Adoption day

He loves daddy's watch

Guess who picked the shirt for today

Where we finalized the adoption

Getting parents can wear a guy out

Saw Elmo underwear and HAD to have it on over the pjs.

Looking cool in his new hat.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT RENEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today we went back to civil affairs to formally adopt Kevin. We filmed the entire process but I can't download discs yet...I am having a tutorial later with another couple. I hope I am a good learner.

We believe that Kevin was the celebrity of the orphanage. We received email address for some of the nannies to keep in touch and send pictures. I believe if we had said that we didn't want to visit again, it would be an international incident. I am sure it will be fine. Even today in the civil affairs he didn't want to give the nannies kisses. He kept running back to Duane if they would ask him for a hug. It is very heartwarming to see that he likes us this much already. God has really helped in the transition. Duane has really been given a daddy's boy....a gift from above.

We got talk to the girls for a minute this morning. They got to see their brother on Skype, but the connection here in the hotel is really slow so we kept dropping the call. We hope to have more luck with that later....I know they want to see him more.

Tomorrow we will tour the orphange and possibly have lunch there. I will try to get pictures of others there. I hope they allow it.

More pictures

Loving the bubbles

Hannah, we are bringing some home for you

Telling Daddy to sit down

Reaching for his cup

Daddy and Kevin

First five minutes

Nanny trying to tell him about Mama and Baba

Kevin

He HAD to have his pants pushed up like Daddy Feeding Daddy goldfish

Loving the backpack

Watching everyone around him

Running to Daddy and laughing his head off

Not so happy at first

Our very first sight.

We traveled to the civil affairs office to receive our boy. I will post pictures for now and give more narration later. We have to be downstairs in 20" to do more paperwork. He loves Daddy best, but seems to tolerate mom as well.

He cried inititally but soon began to love us and gave many smiles and laughter. We almost couldn't get him from our guides or the nannies. He was very obviously loved at the orphanage. We praise God for that.

Now for the pictures.

Travel Day

No pictures today as it was a travel day. We took the fast train today. It was really great....you couldn't really tell you were going about 225 mph. It was a good experience though. We were harrassed by some fake taxi drivers but we have had wonderful lessons in how to say no we want a REAL taxi. It all worked out fine.


We get Kevin tomorrow at 1:30. We then meet back at our hotel and do paperwork around 4:30, I know you all want to be updated ASAP and I promise to do that. It still seems surreal that we are finally here and about to receive our precious son. Please remember us in your prayers tomorrow. We want the transition to be as smooth as possible.

Until tomorrow......

More pictures

Longest barge ever View from our hotel

Spook house at the park

Chia dolphins

The train station....our friends couldn't believe how empty it was.

Pretty wall at the park.

Off to Nanjing today.....

More sightseeing and workin' it like a rock star

Shopping mall as far as you could see

Noodle man

More noodle man

Duane workin' it like a rock star

Entrance to the park

Today we went to a wonderful park that had a cable car to the top of the highest mountain in the city. It was great fun and we enjoyed looking at all the sites. Everything seems to be in bloom and flowers were everywhere. We encountered something we didn't even encounter last time we were here. Since it was sat. at the park it was filled with a huge group of school children. Mostly around 10-12 yr olds. They literally mobbed Duane like a rock star...please see following pictures. We could not get away from them....it was absolutely amazing!!!!!!!

We then enjoyed a lunch of noodles made right in front of us. We ate with chopsticks since they had no forks and it was the best meal ever!!!! He was the most gracious host. Then we went to a HUGE mall type shopping. I found some wonderful bargins for my eldest daughter....since she reads this as well I can't tell what they are....trust me they are beautiful. We topped off our evening with a walk downtown and a lovely dinner.

How we have loved our time in China so far. It has been an experience we will never forget and the best is yet to come. We will be leaving on a FAST train tomorrow to Nanjing and then the glorious day will be mon when he is finally in our arms.

Sightseeing and such

Lighting incense while praying

The outdoor market we visited.

Buddas with incense to buy.

The entrance to the market

These were in our closets. Masks to wear in case of fire. 40 min of air

Look Hannah it even happened in China

Even though the the weather is cold and rainy we went sightseeing today. We went to an outdoor market and discovered many chinese treasures and yummy treats. Our hotel is really wonderful and it was hard to leave this am but we went out to discover our son's homeland. It feels so good to be so near where he is. I can't believe our lives (his and ours) will change so much in just a couple of days. It is wonderful how the Lord makes things happen. He truly is the deliverer of our souls.

We tried dumplings today...with chopsticks. Interesting....they were steaming hot so you really couldn't put the whole thing in your mouth...we would try to hold the dumpling with our chopsticks and try to take a bite. Did you know that dumplings are filled with juice? We didn't either until we bit into one. They were yummy delicious and so fresh.

Yes, Hannah we have received many stares, just like last visit. I think we received more stares this time because everyone is bundled up and your dad is walking around in shorts. He now just smiles and waves at the stares. I still believe he will be tired of all the gawking by 2 wks end.

Please enjoy the pictures and continue to pray that the Lord will give our boy peace on monday when he joins our family. Tomorrow we will do more sightseeing and probably more shopping.

Pictures as promised

The first picture is our plane. Then next is our GPS (for Hannah) and the third is all our luggage. It all made it here fine. I slept for 12 hrs and now feel somewhat human. We are on the 16th floor of our hotel. When the sun comes up....it is about 5:45 am so no sun yet I will take pictures from our room. We have a river outside that is really pretty. Hopefully we will get lots of sightseeing in and take lots more pictures. Since it is really fri here I can say only 2 more days until Kevin.

Here and dead tired.

We are here and really tired. I can't even download pics right now. I promise to do it after a nap and a meal. China is exactly as I remember...the good and the bad. Our flights were really uneventful...just really long. I can't believe we are so close to our sweet Kevin!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only 3 more days until we have him in our arms forever.

REALLY??!!??!!

You are on your way?? Finally

That is the best news I have heard in a long time!!!!!!!!

Continue to pray for a safe and easy trip.

Twas the day before travel and all through the

nut house....runs one wife running errands to finish up for the trip. We are on major countdown mode. Everything needs to run smoothly so that we can take off with peaceful minds. Carpets cleaned, house purged. Bags packed. It looks as if we are on our way to China!!!!!!!!!

Then there were 2

I love the excitement on this baby's face. It matches ours.

Thanks again for following.

Tee Hee Hee we are now down to

Yesterday was family day....bowling, kite flying, dressing up like a princess..couldn't fit a post in anywhere. Pictures to follow.

Only 3 days left to get a ring side seat for all the action in China.

You know what comes after 6...

I typed in Fab Five and this is what came up....funny

Yes, we are now down to one hand!!!!!!!!!!!!!