June 3, 2004

Due to an early arrival in San Francisco, Alaina joined us in traveling through Pittsburgh, and ultimately arriving home at 11:15 pm. It was wild. We got into San Francisco early and thought for fun, let's just see if an earlier flight would be leaving. We had one hour to get on the plane--not much time. We literally ran through the airport. We arrived in Pittsburgh and literally ran through that beautiful airport to get to our airplane. We called our family to say that we were on the way while we were on the airplane waiting to taxi. Thankfully, someone had a cell phone and they allowed us to borrow it. We had tried calling at each airport but the phones wouldn't work. We really surprised everybody when we called. My parents brought the kids to the airport in their pajamas. What sweet memories. Lots of smiles and hugs. The first question the boys asked was, "Where are our Gameboys?" Alaina blew kisses and laughed at everybody. She wouldn't leave my arms but was happy to be friendly. Finally, she allowed my mom to hold her.

It was very late by the time we made it home from the airport but our bodies were thinking it was in the middle of the day. Alaina didn't mind her first ride in her carseat at all. She did great. Alaina was happy to play with the kids. We didn't stay up too much longer and thankfully, Alaina slept all night. She was on schedule almost instantly. What a blessing.

The next day was great. We had family and friends come to see us. Alaina allowed Granddaddy to hold her for a picture. Thanks again for the prayers. It was a difficult trip and our agency was great. Trina will no doubt share more of the details in the future.

We have a rather full schedule this weekend, but Alaina looks forward to meeting all of you soon. We had prayed that we would be home for our niece's wedding and Alexis's dance recital on June 4th. Not only are we home on time, God brought us home a day earlier than planned. Our journey begins...

See our slide show to music of Our First Year.

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June 2, 2004

Notes from our Itinerary:

6/2 Kathy will give you the CCAI Adoptive Family China Adoption Trip Experience survey. Please take'a few moments to fill it out and return it to Kathy today. Thank you.

Kathy goes to the Consulate to pick up visas and delivers them to you after 3pm.
DO NOT OPEN YOUR CHILD'S VISA PACKET!

Please take some time today to begin packing.

Our Day

The beginning of the day, I visited Sherry's Place to finish my shopping. Alaina and I spent many hours with Amie, Sherry's sister and they ask me to eat lunch with them. It was very tasty Chinese food. I asked if they had a fork to share since I'm not very good with chopsticks. Joel went back to the electronics mall to buy more Gameboy games...by himself in a Taxi.

Kathy took us out for dinner at a nice Thai restaurant. After dinner, we finished up our purchases at Sherry's Place and they wrapped everything up for us in a very large suitcase that we bought. It was raining cats and dogs so it was a challenge. It was getting late but Sherry and her family helped us get it all together. We were so amazed how they can make things happen. The seamstress had made a dress for me. She brought it to Sherry's and I tried it on. It was too tight so she took it back to her house and fixed it while we waited. In the meantime, the artist brought the drawing by and he sat in front of us to add some ending touches. So amazing and talented. I can't wait until we surprise the kids with the drawing. We hugged Sherry, Amie and Daisy goodbye and promised to keep in touch.

We finished packing with excitement knowing we were going home. While we were getting packed up and ready for bed, we remembered it was our wedding anniversary. Before we left to go to China we were very excited about spending June 2nd in China. So sad that we were so busy all day that we forgot about our special day. It was ok. We were going home to be a family of six.

Next Day...

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June 1, 2004

Notes from our Itinerary:

6/1 Kathy will deliver your visa packets to the U.S. Consulate Adoption Unit. Go to the U.S. Consulate to take the oath at 4:00pm. Cell phones or cameras are not allowed in the U.S. Consulate or on the U.S. Consulate grounds. Please leave them at the hotel.

Note: The U.S. Consulate prohibits adult travel companions from entering the building.

All adult travel companions must remain at the hotel.

OUR WONDERFUL DAY

Today was an exciting day. We walked to the American Consulate. I imagined that we would have just our group for an exciting ceremony. It was very short and sweet with many other families from other agencies. We all sat in a crowded room and promised a few things and that was it. We were permitted to leave the country with our babies. I couldn't leave today, because I have lots more shopping to do.

We took Red Sofa photos today with all the babies and the group picture of our families in front of the waterfall at the White Swan. Precious.

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May 30, 2004

Joel's email: Thanks for all of your prayers. Last night we arrived in Guangzhou by airplane. Alaina's first airplane trip. She did great! She is quickly coming out of her shell and showing off a little. Today, we went on a sightseeing adventure with the group. She was quite the entertainer at lunch. Always ready to eat, she finished her bottle in about 2 minutes. Everyone was impressed. After feeding herself throughout lunch, she proceeded to smile and pose for a couple of photos. She's beginning to understand a little about that. Now, if we can just keep Trina home from the shopping long enough, Alaina might get a good afternoon nap. Apparently, not today. Trina is discovering the shops of Guangzhou. There are several stores close to the hotel that cater to the adoptive parents. Trina's favorite is Sherry's Place where we bought most of our things. In fact, one of the stores is permitting me to use their internet service as I write this. They actually offer this to all of their customers. Well, I have to go and save some money, or at least that's what Trina is telling me. I'm going to save about $60! (I'm guessing that I would have saved more by not leaving the hotel room.) Maybe Alaina and Daddy can get to bed at a decent time tonight. We're getting to be better buddies every day. Guangzhou is very much a busy Asian city. Much different from Nanchang. Guangzhau has about ___ people. I asked the girls that work here; they didn't know. It's a lot. Much more money here. The Westerners are much more common due to the city size, the business here, the U.S. Consulate, European Consulates, etc. We'll check in later. Have a great day. Our return is very soon. Joel, Trina and Alaina Our Day We enjoyed our tour today. First, we visited the Buddhist Temple. Some have said they will not visit there. First, I just wanted to go to see what it looked like. Once we were there, it broke our hearts to see people bowing to a statue. Some say they go there to get good luck. We just wanted to run to the people and tell them about our God, Jesus, the living almighty God, creator of Heaven and earth. It put a love in our hearts, a different kind of love for them. If you are a Chinese Citizen, you are not allowed to meet as a group and worship. Going to the Buddhist Temple changed my heart forever. It added a burden on my heart for these precious lost souls. Alaina will know our God. We ask a grandmother if we could take her picture inside the temple. Her little grandchild had split pants on and you could see his little bottom. After the Buddhist Temple, we toured another museum...beautiful art, carvings, and paintings. Beside this beautiful museum was a very old looking apartment building. We met Sherry, Amie, Daisy (the owners of Sherry's Place) and their Grandfather today at Sherry's Place. I began my shopping adventure. I plan to buy lots of things to take home to give to Alaina through the years as special gifts. I've learned that Sherry is so much like me...and we live a half an earth away from each other. We had so much fun getting to know each other. She has a famous artist that will draw your family from pictures. A friend had told me to take pictures of each child and he would draw them together. I can't wait to see how it turns out. I also picked out satin asian fabric and a seamstress is going to make a quilt for Alaina. The squeaky shoes are adorable and Alaina looks so cute in them. The hotel, the White Swan is beautiful. It has a shopping mall and a waterfall inside the hotel. The rooms are about the same as the Gloria Plaza, very nice. We have the city view and some of our travel mates have the waterfront view which is so beautiful.

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May 29, 2004

Email from Joel:

We are traveling to Guangzhou today to prepare for our appointment at the U.S. Consolate where we will receive a Visa for Alaina to come to the U.S. We have now completed the initial phase of our travel. Alaina's adoption was registered here in Nanchang, making it final. We have also received her passport with her very cute picture in it. We have also received a number of other official documents to be used to obtain her Visa to U.S.

Our flight today is a short one-hour flight south. We fly at about 4pm here (4am Sat for you). The hotel there is the White Swan (phone number is 011-866-20-8188-6968) that caters to Americans very well. It will be a pleasant experience as well. Much shopping to do there.

Alaina is taking her morning nap after breakfast. She is beginning to be the life of the party (the party starts around dinner time!). She can always find food that she likes. She is a beautiful, healthy, happy girl. She can't wait to see her siblings, family and friends. The days are getting shorter and her arrival in VA is quickly approaching.

We say good-bye to Nanchang today. It is a somewhat somber occasion as some of us might never be able to return. Mixed feelings, though, as everyone is growing anxious to get home as well.

Our next report will be from Guangzhou, a little hotter there.

Love,

Trina, Joel and Alaina

At the airport, we were greeted by the same children from when we arrived. They posed for a picture with us and Joel gave them some candy. They were not shy. Alaina held her passport close by...with her cute picture in it.

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May 28, 2004

We got our pictures back from the foster mom. Her house appears very clean. They have a refrigerator and tile floors. She took several pics of the TV. She took several pics at the orphanage so we got to see Alaina's split pants.

It was a very eventful day in the beginning of our day. Alaina pooped in the potty. At breakfast, she was trying to poop in her diaper so I got her up from her seat. We got back to the room and I took off her diaper expecting her to have a full one. A little spot was there. A had heard a couple talking at breakfast about putting their baby on the potty so I thought I would try. She sat there while I supported her and began to do her thing. She had obviously been holding it. She also began to wet. What a happy day. She played on the bed afterwards and was so happy and smiling. Joel missed it so I didn't flush until he got back into the room. "Would this mean less diapers"? Daddy wonders.

We walked around today just taking pictures of things. We had to prove to you that we have KFC (which is really good and taste the same as home) and McDonald's.

Our last dinner was at another very nice restaurant. This time we picked out our food from a fish tank. They kill it in front of you and then cook it in front of you...that is if you want to watch what you are about to eat. James helped us pick our fish as some other brave husbands.

Alaina was the life of the party as usual. She decided to rest her feet on the table. Too cute.

We got Alaina's passport so we are packed and ready to leave. It was very sad knowing that we were leaving Alaina's province. She was leaving behind all that she ever knew. Although this was a sad time, we were very excited to fly to Guangzhou and learn about a different place in China and ultimately we were one day closer to home.

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May 27, 2004

Today is Thursday, May 27, 2004 around 4 P.M. (China time) and you are sleeping (because it is 4 AM (US Eastern time). I really love it here. It's really hot here, a lot like Florida. Can't wait to show you all the pictures. Linda and Rachel (Creative Memories consultants) will laugh that I have taken about 7 rolls of film already. Hope I don't run out. We received notarized adoption documents today. Happy day.

Alaina is rolling over very easily now. She plops over and bumps her head on the firm crib mattress. She enjoyed her nesting cups today. She laughed more with us today and was so animated.

She is so precious. She is still connected to my hip at all times. She is just now allowing me to put her down for a nap. Joel continues to kiss her but she prefers me. She is realizing that he is not going anywhere so she is slowly coming around. We took the stroller today to see some sites and ended up carrying her. I'm so tired from holding her all the time but I am loving every minute of it.

We visited the Tengwang Pavilion. It has been ruined an rebuilt more than 28 times. It did not have an elevator so we climbed many steps with Alaina. Glad that I have been working out before this trip. We bought Alaina a teaset in the Pavilion. We found large gold coins and had them engraved for the kids. On one side, it has the Pavilion and the other side was the Chinese animal of each child. James was impressed that I knew exactly when their birthdays fell and what animal they needed.

For lunch, James took us to a very nice restaurant. Everything is so tasty and they always serve us so much that we can't eat all of it. They serve the food on a lazy-susan so you spin the food around. Before you are seated, you look at the menu basically on a shelf and pick the things you want.

Notice eyes and head and other parts.

Later that evening, after we had Pizza Hut pizza in our rooms (yes, Pizza Hut...it taste a little different but good), we went for a walk. We stopped by a shop called Tiffany's Place and met a guy named Jack. His English was very good. We laughed at trying to explain that we wanted to buy a Chinese doll for our baby. He didn't understand at all what we were talking about.

It's so funny when we are out and Chinese people speak to her. She laughs out loud. We have gotten her to laugh a few times. I think she is going to be like Zachary thinking that since she can't understand us, why should she waste her time trying. Today she waved bye-bye and looked at Joel and said DaDa. We are slowly getting to know each other. Her eyes get so big when Chinese music plays and she sort of dances. She's not walking yet. I think because she was in a walker so much that she has not been given much time to practice balance. Some of the babies started walking just this week. This gives me some time to get the house childproofed.

We get lots of attention on the streets. I feel like a celebrity. Everyone looks at us and ask if she is our baby. After explaining that "yes, she is Chinese" and "yes, she is ours," then they add how beautiful she is. One lady said that she is very pretty and her skin is very white. I guess Chinese people think that is a good thing. (Much of the advertising in China is done using caucasian models. That is especially noteworthy in Nanchang because it is not a tourist destination and virtually no Americans are seen in the public street.) I think she is going to have a beautiful tan this summer just like her sister.

Happy Anniversary today to Mom and Dad (51 years and counting)!

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