SURPRISE!!!!

Abby was delivered to us a day earlier than we expected! She is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! And so full of personality! She never even cried and immediately called us "Mama" and "Papa"!

We are already having so much fun with her! We will try to post more tomorrow. Thank you all out there for your prayers....they definitely worked! Abby bonded with us immediately and is now fast asleep in bed.

Don't Drink The Water!!!

Here's the proof that it's really not safe to drink the water here! Over every faucet is this sign "NO DRINKING WITHOUT DEALING". So far we've managed not to get the water in our mouths while taking a shower. But several times we have forgotten and rinsed our toothbrushes out with tap water and had to boil water to sanitize them again. Also, we can't have the ice and any fruit that we don't wash and cut up ourselves.

Food, Shopping, etc.

Breakfast at our hotel was interesting this morning. At first we kinda panicked because most of the food we would never touch at breakfast.. vegetable-stuffed dumplings, congee, olives, cucumbers, seafood of all kinds, noodles, greens, hot milk (Michael gagged at that one! ha ha) and hot soy milk. But we did manage to find some sausage that tasted like hot dogs, bread that we made toast of, cereal, and a hotel employee that cooked eggs (but not the way you asked for them). It ended up being pretty good after all and we left full.

Oh! I almost forgot to tell about our dinner last night. We ate here in the hotel restaurant and I again ordered beef noodles since my stomach still hasn't quite adjusted to the jet lag, lack of sleep, new country etc. Well, my noodles tasted like something between black licorice and soap and even though I was starving, I only ate a few bites. Daddy, I just want you to know that I am a daughter after your own heart. Thank goodness I brought some instant grits and that was my life saver after we got back to our room! For all of you out there who have yet to travel, take less clothes and more food! You can always buy more clothes after you get here!

Everything is so different here. Today we have been on our own and the communication is difficult. We went grocery shopping at a little store underground and found all sorts of interesting things. Every aisle had about 3-4 employees just chomping at the bits to help us. I tried to ask for Eucerin face cream to replace what was confiscated during our last flight in China and the commotion that ensued was entertaining but not very funny. We were both a nervous wreck by the time we left but managed to find diet Coke, apple juice, and bottled water. On the walk back to our hotel, we passed a music store that had Bryan Adams' "Everything I Do" blasting on their sound system. We were soooooo glad to hear something -- anything in English!!!! It makes us both know just how difficult the days ahead will be for Abby as she leaves everything that is familiar to her. Please be praying for our little one over the next few days as she makes this transition to her forever family.

Abby's Babydoll

This is the first gift we have bought for Abby. We were just burning time waiting on our flight and spotted these cute little dolls in one of the airport shops.

Guangzhou Airport

View of the Guangzhou Airport from the hotel room our first night in China.

We're Here!!!

August 30, 2008. Dear Family and Friends, Sorry it has taken us so long to post to our blog, but we have experienced some difficulty with WiFi and just now got ourselves in working order. We made it here to Guangzhou around midnight last night and boy were we tired! Jawanna is a light sleeper but managed to sleep through a screaming child and someone playing "Operation" during our last flight, so that tells you how exhausting this kind of trip can be. We had a great night's sleep and feel human again. Today we ate at the Guangzhou Airport at Oak Tree Cafe' and the food was pretty good. Michael ordered a ham sandwich that was interesting with fried egg, tomato, mayonnaise, and cucumber on it. Jawanna ordered beef noodles and the broth was quite soothing to her tummy after having air plane food HA HA! Here's an interesting fact about China: There is no “no smoking” section in Chinese restaurants, which is quite different than what we’re used to. Our flight for Lanzhou leaves in about 1 hour and 40 minutes. We will arrive around 7:00 pm and then will just wait to get our little Abby. We will post more good news as we get it!

Wow! We're Leaving in a Few Hours!

Wow we actually leave tomorrow morning and it is such a blessing to see our promise from God becoming a reality!

Here is our Itinerary for our stay in China:

Leave mobile 08/28/08 6:00am

Arrive in Guangzhou 11:00pm on Friday 08/29/08

Spend night in Guangzhou Fly to Lanzhou in the Gansu Providence on 8/30/08

8/31/08 Free day to rest on

9/1/08 GOTCHA DAY! 9am We Go to civil affairs office to get Abby!

(our Gotcha Day is 8pm Sunday Night in the U.S.)

9/2/08 Civil Afairs & Notary to do paperwork

9/3/08 Sightseeing Tour & Bonding Time with Abby

9/4/08 Sightseeing Tour & Bonding Time with Abby

9/5/08 Get Abby's Passport

9/6/08 Fly out for Guangzhou and arrive at the White Swan Hotel

9/7/08 Sightseeing tour to Chen Family Temple

9/8/08 Abby's Visa Photo and Medical Exam

9/9/08 Take Family Documents to American Consulate in Guangzhou

9/10/08 Go to American Consulate for Interview & Abby's Visa

9/11/08 Go Home!!!!!!

Fun Facts About Abby

Abigail means "My Father's Joy"
Rae means "Wise Protection"

Height = 28.7"
Weight = 22 pounds
Feet = 4.9"
Head = 17.3"
Chest = 17.7"
She has 8 Top Teeth & 6 Bottom Teeth

Abby can say Dad, Mom, eat, drink, and some simple phrases. She has a normal schedule the same as adults. She takes a bottle of fresh milk morning and night. During the day she eats some fruit. She loves sweet food especially....(guess she takes after her mama!) She likes to play with little stuffed animals or little bells. Abby's foster mother says, "She is very cute and smart! She is a lovely girl!" Lady Bugs'n Love said this about Abby: "She is definitely BEAUTIFUL!"

LESS THAN 3 WEEKS TO GET ABBY!!!!!

It's finally done! As of tonight all of our China travel has been arranged. We'll be leaving a day early, on August 28th and arriving in Guangzhou on August 29th. After a night of much-needed rest, we will fly to Lanzhou August 30th and Gotcha Day (the day we get Abby) will be August 31st!

Abby's Care Package RECEIVED!

Although we were allowed to send a care package to Abby, we had no way of knowing whether or not it would actually reach her......and we just found out from a very sweet friend in China that she did receive it!

COVERED IN PRAYER & SENT WITH LOTS OF LOVE!

Included was a thank-you letter and gifts to Abby's foster family. We sent Abby a family photo album, a talking bear (with our voices recorded for her), books & toys, and a dress and shoes for her to wear on Gotcha Day.

Travel Approval!

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25

Today we received GREAT news from a far country....as of Friday we were approved to travel to China for our Abigail Rae!

Our adoption agency is in the process of obtaining an appointment with the US Consulate in Guangzhou, China. That is the final appointment in China where Abby becomes an American Citizen!

We will know something for sure in about 3 days, but right now our tentative schedule is as follows: We leave for China on August 29th and our US Consulate appointment is on September 9th.

Thank You, Lord, for quenching our thirst!!!!