Chillin

Jet lag has finally lifted and the last few days we have really been enjoying our time together as a family!



A little pop corn and a sippy juice and Wyatt is content chillin with his sister! We enjoyed some movie time together as a family!

This last week we did our best to be productive getting physicals, 7 vaccinations, a baby book translated, attending a birthday party, a play date and a couple of visits to preschool accomplished. It feels good to get into a routine at last!

Some of the questions I've had:

How is Wyatt's English ?

He is a very smart little boy who is catching on quickly! He gets pretty much anything when he asks please and replies with a thank you and your welcome:)

How is Lucy doing?

Yesterday they hugged and kisses naturally showing their love for one another! Each day she realizes we still love her and the green eyed monster has ran away!

Sleep?

Although we can't catch up on lost time, we are at a great place with Wyatt sleeping in his own bed without crying for two nights!

Eating?

As for American food he LOVES everything Except ice cream and has already gained two pounds:) as for jb, Lucy and I we are thrilled to come home to ten home cooked meals and deserts from our friends! There is no greater gift than yummy home cooked comfort foods:) Thank you to those who took time, money and effort to cook and deliver dinners we truly appreciate you all and hope only to pay that forward!

Today I express how thankful I am to have Wyatt in our home and a part of our family! He truly is a gift from God!

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3 years later

This was taken February of 2010



Just a happy 2 1/2 year old cheering next to this sign not knowing it was her name. I love how you can see her little personality coming out!

Last week before leaving Guangzhou I tried to recreate the photo at the same restaurant!



She was so excited that it said her name that she wanted to stand next to every sign and take a photo!

Here are some of them!








In 3 years she has become such a sweet, happy and easy child. We are so blessed to have her in our forever family! Who knew we would be back:)

Mission accomplished!

I took this photo as we departed Hong Kong, my thoughts are that he doesn't realize this aircraft in front of him will be bringing him home to his forever family! I wonder if he will morn the only life he knows will be gone forever.

Our trip home was beyond long! 8 of our first flights 15 hours we had no lights in the cabin of our aircraft. The turbulence was horrific, causing my sweet ladybug to barf all over herself, our seats and her American girl doll. The best part was cleaning it up with the very few wet wipes I managed to still have on me. The joys of traveling with two little ones.

With no sleep and nearly 30 hours of travel we made it to the USA :)


Where Wyatt became an American as our plane landed:) we celebrated big. Just thinking of the freedom of our brave troops and founding fathers provide in this great country for us to have the privilege and opportunity to adopt! Very special.



Home sweet Home:) nothing beats walking into your house after 14 days of travel. This photo melts my heart, that he found comfort in his bed the first night in his room!

This morning after two days of rest we celebrated again with our. Church family at Lifehouse! It was very emotional for me to get on stage in front of hundreds of people who not only financially but emotionally supported our mission to get Wyatt! We are so thankful to each and everyone, including Matt and Tina Braun for the support. We even received these two blankets


From a few sweet ladies with the prayer Shawl ministry! The card that came with it stated "Jesus loves the little children" which reminds me of a Army chaplain on our first trip to china who preached To us a few minutes before getting Lucy about that exact phrase. So neat!

We are so blessed to have been chosen for this special journey!

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Guangzhou

With no sleep we hit the pavement running in Gz. Our first morning here everyone was looking pretty rough at breakfast and with another 6 course breakfast we were off to. The medical exam part of this process. of course we have more to do than the other families because Wyatt is 3 and needs blood work done. I was blessed to soon find out that jb and I wouldn't be the ones to hold down this Ox. They take your child in a private room and just bring him back screening!

After 13 families go thru all the different station of height, weight, dental and general physical off to the grocery store we go. Running thru a Chinese market trying to grab anything and every kind of snack that looks recognizable. Oreo cookies made it, Ramon noodles that later we discovered might be squid or some freaky flavor like fish guts. Yum!

At the check out line we realized we have to carry all the bags, kids and Starbucks coffee that we bought across the street ( no easy task) with a stroller to the bus and back to the hotel. Thankfully we are at the China Hotel Marriott which is absolutely awesome. They have the four seasons here and many beautiful shops and amenities.
Phew we made it!

Yesterday we had an awesome day touring the island of Guangzhou, it is overly with warm weather 75, parks and unique little shops that sell squeaky shoes and  fun Chinese trinkets. We bought a marble stamp with Wyatt's chinese name for $6 and this Christian Chinese man carved it right there for us to watch. It took about 15 min.

In the park we got this photo with our travel group! 13 families from all over the country.

Today at breakfast we watched the Superbowl in Chinese. It was emotional for me to hear Alicia Keys sing our national anthem. I sure miss being home!

Last Stop in Xian

On Friday we checked out of the hotel in Xi'an and had a few hours to tour before picking up Wyatt's passport. Our flight left at 640pm and we were still at the police station at 525pm with 7 other families with a 30 min drive. Talk about stressful. Of course we tried to smuggle in several bottles of water, scissors and other items but got held up in security with them. Some kids cried with a chinese pat down but Lucy just shrugged her shoulders and rolled with the flow.

This photo is of jb teaching Wyatt to say good boy with a thumbs up!

The next photo is of Xians city wall. It divides the city between old China and new

The last photo is of Wyatt. His first time wearing a seat belt. This photo made me cry, just thinking about the only life he knows we are about to leave behind. It is true that in the city which your child was born you leave a piece of your heart. He was so brave when it was time to depart with a big Wahooo:)

After arriving in Guangzhou a bit past midnight we of course had to take a bubble bath before bed!

Goodbye Xian!

This is our half way mark of the trip. At this point we have a love /hate relationship with china. We love our son and will always remember this special place where he is from. A small piece of my heart will always remain here. As we leave Xi'an here are some things we leave behind:

Two small Chinese Bibles I gave to some workers at our hotel may they find the light.

The largest mall we have ever seen. We got lost in it and walked for what seemed liked forever trying to find an exit to the street.

Lots of nose pickers
The lady at the gym running next to me on the treadmill in cowboy boots and a string bikini
Spitters
Lots of texting and driving going on!
A beautiful pool and spa
A lot of our old socks and undies:)
Beautiful new year lanterns

The photos are of Wyatt's first piece of chocolate, he loved it!

Ice cream not so much

The mall

My two turkeys ready for bed!

Lanterns in our hotel

Our family of 4:)