He's Here!

Update: little man is a bundle of energy! He is smart! He is already mimicking signs and understands no. He is allowing us to hold him for now. Full of smiles! Points to everything! Note to self: Liam proof the house!

Coffee Houses Rule!

Found free wifi! Just a 15 minute walk from hotel so now life is grand! Tomorrow morning we go to the orphanage to meet and pick up Liam. We should have plenty of time to visit and interview his caretakers since we are the only family. We know it'll be a hard and confusing day for him. We are bracing for the storm, but we know it will all be okay. Thanks for all the comments and well wishes! Pray hard over the next 24 hours or so.



(Posted via Laura's message relay)

News from China

We are here! We will get to go to the orphanage to pick up Liam on Monday am. We will be getting settled and caught up on sleep between now and then.

Packing Day!

I'm officially off work now! We leave tomorrow afternoon to fly to Chicago. Friday it's Chicago to Shanghai! We'll arrive there Saturday afternoon (their time) and get Liam on Monday morning.

The hotels look incredible! I especially love the "pillow menu" at the first one in Shanghai. We will stay there six nights and then go to another awesome hotel in Guangzhou for six more nights.

Today is all about packing. I'm hoping to go with just one checked and one carry-on. Good thing I have space saver bags!

Wish us luck and keep prayers lifted on our behalf!

Travel Plans!

We've booked our flights to China! We will fly from Houston to Chicago to China on March 4. We'll arrive home on the 18th. We are waiting for information on our in-China travel, then we'll get to write the big check!

I am trying to get all of my ducks in a row at school for my sub. I'm still not sure exactly how it will work without using family medical leave. I haven't been with the district for a year, so I won't be able to use that FMLA. Luckily I transferred 20 + days from Longview ISD when I moved. I will not be able to use them all in a row, so I will be docked for at least a few days. At least one of the weeks we'll be gone will be Spring Break!

One of my projects for the next two weeks will be to learn how to cook a few good authentic Chinese meals. Any recipes would be appreciated! I'm sure Liam will get used to our food, but I want to avoid a major culture shock if possible!

I am also working on getting a doctor that specializes in international adoptions. I think we've found one, but we're trying to make sure the insurance we have will cover everything.

There's so much to do to get ready for Little Man! Keep us in your prayers!

Erin Stokes

A few steps closer!

Hello and Happy New Year!

I am happy to say that over the holidays we moved a few steps closer to Liam! We are now waiting for travel approval which should come in about one month. We will travel to get him one month from that. That puts us in China close to Spring Break in early March.

We have decided for sure to go without the other three kids. We are blessed to have two wonderful grandmothers in their life that will be caring for them!

Keep us and Liam in your prayers as we get ready for this huge transition! Liam will especially need prayers. Please pray that he is being told (sign language, pictures, etc) about his upcoming adoption.

A little closer to Little Liam!

We got our referral for Liam right before Thanksgiving! We are officially his, and he is ours! Today I got an update on him. It says he is outgoing, a little naughty, and eats everything! He loves sports! The most recent weight and height measurements show that he is almost exactly Jaci's size (within 2 pounds weight and the same height). Jaci is 18 months older than him. I hope she doesn't mind the fact that people will probably think they are twins! The other medical issue he had has been cured! It looks like we'll get to travel in February or March which is what we thought. The kids are staying here in the States with MomC.

Prayer Requests:
1. For Liam...that he will not be traumatized by the adoption. We pray that despite his lack of language and communication opportunities, he will have an understanding of what is about to happen. We also pray he will learn sign language quickly.
2. For our other kids. We pray they will be able to welcome him into our home and learn how to communicate with him easily and readily.
3. For Jay and I as we travel.