Pictures!

Love

Too Cute!

Happy Girl!

Ian's Kung Fu Outfit!

She loves to eat :-)

More to come of our adventures....

Blessings

Yay!! We are back home!! Wow what a journey back it was! First airplane ride was 2 hours and Meili did okay on that one...next plane ride 13 hours...plus one hour waiting on the plane to take off...lets just say my precious one was not exactly happy about it. We got on the plane and she waved to the people sitting in their seats as we walked by and then we sat down. She was very tired and fighting sleep and decided to let us know she was not happy by screaming a high pitch defining scream and we could hear everyone on the airplane say "oh my" Karl and I looked at each other like Lord please help us get through this. Finally she started to get tired and fell asleep and slept most of the plane ride. Praise be to God!! I have felt everyone's prayers over the last few weeks and I can't thank you enough for praying for us! The Lord heard your prayers and He has helped us every step of the way. We are so thankful. When we got off the airplane we were greeted by friends and family :-) Such a blessing to have you all there and we can't thank you all enough for what a warm welcome home it was. Seeing Ian was so awesome I missed him so much and he ran up and gave me a big hug!! I had been missing him something terrible so it was so great to be back together again now as a family of four! When we got home we gave Meili a tour of the house and then laid her down in her crib...she cried a bit and then went to sleep BUT she is still adjusting to the new time zone like all of us and woke up screaming at 3am. I held her for about an hour and then laid her back down and she cried for about 30 min. Poor Ian woke up... so he came down and got in bed with us. So the next morning we were all pretty tired. When Meili got up she did really well and she really likes Ian a lot. She wanted him to feed her breakfast...he..he. Ian is taking on his role of big brother like a pro! He is so wonderful with her and as the day went on they became great friends! He is such a huge help to me...he played with her for a while while I unpacked and tried to get things settled. It is so cute watching them together. Last night went more smoothly less crying at bedtime and she woke up at 4am instead of 3am so we're making progress!! Today she has been a doll and as sweet as can be...running up to us and giving us hugs and kisses! I can't believe how well she is doing..she blows me away with how well she has handled the drastic changes in her life. She is a very happy lovely girl and we love her so much! We couldn't feel more blessed by the Lord and all that he has taken care of for us..and how He has had His hand on us and protected us all. I know also it's because he heard all of your prayers...and I am so thankful for them and for all of you!! I am getting ready to move the pictures from the one computer to the next so as soon as I do that I can post pictures..I know you all have been waiting patiently. Can't wait to get them on here...

Monday Safari Park Tuesday Rain...

On Monday they took us to the Safari Park which is like a zoo. It was very fun we got to see Pandas, Tigers, Elephants, feed Giraffs, and even got to see tiney newborn baby tigers!! We thought Meili wouldn't like it because one day when we were out she saw a dog and freaked out and so we were thinking she would hate the zoo but she loved it! She even helped me feed the Giraffs! The park is really really nice and I am so glad we went it was so much fun.

Today it has rained all day so we took it easy and picked up the room and chilled out. It was very nice to have a chill day. Meili woke up in a not so good mood...but as the day went on she got happier. I can tell she will have some anger issues to work through but that is understandable and I am glad we are here to help her through it all. She is a beautiful and very smart girl! The orphanage director told us that she will cry in her crib when people are looking but if they turn their head she will stop crying. The foster family took some pictures of her and sent them to me and in some of them she was dressed up and they had curled her hair..it was too funny. We can tell she was a favorite in the home. She has been great at communicating with us. She points and shows us what she wants and we have learned some of the words she speaks so we know what she wants. If she doesn't get what she wants boy she will sure let you know with a high pitched scream. I'm sure that's what you have to do to survive in a group foster home. I am so thankful that she is okay and that she is a survivor and I look forward to teaching her more civiliazed behavior slowly but surely as the days and months go on. I think she will catch on quickly or should I say I hope she catches on quickly...may the Lord give me great patience as I work with her. Overall though she has done really well and I look forward to everyday and every milestone.

Okay funny story from tonight...I had some chocolate and I have been trying to get her to give me a kiss but of course she wouldn't...so I bribed her with chocolate and she gave me one! he..he..he

Tomorrow we have to be up early for our Oath taking ceremony and consulate appointment. So I'm off to get ready for bed. Can't wait until I can post all the fun pictures and videos!

Thursday-Friday-Saturday-Sunday Highlights

We got adventurous today and took the subway into a different part of Guangzhou...we walked for a long way. It was very interesting walking around the streets with all the people. It's cool to get a real feel of what everyday life is like here for the people of China. As we walked we ran into the big shopping area in Guangzhou that has a square that looks a bit like NYC Time Square it was very cool. There are tons and tons of shops there..I don't think I have ever seen so many shops! We had a lot of fun walking around with Meili and she loves being out and about. As we were walking Meili was constantly making sure I was still there and Karl had to keep pointing to me if I was behind him where she couldn't see me. It made me feel loved. She also let me carry her around half the time as well and I even got a few smiles!! It was a really fun day!

On Friday we had her Visa photo taken and then her medical check. She didn't like that at all...but she made it through. Everyday she warms up more and more..

On Saturday Karl went down and did paperwork...we took a trip to the Island nearby and took Meili to the park..she loves the slide!! Everyday we try to get out and walk around and take everything in...

On Sunday morning we went to a mueseum where we visited a tomb. Then in the afternoon we went to the Jade and Pearl Market and got Meili some real pearls a set for now and one for later for her wedding day :-) At the jade market Karl and I decided to venture down an alley and found a temple of some sort where people were lighting insence and worshipping Buddah. It was very interesting.

Meili does so well when we are out and about she loves being in her carrier and looking around at everything. She is really quiet when we are out though...but the moment we step foot back into our hotel room she starts talking and wants to play and walk around..she feels comforatable in our room.

Tuesday-Wednesday

So Tuesday morning we get up early and get ready before she wakes up. Then about 7am she starts to wake up and we learn very quickly that she is not a morning person! She was very upset with both of us! I sat her on our bed and tried to talk to her but she would not have any of it she would just turn her back to us (it was cute but I knew that we were in for a bumpy ride) It took her a while to warm up but she wanted Karl  to hold her of course. We decided it was time to give her a bath and lets just say she was not happy with us and you would have thought that we were killing her slowly. After the bath she let me get her dressed and even liked getting a bow put in her hair! I could tell right away that she likes to get dressed up! Then it was back to ba ba. We took her down for her first breakfast and she ate really well! She loves big people food! They told us to giver her a bottle, and congee...but she would not have anything to do with it. She wanted eggs, bread, french toast and fruit! This girl likes to eat! I don't blame her if I had congee and formula for every meal for almost 2 years I would be done with it too! After breakfast we went to the Civil Affairs office again to do registration and notorization. Ba Ba is still the awesome one not so much me...although she will only let me change her diaper and get her dressed. She will only take a drink from me not from Karl. But she will only eat for Karl! She is too funny! Also she likes me to be in the room and watches me constantly...but I'm not allowed to get too close of course so I just keep my distance..and play along...After the Civil Affairs Office we headed to the Grocery Store. I am so mezmorized at everything! They have crazy stuff in their grocery store!! We got some snacks and headed back to the room. That evening we ate dinner and we found out that our firecracker is an evening person! She comes to life at night! She wants to be playful and is in a really good mood. She is really starting to warm up to Karl and having fun playing with him. They play this mirroring game that is so cute! They mirror and copy eachother and she thinks it is so funny. She also likes to throw things and say Hey- Yaw! Cute now probably not so cute later...

On Wednesday we went to apply for her passport and got her visa photo taken...everyone thinks she is adorable! Karl and I think she knows she is cute too! Her personality is too funny! She can give some interesting looks. She also enjoys looking at herself in the hotel mirror acting like she is fixing her hair.  She let me hold her for the first time today and carry her for a bit so we are making some progress! We have noticed that she is constantly scratching and has a rash and bites all over her body and after consulting several people we decided to treat her for scabies.She was not happy about that! She yells Bi-Eh when she is upset and we asked our guide what that meant and she said it means "don't. She was not a happy camper about the scabies cream. She went to bed easily though  and slept great. I was afraid we would be back to square one after that whole ordeal but suprisingly she was in a pretty good mood the next day. I was releived about that.

Gotcha Day!!!!

Monday morning we wake up and can't believe that it's the day we will finally get to hold our precious girl!! We are excited, anxious, nervous, and everything inbetween! We got ready and had breakfast, skyped and then headed to a meeting with our guide who went over some things about what to expect in meeting our child for the first time and also we went over a few paperwork things. Then a 2pm we met in the lobby with two other couples that were also getting their children along with us, took some pictures, and boarded the bus. We were all on edge knowing we were about to meet our children for the first time. We entered the building and took the elevator up...we walked into "the room" the room that I have seen a million times on other peoples blogs, the room that I saw everyone meet their child for the first time, and I was in that room!!! Extreme excitement!!! They had us all take a seat...and as I am getting situated I hear someone say is this your baby?? I look up and there she is!!!!!!! Totally not expecting that!!!! The orphanage director was holding her..and then she sat her down on the ground and walked her back into the "holding room" Wow!! That was totally unexpected!! Then they told us to get ready we got up and they brought her back out and handed her to me!!! Gotcha!!! She looked so adorable they had put her hair in pigtails...she was a lot smaller than what I even thought! As I was holding her she started to cry...and I walked her around a bit more and then handed her to Karl so he could hold her as well...and she instantly took to him! He sat down with her and read her a book and showed her the photo album that we had sent. She wanted him to stop at Ian's picture! We gave her some animal crackers and she loved them (wanted to shove too many in her mouth at once) Then we signed some papers and took her back to the room. She decided she didn't want anything to do with me...which I had been fully prepared for that being a possiblility but it is still really hard when it's really happening. The Lord though gave me a peace and a calm about it and I knew it would pass and that eventually she would warm up. When we first got back to the room Karl held her for a bit and then she let me change her diaper...and put some pj's on her..she also let me take her hair down and rub her head. We showed her some toys...and Karl was doing some silly moves and faces and she smiled and even laughed! We took her to eat some Chinese food but she fell asleep and so we came back to the hotel and laid her down for bed. She slept through the night it was great...I felt so blessed to have her.

Beijing

Well after trying and trying I still can't get any pictures to upload. I am so bummed about it....but I can still type so that is what I will do. My first impression of China.... was at the airport and then driving to the hotel. Where to start...lots of cars, people, different smells, food vendors on the street, we are the minority, no English!! It seemed very surreal! Very Cool! Wow we are in China! When we walked outside to get in our taxi I noticed a little boy walking with his mother and the only thing he had on was a shirt! Then there was all the cars...everywhere...and as we drove to the hotel out the window I see Chinese writing on all the buildings and all the people walking along the streets. Riding in the taxi was an experience!  We were so tired on the way to the hotel that it was a little difficult to focus on our new surroundings as we were both fighting our heavy eyelids. Upon arriving at the hotel our guide showed us to our room which was very nice and suggested a few restauraunts for us to visit. After he left we were so tired that we just decided to go to bed since we knew we would be climbing the great wall the next morning. Yipee!! So we went to bed without dinner and got some good sleep in...but we woke up about 4:30am as our bodies had not adjusted to the new time zone. We had plenty of time to get ready and head to breakfast and then we also had time to skype with Ian, Mimi, and Grandpa Bill. At breakfast they had some different things but I stuck to waffels :-) After we finished breakfast we met our guide Linda (who was an excellent guide) and she took us to the Great Wall. The drive took about 45 min. Upon arriving at the great wall I noticed the huge mountains and then the wall climbing up the mountains VERY COOL! When we got to the Great Wall climbing it was harder than I thought..one because of all the people it is very crowded and two the steps are uneven and dangerous and very steep. After making it to about the 6th tower we decided to make our way back down (we were pressed for time because we had to meet our guide for lunch) and it seemed going down was a little bit harder than I thought..(kinda scary) anyway we made it to the bottom safely and headed off to lunch. Lunch was great our guide ordered for us a ton of food and it was fun trying the different things. I am terrible at eating with chopsticks though. After lunch we went to Hutang Lane and it was very cool! I got lots of pictures and video of everything so I can't wait to post it all! Then on Saturday night we went exploring and walking around Beijing. We went down what is called snack street. It was quite an experience! Scorpions on sticks still moving, piles of squid, mystery meat on a stick, and smells so bad you can't even imagine...let's just say we lost our appitite after that little tour. But of course I got it all on video for all of you :-) On Sunday we flew out for Guangzhou, met our guide and then got settled into the China Hotel. The China Hotel is amazing! There are shops, and several restauraunts in the Hotel itself. It also has a kids area and really nice pool. After taking a look around the Hotel we unpacked and got ready for Gotcha Day! They even had a little bed for Meili set up for her. Close to our hotel is a McDonalds!! Thats what we had for dinner :-) Then we got a good nights sleep because we knew that Monday was going to be a BIG DAY!

We are in China!!!

Ni Hao!!!! I have been trying to blog for a long time but haven't been able to because in China they are restrictive about some websites like blogging and facebook but thanks to some friends who showed us how to get around it we are now up and running!!! Praise the Lord!! Okay so we flew out on Thursday morning and we got to Beijing on Friday afternoon our plane ride was delayed so we waited what seemed forever in the Chicago airport...and it was a VERY long plane ride but there was fun stuff to do on the plane like watch movies..and it was interesting to see where we were at on the route map. Out our window we could see the Siberian mountains and it was very cool! On Friday we arrived to Beijing and we were so tired that we just skipped dinner and went straight to bed! The next morning we got up and had a nice breakfast and then it was off to the great wall of China! Climbing the great wall was quite a challange...but very awesome!! We were slow going up because of all the people and everyone wanted to take a picture with me! I felt pretty special!! After climbing the great wall it was off to lunch and then Hutang Lane which is a really cool older neighborhood in Beijing where several families around 7 live in the same area sharing a courtyard. We got to visit a family and talk with them. On Sunday we flew to Guangzhou and settled into the China Hotel which is amazing and huge! Holt knows how to take care of you! Holt has been amazing!!! They take of everything they even took us grocery shopping...Here are some pictures from the first few days...

Or maybe not...still having difficulty with uploading pictures...I will work more on it tomorrow...s

Be Still

It's Sunday afternoon and I can't believe it's only 3 days until we journey across the world to meet our sweet daughter for the first time. A flood of emotions comes to mind when I think about the coming days and all that will transpire. Karl has been entertained by me to say the least as I try to keep a perfect house, keep up with the laundry, and just wonder around not knowing what to do with myself as I am anxiously awaiting Wednesday night. Every time someone asks me if I'm ready to go I get a surge of adrenaline/ panic  run through my body as I start to think am I forgetting anything???  I then usually run over to my file of paperwork that we need to take with us making sure it is all there and I'm not missing anything....even though I've checked it like 15 times. Ha! Then there is Karl who hasn't packed one thing yet! He is planning on getting his stuff together tonight. We are happy and blessed to say that my wonderful parents-in-law are letting us borrow their computer for the trip!!! So I will be able to keep up with my blog when we are in China and keep you all posted as we go along on all of our adventures and of course meeting Meili for the first time.

These past few weeks our family has taken the time to just enjoy our last few moments as a family of 3. There's been dates, movies, trips to SDC, the pool, and hanging out with friends. We also as a family ran the 4th of July 5k race at the landing and Karl got 3rd place!  We know that it will be a little more difficult to do those things when Meili gets here..... Okay.... really we are just trying to keep as busy as possible because we are down to counting the hours until she is officially ours. :-) 

These past few weeks have been a little stressful too... we almost thought that Karl would not be able to travel to China (yeah that was scary) but Jesus my Lord and Savior is amazing!!! We prayed and we asked Him for help and you know what he did??  He moved mountains for us and made it possible for Karl to be able to travel!! Jesus is REAL he hears us!!! He cares for us! (If you are reading this and you don't know Jesus....I tell you he is alive and more real than you can imagine) Then on Thursday I wasn't feeling the best and that continued on through Saturday and I started praying asking the Lord to help me get better for our trip and praise God I feel so much better today. I would love for you all to continue to pray for our health as we get ready to travel and as we travel. It's easy for me to start to worry as we get closer and closer to leaving so I am praying for peace and that the Lord would calm my nerves and help me to relax and just trust Him. 

Isiah 26: 3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 

Verse 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, is the Rock eternal. 

V 12  Lord you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

While we are in China I am praying that even though we have to be careful about sharing our faith that the people there would see and know, consider and understand that the hand of the Lord has done this. He has placed Meili in our family because he cares for her...and not only for her but for them as well. 

So before we go I am just going to try to take some time and "Be Still" before the Lord in prayer and reading  His word so that he can prepare my heart for all the things to come. Whatever they may be.... Please continue to keep us all in your prayers as we travel. I'm not sure if I will do a final blog post before we leave or not...that all depends on time...but  I will try to post while we are in China for sure. Thank you so much for all of your prayers.