Saturday, July 23, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Home
After about 33 hours on the go, we made it home. Elli became a U.S. citizen when we touched down in Chicago about 5:30pm. We were late getting back to K.C. and didn't get in until about 11:15pm. We were still met at the airport by Karen and Linda and their mom and girls - a very nice gesture that we appreciated. Sorry we missed Michelle's girls because of the delay.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
She's Coming to America...Today!
We picked up the last of Elli's paperwork last night (visa packet). It's just after 5:30am here and we're about to wake her up and head for the airport for the flights back to Beijing and then on to the U.S. She has no idea she's about to leave the land of her birth and travel half way around the world. Life may bring her back to China some day. But we just pray that wherever her path leads, God will bless her all the days of her life. This is probably our last post from China. We're due back home Wednesday evening.
Jason and Grace
Jason and Grace, our Guangzhou CCAI reps, did a great job taking care of us this week.
Jenny's Place
We got some nice souvenirs at Jenny's Place. Here Mark shows Jana how to play a Calabash flute (yes, we bought one).
Our Travel Group
These are the families in our travel group with their new babies. We've shared an amazing two weeks in China!
The Red Couch Photo
Here's our family photo on the red couch at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou. This is a tradition for adopting families.
Monday, July 18, 2011
U.S. Consulate
Today was the day the rest of our trip was planned around - our visit to the U.S. Consulate. This morning, a little after 10am, we took the oath of immigration and submitted our paperwork. Tomorrow we should have Elli's visa and be ready to head home. Also today we had lunch at Lucy's, visited the Pearl Market, and took a dinner cruise on the Pearl River.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Clean Bill of Health
Yesterday Elli had her Visa physical here in Guangzhou in preparation for our U.S. Consulate appointment tomorrow. She had a good, if somewhat cursory, check-up. After the doctor visit she also had an ears, nose, throat check. But today she has developed a bit of a sniffle. She is 22.7 pounds and 32 inches long.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
World Traveler
"Why yes, I was up until after 1am last night. We world travelers have to be ready to handle anything and keep right on going. Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to my next appointment."
On to Guangzhou
Yesterday was a long day of traveling. Elli's maiden flight took longer than expected. The flight to Guangzhou was held up due to bad weather. After a delay at the terminal in Zhengzhou we sat on the runway for quite a while. But we finally made it in. We were greeted by Jason and Grace from CCAI and made it to the White Swan Hotel about 1am this morning (Saturday morning here).
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Shaolin Temple
Yesterday we went on an all-day trip to Shaolin Temple, a Buddhist Monastery famous for martial arts, especially Kung Fu. Here we are at the tombs of the monks known as the Pagoda Forest.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Children's Hospital
It was here on January 14th, 2010 that a newborn baby girl with blue-tinged skin was found abandoned in the cardio-thoracic surgery ward on the 6th floor at the entrance to the staircase. We don't know if she was born here or just abandoned here as a safe haven.
Inside the Orphanage
Jana and Elli in the orphanage. We weren't able to see the exact room where Elli stayed (the New Day Foster Home room wasn't open for tour). But it was probably similar.
Elli's Past
Here's Elli with big brother and big sister at the Zhengzhou City Children's Welfare Institute. This is the orphanage where she spent most of the first two months of her life. After this she went to New Day Foster Home in Beijing who cared for her and funded her heart surgery.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
She's Officially Ours!!
Today we completed the paperwork at the registration office and the adoption is now considered final by the Chinese government!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Gotcha Day!!!
Elli's here!!!!!! She was delivered to the Registration Office this morning after 10:00 a.m. Three babies came together from Elli's orphanage and 14 babies total were delivered to their "Forever Families" today!
Elli seems to be getting used to us very quickly and is doing really great! She seems healthy and is eating good. She took a nice long nap and then was playing and giggling. We are all very much smitten with her.
Elli seems to be getting used to us very quickly and is doing really great! She seems healthy and is eating good. She took a nice long nap and then was playing and giggling. We are all very much smitten with her.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
'Twas the Night Before Elli
'Twas the night before Elli
And all through the halls
Jana was seen
Bouncing off the walls.
The bag had been packed
With diapers and wipes
And snacks and toys
Of all different types.
The crib was brought in
The stage was complete
To welcome a girl
We'd been longing to meet.
We see visions of pigtails
and little girl charms.
At 10 in the morning
she'll be in our arms!
And all through the halls
Jana was seen
Bouncing off the walls.
The bag had been packed
With diapers and wipes
And snacks and toys
Of all different types.
The crib was brought in
The stage was complete
To welcome a girl
We'd been longing to meet.
We see visions of pigtails
and little girl charms.
At 10 in the morning
she'll be in our arms!
Zhengzhou!
Today, we flew to Zhengzhou, the capital city of the Henan Province and Elli's hometown. We checked into the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and this evening the bell boys delivered cribs to all the adoptive families' rooms!! "Gotcha Day" is tomorrow (July 11)!!!!!!! :D
George
Here we are saying goodbye to George, our Beijing rep and tour guide. George met us at the Beijing airport and has escorted us around Beijing for the last 2 days.
George's nickname for our large group was "sticky rice" (and he was "sticky chopsticks"). He would use this when he wanted us to stay together and close to him.
George said 3 free things were included: free scenery, free sauna (it's hot), free massage (it's crowded).
George's nickname for our large group was "sticky rice" (and he was "sticky chopsticks"). He would use this when he wanted us to stay together and close to him.
George said 3 free things were included: free scenery, free sauna (it's hot), free massage (it's crowded).
Saturday, July 9, 2011
2nd Day in Beijing
We went first today to the Jade Factory. We bought a few souvenirs including small zodiac animals made of jade for each of the kids: Kaitlyn - year of the pig, Brady - year of the ox, and Elliana - year of the tiger.
Then we went to The Great Wall of China! After walking to the 2nd watch tower, it got pretty steep, so I stopped there to enjoy the pretty scenery. :) Kaitlyn went on to the 3rd watch tower, and Brady and Jeff went to the 4th! The Chinese say you cannot be a hero unless you climb the Great Wall...I hope the 2nd tower is far enough!
We ate another authentic Chinese lunch, then went to an amazing Chinese Acrobatic show.
We also went to the site of the 2008 Beijing Olympics "Bird's Nest" and "Water Cube" to take pictures.
We are all tired, but it was another wonderful day!
Then we went to The Great Wall of China! After walking to the 2nd watch tower, it got pretty steep, so I stopped there to enjoy the pretty scenery. :) Kaitlyn went on to the 3rd watch tower, and Brady and Jeff went to the 4th! The Chinese say you cannot be a hero unless you climb the Great Wall...I hope the 2nd tower is far enough!
We ate another authentic Chinese lunch, then went to an amazing Chinese Acrobatic show.
We also went to the site of the 2008 Beijing Olympics "Bird's Nest" and "Water Cube" to take pictures.
We are all tired, but it was another wonderful day!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Great 1st Day in Beijing
This morning we toured the Hutong area where we rode in rickshaws. Later we went to the Silk Factory. We got a nice demonstration of how the silk is made and picked out a couple of nice dresses for Elli. We had an authentic Chinese lunch. From there we walked to Tiananmen Square and on to the Forbidden City. The scenery was spectacular. We'll post some pictures if we can work out a few more technical difficulties.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
We're in Beijing!!!
Our long flight to Beijing went smoothly. We are all tired, but we're doing great. We will do a Beijing tour tomorrow. Beijing is 13 hours ahead of the time back home.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Thank you...
Monday, July 4, 2011
Travel Group 1750
Our travel group with CCAI has 14 families adopting 15 babies! What a large group!! I can't wait to see all the babies lined up for a picture on the famous red velvet couch at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou!
Elliana in April
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Flying to China in 5 days!!
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