Who's going...

As signs around here point to our departure coming ever sooner ~ suitcases full of clothing, a MOUNTAIN of non-clothing things that need to get into said suitcases, our "sleeps until China" chain with only five links left ~ it's starting to feel real.

We are so excited!  And by "we" I mean our travel party.  Who's in you say?
Well, us.

Yeah, I know, kinda obvious, huh?

And them.

Yes, we are taking all our kids.  For some people it doesn't work.  For us it has with each trip so far.

**The biggest issue this time was the cost of their airfare.  Cause if you've priced airfare to Asia lately, it isn't cheap...  But I couldn't let this post go by without giving a HUGE shout out to our Heavenly Father.  We did pray over the decision and had a peace that taking all our kids was the right thing to do and the price would be what it would be.  So we took a deep breath and hit purchase on that airfare for a family of five going (SIX coming home!).  The praise?  Over the weeks since we purchased our tickets, we've had several reimbursements come in.  Some that we had expected, some that we hadn't.  And the total?  Within a few hundred of all three kids international airfare.  We are fully aware of the blessing that we've been given in that!  **

(Now back to the travel party)...

And her.

i know, look at those babies with her!  they were so TINY then!

Cause it's always better to have your mom around "in the delivery room!"

And until just yesterday Kathy ~ my "mother-in-love" ~ was in the party too.

again, look at those babies, will ya?

Unfortunately she has had some recurring complications following an appendectomy back in April and had to make the very difficult decision that she is going to have to stay home.

Kathy, (or Grandma, depending on who is talking) we will miss you so!

That means that it's "Game on!" for me to keep her updated on how things are going.  Like providing her a bird's eye view of our travels.  Everyone else will benefit from that as I will do my very best to keep her feeling almost as if she is along with us.

We think we've figured out how to be able to post here while we're gone.  And if that doesn't work, I have a very dear friend who has volunteered to receive emails with text and photos and post for me.  So stay tuned to the M6 adventure right here at Fireworks and Fireflies.

That said, there are some parts of the trip that are slightly more sensitive in nature.  (ie ~ meeting Daniel's foster family)  Those more personal aspects we have decided that we're going to keep more private until Daniel is old enough to decide how much he wants to share.  Luckily I won a website hosting on "the 30 days of giveaways" at Ni Hao Y'all back in December.  In addition to sharing much of our joys, and of course some "keepin' it real moments" here at Fireworks and Fireflies, I'll be posting at Adoption Voyages  where I can control who has a complete insiders' view of our trip.  I'll be sending out the login and password to family and close friends in the next day or so.  If you would like to be included, send me an email (provided in right sidebar) and let me know how I know you and I'll consider inviting you along at Adoption Voyages too.

And now, back to packing.  After all, we leave in like 108 hours.  Not that I'm counting...

Because soon, this little guy will be joining our travel party too!