Beijing Day 2

After a long fun filled day in Beijing on Friday I think we were toast once we got back to our hotel room!! Much needed sleep was had by all!!  We woke up Saturday morning tracked down our missing luggage and got the packed up as we were heading out that night to come to Guangzhou.  We wanted Saturday to be more of a relaxing non rushed day and it turned out to be just that.  We had another amazing breakfast - side note - all breakfast here in China is super good!!  After breakfast we met our friendly tour guide Eric and headed out to the city center.  It was much more crowded on the streets of Beijing with it being the weekend.  Also Eric said that the months of May and October are the busiest months of the year in China as far as tourism is concerned.  For example that day it was an hour wait just to get a ticket to the Forbidden City.  Thankfully that was not on our agenda as we had done it last year and didn't think the kids were old enough to enjoy that tour right now.  We did stop at Tienanmen square and walk around to the outside of the Forbidden City.  It was neat for Nathan to be able to see in person some of the history that he had learned during our homeschooling year.  Chinese people really know their history- the facts they recall is pretty incredible.  The sad part to me is that they don't know all of their history.  They learn about what happened in the square and things about the revolution from people like us - foreigners.  Nathan was pretty fascinated by seeing all the military all over the place in the sqaure and he enjoyed seeing the mote around the Forbidden City.  After stopping at the city center we headed out to the Hutong Village and took a tour in rickshaws around this old old city in Beijing.  We even got to go in house.  In this village in these homes there is no bathroom.  You have to use the public restroom.  I cannot even fathom living that way - but they are totally accustomed to it - and I am sure they would think our way of living to be quite different as well.  After our Hutong tour we returned to the hotel to get ALL of our luggage and grab some lunch.  At this point Nathan was ready for some American food so we hit the trusty Mcdonalds.  Can we say yum - sort of.  Nathan thought it tasted like home - so I was glad for him.  After eating we then headed out to the market.  This is the place where all the foreigners go to bargain for lots of different things - mainly pearls and knock off purses, watches, and shoes.  If there is one thing I do well its drive a hard bargain.  This is always a fun part of the trip for me as when I say just the few things I know in Chinese the market people get all surprised and it makes for great conversation.  And let me just say I am a better bargainer than my husband :-)  and I always walk away wondering if I could have bargained them down farther.  We probably disappointed so many as we didn't buy much - after all its fake - but they do crack me up trying to tell me its not!!  We did visit our friends pearl market and had a good time there.  We picked out some pearls to give to Abbie on her wedding day.  Linnea got a little pair of earrings and Nathan made as strand of pearls to give to his future wife one day.  After our market experience we sat down at a starbucks as we waited for our guide to come back and pick us up.  I am so glad we did this - as Nathan sat down and being the social butterfly he is - he started speaking to the lady sitting next to him and she was an American.  Her and her husband were there visiting friends they actually are working in Korea.  And the friends they were meeting volunteer at Maria's Big House of Hope - that is the orphanage christian songwriter/singer  Steven Curtis Chapman sponsors.  They were going there to volunteer over the weekend!!  How kind of God to give us this sweet experience.  They asked if they could take our picture and pray for us as we were in China. I LOVE how God is in all the details.  So gracious to hear a familiar language and to speak with believers who have a heart for the orphan!!  Makes my heart joyful!!

After all this we headed back to the Airport to say goodbye to Beijing and hello to Guangzhou.  Here are a few pics from our Saturday in Beijing.  Enjoy!!

Gotcha Day thoughts...

I am mentally, emotionally and physically spent.  Today was one of the toughest days I have ever faced.  Abbie came out to us all smiles wearing the matching dress we had made for her.  She really loved Linnea and I can't quite say that Linnea loved her right away but she is warming up to big sister.  Abbie is VERY strong willed.  She did great right up until we were about to leave the civil affairs office and then she had a meltdown which included kicking, hitting, and crying.  I just held her as that is all I can do for her at this point.  She eventually calmed down and we made it back to the hotel.  Just as a I thought things were going well - we had another meltdown which this time included pinching.  Have I mentioned she is strong willed.  I eventually got her to her bed where I laid down with her flailing and crying.  She eventually fell asleep.  I have a gazillion of thoughts and emotions floating around right now - but for now I need sleep.  Please pray for us we are in the trenches!!  As I was holding Abbie today during her fit I was reminded of how often I throw a fit - yet God never has me out of the palm of His hand.  May Abbie find peace and rest in His hand as well.  I am sure David will catch you up later.  Much love! ~LeighAnn

my thoughts - pre Abbie moment....

I know I said a post about our second day in Beijing would follow - but even with all the fun we had in Beijing that is not what occupies my mind now.  Its 3 am here and I cannot sleep - not for lack of trying.  In less than 12 hours lives are going to be completely changed dramatically.  I know how I am feeling - I cannot fathom what may or may not be going through Abbie's mind right now.  Hopefully she is sleeping much better than I am.

This "gotcha" day is so completely different from Linnea's.  I was reading back to last years post the hours before we were about to get Linnea - while most of my feelings are the same - there are new added emotions.  Last time I had no idea what to expect - this time I am going into this day with a different perspective on a number of levels as today won't be  my "first rodeo" so to speak.  Abbie is 8, Linnea was 2.  Abbie spent most of her time in an oprhanage while sleeping at night in a foster home, she has been cared for by 3 different nannies.  Linnea was transitioned from place to place but had the same foster family for the last 10 months she was in China. Abbie was brought to the orphanage at the age of 2 she was not a baby.  Abbie has been exposed to the Chinese language and culture for much longer than Linnea.  Abbie is not a baby who can just be picked up and toted everywhere or swaddled all up in mommy's arms.  I won't swoop down and pick up Abbie as I did Linnea.  I will touch her and hug her and love on her if she will allow me - I wonder will she? Will she be happy for this moment - will she cry big crocodile tears when all the people she has ever known say goodbye to her.  Will she want to go with us? Does she even understand this concept of family and how her life is about to change?  I don't know the answers to any of these questions swirling around in my head.

We had a meeting yesterday with our guide Miko and the other family who is here in our Lifeline group whose daughter is also from the Guangdong province.  This is their first adoption.  They are a deaf couple who is adopting a deaf thirteen year old girl.  Super neat family and I'll try and post more on them later (by the way blogging when you bring kids along isn't as easy as it was when it was just the two of us - so thank you faithful followers for being ever so patient - I remember what its like to be on your end sitting on the edge of your computer hitting refresh hoping for an update...I digress...) Anyway Miko was sharing what things will be like tomorrow and what to expect and how the girls might react.  At one point in our meeting she looked at me closely and she said - "the orphanage director wants me to tell you - your daughter does not communicate well.  She does not talk so you can understand her.  It is not very clear.  And she most times does not understand what you tell her.  So be very patient with her."  First of all I know I have not divulged much of Abbie's special needs on here and that is for her privacy right now as well as the fact that I don't know exactly what to expect.  I did know that communication might be a problem.  And I did know her cognitive skills are poor - I do not know to what extent.  And I LOVE that her orphanage wanted me to know these things so I/we could be patient with her.  I find it somewhat funny that God chose to bring to me the queen of talking - two little girls who struggle with this so.  It actually brings tears to my eyes.  I have never struggled to make words come out of my mouth or struggled to even understand them - I have carelessly taken these two gifts of speech and comprehension for granted.

As I was typing God brought this to mind : we at church have been going through the book of Ephesians and in ch 4 it says this : "I therefore a prisoner of the Lord urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and gentleness, with patience bearing with one another in love." and my favorite book Colossians in the 3rd chapter says "Put on then as God's chosen ones,  holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another....."  God has called me to this place, to adoption, to walk in manner worthy of Him, being His daughter, to be patient and bear with one another.  So Maoming friends who care so deeply for Abbie - yes we will by God's grace be patient and love her ultimately praying that she sees Him.  Praying that she will one day not only comprehend her adoption by our family but the adoption far greater - the gift of Him.

So does Abbie know we are coming tomorrow or even comprehend what's coming?  I have NO idea!! But HE does.  What I do know is to be prepared to be surprised.  Expect to be surprised!!  And I DO know that HE knows the unknown I am getting ready to walk into and HE sovereignly ordained it and is walking along side of me.  HE is weaving a story far greater than I can imagine.  HE is in control.  So thankful for these truths and really that is all I need to know.

So I must try and go back to sleep - big day coming!!  Its mothers day and I am going to be a mama again!!!

Much love to you all ~ LeighAnn

Jetlag, Beijing Day 1 and Hello Guangzhou!!

I soo should be in the bed trying to sleep but you could say jet lag is running its course on me!!  I think it has been much worse this time for me.  I wanted to blog last night (China time) but I was so super exhausted I couldn't think straight.  Aside from the jet lag and a little lost luggage we have had an amazing time so far!!  The kids have been amazing minus the moment that jet lag overtook Nathan.  They have been so good to go with the flow and take it all in.  Nathan has done well trying all kinds of different foods.  Today was the first day he actually piped up when we were discussing lunch plans and he said I want "american" food.  So of course we indulged and had some Mcdonalds!  Linnea has been saying "Ni Hao" like crazy!! It is so funny who would have thought Chinese words were easier to say than English!!  Beijing was so much fun and there is always so much to take in!!  Here is a little synopsis of our Beijing stay with pictures to follow.  

Friday morning after breakfast which Nathan coined the "best breakfast" he's ever had we headed out to the Great Wall.  The great wall is 670 km long and covers 3 different provinces.  We wanted to go to a different part of the Wall than where we went last year and we wanted to be able to ride cable cars for the kids. We drove about two hours out and climbed the Mu Tain Yu part of the Wall.  The weather was absolutely amazing.  We actually witnessed blue skies in China - that is so rare.  The temperature was not too hot and there was a beautiful breeze.  This is probably one of my favorite places in China.  It was Nathan's favorite part of the day.  After the Great Wall we stopped and had some lunch at a "simple" chinese restaurant - I am not sure there was anything simple about it - but that is what our guide kept calling it.  Speaking of our guide - Eric was so wonderful and I would highly recommend him to anyone visiting the Beijing area!!  After lunch we headed to the Olympic Village - it was a two hour ride back so we all fell asleep in the van as we were soo tired.  It was at the Village where the jetlag overcame Nathan.  He was so tired!!  So we did not stay super long.  We then went to the silk market so Nathan could see how silk was made.  After that Eric took us to the "Dr. Tea House" where w tried 4 different types of Chinese tea.  This was very relaxing and gave us a chance to refresh before meeting some friends for dinner.  I think besides the Great Wall this was one of my favorite parts of Beijing.  For Chinese their tea houses are like our Starbucks.  After tea we went to a local mall to meet some friends we met last year in China.  The Parkmans.  Our good friend Laura introduced us last year via email when we were in Beijing.  We ate at now one of my most favorite places to eat Din Tai Fung.  They have the most amazing Chinese dumplings hmmm hmm good!!  After dinner of all things the Parkmans took us to get foot massages.  Girlfriends we are being ripped off in the states!!  This was again totally fun and super cheap!!  One hour of foot massaging for less than $10 U.S. dollars - crazy!! These massage places are open until like 1 am and our friends told us its very popular for the locals - almost like we go see movies at night - the Chinese go get foot massages. 

Well I wanted to post all about Beijing on day two as well but I HAVE to get some sleep!! We made it to Guangzhou safe and sound with our luggage and my dear friend Miko was there to greet us at the airport!!  Such a sweet time for me to see her again!!  For now enjoy the pics from Friday and check fb for more and after I have a nap tomorrow which I will need - I will post some more!! Abbie day is coming soon!!!

I'm pinching myself....we made it to Beijing again!!

WOW!!!   We made it to Beijing!! As our plane was making its final descent into the city I got all those giddy feelings and was reminded of how much I love this country.  I can't believe I am here again and yes I am pinching myself!!   We had a little change of plans once we got to the airport in ATL.  Our original flight to Tokyo had been delayed by several hours and that was going to cause us to miss our connection to Beijing.  Thankful for the many prayers of our dear friends and family God worked it out and we were able to get on a different flight which went to Seattle and then on to Beijing.  I was thankful to have the short leg of the trip in front and the long leg last.  The kids (Nathan and Linnea) did exceptionally well.  They were pretty wired the first leg and we were not all sitting together - David and Nathan were in the back of the plane and Linnea and I were up toward the front.  Linnea was wired!!!  She is going to LOVE roller coasters.  She was giggling the whole take off!!  We were all sitting together on the second trip.  Linnea slept the majority of the last leg which was somewhat nice - I woke her up when we had a few hours left hoping she would sleep somewhat tonight here - but it is 3:20 am and well we are all pretty much awake!!  We all made it to Beijing but our luggage did not - likely due to the change in flights - it should be here tomorrow and thankfully we packed extra in our carry on so we are good to go.

I had every intention of blogging before I left as I had a gamut of emotions running around in my head and I wanted to remember everything I was feeling but I just didn't find the time.

We are so thankful for your prayers!! We are so excited to be here again.  God has been gracious to give us this privilege!!!

Tomorrow we head out to see the Great Wall.  How kind of God to let me experience China by myself and then with my husband and now with my first born.  Amazing!!

Well I probably should try to sleep.  We will update as we can - as I know what its like to be on the other side of the planet waiting for the updates :-)

night night from Beijing :-)

And so the journey begins......

WE'RE GOING TO CHINA!!!!

So (my favorite word as you know) I have been told I needed to update my blog... I won't mention any names Jenny Hord.... so here is a quick update!!  We are going to China!!! NEXT WEEK!!! But it won't be the same without you Jenny Hord!!  I/We will of course keep you updated while we are away and I am hoping to get in another update before we leave.  For now I am off to finish cleaning and packing!!  Abbie we are coming for real!!! ~Lord willing.

Gotcha day - 1 year later...

My sweet princess Linnea,

It is 1:55pm March 19, 2013.  Last year this day at this time the minutes could not go by fast enough!!  I was eagerly awaiting the very moment we were to meet you for the first time.  I will never forget the moment you and your tiny body with your skinny little legs walked toward me and I scooped you up into my arms.  In just one moment our lives were both forever changed.  I look at you and I am in awe. In awe of the trust that you have for your daddy and I.  A year ago we were complete strangers - and not just strangers but strangers that didn't even look like you.  Today I am no longer a stranger - I am your mama.  While your communication is clearly underdeveloped and you are severely delayed in your speech - you say mama so clearly it makes my heart leap thinking about it.  You also say daddy, nay nay (Nathan), nu nee (Luke) eee (Ethan) and Ab bee (Abbie) - you know your family.

Oh my sweet girl as I sit here and watch you play the transformations that have taken place in your little life are amazing.  I cannot adequately express the emotions I am feeling today so I won't begin to even try.  What I want you to know more than anything else is this ~ it is my prayer that regardless of what challenges lie ahead - you will know that you were created by a Holy and Perfect Father who loves you far more than I ever could.  I pray that you come to understand just how much He loves you and that He is sovereign in ALL things.  I pray you love Him with your whole heart.  He CAN do the unimaginable!!  I have seen it - I have seen evidences of His faithfulness time and time again and I pray you too will be able to one day see.  

You have changed me.  Changed me in ways I could have never imagined - ways I didn't even know needed changing.  God has used you to remind me of my own transformation and my utter and total dependence upon Him.  I am so thankful He chose me to be your mommy.  You are a gift.

I love you so much,
~mommy

Goodbye 2012 Hello 2013

Just like God has made the dance of the planets around the sun - turning, spinning, circling, wheeling, revolving, orbiting around and around so he also has made our lives.  I don't know about yours but my life dances - turning, spinning, circling, wheeling, revolving and orbiting around and around and around again - just like that 2012 is gone.  There are so many things that happened last year I just cannot stop and recap them all and I am so thankful that God in His sweet kindness allows us the gift of memory.  Our family had so many memorable moments it was impossible to journal them all but God has been gracious and allowed me to treasure them up in my heart.  I remind myself often even if our blog is all printed out by year in cute little photo books (which its not) I couldn't take those to heaven so I really am thankful for the gift of memories.

Our family is well and looking forward to this new year.  DP is still plugging along loving his job at CFA.  Nathan and Luke are doing well in school and the littles: Ethan and Linnea are enjoying being home with mommy. Sweet Abbie is still waiting on  us in China - we have some dear friends from our church going to get their girls next week and they will take Abbie a package for us so hopefully we will get some new pictures soon.  We anticipate bringing her home late spring/early summer - Lord willing.  We are currently waiting on our LOA and once we receive that we should travel in 2-3 months. This mama is ready for Abbie to be home.  Linnea had some surgery in December and will have a follow up surgery in February.  She really is a trooper and doesn't let much knock her down. In a few days we will celebrate Linnea being with us for 10 months - that is the longest she has ever been in one place so this marks a really big milestone for her - I am hoping to post about this big event in her life.  Speaking of hope - I have set some goals for myself this year - I am not so much a fan of the word resolution I like goals much better. So here are a few in no particular order:

read two books a month : one serious, one fun (I LOVE to read so this should be fun)

run 500 miles 

exercise more

eat clean more often

do a half marathon (hoping for the Silver Comet)

less computer time

finish memorizing Ephesians even if my Pastor finishes preaching through it before I finish memorizing

memorize James

see my sin as more as an offense against a Holy God instead of personal defeat

love God more

REST

I have read and heard of so many people choosing a word for their year and yep I caved and did it too - it really is a novel idea if you ask me.  So my word is rest.  Sounds kind of funny when I think about it - I mean seriously I have a full time/overtime job - work weekends, pull all nighters, never off - so this really was the perfect word for me.  I want to rest in HIS arms - I want to be more aware of my insufficiency and HIS sufficiency - I want HIS glory to be known - I want to rest in HIM.  In the fall of last year I had set a goal to get up earlier and just spend time with the Lord and while I am not always 100% spot there - the times I am are so precious and I want more of HIM so rest it is. 

and last but not least........

LIVE the Gospel 

I saw this most precious picture on my friend Dawn's blog - I just love her and her blog!! Anyway it was such a good reminder - because I am NOT practically perfect no matter how hard I try or I would like to be  it doesn't even matter!! No matter how good or bad of a mama I might be - He's sovereign.  

PRAISE BE TO HIM!!

Did you set any goals for this new year? If so what were they?  We hope you are having and continue to have and amazing 2013 - until the next post....

~LeighAnn

"charm"ing....

Jiayin Designs (http://www.jiayindesigns.com or on facebook is having a fantastic charm giveaway!  I just love Kelly and I am so thankful I was introduced to her.  I have recommended her to several friends and have bought gifts for other friends.  I asked her if I could do a post for my entry by way of video as I am a much better talker than blogger (hence my lack of blogging recently) so here goes..... I should make an editors note I said we began the adoption journey a year and a half ago - its actually been two years clearly I can't count....

my charm "Zhong Sha"

giving a charm to Linnea's foster mom

she was very emotional and stoic all at the same time

my sweet friend Nat - we are wearing our charms!! Hers says "Si Fang"