Here we go…again.

Welcome to our world.  The Lockheads are again on the move – this time to welcome our new son Zachary to our Family.  Thank you for joining us on our 6th Trip of a Lifetime.

The aims of this blog are first, to introduce Zachary and share our travel experiences with our families and friends; and second to create Zachary’s Story in words, photos, videos and memories so that HE will be able to return here later as he grows up, to remember and relive this time in his life.  This will become the definitive record of his Journey to Harleysville, PA and his Forever Home.

The arc of this story, through our posts, will mostly follow us on our Adoption Trip to China over the next few weeks.  But some of the posts will be more informational, relating to the many layers of the backstory that we’ve lived over the past 10 months.  In some cases, Posts here may link you over to other elements of the blog.  Some Posts may seem out of sequence.  Some might even be a bit incoherent, given the pace of the trip and the level of REM sleep achieved for a given night.

Our goal is to deliver a story in words, pictures and videos that makes you fell like you’re right there with us…wherever we go.

And yes, it’s only been 10 months, since we (and by “we” I really mean Lisa) first found Zachary – his file name was “Judah.”  As any family preparing for an adoption will tell you, it’s a wild time, especially considering the “meticulous” process of China/Hague special needs adoptions. But, with a lot of help, from a LOT of very generous and considerate people, we’ve been able to navigate through/around/over all of the obstacles we’ve encountered.

Thank you to every one of you (you know who you are) who’ve played a part in this story.  We could not have done it without you.

A few procedural notes:

• We’ll try to maintain a clean site, so feel free to comment on any posts, and all comments may take a short time to post (after approval). Please email us off you have any problems or questions on this.  If you want to comment or reach us, and you don’t want to post publicly, please feel free to email us.  Thanks for understanding.

• As you may notice, the writing styles for our posts may change, depending on who’s got the iPad (and the energy!). Not to worry, the story is the same.

• Finally, we will try to balance our blogs posts with Facebook and maybe other Social Media posts as well.  FB/Twitter hits are quicker, and when we update the blog here, we’ll include links from FB/T to these posts.  If it sound like we’re makin’ it up as we go, then we usually are…It’s a little like our parenting style…

So here we go, buckle up…

Friday Afternoon:  We are 4 days away from wheels-up and the excitement level around the house has ratcheted up noticeably today.  Primarily because today was the last day of school before Thanksgiving week – the kids would have had off all next week for Parent/Teacher Conferences.  But also because of the Thursday Early Dismissal and Friday 2-Hour Delay from the freak snowstorm, we’ve just had. I could tell by the look on Mr. Parker’s face (he’s our Bus Driver) as he rolled up to our stop that the the kids were wired for the ride home. I could almost hear the bus before I saw it coming around the block.

Focus in the house has shifted from about about 50/50 (School/China Trip) to 100% China Trip. As with all of our previous Adoption journeys, all of the children will be making the trip to welcome Zachary to our family.  And they are all struggling with what to take in their backpacks – so much to fit, so little room.  Luckily, all of the kids’ suitcases are already packed, and ready to roll out the door.  But for now, the backpack are the challenge.  There are still a few days to figure it all out, so negotiations are ongoing!

We are fortunate that all of the kids are experienced travelers, and are aware of the expectations that go with airports, airplanes, long lines, TSA shakedowns, and being responsible for their own backpacks. (Except for that time in the Tokyo airport, with Kyle and Dylan, during our 6-hour layover…perhaps another blog post can be scratched together for that!)

Travel preparations for the grown-ups in the house are also gathering steam.  Much of the planning and gathering of the “stuff” that will become checked luggage is almost done.  A wide range of familiar snack foods has accumulated on the kitchen table and needs to be packed.  Mom & Dad’s clothing will likely be packed by Sunday.

It’s an exciting time.

A Target run (at least one) will be necessary to check-off many of the remaining items on the several lists that are floating around.  One of tomorrow’s goals should be to consolidate ALL open items on 1 List!

Then there is the Official Adoption paperwork.  Our agency has provided very clear and explicit direction of what NEEDS to go, what SHOULD go, and what might go.  This is an area where we’re both a bit overcautious, erring on the side of taking it if we MIGHT need it.  We also carry electronic versions of almost EVERY pertinent document, approval letter, confirmation, authorization, clearance, certification and receipt.  As I always tell the kids: “Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.”

Today and yesterday we’ve been saying our good-byes at school to classmates, friends, teachers and helpers. It’s been an interesting evolution to me as we prepare for this our final trip. The kids are older now, than they were when we traveled to bring Tyler home.  Their circles of friends have expanded. And just by virtue of them having more and different Teachers, the general awareness level that we’re traveling seems to be higher than we recall with Tyler’s trip.  Thanks to everyone for their support.  We are most appreciative.

One final Thank You to my big sister Meg and my brother-in-law Curt, who have made the decision to join us on this journey. (We posted a quick picture of them on the “Team Lockhead” Page.)  One thing we can guarantee – you’ll never forget it.

So ends this first post, lots to do, much color still to add, tons of subjects for posts running through my head, and many pictures to upload and share.  It’s a work in progress.

Thanks for coming along for the ride…