It's Really Happening

Whenever I see this backpack of ours, I can't help but repeat to myself the title of that Dr. Seuss book: "Oh, The Places You'll Go!"

When we were getting ready to bring home Elisabeth - our first child - I didn't really know what to look for in a diaper bag.  I knew I wanted a backpack, and I got a navy blue one so that Jas wouldn't be embarrassed to help tote it around.  It was o.k., but not great.

When it was time for Noah's trip, I knew better what we would need - specifically during our time in China.  Hence, I bought this olive green Super Duper Backpack.

I picked it up at Babies 'R Us.  It wasn't terribly expensive.  I just knew I liked it and thought it would be just what we needed.  And boy howdy was it!

This thing has not only served us well on 3 trips to China, it has served countless other adoptive family friends of ours also.  I've lost count, but I think it has been to China at least 9 or 10 times.  It has also been to the Phillipines.  And the Bahamas.  Our friends love this backpack as much as we do!

And now, today, for the 4th time in 6 months, it is heading to China again.  My dear friend Amy, whom I've mentioned countless times before, is heading with her family to China to bring home their new son and daughter.


We had one last playdate with them yesterday afternoon.  I'm getting misty-eyed just looking at the picture of all these precious kiddos who've grown up together.

We didn't have any children when I first met Amy almost 10 years ago.  And they had one child.  Now we're about to have 9 children between us.  These children have played together at least weekly, and sometimes multiple times per week since Elisabeth was 14 months old and freshly home.  This family has walked through 5 adoptions and almost 15 surgeries with us.

And now it is their turn.

The idea of adoption was first planted in Amy and Andy's hearts a long time ago...before they even had  Emma.  This adoption trip has been a long time in the coming...and has had many twists and turns along the way.  I'm sitting here about to cry just thinking that this is really and truly finally about to happen for them.


Andy, Amy, Emma and Andrew, we love y'all so so much...and we're praying you to China and back.  We can't wait to meet Samuel and Chloe when y'all get back!