Lisa and I are almost ready to head to China to adopt a little boy. We're going to use this blog to try and keep our friends and family up to date while we're there. Currently, our son's name is Yan Zhen Wen and he lives in Nanjing, China in the Jiangsu Province. We are scheduled to pick him up on December 24th. Hopefully his "Gotcha Day" will be the best Christmas present any of us have gotten. We don't know if his caregivers have been preparing him or not, whether he's seen any of the pictures we sent in with our adoption paperwork, even whether he's ever heard English or seen blonde haired blue eyed people before! We're going to pick him up and whisk him away, first to Guangzhou to get his U.S. Citizenship taken care of, then back home to Phoenix. Where he'll get to experience a whole new world from the desert climate to his own room to aunts and uncles and cousins to a 60 pound, four legged new best friend and a set of loving parents, everything will be new to him. Oh, we're planning on changing his name too. His passport will say Benjamin James Zhenwen Matre. I keep hearing that kids adjust fast and I've seen it myself, but I can't imagine what he'll go through in the next few weeks and months. We're anxious about what he'll mean to our lives, at least we have some basis to work from. Hopefully he'll understand quickly that he's safe and very well loved. Well, enough worrying about after the trip, we still have to make it halfway around the world before then...
We're leaving on Wednesday the 19th, we'll stop over in Hong Kong for a couple of days to get our internal clocks adjusted... and do some sightseeing of course! it's not every day we get to go to China! Then we'll leave for Nanjing on the 23rd, pick up ZhenWen on Christmas Eve and spend the rest of the week finalizing his adoption in China. We'll leave for Guangzhou on Friday the 28th with Ben and spend a week there waiting on the U.S. Consulate to come back from their New Year's revelry so we can get Ben's U.S. Passport. If all goes well, the newly expanded Matres will get home just after midnight on the 5th of January. What an amazing start to 2008!
32 comments:
We can't wait to meet Ben! Lots of thoughts and prayers and Christmas cheer headed your way. Lots of love, The Richters
We're so happy for you and wish you safe travels. You couldn't ask for a better Christmas present!
Our love to you and Ben,
The Williams
Jay and Lisa have a safe trip and have fun in China - it's amazing! I can't wait to meet Ben next time I'm in Phoenix, what a lucky little boy!
I am very fortunate to share this journey with you. I wish you the best as you begin this journey of a lifetime. I am so happy for all of you.
It's finally time...We can't wait to meet Ben! We have a little something for him if we can catch you before you leave town. Enjoy your travels....and have a very Merry Christmas. PS let us know if you find him in a manger.
The Glynns
As excited as we all are to meet Ben we know he needs time to adjust to a new home and to get to know who his new mom and dad are...it will drive us all nuts waiting for the official invitations but we will...Thank you for letting us all be a long on the trip...Ben has no idea the amount of LOVE he is going tp get from his New MOM and DAD!!!
Love you Edith
Have a safe trip! Have a Merry Christmas with Benjamin... Hope to you see guys soon.
-Max
I am so very excited for you and for little Ben! He has no idea how darn lucky he is to have you as parents, but I'm guessing he'll figure that out quickly! Safe travels...
I am so happy for you guys! What an awesome Christmas for the Matre family. Wishing you a safe and joyous trip!
Lots of love,
Cara
We look forward to reading updates. Know that we are thinking about you guys! Have a fantastic first Christmas with your son.
XOXOXOXO - Mike and Nic
Yeah! I am so excited that this day is finally hear. What a great way to kick off the New Year. I can't wait to meet little Ben. Merry Christmas Matre's!
We are so excited for you guys. What a wonderful Holiday gift. We'll be thinking of you. Have a safe trip with your beautiful son.
Karmen and Erik.
Enjoy it from here on out...Godspeed!!
Sandy
Jay and Lisa,
Best wishes and Happy Holidays. We are so excited for you. Sean can't wait to meet Ben.
The Waters
What a lucky little boy and parents. We are so excited for you and couldn't think of anyone who deserves this more than you two! I hope you enjoy your adventures until you return safely with Ben. You are all in my thoughts and prayers for a beautiful holiday.
All our Love,
The Kings
Jay and Lisa,
Congratulations! We can't wait for Joey to make a new friend, and we have so much admiration for you both for opening your hearts and home to such a lucky little boy.
The Moores
We are thrilled to learn God is blessing you this Christmas with a son! You will be fantastic parents; Ben is such a lucky little boy! We are praying for you and will be eager to hear more and see pictures soon! God's peace and love to the three of you! The Lashiers
Congratulations, and enjoy every minute of this amazing journey. We can't wait to meet Ben and to see you all together at home in Phoenix!
Jen and Brent
Can't wait to meet you Ben!
Jay & Lisa...hope you are having a safe trip, and can't wait for you to get back here to AZ...Oscar keeps eating our Xmas presents!
Love,
Scott, Allison & Adam
Words can't begin to express how excited we are for you. Enjoy this amazing trip and try to soak in each moment. We'll be thinking about you every day and can't wait to hear from you when you return! We love you guys! The Boyers
can't wait to introduce Ben to the girls
feels like racehelle and ben are cousins given the history
let us know when you are ready to have people over once you are back in the US
Love
D, H, R, D
I am so excited for all 3 of you! Stop worrying and enjoy every minute. I can't wait to meet him... Lots of love and prayers coming your way!
Danielle & Cris
Dear Jay, Lisa, Jim and Rox, This blog is great! We are enjoying the amazing photos and the stories from your "Excellent Adventure". We hope you have a Merry Christmas there in China. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Greg, Cathy and Mary Chapin
We're anxiously awaiting to see Ben now....hope all is going well. It's Christmas Eve here and we are thinking of you...
Love,
Amanda
Hi Guys:
did you get him...did you get him...did you get him?????? All I want for Christmas is my ... new nepher Ben!!!!!!!
Can't wait to see all of you back here is AZ soon! Be safe and remember...sleep is overrated.
Love and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Scott, Amanda, Allison and Adam
...and OSCAR
Dear Rommy and Raddy,
My stay here at uncle scott's has been fun but I'm really wondering about this kid I keep hearing about named "Ren." All I have to say is....he can't eat out of my bowl or sleep in my bed....other than that we should get along fine. How old is he.....will he slobber more than me?!!!!
Ruv,
YOUR #1 SON OSCAR
WOW....CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU!!! We've been on pins and needles over here waiting to hear...and I'm sooo glad all is going well.
How much is he walking or talking? What's it like being a dad...YOU'RE A DAD!!
Please give Lisa a hug and tell her we love her...can't wait to see you soon! Have fun...
Scott & Kids
Wahoo!!! You are a Mom and Dad.
Can't wait to meet Ben...literally...Congratulations. My heart is leaping for joy for you.
Oh yeah...and Jim is a Grandpa!!! Tell Jim and Roxy "Congratulations" on becoming Grandparents :)
Congratulations Ben! Welcome home (almost)...I'm sure Oscar will eventually share his bed with you, so don't worry too much about that one. Can't wait to see you!
Congratulations! What wonderful news. A true holiday blessing. Merry Christmas and welcome to Ben. He is adorable.
Jer, Jenn, Annie & Lillie Galvin
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