The Days to Come

We figured it would be helpful, for the family and friends who care, to have a timeline of the next few days.

At this point we're really missing the boys (especially mommy!).  We Skyped them for the first time today.  Special thanks to Matt and Donnah Neal.  They created a personal private blog for Lawson and Fletcher while we're away.  Seeing pictures of the boys and reading of their adventures each days has given us lots of laughs to say the least.  It's also helped bridge the distance that presently exists between us.  High five for technology.  Thank you Matt and Donnah.

Grubbs Timeline (just remember we are 12 hours ahead of you in the States):

• Saturday, May 26 - Arrive in Guangzhou China
• Sunday, May 27 (5:00pm) - Adoption meeting 
• This is a debrief meeting for the group of families we are adopting with.  A total of six families from different parts of the US - adopting the same week as us.
• We look forward to making new families as well as bonding with Rebecca and Miko (our guides for the week). We're already incredibly grateful for the work they have done leading up to this week and the tremendous help they will be in the two weeks to come).
• Monday, May 28 (2:00pm) - Gotcha Day!
• The long awaited day where we meet Ruthie.  It's really hard to imagine the many life-altering moments that will occur there in the civil affairs office that day.
• Tuesday, May 29 (10:00am) - Back to the civil affairs office for adoption and notary interview
• Wednesday, May 30 (3:00pm) - To the police station to apply for Ruthie's Chinese passport
• Thursday, May 31 - Sightseeing in China (i.e., bonding with our girl)
• Friday, June 1 - We visit the MaoMing orphanage as well as the place where Ruthie was found
• This will be one of the more emotional days for sure.  Natalie has already had a couple of good cries and Ruthie is not even with us yet.  Thank you Marla and Laura for the kleenex.
• Saturday, June 2 - Drive to the clinic where Ruthie's visa photo will be taken and medical exam will occur.
• Sunday, June 3 - Local shopping (girl clothes and shoes).  The girls will appreciate this more than the men.  We grin and bear.
• Monday, June 4 - Medical exam results and visit to Guangzhou Zoo.  Passports will also arrive this day.
• Tuesday, June 5 - Take oath and submit Ruthie's visa documents.  This is the day where we pledge to always take care of our little girl.
• Wednesday, June 6 - Receive Visas and visit Shamian island.  
• Thursday, June 7 - Depart for the states as a family of 5!!

Pics of our boys while away.  We promise to post pics of us after our meeting today (that sounded so vain!).  Again special thanks to the Neals for helping out with Law and Fletch this week.

The boys will open a gift from us each day we're gone.  Here's a fishing pole and GI Joe mask Fletch picked out from a garage sale a couple of weeks ago.

Bible time at the Neals

It's natural for boys to like guns right.  This is such a Fletcher face.