Kelly household changes

Today was a big day and the beginning of a lot of changes at the Kelly house.  After enjoying 6 months with Nicci and Addi, it was time for us to say goodbye.  They left first thing this morning, and will be driving today and tomorrow back home to Colorado Springs.  So sad to see her go, but we are so thankful Joseph will be coming home soon and they can finally be a family.  We have loved getting to know our new niece and spending quality time with my sweet sister.  It will be a time in my life I will never forget, and I am so thankful we got it.  Ok, who wants to move in next ;)?  We are five days from leaving for China, and 9 days from holding our baby girl in our arms.  Actually nine days minus 15 hours, which is the time change from here to China.  I am hoping while we are there, we will be able to keep everyone updated on our blog.  I think we know the secret to being able to use our blog.  If not, we will pass info on through mom.  We arrive in Hong Kong, via Portland and Tokya, on Oct. 5th at 11:56 PM.  We will be in Hong Kong until Sunday the 7th when we will take a train to Guangzhou.  On the 8th, we get our baby girl and get to spend time getting to know her.  We officially become her parents on the 9th.  We also apply for her passport, so she can come back home with us.  We have a free day on the 10th, while paperwork is being processed, then we have a medical exam on the 11th.  The 12th we will spend filling out more paperwork, then we have two more free days.  We hope to enjoy the city, and spend lots of time getting to know baby Grace.  The 15th, we receive Grace's passport.  The 16th, we go to the US Consulate and finish up with the business end of the adoption.  The 17th, we receive Grace's visa to come to the US, then we take a van back to Hong Kong, where will stay over night and fly out first thing in the morning on the 18th.  We arrive home on the 18th, and get to introduce Grace to her family.  It looks like it will be a great trip.  I think we will be ready to come home and see our babies here.  I haven't ever been away from them for 14 days.  I am sure it will go quickly.  We are continuing to pray that Grace will have an easy transition and she will learn we are here to love her and make her part of our family forever.  Once again, I must thank my sweet Mom for willingly coming into our home and running our house while we are gone.  The kids are small compact bundles of energy and I know they can be exhausting.  Anyone that feels like it, check in on her and make sure she is alive and well.  We plan to Skype as often as we can, but it won't be the same as being able to call any time we want.  I have spent the last two weeks trying to prepare the kids and the house to make life as easy as possible for mom.  I will continue to think of things to do, but I also know I can't plan for everything.  Mom will do just fine.  My sweet friend game me the neatest necklace yesterday.  It has beads that represent each of my kid's birthstones, including Grace, set in a little wire nest.  I can't wait until I can get all 5 of my chickies home into the nest.

 Ainsley at Ballet

             Holden placed 9th with a 1 mile time of 7:35

 Brandt placed 8th with a 1 mile time of 6:40.  Wyatt didn't place this meet, but ran a 8:35 which is excellent for him.

My beautiful new necklace

We are going to enjoy our last weekend as a family of six.  It will be our last.  I am joyful for that.  We have 4 soccer games, church and AWANA, so a pretty typical weekend.  I plan to get everything packed or at least start.  We had a cross country meet on Thursday, and the boys all did very well.  They are having fun with their team.  Ainsley is back in ballet and gymnastics, and she is doing so well.  She is really starting to listen to her teachers and doing what they ask.  It is a nice change.