Updates

I am slowly checking things off my to do list in preparing to go to China. My new

laptop came this week and so far so good. I had the Skype put on my desk top and I got the needed headphones to hear and communicate with the kids while we are in China. It is a 18.4 inch screen so I had to order quite a large bag for it to go in. However, all my paperwork and even some needed snacks will fit into it as well. It has a handle and I'll pull it on wheels......it's quite heavy. I'm sure we'll do a test run with the Sykpe before we leave. Hopefully, it will give Sophia and Daniel some sense of peace to see us with Andrew and I can remind them both that we will be home soon. Daniel is going through a separation anxiety phase right now. Cries when I leave and has woke up the past 4 nights crying for me. When I go into his room he tells me he misses me. ~sigh~ NOT something I needed to worry about right now, but we'll get through it.

I have decided what camera's and lenses I am taking and I got a new back pack style bag to carry it all in. At this point I will be taking my Olympus E 3 with two lenses ( the others I am leaving home) and I will give Emmie the Olympus E 510 with one lens. I will set that in Auto mode for her and just let her take as many pictures as she wants. There is no doubt that she will be behind the camera taking all the shots as I meet Andrew for the first time. I think I will also bring my smaller camera that has video on it as well.

Many of you have asked how Emmie is doing.

She is still struggling with the migraines on a daily basis. She was just put on a low dosage of To*pomax. She is to take it at night before bed. So far, there really hasn't been much of a change. I am going to give it a few more weeks and if there is no relief for her, we may look into other options. I also think I am going to push her to go to the Chiropractor. I think she needs her neck snapped around a few times. She is doing very well in school considering she feels pretty sick most of the time. She pulled a 4.0 her first trimester and I have no doubt she will get that same GPA again this Tri. I have not told the school yet that I will be pulling her out to go to China. I am waiting for our TA, but I do not think it will be a problem.

Passports:

I sent my passports out to get our "official" visa entry into China. That was exciting. I still can't believe we are going again. I got them back in 5 days. ;)

Andrews Room:

We are making progress on his room. The walls and trim are re-painted, his furniture is coming this week and the carpet will be installed next week. When it is put together, I will post some pictures. The Story Of You web site is also up, and I will post a link to it on my blog as it gets closer to our travel time.

Sweetest comment:

And finally, I got the sweetest comment from my previous travel mate Kristy on my last post. It brought tears to my eyes. It showed me that she remembers my old posts and can envision my children together.......here is what she said.......

"Steffie, as I have prayed for you, a picture comes to mind every time I pray so I want to share with you after reading this post. It has brought me many smiles! I have pictured Daniel and Andrew riding on trikes around the clickity-clack track of their playground as Princess Sophie is in her tower directing her knights from above! Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers! "

Priceless my sweet friend.....so very, very priceless.....to me! ;)

Blogs:

After announcing that we got Andrew's referral, I got so many comments....well....for my little ol' blog that is.....lol....that I would like to add many of you on my side bar. I hope that will be ok. I clicked on so many blogs and saw beautiful families. I would love to check in on many of you. I know my commenting has been less lately, but please know that I do check in on you. ;)