New Update from Blessed Kids

Adele at Blessed Kids got an update for me. Matthew now weighs just over 20 pounds and has 8 teeth. Once again the photos show some Chinese culture - he has the padded clothes on:) I so know he got at least one of the care packages because the toys I got him and his photo album are in his hands. Maybe if he sees our pictures he will have an easier transition.

Just 11 days until I leave for China...

Matthew's early pictures

Left: Sept. 2010 An internet friend picking up her daughter from Matthew's orphanage got a chance to see him and got a picture!

Right: August 2010 An update picture from the Luoyang Orphanage. Matthew is 14 months old here.

Long Time, No See

Hi Folks,

I am once again toying with this idea. I am very leery of anything like Facebook or Myspace but really want to keep everyone as current as possible.

I received a referral on July 21, 2010 after 4.5 years of waiting It is a boy named Dang Xia He, meaning Celebrate Summer. Very fitting as his birthday is June 2, 2009. He will be named Matthew Karl Xia. He is waiting for me in Luoyang City in Henan province. I am hoping to go in November to pick him up.

This trip should be much shorter than the one to adopt Robby (13 weeks). I should be gone for 3 weeks and hope to have 2-3 days in Hong Kong at one end or the other. The time change really killed me last time, so this can be important when you are handed your child in the first day or two.

Stay tuned...

Welcome to my Blog

Hi Folks,

I have toyed with the idea of starting a blog but never had the motivation. Now that I'm getting closer to travel, I find myself motivated.

I received my region in Kazakhstan last week: Uralsk in the northwest portion of the country. It is much closer to Russia than China. I thought I would be all the way across the country from where I am going, but I'm not fussing. 

I am now waiting on my Letter of Invitation which will give me my visa information and travel dates. Back to pins and needles time - I hate waiting!