One Week Home

As of last night, we've been home for one week. We're still adjusting. We do have pictures to share--and stories too, but just haven't been able to get them "here" yet.

Tomorrow is M.'s big doctor visit day. She'll have LOTS of tests. whew. Poor thing.

A Quick Note

Hi. I'm working right now, so this has to be short. We owe ya'll some posts and some more pictures! Getting back in the groove is a little tricky. We've got lots of catching up to do in just about every area of life--but our goal is to keep this blog going. In may not be quite as interesting coming from our homeland, but we hope you'll enjoy these glimpses into our family life.

We'll aim to post some this evening when the kiddos are in bed.

Behind

We're more than a day behind on posts because of weird net problems yesterday +. Hopefully we'll get caught up this evening (while ya'll are worshiping the Lord.) Right now, J. is getting some much needed alone time--shopping on Shamian Island, M. is napping, and I was reading, napping, now blogging. She's had a good long nap, and while I'm nervous about the moment she wakes up and discovers the lack of her mother's presence--it's time to start opening the shades and letting her wake up. (Don't want to mess up bedtime--which has been STELLAR save one night with a rumbly stomach and the one night where she inexplicably woke up when the door clicked.)

sigh. Here it goes. My plan is to quickly show her her diaper then her shoes and hopefully she'll stay calm as we go looking for mom.

whew.

Internet Troubles

We are having massive net problems here at the White Swan. Net use was FREE in Changsha--here it will cost us a bit for the week--and we've hardly been able to get on today! UGH. So......If you don't hear much from us---that's why. We've got lots to say-- and will have some more pictures (of course!).

Schedule

Not sure how much more we'll post for a while. Maybe some more this evening still. We're packing up for a move to our next city: Guangzhou. There we'll have a medical exam, get M.'s visa, swear the oath at the US consulate, tour, shop ETC. We'll stay at the White Swan in Guangzhou.

We've got an early start tomorrow--luggage in the hall at 8:00am. Off to the Airport at 9:30am. This will be M.'s first plane ride! It's only an hour in the air, so that's a good thing. (WHAT will we do NEXT week for the marathon ride home?!)

We're excited to move one step closer to home. We're also looking forward to reuniting with some friends from our group who've been in other provinces this week. Can't wait to meet their new children!

Comments Back

FYI--in case you tried and were denied....you can try again now. Long story.

Video isues

I've been trying to upload a video of J and M feeding turtles. It's been "uploading" for over an hour. I'm done trying. I've got more to post!

--R

Good Night From Changsha

Well, it's almost ten here. The women (heh) are both asleep and I'm wearing down, too. I just hope I can sleep until six. I usually wake up at five hungry as can be.

Can't believe how many are interested and following along. We are blessed by your love, friendship encouragement and prayers. THANK YOU!

Tomorrow we're going to some aquarium in Changsha. Who knows what that will be like!
Good Night!
--R

Older Posts

FYI--If you're joining this late--there are more pics than visible here. Just go down to the bottom to "older posts" and see MORE!!!!

Time Stamps

A note on posting "Time Stamps." I think they are posting EST. That means that we're actually the opposite of what they say. If it says AM--its PM. If its PM its AM.

--R

Hi From the Dad

Hi. We're late-comers to this blogging-the-adoption scene. We probably should have started almost two years ago. We didn't. But you'll probably like this better, because we skipped over all the really mundane details of paperwork and waiting. You're joining us when things get really fun and exciting.

Now, we still have a couple of large hurdles (IE, we don't have our visas yet), but aside from that small detail, things are really starting to move. We'll try to keep you up-to-date on all the craziness of the final weeks before we shove off. Then, there's the trip itself.

Last night, we changed our plans and decided to bring along the lap-top. We're doing this partially so we can Skype with the boys while we're gone, partially to better keep you, dear reader, abreast of all the latest happenings in adoption land, and mostly so we can better journal this experience for our daughter to read some day.

J has graciously allowed me to participate in this blog. We'll see how that goes. If I write too much or too often and steal her thunder, she might just ban me. But hopefully you (and our daughter) will appreciate this from both points of view. Welcome and Enjoy!

Here we go! We're excited to welcome you as we run the race God's set before us! We've created this blog in response to so many inquiries about our adoption. In it, we'll share what's happening in our family and what God's showing us along the way. Warning...this is our REAL life...enter at your own risk!