Flying South

Hi
Still can't post new pictures but I will work on it. I wish I could show you the pictures of my goofball Nicholas, making silly faces in every shot. And I simply must get this figured out before we meet Ellie tomorrow. I know some of you, my awesome friends, have been waiting to see this little girl as long as I have!

We got up this morning and, after a big buffet breakfast, met up with a group of other Americans adopting, and took a bus to the airport. We left Beijing for the province in which Ellie lives, Henan. We took a domestic 1 1/2 hour flight and I desperately tried to finish "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" because there might not be any more time for reading after today. As I remember from Nicholas' adoption, the first couple of weeks together are trying. It was nice to get to chat to others adopting. Some other families also had their previously-adopted children (the soon-to-be big brothers and sisters) with them. And three of them are 5 years old, just like Nicholas.

We are now at the hotel where we will bring Ellie "home" for the first time. I think it hit me that Ellie is coming soon when housekeeping delivered the crib to the room! It is so weird but as much as we have been preparing ourselves for her for so long, we just are not prepared! It is just like having a biological child: I don't think it hit me that I was having Olivia or Peter until we headed to the hospital each time.

John is busy preparing gifts for the ayis and orphanage directors and getting money exchanged. Nicholas is busy watching "Dino Dan" on the iPad. I am busy freaking out!!! But in good way...

Love to you all
Sam