Bad News

There will be no news or photos until Marie and Marty get back home. They have been experiencing computer and other problems. The good news is she called last night and gave me a brief overview and so I will post that and if she calls again I will update you.
They are in Quiyang, China for a few more days and then will head back to Bejing for about a week.

They have Raina and according to Marie "she is a doll". I believe she is smitten:) who wouldn't be. They got to meet Raina's foster mom and were given some more pics and stuff and are hoping to keep in touch in the future. The foster mom had a hard time giving Raina to Marie. It took about 20-30 min for her to finally hand Raina over, they have had her since she was 3 days old.
The first night was hard, Raina cried LOTS, but last night Marie said she heard her moving and she cried out once, so Lord willing things will get better. (The foster mom had Raina sleeping with her for the past month, so part of it may have been having to sleep in a crib).

Malia is doing well. Marie says "shes the best big sister anyone could want". upon their arriva in China and smelling the smells, Malia's comment was "this smells better than food". :) how funny. Marie and Marty on the other hand are trying to eat the food which is really hot and spicy. They are in a less westerized part of China and so there is no Mcdonalds :)

That is pretty much it. Marie will try and post some things and see if she can get us some photos after much begging on my part, so well see. until then keep praying. thanks

Kathy

STRESS!!

I am VERY stressed at the moment.  Our computer crashed on Wednesday night.  Thank God I had saved most of my important documents and all my photos.  I have spent far too much time restoring all my info.  I have lost my contact list and so will have to recreate it when we come home.  I have repeatedly tried to use our Skype account and have also tried to set up a chat line via gmail.  Neither works.  I have called for assistance and it still is not working.  This means that we will not be able to chat with the boys while we are gone.  However, we do plan to call home and email.  They will hopefully also be able to follow my blog.  I will continue to try to get things to work during our 5 hr layover in Vancouver.
Everything else is ready to go.  I am so very excited and hope to be able to send emails to Kathy so that she can post for me.  If not, I will post asap.  Can't wait to meet our precious little angel!

Sneak Peek

I'm itching to post pictures of the girls' room, but being somewhat of a perfectionist I just can't post them until everything is completed and hung.  This is the rag quilt I made for Raina.  It is very soft and warm and should be awesome for cuddle time!

Freakin' Out!

I am beginning to freak out!  So much to do with so little time.  Well, actually it's more than that...we've never left our kids for more than a few days and now we'll be gone for 13 days!  I know the boys will be fine but I still feel sorry for them.  I bought gifts for them to help the days go by faster.  Gifts that will entertain them, such as movies, books and Lego.  Alex in particular is stressed and has had a few night terrors again.  I am  glad they are very short.  Morgun on the other hand, for the most part,  is taking it in stride.  He does worry that we will not come home, that we will die like Grandma and Grandpa did.  How do you reassure a kid without lying to him?  We plan to come back, but ultimately that is in God's hands.  For the most part though he is simply excited.  The other day he mentioned that he thought it would be really cool if we came back with a little brother as well!  Now THAT would take a miracle!
I have finished all my Christmas shopping, wrapping, decorating and baking.  I've bought most of what we need to travel (who would have thought we would spend over $200 on medications, formula and bottles?!), and I have started packing.  So really, if we were leaving tomorrow I would be ready.  It is all the things that don't have to be done but would be nice to have done...
The girls' room is finished except for a few details.  I'm still waiting for some things for on the walls and still need to adjust and complete the curtains.  I will post pictures when it is done.  My order for the wall decor will likely not arrive before we leave so it will be awhile before I can post the pics.
Malia is very excited to be travelling with us and LOVES to "rub it in" when the boys are around.  I am hoping that she will travel well and not be too antsy.  I am somewhat claustrophobic and do not function well in confined spaces with little ones constantly squirming.  However, I can hardly wait to travel and meet Raina!  How blessed we are!!

Decorating for Christmas

Martin was out hunting so the kids and I decorated their Christmas trees this morning.  The kids were still in their PJs, Alex wasn't feeling well and all 3 were coughing.  Thus the wild hair!  In spite of all that, we had fun!

I can't wait till Christmas...just like a little kid!  It will be the most special Christmas EVER!  With the sweetest gift EVER...Raina!

Updated Photos

We received a few "updated"photos on Saturday.  The first picture was obviously taken at the same time as the proposal pictures.  I would love to know who the woman in the photo is...perhaps Raina's foster mom?

 This is my favourite!  Less that 3 weeks till we leave...19 days till we leave!  Time is flying by, and yet I can't get to Raina fast enough! 

I have completed my Christmas shopping and wrapping. Our business paperwork is caught up and our year end papers are at the accountants! Yes! I hate doing business stuff...boring! I'm just so very glad it is done! Malia has a passport and our visa's should arrive within the next week or so. Part 1 of Raina's citizenship is complete...thanks to our local MP. Everything is finally falling into place and it looks like I will actually be able to finish all the things I would like to get done before we leave.

This week I plan to start packing and figure out what we still need to buy. Hopefully I can also begin decorating for Christmas and do some Christmas baking. I love Christmas and can hardly wait to listen to Boney M and smell the baking...let the fun begin!!

Amy and Curt's Wedding

I thought I should post some pictures of Amy and Curt's wedding.  Lisa is not fond of having her picture posted on facebook, so that is why out of province family have not seen many pics so far.

My sister Lisa  with my nephew Scott.

My niece Laura, with Mandy's boyfriend Justin. (this would be Barb Bergen's son..go figure!)

Curt waiting for Amy.  In true Klassen fashion he cried the moment he saw her...and so did I...when I saw him crying!

 Morgun...ring bearer.

 Brook, flower girl and Morgun.

 Amy and her Dad, Glen.

 Yah!  Married at last!  Introducing Mr & Mrs Curt Klassen!

 Us...all dressed up!  Even Martin went out and purchased a new shirt, tie, pants, and shoes.  He rarely buys anything other than jeans and t-shirts.  I'm not smiling because I had an emergency root canal done less than 48 hrs prior to the wedding.  My mouth was still too painful to smile.

 Our beautiful kids!!

 Amy and Curt's mode of transportation.  Curt is not a truck driver, but has his 1A drivers license and LOVES to drive big trucks.

 Malia was very proud to show off her new outfit and curled hair!

 Alex doesn't care to wear a tie, but was a good sport.

  I had to share this picture of Morgun.  He had been begging to take off his suit jacket and when he was finally allowed, I managed to catch his expression!  Priceless!