The only foods so far Ana doesn't like is ice cream and watermelon. We thought everyone might get a kick out of this photo. We ate at the Cantonese restaurant and it was good again. Everyone cannot believe how much the two babies from Foshan City eat for the other 9 babies pretty much only take bottles.
Most of the photos today are from the park down from where we are staying, but I cannot get flickr to work tonight so I'm just posting a couple here. Ana Mei woke up around 6 am so we got out early to see the happenings in the park. It was fascinating to watch the people dancing, doing Tai Chi, and playing badminton so early in the morning. We sat outside a cool coffee shop which had great lattes and watched life in Guangzhou, China.
I went to an upscale mall today with some friends while Ed stayed with Ana. Imagine that, Ed opting out of shopping! It was upscale but the prices were great compared to USA. I bought 2 cute tops and a skirt (for me) all for $22.50 US dollars! We also ate at the McDonalds. It was tasty but no diet coke.
It's hard to believe we only have 2 more full days here. It's been a great experience but we will be so glad to be home with our whole family! Have I said that before? Love to you all!
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Eating Broccoli!
Posted by Kris - at 8:18 AM 3 comments
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Fun on the dinner cruise!
Not to sound vain, but I'll go ahead and let anyone know that if you're following us and in Franklin or Nashville, you're welcome to come see us at the airport. We fly in Sat. Sept 2 at 5:36 pm. Just thought we would let you know. We will be so tired but so happy to be home and see familiar faces!
(I'm sure those of you following know this by now, sorry to be redundant . . click on the 2nd photo to see all of today's photos. Click view slide show to see all)
Posted by Kris - at 9:22 AM 3 comments
Monday, August 28, 2006
White Cloud Mountain Trip
Everyone in our group (11 families) decided to go for pizza tonight so we have all ordered Pizza Hut. What a treat. Ed and I never do this at home! Last night we ate at a wonderful Chinese restaurant here in the hotel with our friends, the Chesbros. The girls did great. No broken plates! Yes, Mei Li has broken a plate at breakfast and Ana Mei broke a plate and glass at the Tai restuarant the other night! These two are live wires!
Tomorrow is a free day until the evening cruise. I'd like to do some more shopping of course, but for those of you who know Ed very well, not sure if I'll be dragging him along again. The days go by pretty fast but I still cannot wait to be home. I miss my Josiah like crazy! It's so hard being away from him. Miss you mom and dad too!
Just click on the photo for Day 8 photos
Posted by Kris - at 3:57 AM 1 comments
A glimpse of Guangzhou
Posted by Kris - at 3:46 AM 0 comments
The Squat Pot
Posted by Kris - at 3:39 AM 0 comments
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Pool Time!
Posted by Kris - at 8:32 AM 1 comments
Day 6 Videos
Here's a couple of videos from day 6.
Check out our little polywog in her first swim and then lovin' on her mom.
Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing
Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing
Posted by Kris - at 7:31 AM 0 comments
Friday, August 25, 2006
Days 4 & 5
Reminder: click on the photo and you can go to days 4&5 photos and all of the photos. Click View slide show it you'd like to see them all.
PS: I haven't said much about my hand for there's been a little something to keep me occupied! Please continue to pray. I'm straining it somewhat with keeping up with and holding her. I've been icing it every day. It is swollen most of the time. I'm trying to work it but it is still very stiff. Thanks for the prayers and keeping up with us!
Posted by Kris - at 3:06 AM 0 comments
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Ana Mei Videos
Here's the Videos we promised.
They're less than 2 minutes each. The newest post comes up at the top. Scroll down and and start at Ana's gotcha day if you want to go in order.
Just a reminder... click on right hand side: Previous Posts for earlier posts/photos
Posted by Kris - at 12:27 AM 2 comments
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
HELLO JOSIAH!!
Posted by Kris - at 7:05 AM 0 comments
It's Official!
Click on this photo to see more pics from day 3. You can click on "view slide show" to the right of Ana Day 3.
Posted by Kris - at 7:05 AM 4 comments
Eating French Fries
Ana loves to eat! Tonight we ate at Lucy's and she had chicken congee and mashed potatos. She also discovered she liked Kia's french fries! We took her for ice cream and she didn't want anything to do with that! It was too cold.
Posted by Kris - at 6:59 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Here's my Girl!
Click on the photo and it will take you to more photos. Click on the view slide show to the right of the And Day 2 set to see photos from today. Ed is sacked out right now and so is Ana. I'm headed that way too! Love to all.
Posted by Kris - at 8:32 AM 3 comments
Monday, August 21, 2006
Ana's first reaction to Us!
Posted by Kris - at 10:18 AM 2 comments
August 21, 2006: GOTCHA DAY!
What an incredible day this has been! Ana Mei (Bing Bing) has finally joined us and doing fabulous! She cried more than any other child at first, we think for 2 reasons. She has been so well cared for so she didn't want to leave her caretakers, and she's a bit sick with bronchitis. She fell asleep on the bus and slept for over 3 hours I think. Since then, she has been incredible! She's had a bath already and right now her and "ba ba" (da da) are having a ball. She is a happy baby and taking up with both of us already. We are about to crash with jet lag still so we'll post more pics and video later. Love you all and thanks so much for the prayers that you've covered us in.
Posted by Kris - at 9:48 AM 3 comments
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Our Detail Travel Plans are Confirmed!!!
Thanks to all you prayer warriors out there! God is working everything out as He planned!
August 17: 4:30 PM, Ed, Kris, and Josiah fly to LA, arrive 8:36 pm (PST)
August 18: Ed's Parent's 50th Wedding Celebration!
August 19: Ed and Kris say goodbye to Josiah in CA and fly out of LAX 1:25 pm
Josiah will stay with Grandpa and Grandma until Monday and Grandpa will fly home with him and stay for a few days. Nana and Papa then begin holding down the fort in TN while we're gone.
August 20: Fly through Tokyo (will ourselves to stay awake!) and arrive in Guangzhou, China, 10:35 pm - CRASH!!
August 21: Receive Ana Mei in the afternoon!!!!!!
August 22, 2006 Adoption registration and notarization.
August 23, 2006 Free day.
August 24, 2006 Receive adoption registration certificates. Apply for passports.
August 25, 2006 Visa pictures and medical exam.
August 26, 2006 Pearl River evening cruise.
August 27, 2006 Free day. Visit orphanage on one of these free days.
August 28, 2006 Visit the White Cloud Mountains.
August 29, 2006 Free day.
August 30, 2006 Receive childrenÂs passports.
August 31, 2006 Visa appointment.
September 1, 2006 3:00 p.m. Go to the consulate to take the oath and pick up visa.
September 2, 2006 Begin journey home, 8:20 a.m. Arrive in Nashville 5:36 pm!!
We are now praying through all that is going on with the state of our country and the alerts at the airports. Our flights are somewhat tight, so our biggest concern is that we make every flight in order to arrive in Guangzhou by noon, Aug. 21 - the required time. On a lighter note, I (Kris) can live without gel in the carry-on, but we're both dreading the yuck mouth w/out toothpaste!
HAND UPDATEI got my pins out August 8. They do not give you anything for pain or to numb it. The Dr. took pliers and yanked them out one at a time. I had 3. I about came unglued! I made it through it though and felt okay once it was over. I am still typing all of this w/ my left hand. (Do I hear a "Bless your heart!"??)
No more cast or splint. I have to wear one of those tight gloves for swelling. Today has been a much better day. I can spread my fingers pretty good, petted the dogs and gave Josiah a hug that felt good to the touch! Of course, I've been doing all of this w/ my left hand. 3 more physical therapy sessions before we travel.
Thanks again for keeping up with us. We love you all!
Posted by Kris - at 9:39 PM 6 comments
Monday, August 07, 2006
PRAISE GOD, HE IS ANSWERING ALL OF OUR PRAYERS!
We have tentative travel dates!
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS IN PRAYING FOR US!
We will tentatively leave Nashville on August 17 to travel to California to be with Ed's parents and family on Augest 18 for the big 50th wedding anniversary celebration. Josiah will travel with us to CA.
Ed and I will probably fly out of LAX on August 19 to get to Guanghou, China on August 20 so we can rest one day from jet lag before we receive our Ana Mei on August 21 (or 22nd).
JT will stay in California with his grandparents a couple more days. Our travel agency is still working out flights for us. We have to get ours before we can make Josiah's and his grandpa's who will fly with him to Nashville.
Prayer warrior friends: please continue to pray:
- Our flights will not be outrageous in price
- Josiah will be able to get on our flight with us and he and Grandpa's ticket will be reasonable
- My hand will continue to heal so I can squeeze my Ana Bug!
- Kris's mom and dad will be blessed for taking care of Josiah, the dogs,. and our home while we are gone.
We love you all. Thanks for sharing with us in our journey!
Posted by Kris - at 9:29 PM 3 comments
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
A Little More News on Travel
We are asking for everyone's prayers. We received a call today from our agency about travel. We have been waiting so long for our little Ana Mei. We could leave as early as August 14, but we will not receive confirmation until sometime next week. We desperately want to also be in CA on August 18 for Ed's parent's 50th wedding anniversary celebration. We've been praying God's favor on us and His perfect timing would be that the CA. trip and CHINA would all fall into place nicely. Now we're not so sure if this is all going to work out. Not to mention the situation with Kris's right hand. (see earlier post)And the cost of International flights w/ less than a week's notice!
And on top of all of this, Josiah will be staying home with Kris's parents and we have just been told that we now have to stay in China 3 weeks instead of 2. We cannot imagine being away from our sweet Josiah for that long.
SO, please pray for us that all will fall into place. THANK YOU SO MUCH. We will keep you posted as soon as we learn more.
Posted by Kris - at 5:14 PM 2 comments