Tuesday, February 21, 2006

We are just hanging out today at the hotel until 2:30pm while our guides are at the consulate appts. We must stay in our room until everything is complete. (In case there are questions.) After that...back to shopping! We will pick up a bunch of things that we ordered yesterday and Brian will buy a suit today. It looks like we will have to buy a suitcase to bring all of this stuff home. The girls have several matching outfits and we didn't spend a fortune on them like we would have to do at home.
Kayli slept until after 8:00am this morning. She fights sleep at night but after she finally gets to sleep then she sleeps well.

Monday February 20, 2006

Today was shopping day! We went back to Shamian Island for shopping. We bought all kinds of things from tea sets to Chinese clothes for the girls, shoes, blanket, custom made outfits for Angela and the girls. We ordered Ariel a chop. (stamp with American name and Chinese name) Brian and Ann went back to the Friendship store which is the grocery store to buy essentials. We have been eating breakfast at the hotel everyday (included with hotel stay) At lunch we went to the Food Street restaurant in the hotel and tonight we had peanut butter I brought from home and crackers. We got a milk shake for dessert.

Rebecca--I picked up the outfit.

Sunday, February 19

Today we skipped the sight seeing. Ann and Angela headed downstairs for a Chinese massage. It was $12 US dollars for 60 minutes and felt wonderful. In the afternoon all of us caught a taxi to go to Shamian Island for shopping. We mostly window shopped for prices. We will go back tomorrow to buy. We did order Kayli a chop. (stamp with her Chinese and American name)
Later we had dinner with the other families with Table #4. We went to the Veranda Restaurant here in the hotel. They had a buffet style dinner which had all kinds of safe fruits and veggies along with any meat of your choice cooked the way you wanted it and a choice of about 8 different desserts. Everyone enjoyed the LARGE chocolate fountain. It was the best meal yet. We are really liking Guangzhou. It has been fun! There was a Mexican group at dinner playing musical instruments. They played all American songs. We were cracking up. Go to china and here Mexican music--how funny.

We hope to go back to the White Swan Hotel to take pictures. It is beautiful.

There are 4 Kayli's on this trip. (popular name) One of the earlier pictures showed 3 of the 4 Kayli's.

Well off to relax before little Kayli awakes.

So far we have learned that Kayli loves carrots and prunes--baby food. She loves Cascadian Farms O's (like Cheerios), congee (rice soup), carrot soup, and raisins. She likes her bottles HOT!!!! She HATES stuffed animals and baby dolls. (orphanage told us that and she cries when I show her one) She is short tempered like her daddy. HA HA! She loves the color red and sleeps most of the time with a red stacking cup the whole time. She also loves her face to be covered while sleeping. We are finding out that she enjoys looking at books and will dance with a little musical toy that we bought her.

We have already seen a HUGE change from the baby that would not even open her legs to fit around your waist to a child that hangs on to us. She even holds her arms out to go to you. She sits up well now. She is rolling over too. She loves to stand up. She hasn't quite figured out how to put food into her mouth but opens it like a little bird to be fed.

She has really warmed up to all of us now! We love it. Ariel asked today if she will get another sister and we told her that we are really considering it. This is the best experience one could have. We are so thankful to God and for Kayli's mom that brought her into this world. We have truly been blessed! We will have to buy a mini van in 2007--ha ha!

Hanging out in the hotel room!

Medical Exam

Well this morning we are all still so tired. We woke Kayli up at 7:30am to get breakfast and off to get her medical exam. After the exam we went to the Friendship Store where we bought baby supplies and the much needed water. We are all still having a great time and wanting to come home. It feels good to know just a few more days. Kayli is a delight. We are really enjoying her. Everyone...everywhere we go are touching her and talking about her. We just smile and say thank you. We miss everyone at home and cannot wait to show her off. :-)

Kayli was asleep before the exam. She was NOT happy about them waking her up to look in her mouth and ears. She weighs 16.8lbs. and is 72cm long(I don't have documents in front of me). She is a little peanut. She weighed 13 lbs at 6 months. She is tiny but long. Most of the 9 month clothes that we brought fit. I think we had a couple of them too short. Who knows she could be tall and thin like Ariel.

Friday, February 17, 2006

Today was a busy busy day! We started off with going to get Kayli's passport and as soon as we came back rushed to pack and eat lunch. We left for the airport in Nanchang at 2:00pm and boarded a plane at 5:00pm. The airplane had a mechanical issue and was delayed an hour. The flight was 1 hour and 10 minutes. (Kayli's first flight.) We landed in Guangzhou to realize that the bus ride was 45 minutes long. After we finally made it to the hotel we had 15 minutes to get the babies changed and head down the hall to have her picture made for her medical exam. Kayli was a trooper but she did shed a few tears for her picture. She was in the middle of a long awaited bottle and did not want to give it up. Lastly we had dinner at 9:00pm at.....you guessed it McDonald's. Ariel's first happy meal at age 7. It just happened to be in China as a last resort. The choices were $25 a plate at our hotel or Mc D's. It wasn't too bad though. Ariel enjoyed the chicken nuggets. When you are hungry just about anything sounds good.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Today, we went to see a village that was similar to what Kayli came from. I don't have pictures yet but will be updating them shortly. We left in tears seeing the poverty. However, the people there seemed to be so happy.

If you look closely you can see the chickens on the road. There was no heat so the kids are dressed warmly.


Hopefully when we fly to Guangzhou tomorrow then I will have internet connection. It is a pain here since we have to pay by the minute. We are so ready to come home. We also visited a few porcelain shops. The province of Jiangxi is known for porcelain.


FYI: I cannot see any comments left on the blog but I can view your e-mails. I just cannot respond. I have been trying to e-mail my family and am getting blocked......so sorry and please know that I am trying to communicate. :-)

February 13-15

Today February 15, we visited a Pavilion called Teng Wang Tower.

February 13-15

I'm not going to write much since we are paying by the minute. I know all you want are the pictures anyway...ha! Going to Wal-mart in China is an experience!

More pictures from February 13-15!

The best Valentines Day ever!

Gotcha day arrives!

Gotta keep this short; paying for an internet connection by the minute. What an exciting day! One airplane and two bus rides later we arrived at the Lake View Hotel Nanchang. Within minutes of arriving we arranged our paperwork and were directed to a conference room on the 3rd floor. Our names were called moments later and we met our beatiful Kayli.

Kayli is a pure delight! She is so beautiful! She has such thick hair, big beautiful eyes. She has melted our hearts. We are already discussing doing this a second time. What an awesome experience. Our lives have truly been touched and changed.

Kayli has really taken to Brian. If he comes into the room she lights up. She is doing great with her big sister. Ariel loves being with her. She doesn't want her out of her sight.

Sunday February 11, 2006

Today we went to the International Church Service. It was kind of emotional for me (Angela). I just realized that only foreign passport holders can visit a Christian church...legally. We are so blessed in the states to have the freedom to worship how we choose.

Then we went to the Jade Factory. It is Chinese tradition that mothers pass onto their daughters a jade bracelet at the age of 18. So in keeping with the tradition we bought one for each of the girls. Of course I got one too (yes, that was Brian's idea!).

We also visited the Great Wall of China. We burned a few calories racing to the top. We made it right past the first tower to the next landing. Ariel was the first to climb. Brian had to carry her on his back on the way down though.


We had lunch and dinner as well but it's the same thing....Chinese food! We are already getting tired of it. They serve the same food at every restaurant.

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!!

Saturday February 11, 2006

What a day! We had a lot of fun. We were busy from 8:30am until 7:30pm. We started out by going to Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City. It was about 20 degrees Fahrenheit...cold as we toured for 2.5 hours. Next we had a wonderful lunch. It was buffet style lunch that included sweet and sour chicken, rice, greens, beef, pork, and watermelon for dessert. Angela and Ariel are eating quite a bit of bars and stuff that they brought. However, the rice is always good. Next we went to Pearl Market where you can purchase fresh water pearls. We bought the girls each a necklace that they will receive on their wedding day. Later we went to the Summer Palace, which is an imperial palace built during the first year of the Emperor Zhenyuan of the Jin Dynasty. Then we visited the Dong Wu Silk Museum, where we saw how the Chinese make silks. That was really neat. We then could purchase quilts, clothing, other items made from 100% silk. Lastly we had Peking Duck dinner. Ariel kept her eyes covered the entire meal. She couldn't stand the fact that we were eating duck. I don't think that she had anything except for the bottled water that I brought with us and maybe a couple bites of rice. But she sure eats a good breakfast in the morning. It is very western. On the way back to the hotel we saw a few fireworks that were being set off due to Chinese New Year. I think we will actually sleep through the night tonight! We are exhausted. Tomorrow we will see the Great Wall! Getting used to the 12 hour time difference has been a little tough. We are starting to adjust. Running on little sleep can be very interesting emotionally. ha!

WE MADE IT!!

We arrived in Beijing around 3:00 in the afternoon. Both flights were VERY smooth. The last leg was EXTREMELY LOOOONNNNGGGG!! As you can imagine being in the air for 13 hours. Here are a couple of pics. One of the view outside our hotel window. The others of our plane and guide-Sherry.

Packing!!!

We have been packing, resting and getting ready for this trip. We are READY!! Ariel has been bouncing off the walls and the rest of us...trying to get last minute things done.

Ariel's birthday

Ariel went to Build-A-Bear with her friend Anna. She is now 7 years old! Today, January 30, is Ariel's official birthday. She has been celebrating it with different people for over a week now!

Ariel and Fed-ex man

Ariel accepts our referral from the Fed-ex delivery man on 12-9-05.

Itinerary

Feb. 9-- Th Depart for China

Feb. 10--Fr Arrive in Beijing

Feb. 11--Sat Beijing Sight-Seeing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and
Summer Palace, Silk Factory, and Jade Factory

Feb. 12--Sun International Church Service (for passport holders only) & Great Wall (Beijing Duck Dinner)

Feb. 13--Mon Flight to Nanchang--MEET KAYLI

Feb. 14--Tues VALENTINES DAY!! Paperwork and Sight-seeing & Shopping

Feb. 15-16 W-Th (same as above)

Feb. 17-Fr Afternoon flight to Guangzhou

Feb. 18 Sat Kayli's medical exam

Feb. 19 Sun Filling out Consulate Forms

Feb. 20--Mon Sightseeing and Shopping

Feb. 21 Tu Consulate Appointment at 10:30am

Feb. 22 -W Pick-up Kayli's Visa at 3:00pm

Feb. 23 Th Depart from Guangzhou ------GOING HOME!!!!!


Today, we received our Passport with Visa stamp! BIG PRAISE since we
had a problem with the shipping company.
Our friends DID get their Travel Approval today! We have been praying
that they would hear soon!
That's it for now!

Visas

On January 6 I sent a UPS package with our visas in it to a Courier in Maryland. She received the package on Tuesday the 10th and dropped the package off to get our visas on the 11th. She picked them up on the 17th since they were closed for the holiday on the 16th. When the package arrived to her door on the 11th she said that there was a HUGE rip in the package and she was EXTREMELY surprised that all of the Passports were still there. WHEW!! So when she went to drop the package off at the UPS store they wouldn't accept it since one of the air bill's were missing. So we made arrangement with both UPS stores that allowed us to fill out new air bills (no charge) and now the package should be here on the 20th! We will be glad to have this in our hands since this is the last of the paperwork to be done before we leave.

Tickets have been purchased and we are now getting packed.

We have some friends that have not yet received their travel approval. Their agency does not release any travel information until this approval is received. They are so bummed. We both received our referrals on the same day. Please pray that they will have a peace about this situation and that their travel approval will come quickly.
Thanks!

Travel Approval/Consulate Appointment

On Friday, January 6 we sent for our passports to get our visas and confirmed our flight tickets even though we did not have concrete travel dates. (It ended up working out PERFECTLY!-- What a God thing!)

On Tuesday, January 10, 2006, we got our Travel Approval!

On Thursday, January 12, 2006 we got our Consulate Appointment

We are getting packed and ready to leave!

Please pray for us as we prepare and travel.

Kayli--we are on our way!