Be back soon.......

Follow us at www.babyjellybeans.com and enter her name: Louisa Hatcher

One last picture from China......

Oh sweet baby......the layers you must wear just to keep warm, your tattered clothes, your runny nose, those eyes that seem to be saying "When are you coming to get me Mommy?" Six more sleeps my baby and you will be an orphan no more! Your family is coming to get you.

Happy 6th Birthday Xin!!!!

Today we celebrated Xin's 6th birthday. He actually turns 6 on Feb. 1st but since some of us will be in China, today was his birthday! He wanted a "party",poor guy had never had a party, so yesterday we did that with some friends. Today we had the family birthday celebration complete with birthday pancakes, presents, dinner out his choice-Mexican- and singing with cake (well cookies) and ice cream. He loved it! Oh Xin, you have come so far little buddy! We love you and are so glad we get to celebrate all your birthdays to come with you! We are so proud of all that you have learned and how hard you try to fit into family life. You're doing great!!!! Happy Birthday Xin! Big Big Hugs!!!!!!

Random Thoughts...very random thoughts!

So I have had so many things just spinning through my head lately..... to do lists, things to finish, things to get, things not to forget, school work to finish up, ball practices, emails to return, etc..... I feel like I might just jump off the nearest tall building! But I have had a lot of thoughts lately too. So here they are in no particular order:

I can't wait to hold my baby

I can't wait to hear her laugh-hopefully she will laugh at some point on the trip

Can I make it out of the house without bursting into tears while saying goodbye to the "Littles"

I can't wait for those breakfast buffets!

I can't wait to see what God has in store for us when we visit the orphanage

I want to glorify Him while we are there

I am looking forward to time with my "Bigs" for a few days

I am going to miss my "Littles' terribly

Will Lulu cry, scream, shut down, throw tantrums

Will this trip and adjustment be as hard as Xin's

Lord, please hold me up if it is!!!

Will Lulu like us

Will I forget some important paper we need in China

I can't wait to kiss Lulu's chubby cheeks

Will I be able to leave that orphanage without taking multiple children with me

Did I mention the breakfast buffets

I can't wait to ride the train thru the China countryside

Are Lulu's feet really clubbed

Is jet-lag going to kick my fanny again

What will the new normal look like

I am so excited!!!!!

I am scared

I dread the 16 hr plane ride...oh please let my TV and light work this time

I hate those small HARD beds

Can't wait to try some spicy Hunan food

I don't want Lulu to be frightened

Will she let me comfort her

Will Jaida do ok without Mommy

Will Xin miss us...oh how I hope he does

Will my parents, bless their souls, be able to survive the "Littles"

I get teary thinking of the reunion of our family in Columbia on the 8th

Did I write everything down my parents might need

What if the ants come back....we get ants sometimes

Will all of our luggage make it

Hopefully nobody will get sick

I can't wait to kiss Lulu's nubby little fingers

Will this really be our last child...holy cow...I would have never guessed 3 adoptions!

I want to enjoy this time in China

I want to stop worrying about ALL the little details

I have to change diapers again...and wash bottles...at 46!

Will Lulu be scared to death of the dogs...they are a trip by the way, the 2 of them!

Is the train station going to be hard to navigate without a guide and all our stuff

I am excited about Hong Kong

Will Lulu look the same as her pictures

Will Jaida REALLY be ok

Just the thought of homeschooling when we get home kicks my fanny

Are we bringing enough gifts for the kids at the orphanage

I can't wait to go back to Lucy's (restaurant in Guangzhou)

Will we still be able to get a "red couch" photo

I am going to have 5 kids!!!!!!

I am so BLESSED to have 5 kids!!!!!!!

I am so scared to have 5 kids!!!!!!!!

Did I print out all the directions from Mapquest my parents might need

Am I leaving enough meals so my poor Mom doesn't have to cook too much

We are missing Xin's bday (celebrating before we leave.... but still...guilt)

Sam will turn 10 while in China, I hope it is a good day

Will it be utter chaos when we get home...I don't function well in chaos

I think it will be utter chaos for awhile

Oh yeah...another growth opportunity for me

Will I "feel" God when I need Him

Did God really call us to this...or did I just imagine it

Seriously can't wait to kiss her cheeks

I almost forgot to leave the trash pick up schedule..and the recycle

Will I be able to have my much needed morning quiet time again...maybe not for awhile

God will understand ...I will steal some semi-quiet moments when I can

I get to hold my baby in 18 days...less because they are 13 hours ahead

2 weeks from now I will be sitting on the plane....8 hours down, 8 more to go

I think I will have a glass of wine on the plane, maybe it will help me sleep?

8 months ago I saw her face for the 1st time, 8 more months without a family

In 18 days we will have her in our arms forever, our Louisa will be with her family

I have to stop now because it really never ends, my brain and its endless chatter, this is just a sampling. Are you tired? I am.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh..........

Tickets purchased- depart the USA on January 26th-and we got flights and seats of choice!

A day and a 1/2 to tour Hong Kong

Off to Changsha January 29th

Hotel rooms of choice

Gotcha Day January 30th-oh my can't wait!

Get to visit orphanage-Feb 2nd-via bullet train to Chenzhou

Off to Guangzhou on Feb 3rd

Rooms of choice there too

Depart Guangzhou for Hong Kong the 7th via train

Depart for home-HK to Chicago to Columbia on the 8th

Arrive back in Columbia at 7:00pm on the 8th to the arms of my other 2 babies I am going to miss terribly!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....................

At last................

The last 2 letters...........

TA TA TA TA TA TA TA TA TA TA TA TA TA TA

Travel Approval-details to follow!

A Best Friend

Julia and Haley. Best Friends. Born 6 weeks apart. Friends for 13 years. Inside jokes. Laughing at each other's silly jokes. Being totally yourself with each other. Crying together. Laughing together....lots. Growing up together. Sharing things together. Moving apart but staying close.
We had the sheer pleasure of having Haley with us this past week. I told Haley she could be our 6th child anytime! We miss her already! The good-byes are always hard and there wasn't a dry eye in our house this morning. What a blessing a special friendship like this is!
We love you Haley!