Introducing Lila!!

Whew--glad to be back online. Not sure what happened but we are back and I want to introduce Lila Hope Song Thompson!! Right now she is one scared little girl but I know all that will change very soon. From last night until this afternoon we are already catching glimpses of her personality. She is beginning to smile when we tease her--my heart aches at what she is having to adjust to--it will be a better life but she does not know that yet. We have taken her away from what she does know--she is grieving. But we will just keep hugging and kissing and giving her lots of food. She will warm up soon! i can't wait to see her personality--the orphanage director described her as outgoing, active, plays well with others and he couldn't think of a single thing that makes her angry. He said he has only seen her happy. He said she is walking but only with assistance that I can see. She does crawl well though. We went today for an interview with officials who asked us if we will love her as much as our biological kids and give her a good life, good education and never abandon her. Of course we answered wholeheartedly with a yes! We then had our picture made with her for their files as officially matched! We are going tomorrow afternoon and applying for her a passport to come home. We can't wait for that day! She has no idea how large of a family she has!! The pictures above are from shortly after the orphanage director brought her out to us. There was a room full of people all getting their babies--lots of tears from children and adoptive parents who have been waiting years for this moment.

We are celebrities!

Today, while out sightseeing, we noticed more and more people watching us, taking pics and even video taping us! Once we were resting for a min and talking with our guide, there was a group of women standing in front of us--I didn't pay much attention at first until one just came up and stood next to us having her pic made. After I saw what was going on they all wanted their pic made with me!! Can you believe that--their pic made with me? Also took a pic of a man who was meditating I think- but he stayed in this awkward position for at least 30 mins that we noticed. I thought he was going to the bathroom but was not!These are some pictures of The Forbidden City and Summer Palace both with rich rich histories going back 900 hundred years! Even the trees go back hundreds of years!

Aargh! Jet lag

Oh the jet lag is awful! our days and nights are mixed up---It is 5:45 am on 8/26 and I did not sleep a wink last night! But I'm sure I will be ready for sleep in a couple of hours! We went to the Great Wall yesterday---absolutely breathtaking!! Pictures don't really do it justice--we also went to the Olympic area and took pictures of those buildings as well. The best part of the trip so far was touring the Hutongs--they are alleyways where people live and shop--it is "old Beijing"---hundreds of years old and the living areas have been with the same families for that long too. The culture is very interesting to say the least! And the driving is nothing like you have ever seen!! There are as many bicycles on the road as cars--all sharing the same road--we almost hit several! There are no traffic lights so cars just pull out and change lanes when they want not whether there is a car there or not--no one uses turn signals or seatbelts! Our guide said there are on average 300 fenderbenders a day--with some biclyclers being hit everyday as well!! As you can see it was foggy and raining at The Great Wall but was still beautiful--it was a very steep climb up the wall. The wall was built directly on the lay of the land and it is mountainous! It was also chilly so I had to get a sweatshirt--nice change from home! Today we are going to the Forbidden City, Tiannemen Square ( I know I didn't spell that right) and Summer Palace! And tomorrow we leave for Guangzhou and get Lila on Monday!!! Yaaayyy--it's getting closer!

We are here

We are finally here in Beijing!!! That was a horribly long plane ride---but we made it!! Arrived in Beijing at about 10 pm. By the time we went through Immigration, got our luggage, found our guide and arrived at the hotel---it was midnight (China time). About lunchtime your time!! So it has been something like over 24 hrs with no sleep! But after a nice sleep last night--we are up and ready for the Great Wall!!! Our guide is great by the way==his English is very good and he will be with us until Saturday when we catch yet another flight for Guangzhou, China--where we will meet Lila!!! So far everyone is very nice and very cordial!!! And most people here in Beijing anyway can speak some English! Our hotel is gorgeous and comfortable--speaking of that it is breakfast time!!! I will check back in tonight with pics hopefully.

Tomorrow's the day!!

We leave tomorrow morning for China!!! Hip Hip Hooray!! WooHoo!! We finally get to bring Lila home! After almost 2 years of hard work and planning--we are there. I never thought this day would come! Now--I am scared to death!! This is our first time to travel abroad and it is very scary. We are about as prepared as we can be----just counting down the hours! Stay tuned there's more to come in the next few days!
Bon Voyage!!

Six days and counting!!

We have 6 days until we leave for China! I know in comparison to how long we have waited thus far--6 days is nothing----but it feels like forever!! I am so anxious to finally meet and hold Lila---but it also breaks my heart for her- knowing what lies ahead. She has not been planning anything like we have for almost 2 years --she will wake up on 8/29 (gotcha day) just like every other day but it will not be like every other day....... although her situation will be much better--she does not know that so she will be very scared and it breaks my heart for her. I pray that God is preparing her heart for us and the very large extended family she will be a part of!

Planning the trip

We made our plane reservations today--we leave 8/23 at 10:03 am and after many stops, including a layover in Tokyo Japan,  we arrive in Beijing at 10:30 pm on 8/24. We will sightsee in Beijing for 2 days. We are definitely going to the Great Wall and Forbidden city--also a few other places. Whatever we can squeeze into 2 days! On 8/27 we fly to Guangdong Province which is in Southern China--close to the South China Sea. We will stay in Guangzhou--the capital of Guangdong and also where the American Consulate is located. We are lucky that she is in the Province where we have to end up any way!! Most go to their child's Province and then have to fly again to Guangzhou to wrap everything up at the American Consulate. We finally get Lila on 8/29!!! Her orphanage is 3 hours from where we are staying. Hopefully, if the orphanage gives us permission, we will be able to visit and see where Lila spent the first 14 months of her life. Most are able to visit. We are in Guangzhou until 9/7 which is when our Consulate appointment is--we have to stay for 24 hrs then take a train to Hong Kong which is not far from where we are staying and on 9/9 begin our journey home!!

Travel Approval!!

Hip hip Hooray!! WooHoo!! We received both our travel approval and Consulate appointment today!! Travel approval is China saying it is okay to enter the country for the purpose of adoption. Our consulate appointment is the day we go to the American Consulate and Lila officially becomes our daughter!!! The consulate appointment is the basis for what day we will travel. It is also the last day we are there. Before then we have more paperwork, Lila has to get checked out medically at a clinic and did I say more paperwork?! So we have to be in her Province (Guangdong) on 8/27 and our "gotcha day" is 8/29--our Consulate appointment is 9/7--we have to stay for a day after the Consulate Appointment (not sure why) but we will come home 9/9. We actually will depart B'ham on 8/23 to arrive in Beijing late on 8/24. We will visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Hutong tours and whatever else we can squeeze into 2 days--then off to Guangdong Province by plane again! We will have a guide/translator the whole time we are there. Oh there is so much more but I will save that for another post!! Once again I must say we are so thankful God chose us to love and care for one of his children! I guess he knew how loved/spoiled a little girl would be in our house!!

Article 5

Our Article 5 letter was picked up on 8/3!!  Woohoo!! That letter states everything clear to complete the adoption and Lila can enter and live in the US. Now we are waiting on our Travel Approval from China---then we leave to get our baby girl!!! We are so excited and sooooo ready to bring her home! It has been long enough!!

Still Waiting........Inpatiently

We are still waiting........and the anxiety is building...... I feel like someone who is 9 months pregnant and waiting to go into labor any day now!! Her room is almost finished and as soon as it is I will post a pic! Last night I bought diapers, wipes, lotion and another toy for her. Please, please let our TA (travel approval) come soon!