Goodbye China...

These last few days in Guangzhou have flown by! Although we've had quite a bit of down time, the days seem to have gone somewhere, and all of a sudden, we are leaving today!

I have to give a huge shout out to Carey, who celebrated her birthday in China :)! Happy birthday Carey! I could not have done this trip without you. THANK YOU! Not only have you been a wonderful support, but have captured so much of this journey behind the camera too. What a gift! 

We visited Shamain Island, twice! The Starbucks there is one of neatest of their stores I've seen, and the architecture and atmosphere on the island is unique. I have more pics that I need to download and can post later. It was VERY hot and humid both days, but a fun experience as I never made it to "the island" during our adoption trip for Noah. 

It has been such a riot to try and capture all the expressions of this cutie pie. She has kept us hopping! I'm so glad that she has warmed up to the idea of swimming and has gone from super timid to majorly brave in the water. That will be a fun activity to all do at home! She continues to amaze me, and I am so thankful, more with each passing day. 

It's bittersweet for me to leave China, as it has been before. A part of my heart lives here, but I am so happy to be going HOME. I miss my family like crazy and can't wait to be ALL together. This has been a prayer in my heart and on my lips for many years. 

HE has made everything beautiful in its time!! 

Overdue update!!

An update is long overdue! We are all doing fine. As it turns out, little miss is quite spunky and has a lot of energy and we've been pretty tired at night!!! She'll fit right in at home :). Carey has been so helpful and I'm so thankful to have her here!

We wrapped up our time in province with a visit to two wonderful LWB healing homes on Wednesday and a 2 hour trip in to the city where Adeline's foster family (we did not meet them) and a very short visit to the orphanage in that city on Thursday. Both days were filled with many emotions and I'm so thankful for the opportunities to see a piece of our sweet girl's life before knowing her. 

We arrived in Guangzhou yesterday! The hotel is awesome. It's such a thrill to see so many other adoptive families and their new children. ❤️

Here are a few favorite pics from the past few days! Sorry - they are totally out of order! 

Busy walking street in Hefei

Hefei - chestnuts

Alvey fam! Their daughter is from the same city as Adeline and they have been with us almost our entire time in China! Carey actually knows them from high school! How crazy awesome is that?!

Naptime! 

Officially a Monsen!! 

I love this picture! This girl is always moving, and filled with such joy. She's got a lot of personality!!!

Joy.

Today Adeline officially became a Monsen!! She continues to do very well. She's allowed me to see more of her personality today and has even started repeating simple words. This joyful girl amazes me! 

After the official ceremony today with the notary, we went to the park to play, and then to McDonalds! :)

Gotcha precious girl

Oh what a blessing. She started off shy, but warmed up to me quickly (the sucker and toys may have helped!!;)) By the time papers were signed, she was all smiles and on my lap. This girl loves to laugh. Let me tell you, she has the BEST giggle. 

I gotcha precious girl. Welcome to the family Adeline. We love you already. ❤️

11 hours till Adeline...

Carey and I had a fun, full two days in Bejing! With our guide, we visited Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, took the Subway twice, rode a very full bus once, did a Hutong (traditional housing) tour, and had (awesome Jasmine) tea with a family there. Today we also visited and hiked an area of the Great Wall that I hadn't been to before. It was a beautiful, clear, blue sky day! We rode up on a ski lift, and after hiking, slid down the mountain on a tobaggan slide. Definitely a highlight (after it was over;)). 

Only 11 more HOURS till I meet Adeline. Oh man, how the wonderful butterflies of excitement and anticipation have started! There are several other families (one whom I already know who were with us in Beijing:)) meeting their children tomorrow here. It will be a memorable day!! 

Tomorrow will be filled with many, many emotions. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers...especially around around 8:30 PM Sunday US time. :) 

Goodnight from China❤️

Walking around Beijing...

Outside the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City in Beijing

Hutoung - Beijing family home 

Riding to the top to hike The Great Wall

Ni Hao Beijing!

We have arrived in China! It's 4:30 AM here, and of course, I'm awake and hungry because it's almost dinner time back home! :) 

My good friend Carey is traveling with me and Paul is holding down the fort with the kids at home! We got into Beijing yesterday afternoon and got settled into our hotel. Today we'll be with our guide, visiting a few spots around Beijing. Looking forward to posting pics soon! 

Thank you for your support, encouraging words, thoughts and prayers. They mean the world to Paul and I! 

2 more sleeps till Adeline!!!❤️

10 leaves in 10 days...

In unbelievable time, we received our TA late last week - our travel approval to go to China to bring Adeline home!

I received my itinerary this morning, and let me tell ya - I'm excited, and lets be honest, a little nervous because...

I leave for China in 10 days to bring Adeline home!!!!!!

We are so thankful for our tree, which has been growing with leaves over the last few weeks. We have over 15 lovely colorful leaves already! We are praying to add 10 more leaves, in 10 days to help us fund our required in country adoption fees and orphanage donation. Will you consider helping to support us in this way?

Here are the steps to be part of our Love Grows tree... 

1.     Donations can be made by clicking the link below or the DONATE button on the side of the blog to securely make your contribution through Paypal. In the “add special instructions” section of your transaction, please list the name you’d like written on your leaf. If no instructions are left, we’ll simply use your name.  If you’d prefer to make a donation by check or have any questions, please email us at lovegrows2015@gmail.com.

2.     One leaf will be painted per donation. You may contribute any amount you feel led to – anything is appreciated. 

3.     Please visit the blog again soon as I’ll be posting pictures frequently of how our tree is growing!

Each time a person or family contributes to our Love Grows fundraiser, a leaf will be painted on the tree, including the family’s name or preferred name written on the leaf.

Please know that your thoughts, prayers and support are equally as needed and appreciated. We look forward to the day we can share with ALL our kids how your love, prayers, and generous support has sustained us on this amazing journey.

CLICK HERE TO BE A PART OF OUR LOVE GROWS FUNDRAISER!

We also received an update last week regarding Adeline stating that she is aware she's being adopted and that she's feeling "happy about that"!;) Not sure how much a 3 year old can totally comprehend what that all means, but we sure know we'll love her through it- no matter what. We can't wait to meet our precious girl!! We received a couple pictures with the update, but they are totally blurry because our girl is ON THE MOVE! She'll fit right in! :)