Sleeping Beauty 

Daddy and Mia..... A Daddy's Girl 

Mommy and Mia 

Gotcha DAY

It’s here, It’s Finally here. Today is Gotcha Day!! In fact we just GOT HER. We arrived at the hotel about 2 p.m. We waited for our bags and put a few things away to get settled in for the week. Our instructions were to drop off some paperwork and orphanage donations at our guide’s room and then meet in the 3rd floor conference room. We decided to go ahead a few minutes early so that we might happen to see the babies arrive at the hotel. Well, they were already there in the conference room but we had to wait outside until they called our names. It was so funny because we were all standing out in the hall trying to pick out which baby was ours. (I did not pick the right one) Most of the parents were saying things like,” You know it really doesn’t matter which one… they are all so cute”
We were about the 4th couple called. It was the most amazing feeling to finally see the little face that we have been staring at on the refrigerator for the past 7 weeks.
She is just adorable. She has one tooth on the bottom and a full head of black hair. She did not cry much and was instantly enthralled with the video camera strap. Then she discovered the digital camera and she and David were playing a little game with it and she began laughing out loud. She is definitely going to be a Daddy’s girl because once he pried her out of my arms she only wanted him. Her outfit was a traditional split pants so I headed up to the room to grab a diaper and make a bottle for her. When I got back she was sound asleep on David’s shoulder. It was probably a very long day for her. Plus she has a low-grade fever and sounds a little congested. She had to be exhausted to fall asleep in that room full of crying babies, crying moms and dads and just the sound of pure joy.
We finished one round of paperwork and she woke up long enough to let me feed her a bottle, start her on some medicine and look around just a little. David held her and she was right back to sleep.
We now have to do another round of paperwork and then try to get her to sleep in the crib.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=592570785203

Beijing Tour Day 2

Today’s pace was much slower, thankfully. We attended a Chrisitan church in Beijing. There were all nationalites present, however it is only open to foreign passport holders. We had to show our passport at the door in order to be allowed in. During the fellowship time we heard people say they were from Africa, Hong Kong, Wisconsin, and Canada. It was very emotional for me when I looked around and thought “this is a very small sample of what heaven will be like.” Luckily for us the entire service was done in English and the pastor was from Wales. There is not a traditional church building so they rent the theater of the Sheraton Hotel for services. After church we went to a Jade factory and store. More of a store than a factory. After lunch we drove out into the country and visited the Great Wall.
There were about 5 peaks on the section that we were able to climb. I made it through about the first 2.5 and then made a terrible mistake. I turned around and looked back, which was really looking DOWN. I have never thought of myself as being afraid of heights but my stomach sure was. So, I went down and David continued to climb. The climb up is not nearly as intense as the climb down. The steps are variable heights and it’s hard to judge how far to step. Several people in our group did make it up the 5 peaks but they were very sweaty and exhausted when they returned.
After a Peiking duck dinner we went to a Chinese acrobatic show. It was amazing. We saw 14 girls on one bicycle. It kept reminding me of some Dr. Seuss book I read to the kids, about stacking different amounts of people on different types of bikes. I was glad we were able to go. During the intermission we spotted a group of Chinese babies and someone said, “hey, they all have white parents!” So we mobbed them trying to see all their babies. They were a group of 6 couples from Spain who had just received their babies on Monday. They were all happy and smiling. It was a good sign for tomorrow.
Tomorrow is the day we meet Mia and we are so excited. I will add pictures of this day later

David and I in Tiananmen Square 

Oyster with about 33 pearls 

Beijing Tour

Today started out very nicely by getting to meet a lot of the AWAA families. Everyone went to breakfast together and it was nice seeing other Americans. We went to Tianemen Square and the Forbidden City today. Then we went to a pearl factory and the Summer Palace. Today is the dragon boat festival and we rode a dragon boat. We also went to a silk factory where they showed us the process of making silk from the cocoons.
It was a very long and hot day. We are glad to be back in the room to rest. We had a little trouble sleeping last night but tonight should not be a problem.
To see our pictures from today click here http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=261091285203
You shouldn't have to sign in.....

David trying to figure out what kind of fruit this could be. If you know tell us... 

Parking Lot of the "Wal-Mart" 

Streets of Beijing 

We made it!!!

Our plane in Houston was delayed an hour and then another 25 minutes in Phoenix. So we were a little antsy about having to retrieve our bags, check in and get through security at LAX. But everything worked out fine. The plane ride from Los Angeles to Beijing was long but not unbearable. I sat next to a very friendly young girl who is from China but is now a US citizen. She helped me practice a few Mandarin phrases and didn't mind us asking a bunch of questions about Chinese culture and traditions.
We arrived in Beijing at 5:00a.m and a guide from America World was there to shuttle us to the hotel. We spent a few hours napping and getting settled in. Next door to our hotel is what they call the Wal-Mart. It is actually called Carefour owned by the French. They did have all kinds of things like a walmart would. We explored it for a while and picked up a few things to purchase. When we got to the registers there were about 30 cashiers and about 20 people in each line. I am not joking. We waited in line for about 15 minutes but then decided to put it all back and try later in the day. Next time I am in the grocery store I don't think I will complain about having more than one person ahead of me.
At lunch we tried our hand at ordering on our own and using chopsticks. Thankfully there were pictures and corresponding numbers of each dish. We've pledged not to ask for a fork so that we can hone our chopstick skills. We ordered noodles with our lunch and really got to test our skills with them.
The rest of our group will be arriving later today from Shanghi where they spent last night. It has been good to have adjustment time. We have a busy weekend of sight seeing ahead.
until later....

Mia's room.... All that's missing is Mia 

Today is travel day

In just a few hours we will officially be on our journey. We are so excited to finally get to travel to China and meet our daughter. We hope you will live vicariously through us and experience our journey with us.....

Below is our itenaray that was given to us by our agency America World www.awaa.org
They have done a wonderful job during the entire adoption process.

June 8 Wed. Leave Houston to Los Angeles
 June 9 Thurs. Leave LosAngeles at 1:40a.m.
 June 10 Fri. Arrive Beijing at 5:20 a.m.
 June 11 Sat. Beijing tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, & Summer Palace (Lunch and dinner included)
 June 12 Sun. Church and Great Wall (Lunch and Beijing Duck dinner)
 June 13 Mon. Morning flight to Nanchang; Afternoon: Meet Mia & start the paperwork
 June 14-17 More paperwork, sight-seeing and shopping
 June 18 Sat. Flight to Guangzhou
 June 19 Sun. Filling out Consulate Forms
 June 20 Mon. Child’s Medical Exam
 June 21 Tues. Shopping & sight-seeing
 June 22 Wed. 9:30am Consulate Appointment
 June 23 Thurs. Swearing In Ceremony; Pick up child’s Visa
 June 24 Fri. Depart Guangzhou: fly to Bejing and then Los Angeles, then Houston(if we make the last connection after customs) If not arrive home June 25 Sat. early a.m.

Kaylee with Scooter 

This is cookie 

We FINALLY have a pet

Well as Zane would say "Finally" During a recent road trip to Westlake Zane quizzed me on all the animals I ever owned. He wanted to know their names, how long they lived, and how old I was when I got them. I finished off the long list that included a turtle, hamster, cat, dog, etc... and he finished with (I didn't see it coming) "And tell me why again I don't have any pets?"
I agreed he had a good case and we settled on Gerbils. We got 2 so they could keep each other company. They really are pretty cute and are friendly little rodents.

Our 4 Generation Picture 

Aren't they sweet.... I found this picture on another site.  

starting the ant hill

the ants go marching one by one...

Travel Approval Arrived

Our travel letter arrived. This means we have approval to travel to China for adoption. Now our agency has to schedule our consulate appointment. Then we will have a firm date for travel. Our agency is now saying we will probablly leave June 8 - June 22. That would mean we would be with Mia for her 1st Birthday.
<<>>

Mia Abigail Walling 

Here I Am!!! 

Check out my shoes!! 

Our Referral is HERE

WE got "THE CALL" this morning.
We have a new daughter
Her name is Zhang Man Shuang. She is 10 months old right now. Her birthday is June 17, 2004
She has been in foster care since she was 3 days old (Huge answer to prayer) She was only in an orphange for 2 - 3 days.
When she was 6 months old she weighed 14lbs. (What a heavyweight...)
The agency will be overnighting us her file and picture tomorrow. So we will have a picture then.
The coordinator said she has semi-chubby cheeks, a full head of hair that has been cut short and has a very serious look.

I will send out a picture tomorrow!!!

AHHHHH! The Wait Continues

We are in the home stretch of knowing who our daughter is and all I can do is sit and worry and worry and sit..... Of course with 3 kids in the house there's really not much sitting going on. Last month the referrals came on the 17th. So we are hoping any day now we will get "THE CALL" The agency will call us first. Then they will next day us a package with her picture and vital info in it. So even once we know who she is we will have to WAIT until the next day to see her face. As soon as we have that picture you will be able to see it here on our little site.
Someone, told me once to never pray for patience because God may have to test you to see if you learned your lesson. So I am not praying that but a little won't hurt

Personalized Pillow Cases

I saw a pillowcase like this at a craft show and thought maybe I could make some to sell. I'm always looking for ways to help off set the costs of our trip to China. If you are intrested please email me. I thought these would be great for easter baskets.

Each letter is stitched around the edges. 

Can you find your block? Maybe not... They're not all in the picture yet 

Getting Started on the quilt 

100 Good Wishes Quilt

100 Good Wishes Quilt

To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It is a custom to invite 100 people to contribute a single square patch of cloth. These quilts were originally made from garments of family and friends, which would surround the child with luck/energy of the people who wore these clothes when she is wrapped in the quilt . The 100 patches are sewn together into a quilt that contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. Part of the patch of cloth goes into the quilt for the baby, and the other part of the cloth will go into a creative memory notebook with the wish for the child. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.
We would like to ask you to be a part of this tradition as we assemble a quilt for our new daughter, Mia Abigail, waiting in China. Along with a patch of cloth please send a small note card with your good wishes, name and a small swatch of the fabric glued or stapled to it. We will make a book with the cards so she will be one day be able to identify where each piece of her quilt came from.
If you would like to see pictures of this type of quilt already finished you can visit the web site http://home.comcast.net/~jknorman/quilt/photos.html
Ideas for selecting fabric:
Select a fabric that is meaningful to you.
100% cotton fabric is best, as it washes and wears better.
If you are purchasing new fabric have the salesperson cut only ¼ of a yard. (Or you can purchase something called a “Fat Quarter” at many stores like Michaels, JoAnns, WalMart.)
I only need about a 6” square but any remnants can be used for the borders.
There is no color scheme.
Please do as many squares as your family would like. You can choose to do one square from your entire family or let each person choose their own fabric and send multiple squares.
Due Date February 20th. (Sorry it has to be so early but I would really like to get the quilt made before our trip to China)

Sorting through Mom's fabric to pick a square for Mia's Quilt 

Sample for 100 Good Wishes Quilt 

Poem for Mia

I recently ran across this poem on another web-site. I thought it was beautiful. I plan to use it some way in my scrap book.
Dear Sweet Daughter,
As a girl I had a common dream, to be a mom someday. My baby would have eyes of blue and hair the hue of hay.
But now my dreams have been transformed. New visions fill my head. Now the tresses that I long to stroke are raven black instead.
And in my dreams those eyes are not so big or blue or round. No in my dreams they're almond shaped and colored cocoa brown.
And in my dreams my arms can stretch across the enormous seas. They reach half-way around the world and hold you close to me.
As you grow in your mother's womb, carefully knit together, you're also growing in my heart, where you will stay forever.
And in my dreams the moment that your mother says good-bye, I'll be right there to comfort you and hold you as you cry.
Our features may not look alike; we're different as can be. But still I know the Father has created you for me.
And though I've not yet seen your face, or held your tiny hands, and though we're half a world apart in very different lands,
I'll be right there to get you just as soon as God allows. But 'til He says the time is right I give to you this vow.
I'll pray for your protection every day on bended knee. For God to hold you in His arms, until you're here with me.
-Gayle Leubecker

Some Staff from our adoption agency in the matching room. Each folder belongs to a different family waiting for their child. 

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

I wish there was more to post but now we WAIT. We should receive our referral in April. This will be the day we discover who are daughter is, what she looks like, and how old she is. We have requested a baby girl as young as possible. Usually the babies are about 9 months at referral time.
After our referral we will travel to China about 6 - 8 weeks later. We already know there are 10 families in our travel group. They are from all over the USA.
If you would like to see some pictures of the last group to get their referrals go to http://www.dubiz.com/dtcjuly2004/ReferralPhotos1.html It is so neat to look at all these precious faces and know they are just a few months away from a new life and a forever family.
We plan to use this site on our trip in May/June for pictures and daily updates of our trip. So for now there may not be much to post but in April there will be one special picture on this site of our Mia Abigail.

At Disney World  

Kaylee's first dance recital