Home!!!

YAY!  We're home, and we're finally all together!  I imagined how good this would feel, but it was even better than that!

We got to our house at 2am Saturday, after 24 hours of traveling.  Lyla was awesome, slept 9 of the 10.5 hour international flight!  Praise the Lord!  On the other two flights she was easily entertained with the things we brought, so as far as our flights go, things were perfect.  There were a few snags along the way, caused a little extra stress, but it all worked out, so I have decided to put it out of my memory, the rest is just too good to let that ruin it!

Kevin and Auntie Meedo (Megan) met us at the airport, and Lyla was cautious, but we expected that.  We got home and she was happy and running around looking at things, especially excited about Angelica, the cat.  Our cat is almost 14 years old, so she wasn't real sure what to think of this new little person, but so far, no mishaps.

By about 3am we were all in bed and Lyla had a little pallet on the floor of our room, it was easier than trying to put her in her own room in the middle of the night.  Macey and Xander woke up pretty early, but my mom was so kind to keep them in the girls' room until I woke up around 7am.  When I woke, Lyla was already awake, and you know that smile you see in most the pics I post?  Well, she wakes up that way, so we got up and walked down the hall to meet her brother and sister for the first time in person.  They were excited to see me, and I, them, and they were happy that Lyla was actually here in person.  It wasn't long before they were all up playing.

It was 100 times better than Christmas morning, who gets to wake up to a new sister?  Macey and Xander did!!!

Eventually they ate breakfast, been waiting to fill that seat for a long time!

By the afternoon we were putting clips in each others hair, just like sisters!

I must confess, I had some preconceived ideas about what today, the day all my children were together for the first time, would be like.  I had dreams, big dreams that they would all meet each other, hug instantly, play nicely all day, laugh, love and just enjoy the day together.

...somebody pinch me please!!!

Would you believe that is EXACTLY what happened?!  I am not kidding, they were thrilled to meet each other, and truly enjoyed being around each other all day.  Xander woke up from his nap before Lyla and he just wanted to keep peeking at her while she slept, so sweet.  Macey and Xander were so understanding of Lyla's "unrefined" behaviors, which actually weren't too bad today.  She ran and played outside with Kevin, and helped him in the yard, which was a huge blessing, since she was a little resistant while he was in China.

I know that there is a "honeymoon" period when you adopt a child, where everything is rosie and happy, and I believe that is what we are in.  But I am so grateful that I have at least one day to remember as truly one of the happiest days of my life.  So, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go get some sleep so I can enjoy the rest of our honeymoon tomorrow!!!

Last day!!!

As I am very excited to be reunited with the rest of my family, and after 11 long months ALL of us will finally be in the same place, it is bittersweet. Lyla will be leaving her birth country, one she spent 6 years in, one where sights, sounds and the language are familiar. I have no idea what it would feel like to leave everything familiar, permanently. Many will say that she will be going to a better life, and if you mean because she is now a part of a family, when she once wasn't, then yes, I agree. But the loss she has suffered, and will suffer when we board that plane are immeasurable. Some tend to overlook that adoption is born out of loss.

I hope that someday if Lyla has questions, concerns or even fears of her former life in her birth country, that I am able to present the truth with compassion. There are a lot of things here in China that just don't jive with American thinking, but that doesn't necessarily make the Chinese wrong or bad. Sometimes it's ugly, but I think if we look deep we all have a little "ugliness" that we are trying to hide.

I had our guide come and translate for me as I told Lyla what was going to happen tomorrow. I told her we were taking all of our things and getting on an airplane for a looooong time, we would have to eat and sleep on the airplane! (she thought that was hilarious) Then when we were finally done Daddy would be waiting for us and then take us to her new home, where Macey and Xander are. She just giggled while she snuggled into me and kept looking at me, the guide translated back that she was very excited. I know God has been protecting her heart for her first 6 years, because it appears like it is smiling...and coming out on her face!

On a lighter note, let me tell you a few things about Lyla that are a bit, let's say, unrefined. I guess maybe this should serve as your warning ;) The girl can slurp noodles like nobody's business! If you share a meal with us it's likely that she will eat noodles, so be prepared. It's the way the Chinese do it, so I'm not going to apologize for it, and not even sure if I will ever ask her to change it. However, the intense smacking that follows will be corrected, in time. :) The Chinese have no personal space, and neither does Lyla. Apparently, her eyes don't work very well because she WILL touch everything. I don't believe that gentleness is something taught in an orphanage, in fact it's probably frowned upon because it might indicate weakness. So, although she means no harm, guard yourself...and your children. But have I mentioned how AMAZING she is?!

See y'all soon!!!

Loooooong day

Well, the closer I get to home the longer the days seem. I did not plan today well, and the lack of things to do made it feel especially long. Tomorrow, we have absolutely no plans, feels like a big waste of time, but Lyla's visa won't get to us until 4:30pm. If I would have known better I would have done things differently and gotten us home earlier. Oh well, next time. ;)

We'll probably take a taxi to the island again. There is a great playground, a good place to eat and lots to look at. We spend most or our time by ourselves now, which is good, but sometimes hard.

We did have a great time tonight eating pizza and hanging out with the other families. We ordered Papa Johns pizza (which Lyla does not like) and ate it in the garden/play area on the 4th floor. Lyla ran and played with the other kids for an hour and a half! She loves playing with all the kids, no matter their age. She got a bath and she should sleep hard tonight!

Nearing the end

Well, tomorrow is the long awaited Consulate Appointment. This is finally the last step before coming home. Two days after the Consulate Appointment is when we get Lyla's visa, and then we are free to take her home! Home, it's such a nice word.

Until then I'll keep filling you in on a few things. There isn't a whole lot going on before we leave, just shopping, possibly hanging out in the park, not much left to do.

Last nights dinner cruise was so fun! Lyla loved being out on the deck and seeing all the lights on the buildings. Seriously, she squealed and oooo'd and awwww'd at everything, it was awesome. If she was that excited about neon lights on buildings, Disneyland is going to be incredible!!!

Today we shopped again, Lyla is getting better, so it is more enjoyable for everyone. My favorite part about today's shopping was a simple comment/recognition by Lyla. She was looking at some small toys, which is her favorite thing, anything worth 50 cents or less, and I liked her choice so I put 3 of them in my basket. And she looked at me and said "Mei mei, di di?". Which is little sister, little brother. It melted my heart because she already recognizes that three things, bought by mom means one for all of them. And this was the only time I bought 3 of something!

Today was a big breakthrough day. She chose to wear short sleeves (shes's been demanding 2 long sleeved shirts everyday) and only 1 pair of pants! At breakfast she ate scrambled eggs! She's only been eating noodles at every meal, I was so excited because I can make scrambled eggs.

Each day gets a little better for us. A few days ago she was being a toot, but I think she is learning that I am not going anywhere and neither are my rules. She's a bit whiny at times, but I've got one of those at home so I can deal with it, and her rowdiness can actually be settled with a calm, serious voice from mom. We're going to be ok!

The island

To those who are reading this blog who have adopted before, or the few of you reading who are familiar with China, you know exactly what I mean when I say we went to the island today. Shamian Island used to be the main hub of all US/Chinese adoptions. The White Swan was a hotel where most families stayed, and it is surrounded by shops, shops and more shops! The White Swan is closed for renovation, which means many of the stores have closed or gotten much smaller. Much less foot traffic, but still a nice place to visit. The island is about as westernized a place as you can find around here, so it is a small taste of home at the end of our journey.

We had a great time eating, shopping and even playing. I bought some good souvenirs and we had fun! Tonight we're going on a Pearl River Dinner Cruise, just hoping they have tall railings or my sweet, sassy, wild daughter just may go for a swim! Kidding, but I considered not going because sometimes the Chinese definition of "safe" doesn't always match mine. We shall see.

Shopping...yikes.

Well, I don't have another little shopping partner just yet. Today I had to parent a little more than she wanted. Nothing major, we're not ready for that, just simple things like making her get dressed when she shook her head no, or making her walk by me when she wants to take off without me. Until today all I wanted was for her to like me and start building some basic trust, we have started that process so I know we are headed in the right direction.

We were out touring and shopping and she was giving me the cold shoulder most of the morning. I wouldn't let her buy everything she pointed to and that made her mad. We had to leave the store and sit outside waiting for everyone else, and she pouted, big time!

We are learning, together, what it means for me to be her mom. We will be learning this for years, but as long as we are learning something new each day we are doing fine. I definitely wish, at times, I could be the "auntie," spoiling her, giving in to her every request, but God has given me a different roll. If I do not do my job I
doing a disservice to her, and that is the last thing this sweet girl needs. So I parent, in the best way I know how, and pray that God will fill in the gaps!

It is interesting, despite all of our battles today, I have received more spontaneous hugs and kisses than any other day! God's reward for my obedience? Perhaps.

In Guangzhou

Well, we got to Guangzhou late Friday night, and then first thing Saturday morning we were off again. We had the medical exam today that made for a long frustrating morning, lots of people, long waits and very little organization...not real sure what it surprised me. ;)

Our flight here was great. Lyla was beyond excited to be on an airplane, and she did well, even if it was just a 1 hr flight. It will still be interesting on our way home. 3 hrs then 11.5 hrs then 3 hrs. I'm already dreading it, but I know my attitude needs to be positive so hers will be too.

At the medical exam today a few interesting things happened. During the part of the exam where they were trying to check Lyla for color blindness and then for her eyesight, she did not do as she was asked. Basically refused, with a smile, to do anything. I was afraid that this would negatively affect her "results," but I was wrong. On her medical exam, instead of measurements and answers to questions it simply says "Would not cooperate." Hahahahaha! Made me laugh! Then as we were getting ready for the last step, seeing the Dr, Lyla was being a little crazy, tripped, fell and went head first into a concrete wall. ouch! That's the big goose egg you see on her head. She took a bit to recover, but has been doing fine.

After the medical, we ate a light lunch and then took a long walk around the neighborhood near our hotel. We just made a big loop around the block, saw some very cool things. The places we saw were what I like to call real life China, not the hotel/tourist/foreigner China that I am used to. Very neat to see.

After our walk we headed to the 7-eleven, Lyla is so much fun in a store, well, fun is what I tell myself, it's more like exhausting. She wants everything, but she doesn't really know what most of the things are. It's fun to let her choose things, even if she has no clue what it is! After that we headed to dinner with a few of the other families, and now we are hanging out in our room and soon she will go to sleep.

Tomorrow we are doing some touring, the weather should be really nice, so going out will be great.

I know this has been long, but I can't say good-night until I brag on my big girl. As I finish typing this she just laid in her bed (oh yes, we have 2 in this hotel!) and fell asleep. I simply told her it was time for bed, gave her a hug and a kiss and she laid there while I am sitting in my bed on the iPad. I had no idea there were kids like this!!! She is amazing, but I think I have told you that already. She is not perfect, but who is? She is pretty rough around the edges, but aren't we all? She is sweet, giggly, happy, loving (yes, loving in the best way that she knows how to be) thoughtful, rowdy, fun, cute, eager to please, quick to learn, sassy, stubborn, independent; I think that about covers it. I cannot wait for you all to meet her. I know we have some tough days ahead of us. I won't be the perfect mom, and she will not always be as "cute" in my eyes, but I know, without a doubt, she is worth it!