We are in Guangzhou

What a day yesterday was! We had breakfast and then packed up our things. Miss Priss had some pretty yucky diapers (sorry if that's tmi) but Yisha sent Vivian to the store to get her some Chinese medicine and so far so good! We all received our passports, all 11 babies got theirs! Thanks for all the prayers we were worried that 3 of the babies would have to stay longer but God is good! We played around outside some and fed Emery lunch before we left! It was finally time to leave for the airport. Yisha took the men to the ticket counter and took care of luggage and tickets and the moms and babies just waited to the side! CCAI rocks and has this process down to a science, at least so far! They even went to security with us and saw us off! We all cried saying goodbye to Yisha, she really loved Emery! And she was so good to us! But hopefully we will be able to email her and stay in touch! We finally got on the plane and headed here! Emery did pretty good, she never went to sleep, she "wallered" us to death, but all in all she was good! We landed, got our luggage and met our new guides Maggie and Jason! Their English is very good. We got to the bus and headed to the hotel, about a 50 minute ride, well guess what, yep the bus broke down! There's about 25 of us and 11 babies and it is HOT! Babies are hot and tired, we don't have very many supplies and we are stuck. It happen to be at a u-turn spot also. So we had traffic blocked, there was a wreck right beside us, big trucks and buses trying to do u- turns, it was crazy! Jason called and got a van fairly quick that took some of the moms and babies. Emery had been asleep so we just waited! But of course she woke up so we just let her run on the bus! Finally another bus got to sand we had to get out in the traffic to get on the new one! The police never did anything to help. One just stood over in the middle of the road and paid us no attention! So we finally made it to the hotel! It is VERY nice and there is a Starbucks here and a McDonald! We were tired, hungry, stinky and ready for bed! I stayed in the room to give Emery a bath and get her ready for bed and Tony went to get dinner. Well he got propositioned going to McDonalds! Lol! The lady came up to him with a card and said "you lady leave you behind, you call me!". Lol! S finally we got to eat, shower and collapse! She did great. We let her fall asleep with us and then I out her in the port a crib and she slept all night! She really has done great! For there to be so much "new" in her life, she has been a trooper!

So today we are dropping off laundry, getting her visa picture made, getting her physical and going to the pearl market this afternoon and then a group dinner! We actually have 3 more families joining us today! Please pray all goes well for everyone today and I will try to update tonight and add pictures! Of course I have new ones! Thanks for all the prayers for us, please keep them coming!

Hugs and love to all!
Love, Renee

Relaxing Last Full Day in Zhengzhou

We had a good relaxing last full day here. We had breakfast, went to Walmart, Tony was scolded by people on the street for wearing shorts and short sleeves in the cool weather, took a nap, had McDonalds, played in the park, played in the hall, got a little more paperwork, took a bath and went to bed! Doesn't sound very relaxing when I type this but it was! Our trip to Walmart was fun y, some other people in our group was scolded because they didn't have their babies covered enough. Thankfully I had Emery covered so no yelling at me! She had on a north face sweat suit with a hood. Plus I had her in the pouch in front of me so I kept her covered pretty well! She fell asleep on the way back and took a really good nap! Then I fixed her some noodles, the girl can slurp some noodles down! Then we took a good long walk to McDonalds for mom and dad! It was so good! Lol! We stopped and played at a park with some other families on the way back and attracted a crowd that ended up taking pictures of us. Tony took our camera and took some of them, they got the clue and smiled and waved! It is just crazy! We finally made it back to the hotel and met with Yisha to get more paperwork. No passport yet but should have it around lunch tomorrow! We have 3 families in our group that may have to stay longer in Guangzhou waiting on theirs because of their paperwork. The guy was a jerk! But hopefully that won't happen, please pray it doesn't. They are ready to get home to their families! We played in the hallway until we got in trouble by the front desk for being too loud. There was man that opened his door and then slammed it at us all for being too loud. It was only 5 pm! O, well! We nada very very nice gentleman across from us that talked to Tony a couple of different times about us adopting and thanked us for taking care of their babies. He was very kind! He couldn't believe we had 3 children at home and came to get another one! Our paperwork from Yisha made me cry. It had all the documentation about her being abandoned, her translation from the photo album that the orphanage gave us and it was very sweet, her add from the paper that they run when they are left. Great in for for her one day, but made me sad for her too! Then it was time for bath and bed! We fly to Guangzhou tomorrow for the last leg of our trip and we are ready! We miss the kids so much, Skype has been great but it is just not the same! We are ready to have them in our arms too! I think about about does it for today! Not sure if we will be ale to update to Oreos or not, but I defiantly will if possible! Keep all the comments, prayers and love coming! We love it! Love, Renee

Friday and Fee Day in China

It is Friday morning here and everyone is still asleep but me! We actually have a free day today. There is a group going to the aquarium but after reading Poppy Kate's blogs on it we decided to pass. There is a nice park just up the street so I think we are going to go play and we may venture back to the crazy Wal-Mart today. I think we will get her passport today and I will need to start packing up because we leave here tomorrow. And if you all could see this room, o my goodness. It looks like a hurricane hit here. There is no organizing a hotel room with a 19 month old! Sorry there are no pictures here I have put more on Facebook.

Hope everyone has a good day there!

Hugs and love!

A Visit to the Orphanage and her Abandon Site

March 29,2012
Sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday, but here's what we did!

First she slept great again, all night! We had breakfast and then met Yisha, Jeff, Amy and Luke(he was from the same orphanage), and 2 more ladies that are travel companions in our group and we went to the orphanage. It was about 45 minutes from the hotel! I'm so glad we got to go and that we got to see where she had spent the first year of her life! The gentleman that brought her met us at the gate and we immediately saw the playground where some of her pictures were taken! There were several children out playing when we got there. We had dum-dum suckers and handed out to them. Some came running up for hugs and love, it was precious and sad! Then we went inside to the main floor where some of the older children were having class. I think most of the older children were special needs. He told us that they have 600 children there, 200 are in foster care and only 40 were adopted last year! Crazy, huh! Then we went to the 2nd floor which is sponsored by our agency. This floor has several rooms on it. Some are for PT, speech therapy, hydro therapy, etc... Some rooms were for older children to sleep and then we finally got her to her room! The nannies came from everywhere to see. I was holding her and they were all saying her name and wanting her to come to them. She smiled but wouldn't go to them, that melted my heart right here! There was finally one of them that she went to for a minute,but then she wanted me back! we took a picture of the group, you couldn't see her because a nanny was in front of her. we got pictures of her bed and also the mats where she had played. It was the spot of one of the pictures e had gotten of her! I must say they really seemed to love the babies there. They were clean and taken care of, well as much as they could be! Her age room was napping but the little babies were awake, they seemed to rotate them from their beds to bouncy seats. We were able to love on them and play with them, but Emery really wanted us to hold her, so we didn't hold any other babies. We just talked and patted on them. We got some great smiles from them. Supposedly all those babies were special needs however I could only see of them. I think there needs would be totally fixable in the states and with love! The nannies were very kind, they had pictures of Emery and Luke up on the wall! Yisha said that it was one of the best orphanages, if there is such a thing! We left there and went to the abandon sites for Luke and Emery! Luke was left not far from the orphanage at a landscaping nursery. And Emery was left not too far from our hotel at the hospital. It was really busy there, we did stop and take some pictures but we didn't stay but just a minute. Yisha said that most likely she was left because of her teratoma and that they probably couldn't afford to fix it! It is really unbelievable that you could just leave a new born baby and walk away! It just doesn't seem possible! But God had a plan for her and we are so glad He did!

We went back to the hotel and and played awhile. We all took a great nap and then went outside to play for awhile. Her real personality is coming out and man is she strong and stubborn! When she wants something or wants to go somewhere there is no stopping her. She pulled me all over the place. We came back in and fix some dinner, noodles for her. She loves them and slurps them like no bodies business. We ordered pizza, fries and ravioli and she ate all that stuff too. She is a bottomless pit. She LOVES her milk bottles. She will start panting when she knows you are fixing her one!

She took a bath and played and played. I think she will love the pool and boat this summer. She would splash it in her face and then smile. After her bath she had her bottle and then layer down with me and sucked that sweet finger and off to sleep we all went!

Well that sums up another day in China! We are getting very tired of this hotel and very ready to get home! I think we only have 5 more sleeps and then we are home! And we are so ready!

Keeps those prayers and comments coming!

 This is the playground that we have a picture of her on.  This is what we saw when we pulled up!

 This is a Nannie that she let hold her a minute.  And then other nannies and a baby!

 A group of the nannies and us.  You can't see Emery because I'm holding her!

 This is a picture of her that was on the wall there!

 This was a sweet baby sitting in a laundry basket in front of a mirror!

 Luke and Emery, that last time at an orphanage!!!  They have forever families!

 This is us in front of the orphanage!

 This is where Emery was abandoned. 

All of us in the spot she was found!  So thankful for her!!!!

Great Night and She's Ours

March 28, 2012
She loved her bath last night! She played and didn't mind being scrubbed!

We had a great night! She slept all night and got up smiling! She watched a little Dora on the iPad and then she went back to sleep with her daddy for a little while! We had breakfast and then headed out to the Civil Affairs office to finalize our adoption and then to the Notary! She did great. She wanted to play some but she was really good! She fell asleep on the way back to the hotel from the Notary! And she is still Snoozing! We are going to go to the lotus (like a wal-mart) to get some things we need! Mainly her formula! They don't sell it at Wal-mart! And then we will get some dinner!

Tomorrow we are going to the orphanage! I'm a little worried and Tony really doesn't want to go, but I want to get as much background for her as I can! And I'm praying she will be ok there! There is another baby from her orphanage that is going with us! And a couple of grandmothers in our group want to go! Please pray it goes well and that she does well!

I can't wait to get home and share her with you all! She is simply wonderful! I can't wait to see how many hearts she melts and makes them want to come get another one! She is so much like Sara Langford, the sweet girl that melted Tony's heart! She is such a joy! We love her so much! I know Sara and Emery will be great friends!

I think that about sums up our day and the plan for tonight and tomorrow!

We Skyped with Allie this morning! it is wonderful getting to see the kids! It sure makes this distance much better! Please continue to keep us all in your prayers!

I have another prayer request please! There are 3 families in our group and their children came from another town and the "official" there is giving them all a really hard time! The law changed for them and they could end up having to stay here an extra 5 days! Please pray that things get straightened out for them and that they get out of here on time and on schedule! I know they will appreciate all the prayers!


We love your comments, so please keep them coming!
Hugs and love to you all!

 Bath time and I love it!!!!

 Fresh and Clean! 

 I think I will brush my hair now!

 All dressed and ready for a day with my new Mommy and Daddy!

 I love this sweet girl!!!!

 Breakfast!!!!!

 Hanging out and waiting on our paperwork!

 Julie and Levi

 Miss Molly, she is precious!

 This is the building where we received her yesterday and are back today for more paperwork!

 Finally, complete!!!!

 This is the notary office and Notary!

 All of us hanging out doing our paperwork and waiting for the notary to notarize everything!

 Here's ours!!!

 Pooped, long long day!!!!

 At the Lotus getting formula!

She's carrying her diapers down the hall!!!



She already has him wrapped around his finger

Emery was talking to Allie

This is how she was dressed when we got her and it must be 75 degrees today.

Eating with chopsticks

Daddy and his baby girl

We Have Her

O, my goodness! We are so blessed! She is, so far, the best baby ever! She didn't cry at all when they handed her to us! She came right to me from a young woman and a little man! She showed no emotion for awhile, but after a little while she warmed up and started smiling! She hasn't stopped! She already loves the camera and cheeses for it! You can't even see those precious eyes when she smiles! She ate noodles and fruit for lunch and she loves apple juice! She has some fat little hands and feet! She sucks on her finger to go to sleep. I brought some pacis but she mostly played with them! As I type she is piled up on the bed by her daddy fast asleep! She ate and played a little and then layer back by him and went to sleep! She is all layered up and I have only taken the top layer off! I didn't want to change everything immediately, but I must admit that I can't wait to give her a bath and put lotion all over her! She really doesn't smell bad, she is pretty clean and doesn't seem to have anything else going on! She is smart! We are truly blessed, Tony and I just said we aren't sure what we did to deserve this ,but so far she is wonderful in every way! I have to fill out some paperwork in a bit and tonight is low key! Then tomorrow we have more appointments! I can't say thank you enough for all the prayers, they are working so keep them coming! We are having trouble adding pics here but we have posted to Facebook! Go check her out, she is beautiful! Hugs and love to all! Renee

We Made it to Zhengzhou

Ok, it is 8:15pm here and all is good. Our flight was fine, George saw us off and took great care of us. Yisha met us at the airport when we landed. Then we got checked into the hotel! So very very nice! We had pizza for lunch/dinner! It was SOOOOOOO good! I think I can survive now! Let me backup, Yisha gave us an update on our babies and when she handed us our sheet she said"you are so lucky to be getting this little girl, I have seen her since she was a baby and she is wonderful", well our course I was crying, I wanted to hear more. So after we read our sheet on her and we both cried, then Yisha told us that a family from Shanghi wanted to adopt her but the wife was only 28 and so they couldn't have her! My heart melted! Then her paperwork also said that her foster brother ask her if she would remember him because he has changed her diapers! That made me sad for him and for her, but I know she is getting 2 great brothers and a great sister so she is going to be soooo loved! So after we ate the guys went with Yisha to the bank to exchange money and then when they returned several families went to wal mart! First it was like playing Frogger crossing the roads and walking on the sidewalks. Bicycles and scooters are everywhere! You literally have to dodge them or they will run over you! But we made there, then as we got ready to check out they tell us no credit cards, debit cards or US money! Fortunately one family had enough RMB to share so that we could all get our goods! And you have to buy a plastic bag and bag your own things! Crazy, huh! And the guy was a jerk! But anyway , not going to let him spoil our day. Three families got their babies today, I have seen two of them and they are precious! They are both doing really well. The other baby is having a hard time, but her foster family brought her so it was hard for her. We think Emery has been back in the orphanage for about 2 weeks. I can't believe we will finally get her in the morning! We leave the hotel at 9:30 in the morning to get Emery! Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers. We could not have made it without them! Please pray extra hard that she adjusts well tomorrow and that she isn't too sad! I'm not sure I will sable to sleep tonight, it feels just like the night before I delivered Conner and Allie! We are so excited and can't wait to meet her! I know you all will be anxious to see her too and I promise I will update as soon as I get a chance! Kids if I'm not where I can Skype, I will call you all! So if you are going to be out send me an email and let me know where to call! I love and miss you all!

Morning! Off to Zhengzhou

We are getting ready to have breakfast and then we are off to the airport! We fly from Beijing to Zhengzhou this morning! This is where we will get Emery, but we won't get her until tomorrow! So only one more sleep and we will have her! We can't believe it is finally here! All in all we are making it ok. I will post when we have more! Hugs and love to you all!

Day 2- Great Wall

March 25
We had another good day! We had breakfast in the hotel and I loaded up! From breakfast we went to the jade factory and learned all about jade! It was beautiful! We even made a few purchases! From there we went to the Great Wall! It is incredible. It is huge and the steps are crazy! There might be 1 or 2 short ones and then 3 or 4 really tall ones. They are very uneven and very steep! Tony's back has not been very good today, I think it's these really hard single beds we are sleeping on! But anyway, we did climb to the first pagoda and took some pictures and then came back down! It was beautiful! From there it was lunch time! George had that set up for us again. He even got me a bowl of sweet and sour chicken that I liked! So lunch wasn't too bad. They did bring a whole fish out, head to tale! I took a picture of it, but we are having trouble getting the iPad to cooperate with pics so I will have to post those later! Plus it takes awhile and we have to be up early in the morning for our flight out of here. After lunch we went to see the birds nest that they built during the Olympics. 
It was pretty neat. The street vendors were terrible though. They tried to sell us kites, toys,etc.... A lady even chased Tony down to sell him this toy! They don't give up easy! And then we went to the acrobatic show! Kit was really good, but we were exhausted! And when we got ready to leave there were people and traffic everywhere! Our group got separated and Julie(a mom in our group) walked into traffic and stopped it, it was scary, because they do not stop for pedestrians here! But we all mad sit safely back to the bus! And then finally back to the hotel! We had to pack and get our things ready since we leave in the morning! We have to be in the lobby at 7:00am to meet George! I think that sums up our day! I can't believe we only have 2 more sleeps till we get Emery! We have a great group traveling with us and it seems that all the children are pretty close in age so it should be fun. One family is getting 2 girls, they actually get 1 of them tomorrow! And 2 other families get their children tomorrow. Anyway, I think that's it, we are going to sleep now! Thanks for all the prayers!

Day 1-Saturday, March 24th

We survived our first full day and we are worn out and hungry! Breakfast in th hotel wasn't too bad. We left here and went on a Hutong Tour. It was pretty neat, we had a rickshaw ride, toued a lady's house and heard all about the hierarchy of living. Pretty neat! From here we went to tour the silk factory! Very cool! They show everything from the larva to finished products! From there we went to have authentic Chinese lunch! George, our guide, had everything set up for us, so we walked in and sat down for lunch. They brought all sorts of "things" out to eat. I had a little rice and some chicken. I will post a picture of my plate at the bottom. Most everyone loved it. Tony thought it was ok! From there we went to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City! It is HUGE, we walked a ton! It was super crowded and the people will run right over you! So between the jet lag and all the touring we are worn out! We came back to the hotel and walked to a McDonalds, but it was under construction so we came back and have ordered western room service! Tommorow is another full day! We are touring the Great Wall, Jade factory, Bird's Nest and Acrobatic show! Hopefully we will sleep longer tonight! I woke up at 2:00am this morning and couldn't go back to sleep for awhile! Plus all the rooms are smokey so I have a terrible headache. But hopefully some food and medicine will help! I think this just about sums up our day. We are looking forward to tomorrow!

We made it!

Well we finally made it!  Man o'man what a long flight!  Washington airport was huge and we felt like we went over the river and through the woods to get to our gate but we made it!  Then we felt like sardines on the flight!  The flight was really long but not too bad until we got ready to land and the turbulence was really bad so I ended up getting sick several times, as did many people on the flight!  Our luggage made it and we met George,our guide, who had us a driver to get us to the hotel.  That was an adventure.  It was similar to New York city, cutting people off and honking horns!  But we made it and got checked in.  We have already Skyped with the kiddos and they seemed good!  We have been to get some bottled water and are now ready to settle in and sleep!  We are exhausted!  Thanks for the prayers! And I will update when we can!

Love, Renee

Leaving for China

What a morning! We told the kiddos goodbye, not easy! After several tears we were out the door! Pawpaw came up to get them off to school, thNk you pawpaw! And We made it up here fine, thanks Grana! And God was with us weighing our bags, they weighted 44lbs exactly! That was the max! Woo-hoo! I know that God has all this under control and that we are going to have a great trip! Not sure when we will be able to update again, but just know that we will as soon as we can! Thanks everyone for helping with our kiddos and taking care of things while we are gone! We can't wait to meet our new daughter! I can't believe it is finally happening! We are really getting her and bringing her to her forever home! Can't wait! Love, Renee

3/18/12

Well the time is getting closer and closer to getting our sweet girl home!  So tonight we, well Tony, put the car seat in the car, as you can see below!  It looks really funny seeing a car seat in our car again!  I think are ready for her to be in her forever home!  We have been packing, making plans for the other kiddos and trying to make sure everything is ready.  We are really excited but also getting nervous about this trip!  We can't wait to meet our sweet daughter and see her country!  We really do appreciate everyone's thoughts, prayers and comments on Facebook to us, keep them coming!  I will post more about packing later! Packing for 3 for 2 weeks in 2 bags is not easy!   But on that later!

Renee

Final Paperwork and Conference Call

3/14/12
We have received our final travel packet and had our conference call!  Our trip is totally planned out and I really can't believe it is here!!!  We leave 1 week from tomorrow and fly into Beijing.   We will be there a few days and then fly to Zhengzhou where we will get Emery.  We will get her on Tuesday, March 27th, which will be Monday, March 26th here!  The 26th is actually the same day my Mom passed away a few ago.  She is still giving me signs that she is involved!!!  I sure wish she was here on earth to share in this joyous event!!!!

We had some friends come in last week from getting their beautiful daughter.  It was wonderful meeting them at the airport.  We can't wait to bring Lily a new friend home!  They have been so sweet to go over their trip with and tell us what to expect! 

This past Sunday The Langfords that go to church with us met us for lunch!  They have the sweet girl Sara from China!  She is the little angel that melted Tony!  We had lunch and then they came back over to our house and they told us all about their trip to get Sara!  It was wonderful hearing all their details and seeing all their pictures!  We are ready to go!

The kids are getting excited and a little nervous.  They know that life as they have known it is going to change!  But they are looking forward to finally getting her home.  It seems like an eternity to them!  And it's really just been a little over a year!  We truly have been blessed!  I just pray that God continues to lead us to her!

Thanks for all the prayers and I will keep you posted!
Love,
Renee

We Are China Bound

3/7/12
We have everything approved and ready for our trip! We will be leaving on March 22nd and return on April 4th! I still need to pinch myself to see that this isn't a dream and that it is really happening! We are all so excited! I must admit that I am totally stressed out and worried about leaving the kids here but I'm trying really hard to have faith that everything will work out and be fine for them! But it is not easy! We have only left them for 2 nights, certainly not 2 weeks! We are planning to Skype while we are there so hopefully that will help! We will be flying into Beijing and thence will fly out of Hong Kong coming home! I'm not sure that I will be able to post on here while we are there but I do plan on emailing And having it posted on here! We really appreciate all our family and friend's support and prayers during this journey and the best is yet to come! Please continue to pray for us and I will do my best to keep you updated on our trip!
Love,
Renee

Consulate Appointment

3/6/12
We received our consulate appointmet today! I talked to the travel agency and got a tentative itiniary. It has to go to the agency for approval! But I'm pretty sure it will be approved! Stay tune and I will update once everything is confirmed!
Thank you Lord for leading us on this journey! I know you have a precious angel waiting on us!
Love, Renee

Travel Approval

3/2/2012
Wonderful news! We got travel approval today! We are hoping to leave March 21st and return around April 4th! We are over the moon excited! I can't believe it is finally really happening! I can't believe I will have that sweet girl in my arms in just a few weeks! This is a undescribable feeling! We have been waiting for this day and I really can't believe it is finally here! Please keep those prayers coming that we get out consulate appointment. That is the last thing we need! We were hoping to leave on the 14th but there is a conference in Henan and all the hotels are booked! My fingers and toes are crossed that this travel plan will work! I will keep updating as we get info! Thanks for all the love, support and prayers!!! Love, Renee