Sunday, February 8, 2009

Tick-Tock Tick-Tock

Today is Monday in China. I woke up this morning at good ole' 3:30am. I forced myself to sleep another hour. At 4:30am, I couldn't take it any longer. I got up! I woke up to a really bad case of nerves! My stomach is in knots. Today, we fly to Lily's province. It's really happening and for some reason, I just can't grasp it. Karla, I know I am driving you nutso with e-mails. But, I know you love me! I just need to be reassured that everything is OK.

I have waited so long and prayed so long for this child. The emotions I am feeling are hard to explain. I have never felt them before. I cannot wait to hold her in my arms and love her forever. It makes me smile to think of Hannah Grace and Noah playing with their sister. This feels too good to be true.

I will be forever grateful to this amazing country. I love China and I love their people. I am sad to leave Beijing, but I am happy to be one day closer to holding my daughter.

I will post again when we arrive in Taiyuan, Shanxi. I hope my computer works OK there. Hopefully, each room will have its own personal computers. That would be good.

Our flight leaves at 1:15am Monday Alabama time.

We are going to walk over to Starbucks for breakfast. I need a boost!

Love you all,
Aimee

17 comments:

Jessica said...

Praying for you guys right now Aimee. Praying for your nerves to settle. Praying for safe travels. Praying for God to prepare Lily's heart.

love and lots of hugs!
Jess

The King Family said...

We are so excited for you! Today, you will be that much cloer to your little girl...WOW!!! It has been amazing reading all of your updates and feeling like we're right there with you. I was so excited just now when I signed on so Jared could read the newest update and saw a post I wasn't even expecting! We love you so much and we can't wait to meet beautiful Lily!

Linda said...

I just flipped to my dashboard and saw that you had posted 17 minutes ago, so I get to be the first to say YIPPEE! You're almost there. I know exactly how you feel about your daughter. I've always felt that since I did not actually give birth to my daughters, these were my labor pangs. It is an awesome grafting-in feeling to know that this child is every bit as much YOUR child as the others. It left me with a closeness to God that I had never before experienced. It causes you to know how much He loves each of His adopted children, and you understand that it is not a second rate love.

Linda said...

AGH! I'm not the first to write back afterall! I was so busy chasing down my kids that I took too long to hit the enter button! lol

Anna Lee Weathers said...

okay aimee. i have seriously been blog-stalking. if there is such a thing. i can't even imagine how you and carlton are feeling! just know i am praying for you both. and i am praying for lily as well. how exciting!

:)caitlin

Faith, Hope, and Love said...

Aimee...I got chills reading your post! Its just SO exciting!!! All the emotions are normal!! Everything will fall into place once Lily is in your arms...you will just "know" she is yours and why everything has led you to her. When I left China with my babies I just wept. There is a piece of my heart that will always remain in China. Even though the culture is so different from ours...China has a breathless beauty that keeps calling one back. Try to journal as much as you can. There are moments you will never forget...but other moments that will be forgotten thru all of the excitement and joy.

Breath it ALL in!!!

Love,
Robin

paw paw and maw maw said...

Hey, we are so excited for you and we are praying for you. We are enjoying Hannah and Noah. He is such a hoot. We had lunch together after church. We are enjoying your post daily. Just a few more days......We Love you.

Holly said...

Praying for your EVERY need--inside and out. Getting on that plane in a few hours gets you one step closer-- praise God!
Looking forward to the next post!
HOlly

Crystal said...

We're continuously praying for you guys!! God will be with you every step of the way! I pray God sends His peace over you and Carlton and over sweet Lily!!

Love, Crystal Joplin

Tamara said...

Everything is going to be fine! God has brought you this far and He will continue to be with you as you complete this journey. Praying for peace and safety as you take this next step closer to getting your precious little girl.

Love and hugs!

The Ferrill's said...

Oh AIMEE! I can sense your anxious excitement...I feel it too! It makes me think of that Steven Curtis Chapman song "This is a moment made for worshiping!" Linda put it perectly, "It causes you to know how much He loves each of His adopted children, and you understand that it is not a second rate love."
Aimee those first few moments you meet Lily...well...I just can't explain how incredible it will be. We felt the presence of the Lord like no other time in our lives. And I cherish those first few hours and days getting to know our new adopted children. It is such a priceless time.
Some people don't like having to stay for two weeks; but those two weeks in China are SO precious. Isn't it wonderful getting to know your daughter's birth country so well? And what will make it even more wonderful is when she is in your arms and you get to show her beautiful China that she has never experienced before! You'll be seeing China TOGETHER!
Oh praise the Lord!

Friends and Family said...

There are goosebumps on my arms reading that you are SO CLOSE to laying eyes on that gorgeous Lily, taking her in your arms and being able to show her the love you have had for her for so long now. Aimee and Carlton--sending you never ending prayers of comfort, love and thanksgiving as you take one step closer to your baby girl!
Tamara Gavin

Barb said...

Praying for you both right now. I pray that God will calm your feelings of anxiousness. It will be so amazing,God will keep walking you through these next few days. Praying you will have a safe trip & that God will continue to prepare yours and Lily's hearts for the gotcha day!

Love you both,
Barb

Unknown said...

Hi Aimee! Jessica is a friend of mine and I have been so excited to follow your story! I have a beautiful niece and nephew adopted from China! They are such a blessing to their mom and dad and our family as well. I am so excited for you all! I can't wait to see pictures from your "Gotcha Day"! God bless you all!
Jenifer

Mom to Olivia said...

We just want you to know that we are thinking of you are you travel to Taiyuan to finally meet Lily. We can't wait to see pictures of you holding her for the first time.

luveezmum said...

Hi Aimee! It is 3:10p here in noisy Taiyuan. The fireworks have been going on constantly for the Lantern Festival!
Our guide told us last night that we will not get Ryan until Wednesday! Looks like you already knew that Gotcha Day would be then. We'd love to visit with you and hear about church in Beijing! We are in room 2416 at World Trade Hotel (86)0351-868 8888. Only 1.5 more days to go :)
Terri B

LeighAnne said...

Aimee praying for you and Carlton and that every detail surrounding you will be ordained by the Lord! I am so excited for you, it is almost TIME! :)

Hugs, LA