We Made It Home!

As you have probably concluded by now, we made it home safely from China and have been busy in the whilrwind of LIFE: Transition! Thank you again for your prayers, support and prayers! We truly felt so blessed to be welcomed home by so many loving family and friends at the airport. It was heart warming to receive such a "Welcome Home", after such a long journey around the world. Thankfully all of our flights were pretty close to on time and everything went well with a few naps naps and play time on the planes.  Thank you, Alicia, for our huge Welcome banner, decorations, and strawberry cake - yummo!

The boys and Nara Josette are still in the honeymoon phase, but the boys love her being here tremendously. Nara Josette and Whit are already having some sibling rivalry, so it seems pretty normal around here except for her sleep issues. Please pray that her night terrors will subside soon as she begins to feel more secure and safe in her forever home with us. Also, Whit got sick this week and we had to take him to the doctor the same day, he had strep and an ear infection. It was a rough 24 hours or so at our house.

Our week has been richly blessed by our kind neighbors, schoolmates of the boys, our church family, and family alike, they have been providing wonderful meals for us and it has helped beyond measure to not have to worry about shopping for and preparing dinner this past week.

We had Nara Josette's first appt. at the UAB Intl. Adoption Clinic. We could not ask for a better clinic and people to help us, they are wonderful. It is a blessing to have a clinic that specializes in international adoption in our state and within a drive away. We spent about 5 hours there for all of here appts., and have another set for 3 weeks. It's great to be able to go to one place and have them all come to you there, as well as their expertise with adopted children. We also have our appt. set up for the Cleft Clinic at UAB in 3 weeks, please pray for wisdom as the team decides upon a plan for Nara Josette.

Here are a few more pics from China and our return home!

Humbly with Love ~

Ginny

Swearing in at the U.S. Consulate, GZ

She was the only child with a USA outfit, 

but she has on Chinese bunny boots

Eating well with chopsticks

Chinese New Years Flower Lights

Dad & Our Driver, YEAH!

Dad & Joe, one of amazing Lifeline agency coordinators

Our luggage in the little Chinese taxis

Meeting Mickey at Disneyland Hong Kong

Welcome Home! our Gang

Brother & Little Sister Hugs

Big Brothers and Lil Sister Hugs

Lil Cowboys

I Love My Guys!

Final Leg of our Journey to our Daughter

Yeah! We're finally on our way home to the United States! We cannot wait to see our family and friends. Thank you all for your prayers above all else, your encouragement, and the love you have shown to us along this winding road. It's truly been a surprise around each bend and it's been a lot longer than we had planned for it to take. But... as we have lived this journey, it continues to become more evident each day that God's time is always the perfect time, even when we cannot fully trust that in the midst of time. We have always had a peace about God's provision for our family. At times it is hard to see, but God always provides us insight to reflect upon Him and hear His spirit, though at times it seems a faint whisper.

We are excited for our family to begin this new journey as a family of six and how it will mold each of us. I pray God will give us the wisdom to continue to grow their hearts and minds toward Him as God guides and lives within our hearts. Sometimes it's hard, but we have to realize, were not perfect people or parents. We all goof up regularly, realize we could do things better, I truly pray and hope we are showing enough grace to our kids, as God shows more than generously to me and R.

it's been such an interesting trip to China. In the midst of all the adoption, I know it has been a time of calm in my heart and mind to examine my thoughts, my heart, give much thanks for the enormous blessings that abound in our family's  lives. Four amazing, unique children. I love my Husband so much, he is my soul mate, Thank you babe. I love each of our wild, amazing, fun, energetic, inquisitive sons and daughter.

Sorry Dad, that I haven't been more talkative this trip, it's been a time of intraspection, In China! 

Thank you, Dad, Papa, Nana, & Nannie for all of your assistance with this trip, we could not have done it without your help! We are thankful for each of our parents and family.

We are looking forward to each of you meeting Nara Josette and getting to know her in the coming weeks.

We leave Disneyland HK in the morning and fly home. We love the USA! China has been a great experience, we have met many kind people and Nara Josette's native land is beautiful, but nothing compares to HOME.

Much Love, Gratitude, and Thanks to you all.

See you soon,

Ginny & Family

 bāai baai from China! 

      拜拜 

Top Twenty List - China

You may be in China if...

Top Twenty list:

Daily you see an armored money exchange trucks with guards, helmets, and running with Ak - 47 's

Congee is on the buffet

Hot green tea is served with every meal and you have seen it being harvested

Steam (ed) buns come with meat inside of them

Exchange US dollars for Yuan/RMB, and do quick math conversion in your head

Live native, seafood is displayed, cooked and served to you  - immediately

Chopsticks are provided, forks are by special request, napkins, too at most places

A hole in the floor, is to "Go Potty"

You say Ni Hao as you arrive somewhere or meet people

You receive a red envelope with money inside, for New Year's

Visit the largest gold Buddha in the world, HK

Eat breakfast  with Mickey Mouse and see Tinkerbell at Disneyland HK

Ride a tram to view the sea from 4000m above sea level, at Victoria Peak

Take the ferry to Kowloon Island

Have to get an interpreter at the supermarket - yes, we did.

Requires 19 digits to make a telephone call to the USA

Your fruit is confiscated from your bag at customs

Have lunch overlooking the South China Sea

Costs 5 HK dollars to mail an international postcard

Diet Coke/Coca Cola Light costs more than a handmade porcelain necklace