Toys R Us- Papa and Jon Campbell had a blast!

Today after school Papa and Jon Campbell went on an adventure in search of a special gift. Jon Campbell had to make a HUGE decision and pick out a gift for his brother. We have been very intentional with Jon Campbell as we transition to a new brother very soon. Our goal is to prepare him as much as possible; if that is possible?! Kids love toys and we know that Jin will be no different. So what better way to welcome Jin than with a new toy especially picked out by his brother. Clint, armed with the patience of a saint, bravely took Jon Campbell to Toys R Us to complete the mission. I am glad they made it out with only 1 bag!

After many back and forth options, Jon Campbell chose a Handy Manny Worksite for Jin.

It is perfect! It is small enough for the suitcase and has a Matchbox truck included along with a carrying case.

Journey to Jin Spaghetti Dinner at Oak Hill School last night

Grandma Adinolfi's Spaghetti Sauce was a hit last night!

Last night in the Oak Hill School Dining Hall, where I work, our family hosted a homemade spaghetti dinner for our friends and our Oak Hill School Family. Clint and I were very overwhelmed with the huge response and amount of support we raised as the Dining Hall was full of fellow OHS employees, families and friends. My Grandmother's homemade sauce was served over warm spaghetti served with warm garlic toast, a wonderful salad with Kim's own croutons and a huge array of homemade desserts made with love by Kim Rogers, Jin's BaBa, Karin Adinolfi and Jin's Papa, Clint (all of this taking place with Dean Martin singing in the background). The night could not have been a success without the help of Kim and Niki, from the Dining Hall, BaBa, Becky and Brenda serving up a storm and all the others adding the finishing touches...Carolyn. I don't want to forget Jin's BIG BROTHER, JON CAMPBELL! He was a huge help and Mama and Papa couldn't have been prouder.

Jon Campbell passes out the parm. and unloads the homemade desserts!

It takes a village...

THANK YOU for enjoying spaghetti with us and supporting our JOURNEY to JIN.

Jon Campbell and Christian - Judson Buddies

JOSHUA & JIN on the PLAYGROUND
Jin is in the red jacket and Joshua is in the yellow.

Jin already has a life long friend in the United States very eager to see him again. We received an email from Terrie Pilz, from Michigan, about 2 months ago. She heard that we were matched to Jin and couldn't wait to make contact us. You may wonder why.... Well, their son Joshua, in the picture to the left, grew up with Jin in the same orphanage. We heard from Terrie that Joshua was very excited and began yelling when he saw Jin's picture on the website. The Nannies shared with Terrie that Jin and Joshua are best buddies. Terrie sent us a bunch of pictures from the orphanage of both boys together very happy indeed. God's timing once again is amazing. We had something very concrete to hold onto which brought us a great deal of comfort. Terrie has
blessed us with wisdom, helpful facts, ideas and a very fresh perspective. They brought Joshua home early this spring and he is talking up an English storm. THANK YOU TERRIE!

Our final travel meeting was Thursday

Thursday afternoon was our last travel meeting via a conference call with Mike Ginter from A Helping Hand. The very exciting news is we will travel with 2 other families from Newark, NJ to China and back; the Kellams, from Indiana, and the Coys, from Ohio. The Kellams and Coys are actually getting children from the same orphanage. During this meeting we ran through a final list of paperwork necessities and reminders. This is the easiest portion of the paperwork journey!
We travel 19 days from today! Many are asking us how we are doing?! The honest answer is we are very excited, stressed out, nervous, anxious, happy, tearful, grateful, and joyful all in one. I never thought that was possible. The journey has a been a long one and the reality of our son has not yet hit me. As an expected mother I cry at the drop of a hat :) I am trying to figure out what my first words should be to Jin. Will he be excited, happy or scared. Can you imagine leaving the only place, bed and nannies you have known since birth to go to your forever family which you can't understand. It will all come together somehow. I want Jin to know he is loved and safe. I can't wait to get my arms around him and bring him home!

Kids say the darndest things

Jon Campbell, right now, is very excited about Brother Jin's upcoming arrival. He is getting used to the idea that they will share a room too. Today in his music class with Mrs. Sanders, he raised his hand, well at least I hope he raised it, and asked if his brother Jin could sing with his class during the Christmas Concert. Mrs. Sanders did not miss a beat and agreed. I believe God is giving us these sweet moments in the midst of our stress and to do lists, as a gentle reminder that it will all be OK and everything will get done before you travel. Thank you as readers for sweet smiles, encouraging words and faithful prayers.

Flight information

Clint's oldest brother, Clay, is a pilot and has been for may years. He told us yesterday that Continental, which we are flying on, does the Eastbound, polar routes, over Greenland and Russia. Our flight from Newark to Beijing is 12 hours and 15 minutes. WOW, that makes for a long journey. Uncle Clay also commented that engine exhaust makes for some beautiful music to help lull one to sleep. I hope so because Clint without some sleep may make for an interesting trip :) I love you dear!

Some have asked if Jon Campbell is travelling with us and we have decided to leave him at home with his Baba, my mother, and Grandma, Clint's mother. Although the experience would be great, we really don't feel that it would be fair to Jon Campbell or Jin. We would not be able to give Jon Campbell the attention he needs while adjusting to Jin. We want to help Jin get acclimated and being to bond to us as soon as possible. Also, Jon Campbell will stay on his schedule with sleep, school and other activities. This always makes for a much happier boy. The time will go by very quickly for him, his Grandmothers I am not too sure?! Jon Campbell will get spoiled while we are away and that is just fine.