An Amazing Homecoming!

So happy to see all of these faces...

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31

Our new family of six!

Meeting someone who looks just like Mommy! I wonder what goes through her head when she sees Aunt Kim!

And now there are seven!  We officially have outgrown riding in one Suburban...maybe! :)

These last two pictures were taken after we landed in New Jersey.  Bella Mei became a U.S. citizen as soon as she stepped foot on American soil.  Since we only had an hour to get through customs, recheck our luggage and go through security, this picture was taken very quickly after we sprinted to our gate.  We were not going to miss the last flight home! 

Thanks again to all of you who followed our blog, posted such sweet comments and prayed for us.  We enjoyed reading all of the comments and they helped us get through the last few weeks.  I will continue to post pictures as soon as we get settled!  Bella Mei is doing so well with her big brothers and big sister.  They are having a lot of fun with her.  This will be a very special Christmas!

Goodbye China!

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;  the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."  Numbers 6:24-26 

Our precious blessing from China

As we left China yesterday our hearts were heavy.  We knew that we were taking Bella Mei away from everything she has known for the past two years.  We also knew what was waiting for her at home.  There are so many friends and family members that have loved and prayed for her long before they ever saw her face.  All of our children are blessings from the Lord.  We know that Bella Mei has always been a part of God's plan for our family and we are so happy to finally be bringing her home!

Saying goodbye to Helen in Guangzhou.  We really enjoyed working with her.

One more hat picture... it was freezing in Beijing!

Someday we will bring Bella Mei back to China, but for now 

we are ready to hug our children and celebrate with a joy filled homecoming!  God has truly blessed our family!

Consulate Appointment

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.  Isaiah 43:5

We had our appointment with the U.S. Consulate on Monday.  We had to take an oath to say that all the information we provided was true.  They make sure all of your paperwork is in order and begin working on Bella Mei's visa to come to the United States.  As soon as she steps foot on American soil she becomes a U.S. citizen!!  We can't wait to get her home!

She loves riding in the elevator

As I type this we are waiting in Beijing to catch our flight home.  Please pray that the next twenty four hours go smoothly.  We have a twelve hour plane ride to New Jersey and then another three hours home.  When we get to the car she will have to ride in the car seat.  That will be a new experience for her.  The Chinese do not use car seats!  We are so ready to be home and see everyone!  My next post will be when we arrive home.  

  

Shamian Island & Pearl Market

Shamian Island

They have many little shops on the island.  The landscaping and trees are beautiful!  They do wedding photos everyday.  Our facilitator told us that they take these photos six months before their wedding day and it is an all day event.  They pay a lot of money to have these done.

I have seen this picture on so many adoption blogs, so it seemed so surreal to have Bella Mei standing here to take her picture.  I always wondered how big she would look compared to the kids.  She loved the statues and didn't want to leave!

This was Jenny.  She sells the squeaky shoes...  She is also a Christian and we really enjoyed talking with her.  The shoes are very cheap here so....

We bought many pairs!!  We came to China with one pair of shoes that fit and we are leaving with enough to last a few years!!  They all squeak so you can hear her coming a mile away!

Lucy's is a popular restaurant on the island to foreigners and adoptive families.  They have American food and iced tea.  I have also read on many blogs about this place so it was really cool to finally eat there!

We actually took a taxi to the island two different times.  It was really pretty at night with all the Christmas lights.

The Pearl Market

This is a huge mall.  Not only is it like five or six stories, but they all sell jewelry!  Jade and pearls are very popular here.  Our facilitator took us to the two places that are very reputable.   

I wanted to see the jade bangle bracelets.  Our facilitator has one and it is very pretty.  Jade is an important part of Chinese culture.  It represents good luck and family unity.  The Chinese wear it all the time and it is supposed to fit tight enough where it won't come off.  My hands are big, so I was a little worried about getting it on.  

Daddy and Bella Mei waited patiently while I looked at all the bracelets.  

I finally picked one out and was ready to put it on.  They use lotion to get it on.  They kept pushing and saying it would fit.

I wasn't so sure, but it finally slipped on.  

My hand is still a little bruised, but I love it!  Good thing... because it is not coming off!

The other popular jewelry here is pearls.  The other family we were with wanted to get a bracelet, so we went and watched them string a few bracelets.  It was really cool to watch them do this.

Bella Mei trying some ice cream.  She liked the taste, but didn't like how cold it was.

She does really well in her carrier, but by the time we were headed back to the hotel she was ready to walk.  She stops to look at everything, so it takes her a while getting anywhere!

She was a trooper today while we shopped and looked around!

Loves the chips... just like her mama!

Touring Guangzhou

He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  Ecclesiastes 3:11

Today we toured the Guangdong Folk Arts Museum.  It was a 

very interesting place.  This was a home owned by the Chen family 100 years ago.  I love to hear about the traditions and history of the Chinese people.  It is important for me to know about Bella Mei's birthplace, so that I can share with her what a beautiful and special place it is.  

Bella Mei made a new friend!

After we left the museum we went to a big shopping area.  I have several pictures, but it is taking a very long time uploading the pictures tonight.  I will post them tomorrow night.  We have our appointment with the U.S. Consulate tomorrow morning.  This is our last thing we must do before we can come home!  Bella Mei is doing really well.  The only challenge we are having right now is that she doesn't like to stop playing at night to go to bed.  I know with time this will get better, but she just doesn't like it when play time is over at night!   

Goodnight from China!