Four Days Home

The boys are doing well considering the circumstances. Their whole world has changed. They do not like change!

Sleeping went better last night. Thinking tonight may be the night they sleep past 4:00 am. Today we were able to get them on a more normal schedule.

Eating is also improving. They do not like new foods. Have been successful with eggs, chicken nuggets, French fries, and noodles. Not a healthy diet but they are eating.

They are still crying a lot but we see glimpses of their real personalities. Even though they are 3.4 years old they are quite babyish. I would say they are more like a young 2 year old. This could be due to orphanage life or their special need.

I think it is just going to take the boys longer to accept their new home and family. They were well cared for by Show Hope at their orphanage. Their loss is great.

Sad tonight. My daughters took a photo of the boys to school while we were in China. My daughter, home from China since 2007, told us tonight that her friend told her that her other friends said the boys were creepy. Sorry my daughter has to deal with this and sad that anyone(even kids) would think our boys were any less than perfect. I know my skin needs to thicken because there will most likely be many negative comments in the years to come.

Huge Thank You to my Sister and Zachary

Just wanted to thank Zachary and my sister, Debi. Without them I wouldn't have been able to bring the boys home with Dallas staying at home. Both helped in so many ways, emotionally and physically. I can never thank either of them enough. Their help was invaluable! Adoption can be tough and our week in province was difficult. They were both real troopers! Thank you, Debi and Zachary!

Twenty Three Years

May 26, 2013

Dallas and I were married 23 years ago in Richmond, Va. What a wild ride! Who would have guessed that 23 years later we would have 8 kids. Thankful for everyday The Lord has given us together! Dallas and I know what it means to be blessed! Of course we have ups and downs, who doesn't? We just try to focus on the good and be thankful for all that God has done in our lives. God is good, all the time!!

Photo: Our family 23 years later

In Route to San Francisco- May 25

We are about 4 hours into our journey home. Surprisingly the boys have done really well. I may or may not have given them Benedryl. Jacob is fast asleep and Caleb is eating again.

We got off to a late start so we are about an hour behind schedule. That's okay because we have a 6 hour layover in SFO.

We landed in SFO and went through customs and immigration. Only a minor incidence when an officer tried to tell me I needed to apply for a Green Card for both of them. The boys were American citizens when we landed on US soil so I knew he was wrong. Went to officer that processed adoptions, took about 10 minutes and we were on our way.

Ate lunch, hung around the airport for several hours, and the boys played on a little playground.

We went to board our plane to RDU and Jacob lost it. No Benadryl left. I knew the only way to calm him down was to get him settled on the plane. One of the ladies with United told me I needed to calm him down that he was disturbing all the other people. I told her needed to get settled on the plane. She said I needed to give him candy and walk around with him. Wish at that point I would have asked her if she had children. I tried explaining to her that we had been traveling for 24 hours and he was exhausted. Didn't work she just kept on and then went off in a huff saying if he didn't stop she was taking us off the plane. By this time I was in tears and begging God to help me calm him down on the plane. Thank goodness he stopped crying and fell asleep for takeoff. Caleb and him took turns crying the whole way home. Zachary and I often stood taking turns rocking them. Felt like everyone was starring at us and judging us. Many had heard the exchange with the United worker. Not even one person on the plane had a kind word to say. It was the longest 4 1/2 hours of my life but we survived.

We landed at RDU about 11:30 pm. So happy to see Dallas and the kids. They had banners, balloons, and flowers. Of course I was in tears, the last leg of the journey had gotten to me.

Photos: Hong Kong airport and new American citizens

May 24- leaving Guangzhou, Arriving in Hong Kong

Today after breakfast we decided to go to the Pedestrian street one more time. We got a cab at the hotel.

It was nice wondering around at our own pace. I got 13 shirts/ dresses for the girls for $40.00. They are going to love them! I wish I could have bought more.

After a taxi ride home we walked to Aeon one last time. I found some Pleasant goodies for Alyssa and the cool noodle spoons for our family. The were only .50 each.

Debi and Zachary found a noodle place on the 6th floor so the got noodles to take back to the room for dinner. They were very good!

It's now about 5:30 pm. We are on our way! Leaving Elvin was bittersweet. He is such a nice facilitator. We will miss seeing him again. He makes the stay in Guangzhou easier.

At this moment we are in a van to Hong Kong. Caleb is sleeping and Jacob is scribbling. Really hoping he doesn't get ink on these nice leather seats.

We are traveling at a speed of 140 km. I don't know how fast that is but it feels fast. I wider why there are 6 TVs in the van and the only one on is in front of the driver. Not complaining, at least he stopped texting. Take that back he is still texting, talk texting, and calling people.

Last time we took the van to Hong Kong we didn't have to get out at the China border. I was so concerned because I let our agency make the arrangements this time. We did have to get out but it was no big deal. Jacob would tell you a different story. He screamed the whole time.

We are now at the Marriott Sky City in Hong Kong. One step closer to home..

Shopping Trip with Ann

This is an example of what you can find while shopping with Ann of Red Threads.

There are 4 boys and 5 girls Chinese outfits, 5 change purses, 4 utensil sets, and 1 pair of colorful earrings. My total was under 35.00. The outfits were $2.50 a piece, the change purses 3 for $1.00, utensil set $1.50 each, and the earrings $1.50.

You do have to pay Ann $10.00 per hour. It is fun even if the deals aren't quite as good once you pay Ann.

My sister was able to get a 24 inch string of multicolor pearls, a bracelet, and earrings for $64.00. We also got some jade pendants for $7.00- 8.00 each.

May 23- Consulate Appointment

Bright and early this morning was our consulate appointment. I always feel a little emotional when taking the oath for our new child/children. It is official in US and China's eyes that they are our boys. When we land in San Francisco they will become US citizens.

We returned to the room and let the boys rest for a couple of hours. We are at the point where everyone is just tired-tired of the heat, tired of walking, tired of the food, tired of hotel life, etc.

We tried to take some photos around the Garden Hotel. We weren't able to get any really good ones because the boys didn't want to get out of their strollers.

After the boys woke we decided to take Debi to the Friendship store across the street. Lots of expensive stores to wonder through. Bought a couple of things at the supermarket and went looking for noodles.

Unsuccessful at noodle search so we had McDonalds delivery. Hand delivered by Debi and Zachary. Not Chinese but delicious.

It has been two weeks since leaving the States. I love China but I think we are all over it. It is time to go home!!

Boys are doing better. They don't like cars, taxis, or change. They are attached to their strollers and fuss if they have to get out of them and we aren't in the room. They are eating good and slowly getting use to these strange people taking care of them. It is a process!

While looking for a noodle place we found a little bit of home in one of the shops. Go Wolfpack!