And we're blessed with yet another strong-willed child

Yes, what we had suspected all along has come true--Grace has a strong will. We have seen glimpses of it from the beginning--little things would happen and Dave and I would give each other "knowing" looks--what we knew is that eventually this would emerge. Dave and I are no strangers to strong-willed children, that's for sure. So I guess she will fit right in! She's thrown a few fits here and there, but the "Big One" was tonight in the playroom--Grace, or Atilla the Hun as we call her affectionately, feels that all balls in the room are hers and will fight whoever challenges this. After she refused to share, we put her shoes back on and whisked her out of the room quickly to which she screamed all the way up 12 floors and a while in the room. But she got over it and was smiling as if nothing happened. We say to Grace, "Bring it on, Baby!" Today we visited the Chen Family temple and a really pretty park. This afternoon all of the adopted children wore their traditional Chinese clothes and took pictures on the famous red couch here at the White Swan. We posted a picture of Grace in her beautiful pink Chinese dress. The sun actually shone today and there was no rain which as so very welcomed. Many groups go home tomorrow--wish it were us, but only 3 days to go!

Buddhist Temple

Today we visited a Buddhist temple and learned alot about the religion--there are many buddhist gods that are worshipped for different things. For example, one worships the happy buddah for have a happy life and the buddah of mercy to ask for the gift of a child. It was interesting and the temple was beautiful with banyan trees in the courtyard. After our tour, our whole group went out to eat at a Cantonese restuarant and sampled many different foods--all extremely delicious. I could eat like this forever. Grace threw 2 tantrums today--she is acting more and more like a 4 yr. old and getting more comfortable with us. We gently insist that she do what we have asked her to do (such as put on her jacket or sit in the high chair) and she eventually does it. She definitely has a strong will, but it has always, so far, ended in compliance. We praise her when she is compliant and reassure her over and over of how much we love her when we discipline her. 4 more days to go!!!

Shopping.....again

No pictures to post today--we were tired of lugging our camera around. Today we had 6 other families join us --they all flew in from their provinces yesterday. No matter what province you adopt from, you have to do the last leg of your trip in Guangzhou. The reason why we have been here the whole time is because this is also Grace's province. We all went to the Jade Market and the Pearl Market---more jewelry than I have ever seen in my life. Mom, you would call this Heaven. I'm not that into jewelry, but getting out is always fun. This afternoon, Dave had to do some official paperwork, so Grace and I went walking around and got some ice cream and dropped off our laundry. We then went to the hotel playroom where Grace decided to pee pee in the middle of the floor--she has never had 1 accident since we have had her and she seemed quite mortified that it happened (as did the family that was playing right beside her at the time). She does drink constantly, as if she was never given anything to drink in the orphanage. We are trying to curtail how much she drinks, but drinking out of her sippy cup seems to have become a comfort thing for her. About 4 families that I know of have gotten food poisening--I'm a little scared, so keep praying. 5 more days to go after today----can't wait to get home to our kiddos!!!!

A Most Interesting and Bazaar Chinese Market

Today we went to the market where one can see the weirdest things: chinese remedies in the form of dried whale stomachs and toad sticks; dried mushrooms, seahorses, sea urchins, lizards, etc... We even had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing a poor rat meet his demise--they blowtorched him--I looked away, but was aware of it happening from the smell. There were many live animals as well: puppies, kittens, ducks, chicks, chipmunks, rabbits, fish, turtles, scorpions--all in cages, buckets, bowls, tubs--whatever. I was completely in awe, but Dave didn't like it so much. Later this afternoon we met up with 2 other families who adopted girls from the same orphanage as Grace--one from Boston and one from Spain. The girls were all friends and enjoyed playing together. We exchanged info. so we can keep in touch. It is still raining here--it seems the sun never shines. However, Grace is a shining blessing and takes the place of the sun anyway!

Guangzhou city zoo

Today we went to the Guangzhou Zoo to see a panda bear--only one lives at that zoo and 10 live at another zoo that is about an hour away. Unfortunately we won't be able to go to that one. We had only been at the zoo for about 40 minutes when there was a torrential downpour. We found shelter, but it continued to rain and rain. We were being attacked by mosquitoes and just decided to make a run for it back to the van (we had to purchase some umbrellas first). Even with the umbrellas, we got soaked--there was some flooding that we had to run through. We got back about 2:00 and have been at the hotel ever since trying to dry out. The stroller we borrowed is still wet, and poor Dave only has 1 pair of shoes which are still wet. We didn't even get lunch--just ate snacks. We are about to head out for some dinner in our wet shoes--I am SO TIRED of this hotel room and so is Grace. It has just been miserable weather--they are calling for rain for the whole time we are here. This would be considered the "rainy season". The rest of the group fly in tomorrow afternoon from their provinces. I'm anxious to reconnect with them and see how their new little ones are adjusting. Grace is still doing great--a real trooper! I miss my other kids!!!!!

Yun tai Garden

Today was rainy, cloudy, and cool--we actually haven't seen the sun in China yet. We toured Yun Tai Gardens today--very beautiful and peaceful; an oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle. The flowers were extraordinary, especially the rose garden. Afterwards we visited the memorial hall of Dr. Sun Yatsen. When our tour was done, our family and our guide went to her favorite Cantonese restuarant and ate the most delicious food. So far we have loved just about everything we have eaten here, but I guess that was to be expected since our favorite foods are Asian foods. So far we haven't gotten sick either--hopefully we can stay well, but everyone who comes here has told us that they got sick at least once. Maybe you all can pray about that too! Grace is still doing incredibly well and continuing to form a bond with us. For some reason in the restuarant today, she did not want to sit in the high chair and only wanted to sit in my lap to eat. We tried and tried--even our guide spoke Mandarin to get her to, but this was very upsetting to her and she continued to refuse. We have to play by different rules than we ordinarily have played with our bio kids--she needs to be a little spoiled right now; I mean, come on---it's not like she has ever been spoiled before!

Still going great--missing home though

Day 3 with Grace, Day 7 since we left the U. S. , Day 9 since we left our other kids. We miss Emma, Gabe, and Hayden soooo much! We're so ready to go home and be a family! Today we took Grace for her medical exam (didn't seem like much of an exam), but they said she was healthy. Then we applied for her passport and visa and we also got official papers that the adoption has been approved by China. Last steps take place on 4/1 with the U. S. consolate--more interviews and have to make her an American citizen. She is still doing great--she cried this morning when a little boy took her ball away. We were glad to see more typical 4 yr. old behavior--she can't possibly always be this compliant. She said more English words today which is incredible considering she is Apraxic and supposedly "nonverbal". She said, Emma, hi, bye, fish, apple, and ear. She loves to point to pictures and have me label them and she tries to mimic almost every word, but these are the words we heard clearly today. Another huge breakthrough is that she is answering to Grace ALREADY! We were calling her ShiShi (pronounced SuSu) since that is what she was called in the orphanage--just every now and then we would combine it with Grace. Since Monday I have been pointing to her picture and saying, "Grace" and today we thought we'd give it a go and see what would happen if we just called her Grace. She responded and has every time since then! She is extremely smart and extremely ENERGETIC and non-stop--into everything! The funniest thing happened in a shop tonight--she was wanting to get down (Dave was holding her) and grab everything and we were trying to tell her no, and the shopkeeper figured she could do better since Grace understands Chinese; so she spoke to her and then Grace, very frightened, tightened her arms around Dave's neck and was very quiet and still. I asked what the lady said and this is how she responded, "I told her that she better be a very good girl or a big owl was going to swoop down and take her away from her new mama and daddy." I didn't know quite how to take that! I guess they do things a little "differently" here in China!

Day 2--she is officially a deSambourg!

We went back to Civil Affairs today and officially adopted Grace--so she is now a deSambourg. Last night went wonderfully--she went to sleep with no tears and slept all night. She woke up dry and smiling and ready to get dressed and take on the day. Still no tears--except this morning when we were in the lobby and Dave had to go back up to the room--she cried until he got back. She wants us both with her at all times--which means she is beginning to make an attachment. We had to be interviewed by Chinese officials--it was a little nervewracking, but I guess we answered everything okay. The scariest question was "You have so many kids already, why would you want another?" I felt fear at that point, but somehow managed to give an answer that was acceptable. After the interviews we went shopping at a store that's similar to a Walmart and then to eat lunch--all this with the other family and our guide. We ate different foods that are popular in northern China--all very good but I can't pronounce any of the names. We are back at the hotel watching Grace put a puzzle together over and over as quickly as she can. We don't know if she was timed doing puzzles in the orphanage or not, but she acts as though she must put it together as quickly as possible. We have the rest of the afternoon and evening free--tomorrow she gets her medical exam and we apply for visa and passport. It is truly amazing how much we love this little girl!

We got her!

Our Grace is "home" now! Our receiving her could not have gone better--she was happy and came to us right away. All the other children were screaming, but Grace was as happy as could be--one parent there voted her "happiest child". We found out that she lived at an excellent orphanage--her nannies gave us gifts (beautiful tea set and tea), pictures of Grace at the orphanage, the things that we sent her, and books and a DVD about the orphanage. We could tell that her nannies loved her. The incredible thing is she went to Pre-school there and had a "foreign" teacher and she seems to understand a little English! She is saying some words like Mama and Baba (that's daddy in Chinese) and we have recognized a few more. I feel confident in my diagnosis of Apraxia instead of Aphasia and that we will have her talking also.

We've had her 5 hours now and she still is as happy as can be. She ate pizza; we walked around the hotel and showed her the fish in the pond and the swimming pools--all the while she laughed and played. She played in the bathtub and now she is laying in the bed playing with her doll. We are waiting for the crying to begin because we figure it has to happen eventually--we'll see how the night goes! Thanks to all who have been praying about this wonderful day with us!

"Patiently" waiting....

It's 12:15 China time on Monday and we meet our guide at 2:00 to go to Civil Affairs to meet Grace, or ShiShi, as they call her in the orphanage. Of course, our stomachs feel very nervous and we barely slept last night due to the excitement. Today is Dave's birthday--a memorable one it will certainly be. The hotel is baking him a cake and delivering it to our room at 12:30--we didn't tell them it was his birthday, they just knew from our records and this is what they do for their guests. Upon return to our room this morning we had a gift waiting for us from the company Mattel Toys--A Barbie with an adopted Chinese baby! Pretty incredible! We also had an invitation from Mattel to play anytime in their playroom here at the hotel. We are staying at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou--better known as the hotel where EVERYONE who adopts from China stays! We have seen many internationals here who have come to adopt--Americans, Canadians, French, South Africans, etc... We also had the pleasure of meeting the other family who will be meeting their daughter today as well and touring Guangzhou with us this week. They are from New Jersey and have 2 bio boys (12 and 9). We absolutely do not know what to expect today--we have given this to God. He has taken us and blessed us this far. The hotel just delivered a beautiful cake--gotta go celebrate!

Sunday in Guangzhou

We woke up at 4 am this morning (Sunday on the other side of the world) and drove to the airport to fly to Guangzhou. It was a 3 hr. flight and a little turbulent, but we arrived safely. The weather here is completely different than Beijing---Beijing was cold and still winter whereas Guangzhou is hot, humid, and green like summer. So far I like Guangzhou better because we are staying on what they call Shamian Island overlooking the Pearl River and it is very pretty. Architecture looks similar to New Orleans because it was settled by the Europeans during the Opium War. The hotel is much nicer here too and we can walk to everything easily. Our guide walked around with us after we got here and pointed out all the places where we should eat and shop and which ones to avoid. Some Chinese shop owners were calling out to us things like--"you here to adopt?-you come to my store---I sell you baby things". We get Grace tomorrow at the Civil Affairs office at 2:30 pm China time (it will be about 1:30 am where you all are). We feel excited and nervous all at the same time---it's like giving birth, only I've been pregnant 2 years and, luckily, I don't have to actually "deliver" a 4 year old! Pictures of the blessed event to come tomorrow hopefully!

climbing great wall

great wall

forbidden city

Tour of Beijing

Today was absolutely incredible--we saw things today we never dreamed we would see. We toured the Forbidden City-it was beautiful and much bigger than we expected. Our guide provided us with tons of history which made it very interesting. Tian an men square was cool, but extremely crowded. We went to a silk museum and saw how silk was made using the silk worms. But the highlight of the day was definitely the Great Wall--Dave and I had to keep reminding ourselves that we were actually there. It was a very hazy day, but we still could see it very well. We climbed up to the second tower--harder than expected. The stairs are uneven and UNSAFE--going back down was scary. It was worth the climb when we got to the tower--the view of the wall winding up and over the mountains was breathtaking. We have already bonded with the families in our group. They are from all over the U.S. and getting to know them has been an added blessing to the whole experience. Tomorrow morning--early, early, we fly to Guangzhou. We get Grace the next day!!!

We're in Beijing!!

I am EXHAUSTED!!! Probably due to not sleeping the night before we left. We left our house at 5:00am and arrived in Beijing 2:00am CST--21 hours later! We flew to Chicago first--then boarded our plane for Beijing at noon and left around 12:40. It was a 13 hour flight--we arrived at 3:00 pm Beijing time. We are thankful we made it safely and thank you all so much for your prayers. We see the Forbidden City, Tian An Men Square, and the Great Wall tomorrow. Hopefully we'll have pictures to post. We have a very nice guide who met us at the airport and will take us on the tour tomorrow. It just so happens that we flew to Beijing with another family from our agency who is also adopting. Tomorrow we meet up with 5 more families and will tour with them. Gotta go find something to eat now!

We're on our way!

Tomorrow we leave for China--it is really surreal! We drove to my parents' house in Louisiana on Monday because Emma, Gabe, and Hayden will be staying with them while we are away. We drove back to St. Louis on Tuesday--it was very hard to leave them and we miss them already. I HATE when our family is not all together. The kids are really doing great though--I am so proud of them. They believe in what we are doing and support it wholeheartedly and are ready to bond with their new sister. Dave and I are spending the day getting packed and ready--my stomach feels a little nervous. I think I'm more afraid to fly than anything. Anyway, we covet everyone's prayers! We have been told we will have internet access in our hotels so we plan to update this along the way, so keep checking! We get to Beijing 3/20--fly to Guangzhou 3/22--get Grace Songshi 3/23!!!

Our Adoption Journey

Over 2 years ago, our family received a calling from the Lord to make a difference in the life of an orphan. It was at this time that we decided to adopt a little girl from China and to name her Grace because of the grace of our Saviour. The journey has been an incredible experience, sometimes filled with joy; sometimes filled with heartache; sometimes filled with fear. Through every single moment of it, our Father has walked with us, clearing the way and making it possible to get to where we are today---at this writing, 6 days from leaving for China and 10 days to holding the daughter and sister that we have earnestly prayed for in our arms. We cannot share our experience with you without bringing glory to the One who deserves it. Some bumps along the way include the fact that I (Whitney) have failed fingerprints a total of 4 times---a case that the immigration office in St. Louis has "never" experienced. The Lord saw fit to put people in our path that helped us to work out this very important detail. Over the last few months since we received our referral we have experienced SO MANY blessings! We prayed---we believed---and we received! Every single thing we asked of the Lord, He gave faithfully. We have seen His power--we have experienced it first hand--and we are THANKFUL beyond words. And for our other 3 children, Emma, Gabe, and Hayden...their lives have hopefully been impacted forever and will continue to be as they have witnessed and experienced every bit of the journey with us.