It's hard to imagine that we're going back to China with Katie on a heritage tour.  Why are we going?  Because we're getting a better deal that even our entertainment book or Costco cannot match.  Katie gets to travel in China (with other adoption families) for free, while we have to pay.  But what a deal.

I'm starting to get back flashback memories when we were preparing for our first China trip back in 2009.  Back then we had to pack a elephant in our suitcase and worry about the birdflu and getting sick.   Back then we had to bring all our over the counter meds and a lot of crisp 100 dollar bills. Hey!  We're still doing that now in 2017.

As we get older, we get smarter and pack lighter.  Right?  This time around we're packing lighter and the weight we saved on our luggage went to my stomach weight.   At least that was for me.  Arlene can still fit her clothes from high school.  I decided to buy new outfits.  Katie is now in 3rd grade going on 5th grade with an attitude.   We wanted to take her now before it was too late.  Squat toilets, humid weather,  and foreign languages don't appeal to teenagers.

Ready.  On your mark.  Get set.  Go ......  hmm,  the slow and steady win the race, right.  Well the blogs will be starting back up.  Stay tune.