

Right now in this moment, I look to enjoy the last few weeks of just being a wife to my darling husband.  We are looking forward of celebrating our last New Year's Eve together ending the year of 2010 as it started - just us.

This journey has taught me many, many things.  Patience. Those who know me well, will agree with me that I am not a patient person.  I want it done when I want it done.  But this journey has taught me to have patience because it didn't happen when I wanted it to.  But now I'm realizing that is the joy of life!  The joy of God and his precious plan for us.

Packing - what a nightmare I'm making it!

So today I thought I would start working on packing Tia's suitcase.  WOW!  I always knew that I make things complicated, but this is an all new time high!  Diaper bag? No diaper bag?  How many bottles?  I was thinking 6.  Will that be too many or not enough?  Clothes.  That is another nightmare in it's self.  Guangzhou is more "tropicle" with the average tempature of 58 degrees.  Should I pack all winter type clothes or will short sleeves be ok too?  Should I take a winter coat or heavy jacket?  Oh I don't know.......