Gotcha Day!!!

Getting to know one another (hope the video works!)

An invisible thread connects those destined to meet regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never breaks.

Ancient Chinese Proverb

The babies are sleeping – well one is sleeping and the other is trying hard not too. He keeps popping his head up and saying, ‘I see Gwacie!’ The big boys have gone exploring. I know I should be sleeping too but that’s not possible right now – way too much excitement for me to settle down!

What an amazing time – GOTCHA as it’s called! We were scheduled to be downstairs at 11:00 and most of us were much earlier. The babies came in by orphanage so the first two were brought in from Shang Guan around 10 before 11. Second the twins arrived! They are so beautiful and they were so calm about their transition! Then we were told that our babies were stuck in traffic and wouldn’t be there until noon. Fortunately, six more babies arrived from Shangrao about 20 minutes later to keep everyone occupied. The three families with babies from Fuzhou were pacing the floor – including us! Our babies finally arrived about 11:45 and we were the very last family to have our sweet Gracie brought in to us. We were able to get great shots of everyone in our entire group though as each baby arrived. J

The brought Gracie in to us and she immediately started to cry but she didn’t fight being handed to me. Parker was clinging to my hip and reaching for her immediately!! He just loved and loved on her! I didn’t realize that John had turned around and gone back for Carter who was busy watching Mickey Mouse. When he saw me with Gracie Lin, he immediately wanted me. John took Gracie Lin and then Carter reached over to touch her face, hands, arms, and rubbed her back. Sweet, sweet boy! I didn’t realize either that there were major tears streaming down my face the entire time until later when I had a soaked face and a damp top.

Gracie Lin didn’t take long to settle down from crying and take a big interest in the boys! Since everyone else had their babies for a while by then, the whole party immediately began to disperse to their rooms so we gathered our things and as I tried to pick up a few items, Parker walked up and took Gracie from me. He didn’t let go – carried her all the way back to the room. I think he’s in love!! We played in the room a little. Gracie Lin was very interested in the toys and her brothers. We were all hungry so we gave her a bottle and then went down the hotel restaurant for some lunch. Carter struggled through most of lunch because he wanted both Mama and Daddy and was very uptight. He did cheer up for a big bowl of ice cream though! Gracie Lin ate a huge helping of yams and some spicy tofu. She also fell in love with ice cream. Something I’m not sure she would have tried before. Once I gave her a bite, she kept reaching for Carter’s bowl. By half way through lunch and lots of attention from her big, big brother, she started to babble and bounce. Parker started to talk to her and she gave him her first smile!

I am blown away by how smoothly the initial meeting has gone. I’m still ready for some tough times if they come, but am so very thankful that this joining together of our family has been so sweet. Thank you all for your prayers for her transition! Keep them coming! Our first night time is still ahead of us! J

One last note – since we have been in China, Carter is a rock star! People want to touch him and hold him and get hugs! It has been very sweet how much people are interested in him. Once we ventured out for lunch with both of them, there were even more people taking in this duo of the blonde crazy haired boy and his 'China girl' sister!

Thank you again to our friends and family for all of your prayers, love and support!! We are over the moon!!!

Snoring!

We just arrived in Nanchang and are staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. It is brand new and beautiful! I am thrilled with our accommodations! We walked in to a room with a crib and baby bathtub. Wow! We are really going to bring Gracie into our family tomorrow morning! We have an informational meeting at 9AM and then we will meet Gracie at 11AM. More tomorrow on Gotcha Day!!

I sat down here five minutes ago to post this and all three of my guys are snoring in unison in the short time I've been at this computer! Time to say goodnight!

Missing Glass Pieces

The more about the breakfast story from a few days ago is that at breakfast on the first morning, Carter decided he would munch on his milk glass. I looked over and a piece of the glass was missing from the rim and it was cracked all down the side. Immediately I tried to sweep his mouth and of course, he bit down on my finger so hard and wouldn't let go. Once I finally retrieved my finger, he bit down and I heard a crunch. He then reached in to pull out the tiniest piece of glass. We searched the table, Carter's uneaten food, inside the remaining milk, his clothing and on the floor. No more glass to be found. We can only assume that he swallowed the rest. After some internet research and a chat with the doctor in our group, we decided to skip the emergency room and go on the tour. We are praying for the best!!

Update at the end of 10/9. Carter has not had any issues as a result of glass and the Dr. on our trip was kind enough to get up from his breakfast this morning to walk over and tell me that we were out of the woods by then! Praise God! I have been stressing so much!

Touring Hong Kong

We had a terrific day of touring HK today. We started with an amazing breakfast at the hotel to fuel our day (more about that later). We started our tour with a trip to the top of Victoria Peak.

Red symbolizes 'happy' - this is a happy house on the side of the Peak.

Each place we visited, took us a 45 min. to 1 hour bus ride, which Carter loves by the way. Parker has a new best bud Simmon who will be with us the entire two weeks. I'm so glad that he has a friend along!

Last family photo as a family of four!

We went to Aberdeen Fishing Village and did a boat tour. My picture of the village from the peak was so hazy that you can't see the village. The guide was telling us that the fishing market has dried up. There were at one time around 17,000 fishermen and now the number is under 2,000. Younger men don't want to fish because there isn't money in it and the market isn't there anymore because of the water pollution. Some people live on their fishing boats.

Parker & Simmon - the sign behind them says 'Jumbo Floating Restaurant'

The matching white high rises was very much what I expected to see everywhere.

We went to a fine jewelry manufacturer to see how the jewelry is made and then we went to an open market.

Hong Kong

We are in a terrific Hyatt in Hong Kong. It was of course an incredibly long day but I'm so proud of our family in that we didn't loose it until we got into the hotel room. I have a couple of photos to up load later but will just say for now - 'we are here.' Off to site see!

The boys did really well on the flight. Carter only lost it for about a half hour. Of course, that felt like hours when he's screaming! He wanted off of the plane and couldn't understand why we couldn't get off. He kept saying, "I weady!" Now that it's done, I think we can survive round two plus one more kid! No turning back now!

Goodbye ATL

T minus 5 hours. Bags are packed, the house is in good shape and John's conference in DC in behind him! It seemed like we worked for months to get some things finished at home and over the last three days, it has all come together even down to having the garage clean. Just that same few days ago, I had said, it's not going to be done and I'm OK with that. I'm saying a praise to God that He is giving me this little desire of my heart. I will love coming home to a clean organized home.

I still can't even put into words what this feels like. Our hearts are so full and there are pink clothes in our luggage! We are saying goodbye to Atlanta for 16 days but we will all be together! The second thing I'm majorly thankful for today is that we are able to take our boys with us on this amazing journey! For me doing this without them would have been one of the most difficult things ever. I'm so thankful that Parker will have this memory for a lifetime!

Thank you to all of our friends and family who are praying for our journey and we can't wait to for you to meet Gracie Lin when we return!! We love all of you!!

The room is done!

Finally, Gracie Lin's room is complete except for hanging the quilt that I cross stitched and Nanannette put together. Grandpa Marvin finished the painting today which was a huge blessing! I thought I had a better photo but the dresses hanging on the wall above the light are my Mom's baby dress and my baby dress (I think). On the shelf next to the "Jesus Loves Me" sign is a little figurine with a 'September' sash. This little doll sat on a shelf in my bedroom as a child and I don't ever remember not having it. Since we share a birth month, I can pass it down to my daughter. The silver bunny on the shelf and the snugglie with her name are the first to gifts that she has received. The giant bear is BoBo. If you saw my pictures months ago on FB, the boys have Yogi in their room. Here is a photo of the missing quilt: