Preparation: China

Our inspiration to start this blog is a trip to China, a return trip for Jim, a new voyage for Dick. This will be a special trip to celebrate a special guy who came into our life a little over 8 years ago and strengthened our bond with Jill, Vickie and Richard. That, of course, is Clay.

While Jill and Rich held down their homefront and Dick held down ours, Vickie and Jim made the trip to the ZhuZhou orphanage in China's Hunan province, just outside the city of Changsha, along with other families who adopted children via the US agency "La Vida". Back in 2000 (seems so long ago!), the internet didn't make it so easy for us to stay in touch.

Now, eight years later, Rich, Clay and Jill will make the trip, with Vickie reluctantly holding down the homefront. Dick and Jim will both accompany them, along with friends Kathy and Val and Vickie's sister and nieces.

Jill has worked tirelessly for months to make this trip happen, and now in less than one week, Jim and Dick will be on their way, spending 5 days in Guangxi province before flying back to Beijing to hook up with the rest of the crew! Next up: our itinerary.