Home Sweet Home!

All 5 kids finally slept through the night last night, so I’m ready to stay up past 9 pm and get this blog posted! Yipee! (Thanks for hanging in there with me...the past 5 days have been great, but the nights have been a bit rough!)

The flight home was uneventful and the kids did great. We arrived at DFW ahead of schedule and were greeted by sweet friends and family. Friends continued to trickle in as we waited for luggage. It was so, so good to see familiar faces, so good to hear a familiar language, so good to see my sweet Daniel and Caroline, so good to see all my kiddos together, so very, very good to be HOME! As I watched my kids together, and watched our friends and family gathered around, it was hard to believe we were actually home...WITH OUR SON! As I talked with Caroline she agreed that the trip went by a lot quicker than expected! I was thankful for that since she had been my wild card the weeks leading up to the trip.

The first 4 nights were full of musical beds, relay wake ups by the three little kids, and the highlight was Joshua at 11 pm shaking his head no every time I nudged him towards bed followed by Lilly puking all over our clean sheets. Good times! But like I said, last night was better, so I’m hoping for more of the same tonight! We’ll see!

The days have been great. I took some homeopathic “No Jet Lag” medicine on the plane...who knows if it really works or if it’s all mental, but either way I don’t feel like I’ve been too affected by the jet lag. Affected by the sleepless nights, yes! But if it weren’t for my kiddos I would have no trouble sleeping during the night! Joshua is doing so well. The first day he was a little timid around the house, but by the second full day home he was exploring the house and making himself at home...and at HOME he IS!!! He loved interacting with Mamaw Abbott and Grammy while they were here and he really seemed to love the attention from them. By the time they headed home Joshua could clearly say “Maaamawww!” It was so cute!

Daniel and Caroline have been as sweet as I expected. They have always been very nurturing, and this experience is no different. You can see in the pictures that they are so sweet with him. And he absolutely LOVES them! Today Daniel came home after a long day at school and as soon as Joshua saw him he went over and kept saying “Aniel!!!....Aniel!!!!” (He can’t quite pronounce the “D” sound) and started hugging Daniel and trying to tackle him! Yes, he’s already picked up on that!

He’s already experienced so much. Already learned so much. Already made so much progress. But rather than go into detail I must go to bed while I have the opportunity! I’m hoping to get another blog posted tomorrow, but we’ll see. Lots to get caught up on!

Headed HOME!!

Well, the day has come! We are HEADING HOME!!!! Just typing that brings tears to my eyes! Daniel and Caroline I am so home sick for you...in other words I miss you both very, very, very much and I can’t wait to give you big hugs and kisses!!!! I must admit the days have passed quicker than I expected, but I’m oh so ready to be home.

In 6 short hours we will be loading our bus and heading for the airport! Just about the time you all are starting to enjoy your dinner we will be getting on the plane. And as you sleep we will be inching closer and closer to home! I think the next 31 hours are going to be the LONGEST of the entire trip!

Our last day in Guangzhou was extra special. We had the opportunity to meet up with Barb and Mike and their newest addition Nora. We first met them back in 2007 on our trips to pick up Abigail and Nina. Barb has been a great encouragement to me, especially in the early years as I really struggled with some attachment issues. It was so refreshing to see her face to face, share struggles and joys, and remind each other why we are on the path we are on...because it’s the heartbeat of our Lord! Barb and Mike, thank you so much for taking the time to come visit us today! It was such a blessing! And how awesome that the Lord would give us the opportunity to meet up again in China!

So, I spent the morning packing up our belongings, and the afternoon enjoying sweet friends! We ate lunch at Lucy’s...this time I went with the old faithful grilled cheese with french fries, and was not disappointed. We let the kids play for a while at the park. And then we strolled the island for a bit before they headed back to their hotel. We enjoyed our last dinner with some take away from “The Cow and the Bridge” Thai Restaurant . Definitely our favorite dinner location this trip. Then finished up packing while watching TV.

Bags are packed, backpacks are stocked, we are ready to go!!! We can’t wait to introduce you all to our newest addition!

Red Couch Photos

In China red symbolizes good luck. It’s a long standing adoption tradition to take pictures on the red couches at the White Swan hotel after a child’s adoption is finalized. Today our travel group gathered to take pictures. You can tell by the picture above that Joshua is not a big fan of people standing in front of him with a camera trying to make him smile! The boy just won’t do it. But just wait until you see other pictures from the day...absolutely PRECIOUS! I mean SERIOUSLY, he is so stinking cute!

Today was such a great day. Lilly is finally starting to feel better although she still has a little cough and snot. Her appetite is finally coming back, along with her personality. Joshua has given me so many kisses and hugs today, and has even asked to be picked up quite a few times! The first week we had him he would moan every time we tried to pick him up...now he’s requesting it! We’re making progress! After the red couch photos, David headed to a group meeting for information about departing Guangzhou. So the kids and I hung around the White Swan and enjoyed the pond, waterfall, view of the Pearl River, huge bird cage, and other sights of the hotel. At one point we were playing “hide and seek” although the only place we had to hide was behind a couch and behind a table! The kids still loved it, and after a few rounds Joshua just came over an attacked me with kisses. I had the camera in my hand so I flipped the viewfinder and started snapping pictures. He was cracking me up...and cracking himself up. It was so sweet.

I’ve noticed on several occasions he’s picked flowers from the many flower beds around. He always gives the picked flower to Abigail! Sweet boy! And tonight my heart was filled with joy as I watched he and Lilly bob down the sidewalk enjoying their ice cream cones. They were so cute together. As I watched them I couldn’t help but think about Daniel and Caroline and how I can’t WAIT to have ALL my kiddos together. D and C it may take Joshua a little time to warm up to you, but once he does, you are going to have so much fun together! He is so eager to learn and laugh!

Just two more sleeps and we’ll be HOME!!! Enjoy the many great pictures from today! Isn’t Joshua so handsome in his traditional Chinese clothing!?!